Zane looked at Érimón and, after a moment, he started blinking and looking around. "Welcome back."
"Thank you."
"Did you get the system all integrated among your children?" Gzi'om asked.
Érimón nodded. "By the time Zane is placedf in my world, it will have been a hundred years since it was introduced. This will make his interactions with them easier. This will also give them a way to help you, as my children will have had time to learn the ins and outs of the system."
"What does the system look like," Zane asked.
"Let me integrate it into your mind and then I'll walk you through it," Érimón said. He held up a finger, pointing at Zane. Zane leaned forward and Érimón touched him in the middle of his forehead. Zane felt a jolt run through him and a blue, transparent screen that had the word 'welcome' strung across it. It went fuzzy, then clear, then fuzzy, then clear. It stayed clear until it disappeared.
"Why did that feel like a bootup by an old computer?"
"It's just your mind adapting to the system being integrated," Gzi'om said. "You're seeing how your mind interprets the experience."
The screen popped up again and then disappeared. This happened several times, along with the clearing and blurring effect. "How long is this going to go on?"
"Not too much longer," Érimón said. "I'll explain some things while we're waiting for it to finish. There are three main sections. Status, which is where you will see permanent stats like strength and dexterity and your variable stats like health and mana. Traits will allow you to see permanent and temporary non-levelable traits. Skills are abilities that will level with you as you use them."
"Sounds simple enough."
"I prefer simple," Érimón said. "It avoids misunderstandings."
DING! Zane was startled at the sound in his head. "I think it's done."
"Call up your stats and let's see where you will start at."
"Status," Zane said. The blue screen popped up, showing the numbers.
Name: Zane Mangold
Age: 21
Race: Human
Class: Unassigned
Level: 1
Exp: 0/100
Strength: 35
Dexterity: 80
Intelligence: 40
Wisdom: 18
Constitution: 75
Health: 775
Mana: 425
"Some of those numbers seem high," Zane commented.
Érimón was staring in disbelief at the status screen and then looked at Gzi'om. "Some of those numbers are way too high. In fact, all of them except wisdom is above where a level one should be. What did you do?"
Gzi'om held up his hands. "I didn't do anything to his stats. Those are his natural stats coming from a nexus world. He happens to be one of those that were able to absorb the mana there despite the block."
"How much higher are my stats?" Zane asked.
Érimón groaned. "Quite a bit. On my world, the status screen appears when my children turn 16. The average person has stats in each area range from 8 to 12. Talented individuals will have their focused stat up to 14. Geniuses will reach 16. Once in a generation prodigies will hit 18. 18 is your lowest number. Most of your stats are equivalent to someone who is over level 30, yet you are level 1. I may have to adjust some things."
"I would strongly suggest not messing with his internal stats," Gzi'om said. "It may lead to unforeseen consequences. You can adapt the blessings you give me."
Érimón sighed, rubbing his face. "I may have to do that, but I need him to grow fast. I have a feeling that the progression of this unknown energy is going to accelerate. I don't think we have much time before he will have to confront whatever is causing this problem."
"Then he is exactly what you need."
Érimón nodded. "Are all of the heroes you bring from that world like this?"
Gzi'om shook his head. "Zane is special among them. Why do you think that I chose him?"
"I won't mess with his stats, but he needs to earn his blessings. What is received and not earned is often taken for granted." Érimón touched Zane's forehead again and Zane felt another jolt zap through him. The stat screen disappeared and he felt light headed for a few minutes.
"Now, lets look at your traits," Érimón said after the effects had passed.
Traits
Blessed Hero: Double Experience gain, all stat increases doubled with each level.
Linguist (sealed): The ability to understand, speak, and read the languages of the world.
Charming (sealed): Children of Érimón will naturally trust you (reversed until unsealed).
Chosen of the Truck-Kun (sealed): The ability to sense souls who are worthy of heroic elevation.
"Why are most of these sealed?" Zane asked.
"Because you are going to have to earn them," Érimón said. "I'm not going to start you in a town or city. You will be in the mountains, close to a dungeon designed just for you. Until you clear that dungeon, you won't be able to communicate with my children and they will distrust you on sight. Plus, you won't be able to fulfill the mission given to you by Gzi'om. This dungeon will be your Trial of Worth. This will also be where you chose your class and receive your first weapons."
Zane looked at Gzi'om.
"You will receive the wristblade after you complete this dungeon," Gzi'om stated.
"Wristblade?" Érimón asked.
Gzi'om nodded. "It's one of my gifts to him. It is a weapon he desires."
"More motivation to complete the dungeon in a timely manner," Érimón said, nodding his consent. "There will also be gifts from me there as well. Some you will receive while clearing it, some will come after you're done."
"Loot is always nice," Zane agreed. "Can we look at my skills now?"
Skills
Martial arts (basic), Weapon training (basic), Parkour (Intermediate), Cooking (basic), Monster Knowledge (basic), Life sense (basic), Summon Truck-Kun (basic, restriction)
"I didn't add that Parkour, Summon, or Life sense skill," Érimón said, frowning. "Are these something of yours, Gzi'om?"
"The Life sense and Summon are, but not the Parkour."
Érimón's eyes narrowed. "Focus on the Parkour and bring up the description." Zane did that and the other skills disappeared.
Parkour (Intermediate)
You are able to find the best paths as you quickly move through an area or in battle. If there are no surfaces available to Parkour from, you are able to create small platforms under your hands and feet. Mana cost: 5 per platform.
Zane started chuckling as he thought about how much more he could Parkour with the ability to create his own surfaces.
Érimón's brow furrowed. "Where did this come from?"
Gzi'om shrugged. "It comes from him. He loves Parkour."
"What is Parkour?"
"Parkour is Life," Zane told Érimón. "Parkour is the art of moving across an area quickly that shouldn't be traversed. It is defying the odds and laughing in danger's face."
Érimón looked at Gzi'om. "You didn't tell me he's a battle junkie."
"He isn't yet," Gzi'om said. "He's never fought in a battle. I'm sure he will be after this dungeon." Érimón grunted.
"So, are we done here?" Zane asked.