!~Ding~!
[Initializing system]
[1%...10%...]
A faint mechanical chime echoed inside Evan's mind, sharp and clear, as if someone had struck a crystal bell within his skull. The sudden sound startled him, pulling his thoughts away from the surroundings.
As soon as he noticed the notification, his widened... It took so many tries to activate the System, and as soon as he reached the new world, it suddenly activated.
For a moment, he simply stared into nothingness, his tiny fingers twitching slightly as he processed what was happening.
"..."
The glowing numbers continued to rise slowly, appearing one after another like invisible runes being written in the air.
[...20%...30%...40%]
'Wait! Is there any activation condition?'
His thoughts raced rapidly despite his small body, trying to recall every strange thing that had happened since his reincarnation.
[...50%...60%...70%]
'If there was an activation condition? Why didn't my mother tell me about it?'
The image of the elegant, blue-haired woman who held him earlier briefly flashed across his mind.
[...80%...90%]
'Who am I kidding? I am a freaking child. How am I supposed to understand any of it.'
Even if there had been some hidden requirement, no one would explain such complicated things to a newborn.
[...99%...]
The progress bar slowed.
[...99%.....]
Seconds passed.
[...99%.....]
Still, nothing changed.
[...99%...]
A strange silence filled his mind.
[...99%....]
'Don't tell me, it's broken already? I haven't even touched it.'
His excitement quickly began turning into suspicion.
[...100%]
!~Ding~!
[Notice: System initialization completed!]
The mechanical voice sounded again, crisp and emotionless.
'Finally, so it is not broken after all.'
He was relieved
At least the process had finished. Whatever this mysterious system was, it didn't seem completely dead.
'Hey system, what can you do?'
He waited expectantly, curiosity burning in his mind.
[Notice: Information not available!]
The response appeared instantly.
'WHAT THE FUCK! What now'
His mental shout echoed in frustration.
He got angry... after all this, this system is still not usable
All that anticipation, all that waiting, and the answer he received was completely useless.
[Notice: Information not available!]
The same cold message appeared again without the slightest change.
'WHY!'
He almost felt like smashing something, if only his tiny baby body were capable of it.
A brief pause followed.
Then new words slowly formed before his eyes.
[Answer: You have not reached specified maturity level to use this system.]
Evan was confused 'Why maturity? I think I am well capable of using the system.'
After all, his mind clearly belonged to an adult from another life.
'System, why am I not considered mature enough? I can talk to you well enough.'
The silence lasted only a moment before the system replied again.
[Answer: Detected abnormal mental parameter, user's body maturity and mind do not match!]
For a second, Evan froze.
If the system could detect that…
Then it meant one thing.
It knew he wasn't a normal child.
'Wait, is this thing connected to my mother or something?'
After all, he doesn't want his mother to know that he is a reincarnated soul.
'System, how long do I wait till I can use the system?'
This time the notification sound hit quickly, like It doesn't need any time to think about this answer.
[Answer: The limited version of the system can be used when users body age reaches 5 years old]
For a second, Evan froze.
'Why 5 years old? And what do you mean by limited version?'
The silence lasted only a moment before the system replied again.
[Answer: Due to the risks to using the system at such a young age is not advised. Due to such a reason, only a limited function will be available at that time.]
Evan blinked in disbelief.
'Limited function? What does that even mean?'
If he couldn't use the system properly, then what was the point of activating it now?
'System, What functions are available?'
A brief pause followed, as if the system was processing his request.
!~Ding~!
[Notice: Displaying available functions.]
A faint translucent panel slowly appeared in his mind.
[Available Functions:]
[
• Status
• Inventory (Locked)
• Shop (Locked)
• Skills (Locked)
]
Evan stared at the list.
'Are you kidding me… only one thing works?'
All the others were sealed as if mocking him.
Still, his curiosity quickly returned.
'Fine… show me my status.'
!~Ding~!
[Notice: Displaying User Status.]
[ ────────────────────
Name: Evan Veyndral
Race: Human
Age: 0 Years
Realm: Mortal
Title: None
────────────────────
[Attributes]
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Vitality: 2
Endurance: 1
Intelligence: 18
Perception: 15
Willpower: 16
Soul Strength: 14
────────────────────
[Special Traits]
Reincarnated Soul – Mind from another world detected.
Abnormal Mental Parameter – Mental maturity exceeds body maturity.
]
'So it did detect me as a reincarnated soul. In other thought it will be troublesome if my mother finds out from the system.'
The thought immediately made him uneasy.
If someone else could see this status screen, that single line would expose everything.
A reincarnated soul was not exactly something people would react calmly to.
For all he knew, they might treat him like some kind of monster… or worse, a possession.
'System, can I remove those texts from [Special Traits]?'
For a moment, nothing happened.
The floating panel remained still, the words unmoving as if the system were considering his request.
Then the familiar mechanical chime echoed again.
!~Ding~!
[Processing request...]
A few seconds passed.
[Analyzing system permissions...]
Evan waited nervously. If the system refused, that line would remain there forever.
Finally, new text appeared.
[Answer: Modification of system recorded traits is permitted.]
Evan's eyes lit up slightly.
But before he could celebrate, another message appeared immediately after.
[Condition: Trait concealment and modification require Base System Access.]
His excitement froze.
'Base system access…?'
The system responded again.
[Answer: Base System Access will unlock when the host reaches full physical maturity.]
A final line appeared beneath it.
[Estimated time required: 18 years.]
Evan fell silent.
'...Eighteen years?'
He stared at the floating words in disbelief.
'You're telling me I have to wait until I'm an adult just to hide two lines of text?'
The system did not respond.
It simply returned to its usual silent state, leaving Evan alone with the slowly fading status screen.
Evan sighed internally.
'Great… so for the next eighteen years, I just have to pray no one else can see this thing.'
Then another thought crossed his mind.
'...Actually, can anyone besides me even see the system?'