Lyra Vance walked alone down the bustling avenue, moving with purposeful strides. The metropolis remained alive with activity. System users experimented openly with their new abilities — some launching small flames into the air, others levitating objects with increasing precision. Emergency crews worked tirelessly, repairing the cracks and damage left behind by the Seismic Manipulator.
Above it all, citizens kept glancing nervously at the sky, where the System's countdown still glowed ominously.
System update in 21 hours.
Lyra let out a quiet sigh, a mixture of anxiety and excitement swirling inside her.
Everyone is waiting for something they don't even understand.
She continued walking, watching how the lights of the buildings reflected off the shop windows. The city felt different now — more dynamic, more dangerous, and definitely more unpredictable.
Her thoughts drifted to Malric and the absurd scene she had witnessed earlier. A Level 15 villain, taken down by… pigeons. Lyra brought a hand to her face, still struggling to believe it had actually happened.
I still can't believe that worked.
A soft luminescence suddenly appeared in front of her eyes. An elegant interface, clear and decorated with fine golden details.
Your System, she murmured, watching as the text unfolded gracefully.
AURION System of Heroic Legacy.
Lyra crossed her arms, a slight smirk tugging at her lips.
That name is still way too dramatic.
It is appropriate, the System replied in a calm, neutral tone.
Lyra muttered with light irony.
Of course it is.
The interface displayed her current status.
User: Lyra Vance Class: Archmage Elemental Level: 8
Lyra shook her head gently, remembering the intense hours she had spent training.
You don't need to remind me every five minutes.
Your progress is exceptional.
Lyra clicked her tongue, a hint of disdain in her voice.
It has only been one day.
Your compatibility with the System is extraordinary.
Lyra raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced.
Yeah… that's what everyone keeps saying.
It is an objective evaluation, the System responded calmly.
Lyra kept walking, observing the people around her. Users were deeply focused on mastering their abilities. One struggled to create a stable spark of fire, while another tried to levitate a bottle with shaky control.
Lyra watched the scene calmly, then raised her hand. A small magical circle appeared suspended in the air, followed by a second and a third. The arcane energy flowed smoothly and naturally.
Magic control stable.
Lyra dismissed the circles with a casual gesture.
I don't need a report every five seconds.
I am optimizing your development.
Lyra sighed, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the System's constant attention.
I know.
A brief silence followed before the voice spoke again.
Observation.
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
What now?
Your emotional activity has increased since you separated from Malric Thorn.
Lyra stopped walking abruptly.
…
Don't start.
Emotional records elevated.
Lyra crossed her arms, feeling the conversation turning too personal.
That doesn't mean anything.
It indicates attachment.
Lyra shook her head softly.
It's not attachment.
The System paused, as if carefully considering its response.
Define it.
Lyra remained quiet for a moment, remembering Malric — his constant complaining about his System, his unique talent for turning every situation into chaos, and yet, the way he always kept moving forward despite everything.
She sighed softly.
I'm just worried about him.
The System responded without delay.
I find no logical basis for that concern.
Lyra frowned slightly.
Why not?
The interface displayed an analysis.
Malric Thorn Level: 1 Registered Skills: — Animal Conversation — Levitation (3 cm) — Pigeon Agro
The System continued.
His skills possess extremely low efficiency.
I know, Lyra murmured.
His progress is irregular.
I know that too.
His behavior is unpredictable.
Lyra sighed again, feeling trapped in a loop of concern.
Yes.
The voice pressed on.
The System does not understand why you are developing feelings toward an individual with these characteristics.
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
Feelings?
Confirmed.
Lyra looked away, feeling the System was crossing a line.
It's not like that.
Your emotional records indicate otherwise.
Lyra shook her head gently, not wanting to delve deeper into that territory.
Not everything in this world has to be logical.
The System responded firmly.
Everything possesses logic.
Lyra took a few more steps, watching the vibrant city around her.
She thought of Malric again.
He wants to become the number one hero.
Probability of success: extremely low.
Lyra allowed herself a small smile.
Yeah… probably.
The voice asked again.
Then why does it matter to you?
Lyra looked up at the sky, where the countdown still glowed brightly.
Because someone has to try.
The System processed the response for several seconds.
Emotional response detected.
Lyra murmured.
Of course. I'm human.
Humans make illogical decisions.
Lyra smiled softly, knowing the System would never fully understand.
Sometimes.
But they also achieve incredible things.
The System fell silent for a moment. Then it spoke again.
Then you should be concerned.
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
Why?
Because Malric Thorn is not a hero.
Pause.
He is an accident.
Lyra let out a small laugh, acknowledging that the System wasn't entirely wrong.
Yeah… probably.
She looked out across the city again. Somewhere in that vast metropolis, Malric was likely already caught up in another absurd situation.
Lyra sighed.
But he's my accident.
The System remained silent for several seconds.
Feeling confirmed.
Lyra muttered with mild annoyance.
Don't say it like that.
The city continued moving around her — a vibrant symphony of activity. The world was changing. The update was approaching. And somewhere nearby… something was still watching.
But Lyra didn't know that.
She kept walking and murmured to herself.
I hope you survive the update, you idiot.
Probability: moderate, the System replied calmly.
Lyra smiled slightly, feeling that hope always found a way to bloom, even in the midst of absurdity.
That's the most optimistic thing you've said all day.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city…
Malric Thorn walked along the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets.
The streetlights cast uneven glows across the pavement.
He could still hear the distant noise of the city — people talking about the update, users debating theories. The whole world seemed to be holding its breath.
Malric sighed.
Great.
The System now has rankings, shops, coins… and interdimensional spectators.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared in front of his eyes.
Summary correct.
Malric looked up at the sky.
My life turned into an absurd video game.
Correction.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
What?
An absurd video game in which you are a side character.
Malric muttered.
Thanks for the support.
He turned a corner.
The main avenue faded behind him.
He entered a narrow alley between two buildings.
The lights barely reached this far.
The noise of the city grew distant.
Malric stretched his shoulders a little.
Well…
Time to head home.
Then he heard something.
A soft sound.
The flapping of wings.
Malric lifted his head.
Pigeons again?
Negative, S.I.M.I.O. replied immediately.
Another sound.
More wings.
Malric frowned.
The shadows in the alley began to shift.
One. Two. Three. More.
Several figures descended from the edges of the buildings.
And then even more.
Until the alley was filled with black wings.
Malric blinked.
…
Those are not pigeons.
The figures perched on trash containers, railings, and power lines.
Watching him.
In silence.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared in front of him.
The screen flickered.
New faction detected.
Malric sighed.
Of course.
Naturally.
The screen continued.
Faction registered: Crows
Malric looked around.
Black eyes watched him from every direction.
I don't like this.
S.I.M.I.O. added another line.
Intelligence level detected: abnormally high.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
What do you mean by high?
One of the black figures tilted its head.
Observing him.
As if evaluating him.
Malric muttered.
Okay.
This is definitely weird.
The screen added one final line.
Possible diplomatic interaction available.
Malric sighed.
I don't want diplomacy with birds.
Then…
one of the crows took a step forward.
And in Malric's mind, a clear voice appeared.
Finally…
Pause.
We found the human.
Malric froze.
…
He looked at S.I.M.I.O.
Don't tell me…
Confirmed, the System replied calmly.
Malric sighed deeply.
Great.
More talking animals.
The black eyes continued watching him.
And the silence in the alley grew heavier.