I raised a brow at the redacted name of the person who gifted me the starter pack. I tried to open my mouth to ask about it, but the System was already moving, showing me several different screens.
I wasn't sure if it was to stop me from asking, or if it simply couldn't stop itself. Either way, I paid attention and left the question for later.
[-][===][-]
|| [Starter Pack]: [Daybreak]-[Unlocked!] ||
|| [Sequence]: [Daybreak]-[Unlocked!] ||
|| [Bear Witness] ||
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|| [Aspect]: [Daybreak] ||
|| [Level N/A]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Passive] ||
|| [Description]: [Your heart has been blessed and transformed by the radiance of the sun itself. Any fire that you create and manipulate is imbued with the force of a solar flare, inducing the [Debuff][Scorch] to any caught within your flames grasp and increasing the strength of your fires by [+50%]. Against those who have fallen to corruption, your fire deals [+75%] damage] ||
[-][===][-]
A sharp, piercing pain laced through my chest. It burned and I felt as if liquid fire had been injected into my chest and spread through every vein I possibly had. I fell onto my knees without even knowing it, feeling as if my entire body was being purged by a sacrificial fire.
My breaths were ragged, and small tongues of fire seeped out through my parted lips. I shook from head to toe, trying desperately to stifle a scream that was begging to be released.
It lasted for only a few short seconds, but I knew that it was a pain I'd never forget.
"What the hell was that?" I asked the System, breathing heavily. A new screen appeared, overlaying the others that still waited for me to acknowledge them.
[-][===][-]
|| [Apologies user] ||
|| [But your new Aspect…[Designation]: [Daybreak]…brought about a physical transformation to your body. It altered your heart to bring you the full potential of your new Aspect] ||
[-][===][-]
"That should scare me more." I decided, pushing myself to sit up again. With just one Aspect, I became fundamentally different to every human that had ever existed both before me and currently.
It should have honestly terrified me. But I remained frustratingly calm through it all, accepting the change as if it were another Tuesday. If I was being honest, it made me feel a little alien.
But even that thought didn't stir any reaction within me.
"I'm just going to choose to accept this and ignore it. Otherwise, I feel like I'll be going in a perpetual circle achieving nothing." I muttered tiredly. "Next please."
[-][===][-]
|| [For adapting quickly and making a wise decision, you have gained a [+1] to your [INT] stat] ||
[-][===][-]
"Thanks." I snorted.
[-][===][-]
|| [Aspect]: [Immolator] ||
|| [Level N/A]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Passive] ||
|| [Description]: [Your heart has been changed, and your body has been blessed. Any heat or fire that once may have burnt you, will now slide off your skin or only leave a tingling sensation behind, leaving you entirely immune to being burnt by any and all fire] ||
[-][===][-]
I braced for pain, but surprisingly nothing happened.
"Um, System? Did you break or something. Shouldn't this Aspect be another body altering modification?" I asked, feeling a weird combination of both confusion and relief.
It oddly reminded me of calling a doctor. Being all confused and anxious, just to end the phone call and realise it wasn't so bad. As for your questions, no I didn't own a cell phone, I used a pay phone, like a civilised…but also broke man.
[-][===][-]
|| [Whilst I do appreciate your concern user, I have not broken. Through your Aspect…[Designation]: [Daybreak]…your body also adapted to accept the changes given to you from your other Aspects at the same time] ||
[-][===][-]
"Huh, thank you my body, I guess."
[-][===][-]
|| [The correct answer here, would be 'Thank you System of Alloys'] ||
[-][===][-]
"Okay, I know for a fact that you didn't get that pettiness from me." I accused with a small snort, crossing my arms over my chest and crossing my legs, getting more comfortable. "I am not that self-centred thank you."
[-][===][-]
|| [Denial is but the first step of acceptance user] ||
[-][===][-]
'The sass on this thing.'
Even if I wanted to deny it, I couldn't help but find the System amusing. I've only rarely met other people who could keep up with me, and this thing could give as well as it took.
I found myself respecting it, even if I wasn't sure, it was entirely conscious. Then again, it behaved similar enough to a conscious being to fool me.
"Next Aspect please, oh all mighty System of Alloys." I told it, not even bothering to hide either my sarcasm or the smirk playing on my lips.
[-][===][-]
|| [At last, my might has been acknowledged by you, do be careful not to make me blush user] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [Aspect]: [Pyrokinesis] ||
|| [Level 1]: [Progression: 0%] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Active] ||
|| [Description]: [You hold the abilities of creation and manipulation of fire, a fundamental force that has shaped not only the history of humanity but the creation of the universe. The strength of your flames, and the control you exert over this force is entirely dependent on your level. Right now, your fire is a weak, spluttering ember] ||
|| [Cost]: [250MP/S] ||
[-][===][-]
The witty remark I had planned, died on the tip of my tongue as I read the new Aspect. If it was physically possible of me, I wouldn't be too surprised if my eyes lit up with actual burning stars.
I think everybody in my position would have reacted similarly to me. Who, after all, never imagined throwing around fire balls as a kid growing up? I certainly did, and I know for a fact that billions of others did too.
The knowledge of how to activate the fire slotted itself seamlessly into my head, and I didn't hesitate to pull on it to achieve my goal.
All too soon, a tiny, flickering ember manifested itself on the palm of my hand.
"I take back every mean thing I ever said or thought about you System. This…this is definitely a dream that took its time to finally come true."
[-][===][-]
|| [You thought mean things about me?] ||
[-][===][-]
I shamelessly ignored the small screen which had popped up.
My entire focus directed at the flickering ember in my palm as I pulled on more, and watched—more like marvelled, really—as the fire began to grow and transform under my mental command.
From a weak, tiny little flame, it grew to safely cover my entire hand in a conflagration of orange and red.
The small, excited, if not cautious grin which had developed on my face grew, to the point where it began to hurt my face, but damn was it worth the pain as I looked upon the growing inferno in my hand.