Zap—Zit—Zit!
[System Notification] Congratulations, you have received a system!
Leo's mind reeled.
A system.
After eighteen years.
He stood there, staring at the notification until it faded. His vision slowly adjusted, then refocused on Amanda, who was standing in front of him. Currently undressed with only a thin towel draped over her head, covering almost nothing else.
"Oh, I didn't realize you're at that age already," Amanda teased, a mischievous grin illuminating her damp features.
Heat flooded Leo's cheeks. He raised his hand to cover his face. "Y-you know I'm an adult now, right?" The words came out muffled. He turned his head slightly, yet he couldn't help but peek through his fingers.
He stepped forward.
His foot caught the ladle.
Soup splattered across the stone floor, the warm liquid spreading in small puddles.
"Seriously," he sighed, bending down to collect the ladle, "can't you be more careful?"
Amanda laughed, unbothered by his obvious fluster. She wrapped the towel around herself more securely, though it hardly covered her perfectly carved figure, before heading toward their small bedside. Her humming filled the air with a cheerful melody.
Leo shook off his embarrassment and hurried to wipe the droplets from the floor. The rough cloth soaked up the spilled soup, leaving only faint stains on the stone. Once cleaned, he set the cloth aside and headed for the washroom.
"I'm taking my bath now," he called over his shoulder.
"Take your time," Amanda replied from the other room, her voice laced with laughter.
The washroom door closed behind him with a soft click.
Inside their modest washroom, a magic crystal cast its faint glow across the water-stained floor and wooden walls. Leo splashed cold water on his face. The shock of it cooled his heated mind and body.
His reflection stared back from the water below.
He'd changed.
The child who once failed to stand from his crib had grown. The boy who yearned for adventures beyond their house had become someone else entirely.
He closed his eyes.
Amanda's earlier antics flashed through his mind.
I'll get you, one of these days!
He splashed more water on himself, letting the cold drops run down his arms.
Calm returned after a moment. He examined his hands, turning them over in the crystal's light.
"I'll check this system later."
He closed his hands.
Tightened his grip.
"After waiting for decades, I just wanted any useful skill so I can be an adventurer."
The words echoed off the washroom walls.
"I even thought that I would still be a normal person here."
His voice grew stronger.
"But now I actually became one of those system users!"
He raised his arms as if he'd won a world title boxing match, water droplets flying from his skin.
After finishing his bath, he dried off with a rough towel and slipped into a comfortable sleeveless tunic. The fabric felt soft against his skin. Upon returning to the kitchen, the aroma of soup mixed with the fragrant sweetness of bread, filling his nose with warmth.
Amanda had transformed. Now dressed in a simple camisole and short skirt, she greeted him with a smile that reached her eyes. The table was already set, soup bowls steaming with their contents.
"Just in time," she declared.
They settled at the small table. Wooden utensils clinked against bowls. Laughter punctuated their conversation. Teasing remarks flew back and forth. The soup warmed them from within as they ate.
When the meal ended, Amanda gathered the empty bowls and stacked them in the sink. Leo wiped the table with a moist rag, the familiar routine comfortable in its simplicity.
Light footsteps approached.
He turned.
Amanda stood there, arms swinging behind her back, wearing a playful smile that promised mischief.
"Happy birthday, Leo!" she sang.
A neatly folded bundle of fabric appeared in her hands.
Leo blinked in surprise.
The package looked new. Perhaps tailored or commissioned. His fingers traced the careful folds as he accepted it from her hands.
"Thanks," he said softly.
The fabric felt durable beneath his touch. Something else tickled his hand.
It's enchanted!
The realization sent excitement through him.
Amanda caught the twinkle in his eyes. Her smile widened with contentment.
"Glad you liked it!" Enthusiasm colored her voice. "A friend of mine helped me in the capital."
She folded her arms, wearing a smug face. The gesture pushed her chest up, almost slipping out from her thin camisole.
Leo sighed.
Just smiled.
I guess I just need to protect her from now on.
After a short break, they decided to end the day. Their beds waited, familiar and inviting. But sleep eluded Leo. The notification kept returning to his thoughts, persistent as a mosquito's buzz.
Curiosity won.
He glanced at Amanda's bed, just a few arms away. Her steady breathing filled the quiet room. One of her not-a-care-in-the-world sleep poses struck a smile on his face. The gentle crystal glow reflected off the mild sweat on her skin.
He shook his head.
Swung his legs off the bed.
Carefully.
The wooden floorboard creaked softly under his weight as he made his way out of the house. Each step measured to avoid waking her.
Cold air met his face as he stepped onto the front porch. Night creatures added their muted sounds to the darkness. He took a deep breath, letting the chill fill his lungs, and settled onto the stairs.
"How will I even access this 'system'?"
He pulled his knees close.
"System open," he whispered.
Nothing.
He snapped his fingers.
Still nothing.
Frustration built as he tapped his temple, focusing on the empty space before him. Moonlight painted the ground silver, reflecting on his face and highlighting his unease. He crossed his arms, mind racing through possibilities.
Am I just hallucinating?
The memory of the notification returned, clear as the moonlight above. Real. Undeniable.
Leo gathered his thoughts. Memories of manga and anime from his past life surfaced. Stories of systems and interfaces. He closed his eyes.
"What could be the trigger in this world?"
He gestured in the air.
Nothing.
Then a specific memory struck.
Leo raised his hand. What if I do this? His index finger moved through the air, tapping as he once did on touchscreen tablets in his old life.
He pulled his finger up slightly.
A transparent window began to appear.
Shing!
Its glow intensified as it fully materialized. The message displayed took his breath away.
[System Notification] Welcome to the VIP System.