Jon stared at the translucent panel in front of him. Turning his head caused the panel to move parallel with the changes in his direction. His vision remaining unobscured even as he scrutinized its contents.

Name: Jonathan Randall Guilliman Age: 18 Rank: Mortal Tier: First Initiation Title: N/A

Mana Core(s):

[1]: Knowledge

[2]:

[3]:

[4]:

[5]:

[6]:

There was quite a bit of information given away by this "status page", however it still left quite a bit to be desired.

The first, and perhaps the most obvious revelation was that an individual could possess up to six Mana Cores. It was certainly possible that an individual was perhaps limited to six due to their "Rank" or "Tier", however that was only speculation.

It did cause Jon to scrunch up his face, treading over another large tree root as he peered at the number in question.

'Why six though? Is there some sort of limiting factor regarding the number six? Would I explode if I try to absorb a seventh Mana Core? Would it just be wasted? Is going beyond that number what allows a person to increase their Rank or Tier?'

That was the second thing that Jon had taken note of.

There must have been a qualitative difference if it needed to be distinctly categorized by the System.

The information was quite bare bones, but the System felt the need to differentiate between "Rank: Mortal" and "Tier: First Initiation". Although Jon could merely base this off the wording and his own intuition, he supposed that one was a general measure of something, while the other was a perhaps are more specific determination of progress.

'Would it be too much of a leap to assume that my Tier is related to the number of Mana Cores that I have obtained? One Mana Core equates to the First Initiation. So perhaps possessing two Mana Cores would push me to the Second Initiation? Of course, acquiring a Mana Core is another thing in of itself'.

Jon closed his "status page" and let out a thoughtful hum. If Jon was reading into this correctly, he was measured as a Mortal who had reached the First Initiation. By completing all his Initiations, he would then undergo a qualitative change, improving his Rank to the next level or stage.

It did not sound like too much of a leap in logic, but then again, he was still assuming the requirement to reach his Second Initiation was to obtain another Mana Core. If there were additional requirements, Jon would be on his own.

Jon noticed something in the corner of his eye, the colour and sheer magnitude of the flora catching him off guard for a moment.

Pausing his stride and gazing towards the object of his attention, Jon could not help but let out a small whistle, seeing the enormous blue barked tree several dozen metres away. The shape and presence was somewhat reminiscent of a coastal redwood he had seen in photographs.

Once again, Jon seemed awestruck at this alien landscape, once again letting out a small sigh.

"Damn. I really wish I had my phone on me right now", Jon muttered, shaking his head in regret.

He was holding his phone when he was suddenly transported to the Pure Room, but it was not brought with him unlike the rest of his belongings.

Jon guessed that the System Introduction either magically zapped his phone and erased it from existence or somehow filtered it out before he arrived in the Pure Room, leaving it back on the street that he had been walking down just an hour or two ago.

Resuming his steady stride through the forest, Jon occasionally paused to look at strange and alien looking plants. Brightly coloured flowers in shapes and sizes that he had never seen before. Green coloured petals and bright crimson coloured stems sat idly beside shrubs with berries of a foul-yellow tone, their scent and colourization somewhat off-putting to Jon.

Considering that he was not a botanist, Jon did not senselessly touch any of the plants that he had walked past, despite their beauty and otherworldly appearance.

Strangely, Jon had not found any traces of any fauna during his walk either.

No traces of faeces. Nor semblance of broken twigs or half eaten shrubs or berries near or close towards the ground. Even peering up towards some of the larger trees, Jon could not see any whose branches had been chewed upon, nor their leaves or the fruit they bared.

His stroll through the small realm remained undisturbed, before Jon arrived at a small clearing, deciding to rest beneath the lone tree that sat within its centre.

Standing beneath the canopy of what appeared to be a cherry blossom tree, Jon took a moment to have a single sip of water, in addition to a handful of assorted nuts. With his back towards the tree, Jon decided to take a break, and examine the "tasks" that the System had given him.

'Perhaps they will give me more insight into obtaining additional Mana Cores and progressing my Rank and Tier', Jon thought to himself.

Thinking the word "tasks", another translucent panel appeared before him.

37th Universe System Introduction.

Tasks required before completion of System Introduction.

[1]: Reach a degree of mastery in an ability. Individuals will receive a series of set rewards depending on the level of mastery and manipulation of their abilities.

[2]: Discover the relationship between Mana Cores and an individual. Individuals will receive a series of set rewards depending on the comprehension and understanding of the function of a Mana Core and their mutative effects on an individual.

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[3]: Develop a methodology for the circulation and refinement of internal mana. Individuals will receive a series of rewards based on the quality of refinement, the efficiency of circulation, the stability between conflicting attributes of mana, and the level of originality during development.

[4]: Develop a methodology for the manipulation and mastery over form. Individuals will receive a series of rewards based on the ability to push their physical constraints to their absolute limits. Combat and abilities will be considered when measuring the level of rewards for this task.

[5]: Exceed the constraints of a Mortal coil and obtain the qualities befitting that of a Knight. Individuals will receive a unique reward upon the completion of this task.

[6]: Understand the difference between an Ability, Technique, Enhancement, and Spell. Individuals will receive a set reward upon the completion of this task.

[7]: Discover a minimum one of the random System generated Safe Zones within the small realm. Individuals will receive rewards with each additional Safe Zone discovered over the duration of the System Introduction.

[8]: Discover a minimum of one random System generated Wonders within the small realm. Individuals will receive a unique reward with each additional Wonder discovered over the duration of the System Introduction.

[9]: Learn and understand a minimum of one additional language from another System Introduced individual. Individuals shall receive rewards with each additional language learned over the duration of this System Introduction.

[10]: Enter minimum of one random System generated Dungeon and defeat the Guardian that lies within. Individuals will receive a unique reward with each additional Dungeon completed over the duration of the System Introduction.

[11]: Obtain a complete Title. Individuals shall receive rewards with each additional complete Title earned over the duration of this System Introduction.

[12]: Defeat a minimum of one random System generated Lord within the small realm. Individuals will receive a reward befitting their degree of participation in the elimination of a Lord.

[13]: Discover your Path.

Tasks not required before completion of System Introduction

N/A

Time remaining: 999 days 23 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds… (Timer inactive until all System Introduced individuals have entered the small realm)

Jon's eyes immediately focused on the very bottom of the page. His breath hitched as he watched the timer slowly count down, or distinct lack thereof, his mind reeling from the revelation of how long this System Introduction would take.

"What the hell! One thousand days! I'm stuck in this place for a fucking thousand days!", Jon's voice roared out from beneath the cherry blossom canopy. His expression carried an uncharacteristically angry quality to it, his nostrils flared, and his brows furrowed in extreme displeasure.

One thousand days. One-hundred-and-forty-two weeks. Thirty-three months. Two point seven years.

It was more than a tenth of Jon's entire lifetime.

Jon took a deep breath, smoothing out his breathing. His expression was now somewhere in between anger and frustration.

Letting out a small huff, Jon stared at the timer, reigning in his emotions knowing that the timer had not yet begun. If it was not for the watch on his wrist, Jon might not have realized that two hours had passed within the System Introduction thus far.

"Alright… There isn't a need to get angry. I'm stuck in this place for two and a bit years. It's not that bad. I don't have to worry about paying taxes or rent. About getting myself a car after saving up a bit of money. About going to university and getting my degree… It's just so… amazing", Jon spoke through gritted teeth. His face twisted into something that wasn't quite a smile.

There was plenty of information worth unpacking within the System mandated task page, his gaze being drawn towards the tasks on the lower half of the list.

'It seems as though the System Introduction is pushing us towards exploring and delving further into the small realm. Almost half of the mandated tasks are geared towards discovering certain locations or eliminating certain targets within this place'.

'The language one and the Safe Zone is quite weird though. These two tasks are designed to force others to interact with one another. While fighting and battle seem quite common throughout the remaining tasks, these two encourage interaction between individuals of different Races'.

Jon paused for a moment, before rereading the third and fourth mandatory tasks.

'The methodology quests are similar interesting, but I can't even feel a trace of mana within myself let alone develop a method of refining and controlling it. Obtaining mastery over form seems like there is something written between the lines there, although I can't say what that quite is without more information". Jon rubbed his temple, trying to make sense of some of the other tasks as well.

The first, fourth, and sixth tasks both mentioned the term "ability", although one was capitalized while the other two were not. An "Ability" was something different to a "Spell", or "Enhancement" or a "Technique". They each seemed like some sort of category, so Jon supposed that the phrase "ability" was just an overarching term that generalized the four.

Even after all that, a sole question remained.

"How does one obtain an ability then?" Jon questioned, scratching the top of his head.

The tasks that the System had given Jon were relatively clear cut, with the sole exception of the final task. There was a combination of tasks which either involved fighting or exploring, and then those which rewarded understanding and comprehending the changes that came after integrating a Mana Core.

It was possible that some of the optional tasks might award a Mana Core, or something that would allow Jon to obtain an ability. Although given the extraordinary amount of question marks and blank spaces underneath the optional tasks page, Jon would not be able to rely on them in the short term.

Either way it was a slippery slope. He did not have enough information to complete any of his tasks, but the rewards given by the tasks were perhaps just the thing he needed to take the first step towards completing his thirteen System mandated tasks.

Jon let out small tsk, before shaking his head, putting his water bottle and assorted nuts back into his bag. Jon adjusted his backpack and duffel bag, placing the strap on his opposite shoulder, letting himself get a feel for the weight.

He almost did not notice a pair of beady brown eyes staring right at him.

Jon lifted his head slowly, his gaze immediately locking onto a large brown mass standing amidst the trees and shrubbery. Jon almost forgot to take a breath, his eyes unblinkingly staring at the creature before him.

It possesses a similar appearance to that of a wild goat, although without the curved horns or the rectangular pupils. It had hooves and what appeared to be a short, but dense layer of fur across its body. Its mouth was strangely shaped, more angular and pointed, with no trace of a nose anywhere across its head.

It… also had six legs. Which strangely, was what drew Jon's eyes the most.

Raising one of his hands, Jon placed it out in front of him, using his free hand to adjust his duffel bag, letting it hang in front of his chest rather than on his back. The strange goat-like creature took a step closer towards Jon, prompting him to take a step back, standing up tall, trying to assert his stature and size over the creature.

"Oi! Stay back! I don't know what the hell kind of fauna this small realm has created, but I am not food! You look like an herbivore, so go over there and eat a few leaves!", Jon shouted, despite the short distance between himself and the creature. It occurred to him halfway through his sentence that it probably would not understand English, but it didn't stop him from using noise to try and deter the creature away.

The goat-thing merely took another step closer towards Jon. He might have taken another step backwards if his backpack did noy hit the trunk of the cherry blossom tree behind him.

His eyes glanced to the side for a fraction of a moment, causing him to let out a slightly self-deprecating chuckle.

"Really? Could this get anymore cliché?", Jon muttered beneath his breath.

The creature remained visible regardless of how many times he moved his eyes. Given the fact that this goat-thing had six legs, Jon supposed that there was a high likelihood it would be faster than him, even if he dropped his backpack and duffel bag. It did not possess claws or any visible talons, so it was still possible it was just some herbivore trying to defend its territory.

Jon was not an expert on animal ecology or animal behaviour by any means, but he was sure that the vast majority of herbivores lived in packs. It did seem strange to Jon as to why there would be a lone herbivore out in the wilderness all by its lonesome.

The six-legged goat-thing took another step towards Jon, lifting its head and opening its mouth, causing Jon to almost reel back in disgust.

"Oh… that's probably why." Was the only thing he could say as he watched the carefully concealed mandibles the strange goat-creature open wide, revealing numerous rows of fine serrated teeth.

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