Chapter 3: System

CHAPTER 3: SYSTEM

Mika kicked off her shoes the second she pushed open her dorm room door, collapsing face-first onto her bed with a groan. The day had been way more than she’d signed up for – new classes, weird mana stuff she’d only ever read about in books, and trying to find her way around a place that felt both familiar and completely foreign.

She was just about to close her eyes when a bright blue screen suddenly flashed to life in front of her face, making her jump back so hard she nearly fell off the bed.

SYSTEM INITIALIZED – VERSION T.01

USER DETECTED: MIKA EVERLY

MESSAGE FROM ADMIN: MIKA??? IS THAT YOU???

Mika stared at the glowing words, rubbing her eyes like she could make them disappear. “What the…?”

ADMIN: I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS WORKING – I WAS JUST TESTING THE NEW SYSTEM INTERFACE AND YOUR NAME POPPED UP AS A VALID USER??? YOU’RE REALLY INSIDE THE INFINITE RECLAIMER???

“Tai?” she whispered, leaning closer to the screen. “Tai, yes! I woke up here this morning and I had no idea how to get back! Everything looks exactly like your book – the academy, the uniforms, even the mana feels just like you described it!”

ADMIN: WHAT??? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??? I WAS JUST CODING A NEW WAY TO VISUALIZE THE STORY WORLD – I NEVER THOUGHT ANYONE COULD ACTUALLY END UP THERE. MIKA I AM SO SORRY. I HAD NO IDEA TESTING THIS COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

Mika scrambled to sit up straight, shaking her head even though she knew Tai couldn’t see her. “It’s okay – I mean, it’s weird as heck, but I’m fine! Everyone here seems pretty normal so far, and I already found my classes. Though I did get lost twice – the building’s way bigger than your notes made it sound.”

ADMIN: I’M CHECKING THE CODE RIGHT NOW TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. I CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW YOU GOT PULLED IN, BUT I’M GONNA DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET YOU BACK. IT MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME THOUGH – THIS IS WAY BEYOND ANYTHING I’VE TRIED BEFORE.

A knot formed in Mika’s stomach, but she pushed the worry aside and forced a smile. “That’s okay Tai. I can handle myself while you work on it. Plus, I’m actually getting to see all your ideas come to life – it’s kind of cool, even if I didn’t plan on being part of it.”

ADMIN: I’M GLAD YOU’RE TAKING IT WELL, BUT PLEASE BE CAREFUL. THE STORY WORLD CAN BE DANGEROUS – I BUILT IN PLENTY OF CONFLICTS AND CHALLENGES TO MAKE IT INTERESTING. I’LL SET YOU UP WITH SOME BASIC STUFF TO KEEP YOU SAFE UNTIL I CAN BRING YOU HOME.

The screen flickered and rearranged itself, new text appearing in neater lines:

SYSTEM UPDATED – USER INTERFACE ENABLED

STATUS: ACTIVE

ABILITIES UNLOCKED: BASIC MANA SENSING, ENHANCED RECOVERY

INVENTORY: 3 EMERGENCY MANA CRYSTALS, 1 PORTABLE FIRST AID KIT

MESSAGE FROM ADMIN: I’LL KEEP WORKING ON A WAY TO BRING YOU BACK. TRY TO LAY LOW AND STAY OUT OF ANY BIG PLOT EVENTS IF YOU CAN – I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IF THINGS GET TOO OFF COURSE.

“I hear you Tai,” she said softly, watching the words appear. “I’ll be careful. Promise.”

ADMIN: GOOD. I’LL CHECK IN AGAIN TOMORROW MORNING. SYSTEM GOING DORMANT NOW SO NO ONE DETECTS IT – CAN’T HAVE THE STORY CHARACTERS FINDING OUT ABOUT THE SYSTEM ITSELF.

The blue light faded until the room was dark again. Mika let out a long breath, curling up on her bed and looking around the unfamiliar space. She missed her own room, her own bed, the way her brother’s terrible coffee smelled like home.

She was just about to get ready for bed when she heard a noise in the hallway outside her door – someone dragging their feet, followed by a soft thud against the wall. Then silence.

Mika pulled her knees to her chest, thinking about what Tai had said. Maybe this place really was more dangerous than it seemed. But she’d always been good at rolling with the punches – she’d just have to be extra careful until she could find her way back home.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***