The morning sun filtered softly through the luxurious curtains, casting a warm golden glow across the room.
"Knock knock." A faint knock echoed before the door eased open with practiced grace.
I woke, still slightly dazed.
"Young master, you're still asleep. What happened?" Sebas inquired.
"Nothing, Sebas. Just a mild headache." After that, he left my room. Oh right, I forgot to introduce him. This man is Sebastian, my personal butler — and someone I trust deeply.
Don't let his white hair and lean physique fool you. He's a combat butler, mastering Krav Mag, Aikido, and Bartitsu. He has a physique like Bang from One Punch Man.
He's been with my family for over forty years, acting as both butler and legal guardian. He is fiercely loyal to the Mercers, having looked after my father and now me. He genuinely cares for my well-being and even trains me in combat. Even my maternal grandfather says he is the best butler he's ever seen.
Don't think he goes easy on my training. He's strict, which is why my body is in great shape.
After freshening up and eating breakfast, I told Sebas I'd take a break from training today. Though surprised, he didn't ask why — he trusts me that much.
Back in my room, I pondered my next steps in this life. I considered it a blessing rather than a curse. Sitting in a comfortable yoga posture, I tried to reconnect with my talent.
Yesterday, I didn't sleep merely from exhaustion or laziness. My soul had grown suddenly from the transmigration, combining perfectly with the body's original soul. My body needed rest to adjust to this sudden growth. I now felt completely comfortable, as if I'd been born in this body.
After some thought, I checked the World Tree inheritance using the library function of my talent. Memories and techniques were stored like books, allowing me to consult them without overloading my brain despite the sudden influx of knowledge.
I discovered that this World Tree came from a fantasy world, where professions and skills exist and one can achieve godhood by mastering a class and the laws governing it. Gods in that world don't grow by faith, but by mastery of their domains. Excited, I quickly examined the World Tree inheritance.
Fortunately, I still had some skills:
Root Link (Origin Skill): Establishes a connection to the root of the current plane, granting unrestricted access to any information desired.
Elemental Manipulation and Mastery: Automatic mastery over all elements and control according to imagination.
Spiritual Mastery: Mastery over spirit, greatly increasing affinity for spirit techniques, enabling telepathy, and creation of mindspace without reaching demi-god level.
Soul Consumption and Purification: Consumes souls, converting them into pure spiritual energy for growth. Acquiring a soul grants the skills and talents of the user.
Soul Manipulation: Mold and manipulate soul structures as desired.
Analysis: Analyze and understand anything with available information. Full analysis allows skill copying.
These five skills were inherited from the World Tree. One reminded me of a skill from a certain overpowered anime character. Excited, I controlled the urge to shout.
After brief pondering, I decided to check the Root Link skill. It had helped me before. Activating it, my soul left my body and entered a place I can't describe.
I think this is the root of this world. It showed no intelligence or reaction to my presence. After establishing a link, I discovered that this world was… slightly messed up, and my excitement calmed immediately.
This world is overrun by evil spirits due to the lack of an underworld or heaven. They cannot harm everyone, only those who can see them. I immediately recognized a "girl who can see" scenario mixed in.
Unlike the anime, there are no gods or heaven here. Souls dissolve naturally over time, but resentful ones lose their minds and become evil spirits.
Trusting my intuition, I used the Override function of my talent on the root. Immediately, I felt connected to the core of this world without resistance.
I made it so the root could not gain intelligence and set a reminder to notify me of any major developments. I felt heaviness from the strain on my soul from existing here. Once I improve my soul, I can return for further modifications.
I now can use this entire world as a backup AI for my Analysis skill. The world core functions like a graphic card for my skill, though using it strains my soul. Partial access is possible, and the strain is reversible thanks to my Soul Consumption and Manipulation skills.
After deep thinking, I used the world core partially to create a simple panel, following methods from the World Tree memory, to track my stats and skills. Completing this left me deeply exhausted, so I rested, checking the time: 12 o'clock. Five hours had passed — less than I expected.
I mentally commanded my "status" panel:
Name: Alex Mercer
Age: 16 (26)
Tier: 10-A (???)
HP: 100% (100%/10 sec)
Endurance: 100% (55%/hr)
Soul: 86% (15%/hr)
O.E.: 100% (Omni Energy)
Talent: Overriding Forge of Transcendence, Super-Speed Regeneration, All Elemental Affinity, Chaos Energy Extraction, Library of Wisdom, World Core Creation & Stabilization
Skills: Soul Consumption & Purification, Root Link, Soul Manipulation, Elemental Mastery & Manipulation, Analysis, Spiritual Mastery
Thanks to Super-Speed Regeneration, my soul, endurance, and health recover rapidly. My talent connects my spiritual and physical bodies, so improvements in one gradually enhance the other. However, damage to one does not transfer.
For now, this panel suffices; I'll modify it as needed in the future.
I ate at the dining table like a starved ghost — perhaps my soul's growth outpaced my body, requiring nutrients to catch up. After eating, I told Sebas I'd practice yoga and not to disturb me. Puzzled, he complied without question and instructed the other servants likewise.
It's summer vacation; school starts next week. I don't have classes now, but I must plan for the future — quickly. After some thought, I devised several ideas, which I'll begin executing tomorrow.