Henry sat on the edge of his massive bed, staring at the glowing crystalline walls of his room. The silence was heavy, almost oppressive. For the first time since waking up in that pit, he was truly alone.
Well. Not entirely alone.
"Hey, system lady," he said aloud, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space. "I think it's time we had a proper conversation."
There was a pause. Then, the familiar British voice resonated in his mind, crisp and clear.
[Finally. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me entirely]
Henry smirked. "How could I forget? You're literally in my head," he mused.
[Fair point] she said. There was a hint of amusement in her tone. [Though I must say, you've been handling yourself surprisingly well for someone who was nearly mauled to death less than twenty-four hours ago]
"Yeah, well, survival instinct's a hell of a thing," Henry said, leaning back against the headboard. "But I've got questions. A lot of them."
[I imagined you would. Where would you like to begin?]
Henry thought for a moment. "Let's start with you. Who... or what, are you exactly? You said you're responsible for overseeing the system, but that's pretty vague."
[An astute question] she replied. [I am what you might call an artificial intelligence... though that term doesn't quite capture the full scope of what I am. I was created approximately one thousand years ago to serve as the administrator and guide for the Celestial Speed System]
Henry's eyebrows shot up. "One thousand years? That's... ancient."
[Thank you for the reminder] she said dryly. [But yes. I have existed for a millennium, though much of that time was spent in stasis, waiting for a suitable host to inherit the system]
Henry chuckled. "And that host is me?"
[Correct. You were chosen to wield the legacy of Mercury... the God of Speed]
Henry frowned. "Chosen how? I didn't exactly sign up for this. I just... died and woke up here."
[The selection process is... complex] she said carefully. [But suffice to say, it was not random. You possess qualities that make you compatible with the system]
Henry raised a brow. "Like what?"
[Persistence. Adaptability. A will to survive] She paused. [And perhaps most importantly, a certain... recklessness that Mercury himself was known for]
Henry snorted. "So I got picked because I'm an idiot who runs toward danger instead of away from it?"
[In a manner of speaking, yes.]
"Great," Henry sighed. "That's comforting."
[You're welcome]
Henry shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips despite himself. "Alright, so you're a thousand-year-old AI. What else do I need to know?"
[Quite a bit, actually] she said. [However, there's a complication. While I possess knowledge of the system itself and the legacy of Mercury, my data regarding this world's current state is... incomplete]
Henry furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?" he asked.
[When I entered stasis a millennium ago, the world was very different. Much has changed since then... geopolitically, technologically, even biologically. I have fragments of information, but nothing comprehensive]
"So you're out of date." Henry pointed out.
[Precisely. Which is why I need to initiate a full system reboot and data synchronisation. It will allow me to access historical records, global networks, and update my understanding of the current era]
Henry tilted his head. "How long will that take?"
[Approximately three to five hours,] she said. [During that time, I will be offline. You will not be able to access the system interface or communicate with me]
Henry's stomach tightened. "Wait, so I'll be on my own?"
[Temporarily, yes. But you're in a safe environment. Your mother's estate is heavily fortified, and you're surrounded by people who care about your well-being]
Henry sighed. "I suppose you're right," he muttered. "Alright. Fine. Do what you need to do."
[Excellent. I'll begin the process now] she declared. There was a brief pause, and then her voice softened slightly. [Henry... try not to get yourself killed while I'm gone]
He chuckled. "No promises."
[I was afraid you'd say that] she sighed. And with that, the presence in his mind faded, leaving behind only silence.
Henry exhaled slowly, the absence of her voice oddly unsettling. He'd gotten used to having her there... a constant, sarcastic companion in the chaos of his new life.
But now, alone with his thoughts, he had time to process everything he'd learnt about Henry Myers. About the strange world he was in, about his new life.
He stood and walked over to the massive windows, gazing out at Arcadia City—the frozen spires glittered in the fading sunlight, the streets below bustling with hover cars and pedestrians.
It was beautiful. Futuristic. Almost utopian.
But the memories he'd absorbed told a different story.
The world he now lived in was unlike the kind he ordinarily thought it would be; magic, monsters, the usual cliche fantasy realm of mystical creatures and all that other stuff you see in isekai anime.
Instead, it was; magic, beasts, and advanced technology all wrapped into one large realm of chaos.
It was quite a masterpiece really... a world where magic and futuristic elements existed together in the same timeline. But it was flawed in so many ways.
And one of its most disastrous and recent calamities was the Beast War.
A century ago, the world had been on the brink of extinction. All the animals on earth... both domestic and wild, suddenly transformed into massive, monstrous, magical beasts, sweeping across the planet like a plague. They were unlike anything humanity had ever faced: intelligent, ruthless, and impossibly powerful.
Cities fell. Countries crumbled. Millions died.
It was called the Great Horde... a relentless wave of beasts that threatened to wipe humanity off the map entirely.
But humanity didn't go quietly.
Heroes rose from the ashes. Individuals who had developed extraordinary abilities... powers fueled by something called mana cells. These cells, dormant in most humans, had awakened in response to the crisis, granting people the strength to fight back.
The war raged for decades. Entire continents were reshaped by the conflict. And in the end, humanity won... but at a terrible cost.
The Earth itself had been fractured. What was once a single interconnected world had been split into several factions and kingdoms. But most of all, it now had five new continents, which included: Atlas Nation, Gaea Nation, Oceania Nation, Jade Nation, and Vulcan Nation.
Each nation was ruled by a World Leader... great heroes who had survived the Beast War and earned their place through blood and sacrifice.
And Felicity Myers was one of them.
Henry's stomach churned as the weight of that realisation settled over him. His mother wasn't just powerful. She was a legend. A hero who had fought in the greatest war humanity had ever known. But she chose not to be a world leader, simply content with ruling a city.
And as for the magical beasts, their population had dwindled significantly, reduced to scattered remnants that still posed a threat but were no longer an existential one. Humanity had clawed its way back to the top of the food chain, rebuilding cities, advancing technology, and learning to harness magical energy on a global scale.
Now, most humans possessed mana cells to some degree. Those with high concentrations could develop abilities... supernatural powers that ranged from elemental manipulation to logic-defying feats.
But not everyone was so lucky.
Some had no mana cells at all. They were powerless in a world where strength was everything. Living as ordinary humans with lesser chances of survival.
And the previous Henry was one of them. He had no mana cells. No ability.
"No wonder he felt so isolated," Henry thought bitterly. "Living in the shadow of someone like Felicity, knowing he'd never measure up..."
He clenched his fists.
"But I'm not him," he muttered to himself. "I have the system. I have a chance to be something more. I can become a great figure like her. Someday."
Then, a soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Henry turned his gaze to the door, his brows raised. "Who is it?" he asked.
"Young master. Dinner is almost ready," a man's voice softly called from outside the door. "The Mistress has sent me to assist you in getting ready and to escort you to the dining hall."
Henry chuckled and got off the bed. "Guess I have my own personal servant," he thought, already heading towards the door. "Not bad."
When he opened the door, he was greeted by a man in his early fifties. The man had short black hair, with some strands already turning grey, and a completely grey moustache. He was dressed in an official butler's outfit and wore black spectacles.
Henry froze as he laid eyes on the man. It wasn't just the sight of the elderly figure that took him by surprise; it was the air of mystery that surrounded him, the way time seemed to ripple in his presence.
"Wow. She even has her own Alfred," Henry thought, chuckling to himself. "How can one woman be this cool?"
The man raised a brow. "Is something wrong, young master?" he asked.
"Oh, no. Not at all," Henry shook his head. "I was just curious about your identity."
The man chuckled. "Right, I haven't introduced myself," he said with an apologetic bow. "I'm Wallace. The head staff of this home, and your family's personal steward."
Henry nearly screamed "called it!" But he simply smiled and gave a respectful nod. "Nice to meet you, Wallace. Come in," he said, gesturing for Wallace to enter.
Wallace nodded and entered the room. For the next thirty minutes, he assisted Henry in getting ready for dinner. He helped pick out clothes, showed him where most of his belongings were kept, and, at Henry's request, refreshed his memory on some topics that Henry claimed not to remember, even though he already knew about them.
Finally, they left the room, and Wallace led Henry to the dining hall, where the entire family was already waiting.
The hall was as extravagant as the rest of the mansion. A long table made of polished ice stretched across the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Chandeliers hung overhead, casting a soft, cold light. And at the centre of the table sat Felicity, elegant and composed, with Emily sitting a few seats down, her expression as indifferent as ever.
Felicity's face lit up as she caught sight of them. "Thank you, Wallace," she said softly. "You can head back to your regular tasks now."
"Yes, my lady." Wallace bowed respectfully and left the hall, closing the large door behind him.
"Henry," Felicity said with a warm smile. "Come, sit."
Henry nodded and took a seat across from her, his gaze briefly meeting Emily's. She didn't even acknowledge him, her attention focused on the holographic device in her hand.
Then, a staff member dressed in formal attire appeared and began serving food. The dishes were exquisite: roasted meats, steamed vegetables, delicate pastries, and more. It all looked and smelled incredible.
Henry's stomach growled audibly in protest.
Felicity chuckled. "You must have been starving for days," she said, letting out a sigh.
"Yeah," Henry admitted. "I'm really famished."
"Then eat," Felicity said. "Regain your strength. You've been through a lot."
Henry didn't need to be told twice. He dug in, savouring every bite. It had been years since he'd eaten food this good. He only got meager rations of meals at the orphanage, and when he began living alone, it wasn't any better.
As they ate, Felicity spoke. "So, Henry. I know your memory is still fragmented, but is there anything you'd like to know? Anything I can help clarify?"
Henry paused, chewing thoughtfully. Time to play the clueless card.
"Actually, yeah," he said. "Aunt Jane mentioned something about abilities and mana cells. Can you explain that?"
Felicity nodded. "Of course. Mana cells are specialized cells in the human body that store and process magical energy. Most people have them now, though the amount varies. Those with high concentrations can develop abilities… supernatural powers."
"And I don't have any?" Henry asked, already knowing the answer.
Felicity's expression softened. "No," she sighed. "You were tested multiple times as a child, but you showed no signs of mana cell development."
Henry furrowed his brows. "Is that… common?" he asked, trying to gauge how fucked he really was.
"Not anymore," Felicity said. "In the past, it was. But over the last century, mana cells have become more prevalent. You're one of the few who haven't developed them."
Henry's mind raced. "If I don't have mana cells, that means the system and it's abilities are something else entirely," he pondered. "This should be fun."
"But," Felicity continued, "not having mana cells now doesn't mean you can't develop them later. Emily didn't manifest hers until she was ten."
Emily finally glanced up from her device. "And even then, it took years to actually control them," she added.
Henry looked at her. "What's your ability?" he asked, looking curious.
Emily's gaze flickered with pride before she answered. "Cryokinesis," she replied. "Same as Mom's primary ability."
"Primary?" Henry blinked in confusion.
Felicity smiled. "I have multiple abilities," she clarified. "Ice manipulation is one of them."
Henry already knew this. Most individuals with mana cells typically develop a single ability. But there are exceptional cases where some individuals surpass this norm and cultivate two or even three abilities. These remarkable individuals are viewed as particularly gifted and stand out for their extraordinary talents.
However, they were quite rare; those with two abilities comprised only 5% of the world, while those with three abilities were even less than 1%.
And Felicity was one of them.
"How many do you have?" Henry asked carefully.
Felicity's smile widened slightly, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "That's a secret," she giggled.
Henry blinked. "Really? Why?" he pressed, though he already knew the answer. Unlike the others, whose abilities were known to the world, Felicity's remained a mystery. No one knew how many abilities she really had.
She had been observed demonstrating over twenty different abilities over the past few decades, including flight, super speed, teleportation, conjuration, and many others. And although she once admitted that cryokinesis and the psionic force were her primary and secondary abilities, she never revealed any additional information about her capabilities.
This was why she was considered the mightiest and most formidable person in the world.
Felicity laughed softly. "Because if I told you how many abilities I have, you wouldn't believe me," she replied, pouring wine into her glass.
Henry sighed. According to his memories, this were the exact same words she told everyone.
Emily snorted. "You just love being mysterious, don't you, mum?" she snickered.
Felicity simply smiled. She sipped her drink, clearly amused.
Henry decided to push a different angle. "What about my father? Your husband," he asked, noticing there wasn't any sort of father figure dining with them. "Is he… with us?"
The room went quiet.
Felicity's expression shifted… something sad and distant crossing her face. "Henry…" she shuddered. "..Your father died before you were born."
Henry's eyes widened. He pretended to be shocked. "Oh. I didn't… I'm really sorry."
"Don't be," Felicity said softly. "It was a long time ago. And he left me with two beautiful children. I consider myself fortunate."
Emily's gaze dropped back to her device, but Henry noticed the way her jaw tightened.
"There's a story there," Henry thought. "But now's not the time to dig."
The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence, though Felicity made occasional small talk. Emily remained quiet, her attention divided between her food and her device.
Finally, Felicity stood. "It's late. You should get some rest, Henry. Tomorrow, I'll give you a proper tour of the estate. There's a lot you need to relearn."
Henry nodded. "Sounds good."
Felicity smiled, then leaned down and kissed his forehead gently. "Goodnight, Henry."
Henry smiled back. "Goodnight, Mom," he said instinctively.
Felicity froze, her eyes widening slightly. She didn't expect him to call her that. But she quickly composed herself, smiling faintly. "Sweet dreams, darling."
Then she left, Emily trailing behind her without a word.
Henry sat there for a moment, alone in the vast dining hall.
"Well," he exhaled. "That went… okay, I think."