Leon quickly sat up and paid attention to the HUD screen, knowing that he was finally about to take a big step forward since his awakening.
~----~
[Cycle 01 Complete – Neural Stabilization achieved!]
[Reward: Full System Awakening]
>The ChronoSystem is a living System AI connected to temporal Algorithms.
[You have Unlocked System Functions:]
>Deconstruct Protocol (F Rank): Break down tech into data and materials. [Scan → Analyze → Deconstruct → Create Blueprint Fragment]
>Construct Protocol (F Rank): Build items from stored blueprints and through reverse-engineering advanced tech.
>Chrono Replication (C Rank): Stores and recreates previous builds instantly.
>Chrono Anchor (B Rank): ???
>System Assimilation (B Rank): ???
>Forge Dimension (B Rank): ???
>Memory Reconstruction (B Rank): ???
>Omni-Forge (Beyond Grade A): ???
~----~
Leon sat stunned, blankly staring at the HUD screen before him.
Yes, his expectations were exceedingly high as anticipation and excitement coursed through him, yet what he saw still blew his mind away completely.
The functions of the System amazed him, and for some reason, staring at them, he had this feeling of déjà vu that he could not quite wrap his head around.
In the end, his eyes quickly snapped to one of the functions. 'Memory Reconstruction!'
Unlike the first three functions, the System also did not explain this function but Leon felt like he had an idea. 'This is how I'll get my memories back, right?'
'But it's all the way at B Rank'.
Leon was not sure what this Rank system was yet, but he had an idea, and this was why he grimaced slightly as he stared at the requirement to unlock this function of the system.
The first two functions were marked in a green color, showing their availability. But Chrono Replication and the others were all marked gray, showing that he did not yet meet the requirements to access and make use of them.
He sighed. But the HUD screen was not done with showing him messages though; afterall, his rewards were not yet over.
And he was right as the HUD screen changed the next moment.
~----~
[Reward: Ascendant Awakening]
[Congratulations! Your Neural Core activation is successful! Your Consciousness has been linked to ADE!]
[You are now an F Rank Initiate Ascendant!]
…
Since his Awakening, Leon always had this faint suspicion- he felt that his heart was not right. Afterall, he was not dumb, he could literally feel the constant radiation that permeated this world.
If his body was normal, such radiation would have proved catastrophic to him already. He would not have survived 24 hours in this world, and yet, somehow, he did.
Now, he understood as he felt a tingling sensation curl around his heart even as he felt a subtle gray glow erupt around his chest area.
He could feel a strange energy permeating through his body, originating from his heart. 'What the hell…!'
The System wasn't done yet though.
…
[Reward: Class Awakening]
[Congratulations! Your Class Awakening is successful – "Mechanist Class"]
[You are now a "Proto Mechanist"]
["To build, one must first understand. To understand, one must dismantle."]
[You have Unlocked Mechanist Abilities:]
>Deconstruct: Breaks down any non-living mechanical object to extract material data and schematic fragments.
>Construct: Builds known schematics using stored resources.
[NOTE: Check Status to know your Ascendant status.]
…
[Reward: You have received +10 Data Points]
[Additional Random Rewards: +1 INT, Blueprint Memory Unlocked: Modular Fabricator Frame.]
~----~
"…"
"…"
"….."
For a long while, Leon just sat in silence, blankly staring at the HUD screen that was in front of him.
The information in front of him was so much that his brain lagged, struggling to comprehend all of it at once.
He could feel that he was different. His body, his strength, everything about him was different.
It took him a while to accept all the changes, and finally, he gulped and stared into the empty air in front of him. "Umm, check status?"
DING!
The HUD screen appeared again.
~----~
[ChronoSystem Interface- Online]
Name: Leon Ardent
Race: Human (Extinct Line)
Class: Mechanist (Proto Mechanist)
Rank: F (Initiate)
DP (Data Points): 20
[Attributes:]
STR – 28; AGI – 31; END – 34; INT – 62; WIL – 46; ADE – 52
[Derived Stats:]
ATK – 90; DEF – 102; SPD – 62; SYS – 162
{HP – 1,980/1,980}
{EP – 3,010/3,010}
[Traits:]
>Adaptive Analysis (Passive): Gains 10% faster blueprint comprehension when observing unknown tech.
>Temporal Anomaly (Passive): Immune to ADE corruption; System growth uncapped.
[Racial Trait- Human:] Adaptive Cognition (Passive): +10% learning rate across all skills.
[Abilities:]
>Deconstruct.
>Construct.
~----~
It took another 10 minutes before Leon was able to calm down.
He finally reacted. "Woah!" He blinked. "What the hell!"
"This is just like a video game!" He muttered in wonder. "Who created this? It's crazy!"
"It's complete with a Class system and even ranks, wow!"
What made this even more surreal was the fact that Leon knew the System was not spouting bullshit.
This was because of the power currently coursing through his veins. He felt like he could actually punch a hole through the dilapidated walls of this facility if he wanted, not that he was too keen on finding out if he was right or not.
"Uh, I'd rather skip that".
But despite all of this, Leon didn't actually get the main answers that he wanted. Instead, he was plagued with even more questions.
"Ugh!" He groaned, grabbing his head as he could feel the migraine coming again. "I think I need some paracetamol". He grumbled.
"Ok, so where do we start?" He sat upright.
For the past 24 hours, he tried communicating with the System but it proved unresponsive. But it also didn't skip his notice that the more time passed, the more responsive the System became.
This was why, with hope, he cleared his throat and said. "Ahem… System, or what should I call you? Can I ask questions for clarification?"
The HUD screen quickly appeared again.
~----~
[Host can ask questions within current authority range.]
~----~
'Authority range?' Leon's excitement deflated a bit as he realized what this meant, but he also knew that this was better than nothing, so he asked.
"What is ADE?"
The HUD screen appeared again. Not just that, a robotic voice followed it this time, causing Leon to jump up in fright.
"Woah! You almost scared me there". He adjusted, stylishly brushing the thick black joggers that he woke up on in a bid to hide his embarrassment.
The System didn't pay attention to him as it continued.
~----~
[ADE means Aetheric Data Energy.]
[The world runs on ADE. It is the fusion of energy + data + consciousness. It exists in the air, in code, and in all living or synthetic systems.]
[It is controlled through Neural Cores- implants that convert ADE into usable power. Every class, skill, and rank revolves around manipulating ADE.]
~----~
"Every class?" Leon rubbed his chin in thought as he finally understood what this ADE meant, then he asked. "How many classes are there?"
~----~
[There are 5 Ascendant Classes in Planet Neo-Tokara: Mechanist, NetRunner, Gene Augur, Cyber Gladiator, and Quantum Shaper]
[The Mechanist Class is a Mechanical/Creation type class. They convert any mechanical or cybernetic structure into data and rebuilds improved versions. They can craft drones, weapons, armor, or vehicles.]
[The NetRunner Class is a Digital/Hacking/Psionic type class. They can hack minds, override machines, or travel through cyberspace. Higher ranks can create digital realities or weaponized data.]
[The Gene Augur Class is a Biological/Mutation type class. They can evolve limbs, senses, and organs for battle or adaptation.]
[The Cyber Gladiator Class is a Cybernetic/Combat type class. They convert ADE into kinetic output.]
[The Quantum Shaper Class is an Experimental/Physics/Spatial type class. They manipulate time, space, energy, and probability using quantum algorithms.]
~----~
Now, Leon's mouth was hanging wide open.
"Ahem," he finally recollected himself and muttered. "Wow".
This time, Leon didn't ask another question immediately as he took his time to internalize all that he just learned from the system.
For the next 20 minutes, he was lost deep in his own thought.
And when he was finally satisfied, clarifying doubts in his head and was about to ask another question, the HUD screen suddenly lit up before him again, it's mechanical voice sounding directly inside of his mind.
DING!
~----~
[Incoming Signal: Unknown source – Humanoid signature detected within 1.4km!]
~----~
Leon's eyes snapped towards the exit hatch!