The cellar was silent, save for the faint dripping of water from the cracks above. Astrea sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, the basket of herbs pushed aside. The hum in his mind the system pulsed like a heartbeat synced with his own.
He closed his eyes and whispered, "System… show me… what I can do."
A calm, ethereal voice filled his mind:
[Arcadia System initialized.
Core functions active.
User: Astrea Starborne.
Interface online.]
In his mind, a faint holographic display shimmered, showing the current state of his body and abilities.
[USER STATUS]
Name: Astrea Starborne
Level: 1
Occupation: Thief
Endurance: 4/10
Strength: 3/10
Agility: 5/10
Intelligence: 4/10
Perception: 6/10
Luck: 5/10
[SKILLS]
Pickpocket
Stealth Movement
Lockpicking
Observation
Below it, the Paths section appeared completely blank.
[PATH SELECTION]
None
Astrea frowned. None? System… what is a path?
[A path represents your specialization. It defines the way your abilities manifest in this world and guides your development. You currently have no path, which means your potential is entirely untapped.]
"So… I'm nothing yet?" he asked.
[Correct. A blank path does not mean weakness. It means freedom. You will grow, and your actions, choices, and experiences will determine which path awakens. Completing significant achievements, mastering skills, and gaining authority in the world will allow a path to manifest.]
Astrea's dark eyes glimmered. So it's not handed to me. I have to earn it… shape it myself.
"System… if I can choose a path eventually, how do I know which one I should take?"
[You will feel affinity for certain skills and methods. The paths are tied to your innate talents, personality, and actions. For example, a focus on stealth, precision, and observation may awaken a path suited to infiltration or assassination. A focus on strength, endurance, and combat may awaken a warrior path. You are free to explore, learn, and grow as you see fit.]
Astrea leaned back, thinking. The boy whose body he now inhabited had survived by thievery, hiding, and observation. These were his starting abilities—Pickpocket, Stealth, Lockpicking, Observation but the system implied he could expand far beyond them.
"System… you said I could create an academy?" he asked.
[Yes. An academy is not merely a building or school. It is a vessel for influence, knowledge, and guidance. By mastering skills, gaining authority, and shaping talent, you will be able to establish an institution capable of teaching and nurturing others. Authority and experience will determine the academy's scope and prestige.]
Astrea's lips curved into a faint smile. So the system is not just about me… it's about something bigger. It's about creating a foundation, a legacy…
"System… tell me about this world. I only know Brighthollow and scraps of memory," he said.
The interface shimmered, and the system began to explain:
[This world is Astoria. Five kingdoms dominate the land, each with its own cities, towns, and villages. Magic exists naturally, tied to elements, the land, and bloodlines. Creatures of all kinds roam the wilds, from ordinary beasts to beings of power. Society has hierarchy, but skill and talent allow anyone to rise beyond birthright. Knowledge is scarce for orphans, but experience is abundant. Power favors those who act, adapt, and endure.]
[Brighthollow Village: Your current location. A small, secluded village nestled in the northern foothills of the Graymount Range. Surrounded by dense forests and small streams, it is isolated from major trade routes and far from the central kingdoms. The village population is modest, consisting mainly of farmers, hunters, and a few artisans. While humble, Brighthollow is a place where survival requires cunning, stealth, and adaptability skills that you now possess.]
Astrea let the words sink in. His memories of the previous body had been shallow he had known only alleys, hiding places, and survival. Now, with the system's guidance, he could begin to understand the larger world.
[Your path will awaken when your growth reaches a threshold. There is no need to rush. Focus first on survival, mastering skills, and understanding your environment. Experience will guide your choices.]
Astrea clenched his fists, determination burning in his dark eyes. The blank path on the interface was no longer a limitation—it was a promise of freedom. Pickpocket, Stealth, Lockpicking, Observation… these were his beginnings. His growth, his choices, and his influence would shape the rest.
I'll train. I'll learn. I'll grow. And one day… I'll create something greater than just survival.
The hum of the system pulsed stronger, syncing with his heartbeat. The first step had been taken. The blank path awaited him, but the promise of something extraordinary stretched far beyond the walls of Brighthollow.