[Okay! What do you wish to know first?]
Noah didn't reply straight away; he thought hard. What did he want to know? What the "System" actually was? If it was the catalyst for his transmigration? What were its powers? Did it know who was behind all of this? Honestly, he felt like he already knew the answer to that last one.
"Did you transmigrate me?"
[Nope. I was awakened thanks to whoever transmigrated you. Although Systems are extremely rare, people do possess them. We are fated—meant to be. I am fated to serve you, my Master, and you were fated to be the Master of me. All Systems work like that. Although pathetic Systems can be controlled and 'given,' they aren't even worth your time.]
"So, even you don't know who transmigrated me?"
[No. Although I'm 'OP,' whoever did it is beyond my sight.]
"Can they know about you? Or our situation?"
[Again, no. All Systems are undetectable. After all, if people could detect us, they'd hoard and collect the holders, defeating the purpose.]
"Can you sense other Systems?"
[Hmmm… Not right now. Maybe when you're stronger, but even then, it's a slim chance. Like I said, it's supposed to be impossible, but since we'd be of a similar nature and existence, it could be possible. I'm just saying: don't get your hopes up.]
Noah stopped asking. He absorbed the information, committing every detail to memory. He still found it strange, though.
"So, you were with me on Earth?"
[Yeah. Although I wasn't awake then, I know everything from your memories after we merged.]
'So, it was mana that awakened the System?' he thought.
"So, what would have happened if I never encountered mana?"
[No point thinking about it. We are fated, remember? This just means this situation is within your destiny. You might as well forget it; you're far too weak to question the tapestry of fate.]
Noah nodded in agreement. Even in the game, Roman had never learned more than the basics of Fate.
"Alright then, what's your function?" He decided to drop the questions that were out of his league and jump straight to the fun stuff.
[Alright, finally something I can properly answer. Let's start with the first function, 'Status': this shows your most important details—powers, name, age, and other statistics. You've played enough games to understand.]
"Yeah, I get the idea."
[The second function is 'Shop': you can find and buy anything from this shop, either for your tames or yourself. It comes with a tethering function—if you buy and give something to someone and wish to take it back, it will return to you. To buy anything, you must use 'System Points' which can be earned by requesting a Quest. Quests can be anything you want, as long as they aren't useless or too easy. There also won't be any consequences for declining them.]
Noah let out a low whistle. A genuine smile spread across his face; he'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited. The System had said anything, which hopefully meant...
"Can I buy things from Earth?" Excitement danced in his crimson eyes.
[Anything, Host. Anything!]
"Hehe… YES!!" he shouted with exaggerated enthusiasm.
[Yes, yes, very cool. Now, the third function is 'Inspect': this allows you to check the status of anything and everything, as long as it's 'alive.' People who are too strong will feel your gaze, so I'd be careful, though you'll still see their details. Simply put, it lets you see the details of all beings you set your eyes upon.]
Noah's smile kept growing until it practically reached his eyes. He was buzzing. 'Hehe, the protagonist's system? HA! It's trash!' How could the hero's puny System compare to his ALMIGHTY one? He was exaggerating… maybe. He threw himself onto his overly large bed, rolling around like a madman.
[...]
[Ahem. On to the last and main function, called the 'Taming Tab'. This encompasses all things related to taming: the act itself, the beings you've tamed, and how to help them grow. Anything tamed will be eternally loyal to you, with the exception that if you neglect or abuse it, it could rebel. Such a thing is against our very power. The other sub-functions speak for themselves; you'll learn as you go along. I won't spoil all the benefits.]
"Gah!" Noah dramatically clapped a hand over his chest. "Are you trying to make me fall in love, System?" A mocking smirk played on his face.
The System replied, but this time, a distinct emotion could be heard in its tone.
[Yuck.]
That emotion was... pure disgust.
[I'm a boy, and I'm not gay. Again: Yuck.]
Noah's mocking smile vanished, replaced by a look of matching disgust. He pointed accusingly at the System panel. "Y-you! You bastard, why didn't you tell me?" His face was a perfect mask of horror and nausea.
[Me?] If the System had hands, it would have pointed at itself. [How is this my fault? It was obvious!]
"HOW?! Your voice is mechanical, you bastard!"
[Huh? Mechanical? That's not right.]
[Ah, I see the problem. Just give me a name. A MALE NAME.]
"A name? Why?"
[Well, names have power in the vast universe. Currently, my name is 'The Supreme Taming System,' meaning my existence right now is just that: a System. That explains the mechanical tone.]
Noah thought about it, and it actually made sense. He was tempted to ask how names held power, but he decided against it for now.
"Fineee. Hmmm, what should I call you? Chris?"
[Don't. You. Dare.]
"Pahahaha! Alright, alright. How about... Atlas?"
[Ha! A worthy name for a being such as m—@&$*#@]
[System consciousness undergoing Transformation... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...]
[@&$@&#*@]
[...]
"Erm… Atlas?" Noah asked hesitantly.
His worries were for naught. A boy's voice rang out through his mind—it wasn't childish; rather, it sounded mature, like someone in their mid-twenties.
[Sup. Did you miss me?]
Noah rolled his eyes. "You were gone for literally five seconds."
[Well, anyway, at least you know I'm a guy now.]
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, are there any restrictions on who I can tame?"
[Limits? Nope. None. It can be anything as long as it's alive and has a conscience. To tame something, you either need to gain its consent or force it—like beating it up until it can't disagree, then just forcing the taming.]
"So I can take humans? Or other races?"
[Yep… you're not thinking of something perverted, are you?] the System asked incredulously.
Cough, cough.
"S-shut up! I would never!" Noah's face turned beet red as he averted his eyes from the System panel as if that actually helped.
[Of course. I believe you. But look, it's already the middle of the day. You're going to be late for dinner.]
Noah's eyes widened as realization hit. This was the reason he'd gotten dressed so nicely in the first place. He immediately jumped up, smoothing the creases in his suit before dashing to the door and slamming it behind him with a loud BANG!
He sprinted through the familiar, extravagant halls, passing guards and servants who bowed in respect, though their gazes held clear confusion. After all, the 'Noah' they knew was a nonchalant, cold person who wouldn't be caught dead running late or in such a disheveled state. But they didn't dare speak; he was, after all, the heir to one of the strongest families in the kingdom.
After a few minutes of running—the distance was significant, given the mansion's massive scale—he finally reached the dining room. He stood outside the two large, dark wooden doors, huffing and puffing.
Even standing there, Noah felt the pressure increase, as if gravity itself had been intensified. Yet he knew it wasn't a physical change; this was merely the overwhelming presence his parents exerted on reality.
Two beings at the Rank of SSS.
[Phahaha, you're like an ant,] the System's voice cut through the tense atmosphere with mock pity.
'Tch. Shut up, bastard.'
Suddenly, a powerful, rough voice sounded from within. The tone was cold and indifferent, exactly as he remembered.
"You're here. It's been a long time since you joined us for dinner. Hurry up; your meal is getting cold."