Max spent the next several hours absorbing information.
The memories of the original Max Walker slowly settled into place, filling the gaps in his understanding of this strange world.
The biggest shock was how normal everything seemed despite the unbelievable truth behind it.
Cars still moved through crowded streets, people still argued over coffee prices, students still complained about exams. But behind everyday life existed something far greater, the Artifice.
In this world, art literally generated energy.
When people listened to music and felt emotion, power was born. When audiences watched performances and believed the roles, power was created. When people admired paintings or sculptures, reality itself shifted.
The entire civilization ran on that principle.
Max leaned back in his chair as the realization sank in. "This world runs on artistic creativity".
3 rules governed this power system- the recognition rule, the authenticity rule, and the burnout rule.
The Recognition Rule states that Artifice energy and rank scales with audience size and emotional intensity.
The more people who watched and emotionally connected with an artwork, the stronger the Artifice energy generated.
Superstars were not just celebrities here, they were walking power plants. Their concerts could power cities and their performances could repel alien invasions.
The Authenticity Rule was equally important, it states that imitation only grants weaker effects unless the user redefines the style. Copying someone else's work produced weaker power, originality created a far stronger Artifice.
Max nodded slowly. "That makes sense".
The Burnout Rule worried him though, it states that the overuse of Artifice energy causes artistic decay which can lead to loss of identity or even madness!
Overusing Artifice could destroy an artist.
Some singers lost their voices forever, some actors forgot their own identities, some painters literally went blind to color, some conceptual artists became detached from humanity entirely.
Art was power, but this power came with a cost.
Max stood for a long time in silence before he walked to the large window.
Far above the sky, a faint shimmering light stretched across the atmosphere. He knew what it was now.
This was the Artifice Network.
It was a massive planetary barrier protecting Earth and its energy came from generations of artists performing their work. Without it, the alien beasts lurking in space would devour Earth.
Max whispered quietly. "So concerts literally could become a tool to protect the planet".
He almost laughed again, this world was insane!
He returned to his desk, then he called. "System".
The interface appeared instantly.
["Status Window opened..."]
["Name: Max Walker."]
["Rank: Unawakened."]
["Artifice Energy: 0."]
["Classes: None."]
["Attributes: locked."]
["Artifice Points: 0."]
Max frowned. "So you mean that I'm starting at zero?"
["Correct."]- The system responded.
["Host must awaken a Class through performance or purchase through System Shop."]- The system added.
Max rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Show me the shop".
A massive menu board appeared and the list left him stunned.
Classes could indeed be purchased- Singer, Actor, Painter, Fine Artist, even Director. Each had enormous Artifice Point costs.
Subclasses also appeared beneath them- Rap Artist, Pop Idol, Rock Singer, Method Actor, Action Star, Surrealist Painter, Conceptualist, Installation Artist, there were literally hundreds of options.
Max whistled softly. "This is effed up man".
He scrolled through the list.
The prices varied wildly, some subclasses cost thousands of points while some cost millions. The Director Class cost an absurd amount.
Max sighed. "Which means I'm gonna need Artifice Points first, ain't it?"
["Correct."]- The system responded.
["Points are earned through achievements, performances, recognition, and victories."]- The system continued.
Max nodded slowly.
"So I must begin and grind like everyone else".
He walked toward the closet, inside hung several stylish outfits.
This version of Max had clearly pursued music as well. He found a guitar case in the corner, opening it revealed a beautiful acoustic guitar.
He ran his fingers across the strings and immediately a soft chord echoed through the room. Hearing it, memories surfaced again.
This Max had decent musical skill. Not exceptional, but solid.
Max smiled.
"In my old world I already had years of practice".
Now he had two lifetimes of musical experience combined, that alone gave him an advantage. But the system made things even more interesting.
"System". Max called.
["Yes host."]- The system responded.
"Explain Versatile Talent". He commanded.
The screen glowed again.
["Versatile Talent allows the host to learn and master all Artifice Classes. Normal artists are limited by innate talent, but host has no such restriction."]
Max exhaled slowly. "That means I could become a singer and an actor?"
["Correct."]- The system replied.
"And a painter?" Max asked.
["Correct."]
"And a director too, ain't it?" Max asked again with a smile now.
["Correct."]
Max grinned.
"That's crazy".
In a world where most people struggled to master one artistic path, he could theoretically master all five.
Well, that is if he survived the burnout risks.
Max looked outside again.
Outside, billboards towered across the skyline while gigantic advertisements promoted music shows, blockbuster movies, and art exhibitions. Every single one of those events was not just entertainment, they were power generation.
And one particular billboard caught his attention.
(The Golden Stage.)
The largest music talent show in the country! Max stared at the massive glowing logo and memories returned instantly.
The original Max had planned to audition for that show. He had been preparing for months, grinding every day for it.
Max slowly smiled. "How ironic".
In his old life, he had been rejected from a music show. In this new life, he was about to enter one again. But this time everything was different because he now understood the real stakes.
Winning that show would not just bring fame, it would grant Artifice energy, rank, recognition, and possibly even subclasses.
Max grabbed his phone and checked the audition schedule and his eyes widened, auditions began in three days!
"C'est tres bien!" The little French he had learnt in middle school found its way to his mouth at that instant.
He turned back toward the system screen.
"System". He called.
["Yes host."]- The system responded.
"Snooping tool". He demanded.
A new function appeared.
["Target scanning ability."]- The system said.
Max pointed it at himself experimentally.
DING!
["Status Information expanded!"]
["Singer potential detected!"]
["Vocal Force: 7."]
["Emotive Clarity: 8."]
["Rhythmic Control: 6."]
["Echo Retention: 5."]
Max blinked.
["These numbers mean nothing yet."]- The system explained.
["Basic rank attributes range from one to twenty."]
Max leaned back in his chair again.
"So I am mediocre, a mid," He muttered with a little tinge of disappointment in his voice.
But he was not discouraged, not this time. Because he knew something no one else in this world knew..., he knew failure and rejection, he knew the bitterness of chasing dreams with no system helping him.
He had lived that life already and this time he had advantages, experience, memories, and a supernatural system.
Max picked up the guitar again. His fingers began forming chords and a melody slowly emerged.
This was not copied neither was it borrowed, this was an Original.
The authenticity rule echoed in his mind. 'Creativity creates stronger Artifice'.
Max closed his eyes and began to sing quietly.
The lyrics came naturally to him. They spoke about rebirth, about falling once and rising again, about refusing to stay broken. As the final note soon faded, silence filled the room. Then the system voice spoke again.
["Minor Artifice resonance detected!"]
["Artifice Energy gained."]
["Current Total: 12/12."]
Max opened his eyes.
His heart was pounding. "That was just practice!" Yet it still produced power.
He laughed softly. "This world is incredible. Interesting!"
He finally placed the guitar down.
It was still three days until the Golden Stage auditions, three days until his new life truly began.
Max Walker stretched his arms confidently. "This time..."
His voice carried calm certainty. "...ain't nobody bouncing me off the stage with three red buzzers!"