"Alright, you can begin class!" A woman with long brown hair, flowing down like a waterfall, instructed. Her orange eyes, like topaz, were strikingly beautiful. However, I couldn't care less about her or her instructions—I was in complete disbelief.
For two reasons, actually. First, because I had suddenly found myself here, and second...
[As an apology for your untimely death, the universe has given you a second chance.]
A golden screen floated before me, displaying words I recognized. Though I had no idea why I was seeing them.
[You were killed due to an error of fate and karma. As such, the universe must compensate you.]
'Uh-huh.' I nodded, but the absurdity of the situation was too much to process.
[Understandable. Take your time adjusting. I'll explain the basics to you.]
[I am your "Record."]
[A "Record" is a mechanism the universe uses to track various aspects of living beings. Normally, this record is only visible to the universe, but as compensation, you have been granted access to your own Record, along with full access to most of its features.]
[The features you are banned from include: god-mode, omniscience, and omnipotence.]
'W-What the hell?' A cold sweat ran down my neck as I read that last part.
[You are in a parallel Earth relative to your previous life, but it exists on the further end of the spectrum, so you may experience major differences or information gaps. However, there are no supernatural elements—this world operates similarly to your original Earth in that regard.]
'So, what can you—the Record—actually do for me?' Since this was compensation, I needed to know. The best thing to do in an unknown or mysterious situation was to break everything down and gather as much information as possible.
[You can view your attributes, skills, and receive quests that help improve these aspects.]
[Before you even ask, skills are entirely natural human abilities, and your attributes exist within normal human limits.]
'Figured. You literally just told me there wasn't anything supernatural. Besides, humans have more potential than we even realize, so I'm completely fine with the idea of accessing that potential.'
[Sure. Continuing on, skills... do I really need to explain?]
'Skills are probably records of experience gained from performing a task? The higher the experience, the better I am at that skill? And skills can only be improved through practice and theory?'
My responses sounded like questions, but I couldn't help it. My mind was still catching up.
[Yeah, and I feel you can understand the attributes part?]
'Strength, Agi, def-'
[Okay, never mind.] The record stopped me.
'Was I wrong?' I questioned.
[You aren't wrong but that's inefficient. You have three scores for your attributes, one is your physical average, mental average, and then overall average. The record grades each average and that average is what you need to increase.]
[Yes, the physical average includes physical stuff. The mental average, is mental stuff. Overall average is just well... physical average + mental average divided by two.]
'Okay, then can I see it real quick?'
[Think or say "Main record".]
'Main record'
[Eizkel Rhyse]
- Age: 18
- Condition: Moderately Confused/healthy
- Overall Human Score: 114.5 (C)
- Physical score: 63 (D-)
- Mental score: 83 (A-)
So I'm overall just average? Kind of a bummer, honestly, but at least I knew my mind was strong. I'd have to put more effort into this new body to create a balance.
Still, that could wait until I got used to this world and my new identity. I figured it would take a while to fully adjust; 'If I even can.'
[Yeah.]
'Can you explain the overall grading scale? I kind of understand the two individual scores.'
[Normal Overall Grades: 0–50 = F, 50–100 = D, 100–150 = C]
[Once a person surpasses 150, they are considered beyond the norm, shifting into a greater classification.]
[Greater Grades: 150–165 = B, 165–190 = A, 191–200 = S]
'Why do the grades change?' I had long left behind my confusion, my curiosity taking over. This whole situation was bizarre, but now it was just exciting, and my habits were starting to show.
[Why would a greater being follow the grading system of normal folk?]
'Ah, touché.'
[I'll get into quests later. You should focus back on your reality.]
'Huh?'
The golden screen—the Record—suddenly disappeared, and I felt my eyes adjust to the world around me. It was as if the Record had a strange pull on my attention, but now that it was gone, I could finally take in my surroundings.
The woman I had barely noticed before sat at her desk, her pen gliding across the paper with quiet precision. The soft hum of the projector filled the otherwise silent room, casting a faint glow as it displayed a digital clock on the front screen. A faint scent of dry erase markers lingered in the air, mixing with the subtle aroma of old books and paper.
Taking a quick glance around, I noticed desks lined up neatly in uniform rows, the smooth surfaces reflecting the fluorescent lights above. Students sat hunched over their papers, the faint rustling of pages and the occasional scratch of pencils breaking the stillness. Some furrowed their brows in deep concentration, while others tapped their fingers rhythmically against their desks, lost in thought.
Every single person was focused on whatever they were working on. From what I could tell, it had to be some kind of important test or a pop quiz. If it was a pop quiz, that was just plain cruel!
After scanning the room long enough to gather enough information, I stopped looking around and focused on my own paper.
'A pop quiz… what kind of fucking quiz is this?!'
Twenty minutes left and 43 questions—one constructed response that had to be at least six paragraphs long and 42 multiple-choice questions.
I skimmed through the paper, and there was no way this could be considered just a quiz. The worst part was with the time left and a blank sheet staring back at me, there was no chance I could answer everything and double-check my work.
Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. I can only try my best!