This wasn't what she wanted, this wasn't at all what she wanted to see next. Not because she wanted to deny this had happened, no such thing. She did want to come clean with it...
"Anything the matter Eli-Eli?" But because it meant that she would need to come clean with this part of herself, and that required more bravery than she was willing to have.
But then again, "Eli-Eli?" Rossie did come clean too right?
She did it ready for her to throw her away, to be despised, screamed at ...Right...She needed to be that brave too.
"Oh, nothing much, just got hit in the face with something...Right, I have had this question for a while: are you reading something different than me from the notifications I share?" Elizabeth asked while toying with the newest Notification.
"Hmm...Kinda-ish? We aren't quite sure how [Odyssey] parses these notifications, but even with the same skill and titles some read different things...But..." Rossie answered while stopping as if to think about something, "Yeah, [Odyssey] is blocking and parsing what you send me, they are censoring some information, the important bits are there though."
At least the important bits were there, no wait, what important bits?
"Such as...?" Elizabeth asked, the important bits for her would be how she could have a pink-haired girlfriend!
That was important!
Rossie for her part just smiled sweetly, "Like how you are allowed to stay late at night ~" And sang while bullying her.
"Right...That is an important bit, indeed thank you [Mama] for parsing that." Elizabeth cursed at the heavens while eyeing the latest blue screen, well nothing for it. "What does this one say then?"
And so she blew the newest blue screen towards Rossie, the screen disappeared from her sight and Rossie sat straight while reading "Let me see..."
After a moment she looked at her and said "Oh right, you wanted to know..." And stopped while turning her eyes to the top of the blue screen...That she wasn't able to see. "It says...Congratulations!" Rossie started speaking, giving some pep to her voice, "You have managed to [Achieve] something new in the world!" And suddenly a dramatic pause, damn you Rossie for being so adorable while also a bully!
"You have managed to acclimate to your new [Body], and have successfully claimed the [Knowledge] of the [Vestiges] left within, you are now [Elizabeth Starbright] in full." And like that, she felt the world around her crash, "The [Vestiges] left by [Alexanders Saintsworths, the Elemental Master], [Chloe Ashcroft, The Electro Master] and [Elizabeth Starbright, The Inheritor of the Akashic Records] have settled within your body." But Rossie continued reading in a smooth cadence as if what she was reading wasn't anything important.
"Since the body you now possess has been molded from the mana of multiple persons it has been created from Zero, as such any achievements from the previous [Vestiges] have been mostly voided, any experience and levels are nulled and any achievement must be done again to grant experience. Your level will be reset to 1 and you must climb again." She already knew that part, it wasn't important to her. "Since you were created from multiple [Vestiges] the dominant one was given the full control of the body and soul, the other [Vestiges] decided to leave their knowledge and [Skills] to you. So you may earn proficiency towards those easier than anyone else."
Yeah, she was aware of that, she did get the skill for [Lighting] and [Shadows] quite easily...[Mana Manipulation] too actually.
"Do beware of any [Vestige] you come across as your [Soul] is now capable of [Devouring] them and settle those you have already within." And she continued waiting, but nothing else came "And that's about it, what of it?" Asked Rossie.
"Yeah, it's about the same...I do have some extra lines if you want to know..." Elizabeth said while summoning again the blue screen to her eyes.
| Congratulations! |
| You have earned a new [Achievement]!
For managing to acclimate into your body after devouring the [Vestiges] that were within your [Body] and making them yours you have affirmed your [Identity] as [Elizabeth Starbright].
The [Vestiges] devoured in the process are: -Alexanders Saintsworths, Elemental Master from another world. -Chloe Ashcroft, Electro Master (Body of Shadows) -Elizabeth Starbright, The Inheritor of the Akashic Records (Soul of Shadows)
Your body was successfully molded into one that resembles the most your [Heritage], in doing so any achievements or Levels your [Vestiges] held are voided and you need to achieve those deeds again to regain them. You do have a bonus to proficiency towards the [Skills] the [Vestiges] that make you had before. But you yourself will be sent back to level 1.
[Warning: Your body is susceptible to [Vestiges] since it was made of them, so while you are now capable of [Devouring] them, they are capable of doing so back. It is suggested that you find and settle those you have already within.] |
| Notice: |
| Active [Title] acquired, [The One Who Devours itself]. You following the example of the eternal snake that eats itself have found that doing so is a good way to make yourself a new body!
DEVOUR, EAT, EVOLVE!
Active Effect: You can manifest the metaphysical aspect of the cardinal sin of [Gula] and make what you eat into part of yourself. [Note: This is an active Title, you need to slot this on to be able to use its effects.] |
She didn't want to show that one, it...It reminded her of [Nyctophagia]'s power too much, she didn't want to think that what she had done had been the same thing as he did.
"No, that's okay. But why did you show me this?" Asked Rossie tilting her head to one side.
Huh?
"Umm...Didn't you read it?" Elizabeth asked, "The parts that say that I..."
"That you [Devoured] some random girl called Chloe and some random Saintsworths guy?" Rossie finished for her, "I do find it quite...Conflicting—the fact that you went around [Eating] other girls before me..."
"That's beside the point!" Elizabeth raised her voice, "I'm not the [Original] Elizabeth!"
There, she said it. She liked who she was, but held no doubt in her mind about who she had been before...Or who she hadn't been, she wasn't the Elizabeth Starbright that Rossie met a year and a half ago, nor she was Chloe Ashcroft, the [Random] girl Rossie called her, nor was she Alexanders.
She...She was a little bit of everyone, and sure, she was more Elizabeth than anything, but that didn't make her the same oblivious Elizabeth of before, no. She knew in her heart, that she could never be that girl.
"My silly and lovely blonde girl with blue eyes," Rossie started saying while looking at her "You are Elizabeth Starbright. The [System] can attest to this, and besides, at your pitifully low level there is no power under the [System] that could deceive someone with my [Skill-set]. That said, I do find the effects of what you went through interesting."
Rossie cast a spell, she recognized some parts of it as a [Healing] spell, but most of it was alien to her, and wasn't that interesting? For the first time in quite some time she couldn't summon the help of her [Identify] skill to help her. "[Soothe Mind]" Rossie said and she felt her nerves calm down.
Right, Rossie had previously evolved her [Origin] towards emphatic magic. Wonder where that had gone too?
"It matters not, the link you made with your [Heroic Party] skill? That allows me to peer into you, and since you moved my [Soulscape] within your [Ruined City] I can even do this." Rossie said that and she felt a jolt within her back.
"Kyaa!" And so, Elizabeth screamed unladylike, "What?" And behind her nothing was there.
"This is what happens when you leave your [Soulscape] open to someone else, I can cast spells within it that manifest in you. Since I have an open door towards your [Soul]." Rossie said ominously, "So next time you want to invite someone over do think it twice."
"Not like I want people roaming my [Soul] you get a free pass since it's you," Elizabeth grumbled in her spot. "So? You okay with me?"
"Yes," Rossie answered without thinking, "I like you, and while I liked the previous you...She was..."
Right, "I had some problems before! The stupid [System] kept zapping me when I wanted to investigate anything about it!" Elizabeth defended her previous incarnation. "And besides, after ten years of brain zaps, I was quite functional thank you very much!"
".... The what? Who? Why? But the system..." Rossie was aghast at that revelation.
"Oh right, Alexanders said that while the system does not hold ill will against anyone, Ethan tweaked it for his own ends and wanted it to grow rampant. And since he knew [Mama]'s opinion towards these kinds of things...And that [Papa] would listen to her, he made sure I wouldn't spill the beans ahead of time." Elizabeth elaborated as such, it was quite useful to have Alexanders knowledge in the back of her mind, even if the man was...Difficult.
"Who is even that guy? Did you [Devour] him for that reason?" Rossie asked with a worried glance.
"Huh? He is a Saintsworths." She answered as such, there wasn't much that needed to be said, even she who grew in [Avalon] knew that having that last name was proof of being powerful.
"I know, so he was like...Your uncle? A cousin? He had the same last name as your mother on your birth certificate." Was...Was Rossie for real?
"Like...A [Saintsworths] The conglomerate that has control over all the technology and information in the world? Even I who grew in [Avalon] knows that." Elizabeth elaborated further, like, she only needed to [Appraise] something and it would come with an AD for the Saintsworths...Surely.
"Ah...No? Why does it matter that you grew up in [Avalon] I know most of them are more sheltered for some reason, but it's not like the connection to the outside world is severed. Besides, there isn't a Saintsworths company or Conglomerate. Not a big one anyway." Rossie said back, that...Couldn't be right. "Oh right, there was an ad for that in your ruined city, are you mixing those up?"
"No no no, wait a second, roll back...The [Saintsworths] are gone gone?" Elizabeth asked, "As in there isn't any conglomerate ruling and withholding the top spots?"
"I mean, there are four or five of those around, but nothing that big. No government would allow them to grow that much. There has been some backlash from [Mainframe] and [Odyssey]'s ascension since there are some empty plots where no one was sure what they were for were in prime locations, but since most of those were empty...It matters not." Rossie answered while navigating her holopad to show her pictures of constructions.
She took that holopad and punched the address for the hospital she went to when little, that one was now under the name of [The Eversoul foundation], then moved on to the library she visited in this very city, that was under [Hamiltons's School for the Gifted].
Did Mother erase them? Or teleport them? Why?
"He...Alexanders was a guy that built the [Skill] that I gave you, he managed what I thought was my [Soulscape] before this whole thing happened." Elizabeth answered, she wasn't really quite sure how to describe the blonde asshole.
"So, he is the one that mind-zapped you into a bimbo? Then good of you for [Devouring] him." Rossie said back.
That..."He did build the thing, but he was also being mind-zapped, so he was a victim...Kinda?" Elizabeth wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation if she was being honest. "And this [World System] feels somewhat similar to what he created, so maybe the thing used what he made before in some ways too?"
"So, he was smart and could create Skills?" Rossie asked back, but that felt like an oversimplification.
"I mean...Kinda? It doesn't matter. And we strayed away from the main point." Elizabeth said, refocusing on the important parts, "So you are okay with who I am?"
"You were okay with what I did to you...Or your previous incarnation if you are stubborn about it. So why would I care about what you did to return?" Rossie answered back, "Besides...If I was to be angry at anything, it would be at you [Devouring] another girl and a man before [Eating] me."
And while she was relieved that Rossie didn't have a problem with who she was, she was too busy blushing at the not-veiled innuendo the pink-haired girl threw her way. "I...UH...I...UH...ROSSIE!" And with such, Elizabeth screamed while throwing a pillow in the direction of the pink-haired girl.
Really, this was serious matter!
"I will hold you accountable for that, you can swear on it, Miss." Was all Rossie said on that topic, "Now, anything interesting besides that?" And then turned her attention back to the topic at hand.
Right, "Notifications...Well, I got one for an [Active Title]" Elizabeth said and was about to show it.
"Stop right there!" before Rossie raised her hand, "While I do appreciate it, you should keep some of those to yourself. We can't know what some skills do these days, and there are some nasty ones that peer into what you know...The Student Council for example seems to be able to peer into what you know about other people [Status]."
The Student Council?
Oh right, they had some Akashik-related titles too...Like she used to.
"So, keep the active ones to yourself, since I only know vague stuff, they should not be able to peer into it, wonder what kind of [Title] or [Skill] gives that effect." Rossie wondered aloud.
Should...She answer?
"Okay, then let me see what's left," Elizabeth said while peering down to her notifications.
There...Wasn't much left, since most of her achievements as Elizabeth didn't translate...Not that she had much actually...Did she have anything going for her?
She...Was indoctrinated by the [System] to not stand out for some reason, did she have a reason to not stand out?
No, she didn't.
But then what did she want to do?
"Rossie, what was my dream?" She asked aloud.
For her part, the pink-haired girl seemed surprised at that, "Umm...To sleep late and walk around in your pajamas all day?" Was the answer she got from Rossie.
Rude!
Fair, but still. Rude!
"That is normal behavior, any sane person would want that," Elizabeth answered back, really. Who even wanted to change clothes when pajamas are so comfy!
"Well, you never said anything. You seemed focused on excelling as a Powered and Magical Girl. Not that there are such distinctions around among the [Metahuman] populace anymore," Rossie added at the end.
She did what?
"I tried to excel? But I never used my [Origin] magic?" She had of course some mastery and knowledge about [Shadow] spells, but she never used them.
"Well, you can't be a bad Magical Girl if you can weave multiple elemental spells without a problem and only have some power loss, now that most use [Skills] to do the heavy lifting that isn't as special as before, since one can just learn the right [Elemental Mastery] skill and let the thing do the heavy lifting," Rossie added afterward. "Even if that is hard, but enough exposure to any element is enough to awaken the [Resistance] skill, then you only need to shove mana into the element of choice till you awaken the [Mastery] skill and done. This way wastes two [Skill Slots] though."
Right, she didn't have the Resistance skills, but even so, she hadn't been hurt... "Do I need the Resistance skills?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not really, if you manage to awaken the [Elemental] skill you can skill the [Resistance] since the elemental mastery skill usually grants that, you can remove a [Skill] by using status points, but some prefer to try and override the skill since wasting five points is harsh. Even if that allows you to move the skill around." Rossie said while toying with her status screen. What was she doing?
"Wait, is there a limit to skills?" Elizabeth asked eyeing her status. She had moved the skill sections so it was more condensed. She didn't want to have six windows again.
If she needed something she would navigate a submenu, that was more aesthetically pleasant.
"10 General skills & 10 Job-related skills. You can have 3 active titles, so that means you could have 3 extra skills from titles...But not many have those. Usually, most active metahumans have a variation of [Identify] like your [Appraisal] and a variation of [Privacy] to protect themselves. But the more specialized [Identify] related skills from law enforcement can pierce it...And some variations from [Villains] can do the same." Rossie counted with her hands.
That...Wasn't much, compared to before, she had what? Almost 40 different spell modules to play around with...And now she would be limited to 20 at best?
"I know what you are thinking but it's plenty. Besides this does not include [Magic] or [True Magic] as some say." Rossie smiled, creating a magical circle again. This one she knew, the standard healing one. "What [Skill] do you think this is?"
Well, that was easy. "That's a [Heal] spell...Or I guess [Heal] skill?" Elizabeth answered. But if the smile on Rossie's face was something to go by this wasn't as simple as that.
"Nope, this is [Magical Circle] Skill. You were right the first time, this is the [Heal] spell." But...Then what was the difference?
Oh..."Oooooooh..." She got it. "You only need one slot for the skill to create Spells, you can do the hard work of making the spell in your [Soulscape] and then use it as before."
"Almost, you can create spells as before, but as I said before, almost no one has been able to access their [Soulscape]. So most have a harder time creating complex spells since they can save them in spell nodes as before." Rossie said, "Well I was like them too, but since I can access my [Soulscape] again from your [Ruined City]..."
"Then you can start building [Spell Nodes] and create complex spells again..." Elizabeth confirmed, and Rossie nodded along.
Yikes, she liked the smile Rossie had, even if it was one with a predatory smile and a dangerous glint in her eyes. Was she thinking of murdering someone?
"So...I need to think what [Skills] to get then, suggestions?" Elizabeth asked while eyeing her [Status] screen if she was limited by 20 slots...Well, less since she had already some skills there.
"First check if there is a nice [Job] for you to pick, then nab it to increase the amount of skills you can have. Check on the [Skill] section of available skills and grab the ones you feel a connection with...And oh right, start thinking about a second job, at level 26 you will be allowed to take a second job or to evolve the first one. There are rumors of some special bonus for level 51 but no one above that level has admitted to anything...We do know that all [The Nine Stars] members only have one job though." Rossie finished saying, so she could either further increase the power of her job at level 26 or diversify.
Now the question was...
What did she have available and if she wanted to diversify or specialize, she could see advantages to both, and while she had enjoyed the double life of being [The Shadow Empress] and [Elemental Weaver]. Those were the things past Elizabeth did. Did she want to continue walking down those paths?
"And you also need to think if you wanna return to school." Rossie continued saying.
School?
Oh right, she was a student..."But I can't afford school, I don't think I even have money." Elizabeth said, right. She would need to get a job.
"You can enter with a scholarship, or if not, I can pay your tuition," Rossie said in response, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What? No. Rossie no." Elizabeth said immediately afterward.
"Yes. Rossie Yes." And Rossie joked back at her.
"I will not let you waste your money on me," Elizabeth said with finality in her tone. Her friend had wasted god knows how much money on her already, taking care of her, probably not going back to classes..."What about your classes?" Actually, what about that.
"I'm on a leave. I am among the few that can cast Spells so the school doesn't want to let me go. So, they allowed me to care for you on the premise that I do finish my education with them." Was the answer Rossie gave her back.
So she was among the few who could cast spells? As expected of her Rossie.
No wait, "Not many can cast spells then?" Elizabeth asked a smile forming on her face as she started molding her mana, she felt some kind of interference in her mana from an outside source. But she powered through, it was negligible and after her mana collided with it, it seemed to fold and flow into the spell, settling in a corner of her [Soulscape].
She tried following it, but it flew into the building in the middle of her ruined city, it nested itself in a bookshelf and then flew straight into a book on it.
A book that read [Mana Manipulation], after she formed the magic circle, it seemed as if it wanted to fizzle out, but she fought the mana to keep the form and the spell formed. "[Mana Bolt]" Elizabeth intoned.
And from the magical circle a small orb of energy manifested, it was...Quite pitiful, she didn't have nearly enough mana to create something big or complex.
But she had enough muscle memory to create something, and that was all she needed for the blue screen to show up, and to confirm her suspicions.
| Congratulations! You have awakened the skill [Magic Circle Manipulation], it has been set at level 1. Magic Circle Manipulation: |
"Oooh, you got it in one. Always knew you were talented Eli-Eli !" Rossie said with a bright smile on her face.
She felt the spell fizzle out from the distraction, but it had achieved its function. She now was sure of it, while the [Origin] wasn't visible anymore, she felt the influence in the background, had she tried to do this with a [Shadow] spell, it would have been easier. She would have probably had it easier with Lighting too now that she had both Alexanders and Chloe's talents.
Should she [Devour] anyone with the other elemental skills would she feel the same?
YES
Something told her that would be true, but she didn't want to go that way, not yet anyway. "So, do you think I will be able to get a scholarship too?" Elizabeth asked to the smiling girl at her side.
"Why yes Miss Elizabeth, I do think you may qualify for a Scholarship." Answered Rossie imitating the tone of a stuck-up teacher. "And if they don't accept you, we can always find another school that would, or get a job as [Heroes]..."
[Heroes] would offer jobs nowadays? That was...Interesting, but then again, if anyone could get [Skills] then they would probably end up with quite the amount of [Villains], so it made sense.
"Or as [Villains], since the [Taint] is no longer a problem some [Shadow] aligned have started to raise their complaints from the treatment they got, you only need to flash your [Shadows] and you could get a spot in a [Villain] organization," Rossie added.
Oh right, she had work before as a Villain too...Was that still up? "What about [The Hydra's Fang]?" Elizabeth asked, they should be still around...Right?
"Oh right, you interned with them...They no longer exist as a [Villain] Organization, not after [Nyctophagia]'s blatant attack. [Echidna] turned herself in and is now working under [The Nine Stars] as a Hero. She is replacing [Shadow Pact] till he returns from whatever secret mission he is at." Was the answer Rossie gave her.
Well, that she didn't see coming. She would need to speak with them both, to pass along Chloe's wishes...Not that she had a good way to explain that.
But that was a problem for later, for now...She had skills to check, and job listings to peruse. How hard could it be?
This wasn't what she wanted, this wasn't at all what she wanted to see next. Not because she wanted to deny this had happened, no such thing. She did want to come clean with it...
"Anything the matter Eli-Eli?" But because it meant that she would need to come clean with this part of herself, and that required more bravery than she was willing to have.
But then again, "Eli-Eli?" Rossie did come clean too right?
She did it ready for her to throw her away, to be despised, screamed at ...Right...She needed to be that brave too.
"Oh, nothing much, just got hit in the face with something...Right, I have had this question for a while: are you reading something different than me from the notifications I share?" Elizabeth asked while toying with the newest Notification.
"Hmm...Kinda-ish? We aren't quite sure how [Odyssey] parses these notifications, but even with the same skill and titles some read different things...But..." Rossie answered while stopping as if to think about something, "Yeah, [Odyssey] is blocking and parsing what you send me, they are censoring some information, the important bits are there though."
At least the important bits were there, no wait, what important bits?
"Such as...?" Elizabeth asked, the important bits for her would be how she could have a pink-haired girlfriend!
That was important!
Rossie for her part just smiled sweetly, "Like how you are allowed to stay late at night ~" And sang while bullying her.
"Right...That is an important bit, indeed thank you [Mama] for parsing that." Elizabeth cursed at the heavens while eyeing the latest blue screen, well nothing for it. "What does this one say then?"
And so she blew the newest blue screen towards Rossie, the screen disappeared from her sight and Rossie sat straight while reading "Let me see..."
After a moment she looked at her and said "Oh right, you wanted to know..." And stopped while turning her eyes to the top of the blue screen...That she wasn't able to see. "It says...Congratulations!" Rossie started speaking, giving some pep to her voice, "You have managed to [Achieve] something new in the world!" And suddenly a dramatic pause, damn you Rossie for being so adorable while also a bully!
"You have managed to acclimate to your new [Body], and have successfully claimed the [Knowledge] of the [Vestiges] left within, you are now [Elizabeth Starbright] in full." And like that, she felt the world around her crash, "The [Vestiges] left by [Alexanders Saintsworths, the Elemental Master], [Chloe Ashcroft, The Electro Master] and [Elizabeth Starbright, The Inheritor of the Akashic Records] have settled within your body." But Rossie continued reading in a smooth cadence as if what she was reading wasn't anything important.
"Since the body you now possess has been molded from the mana of multiple persons it has been created from Zero, as such any achievements from the previous [Vestiges] have been mostly voided, any experience and levels are nulled and any achievement must be done again to grant experience. Your level will be reset to 1 and you must climb again." She already knew that part, it wasn't important to her. "Since you were created from multiple [Vestiges] the dominant one was given the full control of the body and soul, the other [Vestiges] decided to leave their knowledge and [Skills] to you. So you may earn proficiency towards those easier than anyone else."
Yeah, she was aware of that, she did get the skill for [Lighting] and [Shadows] quite easily...[Mana Manipulation] too actually.
"Do beware of any [Vestige] you come across as your [Soul] is now capable of [Devouring] them and settle those you have already within." And she continued waiting, but nothing else came "And that's about it, what of it?" Asked Rossie.
"Yeah, it's about the same...I do have some extra lines if you want to know..." Elizabeth said while summoning again the blue screen to her eyes.
| Congratulations! |
| You have earned a new [Achievement]!
For managing to acclimate into your body after devouring the [Vestiges] that were within your [Body] and making them yours you have affirmed your [Identity] as [Elizabeth Starbright].
The [Vestiges] devoured in the process are: -Alexanders Saintsworths, Elemental Master from another world. -Chloe Ashcroft, Electro Master (Body of Shadows) -Elizabeth Starbright, The Inheritor of the Akashic Records (Soul of Shadows)
Your body was successfully molded into one that resembles the most your [Heritage], in doing so any achievements or Levels your [Vestiges] held are voided and you need to achieve those deeds again to regain them. You do have a bonus to proficiency towards the [Skills] the [Vestiges] that make you had before. But you yourself will be sent back to level 1.
[Warning: Your body is susceptible to [Vestiges] since it was made of them, so while you are now capable of [Devouring] them, they are capable of doing so back. It is suggested that you find and settle those you have already within.] |
| Notice: |
| Active [Title] acquired, [The One Who Devours itself]. You following the example of the eternal snake that eats itself have found that doing so is a good way to make yourself a new body!
DEVOUR, EAT, EVOLVE!
Active Effect: You can manifest the metaphysical aspect of the cardinal sin of [Gula] and make what you eat into part of yourself. [Note: This is an active Title, you need to slot this on to be able to use its effects.] |
She didn't want to show that one, it...It reminded her of [Nyctophagia]'s power too much, she didn't want to think that what she had done had been the same thing as he did.
"No, that's okay. But why did you show me this?" Asked Rossie tilting her head to one side.
Huh?
"Umm...Didn't you read it?" Elizabeth asked, "The parts that say that I..."
"That you [Devoured] some random girl called Chloe and some random Saintsworths guy?" Rossie finished for her, "I do find it quite...Conflicting—the fact that you went around [Eating] other girls before me..."
"That's beside the point!" Elizabeth raised her voice, "I'm not the [Original] Elizabeth!"
There, she said it. She liked who she was, but held no doubt in her mind about who she had been before...Or who she hadn't been, she wasn't the Elizabeth Starbright that Rossie met a year and a half ago, nor she was Chloe Ashcroft, the [Random] girl Rossie called her, nor was she Alexanders.
She...She was a little bit of everyone, and sure, she was more Elizabeth than anything, but that didn't make her the same oblivious Elizabeth of before, no. She knew in her heart, that she could never be that girl.
"My silly and lovely blonde girl with blue eyes," Rossie started saying while looking at her "You are Elizabeth Starbright. The [System] can attest to this, and besides, at your pitifully low level there is no power under the [System] that could deceive someone with my [Skill-set]. That said, I do find the effects of what you went through interesting."
Rossie cast a spell, she recognized some parts of it as a [Healing] spell, but most of it was alien to her, and wasn't that interesting? For the first time in quite some time she couldn't summon the help of her [Identify] skill to help her. "[Soothe Mind]" Rossie said and she felt her nerves calm down.
Right, Rossie had previously evolved her [Origin] towards emphatic magic. Wonder where that had gone too?
"It matters not, the link you made with your [Heroic Party] skill? That allows me to peer into you, and since you moved my [Soulscape] within your [Ruined City] I can even do this." Rossie said that and she felt a jolt within her back.
"Kyaa!" And so, Elizabeth screamed unladylike, "What?" And behind her nothing was there.
"This is what happens when you leave your [Soulscape] open to someone else, I can cast spells within it that manifest in you. Since I have an open door towards your [Soul]." Rossie said ominously, "So next time you want to invite someone over do think it twice."
"Not like I want people roaming my [Soul] you get a free pass since it's you," Elizabeth grumbled in her spot. "So? You okay with me?"
"Yes," Rossie answered without thinking, "I like you, and while I liked the previous you...She was..."
Right, "I had some problems before! The stupid [System] kept zapping me when I wanted to investigate anything about it!" Elizabeth defended her previous incarnation. "And besides, after ten years of brain zaps, I was quite functional thank you very much!"
".... The what? Who? Why? But the system..." Rossie was aghast at that revelation.
"Oh right, Alexanders said that while the system does not hold ill will against anyone, Ethan tweaked it for his own ends and wanted it to grow rampant. And since he knew [Mama]'s opinion towards these kinds of things...And that [Papa] would listen to her, he made sure I wouldn't spill the beans ahead of time." Elizabeth elaborated as such, it was quite useful to have Alexanders knowledge in the back of her mind, even if the man was...Difficult.
"Who is even that guy? Did you [Devour] him for that reason?" Rossie asked with a worried glance.
"Huh? He is a Saintsworths." She answered as such, there wasn't much that needed to be said, even she who grew in [Avalon] knew that having that last name was proof of being powerful.
"I know, so he was like...Your uncle? A cousin? He had the same last name as your mother on your birth certificate." Was...Was Rossie for real?
"Like...A [Saintsworths] The conglomerate that has control over all the technology and information in the world? Even I who grew in [Avalon] knows that." Elizabeth elaborated further, like, she only needed to [Appraise] something and it would come with an AD for the Saintsworths...Surely.
"Ah...No? Why does it matter that you grew up in [Avalon] I know most of them are more sheltered for some reason, but it's not like the connection to the outside world is severed. Besides, there isn't a Saintsworths company or Conglomerate. Not a big one anyway." Rossie said back, that...Couldn't be right. "Oh right, there was an ad for that in your ruined city, are you mixing those up?"
"No no no, wait a second, roll back...The [Saintsworths] are gone gone?" Elizabeth asked, "As in there isn't any conglomerate ruling and withholding the top spots?"
"I mean, there are four or five of those around, but nothing that big. No government would allow them to grow that much. There has been some backlash from [Mainframe] and [Odyssey]'s ascension since there are some empty plots where no one was sure what they were for were in prime locations, but since most of those were empty...It matters not." Rossie answered while navigating her holopad to show her pictures of constructions.
She took that holopad and punched the address for the hospital she went to when little, that one was now under the name of [The Eversoul foundation], then moved on to the library she visited in this very city, that was under [Hamiltons's School for the Gifted].
Did Mother erase them? Or teleport them? Why?
"He...Alexanders was a guy that built the [Skill] that I gave you, he managed what I thought was my [Soulscape] before this whole thing happened." Elizabeth answered, she wasn't really quite sure how to describe the blonde asshole.
"So, he is the one that mind-zapped you into a bimbo? Then good of you for [Devouring] him." Rossie said back.
That..."He did build the thing, but he was also being mind-zapped, so he was a victim...Kinda?" Elizabeth wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation if she was being honest. "And this [World System] feels somewhat similar to what he created, so maybe the thing used what he made before in some ways too?"
"So, he was smart and could create Skills?" Rossie asked back, but that felt like an oversimplification.
"I mean...Kinda? It doesn't matter. And we strayed away from the main point." Elizabeth said, refocusing on the important parts, "So you are okay with who I am?"
"You were okay with what I did to you...Or your previous incarnation if you are stubborn about it. So why would I care about what you did to return?" Rossie answered back, "Besides...If I was to be angry at anything, it would be at you [Devouring] another girl and a man before [Eating] me."
And while she was relieved that Rossie didn't have a problem with who she was, she was too busy blushing at the not-veiled innuendo the pink-haired girl threw her way. "I...UH...I...UH...ROSSIE!" And with such, Elizabeth screamed while throwing a pillow in the direction of the pink-haired girl.
Really, this was serious matter!
"I will hold you accountable for that, you can swear on it, Miss." Was all Rossie said on that topic, "Now, anything interesting besides that?" And then turned her attention back to the topic at hand.
Right, "Notifications...Well, I got one for an [Active Title]" Elizabeth said and was about to show it.
"Stop right there!" before Rossie raised her hand, "While I do appreciate it, you should keep some of those to yourself. We can't know what some skills do these days, and there are some nasty ones that peer into what you know...The Student Council for example seems to be able to peer into what you know about other people [Status]."
The Student Council?
Oh right, they had some Akashik-related titles too...Like she used to.
"So, keep the active ones to yourself, since I only know vague stuff, they should not be able to peer into it, wonder what kind of [Title] or [Skill] gives that effect." Rossie wondered aloud.
Should...She answer?
"Okay, then let me see what's left," Elizabeth said while peering down to her notifications.
There...Wasn't much left, since most of her achievements as Elizabeth didn't translate...Not that she had much actually...Did she have anything going for her?
She...Was indoctrinated by the [System] to not stand out for some reason, did she have a reason to not stand out?
No, she didn't.
But then what did she want to do?
"Rossie, what was my dream?" She asked aloud.
For her part, the pink-haired girl seemed surprised at that, "Umm...To sleep late and walk around in your pajamas all day?" Was the answer she got from Rossie.
Rude!
Fair, but still. Rude!
"That is normal behavior, any sane person would want that," Elizabeth answered back, really. Who even wanted to change clothes when pajamas are so comfy!
"Well, you never said anything. You seemed focused on excelling as a Powered and Magical Girl. Not that there are such distinctions around among the [Metahuman] populace anymore," Rossie added at the end.
She did what?
"I tried to excel? But I never used my [Origin] magic?" She had of course some mastery and knowledge about [Shadow] spells, but she never used them.
"Well, you can't be a bad Magical Girl if you can weave multiple elemental spells without a problem and only have some power loss, now that most use [Skills] to do the heavy lifting that isn't as special as before, since one can just learn the right [Elemental Mastery] skill and let the thing do the heavy lifting," Rossie added afterward. "Even if that is hard, but enough exposure to any element is enough to awaken the [Resistance] skill, then you only need to shove mana into the element of choice till you awaken the [Mastery] skill and done. This way wastes two [Skill Slots] though."
Right, she didn't have the Resistance skills, but even so, she hadn't been hurt... "Do I need the Resistance skills?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not really, if you manage to awaken the [Elemental] skill you can skill the [Resistance] since the elemental mastery skill usually grants that, you can remove a [Skill] by using status points, but some prefer to try and override the skill since wasting five points is harsh. Even if that allows you to move the skill around." Rossie said while toying with her status screen. What was she doing?
"Wait, is there a limit to skills?" Elizabeth asked eyeing her status. She had moved the skill sections so it was more condensed. She didn't want to have six windows again.
If she needed something she would navigate a submenu, that was more aesthetically pleasant.
"10 General skills & 10 Job-related skills. You can have 3 active titles, so that means you could have 3 extra skills from titles...But not many have those. Usually, most active metahumans have a variation of [Identify] like your [Appraisal] and a variation of [Privacy] to protect themselves. But the more specialized [Identify] related skills from law enforcement can pierce it...And some variations from [Villains] can do the same." Rossie counted with her hands.
That...Wasn't much, compared to before, she had what? Almost 40 different spell modules to play around with...And now she would be limited to 20 at best?
"I know what you are thinking but it's plenty. Besides this does not include [Magic] or [True Magic] as some say." Rossie smiled, creating a magical circle again. This one she knew, the standard healing one. "What [Skill] do you think this is?"
Well, that was easy. "That's a [Heal] spell...Or I guess [Heal] skill?" Elizabeth answered. But if the smile on Rossie's face was something to go by this wasn't as simple as that.
"Nope, this is [Magical Circle] Skill. You were right the first time, this is the [Heal] spell." But...Then what was the difference?
Oh..."Oooooooh..." She got it. "You only need one slot for the skill to create Spells, you can do the hard work of making the spell in your [Soulscape] and then use it as before."
"Almost, you can create spells as before, but as I said before, almost no one has been able to access their [Soulscape]. So most have a harder time creating complex spells since they can save them in spell nodes as before." Rossie said, "Well I was like them too, but since I can access my [Soulscape] again from your [Ruined City]..."
"Then you can start building [Spell Nodes] and create complex spells again..." Elizabeth confirmed, and Rossie nodded along.
Yikes, she liked the smile Rossie had, even if it was one with a predatory smile and a dangerous glint in her eyes. Was she thinking of murdering someone?
"So...I need to think what [Skills] to get then, suggestions?" Elizabeth asked while eyeing her [Status] screen if she was limited by 20 slots...Well, less since she had already some skills there.
"First check if there is a nice [Job] for you to pick, then nab it to increase the amount of skills you can have. Check on the [Skill] section of available skills and grab the ones you feel a connection with...And oh right, start thinking about a second job, at level 26 you will be allowed to take a second job or to evolve the first one. There are rumors of some special bonus for level 51 but no one above that level has admitted to anything...We do know that all [The Nine Stars] members only have one job though." Rossie finished saying, so she could either further increase the power of her job at level 26 or diversify.
Now the question was...
What did she have available and if she wanted to diversify or specialize, she could see advantages to both, and while she had enjoyed the double life of being [The Shadow Empress] and [Elemental Weaver]. Those were the things past Elizabeth did. Did she want to continue walking down those paths?
"And you also need to think if you wanna return to school." Rossie continued saying.
School?
Oh right, she was a student..."But I can't afford school, I don't think I even have money." Elizabeth said, right. She would need to get a job.
"You can enter with a scholarship, or if not, I can pay your tuition," Rossie said in response, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What? No. Rossie no." Elizabeth said immediately afterward.
"Yes. Rossie Yes." And Rossie joked back at her.
"I will not let you waste your money on me," Elizabeth said with finality in her tone. Her friend had wasted god knows how much money on her already, taking care of her, probably not going back to classes..."What about your classes?" Actually, what about that.
"I'm on a leave. I am among the few that can cast Spells so the school doesn't want to let me go. So, they allowed me to care for you on the premise that I do finish my education with them." Was the answer Rossie gave her back.
So she was among the few who could cast spells? As expected of her Rossie.
No wait, "Not many can cast spells then?" Elizabeth asked a smile forming on her face as she started molding her mana, she felt some kind of interference in her mana from an outside source. But she powered through, it was negligible and after her mana collided with it, it seemed to fold and flow into the spell, settling in a corner of her [Soulscape].
She tried following it, but it flew into the building in the middle of her ruined city, it nested itself in a bookshelf and then flew straight into a book on it.
A book that read [Mana Manipulation], after she formed the magic circle, it seemed as if it wanted to fizzle out, but she fought the mana to keep the form and the spell formed. "[Mana Bolt]" Elizabeth intoned.
And from the magical circle a small orb of energy manifested, it was...Quite pitiful, she didn't have nearly enough mana to create something big or complex.
But she had enough muscle memory to create something, and that was all she needed for the blue screen to show up, and to confirm her suspicions.
| Congratulations! You have awakened the skill [Magic Circle Manipulation], it has been set at level 1. Magic Circle Manipulation: |
"Oooh, you got it in one. Always knew you were talented Eli-Eli !" Rossie said with a bright smile on her face.
She felt the spell fizzle out from the distraction, but it had achieved its function. She now was sure of it, while the [Origin] wasn't visible anymore, she felt the influence in the background, had she tried to do this with a [Shadow] spell, it would have been easier. She would have probably had it easier with Lighting too now that she had both Alexanders and Chloe's talents.
Should she [Devour] anyone with the other elemental skills would she feel the same?
YES
Something told her that would be true, but she didn't want to go that way, not yet anyway. "So, do you think I will be able to get a scholarship too?" Elizabeth asked to the smiling girl at her side.
"Why yes Miss Elizabeth, I do think you may qualify for a Scholarship." Answered Rossie imitating the tone of a stuck-up teacher. "And if they don't accept you, we can always find another school that would, or get a job as [Heroes]..."
[Heroes] would offer jobs nowadays? That was...Interesting, but then again, if anyone could get [Skills] then they would probably end up with quite the amount of [Villains], so it made sense.
"Or as [Villains], since the [Taint] is no longer a problem some [Shadow] aligned have started to raise their complaints from the treatment they got, you only need to flash your [Shadows] and you could get a spot in a [Villain] organization," Rossie added.
Oh right, she had work before as a Villain too...Was that still up? "What about [The Hydra's Fang]?" Elizabeth asked, they should be still around...Right?
"Oh right, you interned with them...They no longer exist as a [Villain] Organization, not after [Nyctophagia]'s blatant attack. [Echidna] turned herself in and is now working under [The Nine Stars] as a Hero. She is replacing [Shadow Pact] till he returns from whatever secret mission he is at." Was the answer Rossie gave her.
Well, that she didn't see coming. She would need to speak with them both, to pass along Chloe's wishes...Not that she had a good way to explain that.
But that was a problem for later, for now...She had skills to check, and job listings to peruse. How hard could it be?
