The morning sunlight spilled over Kuoh Academy's neatly trimmed hedges and cobblestone pathways as Himejima Akeno made her way to school. Her shrine maiden duties were completed, and she felt an unusual sense of accomplishment during her brief training session behind her. Yet, her thoughts were elsewhere.
The meta-knowledge the [Gamer] system provided kept swirling in her mind. It mentioned features she'd yet to explore—[Instant Dungeon] creation, [Dungeon Key], and [Class]/[Job]. As she walked, she decided to ask the system directly.
'System, does this version of [Gamer] include features like [Instant Dungeon] creation or [Dungeon Key]? Maybe even a [Class] or [Job] system?'
The reply came swiftly, a familiar text box appearing in her vision:
[Feature not currently available: [Instant Dungeon Creation], [Dungeon Key], [Class], and [Job]. Existing Features: [Shop], [Title].]
Akeno let out a quiet sigh of disappointment. "So, no instant dungeons or cool job classes..." she muttered, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. But mentioning [Shop] and [Title] piqued her curiosity. "Fine. What exactly do [Shop] and [Title] do?"
The system's explanation followed, straightforward as always:
[Shop]: A virtual store where items, equipment, consumables, and rare materials can be purchased. Real-world currency may be converted into system credits for purchases.
[Title]: Titles are achievements that grant passive bonuses or abilities, enhancing your stats or performance in specific scenarios. Titles can be earned through quests, milestones, or special events.
"Real-world currency?" Akeno raised an eyebrow, half-amused and half-intrigued. "So you're telling me I could theoretically buy power with enough money?" The implications made her chuckle softly. "How capitalistic."
However, the mention of titles caught her attention more. Passive bonuses were no joke, especially in a dynamic system. Before she could explore further, another question crossed her mind.
"Why is my level 1?" she asked, stopping for a moment near a crossing to wait for the light to change. "I don't think I'm that weak, considering my stats."
[Upon activation, the [Gamer] ability resets the user's level to ensure compatibility with its mechanics. This process allows the system to integrate seamlessly without disrupting the user's existing attributes. Note: Existing stats remain unaffected by the reset.]
Akeno tilted her head slightly, digesting the explanation. "I see... So, it's more about the system working properly than a reflection of my strength," she mused. "Still, it's a little insulting to see 'Level 1' under my name."
Despite her lingering confusion, she decided to let the matter slide. "Alright, one more question. Are there any level requirements to use certain features?"
[No level requirements exist for feature access. All features are available from the start.]
The answer brought a small smile to Akeno's face. "Good. That makes things a bit easier."
As she continued walking, a new quest alert appeared before her:
[Quest Alert!]
Title: The first to use lens!
Objective: Use the [Observe] skill on an individual.
Reward:
- EXP +25
- All Stats Point +5
Penalty: None
[Accept] / [Decline]
Akeno stopped momentarily, her curiosity piqued. She tapped [Accept] without hesitation, the notification vanishing as quickly as it appeared. "Might as well give it a try," she mused. Just then, her sharp eyes caught sight of two familiar figures near the school gate: Sona Sitri and her ever-reliable vice president, Shinra Tsubaki.
Sona Sitri, the president of the Student Council, exuded her usual composed aura. Beside her was her trusted vice president, Shinra Tsubaki, who stood tall and poised with a clipboard. The two were engrossed in a quiet discussion, their expressions serious yet refined.
Akeno's lips curled into a playful smile. "Perfect timing," she murmured. "Let's see how [Observe] works."
She activated the skill, focusing on Sona first. "[Observe]."
Name: Sona Sitri
Title: President of the Kuoh Academy Student Council
Level: 15
HP: 4,500/4,500
MP: 9,000/9,000
STR: 20
VIT: 22
DEX: 18
INT: 40
WIS: 35
LUK: 12
CHA: 35
Akeno's eyes widened slightly. 'Level 15... impressive, but not unexpected for someone of her stature,' she thought.
[Quest Complete!]
Title: The first to use lens!
Rewards Received:
- EXP: +25
- All Stats Points: +5
A soft chime echoed in her mind, bringing a satisfied smile to Akeno's lips. "That was easy enough," she murmured, feeling a small but satisfying sense of accomplishment.
Her curiosity unsated, she turned her attention to Tsubaki next. "Let's keep going," she mused. "[Observe]."
Name: Shinra Tsubaki
Title: Vice President of the Kuoh Academy Student Council
Level: 12
HP: 3,800/3,800
MP: 7,000/7,000
STR: 18
VIT: 20
DEX: 16
INT: 38
WIS: 32
LUK: 10
CHA: 30
'Her stats are slightly weaker than mine,' Akeno observed, a faint hum escaping her lips as she considered the details. Her sharp eyes narrowed thoughtfully. 'Though I shouldn't underestimate her; she's still quite formidable.'
Satisfied with the results, Akeno smoothed her expression into composed elegance and approached the duo. She greeted them with her usual poise, her voice warm but formal. "Good morning, Kaichou. Fuku-kaichou."
The two turned to face her, their movements almost synchronized. Sona's sharp features softened slightly, and she adjusted her glasses practiced. "Good morning, Akeno-san," she replied, her tone measured yet welcoming. "You're early today."
Tsubaki, ever the picture of professionalism, offered a small nod. "It's always a pleasure to see you," she added, her voice calm and respectful.
The trio exchanged polite pleasantries, their words measured and cordial, before the conversation shifted to a more discreet topic.
"Have you made any progress with potential recruits, Kaichou?" Akeno asked, her voice steady and tinged with curiosity.
Sona adjusted her glasses again, a thoughtful glimmer in her eyes. "There's one candidate who shows promise. If I'm not mistaken, he possesses a Sacred Gear—dragon-type."
Akeno's thoughts immediately turned to Saji Genshirou, the future wielder of Vritra, the Evil Black Dragon known as the Poison Dragon and one of the Five Great Dragon Kings. "I see. That sounds promising," she replied, her tone even as she masked her familiarity with the subject.
"And Rias-san?" Tsubaki interjected, her voice polite yet tinged with curiosity.
Akeno's lips curved into a subtle, enigmatic smile. "Rias-sama is the type to keep her plans to herself until she's certain. You know how she operates."
Internally, however, Akeno's thoughts were less composed. She already knew the candidate Rias had in mind—Hyoudou Issei. The memory of the infamous perverted boy brought a flicker of distaste to her mind. Despite his pure heart, Akeno found his shamelessness insufferable. 'How my canon self puts up with him is beyond me,' she mused, stifling the urge to sigh aloud.
Realizing she had lingered longer than intended, Akeno offered the pair a graceful bow. "I should head to Class. It was lovely speaking with you both," she said, her tone polite yet final.
Sona and Tsubaki returned her farewell with quiet nods, their attention drifting back to their responsibilities. Akeno turned and walked away, her mind again occupied with thoughts of the day ahead.