A few moments later...
[Ding! The Allmother has successfully inscribed an Asgardian Rune on your back.]
[Ding! You can now perceive the elements around you!]
[Ding! Through a special Action, a new Passive Skill has been generated!]
[Ding! Passive Skill, Mana Perception (A), has been added to your Skills!]
[Mana Perception]
Your senses have awakened to something which has always surrounded you. Mana is no longer an imperceptible force. You can now naturally detect its presence, movement, its concentration, and the various elemental properties without outside assistance. During battle, by additionally possessing Elemental Detection, you can now detect a target's weakness!
Name: Mana Perception
Rank: A
Type: Passive
Special Effect 1: You can now wield Mana without the influence of the Gamer System.
Woooooosh!
It was subtle, but my entire surroundings began to change on their own. Everything appeared to be much more...crisp? It was as if I had placed on some glasses with bad eyesight, but I didn't have bad eyesight. Everything was crystal clear now!
"Well? How do you feel?", Frigga decided to ask, and gave me some space by leaving the couch we used a couple moments prior.
"It feels...Amazing. I've never seen things so clearly before. It's like I'm seeing life for what it truly is.", I said, taking in the new sights. I also paused on Frigga. I could see a golden light swirling around her. It was constant, and steady. Is this the famous aura people always unleash in those stories?
"All I did was give you a little push. Your body has already adapted and began to tap into Magic. It requires no further intervention from me.", Frigga happily said. "I had a feeling this would end up happening. It would seem you have quite the talent to cast Magic after all. It is no wonder the elements favor you highly. You can already tap into Light, Water, and Wind."
Hearing that, my blood suddenly ran cold. A hint of panic appeared in my eyes while Frigga simply smiled.
"I've been raised by Witches since I was young, Myles. Long before since the Allfather took a fancy to me. I know what it's like to perceive Magic. It is all around us. It's just that people fail to realize it. And well.", Frigga said. "You now fall into the former. Congratulations."
"Heh. Is it that big of an accomplishment, Master? If anything, I feel like what you did is cheating.", I said, and chuckled.
"You possess the body to perceive it, but lack the means to do so. I simply gave you those means. Everything else was your own effort and yours alone.", Frigga said, trying to make it sound real.
Still...I feel this is the work of the Gamer System somehow. If I didn't have such a System, I doubt I would have learned Mana Perception so quickly.
"Well, I'll take your word for it.", I said, and agreed with a nod. Frigga is much more knowledgeable when it comes to Magic, and she is my teacher, so I can only take her word to heart. "What now? Are we going to attempt to inscribe another Rune and enchant them?"
Hearing that, I saw Frigga shake her head.
"No. That lesson is done. You are still far from doing so. You have just tapped into Magic, but you have no idea how to inscribe our Asgardian Runes, let alone know what each one looks like. You just saw one, and we have many. In due time.", Frigga responded, denying me. "Instead, we will take a much simpler path for the time being. Your body needs to learn and refine the Magic you have just unlocked. You hold zero means on how to use it yet. Once you get a good feeling for it, we will discuss other topics."
"Alright. That makes sense. Perhaps I was getting too ahead of myself there.", I said, agreeing with Frigga again. In another way, it's similar to a baby trying to run before they even took their first steps. Frigga knew the means to trigger Magic, and now that I have such means to do so, I need to keep using it. So yeah, what Frigga said makes sense to me.
"Excellent. And you might already know where I will be going next with this.", Frigga said. Another smile appeared on her face. I don't like that smile...
"And that is?"
"Through Meditation of course. Until you can direct a proper flow of Mana inside your body, you will not be able to know how to apply it through other external means. In our case, inscribing Asgardian Runes.", Frigga answered.
Of course it's Meditation...
Welp, as the saying goes, if you can't beat them, join them!
Am I going to start sitting cross-legged most of my day now? Ugh...
Still, I let this fall upon myself, so as another saying goes, I can only tuck a tail between my legs and suck it up. So what if it's Meditation? I hear it is a great process to clear your mind of any intrusive thoughts. It should prove beneficial to me in the long run. And knowing that my MP recovers passively just by remaining idle, I consider Meditation as another form of being idle. I am curious to see if anything will happen.
In the end, I nodded my head.
"I understand. We will take things a few steps back. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see what those Runes look like, even if all you showed me was one of them.", I said, thanking Frigga.
"Oh it is no problem. It will take time, but I plan to teach you every single one of our Asgardian Runes, as well as other types of Magic we Asgardians are known for. We cannot forget the fact that you hail from Midgard for that matter either.", Frigga said. "You possess a vastly different constitution to what we Asgardians possess here on Asgard. We are sturdier. Stronger. Faster. What you might accomplish back on Midgard could easily be seen as child's play here."
Ouch. But what Frigga says holds true. The body Thor has is much more potent than what any regular Human possesses. We have various means to match up to said strength via the power of our technology. One such example is everyone's beloved Super Soldier Serum. I know many stories often go that route as it is very easy to obtain. Some stories even start out with said serum to get a head start from everyone else.
And well, that clearly didn't happen to me. And honestly, I don't need it. I have the Gamer System to replace that, a System that can grow continuously without limit!
[Ding! You have gained another understanding of the Gamer System.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 75!]
[Ding! Current INT: 400.]
See what I mean? Super Soldier Serum can only take you so far. By possessing the Gamer System, it will eclipse that in the long run. That's why I didn't really panic at the beginning wondering how to go about acquiring such a thing. I simply don't need it.
Knowing that, I smiled at Frigga.
"I am not like other Humans, Master. Remember, I have a way to traverse the Nine Realms. That alone should be enough proof of my capabilities, yes?", I said with confidence.
"That is a fair point. The Bifrost called upon you, proving your method of travelling the Nine Realms. However, do not forget you are not the only one who can do this. While others don't pry into Midgard's affairs all that much, I am not them. I keep track of a lot of movements throughout the Nine Realms.", Frigga said, explaining her side of things. "And you aren't the only Human who knows how to get around."
"I understand. I will take this warning to heart. I do not plan to wander out into the Nine Realms without some form of plan.", I said, nodding my head.
"Good. As long as you are aware of the dangers. I will not be one to stop you.", Frigga said, and smiled back. "Instead, on top of the Meditation technique I am going to teach you, I will additionally help monitor and improve your foundations. To the point where you can contend with other Asgardians."
I think I know where this is going...
[Ding! A new Quest has been issued to you.]
Of course.
[Ding! You can now challenge Quest: Foundation Training I!]
[Foundation Training I]
You have embarked on a journey of self-discovery. To contend with those who reside beyond Planet Earth, you have to start from the ground up. Strengthen the foundation of your body, mind and spirit, and push your natural abilities to the limits of what the Human body can handle. Once your body has begun reaching toward your limits, only then will you be able to contend with those lurking around in the Nine Realms!
Task 1: Reach 500 Base Stats for each Stat you possess.
STR: 214/500
VIT: 227/500
DEX: 243/500
INT: 400/500
WIS: 210/500
LUK: 207/500
Reward:
+200,000 EXP
+Passive Skill: Allmother's Grace (SS)
+1 Rainbow-Grade Armor (Random) x1
200,000 Experience Points...and an SS Skill, and a Rainbow-Grade Equipment box!? It really is trying to prepare me to see what the Nine Realms has to offer. The danger that lurks within them is much more dangerous than what happens back on Planet Earth. I bet with my stats being in the 200s now for most, I could easily handle street thugs and mercenaries. I am quite curious to see how I fare against other Superheroes. When Iron Man makes his first appearance, would his Stats be in the 500s, or perhaps in the 1000s? I don't know.
Nonetheless, while 200,000 EXP might be considered a lot now, and even taking into consideration I would receive 400,000 EXP from Points Doubler, by the time I actually complete this request, it may or may not be enough for a single level up.
As I thought that, I saw Frigga look at me, only to see me looking at something. A blue screen that wasn't visible to her.
"You seem to be looking at something. Does this happen to also fall within your ability to traverse the Nine Realms?", Frigga decided to ask, only to make that scary smile again.
"Hahaha...", I said, laughing dryly. I feel that somehow this is a point of no return.
Should I create the Party and invite Frigga?
I already invited Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. MCU characters have already been exposed to the Gamer System, so it's not like this is something new. Because of that, a determined look appeared in my eyes.
"You could say that. What I'm about to do is not considered normal, and it is largely why I was able to step foot into Asgard to begin with. You say other Humans have various means to traverse the Nine Realms. And well, the means that I possess isn't that.", I began to say. "And knowing that, are you willing to find out, Master?"
"Guiding you to let you stand on equal footing to the rest of us here in Asgard is what I have been tasked for you. If you contain an ability to let you do that and it is not something that I am aware of, then yes, I would like to see it. I've seen many things, so there is little that will surprise me at this point.", Frigga said, and nodded.
"Oh, I think you'll be surprised, Master.", I said, doing the Hulk grin again.
"We'll see. Show me what you have.", Frigg responded.
I didn't say anything more. Navigating through the Gamer System, it did not take long for a sole Gamer Notification to come out. Seeing space distort before her eyes, Frigga's gaze turned serious.
[Ding! Gamer Myles has invited you to join the Party.]
[Ding! Would you like to join?]