Malric Thorn was still staring at Lyra, trying to process what she had just shown him.
So your System gave you elemental magic, magic circles, and fire control.
Lyra smiled proudly, her enthusiasm practically lighting up her face.
Yep.
Malric let out a long sigh, feeling once again that his own situation was some kind of cosmic joke.
My System made me jump twenty times in the street.
Lyra burst out laughing again, the sound bright and genuine against his frustration.
That's still hilarious.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared in front of Malric's eyes without being asked.
User Lyra Vance shows extremely high compatibility with the System.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
Yeah. I noticed.
Lyra crossed her arms, clearly enjoying her new power.
What did it say this time?
Malric sighed.
That you're the favorite.
Lyra grinned, as if that compliment had always been her birthright.
I always knew it.
Malric glanced around at the transformed city. People hurried along the sidewalks, System users tested their abilities in open spaces, and volunteers worked together to help those in need. For a brief moment, everything almost looked peaceful.
The calm didn't last.
A deep tremor suddenly ran through the ground, strong enough to rattle the windows of nearby buildings. Malric felt the vibration travel up his legs.
Lyra frowned.
That doesn't feel normal.
No kidding, Malric muttered.
The ground shook again, harder this time. A parked car lifted a few inches off the pavement, and screams began echoing down the avenue.
Earthquake!
Run!
Get away from the buildings!
Lyra raised her hand, a small magical circle forming in front of her.
This isn't a normal earthquake.
Malric watched in disbelief as the pavement cracked violently. A massive fissure tore across the street, and streetlights began tilting dangerously.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared instantly.
Hostile user detected.
Class: Seismic Manipulator.
Estimated level: 15.
Malric's eyes widened.
Fifteen?
Lyra nodded, her expression turning serious.
That's high.
At the end of the avenue, a man stood with his arms spread wide in open challenge. The ground trembled violently around him, as if the city itself was breathing in rhythm with his power. Buildings vibrated and windows rattled in response.
People started running in panic.
Lyra clenched her teeth, adrenaline clearly surging through her.
A villain.
Malric immediately raised his hands.
Alright. Time to leave.
But another seismic wave ripped through the street. Lyra stumbled, and several people fell to the ground. Malric, however…
didn't.
He looked down, surprised by his own stability.
Oh.
He was floating.
Three centimeters above the ground, thanks to his new levitation skill.
Observation, S.I.M.I.O. noted in a slightly didactic tone.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
Okay. That actually came in handy.
Lyra looked at him with wide eyes.
Why aren't you falling?
Malric sighed, feeling like the biggest weirdo in the middle of the chaos.
My System made me jump a lot yesterday.
That doesn't explain anything, Lyra said, confused.
Just then, they heard a familiar sound.
The flapping of wings. A lot of wings.
Malric slowly lifted his head, his stomach sinking.
Oh no.
The power lines and rooftops were covered with pigeons. Dozens. Maybe hundreds. All of them staring directly at him with accusatory eyes.
Malric activated his skill, and the voices immediately flooded his mind.
There he is!
The traitor!
Rat killer!
Malric sighed, already exhausted.
Hello again.
Lyra blinked in disbelief.
Are you talking to the pigeons?
Yes, Malric replied, raising a finger as he tried to focus.
One pigeon shrieked in his head.
We can't even eat in peace!
Another added angrily.
This is all his fault!
Malric raised both hands in a peaceful gesture.
That doesn't even make sense.
A pigeon dove toward him aggressively.
Attack!
The entire flock descended like a feathered missile.
Lyra's eyes went wide.
Why are they attacking you?
It's a long story! Malric shouted, already panicking.
The pigeons began pecking him relentlessly. One hit his head, another his shoulder, and a third went straight for his face.
Ow!
Lyra was trying her best not to laugh, which only made things worse.
You really shouldn't be laughing right now.
Sorry, she said between giggles. But this is actually hilarious.
It's not hilarious! Malric yelled, running in circles trying to escape the angry swarm.
AHHHH!
Lyra followed behind, still laughing as she watched the absurd scene unfold.
Malric turned a corner and suddenly found himself face to face with the villain — the Seismic Manipulator who had been causing all the destruction.
The man looked at him, confused.
What the hell…?
Malric ran straight past him without stopping.
Good luck!
The villain frowned, but before he could react, he looked up.
Hundreds of pigeons were diving toward him like a biological missile.
What is that?!
The flock swarmed him instantly. One pecked his face, another hit his head, and several more attacked his neck and arms.
What the—?! Get off me!
The villain flailed wildly, losing his concentration. The ground stopped shaking. The cracks in the pavement froze in place, and the cars that had been bouncing settled back down.
Lyra finally caught up, staring at the scene in disbelief.
Malric stood there, covered in feathers and breathing heavily.
Lyra looked at the villain being overwhelmed by angry birds, then back at Malric.
Did you just win with pigeons?
Malric sighed, feeling like his life had become an endless comedy of errors.
It wasn't planned.
Unexpected result, S.I.M.I.O. commented.
A new blue window appeared in front of Malric.
New skill unlocked.
The name appeared in large letters.
Pigeon Agro.
Malric frowned.
I don't like the sound of that.
The description followed.
You can now deliberately provoke pigeons into attacking you. Each use increases your hostility with the Pigeon faction.
Malric sighed deeply.
That sounds dangerous.
The screen continued.
At 100% hostility… pigeons will automatically attack you whenever they see you.
Malric looked up at the sky, feeling like the universe was personally trolling him.
I think I'm already close to a hundred.
Statistically likely, S.I.M.I.O. replied.
Lyra stared at Malric, then at the villain still being attacked by the swarm of pigeons, then back at him.
Your System is really weird.
I know, Malric muttered.
And it is only getting started, S.I.M.I.O. added calmly.