Lucas's Perspective:
They say a hero rises in times of great need… Well, I'm standing, but I'm also heavily considering sitting back down.
I pulled the chair back and plopped myself near the window, watching the rain in Sylvaris. Gotta admit, it's beautiful. Not that it helps me or anything.
I leaned my head back, letting the chair creak under my weight, and closed my eyes. I was really soaking in the peace. My life's been through hell, and I think I've earned a moment of calm, y'know? Just some me-time where I'm not having to dodge swords, magic, or whatever the hell this world throws at me next.
System Alert: "Lucas, you've been doing jackshit for the past 4 days. You wake up, eat, sleep. Repeat. Real hero material, bro."
Ugh, this stupid system. Ruining my vibe as usual.
I rolled my eyes but didn't bother responding. I had more important things to focus on, like— gasp— enjoying peace for once. It felt like a luxury I didn't often get.
I glanced out the window again, and my eyes caught something. A little kid—probably a school kid—was running down the street with a bag on his head, trying to shield himself from the rain. Poor guy looked like a complete noob, honestly. Then, of course, just as I thought the universe was playing nice, the kid ate dirt, falling face-first into the street.
I watched him for a second, frozen there. The poor kid laid there, staring at the sky like he was having an existential crisis. It was kinda funny, but also heartbreaking. Then, he started crying. Yeah, 5 years old, definitely kindergarten age if this world even had one.
System Alert: "Yes, genius, this world has kindergarten. Did you think they just throw kids into military arenas as soon as they can walk?"
Nice, really. Thanks for the clarification, smartass.
I leaned forward, watching the kid struggle to push himself up, tears rolling down his cheeks, no one around to help him. For a moment, I just stared. Man, that hit me.
I wasn't about to just sit here and let this kid suffer, not when I could do something. Afterall, I'm a hero!
Me: "Hey, system, go help the kid, yeah? You can handle it."
I leaned back again, feeling like the world's most chill hero. I mean, why bother getting up? I've got a system that does all the hard work for me.
System: "Oh, yeah. Sure. No problem, hero. I'll just pull off some magic for the crying baby while you sit back and enjoy your snacks."
Me: "Thank you, thank you. My heroism knows no bounds."
The system didn't waste any time. A quick burst of mana swirled in the air, almost like a puff of smoke, and then—poof—above the kid's head, a tiny, floating cloud appeared. It was made up of water and wind magic, just enough to cover his head and protect him from the downpour.
System: "There you go, kid. I've made you an umbrella cloud. You should probably send me a thank-you card later."
The kid looked up in surprise. His eyes widened as he felt the rain stop hitting him, and then he looked around, totally confused. He reached up, poked the cloud a few times, and giggled. His face broke into a smile as if he'd just discovered some new superpower. I could almost hear his thoughts: "Whoa, I'm special!"
System: "Isn't that adorable? He thinks he's some chosen one now."
I chuckled to myself. "Yeah, let the little guy have his moment. It's cute."
The kid then ran in circles like a maniac, clearly enjoying the new 'rainproof' life.
System: "You've created a monster. Good job."
"Shut up, you know you love it."
I watched him for a moment, and honestly, I didn't regret helping him. It wasn't much, but it was something. Maybe this world was worth sticking around for—if only to see what kind of ridiculous situation I'd end up in next.
As I leaned back in the chair again, watching the kid spin in circles like some rain-dodging prodigy, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I'd been too quick to dismiss this whole "hero" thing. Sure, it wasn't glamorous, and I was definitely taking the lazy route most of the time, but… well, sometimes the little things mattered.
And maybe, just maybe, I could be the kind of hero who didn't have to do everything myself.
Well, that's the dream, right? I mean, I could just lounge around all day while my fancy AI system does all the work. Who says I can't be a hero without breaking a sweat?
I leaned back in the chair, getting comfortable again. Maybe I'd just forget about that whole 'saving the world' thing for today. I had other stuff to do—like binge-watching my thoughts while avoiding any actual effort.
System Alert: "Alright, Lucas, time to get to work. You've got quests to complete."
Ugh, here we go again.
Me: "Oh great, here comes the responsible voice in my head. Alright, what's the damage today, huh?"
System: "You've got the usual. A little bit of self-improvement, some divine magic creation, and of course, the grand finale. Let's kick it off with the first quest: 15 minutes of meditation."
Me: "Meditation? Seriously? I reincarnated into a magical fantasy world and I'm being told to sit cross-legged and think about my life choices?!"
System: "Yup, you've got it. It's either that or I drag you through another self-help book."
I groaned. "Fine. But I'm not doing it in some awkward lotus position. You get me?"
System: "Yeah, yeah. Just get it over with. Trust me, this is the easiest quest you'll ever get."
I slumped back in the chair, crossed my arms over my chest, and stared at the ceiling. Fifteen minutes. That's all I had to do. I could zone out, let the mind drift like a lazy river.
System: "Don't even think about falling asleep, noob. I'll know."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered. "I can't even get 15 minutes of peace, can I?"
I closed my eyes and started breathing deeply, trying to force myself into this whole 'meditative' thing. It wasn't exactly peaceful when all I could hear was the system roasting me.
System: "I can practically hear you thinking, Lucas. Are you actually meditating or are you just pretending to be deep?"
"Can't I just have a moment of inner peace without being interrogated?" I sighed, trying to focus on my breathing.
System: "Focus, man. You've got to clear your mind of all those unnecessary thoughts about 'getting out of this boring room' or 'what's for dinner'."
"Ugh, I don't need you to tell me how to think!" I snapped.
System: "Sure you do. You don't even know how to meditate, bro."
The timer ticked down, but it felt like it took forever. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity of inner turmoil, the system gave me the all-clear.
System: "Well, look at that, you survived. Congratulations, you're 50 EXP richer."
"Sweet. Next quest, please," I said, rubbing my temples.
System: "Alright, alright. The next one's a real gem. Celestial Divine Creation."
I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what? That sounds important. Like, seriously important. Are we talking about creating some kind of cosmic superpower here?"
System: "Well, technically, no. You're not creating anything major, but if you want to call it that, go for it. I just need you to analyze the concept of divine protection and see if we can adapt it to your current arsenal."
"Okay, okay, hold up—so you want me to steal some divine power and make it work for me?" I grinned, the idea already sounding way cooler than anything else I'd done today.
System: "Not steal, per se. It's more like... borrowing. But yeah, that's the gist. Can't just walk up to a god and ask for a loan."
I nodded, already diving into my thoughts. "Alright, alright. Divine protection... I need something that's versatile, low-key enough for me not to get one shotted by cursed or elemental magic"
System: "Exactly, genius. And you'll get 50 EXP for it. I know, I know. Don't look so impressed."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm thrilled," I deadpanned.
After a few more minutes of concentration, I finished with a solid plan to adapt some celestial defensive magic into a personal invisible shield. Nothing too flashy—just enough to keep me from getting impaled in the back.
System: "Look at you, actually doing something for once. 50 EXP in the bank. You're almost about to level-up."
I gave a thumbs-up. "I'm basically a walking god now."
System: "That's what you think, bro."
I sat back again, thinking about the last quest. "Alright, what's next, system?"
System: "Oh, you're gonna love this one. Get ready. The final quest of the day: Touch some grass."
Me: "Touch some grass? Are you serious right now? That's the final quest? This is some kind of joke, right? You're just trolling me, aren't you?"
System: "Oh no, no trolling here. This is a serious quest. Trust me, you need it. You've been holed up in your rented room for four days, living like some lazy fat guy who orders food, eats, and then sleeps some more."
Me: "Okay, hold up. Just because I'm trying to take a mental health break doesn't mean I'm a lazy slob. I'm a hero in the making, bro. That's my process. You wouldn't understand."
System: "Mental health break? You've spent four days doing absolutely nothing. You ordered food like it was your job, slept like you were trying to break a napping world record, and then—wait for it—you've been talking about becoming a hero. A hero who hasn't even left his room."
Me: "Listen, I was processing, okay? It's all part of the journey. A hero needs to reflect, to strategize. It's not my fault if there's a perfectly good bed in this room and a perfectly good delivery service at my fingertips."
System: "Processing? More like procrastinating. You're just avoiding the real work, like the fraud you are. You claim you're ready to save the world, but you can't even get off your hand to touch some grass."
Me: "Fraud?! Did you just call me a fraud? You're the one who makes me do all these pointless quests like some overworked intern! You're the fraud here, trying to make me a better person while roasting me the entire time. What's next, 'Go find a date and win her heart'?"
System: "You wouldn't even do that, you lazy excuse for a hero. You're probably sitting there wondering if you should take a nap right now instead of dealing with actual quests."
Me: "I mean, a nap does sound pretty good, though. Don't hate on naps, bro. They're essential to the hero's journey. The amount of brainpower I need to save this world?"
System: "Oh, I get it now. You're not a hero, Lucas. You're a professional napper. But hey, if saving the world requires a comfy pillow and a snack break, you're totally up for it."
Me: "You know what? Fine, I'll do it. I'll go touch some grass and become one with nature like the so-called 'hero' I am, just so you can stop roasting me every five minutes. Happy now?"
System: "Oh, I'm thrilled. But, you know, don't forget to bring back some 'grass samples' for science. Wouldn't want you to touch it for nothing, right?"
Me: "Okay, now you're just messing with me. I swear, if I didn't need you to control my spells, I'd throw you out of this damn system so fast—"
System: "Oh, please, you couldn't live without me. You need me more than you need to touch grass."
Me: "Okay, okay, maybe I do need you... but I don't need your constant attitude. Shut down already, will you?"
There was a brief moment of silence before the usual sarcastic voice fell completely quiet. The system didn't say a word.
I let out a long, deep breath, leaning back in my chair and looking out at the rain falling outside the window. The sound of the raindrops hitting the roof was calming, almost like the world was washing away the noise in my head.
I smiled to myself.
I cracked my knuckles, staring at the dimly lit room. The rain outside was a perfect soundtrack to my mood. Honestly, I didn't even feel like training today. The past few days had been a blur of ordering food, reading random books, and just laying around. But hey, I couldn't let my body become a gelatinous mess.
Anyway, I guess I should check out my stats. The system's been silent for a bit, which, frankly, is a nice change. So I'll just do this manually for once.
---
**Status Menu:**
**Name:** Lucas
**Class:** Mage
**Level:** 7
**Age:** 15
---
**Attributes:**
- **Strength:** 5
- **Agility:** 6
- **Endurance:** 6
- **Perception:** 7
- **Intelligence:** 10
- **Mana:** 8
- **Divine Creation:** 3
---
**Skills:**
- Light-Elemental Magic
- Mana Control (Lv. 2)
---
**Notes:**
- **HP:** 300/300
- **MP:** 400/400
---
I rubbed my temples. 45 stat points in total. Not bad, but honestly, I've been slacking a bit. * solid 10 in Intelligence, though. I'm not saying I'm a genius or anything, but, well, I'm a bit of a genius.
I threw the rest of the points around into agility and mana, the stuff that'll help me in actual combat. Strength? *Meh*. What am I gonna do, punch my way through a dungeon?
Nah.
Endurance… same story. Perception, though? Gotta know where stuff's coming from, right?
Divine Creation is a joke right now. Three points? That's like... a half-baked pancake. I can create a few cool things, but nothing divine yet. I'll get there.
With that out of the way, I stood up, stretching. Time to get ready for a little bit of actual work.
I glanced at the clock. 11 AM. Yeah, I am not some early riser. Classic me. But I didn't need to follow some 9-to-5 training schedule.
The real question was: What am I gonna work on today?
I stretched and glanced around the room, my gaze drifting to the dim-lit corner near my bed. The rain was still tapping softly on the window, but I wasn't in the mood for just zoning out anymore. I needed to actually train.
Mana control. Right. Time to get serious.
Now, let me explain something: Light magic isn't your typical "fireball" or "water blast" kind of deal. Nope, it's way more... fancy than that. The system worked for an entire year just to create a special, unique form of light magic just for me. Talk about overkill, right? But, hey, I'm not complaining. Not every day do you get a magic system tailored to you like that.
The way it works is like this: I manipulate the light around me and reflect it through specially calculated pathways—using mirrors, angles, and reflections to enhance the attack. Sounds simple, but trust me, it's not. The more precise the reflections are, the stronger the magic becomes. And if I nail it right? Well, then it can pack one hell of a punch.
It's like creating a bullet out of pure light, except with mirrors... lots of mirrors.
The most dangerous part of this skill is that if I get the angles wrong, the attack can bounce back and hit me. So, I need to keep my focus razor-sharp. It's all about calculation, precision, and a lot of mind power. There's a reason I don't use this magic in the middle of a chaotic fight—I'd rather not vaporize myself by accident.
I pulled out a small piece of chalk from my bag and turned to the wall next to my bed. One white dot. Just one target to focus on. That's all I need.
"Okay, let's see what I can do."
I inhaled deeply and steadied myself. The room was dead silent, save for the soft hiss of rain outside. I closed my eyes for a second, letting the darkness behind my eyelids sharpen my focus. The light in the room wasn't much, but I could feel it all around me, swirling just under the surface, waiting to be controlled.
I raised my hand, palm open, facing the wall. The small sliver of light coming from the window caught my fingers as I gently focused, letting the light's energy pulse into my mind. A thin thread of mana snaked from my fingertips, and with it came the light, bending at my command.
With every calculation I made, the light split into small fragments, each part reflecting off the invisible mirrors I mentally placed in the air. I felt my heart race as I carefully angled the beams, sending them back and forth, bouncing them into a perfect straight line. The system had made this look easy, but it was far from it.
One last reflection… and—
BOOM.
The light shot out with a sudden flash, slicing through the air. It hit the target with such force that I could've sworn the walls of the building shuddered. I blinked, almost disoriented by the sudden surge of power, but when I looked at the wall...
There was a hole. A perfect, round hole. Right through the wall.
I hadn't just hit the white dot; I'd blasted right through it. Straight into the next room. The force of the attack was powerful enough that the light didn't just damage—it obliterated anything in its path. A clean shot. A perfect reflection.
I let out a small, triumphant laugh. Hell yeah. This was what I was talking about. Sure, it took a little work, but the results were worth it.
I stood there, staring at the hole in the wall like I'd just done something seriously cool. The wall had just been obliterated by a single beam of light.
"Not bad," I muttered to myself. "Not bad at all."
I wiped the sweat from my brow and leaned back against the wall, trying to calm my breathing. That was a lot more draining than I thought. But damn, the potential this magic had... ridiculous.
The system would've probably had some smart comment, but the silence felt nice.
**Notes:**
- **HP:** 300/300
- **MP:** 400/250
I smiled, looking at the hole in the wall again. This was only the beginning.
Suddenly, from the hole I just blasted through the wall, an eye appeared.
Oh.
I squinted. The dude was just staring at me through the hole like some horror movie antagonist. My neighbor, apparently. Great.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I leaned in closer. "Hey, bro, you good?"
The guy's eye twitched. Then—
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
He started screaming. Loud.
"HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!"
Whoa. Hold on.
"HE USED MAGIC! ILLEGAL MAGIC! THIS MANIAC JUST BLASTED A HOLE INTO MY ROOM! OWNER! HELP! MY LIFE IS IN DANGER!"
I held up my hands. "Whoa, relax, relax. It was an accident—"
"OH GODS, HE'S TRYING TO JUSTIFY IT! I KNEW IT! HE'S GONNA FINISH ME OFF!"
Bro was making it sound like I had a dagger to his throat.
"Hey, hey, shut up—"
"I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE! I HAVEN'T EVEN FOUND LOVE YET!"
"Okay, now you're just oversharing."
"HELP! SOMEBODY! A MAGE IS ABOUT TO COMMIT MURDER!"
Alright. Enough. My patience was running thin.
I sighed, rubbing my temple before muttering under my breath:
"System, Awaken. Shut that dumbass up. Now."
The system stirred to life with its usual smug energy.
「 Oh? Finally admitting you need me? 」
「 Alright, shutting up the loudmouth. Initiating 'Silence is Golden' protocol. 」
Without another word, a faint shimmer of mana flickered through the air. The guy's mouth was still open, but—
No sound came out.
His eyes went wide in pure horror. He slapped his throat, then his lips, then started doing some weird mime movements.
I smirked. "Yeah, bet you didn't see that coming, huh?"
Then—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The door rattled as someone pounded on it like they had a personal vendetta against wood.
Oh. Right.
The hotel owner.
I straightened up and opened the door, putting on my best not-at-all-suspicious smile. "Heeey, good evening."
The owner was fuming. His big mustache practically bristled with rage. "Boy, do you have any idea what you just did?!"
Before I could even open my mouth—
「 Yeah, Lucas, explain to the nice man how you single-handedly turned his establishment into a war zone. 」
I sighed. "You know what? Shut up."
Unfortunately, I said that out loud.
The hotel owner's face twitched. "Excuse me? Did you just tell me to shut up?"
Oh.
Oh no.
"No, no! I wasn't talking to—"
"OUT. NOW."
——
And just like that, I found myself standing outside the hotel, in the rain, with my bag slung over my shoulder.
Water dripped down my face. I inhaled deeply. Exhaled.
From the depths of my mind, the system chuckled.
「 So… how's it feel being homeless? 」
"…Shut up."
11:00 AM – The Realization
I stood under the overhang of a random shop, watching the rain pour down at me. My bag felt heavier on my shoulder than usual, probably because of the weight of my terrible life choices.
I sighed. "Alright, first step—find a new place to stay."
I marched straight into the nearest inn and confidently slapped my hand on the counter. "A room, please."
The innkeeper—a wrinkly old man with the look of someone who had seen way too much—raised an eyebrow. "That'll be three gold a night."
Three gold?
I reached into my pocket, feeling nothing but lint and regret.
I opened my system inventory. "System, tell me we got money."
「 We got money! 」
I exhaled in relief.
「 Not. 」
I slammed the inventory shut and turned back to the innkeeper. "I'll be… right back."
Then I walked out.
Well. That plan was a bust. Time for Plan B.
12:00 PM – The Scam That Never Was
Desperation does things to a man.
I spotted a noble-looking guy counting his coins outside a fancy shop. He was an easy target—rich, distracted, and clearly living life without fear of getting robbed.
"Alright, System," I muttered. "Time to finesse some funds."
「 Oh? Now you need me? 」
"Yes, yes, I get it, I messed up. Now let's scam this dude."
I walked up to the noble with the confidence of a man who had no shame. "Sir, you look like a distinguished gentleman."
He looked at me like I was dirt on his boot. "What do you want?"
I smiled. "I have a rare blessed coin that always lands on the side you bet on. Surely a man of your status enjoys a good wager?"
I reached into my pocket and—
Nothing.
"System, where's the coin?" I whispered.
「 Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you… I'm not helping. 」
"What?"
「 Yeah, this is revenge for shutting me down earlier. Good luck, loser. 」
I stared at my empty palm in horror.
The noble squinted. "Are you… scamming me?"
"Uh."
"GUARDS!"
I ran.
3:00 PM – Back to Magic Training
After barely escaping with my life, I slumped onto a quiet alleyway bench and glared at the sky. "System, you're a traitor."
「 And you're a broke fraud. We all have our flaws. 」
I groaned and pulled myself up. If I couldn't get money, I could at least train.
I marked another wall (one without neighbors this time) and focused my mana.
Light magic was weird. Instead of just shooting lasers, it relied on bending light—reflecting and amplifying attacks using mirrored projections.
I summoned a tiny shard of light, aimed it at a conjured mirror, and let it bounce. It hit the target perfectly.
"Ha! Nailed it!"
Then I did it again. And again. Until I ran out of mana and collapsed on the ground for a hour.
「 And that's game over. MP: 0. Try again later. 」
4:00 PM – The Gambling Idea
The rain finally stopped, and I dragged myself to a bench in the main square.
That's when I overheard them.
A group of well-dressed men and women laughing and chatting about tonight's high-stakes gambling session at The Black Crown Bar.
And more importantly—
"That noble guy? Yeah, undefeated. Richest man at the table." Said the woman.
My ears perked.
A rich guy… undefeated… in gambling?
My gamer instincts kicked in.
"System," I whispered. "I have a plan."
「 Oh boy. Here we go. 」
I grinned. "We're gonna cheat and scam him."
8:30 PM – The Setup
I needed to look the part. I couldn't just waltz into a noble's gambling den looking like a damp orphan.
"System, we need a wardrobe upgrade."
「 Finally, some good decisions. Alright, stand still. 」
A soft golden glow surrounded me as the Celestial Wardrobe System activated. My ragged clothes dissolved, replaced by a sleek black high-collared coat with silver trims, a dark vest underneath, and tailored pants. My boots shined, and a single silver ring glowed faintly on my finger.
I examined myself in the reflection of a shop window.
My brown hair had been neatly styled instead of its usual mess, and my green eyes looked sharper under the soft bar lighting.
I grinned. "Damn. I look expensive."
「 Yeah, now if only you were expensive. 」
"Shut up."
9:00 PM – Entering The Lion's Den
I stood at the entrance of The Black Crown Bar, the rich laughter and clinking glasses spilling out into the street.
I took a deep breath.
Showtime.
With a smirk, I stepped inside.
The place was packed. Dim lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the mahogany interior. The scent of ale, roasted meat, and pure bad decisions filled the air. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional loud argument over lost bets blended into the atmosphere.
Rich nobles occupied the center tables, their outfits practically screaming "I have too much money and no self-control." Meanwhile, the rougher-looking folks sat at the edges, watching with sharp, calculating eyes. It was a perfect mix of the wealthy and the wolves waiting to rip them off.
I walked straight to the front and took a seat by the long wooden bar. The bartender, a burly guy with a thick mustache and a single piercing blue eye, glanced at me. "What'll it be?"
I smirked. "Your finest—"
「 No. 」
I froze mid-sentence.
「 You have exactly ZERO coins, broke boy. You wanna order 'finest'? You better be talking about water. 」
Right. I totally forgot about my financial devastation.
I cleared my throat. "I'll… take some time before I order."
The bartender just grunted and moved to another customer. I sighed, resting my elbow on the bar.
I shifted my focus to the gambling tables.
At the largest one, five noble-looking men sat around a deep green-felt table, stacks of gold coins neatly arranged in front of them. Their faces were like stone—no emotions, just cold calculations. This was a pro-level game.
Another table had a mix of adventurers and merchants, playing a lower-stakes game with silver coins. They were far more relaxed, laughing and cursing at their luck.
The real show, however, was at the main event table in the center. That's where he was.
The so-called undefeated noble.
Dressed in a black and crimson coat, with rings on every damn finger, the man oozed arrogance. He leaned back in his chair like he already knew he'd win.
Yeah, I was gonna rob him blind.
I leaned against the bar for a moment, mentally rehearsing my plan. Then I muttered, "Alright, System, break it down for me—how exactly are we going to cheat these guys?"
「 First, we identify the game. They're playing Five-Card Draw Poker. Each player gets five cards, and they have the option to discard and draw new ones to make the best hand possible. The rules are standard, so any deviation will go unnoticed if executed perfectly. 」
I furrowed my brow. "Okay, that's clear. But how do we tip the scales in our favor?"
「 We will use wind magic. I'll subtly direct a controlled, almost imperceptible gust of wind to create microscopic dents on specific cards during the shuffle. These dents won't be visible to anyone else, but I'll memorize their unique positions and patterns. When the cards are dealt, I'll relay the information to you through our synchronized signals. This way, you'll know exactly which card is where and can manipulate your bets accordingly. 」
I nodded slowly, my excitement building. "So, basically, you're turning the deck into your personal cheat sheet?"
「 Precisely. By marking the cards with controlled, tiny indentations, I can predict their distribution. This allows you to know the best possible hand in advance and force the game in your favor. Just remember, timing is crucial. The gust has to be subtle enough not to alert anyone, yet precise enough for my sensors to pick up. 」
I ran a hand through my brown hair, grinning. "Damn, System, you're a genius. This is the perfect plan. Now, simplify that for me one more time."
「 In short: while they shuffle, I'll use wind magic to make microscopic dents on the cards, memorize the unique dents, and then tell you which card is in each position. You'll use this intel to make unbeatable moves in Five-Card Draw Poker. 」
I laughed under my breath, shaking my head in disbelief. "Alright, alright, I'm in. Let's do this."
With my plan set, I rose from my seat and strode confidently toward the gambling table, where the rich and the arrogant were deep in their game. The adrenaline of cheating a room full of high rollers had me buzzing with anticipation.
But then, just as I neared the table to challenge them, I heard a small, piercing scream coming from behind. I froze in my tracks.
I looked back and saw something dreamlike.
No, seriously, I thought I was hallucinating for a second.
A girl—around 17 or 18 years old—stood there, and damn, she was straight out of a fantasy novel. Pink hair, pink eyes, the whole aesthetic screamed "protagonist material." Her long hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, glowing under the dim bar lights, while her eyes held a mesmerizing, almost ethereal charm. She had the kind of beauty that made people do double takes and question their life choices.
She was wearing a fitted white blouse, slightly frilled at the edges, tucked into a dark corset that accentuated her figure. A flowing, knee-length burgundy skirt swayed as she struggled against the grip of two rough-looking men, and her black boots scraped against the wooden floor. The expression on her face was a mix of discomfort and silent pleading—like she didn't want to cause a scene but also really wanted out of whatever situation this was.
I blinked.
System, this is my heroine, right? This is the missing piece of my story. I mean, I'm the MC. Who else has a literal AI system like me?
「 Bro, I don't know if she's your heroine, but you're definitely about to be the side character in a street mugging. 」
I narrowed my eyes at the two guys holding her.
One was a thick-necked brute with a face that looked like it had been carved with a blunt axe. He had greasy black hair, a broken nose, and a permanent scowl. The other was skinnier, but with a sharp, rat-like face, slicked-back blond hair, and beady eyes that darted around the room, probably checking if anyone was about to intervene.
From the way they stood, gripping her arms with a little too much force, I had a feeling they weren't exactly her bodyguards.
Perfect. Time for some main character energy.
I cracked my knuckles, already crafting the dramatic scene in my head where I'd swoop in, save the girl, and she'd look at me like I was her knight in shining armor. Maybe she'd even call me a hero. Maybe—
「 My guy, were you here to scam people or steal girls? Priorities. 」
I muttered under my breath, "Both."
With a smirk, I walked over, making sure my steps were slow and deliberate. The moment I got close, the girl's pink eyes flicked to mine, widening in surprise before she suddenly yanked herself free and darted behind me, gripping the back of my shirt.
Oh? That was fast.
I turned my head slightly, catching a glimpse of her peeking over my shoulder, looking both relieved and embarrassed.
Cute.
The two guys glared at me, their expressions a mix of confusion and irritation.
"Oi, kid," the rat-faced one sneered, crossing his arms. "This ain't your business. Walk away."
"Yeah," the brute grunted. "We own her. She's just some stray we picked up. She goes where we say."
I felt my eye twitch. Oh, hell no.
「 Oof. Bad move, gentlemen. You just activated his 'justice protagonist' mode. 」
I met their gazes with a slow, deliberate smirk. "You own her? That's funny. Because from where I'm standing, she looks pretty comfortable hiding behind me instead of you two."
The brute clenched his fists. "You got a death wish, punk?"
The girl's grip on my shirt tightened slightly. I could feel her shaking just a little, which only pissed me off more.
I let out a slow breath, letting a fraction of my mana seep into the air around me, the atmosphere around us growing heavier. My casual smirk remained, but my eyes darkened.
"I'll make this easy," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerously low tone. "You walk away. Now. Or I promise, you won't like what happens next."
The brute took a half-step back, instinctively wary. The rat-faced guy looked between me and his partner, clearly re-evaluating his life choices.
They weren't strong. Just some street thugs who thought they could push around someone weaker. And they knew damn well they weren't winning this one.
"Tch." The rat-faced guy clicked his tongue. "Let's go. Ain't worth the trouble."
Smart decision.
But I wasn't done yet.
「 Oh, I know that look. You're about to be petty. 」
Damn right.
As the two of them turned to leave, I muttered under my breath, "System, be a dear and punish them on their way out."
「 With pleasure. 」
The moment they stepped out of the bar, a massive wave of water crashed down on them from absolutely nowhere, drenching them from head to toe. The entire bar burst into laughter, myself included, as the two thugs sputtered and cursed before running off like wet dogs.
I clutched my stomach, still laughing as I turned to the girl, who was covering her mouth, trying (and failing) to suppress her own giggles.
Then she looked up at me, smiling brightly, cheeks tinged with a soft pink. "Thank you."
For a moment, I just stared, the way the dim lighting of the bar made her look even more beautiful catching me off guard.
I cleared my throat, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling a little warmth creeping onto my face. "Uh… yeah. You're welcome."
She smiled at me, a soft, gentle expression that could probably make flowers bloom if this were one of those romance novels.
"I am Eve. Just Eve," she said, her voice as smooth as silk.
My heart melted a little. Cute girls introducing themselves with just their first name? Yeah, that's the good stuff. I smiled back.
"Lucas Reinhardt. Pleasure to meet you, Eve."
She nodded politely. Her whole presence was so soft-spoken and calming that I felt like I was about to get isekai'd again into a world of pure fluff.
"Are you okay?" I asked, making sure she wasn't still shaken up from the two lowlifes earlier.
Eve gently shook her head. "I am fine."
I raised an eyebrow. That was a quick recovery. Too quick. "Why was a cute girl like you even with them?"
Her pink eyes shifted away, and just the tiniest dusting of pink hit her cheeks. "It's nothing important."
Yeah, no. That was the universal sign for 'definitely important.' I narrowed my eyes and mentally called for backup. "System, analyze her body language. Something's off."
「 Analysis complete. Conclusion: She's hiding something embarrassing. Probably something that would make you question the existence of intelligent life. 」
...Great. This was either going to be tragic or painfully stupid.
"It's fine," I said, leading her to a nearby table. "You can tell me. I'm interested. And hey, I am your savior, after all. That's gotta earn me some backstory rights."
Eve hesitated, playing with a strand of her pink hair. Then, with an embarrassed smile, she began.
"Earlier today, I went to a bakery to buy a chocolate cake. But when I got there..." She paused for dramatic effect. "It was sold out."
I nodded. Tragic.
"I asked the shopkeeper, but he said he couldn't do anything," she continued, sounding genuinely upset about it.
I leaned in. "And then?"
Eve lowered her head slightly, fidgeting with her fingers. "Then those two gentlemen you saw earlier offered me their chocolate cake in exchange for coming with them for the night. I happily agreed and ate the chocolate cake! Can you believe them? So kind and generous."
Silence.
...What?
System's voice chimed in immediately.
「 Congratulations, Lucas. You've found your match. Someone as stupid as you. 」
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath.
"Huh?" Eve tilted her head, confused.
"Not you." I cleared my throat. "So, let me get this straight. You followed two complete strangers because they bribed you with chocolate cake?"
She nodded, completely oblivious to the issue.
"Then they brought you here and tried to get you to drink?"
Another nod.
I let out a long, disappointed sigh, rubbing my temples. "And at what point did you decide that two rat-faced criminals looked like gentlemen?"
Eve giggled, clearly embarrassed. "That was my mistake."
Yeah. No kidding genius.
I gestured for her to sit with me at a nearby table, and she nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. My heart skipped a beat.
「 Bro, take your chances. You can do this!" 」
I smirked, feeling a strange rush of confidence, as though the words from the system gave me permission to act. My hand hovered between us, a deliberate motion to take hers, to bridge the gap between us with something simple yet meaningful.
But as my fingers neared her hand, something... wrong happened.
I reached for her hand, my fingers barely inches away. Smooth. Gentle. Just a light touch—
And then—
My hand went through hers.
The world around me dimmed, an unnatural chill creeping up my spine. It wasn't a trick of the light, nor was it some dumb illusion. My fingers phased right through as if she wasn't even there.
What—what the hell?
I stood frozen, staring at my own traitorous hand, my brain refusing to comprehend what just happened. Eve, completely unaware, continued walking toward the table, her soft footsteps tapping against the wooden floor.
「 Bro… what the actual f—」
System's voice cut off as if even it was unsure how to respond.
I gulped. Hey, system. What just happened?
A brief silence. Then—
「 Unable to determine. This was… out of bounds. Possibly a skill issue. Maybe you just missed her hand.」
My face twitched. Missed? I clenched my jaw. Bro, my hand literally ghosted through hers! Like I was too far to touch her, yet she was right in front of me!
「 Huh. You might be onto something. Analyzing now. But for now, don't keep her waiting. And, y'know, don't act sus.」
I inhaled sharply, suppressing the thousand questions bouncing in my head. System was right—if I kept staring at my hand like a lunatic, I'd look suspicious. I forced a casual stride toward Eve, sliding into the seat across from her.
She smiled warmly. "You seemed lost in thought. Is something wrong?"
Oh, nothing, just that my hand went through yours like I'm a character in a horror movie. No big deal.
I waved it off. "Just thinking about how I've been having a long day."
Eve nodded in understanding. "I see."
A brief silence settled before I leaned back, deciding to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Well, since we're here, might as well introduce myself properly. Name's Lucas Reinhardt. I'm not ranked as an adventurer yet, but I do have experience in combat. I specialize in Celestial Magic, though I'm more of a hands-on, combat-oriented person. Laid-back, casual, and I don't take things too seriously unless I have to."
Eve listened intently, her pink eyes holding a quiet curiosity. Then, she tilted her head slightly. "Celestial Magic?"
"Yeah." I shrugged. "Basically magic that deals with divine stuff, light, cosmic energy, all that fancy jazz."
She nodded thoughtfully. "That's quite impressive. I rarely meet Celestial Mages."
"Heh. It's not all that glamorous. People hear 'Celestial' and expect me to be some holy saint of justice." I smirked. "I'm really just a guy who likes to take things easy."
Eve giggled softly. "You do seem very… relaxed. It's nice."
"Hah, see? You get it."
She smiled, then placed a hand gently on her pendant locket. Her fingers brushed over its silver surface, her expression shifting—just slightly. A moment of hesitation. A flicker of sadness.
"I'm an adventurer too," she finally said. "Though… I don't know my rank."
I raised a brow. "You don't?"
She shook her head. "No. I just… never knew."
Something about her tone felt off, but I let her continue.
"I also specialize in Elemental and Celestial Magic." She smiled faintly. "Though, I suppose I don't know much about myself either."
My brows furrowed slightly. That last part—there was something deeper in those words.
I rested my chin on my hand, eyeing her with newfound curiosity.
Now that's interesting.
Eve's pink eyes softened as she looked at me, something quiet yet heavy lurking behind them. "Lucas… can you promise me something?"
I raised a brow. "Depends on the promise. What is it?"
She hesitated, fingers brushing against the pendant around her neck. "It's about me."
That got my attention. "What about you?"
She looked down, holding the locket tighter. Then, in a voice softer than before, she said—
"I don't know who I actually am."
I blinked. "Huh?"
"I don't remember my past." Her grip on the locket tightened, her delicate fingers pressing into the metal. "I… remember nothing."
Okay. That was a bombshell.
「 Bro, did she just drop a main character amnesia arc on you? 」
System, focus. I cleared my throat and leaned slightly forward, lowering my voice. "You mean… you lost your memories?"
Eve nodded, her usual calm expression shifting into something fragile. "Maybe… I did."
She gently pulled her locket up, undoing the small clasp with practiced ease. As it opened, she stared at the picture inside for a moment before turning it toward me.
I looked at the photo, my eyes scanning over a much younger Eve—probably around 12 or 14. She was wearing an academic uniform, standing beside a boy. The guy had muscular forearms, same uniform, same school setting. But—
His face was gone.
Ripped out of the picture.
I pointed at the destroyed part of the picture. "Who's this?"
Eve shook her head. "I don't know… or remember."
I exhaled through my nose. That was concerning. System, thoughts?
「 My expert analysis suggests she's been through some serious trauma. Probably an incident so bad it put her at death's door and wiped her memory. Classic dramatic backstory material. 」
Not helping.
But the theory made sense. Something had happened—something big.
I looked at her again, noticing the way she stared at the locket, searching for something in a picture that couldn't answer back. Then, an unsettling thought hit me.
"Eve." My voice was careful. "Is that even your real name?"
Eve's eyes widened slightly.
I leaned back, folding my arms. "If you don't remember anything… is 'Eve' really your name?"
For a second, she didn't respond. Then, her gaze lowered again, and she shook her head. "No… it isn't." Her voice was almost a whisper. "I don't know my real name yet."
"Then?"
She nodded. "I will find out about it. Soon."
That last word caught my attention.
I repeated it aloud, tilting my head. "Soon?"
Eve gently closed her locket and let it rest against her chest. Then, with a small shake of her head, she met my gaze again. "You don't have to worry about it, Lucas." Her usual soft smile returned. "Thanks for listening to me. It feels… nice. Talking to someone about it."
I nodded, but my mind was still turning. She was determined—like she already had a plan. Like she knew something I didn't.
And then there was her. The girl I had just tried to touch, only for my hand to phase through her like some ghostly fever dream.
She's not normal.
Before I could spiral further, my system chimed in.
「 Alert: Unable to identify the previous incident of your hand going through hers. Out of bounds by creation. 」
I felt my stomach drop.
Out of bounds… by creation?
What the hell did that mean?
「I've run a background check on her personality. She seems timid and shy, yet her aura is menacing.」
I blinked. "Aura?"
I looked at Eve, expecting some kind of pressure, a wave of overwhelming energy, or at least a faint sense of dread. But nothing. She just sat there, eyes closed, gently holding onto her pendant with a soft smile on her face.
System, you playing with me?
「Her celestial—or in other words, heavenly energy—is off the charts, going beyond anyone you've ever seen or faced. And just like you, it seems she is unconsciously suppressing it to look normal and approachable.」
That made me pause.
I glanced at her again. Same gentle expression, same composed posture. But apparently, underneath all that, she was built like a divine nuke?
Cool. Normal. Not terrifying at all.
Then suddenly, she spoke.
"I will find him. And find who I truly am."
Him?
I exchanged a glance with my system, who was, unfortunately, an AI and couldn't exchange glances back.
「Must be the boy from the picture.」
I nodded slightly. Seemed obvious enough. But before I could think any further, the system added something that made me frown.
「She might not look special or cute from the outside. But from my analytical system, she feels very dangerous.」
I raised an eyebrow. Dangerous?
I looked at Eve again. The girl who tilted her head when confused, spoke in the softest voice imaginable, and was more likely to be mistaken for an angel than a threat.
System had its way with logic, though. Even in my previous world, no AI came close to the sheer complexity and predictive capability it had. If it said she was dangerous, then it had its reasons.
「Errmm, actually, I can calculate 48 million possibilities in 5 seconds.」
Thanks for the note, smartass.
Still, I had my own problems. Even if I wanted to help Eve, I had my goal to focus on. I couldn't afford to get sidetracked prying into her matters and forgetting why I was even—
Wait a second. Why was I even in this bar?
Before I could contemplate my life decisions further, Eve's eyes suddenly widened, and she looked past me with a surprised expression.
I tilted my head back and followed her gaze.
A group of nobles sat at a far-off table, gambling like their existence depended on it. But the one who stood out the most was the so-called undefeated noble.
Dressed in a black and crimson coat, with rings on every damn finger, the man oozed arrogance. He leaned back in his chair like he owned the place, smirking as another poor bastard lost his bet to him. The atmosphere around his table was tense—half the men there looked like they were about to start a war, and the other half were already accepting their fates.
Great. Another rich guy with too much time and not enough humility.
「Oho? Look at that. A prime example of a noble suffering from 'I Have More Money Than Sense' syndrome. Truly fascinating.」
I smirked and pushed my chair back, rising to my feet with the confidence of a man who had no idea what he was actually doing—but looked damn good doing it.
Eve blinked up at me, tilting her head. "Where are you going, Lucas?" Her voice was soft, curious, like a gentle breeze carrying the scent of something sweet.
I ran a hand through my hair and grinned. "To carve my name into history, leave legends in my wake, and show these nobles that even the gods know how to fold when I'm at the table."
Eve's pink eyes sparkled, and she stood up with me, her expression lighting up like a kid hearing about a festival. "Then I'll come and watch! And cheer for you, Lucas!" Her voice had that playful, sweet ring to it, the kind that could melt even the coldest heart.
I glanced at the system. "You sure she's dangerous?"
「Yes, blind hero, she is indeed dangerous. Now focus before your simping destroys your critical thinking.」
"Ugh, stop with the insults and lock in. You got the cheats ready?"
「Yes, sir! Full array of probability adjustments, strategic misdirection, and bluff enhancements! Also, I'd like to remind you that if you still lose, you're officially an embarrassment to all reincarnators.」
"Omg, stop that and focus!"
With Eve practically bouncing beside me, we strode toward the nobles' table, where the so-called undefeated one sat like he owned the place.
The moment I stepped into their space, the conversation died down. Eyes turned. The tension was instant. A few nobles sneered, some raised an eyebrow. And then, the man himself leaned back in his chair, studying me with the slow, smug smirk of someone who thought they were untouchable.
"Who's this kid?" His voice was smooth but carried an edge, like a noble who'd crushed people under his boots for sport.
I smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "I'm here to completely humiliate you."
That got a reaction. A few of his lackeys chuckled, a few scoffed, but the man himself—he just exhaled through his nose like I was nothing.
One of them, a stocky noble with a curled mustache, leaned forward. "Do you even know who you're speaking to, commoner? This is Lord Vincent Devereux, undefeated in every wager he's taken in the past six years."
"Ah, I see," I said, nodding. "So he's been scamming people for six years and hasn't gotten caught yet. Impressive."
"Watch your mouth, boy," another snapped.
"Boy?" I echoed, shaking my head. "Look, I'd love to stay and discuss how many brain cells it takes for you to realize I'm not impressed, but I'm here for one thing—" I pulled out a chair and sat down, my smirk sharpening. "—Five-Card Draw Poker."
Eve clapped her hands together and cheered, "You can do it, Lucas!"
「Bet against him, Lucas. If we win, we get double the rewards.」
"Ignore him," I muttered before locking eyes with Vincent. "What do you say, Lord Vincent? Think you can keep your little fantasy alive a bit longer?"
The room went still. The nobles exchanged glances.
And Vincent?
For the first time, his smirk faltered.
It was time to show the true power of...
System.