Setting Up (Edited)
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"Uhhh... what the hell happened to me? I was hearing voices in my head, then something about a system and a reboot, and then...."

'MODERN SAGE SYSTEM' FINAL SETUP COMPLETED.

NEW USER IS REGISTERED TO SYSTEM.

HEADS-UP DISPLAY INITIALIZED.

And then a notification box just popped-up in Jamie's vision.

WELCOME TO THE 'MODERN SAGE SYSTEM'.

"... Am I just hallucinating now or something? This is not real, isn't it."

'MODERN SAGE SYSTEM' IS DESIGNED FOR USER'S SPECIFIC DESIRE TO DISSEMINATE KNOWLEDGE TO A WIDER AUDIENCE. AND THE CREATOR'S DESIRE TO REKINDLE KNOWLEDGE OF MAGIC TO HUMANITY AS A WHOLE.

"Wait... System? User? Creator? Magic? Can anyone please tell me what the hell is this?"

'MODERN SAGE SYSTEM' ALLOW THE USER, JAMES ANDERSON, TO UTILIZE AND TEACH KNOWLEDGE OF MAGIC AND THE ARCANE TO OTHERS, ESPECIALLY HUMAN. THROUGH THE USE OF THE INTERNET AS A MEDIUM, THE KNOWLEDGE WILL BE SHARED TO A WIDER AUDIENCE. IN EXCHANGE, THE 'MODERN SAGE SYSTEM' WILL PROVIDE THE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER TO THE USER AS LONG AS THE USER FULFILLS TASKS ASSIGNED BY THE CREATOR.

THE CREATOR IS THE BEING THAT MANIFESTED  THE 'MODERN SAGE SYSTEM' FROM THE AETHER, THE PUREST FORM OF EXISTENCE AND THE SOURCE OF EVERYTHING, INCLUDING MAGIC.

"But Magic is not real. If it was real, then there should be people slinging Fireballs at each other."

WHEN THE 'WAR OF HEAVENS' COMMENCED, 'ARCANE'S END' PROTOCOLS WERE INITIALIZED. DIMENSIONAL BARRIERS WERE ERECTED, RESTRICTING ACCESS TO THE METAPHYSICAL PLANES. KNOWLEDGE OF MAGIC WAS SEALED FROM HUMANITY, AS A PRECAUTION TO PREVENT THE CONFLICT SPREADING TO THIS DIMENSION.

IT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE CREATOR WAS FORCED TO LIFT THE RESTRICTIONS, WHEN THE CONFLICT WAS SPREADING  FURTHER THAN WHAT WAS DETERMINED POSSIBLE.

IT IS NOW UP TO THE USER TO DISSEMINATE THE KNOWLEDGE OF MAGIC TO THE BEINGS OF THIS DIMENSION. AND BEYOND, THUS GIVING THEM A FIGHTING CHANCE TO STAND AGAINST THE INVADERS FROM THE VOID AND THE ABYSS.

"And now I'm the fucking prophet. Not the hero... the prophet. The one who spoke the truth and was executed for it."

"I can't just reveal Magic to others, if it's true. Lots of people will try to control me if this gets out. Or kill me if they don't get what they want from me."

CREATOR HAS PREPARED FOR THIS EVENTUALITY. CHECK 'MAILBOX' FOR 'SAGE STARTER SET'. THIS WILL AID THE USER IN HIS TASK.

"And how do I access this 'Mailbox', figment of my imagination? "

USE 'SYSTEM MENU' AS A MENTAL COMMAND. THIS WILL ACCESS 'MODERN SAGE SYSTEM' FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING 'MAILBOX'.

"Mental command? That means I just need to think of it. Okay then...." <SYSTEM MENU>

 

MODERN SAGE SYSTEM

SYSTEM STATUS

KNOWLEDGE

SKILLS, SPELLS AND ABILITIES

JOURNAL

CONTRACTS

UPGRADES

ITEM SHOP

MAILBOX

STORAGE

"Okay... it's either this is some really vivid and HIGHLY-detailed hallucination. Or..."

PRESS THE 'MAILBOX' BUTTON OR USE 'MAILBOX' AS A MENTAL COMMAND.

"I don't know if I want this to be real or not. On the first hand... MAGIC!!! I can do MAGIC! On the other hand... I'll have to deal with conspiracies, governments trying to monopolize Magic, and people greedy for power."

"Ah... just fuck it. What happens, happens. And I get to learn about Magic from this. MAGIC!!! This is so awesome... and so scary at the same."

"Alright... Here we go!" <MAILBOX>

MAILBOX

MAIL (1 UNREAD)

<It's like a mailbox from a popular MMRORPG. That means I'll just click it then and....>

<Hmmm... It's a standard congratulatory mail for new users, like a 'Newbie Starter Gift' that are on some MMOs I've played. Nothing interesting in the mail, really bog-standard congratulatory statements. I'm more interested in the 'attachment' included with it.>

A picture of a multicolored box sat on the screen. Representing the item to the Mail Jamie is now currently reading. Jamie then pressed the icon....

And a box dropped in front for Jamie, startling him.

<What the...!> Jamie, still a bit shocked from what he thought was a prank, scooped up the item that just appeared out of the thin air. <Okay... this is real... this fucking REAL!!! Calm down, Jamie... calm down....>

<Well... looks like a regular gift box, like the ones I see under the Christmas tree at the mall. Too colorful, like someone vomited with all the colors imaginable on it. My eyes burn just by looking at it, even a glimpse makes my stomach churn. Better open it before I see my lunch for the second time.... Now how do I do that....>

'BEEP!'

<Ok... an icon just popped up at the top of the box. It says 'Open'... huh, convenient....>

'BEEP!'

'POP!'

<Wow! It IS one of those loot boxes found on video games. Just press 'Open' and out comes the contents. Even went straight to my 'STORAGE'... neat! Okay... let's see what I got from it....>

Being a veteran of several RPGs, Jamie activated 'STORAGE'.

The 'STORAGE' interface popped up,

A Comprehensive Guide to Magic for Beginners (Training Manual[Masterwork])

A book designed to teach anyone with no magical knowledge whatsoever on what magic is. How it exists, manifestations, and techniques that can be used to channel and utilize Magic.

Reading a specific section of the book grants 100 Experience Points per hour spent on the relevant 'Knowledge'. Also teaches relevant 'Skills' to the reader.

Teaches Knowledge: Magic up to LVL10.
Teaches Knowledge: Magic Casting up to LVL10.
Teaches Knowledge: Arcane Magic up to LVL10.
Teaches Knowledge: Elemental Magic up to LVL10.
Teaches Knowledge: Magic Channeling up to LVL10.
Teaches Skill: Meditation(Basic).
Teaches Skill: Mana Channel.
Teaches Skill: Arcane Surge.
Teaches Skill: Mana Spark.
Teaches Skill: Basic Arcane Manifestation.
Teaches Skill: Basic Elemental Manifestation.

 

 

<Oh... my... god. That... that is really comprehensive. Wow... that's a lot of things I need to learn about Magic.>

<It's not just like you just need to learn a spell and then... 'MAGIC!'. You'll have to learn how Magic works, what forms it takes, and how to channel and shape Magic into the desired form you want it to manifest.>

<A basic 'Candlelight'? It's not basic at all. First create an image of a candlelight. Then channel and shape Mana into the image to create the framework and structure for the spell. Channel more Mana into the framework to fuel the spell, serving as the 'fuel' and 'oxidizer'. Then a small spark of Mana to simulate the 'ignition point'. And to make it continuous, constantly channel more Mana to preserve the spell's structure and to feed the flame with more 'fuel' and 'oxidizer'. Or else the spell becomes unstable and will collapse. Best case scenario, I lose the spell. Worst case... it explodes on me, causing burns and igniting any flammable objects within reach.>

<That means increasing my 'Knowledge'. Which also meaning reading the book until I have enough 'Knowledge' to be able to cast a spell safely. Good thing I love reading books and studying things like this. Plus the fact that I'm really excited about this. MAGIC!!! Real Magic! I'm gonna be a real spell-slinging mage. No sleigh of hand, fancy mental tricks or elaborate contraptions to fool the audiences.>

<Before my mind wanders around and start daydreaming, let's see else what else we have here.>

Alchemy For Dummies (Training Manual[Superior])

Want to learn about Alchemy without spending hours and hours reading dry and very elaborate books and manuals about the subject. Despair now more! Now presenting, 'Alchemy For Dummies'! With this book, ANYONE can learn how to make their own potions, salves, poultices and other magical remedies. No need to rush to your local alchemist and pay an arm and a leg for your magical healing need. You can make them at the comfort of your home!

Disclaimer: This book is a simplified teaching manual for learning Alchemy. This will not teach you how to make the Elixir of Life or the Philosopher's Stone. And I will not teach you assholes how to make a fucking zombie plague! GODSDAMMIT!!!

Reading a specific section of the book grants 100 Experience Points per hour spent on the relevant 'Knowledge'. Also teaches relevant 'Skills'.

Teaches Knowledge: Alchemy up to LVL10.
Teaches Knowledge: Herbalism up to LVL5.
Teaches Knowledge: Harvesting up to LVL5.
Teaches Knowledge: Magic Item Preparation up to LVL10.
Teaches Spell: Mana Flames.
Teaches Spell: Ignite.
Teaches Spell: Cleanse.
Teaches Spell: Purify.
Teaches Spell: Concentrate.
Teaches Spell: Manifest - Mana Scalpel.

<And it's another 'big boi'. Ah fuck... this will take quite more time and preparation before I can even start with my livestreaming career. I don't really know if I want to thank the 'Creator' for giving me this system. Or curse HIM for the MASSIVE workload HE dumped on me.>

<I mean, come on! I have study these subjects first, spending hours of time to learn and practice. And THEN make tutorial videos, teaching absolute newbies about Magic. But I guess it's quite exciting too. Being the pioneer of a whole new area of knowledge is a LOT of responsibility. And I don't think I will be saddled with this, if I'm not going to do a good job of it.>

<Getting off-tangent here... focus Jamie, focus. Let's see what the last item is before I start ranting.>

Mask of the Hidden God (Artifact - Ancient)

A mask formed from the essence of Tmauk'haurklo, Third Order God of Secrets, Hidden Knowledge, and Shadows. After the God was slain, his essence was collected and fashioned to create this mask. Completely hides the wearer's identify and existence by mundane, technological and magical means, from anyone below an existence equivalent to a Third Order God or higher. Also prevents the wearer from leaving any trace on any surface.

Studying the mask can reveal 'Knowledge', 'Spells', 'Skills', and 'Abilities' related to shadows, stealth, information gathering, and identity protection.

"This... is... so... FUCKING AWESOME!!!"

<Oh shit... that was loud. Good thing for soundproofing, or the cranky old Mrs. Levinson will chew me out for that. Inner voice, Jamie... inner voice.>

<Okay? Good... I'm calm now. But still, it's really awesome.>

<Now I know why the 'Creator' is so fucking confident that I can pull this off. Shit... this is amazing. Full protection from being identified or tracked by anyone. With this, I can post my videos without fear of anyone knowing who and where I am.>

<God... this thing will even work if I use it to walk around in public. Heh... the pranks I can pull off with this. Not to mention being the perfect tool for the perfect crime. No fingerprints, no DNA traces, no tracks to speak of. If I want to kill someone or become a thief, this will completely hide my presence and erase any evidence that will point to me.>

<And HE gave it me just so I can hide my identity. Not only that, I don't know how powerful a 'Third Order God' really is... but I'm willing to bet that the Being in question is very powerful. Just by looking at the capabilities of this mask really gives me the creeps. I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect a Being this powerful is something Earth cannot tangle with.>

<Now to check out my 'System'. First step of any game... and now my reality, is to study the the 'Menu'. You might not know but there are all kinds of nifty and useful things hidden within them. Special functions, or helpful bits of information. So I'll tackle this first. And then spend some quality time with these books. I will need a day or two before I can plan out the content of my first video.>

========================================

"How are you, Jamie?"

"Pretty good so far, Vincent."

"Are you gonna post your first video or what? It's been 5 days, yet you haven't posted anything on your profile page."

"I haven't even made one yet. I was planning on what materials I'm going to cover, write out the outline and script, then plan out the layout of the video. Plus I have to learn a lot about the subject that's going to be the focus of my channel."

"And what topic or subject you're going to cover?"

"That's... a secret for now. But I will tell you this.... My topic will be unique, the first of its kind. No one has ever done this... and no one will."

"That's quite a big boast there. Come on, I won't tell anyone what you're planning."

"I'm not boasting. This is really going to be big. And no... I can't tell you yet. It's a surprise."

"Yeah... I'll bet it's something tech-related or so."

"That's very far away from what I'm going to cover."

"Okay, then. If you don't want to tell me, then keep your secret. I just hope you know what your doing."

"Of course! Don't worry, everything will be fine."

<Everything will be all fine.>

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