Chapter 8

The AS Monocle

 

Naive, naive, NAIVE! How naive I been!?

How wrong you can be... I got carried away by appearances, I didn't analyze the situation well, I was a fool, it's amazing how closed my head was to the possibilities. This isn't a medieval fantasy world, it's the real world. Why did I think I could compare their technological levels?

Before my eyes is the secret chamber in which the artifacts of the academy are kept. The director presents me with a special model of the device to check the status, unlike the gloves of the guards, it projects a screen with the data so that everyone can see it, that is... it cannot be anything other than a hologram, truly advanced technology.

Not only the holographic screen, in the chamber there are many devices that cannot be anything other than modern technology, including things like a hang-glider and a combustion engine, a diver suit ... or an spacesuit? Fuck there is even something that looks like a computer.

Now that I think about it ... weren't there isolated places on Earth where people live more simply?

Of course, a city built on a mountain would not have things like telephone lines, internet or even electricity, it was naive to think that the technological level of this world would be the same as that of this city. Even thinking like that, with things like the skills of the professions it is possible to achieve a lifestyle that is neither more advanced nor more primitive to that of my world, it would simply be different. If I meditate carefully, even within TLO the statistics were displayed on deployed screens ... Isn't this the same?

Does it mean that even things like the menu and other TLO windows and gaming systems work in a real environment like this?

I will have to think in detail all this later, for now there is something else requiring my attention.

<<Argent Makoto  - Human 1>>

What's going on with that simple status window?

"As you said, you are a nobleman, there's no doubt about it".

"I didn't doubt it for a second. Even so, it's the first time I've seen one, are all the nobles so amazing?"

"No Zera, I've met some nobles in the past, but I never met such a man".

"I'm flattered director, I guess with this we can get going".

I move away from the strange plate where I rested my hand to show my status as I approach the man who was introduced as Johan, I give him 20 gold coins.

"For now begin the preparations to deliver to the mayor's office what they had requested, use this money to maintain the functions of the academy at the moment, then we will talk in detail about the projects and their funding."

No, gold coins are not worth 100 times what silver coins, do not underestimate the value of silver. However, they do amount to 10 of them, so I just delivered 2 million Ja.

"Understood."

He looks the coins in his hands for a moment, and puts his gaze on the director, who nods with a gentle movement of his head. Then Johan leaves us to follow the instructions.

"Can I ask about the status plate we just used?"

"Well, this is the second status check model. The gloves that guards currently use are the commonly used portable version, or third model. However, in other academies and in some temples they have plates like these that are used in ceremonies or other situations where you want to show someone’s status to the audience".

"Which is the first one?"

"That would be the prototype created by the very AS himself during the era of legend. You may be surprised to hear this, but that artifact is in this academy, would you like to see it?"

"Definitely".

"I-I'll bring it."

Zera looks somewhat confused, maybe he felt out of place for a while? I'm sorry but your main role has already been fulfilled, from now on you will be the errand boy.

"Before seeing it, I must ask you not to have high expectations".

"What do you mean by that?"

"You see, we developed the current models based on the AS monocle, but the original has not worked for a long time, it's believed that it broke down and the truth is that nobody knows how to repair it. We imitate its functions but the reality is that even now we don't know exactly how it worked.

First we thought that it was designed as a monocle to be able to visualize the information, but it can be transmitted directly to the user's mind, as is the case with gloves, or be projected as with the plate. We don't even know the intention behind its design".

So is a monocle. It's true that it doesn't have to be a monocle if the information is sent directly to the brain. However, for all I know about this AS and seeing the modern artifacts that he apparently manufactured a millennium ago, it's hard to believe that there isn't a good reason, the guy was too smart to not have a reason.

"Here I have it. This is the AS monocle, used as a prototype of modern inspection gloves".

In Zera's hands is a thin glass lens with a golden frame and a pair of inscriptions that reads AS, the chain looks like the same material as the frame, but more polished.

"It doesn't look bad to be a thousand years old, can I try it on?"

"Well ... being you. The truth is that we keep it for being a relic, for its historical and symbolic value. But it has been a few centuries since the academy gave up trying to repair it, I don't think there will be any problems even if you keep it".

"I see. Would you mind telling me if it has to be used on a particular eye?"

"E-Eto, there is no indication that it should be carried in a particular eye, it has been tried equally in both. We know the great sage AS used it on the left, but some say that he was sometimes seen using it in the right".

"Then it doesn't matter, I'll try it on the left. Can you place it for me Zera?" It's about time for you start working as the servant you became.

"Y-Yes, right away!"

Somewhat nervous, Zera places the monocle carefully in the orbit of my left eye, it isn't uncomfortable, rather, it fits almost perfectly. It's a pity that it doesn't work.

<< Intellect requirement confirmed, initiating functions. >>

What?

A few words appear in my head, similar to when I check my status.

<< Failed to activate 'Status (P)'.>>

《'Status (P)' has been assimilated by 'Status (G)'》

《The skill limit has been exceeded》

《'Status (G)' has advanced to 'Analyze (P)'》

<< Intellect and Knowledge requirements confirmed, initiating functions. >>

What the hell was that? I focus my vision on the monocle with my left eye and suddenly ...

<< Target confirmed >>

<< Activate functions:   → Yes                   No                          Always >>

Mm ... for now I would say yes.

<< Displaying status >>

<< Do you want to analyze the following status? >>

NAME:	ARGENT MAKOTO	RACE:	HUMAN		1
JOB:	MARKET MASTER	RANK:	GERON	LEVEL:	1
VP:	24/25	RESISTANCE:	2	DEFENSE:	1
MP:	8/8	KNOWLEDGE:	101	INTELLECT:	295
ENERGY:	17/20	STRENGTH:	2	MIND:	3
AGILITY:	3	TALENT:	1	SPIRIT:	2
ITEMS▼	EQUIPMENT▼	SKILLS▼	TITLES▼	MONEY:	00

<<          → Yes                   No                          Always >>

Yes.

VP: Vitality Points. They represent the state of health of the individual. If it dies, the number shown will be 0 for 15 seconds.

MP: Magic Power. Represent the amount of mana that is owned.

Energy: Represents reserve energy. It decays constantly. If it reaches 0, health will begin to deteriorate exponentially. Suffers from the state 'Hunger' and 'Exhaustion' at the same time.

Resistance: Ability to reduce energy decay, as well as reduce health deterioration.

Defense: Ability to decrease physical damage. The number is a general average of the whole body, but the value varies according to the affected part.

Knowledge: Represents the knowledge of reality.

Intellect: Represents the ability to use the capabilities and conditions of reality.

Strength: Represents the physical capacity of the individual. The number is a general average of the whole body, but the value varies according to the part to be used.

Mind: It represents the mental capacity of the individual and the reduction of mental damage.

Agility: Represents the dexterity and speed of the individual.

Talent: Represents the ability to perceive and manipulate the nature of reality, including mana.

Spirit: It represents the spiritual capacity as well as the decrease of the spiritual damage. Value is an estimate of the link between body and soul.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK...

This monocle just gave me a description of the stats. I didn't expect that, but why did it analyzed me?

Now that I look at it well, I can see my own eye reflected in the crystal... won't it be that the reason for it to be a monocle is so that one can see oneself at any time?

<< Target confirmed >>

<< Activate functions:   → Yes                   No                          Always >>

Yes.

<< Monocle AS

Activation Requirement: Intellect 250+

Abilities:

Status (P)

Set target [Status (P) Analyze (P)]          Requires Wisdom 100+

The effect of the ability is reduced if target is not the user >>

Oh, it also works to analyze objects. So it requires 250 Intellect to work. That's why they didn't find a way to repair it, it was never broken, the people who tried to use it just wasn't smart enough... If they were academics it leaves a lot to be desired.

"Is something the matter Mr. Argent?"

"It's nothing Zera, I was just somewhat amazed at the beauty of this artifact. I think I'll keep it".

<< Target confirmed >>

<< Activate functions:   → Yes                   No                          Always >>

I think that my investment in the academy is already paying off... Always.

 

 

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