The morning faded to afternoon, as the remaining drudgery was tasked out and completed. The corpses of the other adventurers were loaded onto the handcart, along with a pair of bodies from the sacrifice room, and a number of trinkets and documents that had been unearthed in the investigation. Cassandra handled the clearing of the barrow, with Liam remaining in the camp both to assist in guarding it, and to maintain an eye on their new acquisition. He still wasn't entirely sure what they had stumbled upon, but he knew he didn't want her trying to run from them after the grilling they had given her.

He thought over what he had learnt, and it unnerved him. Confident she was telling the truth, what she had said had meant that, at least until very recently, there was some other presence in the cavern, one that he couldn’t detect. And whatever it was, it had attacked Leah. Seeing as she didn’t have any residual effects on her, however, and given she was a classless level 3, he was confident that it wasn’t anything particularly dangerous, but the fact that he hadn’t noticed it at all was worrying on its own. So, they had to take precautions against further attacks. The guards would be needed to help get the bodies out in a reasonable time, and the mercenaries were definitely going to have the lowest mental resistances amongst their group. Liam, therefore, would be needed to evaluate them after they left. And he couldn’t go in there, because if he assumed wrong (As his luck often proved to be the case), and it was stronger than him, there would be no defences left for the rest of the group against detecting influences. So, he had to remain behind, ostensibly to watch Leah and the camp, but Cassandra knew the real reason.

She wasn’t happy about it. She knew that the mercenary guards would require someone to watch out for them who was experienced with mental attacks, and of course to make sure they didn’t try to pocket any of the loot, and of course they couldn’t risk Liam coming under the influence and leaving them all defenceless, but knowing that there was potentially a threat in there that could get in her head, and that she would have to go in there without Liam ready to shut it down if it happened, did not leave her in a good mood. Repeating past experiences was not something she was interested in doing, even if she knew Liam would be ready to break any influences once she left the Barrow, or worst case, get her somewhere she could be saved. There were no shortage of clerics in the Empire, for better or worse, and if that failed, Ironshod was only a few weeks away. It was still frustrating, and she took it out on the guards. Her ‘motivation’ did manage to get the barrow cleared in record time, something she suspected Liam had planned on which only served to increase her frustration, but she would need go back over the caverns with a fine toothed comb, the party rogue absent. Her thoughts once again turned to their fallen party members, wishing she had one of them to back her up. But whats done was done. They could grieve once they had finished the quest and got out of danger.

For Leah, she took the time to go through her status page, and check in detail the descriptions of what she had been given. While she might have an intuitive knowledge of these things, she didn't have a conscious grasp of what she could do, and flailing around with guesswork and luck might now work as well in the future as it had in her own mind, where she had the home field advantage. Most of the upper portion seemed self explanatory, though she would delve deeper into the details of the statistics at a later point – her intuition told her that the stats were similar to games she had played back home. The skills and traits, on the other hand, were more interesting.

[Skill: Analyse 1]

The ability to intuit certain facts about an individual or object simply by looking at them. The amount of information gained increases as the skill is levelled, and can also be improved by having previous knowledge through skills about the target.

This skill is possible for anyone to learn given enough training and a natural intuition, however some classes and races have this skill as a racial bonus.

Effects: Ability to determine Class and basic information about target.

Able to identify skills used in view of the user subject to users Intelligence, Wisdom, and whether the skill is being hidden by the target.

[Skill: Parallel Processing 1 ]

Unique to those possessing a Magalyte Doll body and other unknown factors, Parallel Processing is the skill dedicated to utilising the unique brain layout of the Doll. Through practise and experimentation, new uses and effects may come to light.

Effects:

+1 Intelligence and Wisdom per Skill level per Personal Level

Faster active and passive skill growth

[Skill: Firewall]

When a Magalyte Doll actively uses their Submind Subsystem, and uses it to store a copy of their mind, they are granted the unique position of being resistant to mental effects. Their submind can limit the connection between them to wall itself off from damaging effects, and send commands to the prime mind on how to proceed in a way that negates or sidesteps the outside influence. This has a limited effect on emotional influence, as the submind may find itself sympathetically processing the same emotional input. The submind can also actively engage in mental warfare, should the target find itself under direct attack, and can act independently of the prime mind.

Effects:

50% resistance to mental effects (25% for emotional effects)

An ally is gained during mental conflict (Defensive conflict only)

[Skill: Mental manipulation 3]

Mental Manipulation is the art of controlling and modifying thoughts and memories, and is one of the primary skills used in mental conflict. This skill does not allow the user to actively engage in mental conflict, but it does provide them the tools to engage in it should an opportunity arise. Without this skill, a person can only rely on their own raw willpower to resist compulsions, or other, lesser skills. Through use and training, a user of Mental Manipulation gains the ability to more accurately alter memories and thought processes, running less risk of damaging other parts of their targets mind. Through practise and experimentation, new uses may come to light.

Effects:

Ability to engage in mental conflict

+10% per level chance to succesfully manipulate a target thought

[Skill: Knowledge (Magalyte Technology) 1]

The general knowledge of Magalyte Technologies, allowing the holder to identify what a device can do, its applications, and more. Lower levels allow one to identify objects, while higher levels can provide greater insight.

Unique effect:

Only a holder of this skill can activate Magalyte Technology. Higher skill levels are required to understand what an object will do, but just posessing this skill is enough to activate them.

[Skill: Knowledge (Magalyte Dolls) 1]

Magalyte Dolls are the epitome of Magalyte biological science. This skill determines the holders ability to understand the functions and manufacture of Magalyte Dolls. Additionally, if the holder is possessing a Magalyte Doll, they are given greater control over their body with higher levels of this skill.

This new information was useful, and helped to supplement the information she already intuitively knew, but it was hindered by the fact that she didn't know how this skill system worked. Or how this status panel worked, for the matter. Glancing at Liam, she made a note to ask him about this. She was under his mercy anyway, and she had already given up some potentially deadly information. What was one more piece?

The traits however, really caught Leah's attention.

[Trait: Magalyte Doll]

Your body is that of a Magalyte Doll, one of the replacement bodies created to house the souls of the Council of [REDACTED]. Though many of these bodies exist throughout the world, the ritual to place a soul into one was thought lost to the ages. As a Magalyte Doll, you have the following bonuses:

50% base resistance to all mana types

100% affinity to all mana types

Negation of any [REDACTED] restrictions on learning skills

+2 Intelligence per level

The Doll body is capable of sustaining itself via its own internal source of mana, but it functions optimally when allowed to sleep, eat and otherwise carry out normal mortal activities. A cost to the pool will be applied every time the body is pushed beyond mortal functioning like this. This pool of mana may also be utilised for other purposes, the most basic being spell casting. Other uses may be discovered through practise and experimentation.

Upon opening the description, two new notifications popped up. This was the first time seeing them while awake, and the effect was somewhat jarring. The notifications floated over her vision, without obscuring it. It was as if she could see both them and what was behind them at once, and the effect gave her the beginnings of a migraine. Liam looked over at her, a look of mild concern on his face, but her discomfort turned to curiosity at the new acquisitions and their immediate effects on her.

[Special Stat Revealed: Mana Affinity]

Prerequisites have been met for the Mana Affinity stat to be revealed. All previously hidden effects are now enabled.

[Special Stat Revealed: Magalyte Mana Pool]

Prerequisites have been met for the Magalyte Mana Pool stat to be revealed. All previously hidden effects are now enabled.

It was as if a veil had been lifted from over the world. Suddenly she was aware of a rushing, flowing energy surrounding and filling her, coming from everything. With a moments thought, that feeling turned to visuals, a kaleidoscope of colour flashing around. Blues, whites, reds, golds, blacks, every hue and saturation was present. The effect was almost too much, but again, a moments thought was all it took to tune it all out, to a simple glow surrounding the objects around her. Liam and the one guard remaining in the camp both glowed, though Liam's was a deeper and richer colour.

And inside her, she knew that she had her own glow, two in fact. One felt like it was under her skin, straining to be freed into the world and reveal itself, like an excitable gas. The other felt like liquid, condensed and stable, deep inside her. The two new stats gave some insight into what she was seeing and feeling.

[Special Stat: Mana Affinity]

This Stat determines your ability to store and manipulator mana in its raw form. This stat will passively generate a usable source of mana from ambient sources, however it is useless without a way to harness it.

Effects:

One mana per point of Mana Affinity

Mana Generation based on your Intelligence, Wisdom and ambient levels of mana

Ability to detect mana; effect is improved with stat level and appropriate skills

[Special Stat: Magalyte Mana Pool]

Unique to Magalyte Dolls, this stat refers to their internal mana pool. This mana can be used in much the same way as stored mana from the Mana Affinity skill, and it draws from the same source. However, this pool has some additional traits. It is used to power certain functions of the Magalyte Doll, and is shielded from casual observation. It has the same requirements for observation as the Magalyte Doll Trait. Other skills may reveal new uses for this stat.

Effects:

Internal Mana pool of 1% Mana Affinity per point of Magalyte Mana Pool

So, mana, status pages, magical races and this weird body she was now in. There were still so many questions left to answer, but it was becoming increasingly clear that whatever world she was now in was influenced by games she had played. Or was it the other way around? Was this some sort of incredibly convincing hallucination, brought on by a coma? The afterlife? Really another world? The more answers she got, the more questions seemed to fill the void they left. Her introspection, and investigation of the other trait on her page, was interrupted by Liam.

“You alright? You went a little green about the gills for a moment there.”

He thought he knew what had happened, he had seen it before, but never so suddenly, without any training beforehand. The more he interacted with this woman, the more convinced he was in his suspicions. Whatever the ritual in that barrow entailed, he desperately needed to find out, and quickly, lest a once in a lifetime opportunity slip through his fingers.

Leah frowned a little, running through her options rapidly, in a manner that was increasingly becoming familiar to her. Whatever the source of this was, she couldn't help but be thankful for it. There was no way she could be this cautious before without giving things away. She went with the decision she had made earlier, that information was worth a little risk.

“Yeah. I am now. I... Do you know anything about mana?”

Mana. That seals it. The girl had just unlocked her mana seemingly out of nowhere. That just wasn't done. Had she been training it before we got here? No, the signs would have been there. He flicked his mana sensing on, and true enough, she was now circulating. What was this world coming to?

“Yes, yes I do indeed. Before I answer anything about it though, I have to ask. You just unlocked your Mana Affinity stat now?”

“Yes? Is that... unusual?”

That answered one question at least. She wasn't the only one aware of these terms on her status page, so other people probably had them as well. He had mentioned skills before as well, but that hardly confirmed much. With the way he was looking at her now, though, she might have to keep more about herself hidden if she could. He looked completely shocked at her response, that alone answering her question.

“Maybe its not unusual where you come from, but I'd usually expect someone to work for months, or even years, before they unlocked the stat. And the mana you are circulating... How high is your stat?”

Leah took a moment to scan her status page again, confirming that new items had appeared on it.

[Status]

Leah Eppling

Level: 3 (12%)

Race: Elf (Magalyte Doll)

Class: None

Str - 8

Dex - 12

Con - 10

Int - 18

Wis - 12

Cha - 12

Lck - 10

Special Stats:

Mana Affinity - 100

Magalyte Mana Pool - 10

Skills:

Analyse 1

Parallel Processing 1

Firewall 1

Mental manipulation 3

Knowledge (Magalyte Technology) 1

Knowledge (Magalyte Dolls) 1

Traits:

Magalyte Doll

Of Another World

Attribute Points: 6

“100.”

“100? Not 10?”

“Uh... Yeah, definitely 100.”

Leah was really starting to get concerned that she had let on too much. Her eyes flicked left and right, as she tried to work out if she should make a break for it, and how far she would get. Liam caught on to her unease, and realised he must have pushed a bit too far in his eagerness. Her reaction was pretty understandable, considering their last interaction. She clearly had no idea how high her affinity was in comparison to others. Did she have any experience with magic at all? He raised his hands, palms forward, in an attempt to pacify her.

“Don't worry, I'm not about to rip into you again. It just took me by surprise is all. If you want me to back off, I will.”

As much as Leah didn't want to give up more information about herself that could get her into trouble – and she didn't know what would get her into trouble – she also needed to gather more knowledge so she could make those determinations in the future. And while Liam had pressed her for information only a few hours earlier with threats, something had made him back off. Whatever it was, this might be her safest opportunity to question someone from this world.

“No, its fine. I just have a lot of questions of my own to ask.”

“Ask away. I can't say I'm particularly knowledgeable about mana outside my own uses for it, but I have a working knowledge of the fundamentals.”

Leah shrugged. It was now or never.

“Honestly, its not just mana. Though thats a part of it. Where I come from, this whole, System thing, it doesn’t exist.”

“It… doesn’t exist? What do you mean?”

“Theres no status page, for one thing.”

This was a gamble. A really big gamble. But she’d weighed up the odds in her head, and she was always the type to take risks. And in this case, she desperately needed answers. Even if she couldn’t trust him 100%, she was going to have to put her life in his hands anyway, and if the fact she didn’t know these things was a danger, it was better that she found out now. She needn’t have worried, though. Liam looked immensely confused, but not hostile.

“How… do you check your stats, then?”

“We don’t. We have to, well, wing it, I guess?”

Liam, who thought he had a handle on the situation before, was thrown for a loop. He really didn’t know what to say, but now he was all but certain that his prior idea was right. The ritual, the diagrams, the fact that this girl, who had clearly been the focus of the ritual before and was now claiming to know nothing about the world, it all made far too much sense for it to be a coincidence. Leah picked up the conversation for him.

“This is all really weird for me, and I don’t really feel comfortable explaining much more. Not right now anyway.”

“Thats fine, thats fine. No, thats not whats important right now.”

He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what would come next. He needed to know, and he needed to know sooner rather than later.

“Leah. I’m going to ask you something, and it might sound strange to you, but I need you to answer me honestly. You know I can tell if you are lying anyway, so please, don’t bother. I promise that if you answer, I will do my utmost to help you, and we will at least get you to civilisation safely. Does that sound good to you?”

Not that it mattered if she lied, he thought. If she was what he thought she was, then there was no doubt in his mind that he would be bending over backwards for this girl in the future. Damn, his luck cut both ways. Giving with one hand and taking with the other. Leah, caught off guard once more, ran over the odds, but they hadn’t changed. She needed help, and she needed answers, and Liam was holding something back, clearly. If she needed to give something away to get something, then thats what would have to happen.

“Ok, I’m in.”

“Good. Follow me.”

The two set off away from the camp and the remaining guard. They trudged through the undergrowth for a while, until Liam was satisfied that prying ears weren’t trying to eavesdrop. He turned back to face Leah, his scars creasing around his mouth as his expression tightened. This was the moment of truth.

“So. When we found you in the barrow, you were the target of a ritual. An unknown ritual, at least to most people. But I’ve seen something like it before, and I think I have a good idea of what happened to you. This isn’t your original body, is it?”