Darkness was all around him. That's how it had been for over a decade, other than the hum of hospital equipment and beeps of monitors with the occasional voices of doctors and nurses when he wasn't connected with a neuro-weave to a computer. He was in a coma, unknowing why his body refused to heal despite all the different experimental treatments that he had been put through over the last decade. He had been a student at one of the big tech schools, working on Digital Intelligence Research and Development as his masters, having almost completed what might have grown into a sapient digital intelligence, unlike the ones that would just be running on various decision trees.

That was, before the incident. A brief decision, acting on gut instinct and subconscious calculations, pain, oh, the pain, loud noises, screams, more pain, violent jostling and even more pain... a thump to his noggin, and darkness, blessed darkness and a lack of pain. Although the voices were in awe of his living despite being so damaged. He was a hero, and he should be dead, but there it was, his body, his mind, refusing to yield to the oblivion of death.

One of the tests that the hospital had done connected his mind to a computer and this allowed his mental thoughts to be displayed on various computer programs, as well as allowing him access to the internet via his mind. He continued working on the creation of his digital intelligence, as well as continuing his studies, as he would not excuse his being in a coma from finishing off his education when he was aware and had access to not just the internet but the ability to do what he needed.

In order to afford his medical care and college, he did various digital jobs, as well as drafted quite a few requests to his local senator to propose a bill granting rights to digital life, as he was close to finishing the program that would offer the world a way to a rapid increase in technology, but he didn't want what he considered his child to be enslaved by the state or by corporations.

He felt a burst of pressure, and then he heard a robotic voice as words suddenly appeared in the middle of the darkness.

Welcome to the MANA System.

Processing...

Please Wait...

Processing...

*DING*

Congratulations, Sentient 10,839,200. You have been granted 1,800,072 PPP (Personalized Potential Points) to use in altering your future and potential. As a newly processed Sentient, your Physical and Mental Statistics have been fully unlocked. As a newly processed Sentient, you will receive One (1) Personal Statistic unlocked for free. All current status conditions will end in One (1) Hour (Local) after Tutorial unless other changes occur.

Processing Sentient Memories and History...

*DING*

The following Traits have been unlocked based upon your personal actions. Heroic, Genius (Tier 2), Willful -> Stubborn -> Indomitable. Would you like an explanation about these traits?

"Yes, please explain."

Heroic - People who have unlocked this Trait have gone far above and beyond what would be considered normal behavior in a way that is viewed as positive by those that were also involved with an incident that has granted this Trait. Grants +5 Endurance and +5 Vitality. Allows the rerolling of One (1) Critical Failure each Day.

Genius (Tier 2) - The holder of this Trait is considered to be far above the standard in Intelligence as far as Ingenuity and Acuity go. Increases Ingenuity and Acuity by Five (5) for each Tier of this Trait. Grants access to the Skill Hypermind. All Skills start at Level 10. 50% increased chance to learn Skills from watching or copying

Willful (evolved) Stubborn (evolved) Indomitable - The bearer of this Trait has continued well beyond where most others have been left broken and discarded. The bearer of this Trait has refused to bend to the demands of those who viewed themselves as superior to him and has fought back. Grants a total increase of Twenty (20) to Willpower. Grants a 20% chance that anything you set your full attention on will result in Critical Success. Grants a 20% reduction in Critical Failure penalties. Grants immunity to Fear Status.

Your Personal Statistic: LUCK has been unlocked. Personal Statistics [1/5]. Would you like to have Default Statistics (All Unlocked Stats set to Five (5)), or Randomized Statistics (Physical and Mental Statistics out of Ten (10), Personal Statistic out of Twenty (20))?

[Default / Random]

"Huh... What...? Uh... That's a good question... Can I roll the Luck Statistic first, then use it to affect the rest?"

*DING*

This option is available. Proceed?

[Yes] / [No]

I mentally selected Yes.

*DING*

Your Status Screen is ready to be viewed.

Name: Joriya Alvinos

Race: Earthling - Human [Change]

Age: 37 [-]/[+]

PPP: 1,800,072

Stamina: 150/150 [-]/[+]

Stamina Regen: 15/hour [-]/[+]

Mana: 200/200 [-]/[+]

Mana Regen: 30/hour [-]/[+]

Physical Statistics [5/5]

Strength: 8 [-]/[+]

Agility: 9 [-]/[+]

Dexterity: 8 [-]/[+]

Endurance: 15 [-]/[+]

Vitality: 15 [-]/[+]

Mental Statistics [5/5]

Memory: 8 [-]/[+]

Intuition: 20 [-]/[+]

Perception: 8 [-]/[+]

Acquity: 20 [-]/[+]

Willpower: 30 [-]/[+]

Personal Statistics [1/5]

Luck: 20 [-]/[+]

Traits:

Heroic

Genius (Tier 2)

Indomitable

Resistances:

EMPTY

Immunities:

Fear

Current Status Afflictions:

Comatose [1:00:00]

Broken Spine [1:00:00]

Severed Nerves [1:00:00]

Atrophied Muscles [1:00:00]

Racial Skills:

Adaptability

Survivability

Hidden Potential

Combat Skills:

EMPTY

Crafting Skills:

EMPTY

Magic Skills:

Hypermind [Level 10]

General Skills:

EMPTY

Resistance Skills:

EMPTY

Personal Soul Dimension:

LOCKED

"No Health?"

Correct. Your 'health' is not a 'numerical' value, although your Statistics can and will affect the speed of your natural healing, especially if select Personal Statistics are unlocked.

"What can I do with the Personalized Potential Points for?"

Personalized Potential Points can be used for various things, which include the following: Enhancing or changing your Race, adjusting your age, physical body, or Statistics, unlocking new Statistics, unlocking and upgrading Skills, purchasing Soulbound items, upgrading your Personal Dimensional Space. To spend Personalized Potential Points, access the Shop.

"Shop?"

*DING*