Chapter 2 - Investigation

5 years have passed since the rift opening and invasion of magical creatures. The elites of the world pushed back the invaders, resulting in a complete lockdown of the rift itself. After retaking the area around the rift, they built a base with armed patrols and large artillery that uses the latest tech in light to create a beam capable of injuring a dragon. There are still groups of orcs, goblins and even some flying monsters that have gone unnoticed until they attack, bringing more death and destruction.

Langton the commander of Alpha Base 1 was looking out towards the rift. Dressed in his military uniform, with short black hair and clean shaven. He looked at the blue haze of the rift that tore open space, the air shimmers around making the entire area look highly unstable. Thinking back to the daily report of the rifts stability he just read, Langton decided it's time to speak to his lead guy researching a way to close it. With a sigh, Langton exited his office in search of the young scientist.

Wearing a white lab coat, Eric stood up and looked into the mirror. His hair was a tattered mess of black, large bags under his eyes from sleepless nights exploring the mystery of the rift. Looking into the mirror with a sparkle in his eyes, he held up a scalpel looking like a doctor full of madness. Holding the surgical knife up, he carved out a small hole in his skull, ready for his newest contraption. Putting the knife down, he reached for the small computer chip. After inserting the chip into his skull, Eric didn't care about the pain, only excitement existed in his mind. Sitting in his lab, blood trickling down his face, a stiff smile on his face as he stared at the ceiling blissfully. A flash of pain hit him in the head his eyes struggled to focus as the chip started integrating with his brain. He felt pain now, like a thousand needles entering his spine as neurons broke down and repaired alternatively. Then, as if a bolt of electricity sent from the heavens itself, Eric convulsed. His arms and legs stiffened, eyes rolled back. He fell to the floor, jerking around like a fish out of water. Then suddenly he just stopped, laying on the floor with closed eyes and shallow breathing.

Langton was making his way to Eric's lab, hoping to catch him before he left for his daily inspection of the rift. Reaching the lab, Langton walked through the automatic filter system. While the filtered air ran over him, yellow lights blinked before turning green. Stepping through, Langton halted mid-step. Eric was lying down on the floor with a foolish smile on his face while blood dripped down from his eyes and ears. What has he done now… this… fucking lunatic… lamented Langton.

"What is going on..." Langton exhaled as he stepped over to Eric

*AMI (Artificial Mana Interface)….. Initialising…..*

*Boot Sequence….. Started…..*

*0%.... 10%.....15%.....20%.......50%.......75%......100%.......*

*Boot Sequence…. Complete….*

*Altering neurons with mana energy……*

*0.01% complete...*

Eric lay on the floor with his eyes closed, savouring the sweet monotone voice of the artificial intelligence system. The system was nothing more than a chip the size of a small coin that connected to the brain through a small incision made in the skull. Once connected inside his skull, the chip then uses the ambient mana leaking from the rift to alter neurons. His idea is to alter his brain enough so he can manipulate the mana to his advantage. Most people had some kind of integrated AI system on earth, but he had made one that draws the mana leaking from the rift to further enhance brain functionality. Hearing that his brain permanently changed by 0.01% brought a smile to his face. I did it… I did it…. Finally. Thought Eric.

“What are you smiling at?? What happened here??” A voice brought Eric out of his thoughts. Opening his eyes, he could see Langton there stood above him with a questioning gaze. Fuck this guy again… why can't they just leave me alone… Eric thought.

“arrhhhh.....I was just working on my new project… n...no need to worry now.” Explained Eric with a smile on his face.

“Ok well….. Erm… Whatever.. We need you to check out the rift again, it has been acting up today and we don't know why.” Langton said while helping the young scientist to his feet.

“I can't. Need more time to study my new project” mumbled Eric as he walked off to the computer nearby. I need to figure out how my neurons have changed by the AMI system. I don't have time to help with the closing of the rift… Eric thought as he sat down to run some diagnostics.

“I don't care what you want to do.. You are here on orders, you little shit. You're lucky I don't lock you up and send you back to the CIA,” growled Langton. What a little shit…. a 19-year-old hacks the Government to steal top secret information just because he was “bored.” Thought Langton, resisting the urge to slap this stupid boy. Ignoring the old man's speech about how it's our duty to protect and save humanity. Eric started diagnostics.

“Run diagnostics” called out Eric within his mind.

*System Diagnostics Running… 10%.... 40%.... 90%.... 100%....*

*Results….*

*User: Eric Sovan.. 19 Years Old…. Male….*

*Users' neurons have mutated 0.01%...... Data suggests that User should now be able to sense ambient mana….*

Closing his eyes, he tried to sense ambient mana around with no success. “Hmm, maybe I need to get closer to the source….” mumbled Eric under his breath.

“Are you even listening to me…” raged Langton, a large vein popping out on his forehead.

“Yea… Yea.. I heard you.. Check out the rift save the world blah blah blah…” said Eric disinterested. Langton sighed, regretting having to deal with this absent minded fool.

Eric gathered his equipment together. He didn't really need much, just a small pack with equipment was enough. All he really cared about was seeing if he could sense mana now that AMI integrated. Leaving the lab with his equipment, he headed out towards the rift. Alpha Base 1 was a vast complex surrounding the rift, newly built concrete still wet in some places. Reaching the glass dome structure surrounding the rift blue light was shining through the glass Eric's eyes watered as he got closer, the intensity of light increasing. As Eric approached, an oppressive feeling hit him, almost making him drop to his knees. He stood still while catching his breath, trying to deal with the forceful presence of the mana leaking from the rift.

*Detecting Change in Surroundings….*

*Mana Density Has Increased by 20%*

“Re-evaluate neuron mutation” commanded Eric in his mind.

*Users' neurons have changed by 0.01%.....*

*Neuron Mutation from Mana influence currently at 0.02%*

*Data suggests an increase of 0.1% per 24 hours in current density of mana*

Guess I should “Inspect” here for a few days, thought Eric with a smile creeping upon his lips.