Today is my birthday, and more importantly it is my 6th birthday or it might as well be! The day to meet the ADMINISTRATION only occurs once per month. And that day is today.

Anyway, today is the day I find out about the ADMINISTRATION, what it is and what is involved. I come out of my room and call down the stairs, “Mom, I am ready! What do we have to do? Can you tell me anything in advance? Is there breakfast?”

As I come to the bottom of the stairs I hear my dad reply, “Your mother is not here, she has something important to do today, to answer your questions in order: We have to go to the university and everything will be explained there. There is breakfast: scrambled egg and sausage, the best I could do.”

After I glumly sit down at the table he continues, “Don’t be so glum, is dad’s breakfast not good enough? Anyway, we will go to the university and meet all the other kids that turned 6 this month.”

I look up in surprise though I shouldn’t be now that I think about it “Other people, do you mean the people from the training hall will be there too?”

“Yes, all the kids, now eat or we will be late!”

“Here we are, this is the university, this must be the 1st time you have seen it too. I am sure you have seen the towers from the viewing points around town but nothing was ever explained to you.”

“And I didn’t ask. I have always wondered but it has never been of much importance.” I exclaimed while trying to find the top of the towers, “Wow those towers must be 2 or 3 hundred meters tall!”

“Yes, the towers are 247m tall, about 70 meters taller than the air ship docks! It still amazes me what those architects can do when the builders and the materials have enough mana.” Dad explained. “Now let’s go inside, we are running late, you don’t want to miss anything do you?”

Once inside the main building and past the reception area my father and I were separated, he went to a viewing area and I went to join all the other kids. There were thousands of us. For so many kids to turn 6 this year, the city must be absolutely huge! Or is this from the whole kingdom maybe? The room we were in was spacious, with tall ceilings and carvings of some kind everywhere. Curves followed the joint of the walls and the ceiling. There were what looked like magic circles carved into the walls, are they decorations, some kind of inside joke or actually served a purpose? I guess I will find out eventually.

Finally, almost an hour later (we will be late my back-side dad), a member of staff walked into the room. Well I want to say walk but I am sure I didn’t see them come in from anywhere, she just suddenly appeared near the lectern. That’s must have been a Skill, amazing, either its really good or we are all really bad!

“Good Morning everyone. Today you will all discover one of the biggest secrets hidden from all of our young people. In the days of antiquity, before our walled cities, before we figured out how to efficiently deal with the Prime Beasts. Back then any child was not named until their 6th birthday, because the likelihood of them surviving to the age of six was so low that it was not needed. As a note at this point, the survival rate of kids between age 6 and 12, when your magic makes an appearance, the survival rate was still only 50%.”

Everything and everyone were quiet, there was some rustling from kids fidgeting on their seats otherwise, there was no sound. Where was any of this in the histories, how long ago was this? How long has this tradition been going on to engrain it so deeply into the psyche of the nation? Is it the same in the other nations and continents?

“Now I will reveal the reason why the survival rate changes so drastically. The reason is because at the age of 6, a system that covers the whole world, every single living being has the ability to use this system and many of the smarter Primal Beasts attack universities to get access to the ADMINISTRATION.”

“That was the actual reason for the last Prime Beast War. The books are right, it was due to our laxity in not culling their numbers whenever we can and to cross the mountain ranges to constantly cut into their numbers. But the real reason, not written anywhere that a 6-year-old can get access to is: They want access to the ADMINISTRATION, to become on par with the humans of this world. To overcome out numbers and our training with their sheer might.”

Now everyone stirred, neighbours started whispering to each other. Kids started recounting their essays looking for the clues they missed and now realised why no one could ever get more than 60% for the essay.

“Now we will continue with the … “event”. Please, raise the ADMINISTRATION terminals!” she said called to someone.

Behind her, along the wall rose a multitude of stone pedestals with a glass orb held on top of it. The orbs looked completely transparent and didn’t look like they did anything.

“The pedestals behind me hold the ADMINISTRATION terminals. We discovered how to make them thousands of years ago from, at the time even more ancient documents. The ADMINISTRATION is a term that was found on those old documents and we have used it since.”

“You will all now form up as evenly as you can in front of each terminal, my assistants will be walking around, directing you to the terminals with the least people. We, like you, are excited about this discovery and your reaction to the discovery but please keep calm, and no pushing.”

There were screams from the sides of the room, hall? Theatre? Assistants were suddenly visible at the side of every row! Were they there all along? I really want to see how they did that! Could I do that? Could I explain how they do it with the scientific method? Could I reproduce it with a tool? I really want to know!!!

“That reaction never gets old, forgive me for having fun at your expense. Now once everyone is lined up we, the person at the front of queue will come forward to the pedestal and place both their hands on the orb at the top. Just lightly place them there, pressing your palms to the terminal with all your might is not going to change the results.”

“Once you are done with the registration you will permanently have access to the ADMINISTRATION anywhere you are in the world and at any time so don’t make your decisions too quickly, instead go talk to your parents and ask them for recommendations. But remember, ultimately the choices you make are yours alone, if you wish to keep the choices for later, once you are more mature and know what you want from your life, nothing is stopping you. Under our laws, pressuring someone to choose how you want is a crime and can be punished by extensive time in the labour gangs. All our roads need to be maintained you know.”

“Everyone, I thank you for sitting and listening to me until the end. I hope to see you all in the future during your time at the university. Now stand up everyone and make your way calmly and without running to the closest terminal to you.”

She then turned and walked off just like she walked in, some steps away from the lectern, she suddenly fades and not even the sound of her shoes is heard. That Skill is AMAZING!!!

I stand up and look around at the rest of the children already rushing to get to the terminals. Now is not the time to rush but the time to consider everything that we have been told. If there is documentation of this ADMINISTRATION then it must have been created by some ancient civilization… but for what purpose? To fight the Prime Beasts? Or was it to fight something or someone else? Aliens? Gods?

What do I want to do with myself in this life? I obviously want to become strong enough that politics no longer affects me, but getting that strong will require … dedication. I want to be able to support my parents when they get old, but that’s a given, and looking at my parents, I don’t think they will ever get old.

Now do I want to pursue technology or magic in this world? Well I have some ideas of how to improve the lives of everyone with things that can be used by anyone, not just magically talented or rich people. Like power plants for electricity to light the streets for example, light magic is nice but not every family has a live-in family member with high light affinity. Revolutionising the guns used by the musketeers is another option but that is a very grey development. Yes, it will be used against Prime Beasts and make the common man and woman be able to deal with the low tier ones but it will also be used against other nations. I have to seriously consider this.

Magic would be amazing as we never had it back on earth, but would being a mage be everything I want, or will I still tinker with everything anyway. Magic studies are a full time, every day, every night commitment. There is no time for side projects, sooo… is there another option?

Can I combine the 2, magical engineering? Engineering mage? Technomancer? Would I want to be limited in that way, where I can only work with something if its of a technological nature, especially in this world… I think I can choose this later, need to see how this ADMINISTRATION works 1st.

“Excuse me, Hello, I am one of the assistants… obviously… Anyway, you seemed to be very deep in your thoughts, there is a queue over on the right near the wall that has the fewest members. If you would make your way there you should arrive just in time for the 1st child to register.”

“Ah! Th-Thank you, you scared me there suddenly appearing like that!” I exclaimed. Looking across the room I can see that I am one of the few people that did not rush off to the terminals. “Thank you, sir…” I look around, he is gone! Super silent and a little creepy … okay a lot creepy.

As I make my way over to the right side of the room I start to hear kids exclaiming about something, does it hurt? Or are they seeing something amazing? I remember all those games I played instead of studying back on earth, I wonder how close the ADMINISTRATION is going to be in comparison… Are there going to be stats? How about talents? When I learn a skill from levelling, am I suddenly going to know how to perform it perfectly or will I need to practice and research?

Bump! “Ah sorry, I wasn’t paying attention, you didn’t run off to the terminals like everyone else, are you also thinking about what you want to be in the future?” I ask the girl. She is still sitting in your place, looking down and fidgeting with her skirt. She looks up as if to respond and as soon as she sees me drops her head again.

She mumbles something at me but I can’t make out what she is saying. Does she have social anxiety? But what does a child of 6 have to be anxious about? How about I try to get her out of her shell, its not like there is anything else to do right now instead of waiting in a queue.

“May I sit down?” I ask her. She looks up again and scoots slightly over the right making some more space on my side. Not sure I needed that space as there is no one else on this whole row but whatever.

Once I am sitting I turn to her and ask “So what do you think of the presenter? And the way she made it to the stage without anyone seeing her?” She looks at me briefly but drops her eyes again and continues to mumble.

Wow this is going to be tough. I have nothing better to do at the moment, so I think I can just sit here and let her get used to being around me, maybe she will respond once she has calmed down.

I wonder ….

“Um ex-excuse me, h-how long are you g-going to sit there?” I suddenly hear a very quiet voice coming from my right. Ah is she finally used to me? How to handle this? We are both just kids so being friendly is the best way, shouldn’t be any misunderstandings.

“Well, I am considering what I want to become in the future, trying to visualise my ideal self so that maybe the terminal will sense it and give me the Skills to get there.” I respond, “Hi my name is Alexander and I am from this city, what is your name?”

“Um, m-my name is Rei, short for Alderei, I c-come from the s-south just for t-the ceremony. Please an-answer my q-question, how l-long are you g-going to sit there?” I hear a quiet response.

“Well I am thinking of going up to start queueing soon but I saw you sitting here all alone and thought maybe you could use a friend”

Ahh there she goes bowing her head again, I think I ruined it.

“I think I will go to the queues now, it was a pleasure to meet you “Alderei from the south”, I hope we meet again in the future.”

As I walk off I can hear her fidgeting, is she trying to follow me? Turning my head, I sneak a peek, ah no, she has a snack… was she hungry? Have I been keeping her from eating all this time? Maybe that’s why she was still sitting there… what a strange girl.

As time goes past and I get closer to the front of the queue I can see that something Is going on with the terminals, are they glowing different colours? And what are those symbols? There seems to be an assistant writing things down too so there must be some visual aspect to the registration, or do they have a skill to see the registration details? Like Inspect or Detect or Libra maybe?

Finally, after hours of waiting and fretting, maybe I should have gone up from the start, I could be out of here by now! |It is finally my turn.

“As a reminder, please step in front of the terminal and place both hands on the orb on top of the terminal. You will hear a slight tingle as the terminal scans you. Now please step forward.” I am instructed by an assistant.

As I step forward I can feel the air start to tingle slightly. Once I place both my hands on the orb I do feel a slight tingle start from my hands and spread to the rest of my body. Wow this is a strange feeling, like all your nerves fell asleep and are now waking up at the same time.

Suddenly, in front of my eyes I see a floating box! Its so surprising that I instinctively try to jump away from the terminal. My hands… seem to be stuck to the terminal, that is a very strange sensation. Now let’s have a look at this screen shall we.

Congratulations for your registration with the ADMINISTRATION Name Alexander Derroid Race Human Age 6 Level 0 Experience to next 1000 Class Citizen Available Classes N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Statistics (The base is calculated by scanning your body, mind and soul) Constitution 12.33 Manipulation 11 Mind 15 Strength 12 Agility 13 Intelligence 15 Stamina 10 Dexterity 10 Wisdom 18 Vitality 15 Endurance 10 Concentration 12 Secondary statistics Health Regeneration 1 per minute Mana Pool #ERROR Stamina Regeneration 0.75 per minute Mana Regeneration #ERROR An #ERROR has been identified in the Mana Pool An #ERROR has been identified in the Mana Regen Please wait… Identifying … Calculating… Resolving… Done Explanation of Error: The Mana Pool and the Mana Regen are calculated by the proximity of the soul to this time-space and multiplied by the Pool defined by the Mind statistics Normally there is a 100% proximity of the soul. The calculation would therefore be as follows: 1*(15[intelligence]*10[points per statistic]) there by giving the registrant a total of 150 mana The registrant’s soul proximity is at 20%. This will limit the registrant to 0.2*(15*10) = 30 mana The Mana Regen calculation is as follows: (Wisdom / Mana Pool) * 10 = Mana regen per minute Therefore, user will have (18/30) *10 = 6 mana per minute Recalculated statistics Secondary statistics Health Regeneration 1 per minute Mana Pool 30 Stamina Regeneration 0.75 per minute Mana Regeneration 6 per minute Skills

NB: There are 10 tiers in the Dot rank, 20 tiers in the Line rank and 30 tiers in the Triangle rank etc Everything starts at tier 0, Dot rank ends at tier 9, Line rank ends at tier 19 etc Athletics Tier 3 Dot Sword Mastery Tier 2 Dot Shield Mastery Tier 2 Dot Close Quarters Combat Tier 0 Dot Combat Instincts Tier 0 Dot Studying Tier 4 Line Reading Tier 4 Line Foreighn Language Tier 0 Line Mathematics Tier 5 Line Talents High Concentration Tier 0 Dot Due to your natural intellect, you are able to understand and assimilate new concepts 10% faster Strong Mind Tier 0 Dot Due to your past experiences, sudden changes in the environment will no longer freeze your senses Journals

NB: Journal points come from various activities, levelling up your class, getting more skill levels and other hidden activities Journal of the Newbie 0/10 Journal of Constitution 0/30 Journal of Manipulation 0/30 Journal of the Mind 0/30 Journal of the Tinker 0/25 Available Points 63 Affinities Fire 20% Water 15% Earth 25% Air 10% Arcane 10% Gravity 5% Time 1% Space 5% Light 1% Dark 1%

"Sir, Sir? Are you done? Please move along with the othe kids to the viewing area, you can discuss your talents with you family members. They should be able to explain everything to you then" the assistant waves me to move away from the pedestal so another person can register.

"Thank you, this is just so overwhelming that i got lost for a second." I called back as i walked towards the flow of kids leaving the hall. I hope dad will be able to shine some light into possible development and these odd journals. And what exactly is an affinity? Knowledge of the element? Ability to use the element? Do the elements have some kind of link to my emotions maybe? Too many questions and too few answers. WIth the issue on my mana pool, I might have to forgo offensive magic all together, can i create something like the muskets of this world to supplment the short comings? Well that is still at least 5 years from now, I have all the time in the world to find out.