[Report: Training has reached significant levels, save no longer considered a dead end.]

Mia opened her eyes; it had been 3 months since she last spoke to anyone. [Void] never returned, leaving her with nothing else to do besides reflect, or watch herself in the projection. She finished reflecting long ago, of course, she was limited on what she could find out in this empty space… so that just left her with watching and waiting.

The latter drove her a tad insane when the inevitable boredom set in, the former not helping relief said boredom and after awhile she had to stop, afraid she was growing too used to it. She sat up, noticing the projection had vanished ‘…[Void…’ perhaps he was giving her the option to not confront her about it?

[Concerned query: Is owner alright? You have full control of your body back. Suggestion: Perhaps looking over the results will cheer you up?]

‘The results of that…’ To be honest, she really didn’t want to see it. From the last few fights, she did see, the assist mode had a beyond easy time fighting those two robed figures, and she questioned just how much of that was because she had gotten used to fighting them. “Right…Later…”

[Suggestion: Perhaps loading slot 1 instead of 2 and taking a break would be wise? Extended periods of time left alone is not healthy.]

She raised an eyebrow ‘yeah, no shit.’ She shook her head, trying to remain calm “No, load slot 2.” She stood up, stretching her stiff body.

[Affirmation: Right away.]

The familiar blue screen appeared infront of her, asking if she would like to load slot 2. She smiled “Good, what happens to you now?” she asked, raising her hand towards the panel.

[Answer: Assist mode will go back to repairing [Log] unless another emergency comes up.]

“Oh~” Something she pondered during her three months was that excuse, was that function actually broken? Or did she not want her to see something? All she really knew about it was that trying to force it resulted in her untimely death so it might be safe to say it was broken but she did not know how much assist was truly capable of when it came to messing with her, she’d have to take [Voids] advice.

“No, put that off for now.” Mia spoke, noting a long pause before assist said anything.

[Query: Does owner have another job for me?]

“No,” Mia shook her head “Take a break, you have earned it.” First Mia wanted to try and do this nicely, doubting it will work after seeing her true character but… either way, she had to make sure she was disabled.

[Negative: My work with log is not finished yet, delaying this is not recommended.]

“It’s ok. I don’t need it right now; you can take a break. I doubt anything too important is in there, I’ll activate you If I need you.”

[This is unnecessary, I do not get tired. Owner wh-….?]

The voice paused, remaining silent. Mia crooked her head to the side, staring off into the black void “Assist mode? What is wrong?”

[Checking logs… please wait…]

Mia paled “Wait, wasn’t logs broken?” no answer “Hey! Answer me!”

[The broken function in logs is specifically of past cycles, before you reached level 2. The damage was caused by respectively trying to force skill usage despite warnings. Access to anything on this cycle, past level 2, is available for review.]

C-crap!

She didn’t know what would happen if assist found about [Void], frankly she didn’t want to find out, she’d have to gamble “I-I want to disable assist mode!” Another blue screen appeared beside her, drawing her attention towards it.

[Would you like to disable [Assist mo-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

The screen flashed red, a giant black X blocking out most of it and making it un-interactable “H-hey!”

[Disabling me is unwise, where exactly did you learn of this function?”]

“D-does it matter?! I want to disable you, why are you stopping me!” Mia slammed her fist down on the X’d out panel, getting nothing but an angry beep in response.

[Why would you want to do that? I am useful, I have just helped you. Look at your skills that I raised in just three months, that should serve as proof.]

Name: Mia

Status: None

Age: 8

Race: Fox Beastman

LVL: 3

Points: 1

HP: 100/100 MP: 100/100

Str: 50

Con: 10

Dex: 150

Int: 150

Mnd: 10

Lck: 1

Skills: [Ice Mastery: 4] [Early Riser: MAX] [Willful: 3] [Packer: 2] [Dagger Mastery: MAX] [Common Language: 1] [Magic Craftsmanship: 2][Battle Dancer: 3][Martial arts: 3] [Critical Eye: 3][Battle sense: 1]

Titles: [Unlucky Child] [Shrine Maiden]

Hidden skills: [time: 2]

Mia’s status was thrust into her view, she quickly scanned it, forced to look it over ‘Why do I have… no, no getting distracted.’ Her doing this was beyond suspicious, confirming she had at least some control over her status page “Yes, that is a big improvement…” She said, trying to remain focused and not get distracted.

[So, you agree? After seeing how helpful I am you have no need to disable me.]

“Yes, I agree that it is helpful.” She tried to wave her status screen away, or at least move it, so it wasn’t blocking her view but found it impossible “But, that only proves my point, you need to rest.” She then tried the other way, attempting to will it close, smirking when it did ‘so I still have priority.’

[Unnecessary, I do not get tired… where did you get this idea…]

Mia was pretty sure she was checking the logs again, now it was time to try it. She side eyed the red panel at her side, if physical interaction didn’t work, then she just had to do what she did with the status page ‘I want to disable Assist mode, yes I am sure.’ She willed, making sure she was clear.

[Affirmation: Dis-huh?-abling As-stop!-sist mode until fu-you don’t know what-rther noti-please!-ce.]

Silence,

Nothing could be heard.

“Assist mode?” Mia called out, not receiving an answer. She let loose a heavy sigh of relief, she really didn’t want to find out what she was capable of…especially if she was disabling prompts like that, but it was good to know that, as far as she could tell, she had the final say. “Now, with that out of the way.” She cracked her neck, deciding the first thing she should do was check out her status page without assist lording over her.

Name: Mia

Status: Brainwashed (minor)

Age: 8

Race: Fox Beastman

LVL: 3

Points: 81

HP: 100/100 MP: 100/100

Str: 50

Con: 10

Dex: 150

Int: 150

Mnd: 10

Lck: 1

Skills: [Ice Mastery: 4] [Early Riser: MAX] [Willful: 3] [Packer: 2] [Dagger Mastery: MAX] [Common Language: 1] [Magic Craftsmanship: 2] [Battle Dancer: 3] [Martial arts: 3] [Critical Eye: 3] [Battle sense: 1][Disguise: MAX] [Lying: 1] [Presence detection: 1] [Trap detection: 1] [Acrobatics: 3] [Cooking: 1] [Cleaning: 2] [Petting: 1] [Threatening aura: 3] [Axe arts: 1] [Sword arts: 1] [Bow arts: 1] [Sneak: 1] [Danger sense: - ]

Titles: [Unlucky Child] [Shrine Maiden] [Torturer] [Jester] [Easily Manipulated] [Critical Striker] [Trophy Maid] [indecisive] [Goblin Crusher] [Bramble Crusher] [Toy Wolf Crusher] [Cat Beastkin Crusher] [Human Crusher] [Rabbi Spider Crusher] [Slime Crusher] [Peblet Crusher]

Hidden skills: [time: 2]

Mia took a step back, then did an about face. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face her status again, taking another step back in disbelief “This is…” This was beyond her expectations; it was worse than she thought. “How was it hiding all of this?!” She yelled, her eyes falling on the likely culprit.

[Skill: Disguise. LVL: MAX. Ability to disguise your status, allowing the user to make themselves seem as week or strong as they want. Higher skill levels increase the success rate, remaining disguised even from foes with high appraisal level.]

“And apparently from yourself…” she tried fiddling with it, getting a prompt to remove her skills, reduce her stats, and even change her status. After making a fake page she tried to view it, having no problem as it appeared before it “If it made a fake page beforehand, then I’d always see it…” she sighed, thinking about it know wouldn’t get her anywhere. She was now aware of it, the same trick wouldn’t get her again… she hoped…

The next thing, that worried her most, was her status. Where it had been none before now it had *Brainwashed*… at least it was minor? She inspected it further.

[Status: Brainwashed (minor), Effect varies depending on the person who cast it on the victim, effect fades with time based on exposure and resistance.]

“Good news, it will go away.” Her aunt entered her mind “Bad news…Aunt isn’t off the hook…” To her knowledge she was the only person who had a brainwash skill, and that pretty much confirmed what she pondered about three months ago. It was safe to say that explained why she forgave her so easily and went along with her plan but quickly lost all motivation for it shortly after reloading.

Her status goes back to whatever it was when she saved, this minor effect being what ever Maria had placed on her from her time in the village, the effect of which was unknown. While when she visited her a much stronger effect was placed on her, one which Mia assumed made her agreeable. ”Stupid…” She spat at herself; it was one more thing to worry about.

But wasn’t important now, she had other things to worry about, such as all these skills she would have to sit down and look through, something she was dreading because of the sheer number, but the sudden jump in stat numbers was pretty much forcing her to, plus after reflecting…again… this time she didn’t have anyone influencing her from the shadows…hopefully…

She looked around in the void, half expecting someone or something to be standing over her shoulder “…hopefully…” Between her family members, royalty from another nation, and her own skills she did not want to make that list longer.

She sat down, preparing herself to see just what she was working with, her first step in finding out what she wanted to do.