"Please, open your System and give me access to it."
Ruel was still skeptical of Muriel as he considered it.
'There's no harm, right? At worst, I can just revoke the access I gave her.'
After a few seconds of them exchanging looks, he gave her the access she wanted.
She navigated the Enma system and used the shop feature.
Ruel saw as she scrolled through a list of items with images and texts that described them.
'I can really buy something from this? What can I buy?' He was curious to know.
After a few seconds, he saw Muriel purchase items, reducing his En Coins.
She reached into the screen and retrieved a red potion and a dark cloak.
They were a body enhancement potion and a basic concealment cloak.
Ruel could feel mana pull out of him. 'She's using my mana to be tangible?'
She handed him the potions and said, "Later, you can ask me if there's anything within the shop that is beneficial to you. I'll check."
He curiously asked, "Why didn't you buy this earlier?"
She replied calmly, "I wasn't sure what we'd need until I felt the energy in this area. Buying the wrong thing earlier would have wasted our resources."
Ruel shrugged then looked at the items in his hand. After a brief hesitation, he chugged down his potion and wore the cloak.
He was about to ask what use the cloak would have now, but before he could speak, Muriel picked it up and tossed it back into the screen with the bottle.
He saw the inventory go from 16 slots unoccupied to 14 unoccupied.
'Is that a storage device?' Ruel was shocked by all these developments, his body feeling light yet strong.
"We can go now," Muriel said.
With a nod, Ruel darted into the forest, his body further enhanced with his mana.
He climbed the trees, using the sturdy branches to move swiftly through the canopy.
After ten minutes of running at his peak, he reached a very tall tree with thick and tall grasses growing around from it.
He jumped down and approached the big tree roots and shifted some stones that rested on the tree.
It revealed a small hole that led to an underground tunnel.
"This is… my man cave," he said to Muriel, who was looking curiously.
He jumped in and closed the tunnel imperfectly from within using prepared rocks.
Standing in the darkness, he faced the translucent and slightly glowing female that hovered behind him.
He looked around the hidden cave, aware that this might be the last time he stood on his home soil for a while.
He said, "To Enma."
Muriel immediately instructed him on what to do.
Ruel first sensed his system and used it as a medium to locate his Anchored destination–prepared by his Ancestors–in Enma.
Then, he sensed another dormant Anchor and placed it within the cave.
These two Anchors will serve as the destination for where to land in both worlds—only a person born beyond Enma can do this.
After getting familiar with his Anchor, the system extended to form a door that had spiraling energy within it.
Bracing himself, Ruel walked through the door and left his homeworld for the first time.
His heart pounded—not from fear, but from the weight of everything to come.
- - -
Ruel's senses warped briefly before settling, and he found himself standing in an unfamiliar room.
"This is the home they've prepared for you in this world," Muriel said, falling on the floor.
'It's all actually true…'
Ruel, who was still unsure a moment ago, was certain all Muriel had said was true.
With wide eyes, he began surveying the house.
Right now, he was in the main room which was linked to the kitchen.
There was also a single bedroom and bathroom.
"The plumbing of this place is like the cities'…" he muttered.
After wandering through the house, he concluded that while it was better than his home back in Talia, it wasn't anything extraordinary.
"Huh, what do we do next?" Ruel asked, "We are to buy items for the ritual, right?"
"Yes, but before that, there's more to this place," Muriel said, noticing Ruel's disappointment.
Ruel was led to a part of the kitchen that had a cupboard.
He was told to pull it to the side, and when he did, he saw a wooden trapdoor with iron hinges and a metallic ring to lift it.
As he held the ring a strange energy tickled his fingertips as he reached for the ring—something more than wood and iron waited below.
The enchantments linked to the trapdoor came to life with a small golden glow, confirming his identity and letting him in.
Stairs that led downward into a basement opened up to Ruel's amazement.
'I knew this place was oddly normal,' he thought.
As they walked down, the lamps on the walls were lit up as if waking up to their presence.
Ruel arrived in an underground chamber with walls plastered with cream.
The chamber was lit up by a center light with a table beneath it.
He could see a map with unfamiliar terrains and names which he subconsciously believed to be Enma's world map.
"This is the map drafted back in the days," Muriel said. "It's incomplete as it only covered how much was known then."
Ruel nodded in understanding as he continued surveying the room.
He saw a bookshelf and was immediately attracted to its content.
There were weird wide subtly glowing tablets arranged on the shelves.
"What are these? Why aren't there books here?" Ruel asked.
Muriel explained calmly:
"Just as I was created in haste, so too was this place—far from the Ancestors' main territory. Much couldn't be moved.
"As for what books have to offer, I probably know it now or will learn it in the future."
Listening to her, Ruel stretched his hand to the tablet after he confirmed she had no problem with it.
Muriel then remained quiet, knowing he'll naturally understand what they were.
As Ruel touched one, his screen opened with a notification.
[Quest "Visit Edari's Lair" is available.]
"These are related to this system thing?" he asked himself as he kept touching them.
"Yes. They are called Quest Tablets or Quest Pads," Muriel replied as she watched him.
[Quest "Path to PyroKnight" is available.]
[Quest "Obtain Key" is available.]
[Quest "Reach the Depths of Galdan Reach" is available.]
Ruel swallowed as he touched the last tablet that was there, glowing brighter than others.
[Quest "Obtain Royal Status" is available.]
Seeing the title of this quest, Ruel immediately willed it to open.
- - -
Quest: Obtain Royal Status
Type: Unrelinquishable. Non-transferable. Chain.
Objective: In whatever world, let your name be linked to Royal Status.
Rewards: 200,000,000 En Coins. The Last Piece. Sacred Weapon, "Zaliyath."
Accept Quest: Yes/No
- - -
Muriel also read this with her gaze softening.
"This is the main quest the Ancestors prepared. I believe the title is needed for future tasks. I'm sorry, my memory is not of much help."
"It's fine, Muriel."
Ruel stared at the line of text for a while, letting it sink in.
"The quest is grand and too ambitious," Muriel said, falling to her knees by his side. "I, on behalf of your– our forefathers, apologize for burdening you… but please, accomplish this quest."
Ruel remained silent as he shot a glance at Muriel before turning back to the screen.
With a wide smile, he said:
"I always wanted to restore my family to the Noble status, aiming for Royalty is just a step higher.
"Muriel, please stand up. You don't need to convince me. I'll do it!"
Muriel showed a slight smile for the first time as she bowed, "Thank you."
[Quest "Obtain Royal Status" has been obtained.]
[Quests: 0/4→1/4]
With a deep breath, Ruel immediately accepted the Quest.
"Something like this can't just collect dust on a shelf. It'll serve as a constant reminder of my goal!"