Figuring Out

Voices in my head have been constant nowadays.

At first, it felt like I had lost my sanity but considering everything up till this point in my life, I figured it wasn't just my brain messing around.

<<Viewing Current Stats>>

<Name: Issei Hyoudou>

<Level: F>

<Age: 5>

<Title: None>

<Race: Human (+)>

<Class: None>

<Strength: F->

<Constitution: F->

<Dexterity: F->

<Intelligence: B+>

<Wisdom: B->

<Charisma: C->

<Skill: None>

<Equipment: Boosted Gear (Mid-Tier Longinus){Sealed}>

After a deep inspection, it was very clear that these were the stats of my current body. Each letter next to the stat represented the level at which that specific stat was at.

And after a lot of observation, I finally figured out the basic comparison.

F was the tier of an average human or well a weak human. 

My constitution, dexterity and strength being at a level of F- was due to my age. 

I was not even ten and as such my body was very fragile. 

Wisdom, Intelligence and Charisma seemed to be at a decent level as for me they were not restricted by age.

But this makes me question the level system. Considering, I was at F- for most of my stats which was due to my age, I was pretty sure that as I grow older and my body improves, the stats will also improve. 

That improvement will be through natural means, but this also makes me wonder if training and pushing myself will help to increase them even further.

I did not know the maximum limit of this body, which meant I could only try till I hit it.

But that was only about the stats, I still had to figure out about the class thing. 

Is it something like a job? Like a warrior or a saint?

If it was the case, I would need to improve myself enough to be deemed a warrior or a scholar.

Skills, I had none… Which was a bummer as I was still a king in my mind. But considering my body does not have the knowledge stored inside it and it is only my brain that contains the knowledge –it was understandable.

For me to regain those skills, I had to practice again.

My level was F, which again is understandable but I am not certain as to how I can increase it.

But finally and most importantly…

Equipment.

Boosted Gear was a term that I had never heard before but from what I remember, the voice from that night called itself that and it also said that I was not strong enough to awaken it.

It says 'sealed' on the screen which means I cannot use it yet.

However, out of all these words, the word Longinus intrigued me the most.

When I googled the word on my father's computer, two articles popped out.

One was about a book named On the Sublime by Cassius Longinus, which I couldn't see any relation to.

And the other was Longinus who was a man that pierced Jesus Christ with a lance by the same name. The lance was called by many other names like the Lance of Destiny, The Holy Lance or the Lance of Longinus and was termed as a divine item. 

If I had to bet… it would be the latter. 

So, how does this Boosted Gear thing relate to the Longinus?

Did the real Longinus get broken into different pieces and spread around to keep it safe like in most tales? Or is there more to the story?

The possibilities were endless and I had no definite answer.

Shaking my head I figured it was best to worry about that later as for now, I had to sleep.

Being a child is not a good feeling…

…

…

<<Skill Acquired: Bolozodic (Language) [B+]>> 

After days of trial and error, I had the answer in front of me.

Looking at the scripture that lay in front of my eyes, it was certain that my skill menu was not going to remain empty for long.

With a smile on my face, I continued noting down my experience so far. And considering the language did not exist in this world, there wasn't any possible way for one to decipher my text.

But what did I just achieve?

I achieved a way to acquire skills.

And acquiring them was going to be interesting.

Not in the way that it was going to be easy, but in the way that it required me to have knowledge about that certain skill.

An example would be learning a new language as a skill.

Just knowing the name of the language was not enough to consider it as a skill. Neither does trying it a few times turn it into a skill.

I need to have enough knowledge about it as well as need to be efficient enough in it to turn it into a skill.

My Bolozodic language is one that I used every day growing up. It was our kingdom's prime language, and as such I grew up learning it.

So, it is understandable that it turned into a skill.

But it was also a hassle. 

I did not get these things for free. 

If I wanted to learn a fighting style, I had to at least know the basics of it to be able to turn it into a skill.

But it did speed up the process. 

I was able to remember complex and obscure words from the Bolozodic language that I usually never used or had completely forgotten.

Having it as a skill made sure that I became efficient in that particular skill usage and I was in a way… able to 'master' it.

"I need to train if I want to get stronger."

This was something that I already knew, but now I had another motivation to train.

And that was to gain skills.

But all that came later because– 

"Issei dear, please come down. Mommy and daddy have something to tell you~"

Now, no normal parent would let their five-year-old's room be above them. Especially when that child has to walk down so many stairs. 

But neither I nor my development has been normal. 

So it was understandable.

I guess?

"Okay mommy!"

It is difficult to act like a baby, especially when you have been trained to act in a well-mannered way even as a child in your former life.

Acting like a cute little baby…

Was just too difficult.

Walking down the stairs carefully, I looked around to see if my father was hiding somewhere. 

He has the weird habit of spying on me for some reason…

But thankfully he wasn't there today.

In the corner of the living room, I found my mother sitting with a bright smile. And interestingly enough, my father was right beside her.

"Issei darling, please come here."

I did as told and walked closer. 

"What is it, mommy?"

Sighing internally, I continued in the cutesy tone.

"Did I do something?"

I asked at which she immediately shook her head.

"No darling, you did not." She smiled. "Instead it is something that you have to do."

"That I have to do?"

I asked, confused about what she could be talking about.

"Yes, son." Father added. "I am not sure if you will like it, as a child I hat– owh"

He was immediately greeted with an elbow to the gut followed by a terrifying glare as he was about to finish his sentence.

"What your dad means is that you will like that place."

Very convincing…

"Really?"

She nodded immediately. "Yes dear."

I looked at them with confusion. 

"Where am I going, mommy?"

Both my parents looked at each other before looking at me.

With the brightest smile, she answered.

"You will be going to kindergarten, son."

Oh?

"And I know that you will love it."