1 Chapter 1: Surviving The First Day
*Boom*
A loud explosion rings through my ears. The sound of gunfire barely registered to my ears because I was fucking deaf right now from the explosion that detonated not far from me.
"Ugh… I'm gonna hurl." I said while trying to clutch my stomach.
Dust and sand caked my body and my lower limbs were trapped under a collapsed building. Yet, I care about none of it as my eyes stare at the invisible screen that only I can see.
[Installing [The Gamer] Version 0.1.13 … 5%... 40%... 95%... 99%... 100%]
[Install complete.]
[Name: Rayark
Age: 9
Level: 1
Class: None
Title: None
HP: 200
HP Regen: 2HP/Min
MP: 150
MP Regen: 5MP/Min
———
STR: 5
VIT: 7
AGI: 3
DEX: 4
INT: 5
WIS: 5
LUK: 5
———
Points:0
Skill: Fiction Adaptation-LV MAX]
[Please select one of the following classes.]
[Fighter, Rogue, Magician, Ranger, Cleric, Craftsman]
Hmn… that's odd. This world mirrors the World War 2 era and firearms are primary weapons. The heck am I going to do with swords and bow?
Nah, maybe they have uses but this is Youjo Senki world. They have magic and Mage are viewed with high standards especially those that excel like Tanya.
"Magician it is then." I said before selecting Magician but instead, more options popped up.
[Magus, Sorcerer, Warlock, Elemental Mage]
"Hol up. Is there any difference between the first three options?" I asked, assuming the system would answer and it did.
[Yes]
[Magus is a general magician class which specializes in none which in turn allow greater possibility of advancement compared to other magician classes. The goal of every magus is pursuing their craft, the magecraft. Their end goal is the 'Truth'. Primarily researchers but there are also those who specialize in combat or both too.]
[Sorcerers are people that are innately born with an immense talent for magic. But because of it, they often skip the most important thing when wielding magic. That is study and knowledge. Most sorcerers don't have long life expectancy but those who manage to survive long enough are usually a force to reckon with.]
[Warlock are similar to magus in all but one part. Their magic powers are always the result of making a pact with stronger beings or turning themselves into a hybrid to obtain the advantages the other race possesses to themselves.]
After reading all the descriptions given by the system. Warlock is basically an express train to getting oneself killed without knowing how. The sorcerer also looks very doubtful to me. Which leaves me with only one remaining option which also is the best one.
Magus is definitely the one from Fateverse and honestly one of the most misunderstood classes. Many think magus is strong and all because of the anime and visual novel. They forgot the characters are strong because they inherited the knowledge and wealth from the past generations.
For a starter Gen 1 magus like me, I have no craft to inherit nor wealth to pursue the craft. I basically have none but it isn't a problem. Everything can be earned as long as I am alive.
Ah, just thinking about the endless possibilities of my own future is making my brain tremble in excitement.
Without further delay, I selected Magus.
[Class changed to Magus.]
[Magus Level:1/100]
+20% INT
+20% WIS
+100% MP Regen
[Magic Circuit LV 1/10 (Novice)]
20 magic circuits with 25 mana on each circuit.
Status
[Name: Rayark
Age: 9
Level: 1
Class: Magus
Title: None
HP: 200
HP Regen: 2HP/Min
MP: 150
MP Regen: 10MP/Min
———
STR: 5
VIT: 7
AGI: 3
DEX: 4
INT: 5+20% = 6
WIS: 5+20% = 6
LUK: 5
———
Points:0
Skill:
Fiction Adaptation LV MAX
Magic Circuit LV 1/10 (Novice)]
I look at the screen satisfied with my recent gain. But I noticed my MP that should be increased by 500 points, isn't increased at all.
Oh, I just remembered. I still need to 'Open' my magic circuit or it will just remain dormant. Also, to do so. I need to pump an equivalent or greater amount of mana to flood the magic circuit to the brim before being able to unlock it.
But, can I still use my mana if my magic circuit is dormant? Will this be the similar case as Shirou which he cannibalized his nerve into a magic circuit.
[You can use magic even without unlocking the magic circuits. Your body, unlike the Magus, is capable of channeling and wield mana while the magic circuits can be considered as an implant that enhances your natural capability.]
"That's a relief." I said before trying to cast a spell. Basic spell that any magus is able to use.
"Here goes nothing… Structural Analysis." I said while holding the rubble that is holding my legs tight.
Instantly I felt a strong headache as if my head was cut open and shoved with information about the object I just analyzed. Though, I got the information I needed.
The limit this pile of logs can take when reinforced is 30 mana each before it overloads and breaks into pieces. Instead of reinforcing my body. I chose to reinforce the logs wall instead because even if I reinforced my body to my limit, I will still not be strong enough to free myself from it.
Slowly, I imagine pouring water into a container while purposely overfilling it.
*Ding*
[New skill obtained!]
[Mana Manipulation Lv1/10 (Novice)]
*Ding*
[New skill obtained!]
[Structural Analysis Lv 1/10 (Novice)]
[Reinforcement Lv 1/10 (Novice)]
[Requirements fulfilled. Title (Novice Magus) obtained.
[Novice Magus]
-Leveling speed for magecraft specific skills +50%.
+5 INT
+5 WIS
"That's easy…" I said thankfully while looking at my remaining mana to find I spent more than 40 to destroy the log despite only requiring 30 mana to accomplish the task because of my weak mana control that caused quite a bit to escape my control and dissipated.
Using Structural Analysis once again, out of my theory that not everything will have the same property such as the mana limit it can absorb. The results were indeed correct. This log cost 37 mana to break and I didn't hesitate to pour the required amount. Then I did the same process on the final log to finally free myself.
"Can't believe I spend that much time on damn logs." I cursed before looking at my thin and skinny arms. That is unlike my previous body. Formerly standing 186 cm tall now less than 130 cm tall.
"I swear, if we manage to cross paths in the future. I'll personally ruin their lives with both hands. Created by my hand and will be undone by the very same hand." I chuckled darkly before returning to my awareness that my life is still in danger, standing in the middle of a raging warzone.
Fortunately weapons were plenty and littered the ground, waiting to be picked. However, there are also hail of bullets exchanged every second and making it impossible to reach any of them. Though unlike the Mages of this world that couldn't cast a spell without the help of Operation Orb, I am far above them in this regard.
Although my manipulation of mana is still weak, I am able to conjure a string and small hook made of mana to fish the weapons and other loots to my hiding spot.
Obtained
[Rifle x1]
[Bullets x3 magazines]
[Ration x2 packs]
[Soldier rucksack]
[Nameless Soldier's Diary]
Hard biscuits and dry smoked sausage washed down with water in a canteen found inside the rucksack. Fine dining compared to whatever the hell school lunches are anyway. I devoured the food instantly and just realized how hungry my new body was. Not to the extent of malnourished but quite skinny and struggling to even carry all the loots I just obtained.
Outside of my little shelter is a town ravaged by war. Dead bodies of soldiers littered the ground and unceasing gunshots and explosions happened in the background. Staying any longer and I'll soon join the corpse on the street.
*Ding*
[Survive]
Survive till the night sets and wait for an opportunity to escape the ruined town.
-Reward: 300 EXP, 5 Class levels and 1 Mana Prism
Since I am not in a rush because I need to wait. I give the system a go through.
Immediately, I discovered that Class, unlike other [Gamer] system, didn't grant any skills for reaching certain levels.
"I reap what I sow, right there." I said with an involuntary wince on my face after remembering I am the one setting it as such.
Then, skills. Reinforcement and Structural Analysis respectively at 30% and 50% progress to the next level.
At least I have Fiction Adaption added to this Ray that I created to at least give him some advantages which ended up benefiting me.
Fiction Adaptation is a skill that allows me to 'eat' books and obtain the knowledge inside it into a skill. Kinda like the original [The Gamer] system but quite nerfed of course. I can't just 'eat' a book about the creation of life and suddenly become a god. Each book has INT restrictions where the higher the book's level of knowledge, the higher the INT restrictions are. For example, the [Nameless Soldier's Diary].
Taking it out and having the skill to do its magic, a screen popped up and stated I need 5 INT to absorb the book. I press yes and instantly a massive headache takes place and I feel like a heated metal stick is carving each and every content of the book into my brain while forcing it to comprehend the knowledge.
Droplets of sweat formed around my head and flowed down like a river, dampening my worn out shirt.
"Damn I was lucky." I praised after obtaining knowledge of the surrounding region and the factions battling out there.
The town was an Empire controlled town or the German equivalent of this world. The invading forces were the Francois Republic or the France equivalent.
Besides knowledge of the ongoing battle, I also learnt about the main character of this world, Tanya. She already obtained the Silver Wing medal but has yet to assemble her own Mage Battalion. Though, the information is irrelevant to me for now as I plan to lay low and build my strength at least until I can confidently fend for myself in this turbulent world plagued by war.
———
Uncountable amount of time had passed and the sky started to turn orange. Yet the battle only seems to intensified. I had abandoned the previously destroyed building to a ditch which worked as a trench against the artillery fire.
Thankfully this isn't an excrement ditch and just a water channeling ditch from a river, into the town.
I spend the time leveling up Structural Analysis and Reinforcement up to level 3 by now, thanks to my title as Novice Magus that speeds up the progression by half. I also took the chance whenever I could to fish up belongings of dead soldiers. Primarily ammunition and rations. Once in a while, I manage to get valuables like rings, lockets and pocket watches.
Sucks that I didn't have inventory and my backpack getting heavier and heavier for my child body to handle if not for passively using [Reinforcement] on my body.
Once again, hearing the sound of footsteps and the voice of people talking. I ducked and hid under a small bridge over the ditch, hoping I wouldn't be noticed.
"The Republican's reinforcement is closing in from the west. We cannot hold this point any longer."
"Where is our reinforcement!"
"Delayed, sir. A detachment of the Republican's Mages see through our plan and holding back the reinforcement from arriving."
"Then, thd HQ also said they didn't have any Mages to spare to send and counter the enemy Mages."
Hiding just below them, I eavesdrop on the soldiers and adjust my plan accordingly.
I must escape the town before any side can fully occupy the town and make use of the chaos to escape. However, any direct route is a big no since I could be discovered. I'm not knowledgeable enough of the terrain to find a blind spot.
For a while I had been entertaining the thought of acquiring a map. But, from who? Obviously none can easily be found anywhere. His best bet is a higher ranking soldier like a captain that could possess one as they require a map to position and lead the soldiers.
Perhaps killing is option. Not like killing a nameless character will give me sleepless nights and lose appetite.
Such indifference is already deeply rooted in me by the society of the previous world. Countless people die from various reasons everyday and their deaths are nothing more than just statistical numbers. Even seeing someone get run over by a car, to death wouldn't affect me the least, other than reminding myself that nameless schmuck aren't going to be remembered by anyone at all other than your own close family.
Just like how a celebrity or popular influencers death will be announced across multiple platforms while death of a nameless guy at most talked for a bit before being forgotten completely.
Therefore, I try to formulate a tactic. Obviously using the rifle I recently acquired isn't a problem with countless explosions and gunfire happening left and right. The enemies seem to be 3 people, one is the captain, one is a communication guy and another is a normal soldier.
All standing above me and all three busy shouting to the radio instead of battle ready, thinking they are under cover.
"Structural Analysis… 80 mana."
I look at my mana on the status screen.
MP: 159/210
"Yosh." I whispered to myself and used Reinforcement on the concrete floor above me and injected 100 mana into it before the floor violently cracked and fell apart along with two soldiers within the coverage of the collapsed floor.
Quickly I Reinforced my body with mana to lift up the rifle, loaded it with a full magazine and opened fire on the disoriented soldiers.
The rifle looks similar to Kar 98 which I have seen on FPS games except the magazine is bigger and extends out an inch or two. Then I have to quickly and manually pull the bolt to chamber in another round. I didn't know if my shots hit or not but I stood literally not more than a meter from them and used it like a shotgun instead of a rifle due to my body size. After making sure I put at least two holes on each head, a minute had passed. I retreated a bit into the ditch with mana strings attached to the corpses to dig for my loots.
Thankfully the communication guy that didn't fall into the collapsed floor, ran out instead of trying to shoot me in the head. It allows me to finish the job quickly but this also means I have little time to waste before more soldiers are going to surround this area. A risky gamble but a worthy gamble indeed. Even if I didn't get the map, I got three stick grenades, a better and intact bayonet and better semi-automatic rifle that didn't need to manually pull the bolts. Of course, I also got the map that I wanted.
Weird how I can remain calm and collected through all of this when normally I no doubt will be having blood rushing up my head or something.
"Do I have Gamer Mind skill?" I reached the most logical conclusion of my state of mind but the system replied otherwise.
[Skill [Gamer Mind] has not been obtained yet.]
"Obtained?"
[Yes, Player can obtain the skill through merging more than 1 lesser skill to forming a greater skill.]
"I see… Can I merge Structural Analysis and Reinforcement?"
[Merging will fail due to low proficiency level. Proceed anyway?]
"No, no need."
I can already guess the result due to my in-depth research about Counter Guardian Emiya for the purpose of writing my novels. The ability Alternation is an advanced form and unique perspective of usage of both Reinforcement and Structural Analysis to physically alter an object's form and property.
A very useful skill that more or less achieved what advanced Alchemy and Transmutation techniques could but without all the complicated formula, ritual and process. Definitely a must have in my to-do-list.
Enough wasting time, I quickly fled the scene with my body reinforced by the last bit of mana left in the mana pool. Following along the ditch until I reach the edge of the town that was encircled by both sides and escaping is not possible yet without being discovered.
Climbing my way up from the ditch and sneaking into one of the buildings nearby, I had been very careful with my surroundings to avoid being seen. Everything has been smooth sailing and all I need is to wait probably about half an hour before the sun fully sets. But life ain't that easy especially when your karma is bad.
I didn't know the soldiers were persistent and scanning through the ditches to find the culprit that ambushed one of their officers. My wet feets lead them to the street in front of the building I was hiding in. The trails thankfully ended on the stone paved street.
I counted for a while and a total of 14 soldiers emerged from the ditch as I cursed by luck.
"Why does everything have to get difficult at the very last moment?" I asked as I watched the soldiers combing the nearby building one by one.
"Fuck. Frontal battle is way different than ambush. What to do…" I asked the wall I am facing while wrecking my brain.
I was never a martial artist or fighter at all to have the confidence to face a prepared man, face to face. The ambush was another matter since I am confident to catch them off guard… That's it!
I quickly took out one of the grenades that I just looted and used Structural Analysis on it. My goal is to enhance the explosive inside the grenad. I can use [Reinforcement] to increase the explosive power of the grenades and bait the soldiers into a place where I can hopefully deal with them all with just three grenades. Truly, all the years spent on playing strategy and tactical games finally made its worth.
I calmly apply [Reinforcement] on the three grenades and have to stop and rest for a bit after the first one because my mana hit rock bottom. The experience isn't pleasant as mana depletion causes me to become lightheaded and feeling drowsy.
Each of the grenades only need around 20 mana to enhance and by my estimation. The explosion should be triple time stronger than normal that equal to 6 meters radius of area where fatal injury is confirmed.
Now, how to bait them into a spot without arousing suspicion…
There are three soldiers combing the building I am currently in. Killing the three right now isn't feasible because I would alert the other 9.
An idea suddenly appeared in my head as I remember that I'm a fucking child. In fact, I can probably just go straight to the soldiers since the start of everything and just lied I'm their citizen. None of them saw my appearance. Not even the other guy that managed to escape the collapsed floor because it's dark in the ditch and no one is gonna expect a child, incapable of carrying a rifle that will probably thrown out his feet with the sheer recoil to murdered two capable soldiers..
Not exactly a foolproof plan but better than sitting here and waiting to be discovered. Taking the initiative is important in any encounter especially when they aren't expecting to find a child but a Republican soldier. That should throw them off a bit.
I hide the grenades and a bayonet for self defense under my baggy and worn out dirty shirt. The rest of my stuff I hide in the closet within the room. They are going to reach this room soon. I take more deep and relaxing breath to prepare myself mentally.
*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
Sound of boots tapping on floors is heard, slowly moving closer. I went to hide behind the door, in preparation for my acting to deceive the soldiers. Even if I can deceive them to bring me away instead, I didn't because orphans like me or at least that's what I assume I was. If I were brought to a civilization, I would have a high chance of being turned into conscripts as an able body man when reaching a certain age.
I am familiar enough with this world's knowledge from reading the manga to know. Whichever country I go to, they will definitely send men to the frontline as soldiers unless I can prove myself to be capable of other jobs like a researcher. However, that requires school and qualifications that I cannot obtain if I were to be sent to an orphanage.
Both academy and qualifications I don't have for now, but planned to obtain in order to secure my safety and smooth growth in power. If I can recreate and contribute magic from another world to a country like The Empire, a bright future isn't impossible to secure.
I was knocked out of my sudden daydreaming when the door knob was twisted from the outside. I grabbed the bayonet ready and waited for the door to fully open and the three soldiers swept in for the enemy soldier in hiding. Then I rush out from the back of the door with a warcry and try to stab one of them.
"Die you Republican soldier!" I shouted with as much hatred I could fake.
———
(Random Empire soldiers PoV)
We were sweeping the nearby building for an enemy guerilla fighter that killed a captain.
Sigh, we just gave the order to rest because the sun is almost down but some son of a bitch went and ambushed the captain. Not that such occurrences are worthy of an investigation and manhunt for the culprit. The reason he and his team got dispatched is because the survivor of the ambush said the enemy used magic.
Normally, Mage are respected and high status soldiers, different from common infantrymen. To think that a Mage engaging guerilla tactic is near unthinkable for many reasons. Thus, our higher-ups order us to go and confirm the culprit is indeed a mage before they can send a request to HQ and request assistance from the top to dispatch Mage on the battlefield.
Approaching the last floor of the building, me and my two other brothers went toward the first room and none as usual.
"Do we need to check every single room? Can't we just waste some time and just report we found nothing?" I ask the senior of the group and the de facto leader of our three-man team.
"You youngsters don't understand the danger of a mage. In the training camp, the instructors may have taught you we can overwhelm Mages with numbers but in reality. War ain't chess board where everything is following rules. Especially Ace Mage, the recent Silver Wing recipient who had said to annihilate a platoon alone." The senior replied with the grim voice of someone who had experienced enough of the war. "Although the Mage is alone, the sheer versatility of magic alone makes them a force to reckon with. Not to mention, we are essential sent on a suicide mission to scout the wolf stalking behind the bushes."
Instantly the atmosphere became heavy as I and another one of my fellow soldiers realized the truth behind the senior's words.
Soon we reached the last room and the tension was high between me and my peers while the senior also became tense but still doing his job and taking the lead. My breath hitched and paused as he twisted the door knob. I aimed down my rifle, ready to shoot anytime. As the door pushed open, we followed the senior and swept through the last room.
"Die you Republican soldier!"
Suddenly a shout directed at us coming from behind the door as a shadow burst out from behind the door and lunged at the senior, about to stab him in the thigh.
"STOP! DON'T SHOOT!" We heard the senior shouted and we were confused but thankfully didn't pull the trigger of our rifles.
"A kid?" I exclaimed after identifying the shadow that jumped out from the back of the door.
"Huh?" The kid made a confused tone before retracting his blade that was about to stab the senior.
"You are not the Republican soldiers…" The boy said before quickly grab the pants of the senior and hug it. "Mister! Please help me, my mother was taken away by the Republican soldiers. They… they beat her and pulled her away after telling me to hide under the bed."
The boy sobbed while burying his face on the senior's pants, begging him to help save his mother.
I thought the civilians had already been evacuated. I heard there could be few that failed to be evacuated because the army is always tight on time and men to properly make sure every single citizen is fully evacuated.
Furthermore, the boy's mother was taken away by enemy soldiers. No doubt would be raped and used as comfort woman because there is no other reason to grab a civilian. Not even the Empire is this despicable to resort to such an act.
"Radio the other's, we got a civilian on hand and get an update on their progress."
"Yes sir!" I replied before taking out the communication device while the senior tried to comfort the poor boy and try to get some information we could use.
Through the communication, it seems that none of the other team found any trace of the enemy mage. I quickly relayed it to the senior before he ordered us to regroup and return to the temporary command post.
Me and the rest of our twelve man group gathered and regrouped at the street before returning to our camp and reporting our findings to the leader before getting our well deserved rest.
"Finally, we can get a rest. I just hope those bastards didn't finish all the food before we returned." I said while rubbing my protesting stomach. I'm sick of the bland and tough to chew ration issued by the military to each soldier.
Ah, how I envy those high ranking soldiers back at the capital. Probably enjoying a delicious meal, drinking wine on every meal while we have to chew on wood-like hard biscuits and leather-like preserved meat. I rather eat sand than those shits for another four months.
"Stay vigilant, idiot. We aren't safe yet." The senior reprimanded me for my lax attitude.
Then I look at the boy that tagged along with us but fell behind while panting hard. He was probably starving and tired. But by chance I got a glimpse at the bayonet he claimed his mother picked from the dead soldiers and gave it to him for self-defense.
'Isn't that a bayonet issued for a captain ranked soldier only?' I asked myself after seeing the engraving on the handle.
Suddenly the boy stopped all together and head lowered but I managed to take a glimpse of his face. He is smirking wide as both his hands went under his worn out shirt and took out two stick grenades issued by the Empire's military.
I quickly grab the rifle hanging on my chest while cursing myself to ignore the senior's order to stay vigilant. If not, I would have easily aimed my rifle at the enemy in disguise. It's easy to connect the dots after seeing the bayonet on the boy. He is the Mage we've been seeking.
"SIR! TH-" *BOOM* *BOOM*
Two explosions took place before I could warn the others.
Pain. Pain all over my body or what remains of it. My last thought was how did the grenades explode that fast when there should be a small window of time around half a minute before they explode.
———
"Whew… thank goodness I reinforced my legs and quickly jumped away. I underestimated the size of the explosion."
I did the usual and salvaged whatever I could like the kleptomaniac I am. Then I backtracking back to the loots I stashed in the closet.
Seeing the sun almost set, I made my way to the edge of the town and waited for my opportunity to sneak away under the veil of night.
—————
Status
[Name: Rayark
Age: 9
Level: 5 (21%)
Class: Magus
Title: Novice Magus
HP: 270 (1 VIT= 10HP, Base 200)
HP Regen: 7HP/Min (1 VIT= 1HP/M)
MP: 210 (1 WIS= 5MP, Base 150)
MP Regen: 12MP/Min (1 Wis 1MP/M)
———
STR: 5
VIT: 7
AGI: 3
DEX: 4
INT: 10+20% = 12
WIS: 10+20% = 12
LUK: 5
———
Stat Point: 20
Skill:
Fiction Adaptation LV -
Magic Circuit LV 1/10 (Novice) (Locked)
Structural Analysis Lv 3/10 (Novice)
Reinforcement Lv 3/10 (Novice)]
