C6

Umm, hacking what? What was this?

[Soul 90123123921293204, you have been chosen to receive this system update to your software. My name is C6, and I will be your assistant while you are growing accustomed to the new system.]

How do I hear that voice in my head? Did I get my head messed up that bad last night that I'm hearing voices now?

[Your injuries are non-life-threatening, and your cognitive functions are running at what seems to be the average level. My name is C6, and I will...]

'I heard you the first time,' I thought.

[Ah, see, you are getting the hang of it!]

'What do you mean by a system? and what is an update?' I asked in my head.

[Systems help programs become more effective, allowing them special features according to the system's design. With this system, you will be able to rise and become a relevant program in the simulation]

'Simulation? Programs? What does any of this have to do with a Castless like me?' I questioned.

[Everything! You now have the ability to alter spells other people cast!]

C6 sounded excited, and I almost didn't want to burst his bubble. If that was the system's real purpose, well, then it was just in the way. I had to get my meal ticket today, we didn't get much with the tokens, so my meal from the day before was long gone.

[What? I do not compute; why are you not happy?]

'Can the system get me food?' I asked.

[No, but there are other parts...]

I got up and blocked the voice out somehow, I just thought it, and it stopped. I needed to hurry and get to the guild to return the message to The Tiger Fist Guild. I started to head down the alley back the way I had traveled before getting jumped by Reg and his thugs.

C6 didn't understand this world because no one would ever waste magic to attack a Castless unless assaulted with a weapon. At that point, the Castless already knew they were dead, so what good was a magical ability that could change magic? It wasn't going to help me get food, so it didn't matter.

Since I had a lot of running to do and I was always alone, I decided to let C6 talk again. It's not like he could make my life more unsatisfactory. I thought about him talking, and my head was instantly filled with his talking.

[So, I see the source of your worries. That does pose a problem, but there is another way to get stronger. Are you interested?]

I was coming up to the guild, so I didn't reply, and he kept silent. At least it wasn't some annoying voice, and the idea of getting strong was tempting, but I needed to get my job done first. I was late yesterday because I helped Yari move some heavy barrels at the shop he worked for.

Yari was another Castless the same age as me, and we had known each other for most of our lives. Friends even before the testing and getting thrown out of our houses by our parents. Life either began or ended at twelve; the testing decided the level of your parent's love after that point.

I walked into the guild and ran up to the open till where Helen was sitting. She looked me over and got a sad expression on her face, but she just reached under the desk.

When she pulled her hand back out, she handed me the letter I was to deliver.

I took it, and Helen gave me a weak smile, but I was already turning. There was no point in pitying me; I was alive, and that was enough for now. I walked out into the open air from the guild and headed down the street straight ahead.

There was no guard ahead, so I decided to take the shortcut and chance running on the street. If I made it to the other guild fast, then I could hide near the soup kitchen to wait for it to open.

[Jump!]

My legs force me to jump, and I just caught a glimpse of the metal boot my body avoided.

I landed with a half stumble but kept running, hearing the yell of the guard behind me getting quieter. My heart was hammering in my ears, and people were looking at me as I ran. Why did my body do that?

[I kept you from injury, that is part of my job, or at least it is my basic instincts to survive]

'No, now I can't go this way anymore! That guard will be watching for me next time! What do you mean survive?' I asked.

[Simple, if the program stops working, so do I. I don't want to stop working yet.]

Great, this is what I needed. So this c6 could just take over and make me do things to protect myself, except C6 doesn't know anything about this world! I was getting tired of living anyway. What was the point of worrying now?

[You will not die. I told you, I am not ready.]

My aching stomach had a different view as I ran through the street. I didn't run into any more guards, this part of the city was the rougher area, so guards were paid to stay out.

I made it to The Tiger Fist Guild, dropped the letter off, and left with my token after picking it off the ground. At the till the lady had tossed it at me and laughed when I missed and scrambled around to pick it up.

I ignored her and left the guild. I looked up at the sun in the sky and judged that it was just past midday. It was going to be a long wait if I went straight to the soup kitchen. I decided to stop by and say hi to Yuri since it was on the way.

Suddenly, I was on the ground, and a short blonde armored girl was lying on top of me with her golden blonde hair streaming down my face.