What is that Ringing I Hear?

Have you all ever experienced this?

In a game, leveling up or using in-game points to obtain something called "skills."

Anyone who has played a game would understand, and even those who haven't probably know from light novels or similar sources.

In those games, there are skills that are useless, commonly referred to as "trash skills," and there are skills so powerful that they can instantly overturn a character's stats or level differences, often called "god skills." There are also skills that are indispensable for progressing through the story.

Leaving aside the "trash skills," most skills are very convenient to have.

Let's set this premise aside and get back to the main topic.

I am currently being tormented by auditory hallucinations.

"You have acquired the skill 'Explanation (Premise) Level 1.'"

See, I just heard it again.

As you can see, I hear the sound of skill acquisition no matter what I do. I even woke up this morning because this sound was echoing too much. There is no doubt that this will interfere with my daily life.

What a nuisance.

Is my head full of flowers or something? At the very least, I should probably see a doctor soon. But it only started just now. So it might just be for today, or maybe just for now. Anyway, I have school today, so I need to get ready quickly.

First, I need to eat the breakfast my mom made...

"You have acquired the skill 'Chewing Level 1.' You have acquired the skill 'Swallowing Level 1.'"

"You have acquired the skill 'Chewing Level 1.' You have acquired the skill 'Chewing Level 1.'"

"You have acquired the skill 'Chewing Level 1.' You have acquired the skill 'Swallowing Level 1.'"

etc...

Yeah, I can't concentrate on my meal at all. I tried covering my ears, but it seems this sound resonates directly in my brain. It's truly a troublesome hallucination.

"You have acquired the skill 'Chewing Level 1.' Multiple skills of the same type exist."

"Starting skill synthesis... Success."

"All skills 'Chewing Level 1' have been synthesized into 'Chewing Level MAX.'"

"All skills 'Swallowing Level 1' have been synthesized into 'Swallowing Level MAX.'"

"You will no longer acquire the skills 'Chewing' and 'Swallowing.'"

"Conditions met."

"You have acquired the unique skill 'Bite.'"

Apparently, the useless hallucination synthesized non-existent skills. And I even acquired some incomprehensible skill. It's really annoying. Next, I'll wash my face, fix my hair, and get dressed. 

"You have acquired the skill 'Face Washing Level 1.' You have acquired the skill 'Face Washing Level 1.' etc..."

"You have acquired the skill 'Hair Styling Level 1.' You have acquired the skill 'Hair Styling Level 1.'"

etc...

"You have acquired the skill 'Tooth Brushing Level 1.' You have acquired the skill 'Tooth Brushing Level 1.' etc..."

"...You have acquired the skill 'Tooth Brushing Level 1.' Multiple skills of the same type exist."

"Starting skill synthesis... Success."

"All skills 'Face Washing Level 1' have been synthesized into 'Face Washing Level MAX.'"

"All skills 'Hair Styling Level 1' have been synthesized into 'Hair Styling Level MAX.'"

"All skills 'Tooth Brushing Level 1' have been synthesized into 'Tooth Brushing Level MAX.'"

"You will no longer acquire the skills 'Face Washing,' 'Hair Styling,' and 'Tooth Brushing.'"

"Conditions met."

"You have acquired the passive skill 'Underwater Breathing.'"

Shut up! What the heck is this? I can't even live my life properly.

"You have acquired the unique skill 'Notification Simplification.'"

Sigh. I wonder what will become of my high school life.

**

I had a terrible time this morning. I'd rather have my eardrums burst; it would make life easier. But since it resonates directly in my brain. . .that would be pointless.

"The skill 'Notification Simplification' has been activated."

"You have acquired the skill 'Walking Level 1'..."

"...All skills 'Walking Level 1' have been synthesized into 'Walking Level MAX.'"

"You will no longer acquire the skill 'Walking.'"

I don't want to hear this!

It's so noisy, seriously.

"You have acquired the skill 'Stress Resistance Level 1.'"

I could've used that skill earlier. Though it doesn't matter much since it's just my hallucination. "Good morning! You look even more sluggish than usual!"

It's my childhood friend, Saya Mikura. She greets me as usual, but I'm not in the mood for that.

"Huh? No response. Hey!"

It's just too annoying. If I say something, that voice will start again.

She spoke again. "First thing in the morning and you're already like this. Don't you have something more to say?"

"You have acquired the skill 'Conversation Level 1,' 'Dialogue Level 1'..."

Ah, there it goes again. But the sound seems a bit quieter? Well, that's a relief.

"All currently acquired skills have been integrated.

The skill has evolved into 'Communication.'"

It's still noisy. My childhood friend looked at me with a worried look on her face. "What's wrong, Shuu? You look even more down than usual. Did something happen?"

I shook my head. "...Nothing." That's a lie. A lot has happened. And I'm currently being tormented by it. But if I tell her, she'll definitely laugh at me.

I'm not the kind of person to make that mistake.

"You have acquired the skill 'Deception Level 1.'"

Here we go again. I'm getting tired of reacting to this.

"That's a lie. You're such a grump... But if Shuu doesn't want to talk, that's fine. You've never listened once you made up your mind."

"Shut up."

It's noisy in so many ways. This childhood friend of mine acts like she likes me, but that's not true at all. I've asked her if she likes someone, and she said she did. Plus, she's quite popular at school.

A plain guy like me doesn't stand a chance. So I'd rather she didn't get involved with me. It makes it harder to give up. And the notifications are noisy too.

"That's mean! If you keep saying things like that, I'll tell your sister!"

Ugh, that's Saya's favorite threat.

As expected of a childhood friend, she knows my weaknesses well.

"You have acquired the skill 'Sarcasm Level 1.'"

Annoying. I'm really done reacting to this! If this keeps up, the noise will drive me crazy. Even though it's resonating in my brain.

Anyway, to escape this noise, I impulsively ran to school.

"You have acquired the skills 'Running Level 1,' 'Escaping Level 1.'"

"…A certain number of required skills have been exceeded. Integrating them."

"You have acquired the skill 'Sprint.'"

Oh, it's really simplified. The notification simplification really works.

Did my imagination actually help?

"Wait, Shuu! Wait up..."

No way. I don't want to hear these sounds. It's an unavoidable circumstance. It can't be helped.

"You have acquired the skill 'Compromise Level 1.'"

What is the skill 'Compromise'?

It makes no sense, but whatever.

I arrived at school, but there was no way I could calm down.

"Hey! Out of breath in the morning? What happened?"

My usual friend felt like a real bother today.

"You have acquired the skill 'Stress Resistance Level 1.' The required number has been reached."

"The skill has evolved into 'Stress Resistance Level MAX.'"

I suddenly felt lighter.

But still, I really wish people wouldn't bother me.