Chilling Embers

I'm August.

August Aurora.

As my name implies, August, I was destined to do great things in the future. Magnificient things even. It was how much my parents believed in me by giving me this name when I was born.

However, it couldn't be further than the reality.

All my life I've tried hard. I tried to live up to my scientific parents. They had 'great' expectations for me, but I couldn't reach them.

No, it wasn't that I couldn't reach them. It was that they always wanted more. They wanted me to reach a realm that they couldn't, thus forcing me to learn and learn and learn again.

...

I was tired.

Not a single day has passed since the moment I could speak without learning new things.

Thanks to that, I achieved great things.

But at what cost?

I'm now a lonely 26 years old man who's afraid of social interactions. I spend my whole life reading books, after all, so I never spent time playing or hanging out with other.

Though, I at least appreciated one thing since my childhood.

It was reading. And more precisely, reading fantasy books.

I might know a lot about reality thanks to all the scientific stuff I learned, but I couldn't help but be thrilled every time I was reading a fantasy book.

Quite the contrast, right? On the one hand, I'm down to earth because I know too well how everything was formed and balanced in this world, but on the other hand, I was always searching for things that couldn't happen in reality.

Like the Ice Age, I didn't think it could happen again.

Though, the book 'Chilling Embers' was telling me otherwise. It was a fascinating book picturing the survival of humanity led by the strong main character: Lyra Blackwood.

Lyra was a man, by the way.

From the novel's description, Lyra was as handsome as a beautiful woman, thus the name.

I find it quite funny because it reminded me of myself in a way.

My name implied that I would be someone magnificent and great, yet I had a lot of difficulties even talking to people.

Lyra was the same.

His name implied that he was a girl, yet he was a strong man. Probably the strongest main character of all the books I've ever read since my childhood.

And because of that, I grew up to like Chilling Embers and its characters.

"August, are you alright?" A young woman asked.

"Huh?" Damn. I forgot that I was still in the lab. I started daydreaming again. "Y-yes I-I'm alright."

"Thank god." This woman's name was Roselle. She was a very kind individual, never caring about my constant stuttering. She was also a brilliant scientist. At least from what I heard from other colleagues gossiping.

"D-do you n-need something?" I asked.

"Yes. Could you help me pour down this liquid while I hold the glass?"

I nodded reluctantly. Even though I didn't want to interact with people, it was hard when I had to cooperate with my colleagues to make a new medicine able to cure cancer.

"By the way August." Roselle asked me. "Don't you think it is too absurd to ask us to find a cure?"

"W-what do you m-mean?"

"I mean, it's not as if people didn't try to find a cure. And even though Curisma is famous for its innovations, it's hard to come up with a good formula to make a new medicine for such an illness."

For reference, Curisma was the name of the company we were working for.

"M-maybe you're right. But I b-believe in us nonetheless. You're a g-great scientist. So I'm sure you'll manage to find a cure one day."

Roselle sighed, making me think that I had finally angered her. "I hope you're right. Still, at least I'm on the same team as you, which makes me glad." She actually smiled, surprising me a little.

"Y-yes." I nodded and finally poured the liquid down. However, something strange suddenly happened.

"Ah..." I heard someone scream.

The electricity went out, plunging me, Roselle, and the other scientists in the lab into complete darkness.

"What's happening?" I heard Roselle taking out her phone from her pocket to use the flash.

"Are you alright, August?" She asked me the moment she saw me.

"Y-yes." I nodded, but I suddenly remarked something strange. I could see my breath. "Why is it s-so cold s-suddenly?"

"Hmm? Now that you say it, my hands start to get colder." We both put our hands in our labs pocket to warm them. But we could both feel the temperature drop more and more.

The other scientists started to search for ways to warm themselves as well, but it was hard as it was getting colder rapidly. Even the radiators weren't working anymore.

How can it be so cold when we're in the middle of summer? It doesn't make sense.

As if someone heard me, something suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Ahh!"

"What's that?"

"Who's talking in my head?"

People started to scream, but I couldn't care less right now as my eyes were fixed on the blue screen in front of me, as well as the voice in my head.

[Welcome August Aurora. I am your system. How can I help you today?]

'W-who are you?' I asked the person in my mind, not awaiting any answers. Yet, the feminine voice really answered me.

[You can call me 'system' as it will be more easier for both of us. As for who I am, I'm an artificial intelligence tailored for you.]

'Artificial intelligence?' I knew that there were already a lot of virtual reality games with an AI helper, as well as daily AI to help us in our lives. But there weren't any that could talk to us personally nor make those video games-like screens appear out of thin air. It was supposed to appear only in video games.

[Yes. That's right.]

'And w-why are you here?' I asked while trying to warm myself more and more. I could see Roselle doing the same thing as me. She was probably talking with this 'system' as well as we were both silent while the other scientists were all busy screaming left and right.

[Planet Earth entered a new age. The Ice Age, to be more precise. And I'm here to help you survive.]

'W-what do you mean by Ice age? And s-surviving?'

[It's as I said. The Ice age has come, and drastic changes will soon appear all around the world. Humans will soon enough not be the predator of this planet, but the prey instead.]

I stood silent at this answer.

I couldn't understand. No, I didn't want to understand. My scientific mind was telling me that all of this was just bullshit and a big prank. It will end soon. Very soon.

But then why couldn't I shake off this feeling of déja vue?

The last sentence of the system was way too familiar.

[To optimize your survival, please select one of the following posts. It will help you greatly as it will be your main strength.]

Suddenly, four different choices appeared right in front my eyes while the system explained everything to me.

[1. Quantum manipulation: The ability to manipulate the fundamental building blocks of the universe, such as atoms and subatomic particles, on a quantum level.]

[2. Molecular manipulation: The ability to manipulate matter on a molecular level to rearrange the atoms in objects and organisms for example, or to change their physical properties or create new substances.]

[3. Elemental control: the ability to manipulate the classical elements of earth, water, air, and fire. With this power, you can control the elements around you to create and shape the world to your advantage.]

[4. Nanomancy: The ability to manipulate, control, and create nanotechnology, which are microscopic machines or robots that can be programmed to perform specific tasks.]

I smiled bitterly at the poor amount of information I got about all those posts from the system. Nonetheless, I still felt grateful to get something I was accustomed to. It was all things related to science in general.

[The posts were given considering your personality, background, as well as your stats. Please choose carefully as you won't have another chance.]

[You have 2 minutes left.]

'Stats?' I thought as another window suddenly appeared in front of me.

[Name: August Aurora

Age: 26

Post: Wait to be determined

Magic Power: 100

Level: 1

Next level: 0/100 EXP

Strength: 3

Agility: 4

Stamina: 3

Intelligence: 10

Coin: 0]

I guess the equal amount of my stats at level one has to be equal to 20. But still, isn't it too low? 3 in strength and stamina, and four in agility. I know I'm not someone who does any sport, but still.

[1 minute and 30 seconds left]

Shit, I still needed to choose my post.

All the posts I have been given seem great. Quantum manipulation could allow me to control energy, teleport, or even control time or matter, while molecular manipulation could help me create material, shapeshift, or even enhance my body.

But both posts are way too hard to put in place, and I don't think I'll have the time to train if it gives me such strong posts.

Elemental control seems good as well, especially if the ice age has really come. Controlling the four elements would help me survive easily, especially in harsh conditions. As for nanomancy, isn't it useless if all technologies are frozen?

[30 seconds left]

I looked at Roselle who was deep in thought despite the already cold lab, as well as the other scientists who looked all crazy, even those who weren't trying to run around.

[15 seconds left]

Wait a minute. Can I really do that if I take this post?

[5 seconds left]

[You have chosen your post.]

[Congratulation. You chose the following post: ...]