Chapter 4: First Day of School, First Quest.

"Ash! are you dressed and ready?" Amora would call from the front of their condominium.

"Yes I'm ready! I'm coming now!" Ash would call back as he walked towards his mother. Wearing a black t-shirt with golden strips lining the seems and a pair of beige pant's to go with it. Now 12 years old, Ash Aten was looking more like his father already standing at 5'6 (167cm) and having a more filled out physique thanks' to the numerous physical activity's he had gotten himself into.

Over the span of 8 years Ash had only one goal, to enjoy as much as he can. Now usually people with game-like systems strive as much as they can to become stronger but Ash was in no hurry. Some may see it as a waste but Ash was also trying to keep his end of the deal with Grandpa. Speaking of strength...

'System, Show me my skill list'

{Skills Table}

Advanced Meditation (Passive): Upgraded after replacing sleep with meditation. User may meditate with his eyes open while moving. Grant's the user a buff to thought process and put's the user into a calmed state of mind at all time's (Upgradable)

Novice Martial Artist (passive/active): After practicing numerous fighting techniques, the user has gained a base understanding of martial art's putting him on the level of a above average athlete. When activated, the user gains a 25% buff to physical prowess for 5 minutes. (Upgradable)

Novice Pick-Lock Mastery: Gained after getting locked out of his home, The user as learned the basic's on how to pick a lock.

Intermediate Sprint (Active): After being active for multiple years, the user has gained a intermediate understanding on how to move efficiently. When in use, grant's the user a 50% buff in speed for 10 minutes. (Upgradable)

Intermediate Learner (passive): Gained from a pursuit of knowledge, the User has gained an increase in learning comprehension boosting learning speed by 50%. (Upgradable)

Novice Mana Sense: Gained after multiple uses of Analysis on the user. The user can feel the Mana in the air and in creatures but is unable to move it. (Upgradable)

Novice Analysis: Gained after starting at cacti, The user may analyze a person or object showing their Name, Race and Threat Level.

[System has recognized that Skill: Intermediate Learner and Boon Faster Learner are compatible and can be combined together.}

'Jeez I amassed more skill's the I thought. I my most proudest achievement is definitely getting Meditation upgraded, it took a full 7 years to become Advanced. It was a surprise to unlock mana sense 6 months ago, to think I'd be able to use magic. Sadly, I can't really go out and learn skills like how to shoot a gun since I'm only 12 and my mom would most definitely not let me. System, please combine both Fast Learner and Intermediate learner.'

{Combining.....Processing....Categorizing....Done!}

New Boon Unlocked!

'show the new boon'

{Child Prodigy: The user has demonstrated his skills as a child prodigy. This boons grant's the user 100% learning speed and comprehension and a perfect memory. This boon will automatically be upgraded when the user reaches the age of 18.}

'Interesting, I can definitely feel my mind becoming clearer in a sense, well I wont say no to that as it will help me upgrade my skills faster.'

"Are you ready for your first day of school Ash?" Amora would ask as they would be going down an elevator.

"Yea, Hope I can make some friend's, maybe some that will stick around." Ash would say hopefully. It is true that Ash didn't have any friends, not only is his mind older but having weird things happen around him all the time scared other children away from him.

"I'm sure you will sweety, I heard from sally that her son is going to be at the same school as you so maybe you can be friends with him?" Amora suggested, Sally was one of her friends at the local book club she went to on Friday's.

"I'll keep my eye out, can't guarantee anything yet!" Ash would say excited at the prospect of making friends.

As they got in the car, Ash would look around at the city around him. Now, NYC was not a beautiful city necessarily, but it had it's own richness to it like no other. The immense skyline, the bustling crowds and traffic and the variety of people adds a breath of life into every day living. After about an hour drive they had arrived, Yancy Academy. Though usually a boarding school for troubled teens, Amora saw it fit to send Ash here in hope's he could meet people similar to him, though having her friend's son attend did help with the decision.

"Here we are, your new school. Are you excited Ash?" Amora asked, however looking at Ash whom would be frozen still. Slowly, Ash would stutter as the ground started rumbling and cracking.

"R....Run!" Ash would say as he'd grab his mom's hand. As a shadow would loom over the area, Ash would look back while running to see a monstrous golden Wyrm that had sand falling off of it. Running towards the car Amora would enter the driver's and look towards Ash who was being held back by a golden barrier. The ground would shake as the Wyrm would roar shattering glass. As Ash and his mother locked eyes, a system notification would pop up.

{New Quest!}

Survive for 15 minutes against the Sand Wyrm

Reward: Random Skill, Random Equipment

Bonus: Kill the Sand Wyrm

Reward: Random Skill (At least Advanced), Random Boon, Conversation with Apep

Failure: Death of User and Amora Aten.

Seeing the system message made Ash's blood run cold causing his body to freeze, He could care less about the rewards from the system, but the fact it's using his mother as a bargaining chip? that was something that crossed even his line. Ash looked at his mother and smiled as the color in her face drained.

"See you on the other side...Mom" Ash would say as the golden barrier would cover the area in mist making it look like as if a giant sinkhole was happening. As Amora was in tears praying for his safety, Ash on the other side would let his meditation take control allowing him to think in a calm, coordinated manner.

"Alright, Now how the fuck do I kill a bastard like you?"