Chapter 2. Brave New World

Just ten minutes ago, I was an ordinary guy with an extraordinary past, simply dreaming of a peaceful life. But now... I turned my attention back to the semi-transparent holographic screen floating in front of me.

[You've uncovered the secret of the women in the Oreki family!]

[New achievement — "Witch Craft Works"]

As I focused on the second message, the screen flickered and split into two separate panels. The left one was blank, while the right displayed the title "Achievement List" at the top. Beneath those words, the achievement I'd just unlocked glowed brightly in orange.

"Witch Craft Works," I muttered under my breath.

I concentrated on the name of the achievement, as it vaguely reminded me of something from my past life. This unconscious action caused a third screen to suddenly materialize in front of me, overlapping the other two.

[Witch Craft Works]

[Achievement Condition: The women in your family have a secret — discover it!]

[Description: The women of the Oreki family are born witches, a supernatural human species with a rare and specialized talent for magic. You've uncovered the true nature of your mother and sister! In ancient times, the witches themselves wouldn't have let you live, and the church would have done everything in its power to extract both truth and useful lies from you. What will you do with this information? And what will the witches do to you?]

[Reward: Inheritance Set of "Alchemy of Atlas"]

So, what can I say... Whoever came up with THIS is definitely an otaku, because the name "Witch Craft Works" is clearly ripped off from a cute little anime I watched in my past life.

And what's up with that strange condition? Unlocking an achievement just because I happened to be in the right place at the right time? Is that really how "achievements" are supposed to work? If we assume that this system, which seems straight out of the web novels and light novels I used to read, is a way to transfer game mechanics into real life, then earning an achievement should involve some sort of challenge. I mean, that's the whole point of an achievement — overcoming an obstacle and getting rewarded for it, like receiving a medal at a school recital, proving your worth... Or, in a gamer's case, proving you had enough free time to grind endlessly by hammering away at a keyboard.

Achievements, as I understand them, are rewards for "Effort" with a capital "E." They're like trophies you earn after surviving trials and pushing through challenges. It's not about the achievement itself; it's about the process leading up to it. Achievements add meaning and motivation to your game, making your actions seem more significant and valuable than they really are. In the end, you're just some nerd replaying a game over and over to get that elusive "The Dark Soul".

Although, if I think about it, even some games have achievements where all you have to do is press a button on the keyboard. I couldn't help but smirk, reminiscing about the good old days when I'd hunch over my monitor, suffering through late-night gaming sessions.

So, in light of all this, I really don't have any right to complain. Besides, if a stroke of luck and a few fortunate circumstances not only earned me an achievement but also activated an "Achievement System", why not roll with it?

Right now, what concerns me more is the description — specifically the part that says, "And what will the witches do to you?" It's not like I'm afraid of my own family, but knowing my mother, I absolutely have no idea what's going on in her head. She's a good mother, sure, but after six years of being her son, I've learned one undeniable truth: she's Mikoto Oreki first, and a mother second. Her own interests always came first, and she followed her own rules, whatever those were.

Mikoto Oreki was an incredibly complex person. Her eccentricity and unpredictability made her both captivating and intimidating. She could be loving and caring, yet her actions often left me confused. I never knew what she might do next. If she decided I wasn't supposed to know about her true nature, I'd probably forget everything that happened today. Witches can erase memories, right? Although that line, "In ancient times, the witches themselves wouldn't have let you live", makes me doubt that.

Wait a minute, now that I think about it... Mom could always find me, even when I thought I was hiding so well no one could track me down.

I suddenly sat up, processing the new information while pinching the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. From those times when I came home before her, yet she found me on the first try, to that time when I got lost in Tokyo… How embarrassing — in my previous life, I was almost finished with university, yet I still managed to get lost during a festival…

Wait, stop, I'm getting sidetracked again!

Anyway, everything involving my mother — those little mysteries I couldn't explain — suddenly made sense. Which led to a new question: if Mom has some kind of sixth sense that lets her track me, would she really have allowed me to stumble upon today's events? Maybe this was her plan all along? To introduce me to the supernatural now that I'm older…

"Alright, it's pointless to speculate about things I have no way of knowing," I muttered as my attention shifted to the last sentence on the screen. "Reward…"

I grinned in anticipation and focused on that part. As far as I could tell, concentrating on the screen seemed to be the only way I could interact with it, since my hands passed right through, and voice commands didn't work.

As if in response to my thoughts, the screen in front of me changed.

[Inheritance Set of "Alchemy of Atlas"]

[Description: The magic of the Atlas Institute represents a fusion of science and magic, specializing in thought processes that use the human body as an arithmetic unit to transform and realize phenomena. In its original world, the source of this magic is the power of the mind, allowing it to be used even without Magic Circuits, which greatly differentiates this system from the conventional Western system of magic.]

[Notes: You are in a universe different from the one where this magic originates, so some of its features cannot be transferred. In exchange, you will be given a minor physical reconstruction, within the limits of human capabilities in this world, which will allow you to maximize your potential in mastering this magic.]

[Friendly Reminder: This is an inheritance set — prepare a safe place where you can spend the next few hours in "oblivion".]

Just seeing the name "Alchemy of Atlas", I immediately recognized where this magic came from. And after reading the description, all my doubts vanished, since the term "Magic Circuits" is one of the defining features of the world this magic originates from — the Nasuverse.

"Thank God, or whatever almighty jerk is up there, for not dumping me into that world," I muttered in genuine relief, looking up toward the sky through the ceiling.

Having expressed my gratitude and "respect", it was time to focus on "Alchemy of Atlas". This magic was quite unique, to say the least. Essentially, it was a complex blend of science, supernatural techniques, orthodox theories, and philosophical laws — a system that could rival both Western magic and the holy rituals of the Nasuverse.

As far as I could remember, aside from the "Traditional Feature", a hereditary trait exclusive to the six founding families of Atlas, alchemists had only two main abilities. Beyond that, they relied on the strength of their bodies and this "Traditional Feature", which represented the pinnacle of human physical and biological mastery achieved by Atlas Alchemists.

Since I'm not officially part of the Atlas Institute or related to any founding family, I probably won't be able to use the "Traditional Feature". And the fact that I'm just a "civilian" from another world would normally prevent me from using even the basic abilities of an Atlas Alchemist. However, this "minor physical reconstruction" should give me the potential — or, in other words, the talent or predisposition — to become a proper alchemist. Though, that will just be potential, something I'll have to work on and develop myself.

Potential... It reminds me of how I squandered my childhood potential, only to end up as a pathetic college student. There was a time when I wanted to be an astronaut. I had a habit of muttering random things to myself, but I was smart enough not to say that one out loud.

In the end, I'll be able to reach a physical and mental state far beyond the average person. This would allow me not only to survive in this now very unfamiliar world but to thrive in it. And that prospect is undeniably appealing. No, calling it just appealing doesn't do it justice. While Alchemy of Atlas may not be as diverse as Western magic, and it lacks the destructive and mysterious powers granted by worshipping some cruel higher being, it still unlocks the full potential of the human mind and body.

If I think about it, I could learn the magic of this world, and Alchemy of Atlas would be a great asset, enhancing my mental capabilities. I nodded to myself in affirmation, congratulating my own reasoning, but then froze.

"In this world, magic isn't exclusive to witches, right?"

The achievement's description mentioned something about the church... But would it really be wise to turn to them for help, knowing my mother and sister are witches? I mean, I'm not a bad person. I love my new family, no matter how strange they are. So, if it ever came down to choosing between magic and my family, I'd definitely pick the latter. Besides, I have a third option — the Achievement System, as I've dubbed it.

"It's so frustrating that there's no internet for supernatural beings, where I could just type my question into some magical version of 'Google' and instantly get the answers I need," I grumbled, running a hand through my hair before flopping back onto the bed. "Alright, no point in stressing over it. I'll just ask Mom… She won't kill me for bringing this up... Right?"