The Test

Calming down, Alfred began to seriously consider the system from an objective viewpoint.

'If it's an adaptive system then it means that it's basically sentient. What does a sentient system mean for me, is it good or bad?'

...

[At least you're not too stupid]

The system ridiculed.

...

Ignoring the nonsense, Alfred continued to ponder.

'Since it's a sentient system, I imagine it will generate a lot of missions. It's likely to be quite beneficial... or quite dangerous depending on the occasion. Hopefully, this damn thing doesn't force me to my death!'

...

[Missions are given only within the rules set by the creator]

...

"Whatever, it's best I get accustomed to this from now on." He murmured.

***

'System, do you have a status page or something?' Alfred asked inwardly.

...

[To access the status page, the host simply needs to call out "status"]

...

Getting his reply, Alfred followed the system's command and checked his status.

'Status!'

--------

[Status]

[Host: Alfred Gibbs]

[Title: NIL]

[Class: NIL]

[Sub-class: NIL]

[Level: 0]

[Exp: 0/100]

[Attributes]

[Attribute points: 0]

[Strength: 2]

[Vitality: 4] [Endurance: 2]

[Agility: 1] [Dexterity: 1]

[Intelligence: 6] [Perception: 7]

[Charisma: 3]

[HP: 46] [EP: 0]

[ATK: 20] [MATK: 120]

[DEF: 26] [MDEF: 38]

[STA: 22] [Fatigue: 0/22]

[ACC: 15]

[SPD: 2.7 ms]

[SCT: 1.4 m]

[Currency: 0]

[Skills: NIL]

[Abilities: NIL]

[Auxiliary Skills: Observation LVL 1]

-------

Looking at his stats displayed in front of him, Alfred got excited and couldn't help rolling around in his large fluffy bed.

'System can you explain these stats to me?'

...

[They are self-explanatory]

...

Alfred's lips twitched.

'This is what I f*cking mean about a sentient system! Doing as it pleases...'

...

[...]

[I can hear you]

...

"..."

'Sorry sorry. I was just a little too excited.'

'System what does SCT mean? Why is my MATK so high? And most importantly, why are you saying that I am poor? Looking at my quantum watch says I have 250,000 credits...' Alfred asked what was on his mind.

...

[SCT is your sensory perception range, meaning how far you can scout with your perception, not including your eyes and ears]

[Your MATK is relatively high for an ordinary person because your Anima is equally high giving you a relatively high superpower talent]

[I am not saying you are poor. You are very poor. The system does not recognize anything not self-earned]

...

'What's the point of that? Isn't money just money? Does it matter that much how I get it?' Alfred was speechless. Doesn't that mean his huge background was useless in front of the almighty system? Was there a need to go that far?

Looking at the 250K credits in his account, he wanted to cry.

...

[The host is encouraged to depend on himself, otherwise, the host will never be truly self-sufficient]

...

Sigh

Alfred could only sigh heavily. That's one of his advantages waving him goodbye.

'System, do you come with an inventory or a shop?' Although he lost the advantage of his wallet, he was quite eager to see what kind of godly loot such a high-level being would place in a system he built for his own amusement.

...

[Inventory and Shop can be opened the same way as your status screen. For the time being, Shop is closed until you satisfy the hidden mission]

...

'What hidden mission? Aren't you the one creating the missions? Can't you just give me a peek or tell me the mission requirements?' Alfred asked begrudgingly.

...

[...]

[I could, but that wouldn't be fun]

...

'F*cking willful sentient system!!'

***

The next day

After playing around with the system features and asking questions for a few hours, Alfred hadn't forgotten about his testing ceremony. So he went to bed immediately after to see what his talent looked like.

After having his breakfast together in the morning, Alfred and his family went to the testing hall early to get the tests over with.

...

Walking into the hall, Alfred saw a full crowd. Apart from Mark and Aubrey, there were at least 30 other people present. These were either head guards, maids or John's subordinates who reside and train in Cote de Myr. Unfortunately, his mother has been busy for the last 2 months and can't attend in person. However, a holographic image was standing beside John while watching him with a tired smile.

...

Following his father's instructions, Alfred started going through the various tests one after another. Of course, these were just a formality, only 2 tests really mattered.

Huffing and puffing, Alfred wanted to hide his face in embarrassment.

His scores were horrendous!

---

100-meter sprint: 48 seconds

200 sprint: DNQ

Lifting: 15kg

Punching strength: 38kg

---

Seeing everyone laughing almost to death, John had to end the tests early to save himself the embarrassment. To do a 100m sprint in 48 seconds is more like walking. And what was that not being able to finish 200m sprint? His strength at 15kg is considered not bad for a newly awakened 6-year-old, but what was that 38kg punching strength?

'Average people punch 4 times their body strength while top-trained individuals on average can punch 10 times that much. So why does this kid fail so hard?' John was upset.

'Good, very good. Embarrassing me like this, I'll add another 20% on your quota.'

...

Feeling the chills down his spine, Alfred snuck a glance at his father.

As their eyes met, John didn't hide the dangerous look in his eyes at all. He wanted Alfred to feel the danger and prepare himself for what comes next.

Alfred shivered and hurriedly went to start the next test.

...

As Alfred made his way and lay down in the pod, everyone became silent. This was the real test. The true test to determine his future as a martial artist.

Alfred made himself comfortable and relaxed. To him, this test didn't matter one bit. Not that he no longer cared about being a martial artist, but that after awakening his Golden Finger last night, the burden of opening energy channels no longer affected him that much. He walks the path of stat points!

...

After seeing Alfred's calm countenance, John smiled and nodded in appreciation. 'At least he hasn't lost himself to despair after seeing those results.'

The operators started tinkering with the pod and looked closely at the results onscreen. One of them shivered and looked at John, silently seeking his opinion.

John didn't know what the results were, but as a man who has seen much in his 40+ years of life, he wouldn't be fazed even if his son had an F grade talent. Aren't there still many other paths he could take? it's not like he was hellbent on having Alfred walk the path of a martial artist, he just wanted him to lay a solid foundation.

"Show it," John said at ease.

The operator smiled bitterly and projected the result in the air.

Seeing the result appear in midair, everyone focused then fell silent soon after.