I appeared once again in a new environment—a dusty office straight out of a neo-noir film. The air smelled like stale paper and old wood, and the only objects in sight were a desk, a creaky-looking chair, a stack of papers, and one of those old-timey pens that needed an inkwell.
None of that mattered. I was too busy losing my grip on reality. The room, my body, everything felt distant and unreal. Why the fuck did I think skipping the lecture was a good idea? Even if he was messing with my mind to keep me calm, how could I be that flippant when failure meant eternal torment? I wanted to cry, but I’d never been good at actually letting tears flow. Instead, I stumbled to the desk and collapsed into the chair, trying to focus on breathing without spiraling further.
I glanced down at the papers, desperate for a distraction. There were several sheets, each one showing a different species with a short description and a line at the bottom for my signature.
The first among the choices was human, I didn’t plan on choosing to remain a human because that sounded boring as fuck, but I read over the page anyways. If it was a special opportunity to choose a new species, that meant most people were going to become humans.
At the top of the page was a picture of my head and upper torso, detailed enough to make me cringe. I could almost count the pores on my skin. The picture didn't look like it was taken at any point in my life, as I didn't recognize the shirt I was wearing in the image, but they got my hair right, at least.
Species: Human
Description: [The most varied of the different species designed for Eternia. In exchange for having some of the weakest species abilities, humans are given a greatly increased rate of growth in comparison to other species. Free to choose whatever path they so desire in life, humans are allowed to distribute their stat points in order to become anything they wish. The species deemed to have the most potential to become Eternals.]
Might: 5
Wit: 5
Spirit: 5
Fortitude: 5
Arcana: 5
Grace: 5
Free Stats: +12 Per Level
Wow, whoever wrote this really loves sucking off humanity. Never been a fan of the species myself.
I spent a little while thinking it over just to make sure I wasn’t making the wrong choice, discarding it entirely. It sounds like they get an experience bonus, but I wasn’t sure how much. It’s probably like twenty percent or something, not worth thinking about. I tossed the paper in a bin that had appeared at my feet the moment I decided I didn’t want to become one. The paper burst into flames as soon as it hit the bin, leaving only a pile of ash at the bottom of the container. Well, that would certainly help people who have trouble making decisions. I could just pull a random page out of this pile and throw the rest in the bin.
Luckily, I’d never been the type to have decision paralysis, so instead, I dove in, reading through almost six hundred pages. There was no clock in the room, but I never felt thirsty or anything, though that wasn’t a great indicator, given the circumstances. I narrowed my choices down to three and threw the rest in the ‘bin of nope’ as I began calling it in my head. I looked over the first choice, which I picked just to humour Ledger.
Species: Imp
Description: [Originally created by one of the forgotten gods, imps are small demons characterized by their slight frames and pointed features. With a solid connection to ambient Mana, they specialize in spells relating to manipulation. Though physically fragile compared to many other species, their innate magical prowess more than compensates. Primarily used in hell as paper pushers or administrators, their skillset only really comes into play in order to assist in processing. Or at least it has been that way since the 12th Blood War ended, and the accords were signed banning mental manipulation during direct conflict between gods.]
Might: 6 (Per Level: 2)
Wit: 12 (Per Level: 4)
Spirit: 6 (Per Level: 2)
Fortitude: 3 (Per Level: 1)
Arcana: 12 (Per Level: 4)
Grace: 9 (Per Level: 3)
The imp in the picture was quite different from the one I met. For one, the one in the picture kind of looked like me, except with crimson red hair instead of blonde. Also, it seems far less human than the one I met, taking on more demonic characteristics. There were actually several demons I could choose to become that I filtered out. All of them were ‘lesser’ variants; for example, I could have become a lesser succubus. I wasn’t really interested in tying my entire species around sex, though, so that one was off the table. I assume Ledger is an evolved form of an imp because I doubt whoever chooses one of those species would remain a ‘lesser’ demon forever.
I actually saw quite a bit of promise in the next species.
Species: Aetherling
Description: [Aetherlings are semi-ethereal beings, able to switch between states of being at will, choosing to be either entirely physical or energy-based. Born originally in the 25th universe connected to the Afterlife System, they were seen as a curiosity by some gods and kept as pets. Aetherlings can manipulate aether to bend wavelengths as they so choose, allowing them to become some of the most incredible performers in the known multiverse. This talent also extends to space itself, allowing them to blur the concept of distance through manipulating gravity waves.]
Might: 6 (Per Level: 2)
Wit: 6 (Per Level: 2)
Spirit: 9 (Per Level: 3)
Fortitude: 3 (Per Level: 1)
Arcana: 12 (Per Level: 4)
Grace: 9 (Per Level: 3)
After reading through all these pages, I’m absolutely certain a different person wrote each one, as each description has its own unique way of advertising the species. Given Ledger mentioned gods, plural, existing. I have a feeling each species was chosen by a god and described by that god. This is the only page that mentions other universes or alternatives to eternal torment as well, so I have a feeling somebody didn’t keep their mouth shut about some juicy info. Not that I was going to complain about that, though maybe I could submit a bug report about it once I gain access to that feature to earn a prize of some kind.
The version of myself that’s an Aetherling is so fucking cute. I can totally see why they were kept as pets. They were so cute that I wanted to own one of them myself as well. The creature was basically entirely made out of gold-glowing dust and had soft features and wispy, almost ethereal hair that seemed to float around its head. Other than the appearance, the main reason I picked it for my shortlist was because being able to create my own wormholes would be a great way to get the fuck out of anywhere dangerous. Assuming I could figure out the physics behind that crap, I knew it had to do with negative gravity being needed to hold the hole open, which Aetherlings seemed to be able to produce. That’s something to consider, at least.
I had one more species to top off the list.
Species: Runaspriggan
Description: [Runaspriggans are not nature spirits like true spriggans from whom their namesake was derived. Instead they would be classified as a kind of nature golem. The true body of these beings consists of an artifact Core, designed by Eryx, the Machinist of Souls, as his final creation before being purged in the 124th Iteration of Authority. The Core has been built to house a soul and performs all the functions of a brain through Mana circuits. As long as the Core survives, the body of a spriggan can be regrown at any time around it. These golems are natural artifact users as their Cores have been designed to interface with other Mana circuits automatically before sending the input to the soul.]
Might: 3 Per Level 1)
Wit: 9 (Per Level 3)
Spirit: 12 (Per Level 4)
Fortitude: 6 (Per Level 2)
Arcana: 9 (Per Level 3)
Grace: 6 (Per Level 2)
Despite the lowish Fortitude stat, this species had the highest survivability out of all of the ones I had read through. Because they could survive even if their heads were blown off. As long as I kept what appeared to be a small glowy sphere displayed in a second picture next to the image of myself as a Runaspriggan contained somewhere in my body safe, I’d survive anything being done to me. The spriggan form was also pretty cute. The picture showed basically just me, except with a body consisting entirely of plant matter. My hair in the picture was just unwoven plant fibres. Oh, and it was completely covered in yellow circuitry, which was pretty rad. Honestly, I was surprised this was the only species with a core that its entire life stemmed from. I expected something like a slime person to be an option, but nope, it was just this one. Maybe Eryx came up with the idea? Which begs the question, if he was purged, how the hell did this end up on the list? Can you survive being purged? I didn’t know enough about how any of this worked to know what any of it meant.
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Given my experience doing a Computer Science undergrad program, I was leaning toward being a Runaspriggan. If I can figure out that whole Mana thing, it sounds like I’d be able to live life on easy mode. Artifacts sound like magic computers to me, and being made into basically an AI is a pretty appealing option. From the sounds of it, I’m not actually the one doing the interfacing or computing. Instead, whatever computer is powering my core will do that part and just spit the information at me.
I sat there, debating between the options for almost an hour. I couldn’t be too hasty with my decision here. This was going to be the rest of my life, after all. Really, I was just picking for survivability, which meant choosing between the Aetherling and the Runaspriggan, though, so halfway through the hour, I tossed the imp page in the bin of nope. Ledger seemed nice, but I wasn’t sure if taking his advice here was really the best idea.
Eventually, I decided I was going to stick to what I knew and tossed Aetherling in the bin of nope, which promptly disappeared. Looking into the glowing yellow eyes of the Runaspriggan, I knew I had made the right choice. I took the pen and, with a smile on my face, signed my name on the page. As soon as the pen left the page, I began feeling lightheaded, and a wave of vertigo washing over me led to me slumping over in the chair. I leaned to the side slightly and retched, with nothing coming out because, obviously, this wasn’t a real body. Why did nobody tell me that changing species fucking sucked? In fact, why am I even conscious—who designed this sh…
My vision went black, and everything faded into nothing yet again.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0926743] Soul Attachment detected starting Runaspriggan Core Initialization.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0926765] Attachment Incorrectly Performed. Some Features May Be Unavailable.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0926799] Soul Damage detected. Integrity 65%
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0926841] Correcting Attachment Procedure and Restoring Soul Integrity.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0926892] Soul Damage Corrected. Initializing Primary Mana circuits.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0926898] Primary Mana circuits initialized.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0927058] Soul Attunement check started. Testing for compatible Mana.
…
…
…
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938112] Soul Unattuned to Mana. Attuning to Nature Mana.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938221] Nature Mana attunement was successful. Proceeding with Core integration.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938296] Soul fully integrated with Core. Beginning Construction of Spriggan Form.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938381] Construction 25% Complete.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938484] Construction 50% Complete.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938559] Construction 75% Complete.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938642] Spriggan Form Complete. Beginning Wake Cycle.
[2027-11-19 07:12:31.0938731] Good Morning Operator.
Current Biomass 50% of Maximum Capacity
Mana Stores at 100% Capacity
I woke nestled inside a comfy container completely enclosed in some kind of soft cushion. I read over the System messages and disabled timestamps immediately. Nobody needs to know that shit. If I needed to check it, I could always look at the log files. Wait, how do I even know how to do this?
My eyes shot open, and looking around, I realized I was still in the same room. I had apparently slumped over in the chair, as I could barely even see over the desk. There were several notifications in my vision, which I had less intuitive control over than myself—no, not myself, the System residing inside my Core. I shook my head and wondered how I confused myself with it, then tried to sit up properly.
Upon making the attempt, I immediately realized that I was sitting upright. I was just tiny. The picture of the spriggan hadn’t quite advertised the fact that I was going to be three feet tall. I had noted that my biomass wasn’t at maximum capacity yet, so I decided to try and fill myself out, but I quickly hit a barrier. Something in the System was preventing me from growing any taller. Just as I started to grumble in my head about submitting a formal complaint, a window appeared in front of me next to the notifications I was still ignoring alongside a virtual keyboard.
Submit Bug Report:
Describe the issue you're experiencing in as much detail as possible. Include any thoughts, complaints, or existential crises relevant to the problem. If the bug has rendered your body immovable and you haven’t figured out how to interface with the keyboard mentally, please leave the window open until you hear a tone. One of our telepathic call centre employees will connect with you as soon as they are available.
Well, that’s handy. I immediately began typing up my complaint.
‘To whomever it may concern,
What the actual fuck is this? At no point in the process was I informed that the Runaspriggan species would come with the added feature of being bite-sized. I mean, seriously, I’m like three feet tall? What’s this form designed for? A garden gnome convention?
Kind Regards,
Ellie Winters’
After finishing, I thought for a moment about adding in the description of Aetherlings, likely providing info I wasn’t supposed to have, but I decided against it. I was a little worried about them seeing that as a glaring oversight and deciding to wipe my memory of the whole thing. After re-reading the report to make sure it contained the right tone, I hit submit. Three seconds later, I received a reply.
‘Hi Ellie,
This is actually an intended feature to balance Eryx’s creation. Future users will not be given the option to pick a species like yourself and several others, so this isn’t an issue that requires resolution.
Regards,
Eternia Processing Imp #2432’
After reading the reply, I couldn’t stop a grin from splitting across my face. I knew I had made the right choice. They had to fucking nerf this species for being overpowered. That's probably why some of my features were disabled as well. I just hope they didn't go too hard.
I hopped down from the chair and stretched. I didn’t have any muscles to stretch, but it felt good to move. I felt like I had a lot of energy for some reason. Looking down at myself, I realized I was completely naked, but I was plant matter in the shape of a mannequin, so it’s not like there was anything to see anyway. I took this moment to look over the notifications from the system that was separate from my internal System.
[Species Skill Acquired]
Name: [Friend of the Forest]
Tier: [Special]
Description: [As you are one of them, all plant-type lifeforms will view you as non-hostile unless provoked. You can detect plant life and can innately sense Mana found in plants near your vicinity. You are a being of nature, and your perception will be altered as such.]
[Species Skill Acquired]
Name: [Regrowth]
Tier: [Basal - Growth]
Description: [As long as the artifact powering your core survives, you are able to spend Mana to regrow your biomass. Species Tier limits maximum attached biomass. Skill grows to match Species Tier.]
[Species Skill Acquired]
Name: [Arcane Interface]
Tier: [Basal]
Description: [As a golemoid whose Core is an artifact, you possess an innate ability to connect with and manipulate other artifacts. This function is done by interfacing with the Mana circuits directly and allowing the automatic processes within your Core to decode their function. Allows any circuit the user examines to be added to an internal database.]
I had already managed to use [Regrowth] in a way that felt completely natural, so I assumed these were functions built into my new artificial brain. Well, except for [Friend of the Forest], that one seemed almost to be a mistake. I could tell the plant part of my body wasn’t really me. It was more of a shell around my actual self. I could feel my true body nestled away inside my shell, and it felt pretty cozy, to be honest. As a test, I tried scratching the surface of my shell. I could feel the fact that I was damaging the plant, but it didn’t hurt at all. Next, I tried pushing my actual self out of the plant body. I had complete control over the material and could change its shape instinctively like it was a limb I had been born with, so it wasn’t that hard. Once the Core was poking out of my hand, I lightly flicked it then immediately regretted this decision. It felt like my entire body had just been lit on fire, but without the cool, calming sensation of all your nerves dying before they signal pain, and I squeaked out a whimper and collapsed. Several minutes later, while picking myself up off the floor, I vowed never to do that again. I was still shivering from the pain. If I still had weak flesh, I would have been covered in cold sweat.
I’m getting some weird vibes from myself today. Why did I assume flesh to be inferior… Oh well, there’s no use thinking about it.
I pushed my core back into the centre of my being and looked for a mirror because, despite not having any features to display, I didn’t really want to be naked when I showed up in town. Luckily, they had a standing mirror off in a corner behind the desk. I walked up to it and used [Regrowth] liberally to construct myself an outfit out of plant fibres. A few minutes later, I was wearing a rather utilitarian outfit, pants that were designed to be as thick as I could possibly make my fibres grow, yet it remained soft as down and even had deep as fuck pockets,
On top of that, I created a tunic that fit my body with dense yet soft fibres. I also added a bit of chest to myself because it was weird to be as flat as a ten-year-old boy. Not that I really had much there in my last life. I also made a nifty cloak to cover myself with, adding a basic camouflage pattern over it and hiding the glowing circuits that covered most of my body underneath a thick layer of plant growth. Checking my resources after I was completed, I was satisfied with how everything went.
Current Biomass 65% of Maximum Capacity
Mana Stores at 70% Capacity Restoring 1.3% Per Minute
For every two percent of my Mana expended, I can grow one percent of my maximum biomass. I was pretty sure that would change as my stats increased. I then spent a couple of seconds looking around for what I was supposed to do next. However, it turned out to be pretty obvious. There was a door labelled ‘This way to Fateswatch!’ that probably wasn’t there until I had picked my species. I walked over and opened the door, only to be met with a black void.
Here goes nothing. I thought as I stepped through the portal.
I just wanted to say thank you for reading!
This isn't the first novel I've written, but it is the first I've ever released one of my works to the public. I would really appreciate reviews from anyone who wouldn't mind spending a bit of their time to give their opinion.
