Japan, Tokonosu City, April 5, 2007
The sound of welding echoed through one of the garages in the residential district of Tokonosu, accompanied by Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. A young man was using a welder to fuse parts of the outer shell of a project that had taken him three years to complete.
Turning off the flame, the young man removed his welding mask and examined his finished work. For three years, Aurélien Yamamoto had been developing a mechanical arm capable of responding to commands sent from a computer. Without the support of a scholarship or adequate financial help from his mother, Aurélien had to work various part-time jobs to gather the necessary funds for the electronic and mechanical parts needed to achieve his goal.
Satisfied, he moved toward his laptop. The screen displayed a lengthy block of code. After confirming that everything was in order, Aurélien executed the command and looked at the arm. Every second felt like an hour as he waited to see if his hard work would pay off. Finally, the arm moved and grabbed the coffee mug on the table, but the grip kept tightening until the mug shattered into pieces.
Despite the result, Aurélien couldn't help but feel pleased.
Aurélien thought: As a first test, this is more than enough to continue my research and even apply to a good university.
Just as he was about to celebrate his success with a good meal, his phone began to ring. Seeing that it was his mother, he hesitated to answer. He sighed but eventually picked up.
Aurélien: Hi Mom.
Mother: Hi Aurélien. I just wanted to check if you received my last transfer?
Aurélien: Don't worry, everything's fine. So, is Tokyo treating you well?
Mother: Well, I haven't really had time to explore, but I can tell you the food at the restaurants is way better here.
Aurélien: Just try not to overwork yourself.
Mother: When you love what you do, it's not really work.
Aurélien: True, actually, I wanted to tell you—
Mother: Sorry sweetie, I have a meeting in five minutes. Can I call you back later?
Aurélien:sighs Sure, talk to you later.
Mother: Have a good day and take care of yourself.
Hanging up, the young man couldn't help but feel regret about his strained relationship with his mother. Since his father's death, she had buried herself in work as a form of escape, and their interactions had been reduced to a few conversations a month. For the past six months, she had temporarily relocated to Tokyo to improve her work efficiency, though she continued to financially support her son. Aurélien didn't blame her. He had also isolated himself after his father's death, focusing entirely on mechanical creation—an activity he had started in childhood with his father during the rare moments they spent together outside of private lessons in aristocratic ethics.
As he entered the kitchen, a robotic voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Congratulations, Aurélien Yamamoto. You have been selected by [%€¢|√π$#] to become the bearer of the Mechanicus System.]
[Please accept to receive this system.]
[Accept] [Decline]
Seeing these messages, Aurélien wondered if he was hallucinating due to lack of sleep. However, when the messages didn't disappear after several minutes, he decided to play along with the madness.
Aurélien: What are the consequences of accepting this agreement?
[In addition to gaining access to the full technological potential of the multiverse, you will obtain the means to increase your power and make your own decisions about your life. Whether you choose to conduct research in seclusion, become a patron of humanity, or conquer the world—it is entirely up to you. However, accepting this agreement means abandoning the cycle of reincarnation, and your death will be final, erasing you from creation.]
Overwhelmed by the weight of the choice, Aurélien felt the need to lie down. Entering his bedroom, he soon collapsed onto his bed. Without realizing it, night fell and darkness filled the room. Seeing the screen still hovering in front of him, Aurélien accepted it as reality. He knew this choice carried enormous consequences. The idea that his soul would leave the reincarnation cycle didn't bother him much—the message only confirmed that reincarnation existed. But even before, he had believed this life was probably the only one he'd have. Still, he questioned what he truly wanted from such an offer: Power? Wealth? Knowledge?
By accepting the offer, he would gain all of that—and surely more—but would have to leave everything he had known behind for a new way of life that, he was certain, would constantly put him in danger. He had started working in robotics as a fun project with his father, which evolved into a passion after his death. Seeing the illness ravage his father's body, he couldn't help but begin to despise the frailty of human flesh. The chance to overcome this fear was one of the temptations pushing him to accept. Moreover, the idea of controlling his own destiny was incredibly enticing. People liked to think that anything was possible in modern times, but Aurélien understood how many factors limited a person's path—wealth, upbringing, abilities—and even random encounters could completely alter someone's life, for better or worse.
Like this situation, where a godlike being was offering him the chance to change his fate. Yet Aurélien knew such gifts always came with strings attached. Though he couldn't imagine what someone could want from an ordinary human like him.
Aurélien: System, before I accept, I have many questions.
[I can only answer your questions if you accept.]
Faced with this dilemma, Aurélien pondered for another ten minutes. Finally, opening his eyes, determination shone in his gaze—and he made his choice.
[Congratulations! Welcome to the Mechanicus System.]
[Congratulations! Quest Mode unlocked.]
[Congratulations! [%€¢|√π$#] has sent you a starter kit as an investment.]
[Alert! A quest has been issued.]
Aurélien was curious about these messages, but first he needed to understand what he was dealing with.
Aurélien: System, what is your purpose?
[My function is to issue quests that you may choose to accept. In return, you will receive various items to aid in your survival.]
Aurélien: Interesting—so even if this godlike being sends me missions, I still have free will?
[Indeed. If [%€¢|√π$#] wanted a simple puppet, it would not have created this system or allowed you to choose the contract.]
Aurélien: Also, why can't I see its name?
[The host is not strong enough. Conquering three Akashic-level worlds and two Primordial-level worlds is required.]
Aurélien: Conquer worlds? And what is an Akashic-level world?
[Territory acquisition is key to unlocking the full potential of a true Lord Mechanicus. You must utilize available resources to fuel your future armies and factories. Establishing an empire will ease your efforts. As for your second question, worlds are ranked by strength from lowest to highest: Low-tier worlds, Akashic-level worlds, Primordial-level worlds, and Universal-level worlds. You currently reside in a low-tier world, though it is soon to evolve. An Akashic world is one where what humans call "mana" awakens and begins affecting the ecosystem. Unfortunately, you lack the power to access information about Primordial or Universal-level worlds.]
The young engineer felt perplexed—the more answers he got, the more questions emerged. It felt like he was a frog just emerging from its well. For now, he knew he needed to focus on the essentials.
Aurélien: What's the consequence of a world evolving to Akashic level?
[When a low-tier world's core becomes overloaded with Ether—also called mana—this energy begins spreading throughout, forming mana veins and awakening the World-Soul. Although not consciously aware, this entity will act if it senses an external threat or the opportunity to absorb another world. The World-Soul's awakening and evolution also strengthens that world's inhabitants. However, the introduction of mana changes the local flora and fauna, and beings unable to adapt will suffer violent mutations. Once mana invades the atmosphere, the world is officially classified as Akashic. Also, each world establishes its own unique physical laws.]
This last detail deeply worried Aurélien. As a human with no combat experience, the coming changes would put his life at serious risk. Without the system, he would surely have perished in the impending catastrophe.
Aurélien: How much time is left?
[That is tied to the earlier-issued quest.]
[Quest issued: Prepare for the introduction of mana into your world. Your reward will be based on your efforts. Time remaining: 17 days, 18 hours, 25 minutes. Bonus: Be inside Fujimi Academy at the end of the countdown.]
Curious, he asked: Why would I get a bonus for being at my school?
[Certain individuals at the academy are favored by the world's will. Being in contact with them will grant you long-term advantages.]
Nodding at the answer, he looked at the countdown timer. Watching it tick down only increased his anxiety. He had a little over two weeks to prepare. Remaining calm, he analyzed his options—then remembered the starter kit.
Aurélien: System, open the starter kit.
[Received.]
[Congratulations! You've received several items.]
[Engineering Equipment.]
[1 ton of raw materials, including iron, titanium, magnesium, etc.]
[500 grams of semiconductor elements.]
[Ark Industrial Forge.]
[GDR 3D Printer.]
[Memory of a Magos Tech-Priest.]
[Blueprint for a Mining Droid.]
[Blueprint for a BX Droid.]
[Cortical Implant.]