[Mako] Chapter 1: 18th Birthday

[Throndir]

《Mako's Character Sheet

《Chapter 1: 18th Birthday》

Location: New World - Isikawa Sovereignty - Tamajima Village
Date: Day 1 - Evening

You had just had your 18th birthday celebration and your neighbors had come to visit for it. Already, they were headed out the door as your parents began putting away the dishes. Your childhood friend and neighbor, Tamiko Shimizu, was the last one out the door, her parents leaving just a few moments ago.

"See you at practice tomorrow, Mako!"

She said grinning. "Happy birthday too once again... And about your gift? I'll get it to you for tomorrow..." She puffed her cheek and seemed to blush slightly, but calmed down soon enough. With that she left.

Once she was gone, it was your mother who broke the silence.

"Tami-chan is such a nice girl, Mako." Your mother said as she washed the pans. Your father, who had waved the Shimizu clan goodbye, came back into the door.

"You're 18 now son! It's time to be looking for someone to settle down with, don't you think?" He grinned at you. "Make a family, give us some grandkids. Anyways, I wanted to get you this after they left. Didn't want Tami-chan to get jealous."

He revealed forth what looked to be a sword. It was of the same make that the people of your country used. A katana. He placed it on the table for you.

"Plus... it's just about this time when your mom gave birth to you... I think it's fitting we get you your coming of age gift then."

"18 years exactly... Time really does fly."

It was at that moment that memories flooded in your mind. Towering buildings. Roads of which you haven't seen before. People you've never seen. A life that wasn't quite yours, but was at the same time.

And all of a sudden too, a series of notifications appeared in a green translucent window.

[okay]You have gained a new title『Reincarnated Hero』
You have gained『Quick Learner』
You have gained『Mana Sensitivity』
You have gained『Translate All』
You have gained『Personal Status』
You have gained『Consumer』
You have gained a new title『Experience Eater』
You have gained『Unlimited Internet』
You have gained a new title『Web Surfer』
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You are now level 15. Spend your unallocated points.[/okay]

1. Isikawa Sovereignty is your country
2. They Summoned an actual hero, a male with blonde hair, a few months ago.
3. People in Isikawa are always dark/black haired and look Japanese
4. People in other countries can have weird colored hair
5. Your country makes use of Elemental Magicka. Your parents don't have compatibility with it. Last you checked, you aren't compatible with any element (now you are but don't know it yet in character)
6. About 20 years ago most of your country vanished. Your country found itself in the New World. Missing more than half it's infrastructure and armies. And the people of the world had been fighting demons for over 80 years prior.
7. You grew up with war. Luckily your village is far from the front. Though in the last 20 years Isikawa has shrunk more. The borders are getting a bit close..
8. I'll give you a map later today.
9. In the last 20 years only a few other heroes had been summoned that you are aware of. Your Isikawa one, and two foreigners from other countries.

[Manzokushi]

The day had started like any other. Mako woke up early before sun rise, went outside and exercised practicing his katas with his bare hands and with a wood stick he had fashioned into a katana-like sword. This habit had been an early practice for Mako and many in the village thought it was a strange practice. But it brought clarity to the day and someone stilled an urge inside to better understand the world and his place in it.

His next part of the morning included chores around the farm to include tending the crops and rotating the live stock to new pastures as needed. He had a knack for this that was borderline intuitive and often his father would say he was born to be a farmer. Those words sounded great but someone they always rang with accuracy but also with a pang of sadness. By the time he had become a young teen, Mako had revised how the Ikeda clan maintained the lands for generations before. Now their crops were more fertile and produced better than that had in years. It was a pulse of the earth to Mako, how the systems were connected and depended upon one another. Occasionally he would see things like schematics of the land before him and be able to connect the dots. What was a schematic?

Oh right today is my birthday, today I would turn 18! This seemed to be important and felt like it had happened before. There was a sense of remorse that came and went.

Tamiko was quite cute and reminded him of Princess Sakura from that one manga. Wait what is a manga? His timing was slow but finally Mako spoke with a bit of hesitation, "Thank you...Tamiko, you didn't have to do that."

Mako made his way back to the table to sit with his parents.

"Tami-chan is such a nice girl, Mako." His mother said in her motherly way.

He shifted slightly, "Yes mother, I know she is...she's a good friend." His eyes cut away immediately his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

As Mako took a sip of fresh goats milk his father uttered those insane words about a family and settling down, he quickly slammed the glass down, spraying milk out from his absolute shock of dads words. "FATHER! What are you saying...I umm...I need to....umm...clean up this mess!!" He quickly cleaned up the milk splatter and lowered his eyes in both shame and embarrassment. This all felt so familiar.

His mother and father continued to speak but the katana that was placed in front of him became the sole focus of his gaze. His vision blurred and images began to pour into his mind. At first his mind was blank like a computer screen with errors. Wait what is a computer screen? Blizzard I loved that place, cherry blossoms in the LA park, kendo tournaments...images swirled and flashed all around him and for a brief moment Mako stood before Keisagi Subachi each acknowledging the other.

Keisagi said, "This is your chance Mako, do it differently, see the world, embrace your freedom!" What did it all mean? As quickly as it came it receded like a wave.

Mako was breathing heavily, looking to his mother and father trying to understand what it all meant. At last not knowing what else to say or he sucked in a deep breath of air, pushing down all of his emotions as he had been trained to do, "Mother, Father, thank you for such a beautiful gift. This is beyond words; I am truly honored to have you as my parents. May I be excused from the table and possibly take the day off? It is my birthday after all." He put on his best grin that he could muster.

[Throndir]

"That's alright son." Your dad said. "Take the sword with you though." He said gently.

For your family, working on a farm, coupled with the war that had been going on, meant that living conditions were poorer, though, compared to the cities themselves, life out in the country didn't need a lot of money. True, you did increase the yield and production of your farm, and it was due to this that compared to many others in the surrounding villages, you and your family were better off. However, buying a katana, was something a bit on the more extravagant side. It was at least fifty gold pieces.

Heading to your room, it was in the traditional Isikawa style, with a tatami mat that made up the floor.

The memories were fresh in your mind. You've always had a knack for easily remembering things that you've seen. Even now, you can see the words that flashed in that green translucent window in your mind's eye.

[Manzokushi]

At last he was alone and allowed to sift through the chaos that was roiling within Mako's mind. He was practical after all and deduced that he died in prior life and was reborn. This was not too far fetched coming from a culture that embraced reincarnation. The one part that was left out in those teachings was the existence of other worlds.

Mako settled into a steady zazen stance allowing his mind to open up and let the memories flow within his third eye. There was no escaping that this was real, but what did it mean?

Breathing deeply, Mako relaxed his thoughts allowing them to flow into the flame and burn away. Eventually nothing was left but the flame which waived away and he was left with darkness. Slowly two worlds crept into his mind each bring with them a lifetime of experiences and understanding. Some parts of his life ran in perfect parallel while others were grossly different.

He allowed it to pass through his mind and become a part of his whole self.

Anyone who watched Mako saw that he had taken hold of the katana and climbed into a perfect kendo stance and slowly began to trace fluid motions. His body seemed to be resonating to the perspective of two styles, relearning muscles long forgotten by atrophy.

A tear escaped his eye just for a moment, embracing the death of his former self.

The screen that passed before his eyes seemed foreign at first, but to Keisagi the words were familiar. He felt like a video game character that had crossed over into a fantasy universe. The excitement boiled to the surface for a moment, but was quickly washed away by the moment.

[okay]You have gained a new title『Reincarnated Hero』
You have gained『Quick Learner』
You have gained『Mana Sensitivity』
You have gained『Translate All』
You have gained『Personal Status』
You have gained『Consumer』
You have gained a new title『Experience Eater』
You have gained『Unlimited Internet』
You have gained a new title『Web Surfer』
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You are now level 15. Spend your unallocated points.[/okay]
He was special, he was meant to be a hero, and perhaps his destiny was beyond the farm. Each list item passed through his lips for a moment. Mako accepted it all, allowed these two lives to blend and twist into 1 perfect form. There was no need to live as two as he had always been one, just himself.



How did those in this world explain magic? The concept seemed foreign to him as if he were denied a birthright. Mako allowed his mind to drift beyond his form. At first viewing a young man performing kendo forms that seemed foreign. His mind continued to drift in search of the circuitry of the world what connected the world what source drove its powers. Could he touch it, was it his to control, or was he simply a farmer. He refused that notion and pressed deeper...

[Manzokushi]

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 10 + 6, total 16[/blockquote]

[Throndir]

[info]Spellcraft: 16
When you began looking internally and deep within yourself, trying to focus on the idea of magic and how it works. You felt like you could make out something. It was strange, as your parents had you tested for magical ability much earlier in life, but like them, it was determined that you had no compatibility with any of the 6 elements.

But when you peered inside you could sense the magic within you. Was this what they called mana? It was like a large lake, and if you needed to, you could almost imagine yourself pulling from that lake. From that reservoir that made up your magic.[/info]

[Manzokushi]

Mako was surprised at first that his suspicion was correct that he did indeed posses magical talent. The magic appeared to be within and not at first glance ambient in the environment. Perhaps he was simply looking at it the wrong way. Perhaps he needed magic to be able perceive it.

His body finally settled back into a sturdy zazen pose laying the katana across his lap. Mako concentrated on the lake coaxing it to the surface imagining it flowing up through his veins filling his chakras with power.

His breathing was even as he measured each action attempting to raise the power to the surface. He allowed the energy to continue to flow upward toward his third eye. Once he felt that the he had all of the pathways opened, Mako attempted to open his third eye, to see the world through a new set of eyes. Perhaps even feeling the ambient energy flow through his body.



Of course this could all be for nothing but it felt like he was taking steps toward something.

Spell Craft Check
This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+6 : 12 + 6, total 18

[Throndir]

[info]Spellcraft: 18
Focusing outwards, you seemed to get a sense of something. Like a presence of two others. It took you a moment to realize that it was your parents. You had your eyes closed, yet you could get a feel of around where your parents were exactly. It felt akin to the lake of mana that you felt within yourself, though, theirs felt more distant.

There were no other sources of mana that you were able to sense nearby.[/info]

[Manzokushi]

Mako's mind relaxed allowing his senses to return to back and focus inward. His first theory of this fantasy world being a product of ambient mana is either incorrect or will need more data to further my hypothesis.

He needed to confirm one more thing before speaking with his parents about some of this. Parts must be left out to avoid concerns of his mental stability. It would be of great benefit to be able to not only be able to explain but also be able to show that he possessed the gift.
Mako utilized the same method that he had for sensing his parents and allowed the mana to flow outward into his hands. He had no way of knowing if he had elemental talent so he simply allowed the mana to flow. Perhaps it would take for or shape based on his will.

He envisioned the mana flowing through his meridian system from the pool within through his arm and outward towards his palms.

Slowly he opened his eyes to see if anything had happened.

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 10 + 6, total 16[/blockquote]

[Throndir]

[info]Spellcraft: 16
Once you focused on envisioning your mana flow towards your palm, you felt the sensation keenly of that movement. You noted that you felt just slightly more tired from the event, and the moment you opened your eyes, you saw palms and hands completely a-glow. Though, it didn't seem to be a glow that gave off light in the physical world. No, it was more like something else, as if you were seeing the flow of mana in the physical world, which represented itself as a glow.[/info]

[Manzokushi]

Mako was shocked that it had worked. He was startled and without any thought leap up from the seated position, katana rattling away. "I AM A FREAKING FANTASY WIZARD or Chi master who cares, this is awesome!", he thought to himself!!! Embarrassed, he quickly gathered up the katana and placed it back into its sheath.

This opened up so many possibilities and also left him wondering about so many other potential outcomes. Did he not have a physical manifestation because he and his parents shared some sort of invisible power much like Ki. This would explain a couple of things for sure.

That brought other items into question as he muttered to himself, "what in the world is Translate All, Personal Status, Consumer, Experience Eater, Unlimited Internet (that would begged more questions) and web surfer."

For now he was stoked to know that he was indeed different and he could change his stars. Perhaps Mako was destined for more and this was his second chance.

I am composing myself, dressing in attire fitting exercise and looking for a way to wear the katana with what I have available. Then once he is dressed, Mako goes to look for his father.

[Throndir]

The moment you thought about each item, a green window appeared.

[okay]Focus on『Translate All』
???

Focus on『Personal Status』
Focusing on specific items will bring up more information.[/okay]However, once you said finished saying 'Personal Status', another window appeared.

[okay]Ikeda Mako
Summoned Hero
Level 15

Condition: Uninjured, Refreshed

HP: 40/40
MP: 27/28
STR: 18 +
DEX: 20 +
CON: 26 +
INT: 26+
WIS: 10 +
CHA: 10 +
MAG: 18 +

Blessings: Quick Learner, Mana Sensitivity, Translate All, Personal Status, Consumer, Unlimited Internet

You have 3 unspent ability points.[/okay]The popup with the information with 'Personal Status' changed before your very eyes.

[okay]Focus on『Personal Status』
Ability to pull up the Status screen. Focusing on specific items will bring up more information.[/okay]Continuing to think about the first items, and saying them outloud, brought more menus.

[okay]Focus on『Consumer』
???

Focus on『Experience Eater』
You have the Consumer blessing.

Focus on『Unlimited Internet』
???[/okay]The moment you said 'Unlimited Internet', a larger window appeared in your view. This window wasn't translucent green. It was translucent white. You noticed that moving your eyes and focusing on the window made it more opaque.

It looked to be a giant internet browser.

This time around, the question marks turned into an actual description. You also felt a bit more tired.

[okay]Focus on『Unlimited Internet』
Ability to summon an internet browser.

Focus on『Web Surfer』
You have the Unlimited Internet blessing.[/okay]
Location: New World - Isikawa Sovereignty - Tamajima Village - Ikeda Home - Living Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

Your father is sitting back in the living room, talking with your mother about you. You were sure the topic was when you were going to get married.

Feel free to reply in both scenes if you want, or drop the earlier scenes if you prefer. Separate them with the [hr] tag. There is also an icon called 'Hotspot'.

[Manzokushi]

Location: Ikeda's Farm - Mako's Room
Time: Afternoon

Mako was shocked to see that he had screens to interact with! This was just like a Fantasy RPG. This is insane!!! I was given a second chance to do what I love!!!! Thank you whoever did this wonderful thing.

He pauses for a moment and gives a silent prayer of thanks.

Well depending on how this world works I appear to be a pretty decent character. Seems like a good time to take a few of these things for a test drive before venturing off to talk with dad.

The focus on ability seems like a type of item identification. So perhaps I should start there.

Mako held out the katana his father had purchased for him. He thought to himself Focus on Katana and waited to see what happens.



The notion that he had an internet browser at his disposal in a world without internet seemed both interesting and potentially game changing.

Mako focused on calling up the internet browser and attempted to type / search for "How to effectively cast/channel mana."

I need to see if this knowledge center is based around my personal knowledge and to what places does it connect, what server could this all relate to. Is the simply a way to revisit items from the past or is this actually some sort of great scry based window of information.

If that should fail, Mako will attempt to focus on calling up the internet browser again and attempted to type / search for "Current events in Los Angeles."

[Throndir]

When you attempted to focus on the katana however, nothing seemed to happen.

When you entered the search query in, you got what you would have expected as results from the internet.

https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&source=hp&ei=vhw1XNSFCYH_0wLn2ZHADQ&q=How+to+effectively+cast%2Fchannel+mana.&btnK=Google+Search&oq=How+to+effectively+cast%2Fchannel+mana.&gs_l=psy-ab.3...0.0..20...0.0..0.0.0.......0....2..gws-wiz.

Changing gears and entering the search query for 'Current events in Los Angeles.', you managed to get a list of events as well. You remembered when you died, and judging from the most recent events, it looks like these were captured on the date of your death in that other life, in that other world.

[Manzokushi]

What happened next was both a bit shocking and slightly underwhelming.

For now it appears that my connection to the Internet in some way revolves around my time of existence on the Old World. At least when it comes to events / understanding of time. A good note for later.

Perhaps he was a newbie and this was his first day playing this RPG. This means I will need QUESTS and EXPERIENCE! Oh boy time to find a way to get off this farm!

Last thoughts before departing his room, Mako had a hunch but needed to be sure he was right.

He closed his eyes one last time:

Focus On: Consumer, please provide details.

Then after a moment had passed.

Focus on: Unlimited Internet, please provide details.