At first, the world was silent.
Inky blackness pervaded every corner of Derek’s consciousness like a thick curtain of despond.
Then—
[Initializing...]
A feminine voice echoed in his subconscious mind, with bold white letters appearing as it spoke.
[Magus Codex Activation Sequence fully loaded. Commencing integration...]
’What is this?’
Derek could barely think in this state.
He could only see the letters appear and vanish almost immediately. The female voice in his mind felt familiar yet foreign at the same time.
All he could remember was the assassin that surely killed him.
Yet, for some reason, he wasn’t dead.
’Is this the afterlife? But the Holy Scriptures proclaim that Lucia’s embrace is a world of pure light, with not even a shadow of darkness.’ Derek felt another wave of confusion when he saw new strings of text appear before him.
[Unpacking all compressed data...]
[Installing all essential packages...]
[Repairing all existing damage...]
[Full Integration at 34%... 35%... 36%....]
The number kept rising at a steady pace, with Derek completely unable to speak or move until it finally reached the completion threshold.
[... 100% Integration Complete!]
’What does that mean?’
[Greetings, Host. I am The Magus Codex, but you may call me M.A.X for convenience. I will do everything within my power to assist you on your journey as a Magus, as per my programming.]
’P-programming...?’
Derek was beyond confused at this point.
It also didn’t help that his mind was muddled, since he was still unconscious.
Thankfully, the female voice that spoke to him overlapped with the floating texts and attempted to clear his befuddlement.
[You are lacking crucial information regarding my existence. I possess a core memory file that will aid you in comprehending my purpose. Would you like for me to infuse that into your mind?]
Derek was quiet for a moment before mentally nodding.
"G-guh!"
A sharp sensation, one akin to a migraine, suddenly coursed through his brain.
It caused his subconscious world to tremble a little, almost as though it were on the verge of breaking apart.
However, a few seconds later, everything returned to normal.
More importantly, Derek no longer sported a confused expression. Instead, his mind’s gaze held a mix of amazement and incredulity.
’S-so you’re really a sophisticated technological device from the future?’
[Yes.]
’You scanned my memory and have become a core component of my body since you fused with me at the most fundamental level...’
[Indeed. I am here to assist you with anything you need, so long as it involves your journey as a Magus.]
’Does that mean you can help me become a Magus? I’m Inept, you know? I don’t have an ounce of Magia in my body, which means my Magia Circuits never had a chance to develop...’ Derek’s inner countenance sank at this moment. ’Is it still possible for someone like me to be a Magus?’
[It is possible.]
’H-how?!’
At this moment, even though he was essentially in his mind’s world, he could feel his heart racing.
[One of my primary functions allows me to absorb and disperse Magia. Your body is unable to do so normally, which is why you were categorized as ’Inept.’ By absorbing the ambient atmospheric Magia in your stead and dispersing it through your body, I can develop a Magia Circuit and fill up your Central Path with as much Magia as your body can handle.]
’T-this...’
Derek couldn’t help but be amazed by what he was hearing and seeing.
This was a miracle!
’Praise the Goddess, Lucia!’ He automatically thought to himself.
[This is not the work of your goddess. It is a result of my sophisticated mechanisms. If you wish, I can also inform you of my other primary functions.]
Derek felt his mind churn a little.
The Magus Codex had just blasphemed the central deity of the Eastern Theocracy.
He felt tempted to say something, but his excitement regarding the other functions of the Magus Codex took precedence.
So, much to his shame, he could only blurt out ’S-show me...’ in his mind.
[Understood.]
Once again, his subconscious realm trembled and an influx of new information entered his already shaken mind.
This time, Derek couldn’t help but shout.
No, he screamed!
’How is this possible?! You can analyze and perfectly replicate any Spell or Rune you come across? And this speed in calculation and deduction, it’s not physically possible. Your information memorization is also too absurd...’
Derek hadn’t even said everything he found amazing before he fell silent.
The Magus Codex had so many unique functions that were beyond the realm of reason.
An essential one being its rapid cellular regeneration.
It was only thanks to this function that Derek was still alive despite being pierced in the heart.
Beyond that, the application of the Magus Codex seemed endless.
Since it could analyze any Spell or Rune it came across, it could theoretically develop new Spells and Runes from its knowledge of existing ones.
This possibility alone was frightening.
Most Magi would spend their whole lives in this endeavor, yet the Magus Codex could simply do it in the blink of an eye so long as it had sufficient data to reference.
’Amazing... Truly amazing!’
[I should have other functions, but the essential packages that were installed only have access to this much. Perhaps as time passes, other features will be unlocked.]
’I understand... Thanks.’ Derek gulped before casting his gaze at the darkness around him.
[If you are curious about this world you are currently inhabiting, it is a simulation I created to mimic the dreaming experience. I figured it would be more comfortable to isolate your mind while fully integrating with your body and healing your injuries.]
’So that’s how it is. Thank you.’ Derek sighed loudly before his racing heart calmed a little. ’Could you tell me, er... Max... what is going on with my body now?’
[I took over your body after healing your injuries to a sufficient extent. To prevent frostbite and further damage, I moved it indoors. Right now, it is on your bed, fully regenerated.]
’Thanks for that.’
Derek paused for a moment before asking, ’And how long has passed since... you know, the incident?’
[Nearly eight hours. The time is 6:09 AM, and the date is July 9th, 2027. The estimated weather condition is...]
’Sounds about right. Thanks a lot.’
Derek slowly nodded, absorbing all the information he received from the Magus Codex with complete focus.
He found himself praising the goddess Lucia at certain intervals.
For all he knew, she was the mysterious good Samaritan who gave him the Magus Codex in his dying moments.
Who else could perform such a miraculous feat?
The question was... why?
’Why me?’
[The answer is not in my database. My programming simply recognizes you as my Host. Also, since I have complete access to your memories, I know everything about you, Derek Lewis.]
’Well... thanks anyway.’
[Host, I am not a sentient life form. You keep thanking me, but such actions are unnecessary. I do not require praise or anything else for that matter. My only purpose is to serve you.]
’I... I know, but still...’ Derek felt a small but genuine smile tugging at his invisible lips. ’You saved my life, and you’re offering me a new chance to pursue my lifelong dream. Even if you don’t feel anything from it, I still want to express my gratitude.’
[You are quite the kind person, Host.]
’Kind, huh?’
Derek felt a little bitter when he heard that word.
His body quietly shuddered.
Indeed, he had always been a kind person. Every time he was disrespected by others or reproached by his own family, he never changed.
Even now, he remained the same kind person.
’But what’s the use?’
Derek silently sought an answer to the question that burned deep within his aching mind.
Seconds later, he shook his head.
’No... That’s not it.’ With a gentle smile, he loudly sighed once more. ’I didn’t choose kindness because it had its uses or because it was easy, but because it’s how I wish to live.’
Changing his way of life now would run contrary to his own values.
Derek didn’t want that.
However, he could already feel a shift in his mindset—something fundamental to his core belief.
’Kindness to others does not guarantee the same in return. Thus, without the strength to protect myself, kindness is worthless.’
Derek swallowed hard once he finally recognized this terrible truth.
Yes, he wished to remain kind.
But he was weak.
If he remained this weakling, he would be trampled upon for the rest of his life, kindness be damned.
Conversely, if he became strong and abandoned his way of kindness, he would be no different from his siblings and all his other oppressors.
He would have changed his core identity because of them.
’I don’t want that!’
[I will now cancel the simulation and wake you up, since your body and mind have fully acclimated to all the changes.]
’Alright...’ With immense resolution flashing in his mind, Derek found his consciousness rising out of the simulated realm.
In the real world, his red eyes slowly fluttered open and he sat upright.
Clenching his fists, he exhaled with unbridled delight. Sunlight from the world outside cascaded into his room, reflecting on his pale skin and effeminate face.
Derek ignored everything and focused on his thoughts.
His smile hadn’t left yet.
’Kindness and strength... I want both.’