Chapter 3: The Muse System

Chapter 3: The Muse System

Suddenly, a delicate, crystal-clear voice rang out directly in my mind.

[Congratulations, Master, on obtaining the Muse System! I am your system interface spirit, Ada. It is an absolute pleasure to serve you!]

“Who... who’s talking?” I gasped, jerking upright in shock. I whipped my head around, wild-eyed, searching the classroom.

[The Muse System will initialize in thirty seconds...]

It was that same voice, echoing inside my skull. I bolted upright a second time. Fortunately, recollecting the panic from earlier, I managed to keep my composure. I quickly stole a tense glance left and right before putting my head back down on the desk, trying to look casual under Chloe’s curious, searching gaze drilling into the side of my face.

“What on earth is going on? Where did that voice come from? Could I be hallucinating?”

I lay there, staring blankly at the wood, wondering if some bizarre mental illness had finally caught up to me. A wave of dread washed over me.

[The Muse System has officially initialized! System spirit Ada is delighted to assist you!]

The voice chimed once more, and I felt like the entire world had suddenly gone completely insane.

How had an artificial voice managed to nest itself inside my head? Could I be developing a split personality?

[Master, there is no need for alarm,] the voice said, responding directly to my thoughts. [This system is the first-generation cognitive prototype of the Muse System, engineered by the Orion Logic Alliance. You are incredibly fortunate to have become our very first human host.]

“Host? So I’m basically a cosmic guinea pig?”

I wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of being a lab rat for some alien alliance.

[You could certainly look at it that way,] Ada replied. [However, this system is programmed exclusively to assist you and will never cause you any harm.]

“Wait... is this my ultimate stroke of luck? My main-character moment?”

After a moment of sheer confusion, a massive, foolish grin began to spread across my face.

[You could certainly look at it that way,] Ada replied. Her tone sounded mildly amused, as if she was already judging me, but since I was technically her master, she kept her sarcasm in check.

“So... what does this system actually do? What are the perks? Do I get legendary martial arts or a photographic memory?”

The moment Ada confirmed my status, I swallowed hard, asking with greedy anticipation.

[Pardon me, Master, but this system does not possess the authorization to grant arbitrary talents.]

“What? No authorization? Then what the hell do I need you for?”

Hearing that this system wasn't about to hand me instant god-mode abilities like the cheats in novels, my excitement evaporated.

[Patience, Master. Do not be hasty,] Ada explained smoothly. [As the name implies, the Muse System is designed to align your capabilities with those of the exceptional women around you. As for legendary martial arts or a photographic memory—that depends entirely on whether the muse you are pursuing possesses those talents herself.]

“What do you mean by that?”

I was puzzled, but the concept of aligning with beautiful, talented women actually sounded like an incredible cheat.

[To begin, you must establish an Affinity connection,] Ada explained. [This is measured as a Favorability rating on a scale of zero to one hundred percent. As your target’s favorability toward you rises, you will unlock and fuse with an equivalent percentage of her specific cognitive and physical talents. For instance, at sixty percent favorability, you will master sixty percent of her abilities. Simple enough, right?]

Ada’s explanation made my eyes light up. This thing actually sounded pretty damn amazing!

“Wait, what happens if her favorability decreases?” I asked, a sudden worry creeping into my mind.

[It is quite simple, Master. If the target's favorability toward you drops, the abilities you integrated from her will decrease proportionally. Furthermore, if a designated target's favorability falls into the negative range, the system will apply a neural penalty, permanently degrading your cognitive capacity.]

“Seriously? There's a brain-damage penalty?”

I clicked my tongue, cold sweat breaking out on my neck. My grades were already at rock bottom, and my IQ was strictly average at best. If it dropped any lower, I'd literally be drooling in class.

“Risk and reward, Master. There is no such thing as a free lunch, even in the cosmos.”

I couldn't really argue with that logic. Life wasn't a charity. If you just wanted a free ride without taking any risks, you'd eventually get left behind anyway.

“Fine, I get it,” I thought, taking a deep breath to steel my resolve. “So when does this mission begin?”

[Immediately!]

The instant Ada finished speaking, a sharp ding echoed in my mind.

[System Objective: Secure Chloe Prescott's heart,] Ada announced. [Achieve a Favorability rating of ninety percent or higher. Time limit: sixty days!]

“Wait, Ada, what's with the countdown? Why is there a time limit?” I asked immediately.

[That is a baseline constraint of the prototype's core architecture,] Ada replied, sounding surprisingly helpless. [I am simply the interface. I do not make the rules.]

“So what happens if I run out of time?”

[Do not panic, Master. If you fail to meet the deadline, the system will simply rescind any abilities you've integrated from her. Your base intelligence will remain untouched.]

“So that's how it works. Thank god.”

I let out a long sigh of relief. I definitely couldn't afford to become an academic vegetable over a high school crush.

“Alright, Ada, continue... Wait, who did you just say? Ch... Chloe? Chloe Prescott? Are you out of your mind?”

The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water. You had to be kidding me. Chloe?

Even though we sat at the same double desk, we'd barely spoken ten words to each other all semester. Asking me to sweep Chloe Prescott off her feet was like asking me to flap my arms and fly to the moon.

[Master heard correctly. Your first target is indeed Chloe Prescott.]

Ada’s robotic confirmation shattered my hopes. I slowly sat up and stared strangely at Chloe beside me, my thoughts racing.