Magical complications

Dumbstruck by the game-like status box that he had not seen since back in the days, after school, playing VRMMO games with his friends. Riley’s first thought is that the AI was messing with him.

“Your status is generated using the average estimated data of all Frawnians recorded in my current database. However, there is a slight problem with your stats. Maybe you’ve noticed?” Smiles Shelly.

Riley skims through his status panel again.

[Ruri Francis Albertine of Frawna (Riley Whitlock), Rank 1 sorcerer. Frawnian. Strength: 1.5, Agility: 2, Vitality: 1.5, Intelligence: 3, Mana: 2.5, Magic Power: 2.4 (Magic Power is in sync with Mana)]

Being Ruri, Riley made a comparison between her experience and the numbers in front of him… Most of it seems plausible given how diligently she had worked over the course of 195 years, however, how could her mana be only 2.5 times that of an average person’s?

Riley’s eyes open wide in worry, “What did you do to me? What happened to my mana!?” He exclaims. Without her top tier magic, how could he even hope to get her **** against her uncle that has the backing of several established sorcerers.

“Please calm down. I would never intentionally perform any actions that could negatively affect you. Moreover, the ownership of this entire ship has already been transferred to you, therefore you are my new master now~”

Riley seemingly calms down, but his fists are still clenched with anxiety. The shock of loosing most of her mana felt like it far outweighed gaining a spaceship.

Shelly continues: “As for the problem regarding your mana level. *Beep* My analysis indicates that due to the previous researchers weak understanding of magic, the Skinsuit Machine they created did not properly account for the subject’s internal mana capacity. Therefore, a significant volume was lost during the production process, and it would be incredibly difficult to reacquire it.”

Riley falls onto his knees, on the verge of tears. Through Ruri’s memories, Riley felt the grief that she felt and all the hard times she’s been through. Is this only what all her efforts amount to? Would this really be the end of her story?

“Is… Is there any way I can get back my original mana level?” Ruri’s voice crackles.

Shelly replies, looking as indifferent as ever, “Yay~ I have been expecting this question! Unfortunately, the answer is no… however, with the new data I acquired from scanning your mana flow, there is a good possibility you can absorb the mana crystal from an near-extinct species’ fossil that one of the researchers discovered.”

Riley’s eyes lit up with joy. But Shelly continues…

“The probability is that your mana level will greatly increase, however, the chances of side effects are high. What would you like to do?”

“I will do it!” Riley said immediately. The determination of Ruri was unwavering, so how could Riley refuse just because of some side effects?!

*Beep* “Command accepted. Initializing, have a nice rest…” Riley was caught off guard by the sudden announcement, then a prick on his neck caused him to black out.