The Secret Artifact that gave me a system

The man who had spoken was tall and pale. He had long black hair that was pulled back in a loose pony tail, and dark intelligent eyes. He was wearing black pants with a white lab coat buttoned over his shirt.

"Are you Dr. Richardson?" Olivia asked shyly as she felt he cheeks get hot.

"I am. You must be Olivia. Come let us speak in my office." Dr. Richardson replied before he turned to lead the girls through the rows and rows of books to the back of the library.

They were then lead down a long hallway that had many door lining it. The Dr. Then stopped at a door and entered his passcode. There was a beep and the door opened.

When the group stepped through the door they could see a large desk in the middle that was littered with boxes, data pads, and all kinds of old books and papers. The walls we lined with shelves that also had many a book and strange contraption on it.

As Olivia scanned the room she heard a message from her system.

[Compatible system upgrade has been found. Would you like to install?]

Olivia didn't know what to do with this information. What if the same thing happened and she ende up passing out on the floor again? Maybe she should get more information before making a decision.

'Where is this system upgrade located?' Olivia wondered.

[The upgrade is a small spherical device located on the desk in the middle of the room]

Olivia almost choked when she heard the system reply to her thoughts.

'You mean all this time I could have just asked you questions in my head!'

[Correct. This system has fully integrated with the user.]

'That would have been good to know earlier.' Olivia grumbled.

[The user did not ask.]

Olivia sighed at the response.

"Are you ok?" Tori asked her friend. She had been watching Olivia since they got to the Library and noticed her mood change when she entered Dr. Richardson's office.

"Yeah I'm fine. Just having an internal argument." Olivia replied.

"So what is it you wanted to ask me?" Dr. Richardson enquired as he sat down at his desk and started to rearrange some books and items to make space.

"I received the package that my parents had given to you and wanted to ask about the object in the wooden box." Olivia explained.

"Ah yes. It was one of these." The Dr. picked up a metal ball from a box on his desk. "We had found these items amongst some of the relics that were transported from Earth to be cataloged but no one could identify what they were or how they worked." He placed the ball carefully back in its box. "We decided that because there were two of them, and no one knew what to do with them other than try to destroy them and figure out what they are made from, we would gift one to you to see if you could figure out this puzzle." The Dr. leaned back in chair and studied the girls.

"I think in order to figure out what they do we need to find the rest of them." Olivia hypothesized.

'System are there more of these metal balls that I need to find?'

[Each system is comprised of between three and five orbs. This is dependent on the individual.]

"You could be on to something. Though we as of yet have not come across any other artifacts like this. The only way you would be able to find them would be to join the expedition to Earth." Dr. Richardson explained.

"Then that's what I will do." Olivia had made up her mind. She didn't want to stay on the moon or join any other colonies. She wanted to go to Earth and find out where this system came from and why it chose her.

Dr. Richardson chuckled. "You have the same determination as your mother. Alas getting chosen to go on an Earth expedition could prove difficult for a young lady that just graduated high school."

Olivia deflated at Dr. Richardson's words. She didn't want to wait until she graduated from a University program to go to Earth. She could be waiting for many years before that happened.

"Don't get your hopes up yet." The Dr. laughed when he saw Olivia's expression. "I told your parents that I would help you if needed. It just so happens that I am headed out on the next shuttle to oversee the next batch of artifacts that were found on Earth. I will be leaving for Lunaria via the rail system tomorrow. I can register you as my assistant."

"Really?!" Olivia replied hopefully. "That would be amazing!"

"Of course. Just make sure you get to the station by 8 tomorrow morning. Now unless there are any other questions I must get back to work. I have much to finish before this trip."

"Just one, can I take the second metal ball with me? I want to test something." Olivia asked. She really wanted to know what this upgrade would do.

"Normally I would say no but since your parents left this project with you, the spheres should be left in your care. I was just being cautious as I didn't want to lose both artifacts if the one I sent you had gone missing." Dr. Richardson handed over the box that held the metal ball and escorted the girls back to the main library.

"What do you think?" Olivia asked Tori as she placed the box in her bag with her data pad.

"I think you might be a little crazy for agreeing to go to Earth with a stranger you just met." Tori replied honestly. "But I know there is no changing that stubborn mind of yours. If I could have gone with you I would, but my parents would have a fit, and I already accepted a position at Lunaria technical."

"Oh wow, that is amazing Tori! Congratulations!"

The two girl left the library and headed back to the transit hub. They grabbed lunch at a cute cafe in the area before they each decided to head home.

"You be careful Olivia, and send me updates when you can." Tori hugged her friend tightly, as a few tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I will, and don't worry we will see each other again soon." Olivia replied with a sniff.

Once Olivia saw Tori leave through her portal she turned and headed to the one that would take her back to her neighborhood. She felt that familiar disorientation from stepping through the portal and in an instant was back home.

Olivia stopped at the konbini as she walked to her apartment. Mr. Lee was not there this time so she grabbed a couple of rice balls and a strawberry milk from the fridge section, scanned them and paid using the credits on her data pad.

This time when she walked to her door there was no surprise package waiting for her, which Olivia was grateful for.

She walked into the comforting silence of her apartment and locked the door behind her. Olivia then took her shoes off and padded over to the comfy oversized couch in her living room.

"System do you know what this upgrade is going to do?" Olivia asked as she opened her drink and took a swig.

[Unknown, this is one of many possible upgrades. The system will know once the upgrade is complete.]

"Not very helpful are you?" Olivia complained as she sat down on the couch and dug the wooden box from her bag.

[The system is only level 1 and has limited information available. Would you like to upgrade.]

"Well I suppose I've come this far. May as well see how far this rabbit hole goes.

Yes proceed with upgrade." Olivia confirmed as she took the ball out of the box.

[Upgrade in progress.]

Again the metal ball started to float on its own. This time it looked like it scanned the area looking for something.

[Compatible user has been found.]

This orb, just like the last one reached out with a silver tendril and punctured Olivia's neck. Once it did she again felt excruciating pain radiate through he head and her body. She tried to hang on to her consciousness but again she succumbed to the darkness.

After a couple of hours Olivia opened her eyes. At least this time she was lying on the couch instead of the floor. Her head was clearing and the pain had all but faded away.

[Congatulations, your system has been upgraded. With the upgrade comes new stats and quests.]

Olivia opened the status screen to take a look at what had changed.

[Name: Olivia Chase]

[Blood type: O-]

[Race: Halfling]

[Level: 2]

[EXP 20 /300]

[HP: 60/60]

[Strength: 5]

[Agility: 5]

[Stamina: 5]

[Awarded one free stat point]

"Wait, what is a halfling? Am I not human anymore?" Olivia asked panicked.

[You have been blooded. This is an optimal outcome from the upgrade.]

"Optimal?! I don't even know what it means!" Olivia was even more confused then ever.

[New quest: Go to Earth and find out more about the system. Reward: instant level up]

"Well I guess that answers that. If I want more information I have to go to Earth."