Compiling Host's Actions…
A subtle pulse ran through Rashan's being, something deep, something unseen. It wasn't physical—it was internal, woven into the very fabric of his existence.
For the first time since his birth, he felt his system activate.
Analyzing Host's habits, training regimen, and cognitive patterns…
Generating Perk Options…
The choices appeared before him, clear and precise, the result of every action he had taken, every skill he had honed.
1. Regression Effect – Allows host to retain his physical status from conditioning, training, and studying after regressing, or host can reset mental had physical status to the state save occurred in
2. Scholar's Comprehension – Enhances Rashan's ability to understand and process information, allowing him to grasp complex theories, deconstruct magical principles, and refine his knowledge at an accelerated rate.
3. Indomitable Stamina – Reduces stamina drain from combat and training while increasing stamina regeneration, allowing for longer sustained effort.
4. Keen Observer – Enhances battle awareness and reaction speed, helping Rashan analyze enemy movements and anticipate attacks more effectively.
5. Arcane Sensitivity – Grants Rashan the ability to sense magicka in his surroundings, recognize enchanted objects, and instinctively detect magical energy fluctuations.
He stared at the options before him.
The system had finally acknowledged his progress.
Host may select two of the following five options.
Rashan let out a slow breath, his gaze flickering over the glowing text before him. He wasn't about to rush this decision. Each of these perks had clear advantages, but the true value lay in how they fit together, how they synergized with his abilities, training, and future goals.
Regression Effect.
The implications were staggering. Every time he loaded a save, his body reset. All of his physical conditioning, all of his hard-earned progress—gone. His mind and skills advanced, but his body remained the same.
This changed that completely. His physical conditioning would remain after resetting. He could stack improvements endlessly. No more wasting time repeating basic training just to maintain his skills.
More than that, it gave him a choice.
Each time he reloaded, he could decide whether to:
1. Retain his physical state exactly as it was before the reset—keeping all progress, fatigue, and injuries.
2. Return to his physical state at the moment of saving—resetting himself to whatever condition, stamina, and fatigue he had at that time of his save.
That alone opened up entirely new avenues of training. It meant he could break himself down and rebuild stronger every single day without worrying about losing progress. But it also meant he had another layer of control. If he overtrained or injured himself, he could revert. If he wanted to push beyond normal limits, he could carry his exhaustion forward.
Until now, his training had always been limited by the reset. While his knowledge advanced, his body remained stuck in the same state. That was the entire reason his first run had always focused heavily on study—there was no point in pushing his body when it would just revert to a previous state.
But with Regression Effect?
He could now train normally, every day, without loss.
His first run and regression run would follow the exact same structured schedule.
• Early morning conditioning, drills, and sparring.
• Combat training, weapon proficiency, and endurance exercises.
• Magic practice, spell refinement, and theoretical study.
Instead of having to optimize which version of the day was for learning and which was for training, he could now live two full days of real progress.
That also meant he needed to adjust when he saved. Until now, he had been saving in the mornings, before beginning his day. But if he wanted to maximize his efficiency, he needed to start saving right before bed in his bedroom—ensuring that every physical improvement carried over into his next cycle and he could rest if he needed too.
This perk was game-changing.
His eyes moved down the list. Scholar's Comprehension. This one had a deceptively simple name, but the more he thought about it, the more powerful it became. His first instinct was that it was an extension of his Perfect Recall, but it wasn't. Perfect Recall allowed him to remember anything, exactly as he had seen or read it. But remembering wasn't the same as understanding.
This was about comprehension.
Breaking down complex theories faster. Absorbing knowledge and applying it more efficiently. Connecting ideas, recognizing patterns, refining concepts that others might take years to grasp. It applied to magic, to combat, to strategy—anything that required deep thought and analysis. In a way, this perk would act as a force multiplier, allowing him to take the knowledge he already had and extract its full potential.
And then there was synergy. Scholar's Comprehension and Perfect Recall together? If he took them both, he wouldn't just memorize everything he learned—he would master it at an accelerated rate. A truly frightening thought.
His fingers twitched slightly as his gaze moved to the next option. Indomitable Stamina.
Simple. Brutally effective.
No matter how much he trained, fatigue was a constant enemy. His mind could push further, but his body had limits. The harder he trained, the more he felt them. Even with his optimized schedule, exhaustion was a problem. This perk changed that.
Reduced stamina drain. Faster recovery. Longer sustained effort.
It was practical. There was nothing flashy about it, but for someone who trained as hard as he did, this was a warrior's dream. And the synergy with Regression Effect was undeniable. Pushing himself to exhaustion, resetting, and pushing even further. It meant he could train beyond what was humanly possible. It also had another advantage—stamina wasn't just for fighting. Magicka use required stamina, especially in schools like Alteration, where maintaining spells like Longstrider or Oakflesh took both concentration and physical endurance. The connection was obvious.
His focus sharpened as he studied the next option. Keen Observer.
This was a combat intellect perk. Awareness. Reaction speed. Tactical analysis. It was the ability to see an opponent's moves, recognize their patterns, and react faster than they could predict. A subtle but powerful advantage.
It wasn't just about seeing—it was about understanding in real time. And when paired with Scholar's Comprehension? He wouldn't just notice openings in a fight—he'd instinctively know how to exploit them. He would adapt faster, pick apart techniques, and adjust mid-battle. Against a skilled opponent, seconds mattered. This perk could make all the difference.
But was it more useful right now than endurance or magical understanding? That was the question.
His gaze lingered on the final option. Arcane Sensitivity.
This was, without question, a mage's perk. It would let him feel magicka. Not just sense when spells were being cast, but recognize how they were being shaped. It would allow him to detect enchanted objects, to instinctively perceive fluctuations in magical energy.
And there was more to it.
He would be able to read mana flow in people. That meant he would know when someone was gathering magicka before they even released a spell. That alone was a massive advantage. It also meant he would recognize the strength of enchantments at a glance—an ability that could prove invaluable if he ever pursued Enchanting or Alchemy.
And if paired with Scholar's Comprehension?
He wouldn't just sense magic—he would break it down, understand it, and refine it in ways others couldn't.
That made this perk a long-term investment. Right now, he wasn't casting spells yet, but if he wanted to master magic as quickly as possible, this was one of the best options.
His mind ran through the synergies again. Each perk was valuable in its own way. Regression Effect was beyond necessary, but everything else had merit. Scholar's Comprehension would make him an intellectual force. Indomitable Stamina would push his physical limits. Keen Observer would sharpen his combat instincts. Arcane Sensitivity would grant him a deeper connection to magic itself.
Each choice carried weight.
Each one had the potential to define his path.
Rashan exhaled slowly.
The system was waiting.