Chapter 2: Regression and System Activation

Chapter 2: Regression and System ActivationGasp!

Breath returned to his lungs as Ethan jolted from the bed, he felt as if he had just emerged from dark murky waters where he almost drowned.

Sweat dripped down his face and he tightly gripping the sheets of his bed.

Wait, bed?

His eyes suddenly focused and his surrounding became clearer. Surrounding him was white walls decorated with posters of tech based heroes.

He was in a room that he clearly remembered, but that shouldn’t be possible, he was supposed to be dead and his body discarded in an ocean for the fishes to feed on or something.

"Is this my life flashing before my eyes?" He muttered and was met by another surprise, his voice sounded a lot younger than he remembered.

The usual weariness that he remembered was gone. This caused him to hurriedly hop off the bed, rushing into his bathroom.

The bathroom was a lot smaller than he imagined but all that didn’t matter right now as he faced the small mirror above his sink.

Looking back at him was a black haired and blue eyed younger version of him.

All the stress lines, eye bags and messy hair due to work had completely disappeared.



"What the hell is going on?" He asked as he touched his face, still not believing that the man in the reflection was him when suddenly,

[TIME REVERSAL SUCCESSFUL]

A transparent blue holographic screen popped up in front of him, causing him to stumble backwards.

’Hallucinations?’ he questioned.

As if finding himself a lot younger than his 35 years old self wasn’t confusing enough, he was now hallucinating a holographic screen.

He moved his hand towards the screen to try and touch it, but it passed right through.

"I think I need to lay down" Ethan said in a tired tone as he dragged himself back into the bedroom.

This might all just turn out to be an illusion created by his brain due to the shock of his death or maybe everything until his death was just a bad dream.

The holographic screen before him suddenly glitched and the text on it changed.

[Do you wish to activate the system?]

’A system?’

He paused in his steps and regarded the screen again. As far as he knew, this might all be a pre death illusion so he might as well indulge.

Taking a deep breath he let out "activate the system."

Embarrassment washed over him as soon as the words left his mouth but that quickly replaced by surprise.

[The OmniTech System has been successfully activated, welcome host.]

This surprised Ethan but the system wasn’t done yet.

[Displaying status....

Name: Ethan Carter

Age: 20

Technology Level: Tier 2

System version: V 1.0 {upgradable}

{Knowledge and Proficiency}

Artificial Intelligence (AI): 50% – you are proficient enough to create advanced deep learning models and self-improving AI.

Robotics & Automation: 38% – there’s still a long way to go but at least your foundation is strong.

Cybersecurity & Hacking: 52% – you are skilled in penetration testing, data encryption and AI-assisted cyber warfare.

Quantum Computing: 26% – you can do basic qubit manipulation, quantum encryption.

Biotech & Genetic Engineering: 19% – you have some knowledge in neural interfaces and bio-cybernetic augmentation.

Nanotechnology: 22% – you have some knowledge in early-stage nano-assemblers and self-replicating tech.

Energy Systems & Fusion Tech: 34% – you might be able to successfully create high-efficiency batteries and plasma reactors.

Weapons & Defense Systems: 20% – you have knowledge to create AI-guided weaponry, EMP warfare and basic kinetic barriers.

Software & Algorithm Design: 48% – just like with AI, you are proficient enough in this field.

Material Science & Fabrication: 10% – you can create basic smart materials at best.

{Assets}

Companies: none

Current savings: $ 360

Incomesource: Part-time teacher

{Inventions}

None

Current Tech influence: None

{Missions}

Introductory mission

Objective: Create and complete your first piece of technology.

Mission Details: this mission should follow the three steps listed below in order to be considered completed,

Choose a Field: Select from AI, Robotics, Cybersecurity, Energy Systems, or another available category.



Design a Prototype: create a simple yet functional piece of technology.

Test & Finalize: Ensure the tech works and can be used or sold.

Rewards: Unlocks Tech Development Interface, +5% boost to relevant Tech Proficiency, initial funding bonus]

[Would you like to open your starter pack?]

"Wow, that’s a lot" Ethan couldn’t help but comment "can I get an explanation on what each tab means?"

[Certainly, let’s start with technology level, ] the text on the screen changed [this stat shows the level of tech you could create at your peak, which is prior to your regression]

[Tier 1 is the lowest, which is also the peak tech inventors of this time are capable of]

The system seemed to be taking its time explaining, making sure Ethan understood before the screens switched.

[While Tier 6 is the highest ever achieved. It even includes time traveling technology] the screen also stayed for a while before it switched again [your current level can be increased in conjunction to your knowledge proficiency].

Ethan nodded in understanding "so in simpler terms, that stat shows the level of technology my knowledge allows me to create."

[Precisely] the system answered [moving on, my version is next. All you need to know about this is that, the higher my version,the better the rewards you gain for completing missions issued by me.]

"So how do I upgrade your version?" He asked.

[Everytime a tech created by you is utilized by someone else, you earn a point.] The system explained [those points can be used to upgrade the system version and also be exchanged for blueprints when you unlock the shop function].

This part was easy enough to understand, so the system moved on to the next part.

[Knowledge shows the fields you have learnt, no matter how minimal and the proficiency shows how skilled you are in each field. The higher the percentage, the more advanced and complex your inventions can be in that area.]

Ethan rubbed his chin as he read through the explanation. So, my knowledge didn’t completely reset, but it isn’t at its peak either. I need to rebuild my expertise to reach the level I had before my death and surpass it.

[Assets represent your financial and business standing. Right now, you own nothing but a few hundred dollars and a part-time teaching job. If you want to climb the ranks, you need money, investments, and influence.]

Ethan scoffed. "Yeah, I figured that much."

[Inventions: A record of all the technology you create. Since you haven’t made anything in this timeline yet, this tab is empty.]

[Tech Influence: Measures how well-known and influential your technology is in the world. Right now, you have no presence, but that will change as you develop and distribute your inventions.]

[Finally, Missions: These are objectives meant to guide you in advancing your technology and influence. Completing missions grants rewards like knowledge boosts, resources, and unique blueprints.]

Ethan nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright. That was a lot of information, but I get it. So... what’s in the starter pack?"

[Would you like to open your starter pack now?]

Ethan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, open it."

The system screen flickered, and a new notification popped up:

[Starter Pack Opened]

[Rewards:

AI Assistant Framework: A blueprint for a basic AI assistant that can be expanded upon.

Beginner’s Funding: $10,000 added to savings

Tech Booster (One-Time Use): Instantly raises one chosen knowledge proficiency by +10%

Blueprint Scanner: Allows you to analyze and recreate simple technologies around you.]

Ding!

As soon as the system’s notifications concluded, a ding sounded from his small work table in the corner of the room.

Approaching it, he spotted his phone, still connected to charge even though it was at a hundred percent.

Reflecting his current financial status, his phone was a Samsung J5 with a crack running across the screen.

He unplugged the phone, causing its screen to power on.

A notification popped up at the top, displaying a message from his bank:

{The sum of $10,000 has been credited to your account. New balance: $10,360}

Ethan’s eyes widened and his fingers tightened around the device as he reread the message. The system’s rewards were real.

But before he could celebrate more, the phone suddenly rang.

He flinched a bit before glancing at the screen. The caller ID read "Newton Academy",

the small private high school where he worked as a part-time tech teacher.

His brows furrowed. Right. I was still working there at this age, wasn’t I?

With a sigh, he picked up the call. "Hello?"



"Ethan!" A woman’s voice, full of exasperation, came through the speaker.

He instantly recognized it, Miss Harper, the school’s strict but overworked administrator.

"Uh... yeah?" He responded cautiously.

"Where the hell are you?! You were supposed to be in class fifteen minutes ago!"

Ethan blinked "Oh, shit."

Glancing at the clock on his desk, he realized it was already past 9:00 AM.

His memories from this timeline were still slotting into place, but he vaguely recalled having a morning class every Tuesday—which meant...

"Are you seriously telling me you forgot?" Miss Harper continued, her irritation growing. "Listen, I don’t care if you were up all night coding or whatever it is you nerds do, just get here ASAP!"

Ethan opened his mouth, then closed it. He wasn’t about to explain that he just time-traveled and was still wrapping his head around it.

"...I’ll be there in ten minutes," he said instead.

"You have five." Click.

The call ended.