Transmigration and the denial stage (3)

I did some physical fitness tests for myself. Though, as a wizard with an intelligent build, it didn't come to me as a surprise that my physique is as good as that of an NBA professional.

I am a level 100 who ate a lot of potions, food, and pills that can permanently increase stats!

I could have gotten stronger if not for gaining immunity to the stat increase.

I can jump as high as at least two meters.

I don't have any timer but I feel that my speed and agility can contend with professional basketball players.

Too bad, I am only 177 cm tall, barely 6 feet.

Though I fall short of becoming a professional NBA player, I am still a maximum-level wizard.

...

I don't know any magic that can regrow limbs, so this kid got to find a way for himself.

I am itching to leave already, but I just can't leave him here. I have truly important questions that beg asking— questions concerning my mentality.

I may be a troublemaker, but even so, I possess a sense of responsibility in explaining why I am not leaving this kid here.

I can bring him like a sack of rice while making my way to the nearest town— but I won't since I have a more urgent agenda.

I easily dispatched the unruly monsters visiting my campsite. It's not really a campsite, but more of a convenient open space with none of the grass growing.

I am not an expert camper, but I at least knew that it's important to remove the grasses when you are camping. I did it easily, with an anti-grass potion.

The kid I saved was sleeping in a tent I have no idea how to set up, while I slept on the trees as I pass the time while stargazing.

At some point, I even thought that maybe I am in some kind of virtual reality. Using the movie, The Matrix as my reference, I tried to see uncanny patterns that might exist in this world. But I didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Using movies as a reference is not a smart thing to do, but fuck I am bored.

It took three days for the young survivor to finally wake up. I can still wait longer with my incredible storage of food and water, but wasting time idly like this is dangerous for my mental health.

But three days of waiting is better than an uncertain long week of searching for civilization.

Though, before I even made my appearance, I saw the young man crumble on the spot kneeling in the damp dirt— then he started crying.

He was howling and in pain. I was perched on the tree slightly amused by what I am seeing. But as a decent person, I tried my best not to be. After all, the guttural cries were filled with grief.

Even I— can feel that.

"What ya' crying? You look too alive for snake food. What is this? Tears of immense joy?"

But~ my mischievous side just can't help itself but give a quip of its own.

***

Tears and snot fill his face. A look of hope momentarily flashed in his eyes when he saw the man before him. Kieffer has no memories of this man, but he is certain that the man in front of him is what allowed him to survive.

Kieffer touched his left stump, a painful reminder of their foolish endeavor.

"Please, save my sister!" Kieffer begged. He used what is left from his clothing to wipe his tears and snot wishing to present himself the best he can to his benefactor.

"I will be your slave. I don't have anything, but I am a hard worker! Please, my elder sister is everything to me!" Kieffer is parched and his voice is hoarse. But he endured the pain, despite the dryness of his voice. He enunciated his begging words with the best clarity he can muster, for he fears his plea might not be heard because of his wrong pronunciations.

"First, drink." The man in front of him waved his hand, and a small water spout was summoned from the earth. Kieffer greedily drank the water for himself.

...

I facepalmed. Sheesh. OMG! I am so stupid. Of course, he will be dehydrated. I thought that feeding him potions are enough, but it looks like it is not! Well, in the game, satiating potions worked just fine!

To think that I was still caught up with game logic. Remember! Use human logic~ I told myself repeatedly until my thoughts drifted to the earlier exchange of dialogue.

I am just a teen myself. My age, 19 years old doesn't fall that far from his, so I can sympathize with his feelings.

If I were also eaten by a giant snake, I will also be in such a mess.

Kieffer drank the water until it was gone. It was a water spout from Aquamancy, my arcane research is a unique technique that allows me to copy the skills of others. In the game, I use them to exploit elemental advantages. Its only disadvantage is they are mana costly and is pricey in terms of experience, skill points, and materials.

Water Spout is one of the relatively bigger skills, it has good crowd control, knockback, and damage. With some experimentation over the last three days, I was able to reduce the intensity of my magic.

Kieffer's eyes are glowing in reverence.

'A magician?! It's a magician' Kieffer felt he can die a happy man now.

I ignored the fanaticism coming from the young teen, then the conversation started.

As the conversation moves on. I feel my heart getting heavier and heavier. I derive joy from mischief, but never from the suffering of others!

Hearing the narrative of the young man in front of me is not making me happy at all. Those fucking goblins have gone beyond mischief.

I remembered the first goblin I killed, the one from my game character's perspective— it was a clear depiction of indifference.

Meanwhile, the 'me' outside of the game character felt boredom. This vivid recollection of events is attributed to my high intelligence and spirit stats. So I can say with confidence that the emotions I am feeling now are accurately different.

Just a while ago, I felt sympathy. And now, I am feeling anger. And the very same teen that evoked such emotions in me, is now showing me an image of what humanity is like in the face of great despair.

If all of this is not real, then what?

I finally got a hold of myself. Fuck mental health. I am done with my denial stage!