Figuring it out - Part 2

What even is this ability? I have never heard of an ability called "Copycat" before, is it some sort of rare ability. Also, the names leaves a lot to the imagination. It might sound simple but as simple as fire magic, and ice magic. Or even the more rare type of healing magic is pretty well known. Which personally I still think should be used more in hospitals since people could get their wounds healed at least. Which could give doctors more time to spend curing other diseases. Diseases that a healing ability can't cure. You also have a few more rare abilities but those only appear at higher ranks. For example any form of summoning magic which I personally have never seen in action before. You also the have once in a blue moon ability that only the strongest of the strongest get. And to be clear here, I wouldn't get an ability that only S ranked delvers get. So it is what I assume is an ability that gets hidden.

Honestly saying yes to having this ability would be an upgrade no matter what it is. But I still want to know what I am exactly saying yes to. Would I be able to see what this ability has in store for me or would I just have to find it out while I am trying to do something? The name makes it clear that I can copy but what could I copy? What or who could I copy? Could I copy behaviour perfectly which would not be great since that would mean I would still be weak? In the perfect situation, I could just copy everything about someone including stats which would be great in combat. And honestly, I highly doubt that if I was able to see my stats that I would decline to do so. Even though mine is covered by this screen. The worst case scenario is probably being able to copy someone's handwriting perfectly. That might be a good ability outside the portal somehow. But for someone whose job it is to go inside portals, it would be good to have an ability useful inside. But an ability is better than none. "Yes, I accept"

However right after I say that I accepted I noticed this weird glow over my hand again. Just like I saw in that weird temple but yet again I am unable to see what it actually is. Since just as I notice it, it is gone. I am really glad that the station I am at is seemingly empty right now. I have a feeling that if people did see me that they would think that I was an absolute idiot. But at least the message in front of my stats seems to be gone now. And honestly, even if my numbers are anything but good, it is good to see for once why I am so weak. What numbers decided that I was so weak, to begin with. And they do seem to reflect how weak I am. However, seeing the numbers in front of me still feels weird.

Stats:

Health: 50/50 Current Status: Perfect health

Mana: 10/10

Strength: 4 Intelligence: 7

Agility: 4 Stamina: 4

Mana level: 2

As I look at the stats closely, however, I can't help but feel slightly disappointed. I knew I was weak but I can't help but feel slightly disappointed by it. Someone can hope that they were just bad at things because they were not trying enough. But none of the numbers go above ten even which is even more embarrassing if you think about it. I am so bad that none of my stats are above a ten. None even get to ten. But I do notice some interesting at the bottom of the screen.

Ability to grow: UNKNOWN

What does unknown mean in this situation? This could go in multiple directions. This could be normal, every has an unknown ability to grow. Or this could mean two other things. The first thing this could be is that I can grow so little that the system can't measure it. Which with my current track record would be very plausible. I can't ignore the other side though that being that it could grow so much that it can't predict the growth. It would be better for my family and me that I got better for once. Because it would mean more money which is always needed in a world like this. However, I would really like to see what this new ability of mine can do. But I am unable to see any explanation for it. I accepted to get this new ability yet I am unable to see what this ability can do for me. Where do I have to view to see this "Copycat" ability of mine? I think a bit before I just try something. "Show ability Copycat" I mumble out in a vain attempt to the fact that this could work. But it did seem to work.

"Copycat":

This ability allows the user to copy either the ability of a monster or that of a human.

Based on your current stats any ability will be weaker.

Once you observe an ability you can say "Copy" to copy this ability.

Level: 1

You do not have the ability to store copied abilities.

Abilities stored: 0/0

Okay, this could actually be useful. The ability to be able to copy other people's abilities is quite a thing. I have never heard of anyone else being able to do this but it does sound great. But considering my mana level to say it nicely. It's in the gutter. It's basically nonexistent but hopefully, I can change that. Since I am not sure if I am able to get stronger ability-wise. I highly doubt I would just be able to use a copied ability as well as the original person would. But if I could train to get it better would be great. But how long would I get the chance to train someone's ability in the first place? There's probably a time limit to this yet I don't see one immediately. Will I only be able to copy people's abilities when they are around my level? Because that would kind of make it useless since no one around my level has abilities. I would love to be able to copy people's abilities if they were stronger than me but that would be a surprise. As I scroll down a bit down though, I notice that there seems to be more explanation about things.

The ability "Copycat" Also gives you the chance to see what other beings abilities are.

Stats effect which abilities you can see and thus copy.

I would love to research some things more but am unable to do so because I hear the metro approaching. I don't want the people on there looking at me like I am an idiot so I close the stats. I quickly walk closer to the line so I can get on the metro quicker. I know that won't bring me to the station any quicker but I just want to get on there quickly. I try to remember that I need to get off after three stops. That way I am quickly at their school. What sucks at a metro station like this is that there are no food stands there. So no way that I could get a quick bite to eat. The only thing I can really eat here right now is that energy bar I got from Kiara. So I quickly grab it since I haven't eaten since yesterday morning. I can't wait to get home since I want to quickly eat something that would actually fill up my stomach. I will probably be able to eat something in about an hour, hopefully together with Eleanor and Liam. But honestly, all this thinking makes me realise the fact that Kiara said something about my face about a scar. A scar that I would definitely get questioned about. It must have been from that thing, but I am kind of curious to see how bad it is. As I grab my phone to look at my face I notice that I forgot to put back my glove on. But as I turn on the camera I notice my face. I have a large over my cheek which shouldn't be healed already. The scar honestly looks quite odd on me. I have too much of a babyface for a cool scar like this. I quickly put my phone back in my pocket but I again notice that blue pattern on my hand again. I just wished it stayed long enough for me to see what it was.

While inside the metro, I just have to wait. Wait till I can get off and finally see my siblings. After I walked for fifteen minutes to get to their school of course. But inside here I can do nothing except scroll through my phone or look at the tunnel the metro runs through. It feels kind of calming if you ask me. Not having to stress out about going to another portal and hearing people chat with each other, not having to worry about things like that. I can't help but wonder if I'm getting called right now. But not having any signal causing no calls to go through. Once above ground I will get signal again and see how many messages I actually missed. One thing the school has to accept either way Is that I am taking Eleanor and Liam out of school for the day.

I try not to get lost in thought too much while on here. I don't want to miss a stop because I was thinking too much. I also have to get off this thing in one stop which is great. A delver like me would be lost without these rusting metal boxes driving around the entire city. I notice that my stop is finally there which means I can finally get off. I move closer to the door so I can get off immediately which is what I do when the doors open. I might want to train some more today but I think I better do that outside the metro station rather than inside it. I would probably run against someone and fall on the ground. But that training will have to wait till I have picked up Eleanor and Liam. Also, I rather eat lunch before I train too since I doubt I will be able to get far on a nearly empty stomach. As soon as I walk up the staircase, I hear my phone ring. I immediately pick up as I can only assume it's the school calling. "Mister Nguyen, you finally picked up. Can you confirm that you are alright since we had two phone calls from the association?" I hear the principal of the school tell me as I leave the station.

"Yeah, the supervisor at the site made quite a large mistake. I am about fifteen minutes away from the school right now. Is it alright that I pick up Eleanor and Liam from school early?" I ask as I already assume that I can pick both of them up. I honestly don't really care whether or not it's alright, I want to make sure that both of them are alright. I think the rest of the day at home might be best for their mental health. I doubt I would be able to keep them home for a couple days even if they were allowed to do so. I highly doubt that Eleanor would allow herself to stay home that long. Liam would but I doubt that Eleanor would allow him to stay home for too long either.

"I think that might be best for them if you do. It's probably healthy for them to be able to see that you are alright. I will let the secretary who has to let you in, know that you are coming." The principal responds as I hear her hang up the phone. I can get home quickly after I manage to get both of them. I can't help but notice that there are a lot of students walking outside right now. They might be skipping classes or have a free hour or something. I know that if dad ever found out that I had skipped class as a kid, he would've been quite mad. However, I can't help but notice that everyone that I pass by looks quite shocked for some reason. At least the ones who are looking at a phone or have someone in their group looking at one. I take mine out again as I open a new site. I can immediately see why people look shocked. Deaths in D+ ranked portals might not be common. At least not with what I have seen inside portals. People might've died and been left behind and said they were lost. But I personally haven't heard about that. I think the thing that scares people the most is the description of the monster. I wonder how the media got this information already. I don't remember any reporters standing around there.

I quickly put away my phone again as I try not to think too much about that monster inside the temple. I just want to get to the school so I can finally pick up my siblings. I just have to avoid trying to overthink everything right now, since I walk slower when I am too deep in thought. And what do I have to worry about, I am an F- ranked delver who focuses on collecting. Most of the time I don't even see the monsters. This was the first monster I had seen in months. As I try not to think too much, I quickly reach the school. I used to go there myself so I don't like to go there too often. But of course, I have to go to the parent-teacher conferences and such. As I walk inside I quickly see the secretary's office. "Uh, excuse me, I am here to see the principal." I say as I walk up to the secretary's booth.

"Could you state your name? I have to check if and when you have an appointment with the principal." The secretary responds in the most monotonous tone of voice I have ever heard. I probably should have started by saying my name since I would probably be going inside already if I did so. But this does make me wonder, how many appointments she would have in one day.

"My name is Azure Nguyen, the principal said she would inform you that I was coming." I respond as I do hope that the principal informed her that I was coming. I also have to hold myself back from walking around in this small hallway till I am allowed to go through.

"You are Mr. Nguyen. The principal did inform me that you were coming soon today. You can go through." The secretary responds as I hear the lock on the door go. I can finally get my siblings. I immediately walkthrough since I don't want this door to have to open up again because I was too slow with opening up the door. I can't help but think that it's good that she didn't become a teacher. I know more than a couple of people who would've fallen asleep while she thought.

I can't help but notice how many students are walking the hallways right now. I have to assume that the students have to change classrooms right now. As I pass by some of them I can't help but feel like I am getting stared at. They are probably wondering why someone who doesn't look like a high school student is here. I don't exactly look like someone's parent either. But I try to not let the staring bother me too much as I walk toward the office. I am glad that in the five years that I haven't been here that the layout of the school hasn't changed a bit.

As I approach the door I knock on it to be polite. But I have to hold myself back from just baring in. But I don't have to worry about that since I hear someone shout out the all too typical, come in. I see both Eleanor and Liam sitting there pretty awkwardly looking at me. For a few seconds, everything seems more than awkward. But that soon passes as Liam stands up and gives me a hug.

I don't understand how Liam can be this tall already. I wasn't that tall when I was his age. He should probably be getting a haircut soon though since his hair is getting too long for the hairstyle he is going for. There's one trait in terms of looks that he shares with his twin. And that trait is their eyes. Those bright green eyes feel like they can stare right into your soul. His sister has perfected that trait though. I am pretty sure if the kid got his activated that he would be stronger than me.

Eleanor however keeps sitting on the chair. She doesn't like hugs and stuff like that. I think she doesn't like a lot of physical contact in general. That means I'm not going to force her into a hug. What she however has to accept is the fact that I mess her hair up a bit. "You're okay? What happened why did the association call the school to tell us you died?" Eleanor asks me, her voice pretty void of emotion while the sentence itself does sound emotional. Liam finally lets me go from this bear hug as I go to ruffle through Eleanor's hair. She tries to stop it a bit with her hand but I still manage to go through it a bit. I am glad to see that both of them seem to be okay.

Eleanor has the same striking green eyes as her twin. Just like his it feels like she can stare right into my soul, however sometimes I think she actually does that. She is shorter than me and Liam. She also doesn't share our black hair, instead having the same hair colour as dad had. She has similar dark brown hair that's done in a simple bob. She claims that is a very easy hairstyle to maintain.

Eleanor might be able to hold her cool but Liam seems to be unable to do so. Immediately starting to cry again while giving me another hug. He seems to have cried quite a lot already with his eyes being red. That supervisor has caused both of them a lot of stress already. Just because that idiot didn't do his job well enough.

"I am not sure how that mistake was made. It shouldn't have been made in the first place. I have to assume that they didn't follow the correct procedure since I have no clue what else might've happened. But are the two of you okay?" I ask the both of them as I pet Liam's head to calm him down a bit, or at least try to do so. "I am going to take the both of them home now if that's alright. They have had enough stress for today."

"You can take both of them home. They will have to come back to class tomorrow." The principal responds as I see Eleanor stand up to go home with me and Liam. I am slightly surprised that her eyes seem red from crying too. I know she has emotions but I am not used to her showing them since she is so good at hiding them. "Get home safely, since I rather not have these two missing classes tomorrow." I walk both of them out as I want them to be able to rest a bit.

"So are you going to tell us what exactly happened inside that portal?" Eleanor asks me as soon as we actually walk outside the school. Of course, her questions don't stop there. "Why did they even think that you were dead? Where did you get that weird scar on your face, you didn't have that before?" I stay quiet a bit because I am not really sure how to answer that. However, my silence seemed to be enough of an answer for her. "You were at that portal everyone is talking about right? The portal that people died in."

"I was at the portal indeed. I was in the collection group however so nowhere near monsters. No clue where the scar came from though. It was there when I woke up apparently. And as far as I heard, just an incompetent supervisor who I am surprised didn't lose his job already. I assume he didn't lose it simply because of the fact that four people died already today. I did rip the guy a new one." I say jokingly to release the tension that was in the air a bit. It might however still be a tad bit too early to joke about something like that. I wouldn't want to accidentally traumatise them by laughing about it too early. It's best to avoid lying around Eleanor as much as possible since she is pretty good at seeing through them. I won't lie about being in the portal, however, me seeing the monster is a thing I should keep to myself.

Eleanor is by far the only person I know that could look at the thoughts behind someone's words so well. I don't know where she got it from completely since neither I nor Liam have it. Dad didn't have it either so I have to assume she got it from mom. From what I remember of her she could see through any lie too. However, that's where the similarities with mom end. She looks more like dad than she does like mom. Not only with physical similarities but also with conviction. However, unlike dad who was a doctor, I think she would be a lawyer or something else in that field. Just by her ability to see through people. I just wish that she didn't close herself off so much after dad's death five years ago.

Liam is the complete opposite personality-wise compared to Eleanor. He's rather naïve and very trusting of people for someone his age. He shares those traits with dad. However, with looks he's like me. We both look like mom a lot, he however still has dad's eyes. After dad's death, he started to show his emotions more and more. I think he doesn't know what to do with them most of the time so they just release in tears. Both of them could really benefit from some therapy regarding trauma and how to handle it. I would consider Liam and really hard worker though. He has told me that he wants to go into a field where he can help people in. He's not sure what yet, just that he wants to help people.

The one job I will never allow them to do is mine. Not having to raise siblings from a young age but neither the delving. I will never allow that.

End Figuring it out - Part 2

Complete

You got a character card

Name: Eleanor Nguyen

Ability: None

Class: None

Date of birth: 13/02/2007

Age: 16 years old

Nationality: American

Hair style: Brown hair done in a bob

Eye colour: Green eyes

Likes: Reading, Animals, Geography

Dislikes: Lies, Unpredictability, Pens that leak through paper