Chapter 2

"You might think our fight ended in a draw again, but you would be wrong. My wounds will heal after a tasty meal, but yours would still be there when I come back tomorrow," I stare down my opponent.

Pff, stupid tree, thinking he is my equal. He is nothing more than a stepping stone, a grindstone for me to sharpen my skills. Every day I become stronger, faster, just overall better, but he? I can't say the same for him.

Still, the tree is a good opponent to practice my skills on, as I leveled up Martial Arts and Physical Endurance twice during our duel. I'm sure that if I continue progressing like this, I will be able to punch a hole through the tree soon. That'll teach him who's boss.

Standing motionlessly, I recover my missing HP with Meditate before focus on my two new skills. I feel excited just thinking about what they could do, but how do I use them?

"Create ID!"

I try saying the name of the skill while thinking about it. I feel something wiggle out from within me. It starts off in my chest, traveling down my arm, and exits out of my palm.

That should be magic! Or mana in my case. Nevertheless, this confirms my theory that I can indeed do magic. Now, I'll only need to try and replicate how my mana moved and figure out how to cast magic.

Shouldn't be too hard, right?

Yesterday's event before I went to bed passes through my mind, and I look down in shame. I really hope the same doesn't happen again.

I shake my head and look around. I have other things to focus on first. Like, why nothing changed even though I used the skill? I was expecting to be transported into, well, a dungeon.

Did the skill fail?

Do I have to use it in specific locations?

Thinking about that, I notice something weird. I hear nothing.

No sounds coming from the vehicles that should be passing near the park. No birds chirping around. No voices of kids playing in the park. There's just an eerie silence in the air.

I rush out of the park and find… nothing. There's not a living soul anywhere in my sigh.

So, this is the Mirror Dimension then?

How very interesting.

I return back to my previous location and cast my other skill.

"Exit ID!"

Thinking it will work like Create ID, surprise fills me at what happens. The world around me shatters as if it was made out of glass. And with that, life and sound return back to normal.

My jaw is hanging loosely at what just happened. That's so cool!

"Create ID!"

"Exit ID!"

"Create ID!"

"Exit ID!"

"Create ID!"

"Exit ID!"

Am I like a little kid that just got a new toy? Yep!

Do I care? Hell, no! Watching the world break around you is just so fricking cool!

Still, I had my fun for the time being.

[Lying has increased to 9!]

Maybe not.

"Create ID!"

"Exit ID!"

[Create ID has increased to 2!]

[Exit ID has increased to 2!]

Okay, okay, okay. That's enough, and I'm not saying it just because I don't have any more MP to use. There are more things I need to figure out, but first, I quickly meditate to restore my mana.

Now that I'm full, I stand still with a focused look on my face. Shouting the skill is cool and all, but... it's a good way to inform everyone, "Hey! I'm over here!"

It's a good thing no one saw my earlier… experiments. Yeah, let's call them that. It would've been very embarrassing otherwise.

So, I try using the skill again, but this time, I don't shout it. I can use Meditate without saying the name of the skill, and I only need to focus on what I want to do. This should be the same.

It takes a bit of an effort, but I force the mana in my body to move, and the skill activates. Great! Perfect even!

I replicate the same feat with Exit ID and watch as space around me shatters. This will never get old, I'm sure of that!

Feeling the little kid inside me come out, I start spamming Create ID and Exit ID over and over again. I'm not just having fun this time, I swear! There's a reason why I'm doing this.

I'm trying to get accustomed to how my mana moves around since I want to create a Magic skill because, well, magic! Who doesn't love magic? It's cool and flashy, perfect for a Gamer!

Plus, I'm leveling the two skills as well. The description states this is a dungeon, so I still have hope it will create monsters for me to fight in the future. And mobs mean drops and experience.

I'm not sure if the monsters will drop money for me, but even if they don't, having a way to increase my experience is just too important. My XP bar does increase by me doing everyday tasks and completing Quests, but that's soo slow!

I also test out how the skills work. I can use Create ID to enter the Mirror Dimension, and I can leave it with Exit ID, but I don't appear back at the spot I entered it.

Why do I feel like my skills are perfectly suited for a criminal? With this skill and my Inventory, I can easily enter a bank, grab all the money I can, and leave with no one even finding out.

Am I supposed to go the path of a criminal?

Okay, stop thinking about that and focus on leveling!

After I get both skills to level 4, I quickly meditate to recharge. There are no changes to their description, but I still believe it will happen.

When my mana recovers, I enter the Mirror Dimension, but I don't use Exit ID, as much as I wish to see the space shatter around me.

After spamming the skills so my, I now feel confident to try my hand at using magic again.

Now, urging my mana to move while using Create ID is easy. The skill guides me and helps me do it. But now I have to do it on my own.

I focus hard, and I feel my butt cheeks clench as I try to guide my mana to my palm, which I raise in the air, pointing it at the tree.

The mana starts moving, and I start begging. Please don't fart! Please don't fart!

I do everything I can to stop that from happening while urging my mana out of my palm.

It works! I can feel it pushing out, and in a moment, I see a burst of blue energy fly out of my palm. It strikes the tree in front of me, sending pieces of bark flying.

[Due to a specific action, the skill, Energy Blast, has been generated!]

[Energy Blast(Active) Lvl 1/100: A skill that attacks by emitting mana in a cone shape in front of you. It deals 10 + INT damage. MP cost: 25. Range: 2m. Radius: 0.5m]

I… I did it! I have a Magic Skill!

But what's this about meters? Hello, game? We are in America, use the proper measurements!

Of course, I did the obvious thing after creating my new skill.

"Energy Blast!"

"Energy Blast!"

"Energy Blast!"

I spam the heck out of it, ripping apart the tree in front of me. I don't use it on my nemesis, in case it gets damaged in the real world. I have to keep him safe until I can beat him without magic.

[Energy Blast has increased to 2!]

[Energy Blast(Active) Lvl 2/100: A skill that attacks by emitting mana in a cone shape in front of you. It deals 11 + INT damage. MP cost: 25. Range: 2m. Radius: 0.5m]

Increasing the skill only raised its damage by 1. That's… disappointing. It's only my first Magic Skill, so I didn't think it will be the best, but still.

Nothing else changed other than that, but maybe I just need to level it up some more. I also need to learn how to silently cast this one as well.

I focus and work on that for some time, meditating whenever I run out of mana. I look at my new skill in satisfaction after my hard work.

[Energy Blast(Active) Lvl 5/100: A skill that attacks by emitting mana in a cone shape in front of you. It deals 15 + INT damage. MP cost: 24. Range: 2.5m. Radius: 0.6m]

Minor increases all around, but It's better than nothing. I could stay for longer, but I'm already starting to feel tired, so I decided to return home. I will continue working on my magic tomorrow.

Since I only increased my Dexterity and Vitality by 1 during my jog to the park, I decided to take the long way home. I know it will get harder to raise my stats the higher they are, so I will just have to work harder to counteract that.

That's one thought I would've never dreamed of even considering before. It's been three days since I received my powers, but my life changed so much already.

I… like this. It feels like I'm doing something with my life, other than just wasting my time playing games over and over again. I'm still playing one, but I'm trying to become better each day.

Thinking about that as I run, I keep spamming Observe absentmindedly on everything in sight. Never stop grinding! I think that's my new motto.

I stop in my tracks, rooting myself on the ground after I see one particular notification.

[Red Bull(Energy Drink): It doesn't give you wings, but it does restore your energy. Drinking it will give you 2 hours of energy. Each consecutive energy drink's effect will be reduced by 50%]

I'm drooling as I look at this, I'm sure of that.

I have to buy this, I just do! My new motto is to never stop grinding and this will help me with that!

Before I even realize what I'm doing, I'm already at the counter, purchasing as many Red Bulls as I can with my current funds. Only 9, but that's like 3 hours and a half worth of extra energy every day! I'm not going to drink more than 3 due to the reduced effect of consecutive drinks.

As I run back home, a thought strikes me. Won't coffee have the same effect as a Red Bull? It might be lesser, but it will still be a good alternative and probably cheaper as well.

When I reach home, I have one more Dexterity thanks to the longer path I took home. Unfortunately, Vitality didn't increase.

As usual, I do my physical workout at home before I find myself sitting on the computer, playing chess on one tab while picking random numbers on a dozen other.

I'm getting much better at chess, and I'm starting to win quite often, gaining Intelligence as I do. I don't pay that much attention to the roulettes. I mean, what's the point? I just pick random numbers and hope I win.

Luck is a weird stat. To raise it, I have to get lucky, so doesn't that mean I will have an easier time increasing it since it will happen more often the higher it is?

And what exactly does it do? The description of it isn't exactly helping me. It just says that's how lucky I am. I'm guessing it has to do with loot drops maybe? Hopefully, I will figure it out soon, tomorrow preferably.

Fighting monsters… I don't know how to feel about that. Doing it in a game is easy. I just click my mouse and keyboard, and my character does the rest.

But doing it in real life? That's… different. I will be risking my life fighting against monsters. That's kind of scary.

But… loot! And experience! I can't pass out on those two. I won't be able to call myself a gamer if I do.

When my eyelids start closing on their own, I take out one of the Red Bulls from my inventory and gulp it down. Instantly, I feel refreshed and energized.

I really don't know what to do, however. Usually, I go to bed at this point. Hmm…

I was about to start working out again, but didn't I find out I have my own personal training ground now? And the best thing is, I can do whatever I want there, and nothing will change in the real world. The tree I spammed my Energy Blast looked perfectly fine after I left the Mirror Dimension!

However, I stop myself from doing that. I'm missing something very valuable that every gamer should have, a crafting skill!

I leave my room to go and grab a thread and a needle. My grandma loves sewing, so we have plenty of that. I grab a piece of cloth as well and start working.

[Due to specific action, the skill, Crafting, has been generated.]

[Crafting (Active) Lvl. 1/100: The crafting skill, the higher its level, the better stuff you can make!]

A simple description, but the skill has so much potential! I'm sure of that.

I just wonder if I will be able to replicate Dr. Doom's suit with this? The King of Latveria has fought with the Fantastic Four a few times, though he always gets away with nothing but a slap on the wrist. Something about him having diplomatic immunity?

How does that even work? Dr. Doom goes and commits crimes and causes massive damage in his fights with the Fantastic Four, yet he can't be imprisoned because he is a King?

Suddenly, I have the desire to be a King as well. Not that's possible for that to happen to me, but I want to be treated like that as well!

However, despite Dr. Doom being a supervillain, his suite is super cool. I have to admit that. From the few videos I've watched of him, he can fly and fire lasers with it.

I want to fly and fire lasers as well! Hmm, isn't it possible for me to replicate those feats with skills? Ohh, I have to try it out for sure!

But the suit! I want one as well! Though I'm far from creating one myself, judging by the cloth mask in my hands.

[A simple face mask: Created by a newbie Crafter, so the face mask barely covers the wearer's face. It will be useful only against people with bad vision.]

Newbie Crafter? Useful only against people with bad vision? I didn't ask you, stupid game!

[Lying has increased 10!]

Well, fuck you too!

I throw the mask in my Inventory and enter the Mirror Dimension. I pull a dumbbell out of my Inventory and start lifting it with one hand while firing my Energy Blast with the other.

For the next three hours and a half, I keep doing this over and over again. Every time I get close to being bored, I just remember how I feel whenever I see the pleasant notifications, and I eagerly continue grinding.

I'm more than satisfied with my training for the night as I drop on the bed. However, I lift myself up and start meditating, trying to keep the skill active during the night.

It didn't work, and I wake up sprawled on the bed, but the skill is a higher level, so there's that.

I also notice that I feel as fresh as ever, so it didn't matter how much I slept, just that I did. That's good to know.

Under grandma's guidance, I prepare some tasty breakfast for the both of us, and I leave for school after. On my way there, I keep spamming Obverse.

It's my highest level skill, sitting at 15, but it doesn't have any MP cost, and it's easy to use. And my second highest skill is… I don't want to talk about that one. It's for me to know, and for no one else to find out.

Classes are boring as per usual, but I sit still without moving a muscle. Might as well continue grinding even here by activating Meditate. I also use Observe on my classmates, finding all kinds of new information about them.

[<Nightcrawler of the X-Men> Kurt Wagner Lvl 36]

Would you look at that? Kurt has also leveled up. I'm here struggling to get to level 2, and he is already 36? That's so unfair!

However, I don't get to complain about his level since Observe informs me of something important.

{Kurt Wagner, the son of Mystique and ???, was born in Bavaria, Germany. He was recruited to the X-Men 5 years ago by Charles Xavier. Kurt currently believes his best friend, William Williamson, has been abducted and replaced with a robot.}

Kurt is the son of the leader of the Brotherhood. That's… interesting.

However, more importantly, he believes I've been replaced with a robot.

That's… actually possible. I mean, my life is a video game, and can I see levels, stats, and whatnot. Have I really been replaced with a robot?

Nah, I would know if that was the case.

Kurt, you haven't done anything yet, but you are already making me doubt myself!

I really hope he doesn't try doing something drastic, however. What if he decides to beat me up to find out the truth? I'm still a level 2 noob, and he is level 36! A few serious hits from him could probably end in my demise!

And I don't even know his mutant powers! How am I supposed to plan how to escape without that?

Oh, wait. I can just enter the Mirror Dimension and run away. However, I don't think that will resolve the situation in any way.

Class ends, and I quickly walk out of the classroom. Better to avoid a confrontation. I stay away from him for the rest of the day, definitely not acting suspiciously. Nope.

Though, I'm in a bit of a pickle during lunch. Both Kurt and Jean sit down at my table, staring at me dubiously. I pretend there's nothing wrong, calmly eating my lunch.

Nothing suspicious going on here guys. Move on and stop staring at me like that!

I did, however, use Observe on Jean secretly, finding out she believes there's something wrong about me. She doesn't think I'm a robot, but she is sure I'm not normal.

How?? How did she find out?!?

They keep whispering to each other, but I ignore that while preparing to use Enter ID if they try anything. I might out myself as a mutant, but I will survive, though I don't know what I will do afterward.

Thankfully, they didn't do anything, and I bolt out of school like a man on a mission. I return home to cook some food for grandma before giving her a massage. The park is my destination after that.

I need to raise all of my stats and skills, in case Kurt and Jean decided to do something stupid.

Having no time to banter with my nemesis, I immediately start punching and kicking him. The second I raise my Martial Arts and Physical Endurance, I start spamming Create ID/Exit ID.

[Create ID has increased to 5! You can now create an Instant Dungeon filled with monsters. Currently available ones: Zombie Dungeon]

There it is! My saving grace!

I can finally start grinding mobs for loot and levels.

After making sure my MP and HP are full, I create a Zombie Dungeon. There are no changes to the scenery, and I'm still in the same location, but I can hear groaning sounds this time.

Taking a peek from behind a tree, I see my first mob. Torn clothes, dirty hair, lifeless eyes, and ugly, grey skin. A zombie is wobbling around and groaning at the same time.

[Zombie Lvl. 7]

Damn! This thing is 5 levels higher than me? Can I even fight it?

I have to at least try, and if it's too dangerous, I can run away with Escape ID. I can do that right?

A quick check later, I find out I can indeed run away. Good!

I take a peek from behind a tree again, making sure there is only a single mob in my sight. Don't want to get swarmed by those things, after all.

It's alone, so I jump from behind the tree, getting in range, and use my Energy Blast.

The burst of blue energy slams into the zombie, ripping flesh from its body and sending it tumbling on the ground. Slowly, it gets up, and just as slowly, it starts moving towards me.

A grin forms on my face. This will be easy! If zombies are this slow, then they aren't a threat to me! I can just spam my spell and make sure they never get close to me. I don't know if I can be infected or not, but I'd rather not test that theory out.

[You have leveled up!]

This pleasant notification appears in my vision as the zombies fall down, turning into white particles that vanish in the air.

[You have obtained $0.10, rotten flesh, and a zombie's tooth!]

The latter two are disgusting, but… MONEY! I got cash from the zombie! It's only a dime, but this proves I can get money from mobs.

If I kill 100 zombies a day, I can get $10 every time I do that. And higher-leveled mobs will probably drop even more cash.

I just have to test out if this money is valid. Though it probably is. I can take out however much cash I want from my Inventory. Even if I have put a $20 bill inside it, I can pull out a $1 bill by just thinking about it.

And two days ago, when I purchased the books, no one said anything about my bills being counterfeit. The same thing happened with the Red Bulls I bought yesterday.

Yep, this settles it. I don't need a job, and I can just keep grinding for the rest of my life, getting rich while also becoming stronger at the same time.

Bullshit powers for the win!

I even have an easy way to farm the Zombie Dungeon. Pop in, kill a zombie Energy Blast and pop out to regenerate my MP. I'm as safe as I can be while also grinding all the time, even when I'm regenerating my mana as I'm meditating.

[You have leveled up!]

[You have leveled up!]

[You have leveled up!]

By the time I finish, I'm level 6 already. I honestly want to continue doing this, but leveling up isn't as glorious as I believed it.

Yeah, I get free stats points, but I don't plan on using those until it gets harder to increase my stats manually.

Argh! This is so frustrating.

I still kill one more zombie for good measures, when I feel something ominous. As if a very, very dangerous being is staring me down.

"Do you know what you are doing?"

I froze on the spot, hearing someone ask me that from behind me. Mechanically, I turn around, preparing for the worst.

Is this a boss encounter? I don't know what else it could be.

Maybe it isn't, considering a bald woman in monk clothes is standing behind me. She has a shiny, golden necklace around her neck, but the text above her head draws my attention.

[<???> ??? Lvl. ???]

How great! Absolutely wonderful! Someone who I can't see anything about.

What is she even doing in my Dungeon? This is supposed to be my safe space! How did she even enter? I didn't know others could do that!

Okay, let's try to play it cool.

"Yeah? Of course, I do! Why would I not?"

[Lying has increased to 11.]

Not now! I'm in the middle of something important here.

"Somehow, I doubt that," she says walking past me.

Come on, lady. Not you as well. At least she hasn't attacked me, so I might get to return home today.

Still, I prepare myself if she tries anything. If not, Lying, you better do your job. You're one of my highest-leveled skills, so I'm relying on you here.

The bald woman stops right where a zombie disappeared a moment ago. She looks to the side where a few more are slowly stumbling to the side. Her hands start glowing in orange light, and she points at the incoming mobs. Whips made out of pure energy lash out at the zombies, killing them in one hit, and turning them into loot.

Magic! Magic! She's a magician! I was thinking of ways to escape, but now I just want to figure out a way to get her to teach me. Not like I have a way to run away. My get-out-of-jail free card is the Mirror Dimension, and she can enter and exit it as well.

Baldy over there walks to the dropped items. Her hands glow again, and she swipes them over the rotting flesh before picking it up.

Um, I wouldn't do that if I were you, lady. That thing looks disgusting.

"Even more incredible," I hear her mutter.

Yeah, I know, I'm awesome. Praise me more. But that's just rotting flesh, you know that, right lady? There's nothing incredible about that.

"Do you know what this is, Mr. Williamson?" She asks.

"Rotting flesh?" I say, trying to figure out how she knew my name. I don't remember introducing myself to her.

"Observant, aren't you?" She chuckles. Is she making a joke about my skill? There's no way she knows even about that, right?

"Yes, this is rotting flesh, but it shouldn't exist, yet it does," she continues, but I don't see where she is going with this.

"I can saw you entering and exiting the Mirror Dimension like a little kid. I saw you practice a form of primitive magic. I could understand all that. Maybe you somehow learned it on your own. Very unlikely, but still possible"

"But then you went a step further. You entered the Mirror Dimension and created projections of zombies. I know they weren't here because I was already watching you from the Mirror Dimension."

"I could somehow understand the zombies. Maybe an Elder God had bestowed you with powers without my notice, and you were given the ability to create projections to fight against. It's quite possible, I'm not omnipotent."

I just keep nodding along, acting as if all of this made sense to me. I even kept my cool when she called my magic primitive. It's my first spell, okay? I even did it on my own! No need to shame me.

However, when she mentioned Elder Gods… a really bad feeling started creeping inside me. Gods exist? Seriously? I don't like the sound of that.

"But it seems you weren't done impressing me, Mr. Williamson. Those zombies also turn into piles of flesh, teeth, and even actual coin! Do you understand what that means?"

"Yeah, you kill the mobs, and they drop loot."

Duh! That's how games work, baldy.

She tilts her head to the side, looking puzzled at my response. Ha, take that! Who is the confused one now?

"That is not how the world works, Mr. Williamson. This rotting flesh that I'm holding is real!"

Yeah, I can see that, but why are you still holding it? Please drop it. It's disgusting. Actually, never mind. Keep holding it. Maybe you will get infected. Or do you have a thing for that?

"You created actual matter out of nothing. This is truly impressive, and I've seen a lot of incredible feats in my life. So that begs the question, what are you, Mr. Williamson?"

That's an easy answer.

"A human," I say.

[Lying has increased to 12!]

Thank you, Lying. You are a lifesaver!

"Lying won't help you, Mr. Williamson. You should answer honestly, less you endanger yourself."

Lying, you failed me! Why are you like this!

"A mutant," I quickly say as she drops the flesh and her hand starts glowing.

"Hmm, not a lie, but it's not what I'm looking for."

They are still glowing. Shit!

"I'm The Gamer!"

Thank, God. The hands are no longer glowing. She tilts her head to the side, looking very much confused at my answer.

"The gamer?"

"The Gamer with a capital G. I heard you use a small letter for it."

Oh, shit, they are glowing again.

"It's my mutant power, and it turned my life into a Game."

I don't think I have ever spoken so fast in my life.

"Explain."

I take a deep breath, hiding my annoyance as much as possible. I don't want to reveal anything about myself to others until I can protect myself, but I don't have the choice here, do I?

"I have Levels, Stats, Skills, Inventory, like a typical character for a video game. Oh, I also got Quests. That's how I got the skill to enter the Mirror Dimension."

"A Quest taught you how to enter the Mirror Dimension?"

"It didn't teach me. It just gave me the skill, and I only have to use it. It uses a part of my mana, and poof, I'm here."

"Mana?" She asks, looking even more confused.

"Yeah, in video games, characters have typically Mana and Health. Health is their life, and if it drops at 0, they die, which I assume would happen to me as well."

[+1 Wisdom.]

Hey, this one hasn't increased in a while. Nice!

"Mana is what they use to cast skills or magic."

"Fascinating. You don't use dimensional energies for your magic, but your personal one, similar to Chi," she says.

"It seems you are a natural-born Sorcerer."

"I am? I mean, of course, I am!" She chuckles at my response. Yes, please laugh at me and don't point your glowy hands in my direction.

Though, the word Sorcerer intrigues me. Not only are Gods real, but so is magic. Is she also a Sorcerer? I wonder if I can convince her to teach me.

[Quest has been created.]

[Become a Sorcerer: Convince the mysterious bald-headed woman to teach you Magic.]

[Reward: You learn magic; 1000 XP]

[Failure: You don't learn magic]

[Duration: -]

Wow? Really? Fuck you, game! I was going to attempt persuading her either way, but I still accept the Quest. If I do end up completing it, I will at least get some bonus XP.

Otherwise, I'm stuck learning magic on my own, which I already know is possible. I did create Energy Blast, after all.

"A Sorcerer? Is that what you are? Can you teach me?"

The woman chuckles.

"Did you happen to get a quest about it?"

That's not fair! GM, there's a cheater! Ban her! How does she know?

"Ugh, maybe?"

"Your power is amusing, but why should I teach you Magic?"

"Because as you said, I'm a natural-born Sorcerer. Won't it be better for you to teach me how to use my abilities? And I'm a very diligent student, I can learn easily. I just need a skill book. I'm also intelligent and can become even more intelligent in the blink of an eye, I just need to place my stat points into Intelligence and Wisdom. And... and... I'm the best?"

[Lying has increased to 13!]

Baldy chuckles with an amused smile.

"Being a Sorcerer is not a simple matter, Mr. Williamson. Learning Magic is just one part of it."

Oooh, I don't like where this is going.

"We, Sorcerers, are tasked with protecting the world from both magical and dimensional threats."

Yeah, I really don't like the sound of this. Dimensional threats? I don't even know what that means, but I don't want to find out.

"But you are correct. You do need to learn how to use your abilities."

"Yeah, that's cool, but I don't want to come face to face with dimensional threats. That sounds a bit too much for me. I would like my HP to stay over 0, and I don't think dimensional threats will agree with that."

"Very amusing, Mr. Williamson, but you will not be tasked with defending the world until you are ready."

"That's cool, but unless you can guarantee my survival, I'm gonna pass on the Sorcerer business."

"That's disappointing."

She even looks disappointed as she turns around. Her hand makes a circular motion and a portal forms in front of her.

"On a second thought, maybe I do want to be taught Magic," I say quickly before she leaves.

Freaking portals! I want to do that!

She turns around with a smile as if she had expected this. Damn it, I fell into her trap. But portals! Who doesn't like that?

"I knew you would make the right choice. Come to 177A Bleecker Street tomorrow after you finish your run, Mr. Williamson," baldy says and turns around, walking into the portal, which closed behind her.

How much does this woman know about me? Is she some kind of voyeurs? I hope all Sorcerers aren't like here. Now that I think about it, she didn't even introduce herself. How rude! Well, then, I will just call her baldy from now on.

[Quest complete +1000 XP]

Yeah, yeah, I know.

Leaving the Mirror Dimension, I head home, thinking about this new predicament I found myself in. Learning magic will be good for me, especially if I get taught how to create portals.

However, dimensional threats sound like something I don't want to come face to face. Unless my stats are at least 100x higher, but it will take a long time until that happens, even if I end up spending my free stat points.

At home, I continue with my workout regime until I fall asleep.

Morning passes as usual, and I'm back at school, meditating during classes to avoid dying of boredom. I need to level up this skill and Martial Arts as soon as possible since both of them passively increase my stats.

I'm hoping to avoid any confrontation with Kurt today, but that doesn't seem possible, as I can see him walk towards me during the break.

"Hey, Will."

"Hey, Kurt."

"I vas vondering, have you ever lied to me?"

Here it is. Think, Will, think. How do I get out of this? Distraction, that's how.

"So, you found out?"

Kurt's eyes widen, and he balls his hands into fists.

"I mean, I thought you will figure it out sooner."

Kurt now looks ready to jump me.

"Our handwriting isn't even the same. Like, I could never write as good as a girl."

Kurt is just about ready to punch me before he tilts his head to the side, looking befuddled.

"Vat?"

"The love letter you received from 'Liz.' I was the one that wrote it. I wanted to prank you and make you embarrass yourself when you go and ask her out, but it turned out she did like you. It worked out for you two for a while before you broke up. I thought you would've found out sooner about it."

It was meant to be payback for all the pranks he did on me. How was I supposed to know she liked him? Lucky bastard.

"Vat?!?"

"I mean, come on, there is no way I can write like a girl. The letter looked as if someone wrote it with his left foot. I don't know how you were fooled by it."

Kurt starts laughing, but still punches me in the shoulder. That's -1HP right there. Not cool, Kurt, not cool at all.

"Jackass," he shakes his head and walks away.

Whoosh. Crisis averted!

---

Leaving Will, Kurt walked over to Jean, who was waiting for him a bit further away.

"It's okay, he is the real one. Are you sure you're not having issues viz your powers? Or maybe you vant to go out on a date with me, and you planned to make us fight and svoop in to make me feel better? Or, or, maybe you vanted to go out with him?" Kurt asked and wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"No, you, idiot. I don't want to go out with either of you! And no, there are no issues with my powers, I still can't sense him!"

Jean frowned and stomped away, heading right towards William.

"I will deal it with myself."

---

I'm leisurely walking towards my next class, when I feel the same ominous feeling before my encounter with baldy. I turn back, only to see Jean stomping towards me angrily.

Oh, shit! The crisis has not been averted. I repeat, the crisis has not been averted!

I look around, seeing as I'm in the middle of the hallways with a few other students walking around. Come on, guys, look at what's happening!

The school princess is stomping over towards the nerd that plays games all day. Why is no one pointing this out? Do something about it! Save me!

"I know what you are doing," Jean points an accusatory finger my way.

However, the people around us ignore the two of us, as if we are not there to begin with. Seriously? What kind of sorcery is this?

Okay, Will, think fast. Distraction seemed to work earlier, so let's try it again.

"You do? But I haven't even told Kurt about what I'm planning."

"Huh?"

"I mean, I picked up a cooking book just so I can get better at cooking and make you the most delicious pizza, so I can show you how much better it is than salads."

Jean looks visibly confused, and Kurt walks over as well.

"Is zat vy you haven't logged in the past few days?" he asks.

"Yeah, I've been grinding my skills."

I'm not even lying here. Color me impressed.

"What? Why would you do that? I don't even want to go on a date with you," Jean said.

Well, I can play that game too.

"I don't want to go on a date with you too."

[Lying has increased to 14!]

Shh, this is not the time.

"I just want to make you a pizza to prove to you it's better than salads. I never said anything about going on a date with you."

Now she looks offended by my response.

"You don't want to go out with me?"

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

"No."

[Lying has…]

Stop betraying me!

"I just want to show you pizzas are better. Nothing more."

"I doubt that you will succeed, but if you do, I will give you a chance and go out with you."

Nah, nah, nah. You already hurt my feelings by saying you don't want to go out with me.

"No need, I just want to prove you I'm right. I don't want to go out with you. I hope that's all because I have a class to attend."

I walk away after that, feeling like the winner of that conversation. I mean, I averted the crisis and all of that, but… I suddenly feel like crying. Did I seriously turn down the chance of going out with Jean out of pettiness? I'm going to die alone, aren't I?

Lunch comes soon. Kurt and I sit down to eat our meals, but Jean suddenly comes over. I thought resolved my problem with them since Kurt is back to acting normal and no longer suspects me of being a robot.

However, Jean looks at me suspiciously during the entire lunch break.

"I still don't trust you," she says as we are packing.

"Why? I haven't done anything to you?" Besides acting like a dumbass when we met.

Jean didn't answer. She just narrows her eyes and walks away. I use Observe on her since it's a higher level now, and find out what's going on thanks to one particular line in the information.

{Jean is currently suspicious of William Williamson since she can't hear his thoughts.}

Okay, I can deduce she is some kind of a psychic from that. However, there is nothing I can do to change that.

She probably can't hear my thoughts due to my Gamer's Mind, but it's not like I can turn it off. And even if I can, I won't do it. I don't want anyone messing around in my head. There is room here only for me, myself, and I.

Well, I can't do much about this right now. And I have something important for today, magic!

After finishing my routine at home, I start my jog and end it at the address baldy gave me, 177A Bleecker Street. Well, not really. I took the bus midway through my run since the location is in Brooklyn. I would need to run four at least half a day to reach it from my house. Probably even more.

What awaits me at 177A Bleecker Street is a large, three-storied building. I didn't even get to ring the buzzer or knock when the door opened up. A tall, buffed, black dude walked out, wearing the same monk clothes baldy wore.

[<Master of the New York Sanctum> Daniel Drumm Lvl. ??]

This isn't what I was expecting. I thought Sorcerers would be weak and fragile. Definitely not as badass-looking as Daniel here.

Unlike with baldy, I can also see his name and title, but not his level. In games, you usually have a limit to how high of a level you can see. I have to find out what's my limit.

"Welcome, Mr. Williamson. The Ancient One warned me of your arrival." She didn't really look ancient, but each to his own. She was fascinated by the rotting flesh, so maybe I was onto something there.

"I'm Daniel Drumm, the Master of the New York Sanctum. Come," Daniel beckons with his hand and leads me inside.

"There is no need to call me Mr. Just William is fine," I say. I'm still 17, being called Mr. is just weird.

"As you wish, Just William," Daniel grins. I already like him more than baldy – I'm not calling her Ancient One.

"Very funny. You can call me William or Will."

Daniel nods as we continue walking deeper inside the building. I use my Observe on every fancy-looking item I spot. I have to resist the urge to simply start grabbing them all and storing them in my Inventory. The place is full of all kinds of magical weapons and equipment.

"So, am I going to be taught magic here?"

The Sanctum is practically empty. Except for all the items we pass as we walk. However, there we haven't met anyone else so far.

"Here? No. At least not for now. You will be taught at Kamar-Taj," Daniel explains.

"Kama-ta-what?" I've never heard of that place.

"Kamar-Taj, it's in the Himalayas, Tibet."

I still had no idea where that is, except that it isn't on American soil. Like, seriously, did Daniel expect me to know geography outside of America's? They don't teach us that at school.

"It's in Asia," Daniel says, seeing my confused look.

Ahh. Right, on the other side of the world. Gotcha. He should've said that from the start.

"But how we will go there? Portals?" I ask, eager to learn that ability.

"Through here," Daniel points at a large door in front of me.

A quick Observe told me it's a gateway leading to Kamar-Taj. Okay, but why? Can't Daniel just open a portal for me, or is that something only baldy can do?

Daniel's hand starts glowing and he reaches out as if to grab the door. He doesn't come anywhere close to touching it, and he pulls back, opening the gateway to Kama-Baj.

Cool, amazing even, but why? I ask myself as I step through, seeing the gateway close behind me.

Maybe they are trying to show off, to grab my attention? Obviously, that's the case. I'm just that special.

Now, Kata-ta is what I was expecting to see when I arrived at the New York Sanctum. It looks like one of those magnificent monk temples you see in Asian movies, and I'm impressed. The place is bustling with people in monk clothes, walking around with books in their hands, and talking with each other in different languages.

"Good to see you, Just William."

I hear the voice of baldy next to me. There is a smile on her face as if she was trying to rub in how much she knew about me.

"Come, let's have a talk over some tea," baldy turns around and starts walking.

I follow after her since the sooner we have this talk, the quicker I get to learn magic. We arrive in a small, simple room with only a wooden table, a teapot with two cups, and two chairs in it.

[Herbal Tea: Herbal Tea with a little bit of honey made by ???. Drinking it will restore 100 HP and 100 MP.]

Hello, there. I have to coerce her to give me some of it. This thing will restore more than 50% of my current HP. I need it!

Let's have a talk about your ability before we get to discussing how you will be taught," baldy says as she sits down.

"I spent some time researching video games and how they work."

It's just been a day since we met, how much could she have possibly learned?

Turns out, a lot. I find that out a short conversation with her later. She asks me a few questions just to make sure she understands my ability, and I'm surprised by how much she knows about games now.

Yesterday, she looked clueless! How is this possible! I've spent years playing games, and yet, she knows almost as much as me? How??

"Your ability is remarkable. Currently, you might be weak, but depending on if there is a limit to it or not, you could potentially become one of the strongest beings out there."

In theory, that should be possible, but how long will it take me to get there? Unless, I have a cap on my levels or stats, but… I really hope they aren't capped.

"I also prepared something for you. One of the main branches of magic that we teach here is Eldritch Magic."

Baldy's hands glow a fiery orange, and she spins them around, creating an energy construct of the same color. It looks like a disk or a small shield.

"Eldritch Magic can also be called Conjuration. We use it to conjure energy constructs that range from all shapes and sizes."

Baldy's hands glow again, and she makes a circular movement, opening a tiny portal in the air. From within, a book drops in her hands.

"This is a book on Eldritch Magic that I wrote. Could you look into it?"

I'm already licking my lips since I used Observe on it. It's a Magical Skill Book!

[Magic Book on Eldritch Magic: A Skill Book written by ???. When consumed, the user will learn the Mystical Art known as Eldritch Magic.]

Okay, my ability is bullshit, but you, baldy, are a cheater. How did you not only learn so much about video games in a day and also had the time to write a Skill Book for me? Admin, please check her for hacks!

I take the book from her and try to consume it. However, an alert blocks me from doing so.

[You require 30 Intelligence to learn this skill.]

Fuck! What am I supposed to do now? I really want to learn the skill, but I also don't want to uselessly use my free stat points.

Ugh, fine, let's use just a few of them. First, I raise Intelligence up to 25 by spending 4 points. Meditate is currently at level 10, so I get an extra 5 points from that. I try consuming the skill again, but the alert still blocks me.

With a disappointed sigh, I place 5 more points, raising Intelligence to 30. At least I know this for future use, in case I find other similar Skill Books.

This time, I consume it without issue, and I'm pleasantly surprised when I'm awarded with a new title as well. Finally, something good!

[Eldritch Magic(Active) Lvl. 1/100: The Mystical Art of Conjuration. Requires 50 MP to cast and 10 MP per minute to sustain an energy construct. At higher levels, the user can create a larger number of constructs that are stronger and more durable. Currently, the user can create 1 construct.]

[Apprentice Sorcerer: Grants 100 MP, 10% MP Regen, and increases XP gain by 10% for all magic-related skills.]

I equip the title before focusing on the skill. Since I already have practice with Energy Blast, I channel my mana and think of the skill. My hand starts glowing a light blue color, and I form it into a disk.

"Simply incredible. People spent months, years, to learn Magic, and you did in the blink of an eye."

Well, yeah, I'm The Gamer, after all. That's what I do.

"Now, it's time to put your new skill to practice."

The Ancient One hadn't even moved from her spot, but we are suddenly in the Mirror Dimension. Her hand starts glowing a fiery orange color, and she forms two disks in each hand before getting into a martial arts stance.

Oh, shit! I only have time to curse in mind before I'm forced to jump backward. Baldy is scary fast, despite looking like a feeble woman. She is on me in a second.

I raise the disk in my hand, using it as a shield, but she breaks it with her own before kicking me in the gut, dropping my HP by 50!

Holy crap! I thought Sorcerers are supposed to fight with magic, not martial arts!

The following events are something I refuse to discuss with anyone. However, Physical Endurance, Martial Arts, Meditation, Energy Blast, and Eldritch Magic are now all at a higher level. Even my Vitality is 1 higher now.

I also learned something important. I can't use two magical skills at the same time. That's a problem I will have to find a way to resolve. Otherwise, magic might not be as great as I thought it is.

"Your progress is simply outstanding," Baldy says as we were both sipping on tea.

Yes, stroke my ego more.

"However, there is one more type of magic that you need to learn before you can call yourself a Sorcerer."

My ability disagrees with that statement. I already have the title Apprentice Sorcerer.

Two small portals form above the table, and two objects fall out of them. One is a book, and the other is a weird-looking ring.

[Sling Ring (Epic): Sling Rings are small two-finger rings imbued with the power to create and sustain portals between any two points in the Universe. Masters of the Mystic Arts, and their apprentices, use them to create portals over long distances.]

Any two points in the Universe? Oh, boy, I can already see myself going on planetary holidays with this one.

[Magic Book on Portal Creation: A Magical Skill Book written by ???. When consumed, the user will learn the Mystical Art known as Portal Creation.]

I reach out greedily towards the two objects, but the book falls down through another portal. Noo! Why are you doing this to me?

"I know you can learn a skill in an instant using a Skill Book, but I want to see how long it will take you to learn it on your own. Put the Sling Ring on your left hand," baldy says and stands up.

"That's fair… I guess."

I'm not very happy, but this is a good thing to know.

"Now, copy my movements," baldy says, getting into a stance. The hand is extended and doing circular motions while her other one is close to her chest with her palm facing the front.

I copy her stance and wait for her to continue.

"Channel your energy and focus on the image of a specific location. The Sling Ring will guide you with the rest."

I did as she told me, focusing on my room. Grandma knows I'm outside, so my room should be empty right now.

I continue moving my hand that has the Sling Ring in circular motions while pushing my mana through it while focusing on my destination. It doesn't take long before something happens. A blue spark appears in front of me before forming into a portal.

[Due to a specific action, the skill, Portal Creation, has been generated.]

[Portal Creation(Active) Lvl. 1/100: The user is able to create a portal to any location they can imagine. MP cost is dependent on the distance, starting at 100. The user requires a Sling Ring to activate this Skill at the current Skill Level.]

"Not a bad attempt, but try again," baldy says with a small smile.

I smirk as I do it again and mentally activate the skill. Since I want to make sure I can cast it, I open a portal that's just on the other end of the room.

"Most impressive," The Ancient One compliments me, sitting back down on the table.

"It is getting late, so you can return home for today. Tomorrow, I expect you to come back as there is much to learn about the Mystical Arts."

"I'll see you tomorrow," I wave her goodbye as I walk towards the gateway that leads to the New York Sanctum.

The mana cost of Portal Creation is depended on the distance, and I'm not sure I have enough to go back to my home with my current mana reserve. Though, I believe it should be enough to open a portal from the Sanctum to my house.

I honestly couldn't wait to return back. Not only can I learn magic here, but my skill increased so much. Kamehameha is a gold mine for skill XP!

It's already dark, and I'm feeling tired, but that's why I have Red Bulls in my Inventory. I quickly drink one before I continue grinding in the Zombies Dungeon.

I'm feeling pretty confident after my… sparring session with baldy, so I try to mix it up a bit. Dungeons are great for leveling, but that doesn't mean I can't use them to increase my skills as well. Forming a long staff in my hands, I rush at the zombies, whacking them all without letting them reach me.

After killing five of them like that, a notification pops in my face.

[Due to a specific action, the skill, Staff Mastery, has been generated.]

[Staff Mastery(Passive) Lvl. 1/100: Increases the user's proficiency in using a staff as a weapon. Increases attack damage and attack speed when using a staff by 2%.]

My eyes start glowing at the implication of this. The staff disappears from my hands and is replaced by a sword and shield. Since Eldritch Magic leveled up, I can form multiple constructs at the same time. I can't sustain them for too long, but it should be enough to get me some new skills.

With a grin, I jump at the zombies, eager to get some new skills.

[Sword Mastery…]

[Shield Mastery…]

[Axe Mastery…]

[Spear Mastery…]

I'm having so much fun gaining all of those new skills, but it gets even better. After the 10th one, they combine into a single one.

[Weapon Mastery(Passive) Lvl. 1/100: Increases the user's proficiency at using all kinds of weapons. Increases attack damage and attack speed when using a weapon by 2%.]

Well, with this skill combined with Martial Arts and Physical Endurance, I can become a physical powerhouse. And even better, I can increase this skill alongside Eldritch Magic and Martial Arts.

I go to bed after, feeling very satisfied with what I accomplished today.

---

The Ancient One smiled after William left through the gateway. The young mutant was such an enigma in her eyes. She'd seen so many possible futures, yet he didn't exist in a single one of them

William wasn't the first individual she couldn't see the future of. He was the second one, in fact. The first one she encountered a couple of years ago and nearly lost her life to him.

Jim Jaspers was one of the strongest beings she had seen. The reality manipulating mutant was simply on a level of his own. If it wasn't for that… robot? She still wasn't sure what had intervened and somehow pulled Jaspers out of their Universe, but she was thankful for that.

She still wasn't sure what happened after that. Jaspers hadn't returned, so she assumed the man was as good as dead. Again, she was thankful to that purple being for what it did.

Even with all of the branches of magic she knew and the assistance of the object in the Eye, she couldn't even hurt Jaspers. The mutant simply negated all damage done to him as if it had never happened.

William's mutant ability reminded her of Jasper's in a way. It simply changed the reality around him to fit him better.

However, the two were nothing alike. Jaspers was a mad, power-hungry individual, while William was… a gamer. The Ancient One chuckled at that. The young mutant seemed more interested in grinding his skills and leveling up.

She figured it out from his actions and by spending some time playing games herself. The Sorcerers at Kamar-Taj weren't cavemen. They had internet and computers there, so she simply used one of them.

It took her some time to find a game similar to what William described his ability as, but she found a few. Though… she had the misfortune of trying multiple games she wished she didn't before that. The Ancient One shook her head, remembering her first choice.

A supposedly very popular game by the name of Counter-Strike. It was pretty simple, you shot and moved the camera with the mouse and moved your character with the keyboard.

She didn't know what she was doing in the first loop, and she got flamed for being a noob. However, in the second loop, she dominated and ended up being called a hacker. It was amusing to her, though there was some truth to it. After all, she did know what her opponents were going to do even before them.

Having knowledge of future events had its advantages and disadvantages. The Ancient One knew exactly when she had to die, and who had to replace her as the Sorcerer Supreme. Of course, she could avoid her death if she wished, but that would have untold consequences.

All of that changed in the blink of an eye after deciding to take William under her wing. Her death… was no longer necessary. That was a shock to her for sure. The Ancient One had prepared herself for her demise long ago, but now…

William's presence changed everything. She could kill him, so the future returns back to normal. But was she supposed to kill him simply because he existed? Was it a mistake to be born?

William had done nothing to deserve that. And a small part of her didn't wish to die. Was she being… greedy? In a way, she was, but she was just a human, after all.

Blessed by the Vishanti she may be, but she was still human. Just like William was.

---

[Name: William Williamson

Mutant Power: The Gamer

Level: 10 Next Level: 4%

Title: Apprentice Sorcerer]

[HP: 200

MP: 484]

[Strength: 19 (+ 3.4 from Martial Arts)

Vitality: 17(+ 3 from Martial Arts)

Dexterity: 19 (+ 3.4 from Martial Arts)

Intelligence: 30(+ 8.4 from Meditation)

Wisdom: 22 (+ 6.6 from Meditation)

Luck: 19]

[Stat Points: 36

Cash: $13.30]

[Skills: (Active): Observe 19/100; Create ID 4/100; Exit ID 4/100; Energy Blast 13/100: Eldritch Magic 8/100; Portal Creation 3/100

(Passive): Lying 14/100; Physical Endurance 9/100; Martial Arts 9/100; Programming 1/100; Massaging 9/100; Cooking 7/100; Meditation 14/100; Weapon Mastery 1/100; Gamer's Body; Gamer's Mind;]