Chapter 1

In Westchester County, New York, there was a beautiful and expensive mansion. Kids were running around in its extensive backyard, playing all kinds of games with each other. Some of them looked fairly odd, having features that were definitely not human. Mutants, they were called by those that knew of them.

All mutants had the X-Gene, causing them to develop power at around puberty – some awoke their X-Gene earlier, some later, varying from mutant to mutant. Their powers also varied greatly. They could be a mutant that simply had a pair of wings on his back or one that could outright manipulate reality to their whims.

Many people feared mutants. Having powers was one thing, but most importantly, they were different, and humans feared the unknown. So, to counter the recently growing population of mutants, they formed a group called the Friends of Humanity.

Despite their name, they were anything but that. They were an extremist group that hunted down mutants and made a show of it, posting videos of what they did on the internet. Some mutants might look different, but at the end of the day, they were humans. So, how can they call themselves Friends of Humanity when they hunted down their fellow humans?

Granted, some of the mutants, those that got high in their powers, abused what they could do. More than a few turned to crime, using their abilities for a small gain.

However, not all of them were like that. Groups formed among the mutants, though they were mostly unknown to the general populace. Two such groups were on the opposite side of the spectrum. One believed mutants were a higher race, while the other wished to work with humanity in peace.

The mansion was the residence of one of the groups. They called themselves the X-Men and were led by Charles Xavier. He was one of the most powerful telepaths in the world, standing leagues above almost all others. Yet despite that, Charles didn't use his powers to alter people's minds and how they viewed mutants. He wished for mutants to prove they could work alongside humans through their actions.

Charles' telepathy was what allowed him to form the X-Men and save mutants from some ill-fortuned fates. With the assistance of Cerebro, an incredible machine built for him by another mutant, he was able to detect mutants all over the world. Whenever one awoke their X-Gene, the machine would give out a ping, letting Charles reach out and offer them sanctuary at his School for Gifted Youngsters.

The night before, Cerebro alerted him that a mutant developed his powers. The machine could identify the power levels of mutants when it located them. It wasn't perfect since that wasn't something easily measurable, but it hadn't failed him so far.

This particular alert had Charles rolling his wheelchair in a rush to the machine. This was easily one of the strongest mutants, judging by what Cerebro informed him. Their powers were off the charts, but… the signal vanished as if it was never there, to begin with.

Charles didn't hesitate to strap on the helmet part of Cerebro on his bald head. The machine not only detected mutants, but it also served to amplify his already incredible telepathy. Since Charles knew the general location of the mutant, he searched every nook and cranny of one of New York's many neighborhoods.

He found nothing. As if the signal was nothing more than a false alert. However, Cerebro hadn't failed him once so far, so he continued looking. This mutant couldn't be left alone. They were too powerful, and he had to contact them before they joined the wrong side or decided to use their powers for crime. Charles went as far as to check the minds of the people around to see if anything out of the ordinary had happened.

Again, he found nothing. Charles quickly dismissed the Friends of Humanity for the cause of the mutant's disappearance. They left too much evidence of their work wherever they went. Plus, he would've noticed them in the neighborhood.

"Eric?" Charles thought his rival – he didn't have the heart to call him his enemy – was the cause of this. However, although Eric potentially had the power to quickly grab the mutant and hide them from him, he shouldn't have the technology to discover one as fast as Cerebro.

Charles's thoughts turned grim. The only explanation that came to his mind was that the mutant's powers were so vast and uncontrolled, they simply erased him from existence. That had happened before, and it saddened him that one of them had died like that.

Nonetheless, Charles searched all night for this newly awakened mutant in case he had missed something. He even contacted the older mutants in his group, informing them of the situation, and asking them to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.

---

In Bayville High School, the history teacher, Roger Gifford, is finishing up the class for the day.

"Your homework will be to write an essay, summarizing the history of the USA during the 18th to 19th century."

[Quest has been created.]

[History Homework: Write an essay on the history of the USA during the 18th to 19th century.]

[Rewards: 100XP; A good grade if depending on how well the essay is written]

[Failures: A poor grade]

[Duration: Until next History class.]

I'm just staring at this screen in a slight daze. Absentmindedly, I accept the quest as if swatting a fly with my hand. This is the third one I got for the day, and I'm just as confused as the first time it happened.

Today has been a weird day for me ever since I woke up. A floating screen greeted me in the morning, informing me all of my HP(Health Points) and MP(Mana Points) were restored due to sleeping in a bed. On my way to school, everywhere I looked, I saw more and more weird things, like floating names above the people I passed.

Somehow my life turned into a game, and I have no idea how it happened. I can even see my status, level, stats, skills, and all. This is really weird.

Despite that, I'm not panicking too much. I'd say I'm pretty calm even, but that's probably due to one of the skills I already have.

[Gamer's Mind: Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through. Immune to mental attacks.]

[Gamer's Body: Grants a body that allows for the user to live the real world like a game. Sleeping in a bed restores HP, MP, and cures negative effects.]

So, yeah, my life is a video game now, and I have bullshit skills to go with it.

"I can't believe this…" I whisper, still slightly shocked from all of this. Gamer's Mind keeps me calm, but it wasn't a perfect skill that turned me into an emotionless robot. And thank God for that!

"You can't believe vat?" My best friend asks me from the side, looking at me with a tilt of his head.

[<Nightcrawler of the X-Men> Kurt Wagner Lvl 35]

Holy crap! Does he have a high level or what? I'm still a level 1 noob, but Kurt is 35? I refused to believe this doofus that enjoys pranks too much is level 35!

But what's with his title? Nightcrawler? How does one get a title like that? Kurt what are you doing during the nights?!?

And the X-Men… I can't help but feel I've heard of that name somewhere. It's like in the back of my head, but I just can't seem to remember. It almost feels like that memory is… blocked?

[+1 Wisdom!]

Would you look at that? I was awarded for my logical thinking. Hmm. Anyway, I better answer Kurt before he gets too suspicious.

"I can't believe that we have to write a whole essay for homework! I will have less time to play games! I remember the good ol' times when we barely had to write a few lines for homework."

I was lying to his face, but I did my best to keep my face calm. Thank you Gamer's Mind for being a good friend because I don't know how I'm even supposed to explain what's happening to me.

[Skill created: Lying (Passive) Lvl 1/50]

My day was becoming weirder by the moment, but this was interesting. If I can create skills, what are the limits on that?

Lying is a mundane skill, but could I create something more... special? Like the ability of the Human Torch? He's my favorite member of the Fantastic Four.

Turning your whole body into fire sounds so cool. Until someone decides to douse you in water, but it was still cool!

"I get you. Arh! I vish I had more time to play. And sorry bout yesterday. I couldn't log in," Kurt rubbed his head, looking at the ground. Now, I'm far from being the smartest cooking out there, but I even I can figure out he is hiding something.

"It's okay, I made sure to wreck twice as many noobs when you weren't there to hold me back," I laugh with a cheeky grin on my face.

"Ay!" I wince, holding the shoulder he just tapped. A screen informing me I just lost 1HP popped in my view. Narrowing my eyes, I stare at him angrily.

That wasn't cool, Kurt! Are you trying to kill me? Hit me 99 more times like that, and I will die! I'm still a level 1 noob, as much as I don't want to admit that.

"Ha, look at those nerds."

I turn to look at another two classmates of ours.

[<Toad of the Brotherhood of Mutants> Todd Tolansky Lvl 34]

[<Blob of the Brotherhood of Mutants> Frederick Dukes Lvl. 37]

Ah, if it isn't Dumb and Dumber. Not that I ever said that to their face. Fred is a pretty big dude after all.

But what's with everyone being a super high level? At least I can understand why. Both of them were mutants. I'm not sure what Fred's power is, but Todd's was definitely something to do with toads.

[+1 Wisdom!]

Another point to Wisdom? Oh, baby! This game is easy!

With that in mind, I can assume that Kurt is also a mutant. Why would his level be so high otherwise?

[+1 Wisdom!]

I'm on a roll! So, let's see. His title is Nightcrawler. Hmm. Is he forced to crawl during the night? That's such a weird mutant power, but who am I to judge? I can't think of anything else other than that.

No notification appeared. So, I'm wrong, or I need to make more accurate conclusions. It's definitely the second.

Kurt turned out to be a mutant, huh? I still see him the same, I think. I know mutants have been getting some bad rep as of late, but he's never done me harm. Unless I count his pranks. Then he has done me a lot of harm, but they were all harmless and fun in nature. That's how we became friends, to begin with.

… Wait! Am I also a mutant then? I can't think of my ability as anything but that, though that's one weird mutant power.

[+1 Wisdom!]

Well, that answers that. Turns out, I'm also a mutant. In that case, I need to get stronger and do it quickly. I don't want to get hunted by those Friends of Humanity. I've seen some videos of what they do to mutants.

I don't think someone will easily be able to call me out as a mutant, but I still need the ability to protect myself. I'm still a level 1 noob after all.

[Quest has been created.]

[Level up: Increase your level to 2]

[Reward: Create ID; Escape ID]

[Failure: -]

[Duration: -]

That seems easy enough. I have three more quests, and each will give me 100XP upon completion.

There's a small problem with that, however. I'm not completely sure, but I think those quests will be considered complete only when I hand in my homework.

[+1 Wisdom!]

Ahh, my wisdom is unmatched by any. Except those that are a higher level than me, but they don't count.

"Shut up, stupid gargoyle!"

"Make me, blue monkey!"

Kurt and Todd are trading insults with each other as they usually do, and Fred is just standing menacingly to the side. The big dude's not much for words, and his vocabulary isn't that impressive.

Shaking my head, I silently whisper under my breath, "Status."

[Name: William Williamson

Mutant Power: The Gamer

Level: 1 Next Level: 13%

Title: The Gamer]

[HP: 100

MP: 120]

[Strength: 10

Vitality: 10

Dexterity: 10

Intelligence: 12

Wisdom: 15

Luck: 10]

[Stat Points: 0

Cash: 14.50$]

Yeah, I know, you are probably thinking who in their right mind would name their kid William Williamson? Apparently, my father did. He thought it will be funny. He was also drunk at that time.

My mother passed away during childbirth, and he couldn't stop himself from drinking. A few years later, he put a bullet in his head, and I've been living with my grandma since then.

Weird, I normally get depressed when I think about my mother. I still feel sad, but I am calmer about it. Gamer Mind is doing work, I suppose.

[+1 Wisdom!]

This game is easy!

If the other stats are as easy to raise, how strong can I become?

Do I have a limit?

Or can I grow endlessly?

I will figure that out in the future, I guess.

Kurt and Mort are still trading insults while I pack my belongings in my backpack. I could store everything in my Inventory, but I don't want to show off my powers. At least, not yet. I don't know how others will react to me being a mutant.

"See ya tomorrow, Kurt," I wave him goodbye as I leave.

"See ya, Will," Kurt waves back before continuing his insult war with Todd.

While walking out of school, I watch the names and levels of every student in my sight. What I found surprised me. There are even more mutants studying here! They were either a part of this X-Men group or the Brotherhood of Mutants.

I also got a new skill, Observe.

[Through continuous observation, a skill to observe objects, situations, and persons was generated, allowing the user to quickly gather information. The higher the skill, the greater the data obtained.]

What a simple skill, yet useful skill. It doesn't even cost Mana to use, but I wonder how good how useful it will become if I get it to a higher level. How much information will it provide?

On the way home, I kept using Observe on anything that I saw while thinking of how to use my powers.

Increasing my stats is the obvious thing to do.

Strength I guess could be increased by doing physical activities like push-ups, lifting dumbbells, and etc.

Vitality I am not sure how to increase. From the description of the stat, I know that it increases my HP and HP regen, but I don't know how one would go about increasing his vitality. I guess I could ask my trusty old pal, Google, for some help.

Dexterity is my speed. So, what, I had to run a lot? That seems like the obvious choice.

Intelligence I can increase by reading a lot or learning new information. That already happened twice today in class. I suppose there are a few other ways to increase this. I wonder if playing intelligence-based games could work?

Wisdom I can increase by making correct choices. I already increased that stat six times today. I am already a pro at that.

[+1 Wisdom!]

Make it seven. With how it's going, I'm on my way to becoming the smartest man alive!

Finally, there's Luck. I assume I just have to get lucky to raise it, though that easier said than done, but I will figure it out.

The next thing is skills. I already created two, one active and one passive.

[Lying (Passive) 1/100: Increases the chance of you successfully lying by 1%]

Passive skills. That's something I want to see if I can get more off. I hope there are ones that will give me a boost to my stats or something that just made me all-around better.

Active skills could also be useful, but if I have enough Passive skills boosting me, I could become unstoppable. I feel an evil laugh about to erupt out of my mouth just thinking about it. Muahahaha!

Increasing my Level is another way to become stronger. I suppose each level will give me stat points to use, but I think I will save those for the time being.

I can do it on my own for now, and so far, increasing the stats seems easy, but I suppose it will become harder as they increase.

[+1 Wisdom!]

My point was made.

The one issue I have is that despite my Wisdom now being 17, I don't feel wiser. The stat description also didn't say that I will become smarter by increasing it.

No, Wisdom only increases my MP regen and my Magic Resistance. Every 10 stat points will increase those two by 1%.

This at least proves I could do Magic. I should've figured that out when I saw I had MP, but in some games, even basic abilities require Mana.

Magic is such a wonderful thing. I wonder how I will go about it. Since I have Mana, will I be able to learn it on my own? Or do I need to read a Magic Book? Where do I even find Magic Books? Do those even exist?

Wait, do Skill Book exist? I have to check that out, but where will I find them? The library or a bookstore seem like the obvious answers. I hope I can get some easy skills like that.

So many things to figure out, and before I knew it, I am already at home. Ah, the simple two-story house I live with my grandma. She is such a kind, old woman. I'm sure she has already set the table and prepared food for me.

Sometimes I feel she wants to put so much food in me, it will last me for a month. I'm so glad for having a good metabolism, or else I would've looked like a pig with how much I eat.

"I'm home, grandma!" I called out after opening the front door.

"I'm in the kitchen, Will. I'm setting the table," I hear her weakly call out to me. She's getting older by the day. I… want to do something to help her. If anything, I should be able to do something with my powers, right? I will figure it out!

I am about to go and leave my backpack before I decide to just store it in my Inventory. Way faster and easier. I entered the kitchen just as my grandma sat down.

"How was school, Will?"

"Same as always. Nothing new."

[Lying has increased to 2.]

I mean, I couldn't tell her that my life has turned into a game. She won't believe me, and this way, I can also increase my skill.

Whoever you are, stop judging me! I can feel you!

After a nice meal, a short conversation with grandma, and another increase to Lying, I went to my room.

I said, stop judging me!

Now, I would normally quickly finish with my homework before going straight for the computer and playing games until I go to bed.

The first, I will still do, but there was no point in the second anymore. My life turned into a game, and I planned to play that from now on. Well, maybe I can still find the time to play a game or two.

After quickly finishing my homework, I quickly do a Google search before I put on some gym clothes and left the house. Grandma happily smiled, seeing me do something else other than playing games. Though, she didn't know my life turned into a game today.

Running is an activity I don't particularly like. It's just boring and also tiring. When I left my house, I thought I would be able to run indefinitely since I have Gamer's Body.

However, I'm panting as if I just ran a marathon after jogging for about 10 minutes.

[Lying increased to 4.]

Okay, okay, it's just been a few minutes since I left my home, but running is hard I tell you! As I take a quick breather, I spam Observe on anything in sight. I might as well maximize my training, and it's not like it costs any Mana to use.

My stamina regenerates pretty quickly. At least Gamer's Body didn't fully betray me. I continue on my jog, resting every so often.

[+1 Dexterity!]

Running really is boring, and I almost quit a few times. Thankfully, I saw my Dexterity increase already, so I keep going. I reach the local park and take another breather on one of the benches there. There's nothing special about this place, just grass, trees, and benches for people to sit.

After resting, I jog back home. I could maybe run for a longer, but I just couldn't do it. Next time, I will bring my headphones with me, so I don't get as bored. At least I raised my Dexterity by 3, and I even got 1 point to Vitality. Thank you, Google!

I move on to Strength training after that. I have a couple of dumbbells I received as a present a few years ago. Never really used them before, but I'm so happy I didn't just throw them away.

At least this isn't as boring since I'm also watching some videos on how to workout properly. Every time I see my Strength raise by 1, I grin. I always get happy when I level up in a game and raise my character's stats, but doing it in real life and seeing my own stats increase is unexplainably satisfying. I would even call it euphoric.

My Strength training lasts longer than my jogging session, and I raise the stat by 4! I also learn something very valuable with that. When my Strength increases, every single muscle in my body gets better!

I absolutely love my bullshit powers! Given enough time, I'm sure girls will swoon over my muscular body. My pervert side emerges just thinking about me surrounded by sexy girls.

But that's for the future! I still have training to do.

Vitality is the next on my list. That's a stat that is tied to my HP and HP regen. I already know I can increase by running, although very slowly, I want to find out if there is another way to do it. Reducing my HP and letting it regenerate seems like it might work.

So, I punched myself like the idiot that I am.

[Due to a specific action, the skill, Physical Endurance, has been generated.]

[Physical Endurance(Passive) 1/100: Decreases physical damage done to you by 1%]

It hurt, just as much as the betray from Gamer's Body. I was under the impression I won't feel physical pain!

But, oh, boy! I already knew my powers are bullshit, but isn't this something else? If I raise this to 100, won't I become impervious to physical damage? I really want to find out if my theory is correct.

So, I obviously punched myself some more.

[+1 Vitality!]

[Physical Endurance has increased to 2!]

This took way too long, and I regret my earlier decision.

I'm starting to feel tired, and I feel another sting of betrayal. Gamers are supposed to sleep only when they had no other option! I really wanted to be able to stay up indefinitely and just keep grinding, but it seems it wasn't meant to be.

Gamer's Mind and Body, you failed me!

I can still go on for maybe an hour or two, so there's that at least.

Feeling the need to test Gamer's Body, I leave my room. It's already dark, so grandma has already gone to sleep. I enter the kitchen and grab a knife before going over the skin.

"Foo, let's do this," I pump myself up and prick my finger with the knife.

[Physical Endurance has increased to 3!]

"Ouch!" It stings, and now I'm bleeding. Why do you betray me like that Gamer's Body?

In a video game, your character never gets injured when attacked, only his HP drops. This wasn't the case for me. The wound stayed there, and I even got the Bleeding status effect.

I feel like crying. I even considered chopping off a finger to see if it would regenerate, but I chicken out. I don't want to be betrayed once again.

I wrap my bleeding finger with some paper and return to my room. I worked on three of my stats earlier, but I still have a few more.

Sitting down on my computer, I open up my browser. A moment later, I have two tabs, one to play a free roulette game, and another to play chess. At the end of the day, I'm a gamer, and we are very good at multitasking.

[+1 Wisdom!]

I'm even awarded for my smart decision.

I play a few chess matches against the computer just so I can get used to the game. I move on to playing against other people shortly after. They… destroy me. There's no other way to put it. But I'm improving, and I can feel it.

I don't put that much attention in the roulette game since I only need to pick some numbers. I either get lucky or I don't. It's as simple as that.

A few more stat points to both Intelligence and Luck later, I feel my eyes closing on their own. It's still a bit early for me to go to bed, but the physical training must've exhausted me.

All in all, today wasn't that bad. I got quite a few stat points, and I go to bed satisfied. If I can keep this going, it won't take long before…

Before what?

What is my goal? I don't think I have one.

I did all of this grinding today because, well, I'm a gamer. That's what we do.

I need to figure out what I want to do with my life now. Obviously, I want to get stronger.

I want to have control of my life and not get killed by a random superpowered individual. A lot of them have been popping out as of late.

Becoming a superhero or even a villain is something I can achieve with my Gamer ability. However, that's very, very, dangerous. There are some pretty terrifying monsters out there.

I still remember the day the Hulk and the Abomination left Harlem in ruins. It happened half a year ago. Even the Fantastic Four couldn't do much to stop the two.

How much would I need to raise my stats to even match one of those monsters? The hundreds? Maybe even the thousands?

Oh, God! Did I just jinx myself thinking about that?

I cover myself with my blanket, feeling a small amount of fear. I don't want to even come close to the Hulk or the Abomination. Those two could probably kill me by just breathing on me! I'm still a level 1 noob after all.

I need to get stronger!

Morning comes, and I'm up in a second, not even feeling drowsy. This is a new feeling for me. I usually need at least a few minutes to sober up in the mornings, but here I am, already feeling fully awake.

After dismissing the screen informing me I have recovered all my HP and MP due to sleeping in a bed, I go over to the bathroom.

Short brown hair, brown eyes, and an oval face stares at me from the mirror. My looks are nothing special, but as my gaze goes lower I grin. I'm pretty skinny, but now, I can see some muscles building up. I'm definitely not imagining this! Trust me, it's the truth! I promise.

[Lying has increased to 5.]

I… I don't want to talk about this.

I pack my stuff for school, grab some additional money from my piggy bank, and leave after saying goodbye to grandma. On the way, I spam Observe on anything in sight while my mind drifts to what I thought before I went to sleep.

What am I supposed to do with my life now?

I always imagined myself just finishing school, finding a lousy job, and just playing games in my free time. There's no point in the last one since my life is one big game now. But the other two…

Wait! Do I even need a job anymore? I have levels, stats, and inventory. If I continue along this path, can I get loot from killing things as well?

That's an interesting thought, but what am I supposed to kill, and what kind of loot will I get?

In games, when you kill an enemy, you get loot specific to it plus the main currency of the game. So, will I get dollars, and will they be valid? If they were, I might not even need a job.

That's so bullshit!

Again, that brings me to the thought of what I should do with my life. If I can get money in such an easy way, I could live my whole life just playing my own game.

Things were never that simple, however. In games, comics, movies, trouble always finds you.

Damn it! Did I just jinx myself? I hope not.

Thinking about games, don't they all have settings? Do I also have that?

"Settings," I whisper, making sure no one hears me.

Lo and behold, a screen appears in my face. I can increase/decrease the sound and even change up my graphics?! Seriously, what kind of bullshit power is this?

And where's the difficulty setting? I want to put it on Easy, so I can have an easy life.

Though I did find an Auto-Loot option, and I turn it on. Any loot I get in the future will be directly transported into my Inventory. That should reduce the chance of someone finding out about my powers.

I reach school while tinkering with my settings. It's somewhat fun playing around with my graphic and sound sliders but return them back to normal. There's probably something I can use them for. Maybe to train in a way, but I can think of how at the moment.

Classes were just as boring as ever. I did try to make the best of it, though. School's a good place to train some of my stats, and I participated in class as much as possible, raising my Intelligence by 1.

Wisdom didn't increase despite me giving out correct answers, but I should've expected this. The higher the stats get, the harder it will be to increase them.

[+1 Wisdom!]

Hey! Look at that! Wisdom is already at 20!

"Hey, Will. Vy didn't you log in yesterday? Didn't zink you could miss a day?" Kurt greets me in the break.

"Hey, Kurt. I had some things to take care of yesterday," was my reply.

"I see."

"I don't think I will be even able to log in today."

Kurt frowns at my words, looking sad. I kind of understand him since that's how I felt whenever he was night crawling or whatever he was doing at night and didn't log in. But, hey, I'm already playing a video game, and I can't waste time on games that don't help me grind my stats, skills, or levels.

"Zat is sad. Maybe tomorrow zen?" Kurt asks with a hopeful look.

"Maybe."

[Lying has increased to 6!]

God, damn it! I don't want to lie to you, my friend, but you haven't told me that you were a mutant. So, this should be fair. Right? Right?

We talk some more after, with Kurt telling him how he sniped someone from across the map yesterday with Ashe's ultimate.

"Likely story, bud. You can't even get a kill when playing with me," I joke with a grin as we walk through the school hallway.

"I'm not lying!" Kurt angrily stares at me before turning to the side.

I follow his gaze, seeing the school princess walking towards us. Bright red hair, luminous green eyes, and an incredible body every male in school fantasize about at night. Maybe some of the females do as well.

[<Marvel Girl of the X-Men> Jean Grey Lvl. 49]

{Jean Grey, a member of the X-Men for 5 years now. She awoke her mutant powers at the age of 12 when she was discovered by Charles Xavier. Since then, Xavier had helped her learn how to control her powers.}

Well, look at that, another mutant in school. At this point, I'm surprised normal people are studying here.

But her level is so high! Holy crap!

Observe doesn't say what her powers are, but this Charles Xavier had apparently helped her control them. He is either someone with extensive knowledge about mutants or has powers similar to Jean. Or maybe both.

[+1 Wisdom!]

Charles Xavier… Hmm, that name sounds familiar. I think I've heard of it before. Not sure where, though.

Anyway, I'm surprised Jean is alone. Usually, she is followed by Scott Summers like a faithful bodyguard. Then again, they had a big fight about a week ago. At least, that's what I heard. He hasn't been following her around since then.

"Kurt, I need to…" Jean pauses mid-sentence, turning to me with a weird look in her eyes.

In a normal situation, I would be jumping with joy having caught her attention. I can fit the role of a background character pretty well, so I never even considered that the school princess would look at me. However, I have a very strange feeling right now. As if something isn't quite right.

"I don't believe we've been introduced. You must be Kurt's friend...um...umm."

Of course, Jean doesn't know my name. I'm no one important, after all.

"Will," I blurt out. Maybe a bit too eager to introduce myself, but hey, the school princess is in front of me.

"Will," Jean repeats my name and extends her hand.

"A pleasure to finally meet you. Kurt has told me a few things about you, none of them bad."

Thank you, Kurt! You're the best!

A plethora of emotions fills me as I reach out to shake her hand. Nervousness, excitement, and so many more. I'm a little worried, but I have confidence in Gamer's Mind. I'm sure it will pull through, and I won't embarrass myself.

"Pizza is the best food there is," the words just flow out of my mouth as I shake her hand.

Nooo! Gamer's Mind, you failed me! You were supposed to stop me from embarrassing myself! Why do you do this to me!

A moment of silence follows as I smile awkwardly. Jean and Kurt burst out laughing. They were definitely laughing at my 'joke' and not at me. Yes! I guarantee you that.

[Lying has increased to 7!]

Please stop! I can't take any more critical hits like that! Everything is against me. Even my own powers!

"I prefer salads. They are healthier," Jean says after calming down.

Blasphemy! How could anyone like salads over pizza! Salads are… the food of my food!

No, this can't be! Pizza is life! This got me thinking. Maybe I can create a Cooking skill and make the best pizza ever to show her the true way of life.

[Quest has been created.]

[Cook the best pizza ever: Create the Cooking skill and raise it up before making the best pizza ever to present to Jean.]

[Reward: 1000XP, Jean will believe pizza is better than salad.]

[Failure: Jean will continue believing salad is better than a pizza.]

I accept that quest the moment it popped up. I will show you, Jean, pizza is the way of life!

It's safe to say, I was very embarrassed for the rest of school. And Kurt didn't help by snickering at every chance he got.

It feels like I was stabbed in the back multiple times, by Kurt, Jean, and most importantly, my very own powers. I want to cry, but I know what will cheer me up.

The second school ends, I rush out of there like a man on a mission. My destination? The local library and book stores. I need to know if Skill Books exist or not.

They do exist!

I found a few in the library, but the hard part is how to get them out without being seen. Not!

It's extraordinary simple for me. I just have to make sure no one is watching. Then I just touch the book and store it in my Inventory! Ta-da!

If I ever need to find a job in the future, I can always become a sleight of hand magicians. I don't think there will be anyone better than me!

I pass few books stores after the library and do the same. However, I pick the cheapest one I find and purchase it with money. Just in case they get suspicious of me. That's why I grabbed some additional money from my piggy bank in the morning.

Am I going down the path of a criminal? Maybe… but no one will know about it! And those Skill Books are meant for me, right? Who else could use them other than me? I try not to think about it too much as I continue collecting books.

Karate Skill Book. Get. Taekwondo Skill Book. Get. Jiu-Jitsu Skill Book. Get. Krav Maga Skill Book. Get...

This is as easy as stealing candy from a baby.

I was really hoping to find a Magic Skill Book, but even if they existed, why would they be in the library or a book store of all places.

Not that I was disappointed. I have so many books on Martial Arts in my Inventory. Plus, a few other ones, like Massage, Cooking, and Programming.

All in all, I'm very happy with my haul for the day. I'm even closer to completing my Quest for Jean. Now I just need to raise the skill before finding a way to present my masterpiece to Jean. Hmm. The last part seems to be the hardest, but I will find a way!

I return home with a skip in my step. How could I not be happy with the number of Skill Books I have in my Inventory? And they barely cost me anything.

Rushing to my room, I lock the door before taking them all out. A window pops out every time I grab a book, asking me if I want to learn the skill. Why would it do that? No, seriously, why was that even a question? Of course, I want to learn the skill.

Each Skill Book lights up in a white light before dissolving and flowing into me, imprinting the knowledge of the book straight into my brain.

It's kind of freaky, and I feel a small headache, but that's overshadowed by the excitement of having so many new skills.

After consuming all the Martial Arts Skill Books, I get a notification informing me they've combined into a single skill.

[Martial Arts (Passive) Lvl. 1/100: Passively increase skill in martial arts, physical damage, and attack speed by 2%. Passively increases Strength, Vitality, and Dexterity by 2%.]

I'm pretty sure I'm drooling right now, but I don't care. This skill is incredible. If I max this out alongside Physical Endurance, won't I be able to fight against the Hulk without a care?

Nope, nope, nope. Stop thinking about that before it happens, and I end up in a fight with the green monstrosity. Please, God, don't tell me I jinxed myself. Please!

Just stop thinking about it! Focus on what's important, like the rest of the Skill Books. I quickly grab and consume them as well.

All the Skill Books are finished. Now, what?

I could try to create a Magic Skill, but I don't really have a safe place to do that. Like, what if I fire a spell by mistake and someone sees me. That won't end up in my favor.

Increasing my stats it is then.

I put on gym clothes and leave the house before quickly returning back. Forgot the headphones. With music booming in my ears, I feel much better, and the jog is much more enjoyable than yesterday.

I take a breather at the same park as yesterday. This seems like a good place to practice my newly acquired Martial Arts skill. Though, I do enter deeper inside where the trees covered me. Don't want to embarrass myself in front of other people. I already did that enough today.

"Hello there. Nothing personal, but you are the only one I could train my skills on. I apologize in advance for the treement," I walk over to a tree, laughing at my stupid pun before starting my barrage of punches and kicks.

I'm giving it my all, but the tree proved to be a formidable foe. Every punch and kick I sent his way reduced my HP by 1!

"I don't apologize anymore, fuck you tree!"

My punches and kicks became fiercer, but the tree fought back just as ferociously. In the end, our fight's a tie, but I feel like the winner. I will heal during the night, but I can't say the same for the tree.

"I will be back tomorrow for a rematch!" I promise and shot the tree a challenging look before returning home.

I'm pretty satisfied with today's training. 2 points to Dexterity and Vitality isn't bad. Plus, I raised Martial Arts and Physical Endurance a bit.

At home, I continue with my physical work out, gaining a couple more points to Strength, before sitting on my computer and opening up the browser. Today, I plan to get at least one win in my chess games!

I'm extremely focused, doing my best to best my opponents. Sometimes I even forget to pick some random numbers for the roulettes. I have more than few tabs opened, playing chances games on all of them.

I'm fighting tooth and nail against my chess opponent, really after my first win. I manage to trick him and put him in checkmate in the end. Ha! I knew I could do it.

[+1 Intelligence!]

Ah, the euphoric feeling of my stats increasing. This will never get old. It just makes me feel all giddy, knowing I'm better than a moment ago, and I can see it happen with my very own eyes.

I sit on my bed, looking at my status in happiness. I two days, I raised my stats by a total of 40, and I have a plethora of skills now! I feel like I'm making good progress.

My XP bar is also filling up. I found I can raise it by simply doing what am I doing every day. Though, it's very slow. However, I will be completing my first Quest tomorrow after I hand in my homework. That should raise me to level 2 and get me 2 more skills.

I already feel tired from the day, but there's still something I want to try. I have mana! I should be capable of some magic right?

Now, I'm in my bedroom, so I don't want to do something dangerous, but I just wish to summon my mana in some way. So, I just raise my hand with the palm upward and focus hard.

I clench my teeth and butt cheeks, trying to summon my mana. I feel it. Something is about to happen and…

"PFFT" I fart…

I will pretend that never happened. Thankfully, no one saw me.

Still, that didn't discourage me, and I continue trying. Though, no matter what I did, nothing happened. I'm either unskilled or simply need a Magic Book. Definitely, the latter.

Only one more thing remains for me to do, meditation. Earlier, I didn't find a book about it in the library or book stores, but Google is here to save the day.

A quick search later, and I'm sitting on my bed cross-legged. After emptying my mind, which is easier said than done, I start breathing with my belly. A few minutes later, I grin, seeing the beautiful notification in front of me.

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

[Meditation(Passive/Active) Lvl. 1/100: Passively increases MP regen by 2%. Passively increases Intelligence and Wisdom by 2%. When activated, the user has to stay perfectly still, and his HP, MP, and stamina will regenerate 10% faster.]

I think I'm in love! Like, Martial Arts, it gives me a passive boost to my stats, but… I can also activate it to increase my recovery speed! I still want to level up both as quickly as possible.

I've read some stories about how people can replace their sleep with meditation. Well, it's time to find out if I can do that as well.

The next morning, I woke up and looked around. I am in my bed at a very odd angle. Must've fallen asleep during my meditation session. Nevertheless, it wasn't all for naught!

[Meditation(Passive/Active) Lvl. 4/100: Passively increases MP regen by 8%. Passively increases Intelligence and Wisdom by 8%. When activated, the user has to stay perfectly still, and his HP, MP, and stamina will regenerate 40% faster.]

I greet grandma after packing my stuff for school. She's in the kitchen, and my breakfast is already served on the table. I… really love this woman. She's taken care of me ever since I was a kid, and I… haven't really done anything for her.

That changes from today! I still don't know what I will do with my powers, but at the very least, I can try to make her life easier. She deserves at least that much.

"Thanks for the food, grandma!"

"Your welcome, Will," she says with a loving smile.

"Tell you what, don't prepare food for me today," I say, and I see her get sad. Don't worry, grandma, I love your cooking and will always do!

"Instead, wait for me, so we can cook together. I want to learn how to cook and start doing it for you. After all, you've been taking care of me for years. It's time for me to do the same."

I can see her tear up, so I quickly stand up to hug her.

"Oh, Will," she says and hugs me back.

Yeah, I will definitely make this woman's life easier from now on. One of my new skills should help with that.

[Massage (Active) Lvl. 1/100: An ancient skill that allows you to take the fatigue away from the flesh of a human. And so it is possible for you to cure body or joint-related negative effects.]

I will try it on her later today when I return home. Hopefully, it will make her feel better.

I leave shortly, and as per usual, I spam Observe on everything in sight. The skill is leveling up at a steady pace, and I can see even more information about everything I use it on.

With Kurt, for example, Observe told me he was born in Germany. Anyone could tell you that since he has a German accent. However, it also told me that he was born with a physical mutation. That I didn't know, and no matter how I look at him, I can't see it.

Kurt is a light-skinned teenager with black hair and dark eyes. There is nothing about him that screams, "I am a mutant!"

Is my skill wrong, or is there something else going on here?

Checking out the two mutants from the Brotherhood, the skill informs me they are being led by some Mystique figure. Ooohh, how mysterious. I will think about it later since I have more important things on my plate.

Currently, I'm sitting in my chair and eagerly awaiting my next class. I never ever thought I would think this, but here I am, almost jumping in my seat.

Handing my homework has always been nothing but a chore to me, but now I'm grinning ear to ear as I give mine to the teacher.

[Quest Complete!]

[You have leveled up!]

I… I think I feel butterflies in my stomach. Is this normal? Either way, this also completes my other Quest, and I receive the two new skills alongside the 5 free stat points from the level up. I won't touch the stat points for now and will save them when I have a hard time increasing my stats the normal way.

Now, onto my new skills.

[Create ID(Active) Lvl. 1/100: Creates an Instant Dungeon in the Mirror Dimension. Currently available Dungeons: Empty]

Oh. My. God. This is bullshit. I got my own personal training ground! And if I'm correct, when I level it up, I will be able to make Dungeons with monsters! This is amazing!

[Escape ID(Active) Lvl. 1/100: Used to escape from Instant Dungeons and the Mirror Dimension.]

Though, I wonder what is this Mirror Dimension? I guess I will find out later today when I test the skills.

I have to physically restrain myself from not using them during school. I really want to just test them out, but I don't know what will happen. Patience I must have. Just breath in, breathe out.

During lunch, I sit down with Kurt to have a meal. I mean, who else am I supposed to eat with? It's not like I have many other friends in school. Or any for that matter…

However, there is one more person with us today. Jean is sitting in front of me and staring at me intently. Now, normally, I would be happy, but she didn't have a love-struck expression. No, she was suspiciously staring at me.

Not good! I don't like that. Did she find out I'm a mutant? But how? I haven't used my powers in school, so why is she looking at me like that?

I haven't done anything extraordinary in her presence. Except acting like a dumbass, but that doesn't count! Maybe she doesn't know anything and is actually interested in me?

"Kurt, can I talk with you for a second?" Jean stands up and doesn't even wait for his answer, knowing he will oblige.

"Sure," Kurt follows after her, leaving me on my own. I'm sitting there, sweating bullets and thinking of the worst-case scenarios.

They come back a moment later, and now Kurt is also staring at me suspiciously. I'm really confused. I haven't done anything to warrant that suspicion! So, please stop looking at me like that.

"Why do you keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. Surprisingly, Gamer's Mind pulls through, and I don't stutter like a bumbling idiot.

"Have you... been feeling different as of late, Will?" Kurt asks.

Okay, this is my chance. Lying skill and Gamer's Mind, I need your help!

"No, not really," I respond as calmly as I can. I didn't want to be telling people I'm a mutant when I am still a weakling.

[Lying has increased to 8!]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Both nod to my response and I let out a sigh of relief mentally. Crisis averted! The situation has been handled.

Or maybe not. Kurt and Jean still keep looking at me suspiciously. I don't like this! I don't deserve this!

God damn it, Grey. Just because you are the princess of the school, doesn't give you the right to turn my friend against me! I'm starting to rethink if I should show you the true way of life, pizza!

Classes continue, and I have to deal with suspicious looks from Kurt. Not cool. I don't look at you suspiciously for hiding the fact that you are a mutant, so why do you do this to me? You even have this creepy title Nightcrawler, but I still see you as my friend!

The second school finishes, I bolt out of there without even saying goodbye to Kurt. Ha, that should show him for looking at me suspiciously. Thinking about it, that isn't the best of actions, but if he is going to look at me suspiciously, I will just ignore him!

I'm back home before I know it, and grandma is waiting for me. It's time I start working on my Cooking skill with her help, and I'm not doing it for Jean's Quest. No, I'm doing it for myself and for grandma. I'm going to cook her the best of meals!

Under her guidance, my skill jumped leaps and bounds, and we are sitting down, enjoying what I prepared. It'… not as good as the meals she cooks, but it wasn't bad. She also looks happy as she eats, so that makes me happy.

"I read online that massages are good for the bones and ligaments. Want me to give you a massage?" I ask after we finished our meal.

"You don't need to," grandma shakes her head, but I'm not going to let her refuse.

"I don't, but I want to!"

"Oh, Will, you are just the best, but are you sure about that?" She asks.

"Yes, definitely. And grandma, there is no one better than me!" I state confidently. After all, I'm The Gamer!

[Lying increased to 8.]

I-I… I don't want to talk about this. Everyone seems to be against me, even my own power!

After giving a massage to grandma and leveling up the skill, I put on my gym clothes and rush out of the house. I need to relieve some stress, and I have a rematch with my opponent from yesterday.

---

"Are you sure you haven't noticed anything unusual with William?" Jean asked Kurt on their way back to the mansion. They were taking the bus alongside the rest of the X-Men members.

"Nein," Kurt shook his head. "But he did start ignoring me after lunch I zink he got mad at me."

"Are you sure you're not having issues with your powers?" He asked, knowing that happened to Jean from time to time. She was a very strong telepath and empath and had trouble keeping those powers in check once in a while.

"Yes, Kurt, I'm sure. My issue is that I can't fully control my powers. I can numb down people's thoughts, but their emotions are hard to tune down. And when I touch someone, it's even harder," Jean said and looked out of the window, gathering her thoughts.

"Yesterday, if I hadn't seen your friend next to you, I wouldn't have even known he was there. He was pretty much invisible to my psychic senses. When I shook hands with him, there was nothing. I felt no emotion, no thoughts coming from him. Nothing."

"What are you two talking about?" They heard their fellow X-Men member Scott Summers ask.

Kurt winced, knowing what was about to happen.

"It's none of your business!" And there it was, Jean yelled at him in anger.

"Sorry," Scott backed away, looking as if he was about to cry with his head down.

Kurt shook his head, everything was as usual. Scott was attempting to include himself in every conversation with Jean. He was acting like a controlling boyfriend. Kurt could understand it if the two were together, but Jean simply didn't share his feelings.

"Anyway, I thought your friend was a telepath like me. And a strong one since I couldn't sense anything from him. I tried connecting with him in the astral plane, but again, there was nothing. I couldn't even find him there. It's like... I don't know, he felt like he wasn't even a human," Jean continued with a lower voice, so their conversation wasn't listened to.

"Are you sure?" Kurt asked in worry.

He didn't have many friends since he liked pranking, and Will was one of the few that didn't mind it. The first time Kurt pranked him, Will laughed it off and asked if Kurt wanted to play games with him.

Honestly, Kurt thought he was just lonely. Will was a bit of a loner, and in a way, he took pity on him since he knew the feeling. Though, Kurt was happy he agreed. Will turned out to be a real friend.

Kurt wished he could inform him of being a mutant. Will won't think differently of him, and he was sure of that. After all, he had told him once before. However, the next day, Will didn't remember that ever happening.

Professor Xavier was the cause of that, believing it was safer for Kurt if Will didn't know. Oh, how mad Kurt got when he realized that, but there was nothing he could do about it. Sure, he could leave the X-Men, but where will he go?

To the Brotherhood of Mutants? Hell, no! Kurt didn't like those arrogant pricks. Plus, without the Image Inducer, he won't be able to hide his appearance, and he could kiss having a normal life goodbye. Going to school was boring, but it was a nice way to relax and unwind.

"Definitely," Jean confirmed.

"There is something wrong about William, I just don't know what. I'm telling you, his mind didn't even exist to my senses."

Hearing that, Kurt started imaging the worst.

"Arh! Do you zink zat Will was replaced with a robot?" Kurt asked, his eyes filled with panic. They had to find and save the real one if that was the case. But how will they figure out his location? Was he even still alive?

"I don't know. I'm not sure," Jean said with a hand on her chin.

"But, but, vat if he was captured by aliens, and zey replaced him wiz a robot?"

Two years ago, Jean would've said that's impossible, but after Galactus attacked and nearly destroyed Earth, she knew that alien life existed. Jean still didn't know how the Fantastic Four drove the being that towered over the skyscrapers in New York, but they somehow did it.

If it wasn't for them, Earth would've been doomed. That was the reason why they were accepted and loved as a superhero team, while others… not so much.

Jean hoped that one day, the X-Men could be seen in the same light as the Fantastic Four. However, that was a long way to go, considering how mutants were currently viewed by everyone.

It didn't help that there were groups like the Brotherhood out there, giving them a bad image with their actions. Though, the Brotherhood had been tame as of late.

"Maybe? I don't know. William didn't feel robotic when I shook hands with him," Jean answered.

"Vat if... if zey used some super alien technology?" Kurt asked, all kinds of thoughts running through his mind.

"What's this talk about aliens?" Scott was suddenly behind them, looking at the two suspiciously.

"Summers, if you try to join my conversation again, I will throw you off the bus," Jean warned him.

"But... I"

Jean didn't need her Telepathic powers to know what he wanted to say.

"No, Summers, you don't know what's best for me. You just think you know. I don't want you meddling in my life, and I made it clear to you that I see you as nothing more than a friend. Which will change, and not the way you want it if you continue acting like this."

Jean had tried being gentle with him, but she had enough of his antics. Scott kept trying to control her, telling her what she should and shouldn't do. He kept coddling her during their training sessions and missions, always prioritizing her safety over the others.

Scott was obsessed with her for some reason, and Jean couldn't understand why. She never gave him a reason for it and had explained to him multiple times that's not how she wished to be treated, especially by him. Yet, he never listened to her, always acting the way he thought it was best. She knew that was the case due to her abilities.

Scott was madly in love with her. Jean was aware of that and might've considered giving him a chance if he changed the way he acted. However, no matter how many times they talked, nothing changed. In all honesty, Scott acted more like a robot than William, just doing the same thing over and over again as if he was programmed to do so.

"So, vat can ve do about, Will?" Kurt asked her after Scott backed off.

"I think…"

---

[Name: William Williamson

Mutant Power: The Gamer

Level: 2 Next Level: 2%

Title: The Gamer]

[HP: 140

MP: 180]

[Strength: 16

Vitality: 14

Dexterity: 15

Intelligence: 18

Wisdom: 21

Luck: 16]

[Stat Points: 5

Cash: 19.50$]

[Skills: (Active): Observe 12/100; Create ID 1/100; Exit ID 1/100;

(Passive): Lying 8/100; Physical Endurance 4/100; Martial Arts 3/100; Programming 1/100; Massaging 3/100 Cooking 4/100; Meditation 4/100 Gamer's Body; Gamer's Mind;]