Alexander had avoided this new augmentation of reality until he returned home that evening. It would not do to become distracted at work when this ability would fall quite clearly under the personal development category. Even then, he was hesitant to dive into this unknown feature that life had thrust upon him.

  His hesitation to embrace anything wizardly was because it felt too much like a game. During his childhood his parents were absolutely terrified of him getting an addiction to any activity they deemed ‘anti-productive’. This included comics, video games, non-educational movies, and fantasy or science fiction books. As a result most of his hobbies were based in productivity; building and painting model cars and ships, classical piano, and maintaining an aquarium. Even these activities were limited to one hour a day—a discipline he still held.

  So how did he fill the rest of his time? Research. His amusement was his increased control of his mind and body. Meditating on this was why he decided he should become more aware of these… abilities. However he would still categorize it as entertainment—rather than personal development—just for safety. Thus he would limit his wizardly experiments to one hour of personal time—or in the event it could be beneficial to a specific company related task—he would be permitted to look at it on the clock. With these self imposed rules, he permitted himself to move forward. Alexander pulled out a note pad and ball-point pen before looking at his watch and taking note of the time. It was currently… six forty-three pm.

  He decided the first test would be to discover how to open a blue information screen. As the first new ability to heat coffee was voice activated, he decided to attempt several words that seemed relevant.

  He cleared his throat, “Abilities. Functions.”

  He said aloud to the empty room, being sure to punctuate the words.

  He waited for a second but there were no prompts.

  He had the thought that video games are simply computer programs, so he would try some verbiage from simple everyday programs he used.

  “About. Preferences. New Window. Help.” Hesitantly he said, “Superpowers."

  Again, no results. He decided to do what everyone does when their first attempts at something fail. He googled it. For a second he glanced over at his bookshelves, there sat a complete set of World Book Encyclopedias, but sadly each year they become less and less practical as a research tool. Hopping on his laptop he did a search for ‘I became a wizard with video game like abilities’ which he regretted immediately. Much to his disgust it pulled up a plethora of Asian comics called mangas and a slew of poorly written web novels with ridiculous sounding names. After a few minutes looking through these little time vacuums he slammed his computer shut before his brain was corrupted further.

  Sighing, he looked at his phone and flipped to a number he hadn’t looked at in over ten years. He paused for a second as his mind wandered—trying to dodge around thinking of his one big regret from that time in his life. Calling this number was dangerous. He hadn’t seen Ben since his days as a competitive piano player. He occasionally performed a duet with Ben on the classical guitar. The friendship ended when his parents discovered he liked those destructive kinds of hobbies.

  Alexander clicked the call icon. After the phone rang twice Ben answered.

  “Oh my god. Is this THE Alexander?” Ben asked with genuine surprise in his voice.

  “Yes, good day Ben. I just had a quick few questions. Do you still play video games?”

  “Uh… yes?”

  “What would you call a screen about a character that shows information pertaining to their relevant skills and/or abilities?” Alexander asked wondering if he was describing his inquiry effectively.

  “Are you talking about a status screen?”

  “Status screen.” Alexander muttered. As he said the words a window popped up.

  ^

  Alexander Brewton - Human - Wizard (novice) - Level 1

  Level progression: 0%

  HP: 22/22

  MP: 30/30

  Strength: 10

  Endurance: 12

  Dexterity: 8

  Intelligence: 17

  Wisdom: 12

  Charisma: 6

  Luck: 10

  “Alexander?” Ben asked concerned.

  “Thank you Ben. That was very helpful. I retract my earlier request for several questions.”

  “Im shocked, have you actually started to take an interest in video games? What game are you pla…”

  “Good day.” Alexander interrupted before he hung up the phone.

  Turning back to the new screen it proceeded to list a long set of stats with numbers next to them that made absolutely no sense. So he proceeded to search the internet using the terms in reference to games as well as definitions for the abbreviations like MP and HP. What had seemed alien at first all seemed fairly elementary after a few minutes of research. If there was something Alexander could appreciate about all of this it was neatly organized information. The world had decided to put numerical values on most of his basic physical and mental abilities. His greatest asset was unsurprisingly his intelligence, the lowest of those was his charisma. This suited him just fine as convincing people with facts was far superior to manipulating their emotions.

  His working theory was that a ten was representative of what was standard for the population at large. He knew his strength to be average as the limited physical exercise in his schedule was a jog and some stretching for health. Which fit with his endurance being slightly above average. Something to look into later. For now he was looking for the vehicle of his workplace justice. Above the list of stats were several different tabs.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  ^

  Spells | Job Skills | Skill Tree | Quests | Status | Inventory | Shop

  This was certainly where he could find the optimal path forward.

  First he looked over the spells. They were broken into different categories, all of which were greyed out currently. It seemed the two he started with were from a beginners list and these others were to be unlocked through some other means. Likely they would be available when he met some criteria, likely this leveling.

  Next he pulled up job skills, wondering if these were specific skills relevant to his employment at Congo. They were not.

  ^

  Archery: Level 3

  Animal Handling: Level 2

  Appraising: Level 3

  Camping: Level 4

  Cooking: Level 3

  First Aid: Level 3

  Herbalism: Level 4

  History: Level 5

  Mountaineering: Level 4

  Performance: Level 4

  Sewing: Level 3

  Stealth: Level 2

  Spell-casting: Level 1

  Tracking: Level 2

  Every skill had a small exclamation point in a red circle next to it. This seemed to indicate that it needed attention. As he looked them over, many of the things on the list surprisingly made sense for his skills. He had been a Boy Scout who had achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout when he was only thirteen.* Alexander recalled this had made the older boys who had slacked off very frustrated with him. Looking back, it was one of his favorite times as a youth. Bossing around sixteen and seventeen-year-olds that were a full head and shoulders taller than himself. Then watching their underdeveloped brains recognize that they couldn’t argue as all of his commands were logical and fair. This did not stop them from putting cow dung in his socks as he slept. Alexander had always kept two extra pairs hidden in his first aid kit for emergencies though. Good socks are a necessity when hiking.

  The only skill that seemed out of place was Spell-casting. Thinking back to earlier in the day this might be part of the reason for the 20% on this thing called level progression. Maybe skill progressions had some influence on it. He thought about the skill he used earlier and wondered if there was a way to cast it without saying the irritating word. He went to the kitchen and grabbed two mugs. Filling them each with water he then decided to put a tea bag in one of them.

  He placed the mugs down on his coffee table and stared at it. He knew the spell, as he searched his mind it was if recalling it as a memory. He used an exercise he learned in high school used to recall facts from text books and mentally sifted through the book slowly. Though he didn’t comprehend the physics of casting a spell—he did have the how through the book's instruction and his experience of how it felt. The movement of a source of energy—somehow located inside of him—toward the object and the catalyst of the word making a sort of trigger. He said the word, “Prestidigitation.”

  Vapors curled up off the first mug. Now after refreshing his understanding of the… spell—Alexander admitted as he couldn’t think of another word for it—he had a thought.

  Maybe something else could be the trigger?

  He started his experiment by moving the energy out from the center of his chest like he had just felt. It wasn’t entirely intuitive but he was also surprised by the results he managed within a few minutes. After getting the energy moved out towards his hand he made a claw shape with his hand and moved it toward his mouth then flipped his hand outward like he was putting something down in front of himself. The gestures completing the word for heat in sign language. Alexander felt the energy release from his hand into the second mug.

  As the steam curled out of the second cup several prompts showed up.

  ^

  You have discovered a hidden principle.

  The Shape of Magic I

  When the body aligns with the mind, the untapped power inside of you can channel a response. Speaking your intent is one way, but you have found another.

  Rewards:

  -500 xp

  +10% increased efficiency to all spells you cast.

  Be aware that casting magic outside of the system established principles may cause unusual and unexpected results.

  You have modified a common item.

  You have gained 2 levels in the skill Spell-casting!

  Spell-casting level 3

  You have 3 points to distribute to your Spell-casting skill tree.

  You have gained a level in the intermediate skill Arcana!

  Arcana level 1

  You have 2 points to distribute to your Arcana skill tree.

  Alexander skimmed over the notifications before swatting his hands through the air closing all of the annoying windows like they were a swarm of bugs. He pulled back up the Job Skill tab and saw that Arcana was now on the list. He noted the difference in points seemed to be due to some skills being an ‘intermediate’ level as opposed to a basic one. Seeing as he had no clear understanding of what the arcana skill referred to he tried clicking on it in his Job Skill window.

  ^

  Your arcana level is determined by your capacity to understand the mysteries of magic. It is fundamental to your aptitude as a Wizard. Increase your level by using, comprehending, and making discoveries in the field of magic.

  Alexander appreciated the expanded definition of arcana that the system provided him. The dictionary just defined it as mysteries or secrets.

  He sighed as he looked over the other skills.

  “Where are the accounting and organization levels?” Alexander wondered aloud as he realized that, unfairly, every single skill in the possible list was irrelevant to his current occupation.

  As there was nothing he could do about it, he decided to shelve his complaints. Finally he selected the Skill Tree section of his menu. Almost at a glance Alexander realized that—according to this systems design—any skills he wanted to develop or spells he chose going forward would be heavily influenced by his selection. There was a skill tree associated with every Job Skill. Each skill could be enhanced directly in some way based on your selections. He briefly looked through them and decided that his current situation wouldn’t be helped by modifying abilities such as mountaineering. Regretting his earlier hasty decisions in selecting his spells he decided to see if modifying them might bring about better options for work. So he started there.

  ^

  Choose an Arcane Path

  Points Available: 2

  Path of the Elementalist - Path of the Conjurer - Path of the Enchanter - Path of the Diviner

  Something like a family tree of circular nodes descended and branched out from the four paths. Looking over the first two columns of Elementalist and Conjurer he realized that many of the options modified the power of certain spells to be more destructive. So he skipped past those altogether. Looking for something relevant to his current job seemed the best test scenario, so he proceeded with that thought in mind.

  After a few minutes he decided to select Path of the Enchanter as there were already two abilities that struck him as ones that would be versatile enough for his current needs. He looked down at his other spell book, small illusions. It had the coppery lettering just as the book for prestidigitation. He flipped through the pages and decided to learn it as well. The book glowed for a second then flashed away. The knowledge of the capabilities and limitations entering his mind.

  Alexander was amused with his choice. Putting illusory bugs in his nephews food was certainly possible, but it also inspired another idea for catching a thief. With his newly obtained knowledge and his choices on the skill tree, Alexander formed a plan before making his final selections.