Mathew sat down against the beige colored wall. He finally had a moment today to sit and think. Opening the booklet on what was going on in his world, he skimmed through it more. “500 Currency to learn how to survive this mess, or at least increase your odds.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the booklet was missing a lot of important information that would escalate the cost for answers exponentially. That was why it was so cheap, it almost encouraged him to buy more information about the parts only slightly mentioned.

Mathew opened his menu to look at his [Writing] skill when he remembered he had 15 unallocated stat points. He decided to wait for Zack before doing that.

Writing | Novice 1

Gain the ability [Create Document]. Document legibility, legality, and strength determined by Skill: Writing

[Create Document]: By having paper, ink, and a writing utensil nearby, you can have words appear on the chosen document mentally, saving years of writing cramps. Additionally you can copy other documents and edit documents you have already created.

Mathew couldn’t decide if he found the skill worthless or exciting. On one hand, he was now a human computer and copy machine, able to just create documents as he thought of what to write down.

On the other hand, how useful was the skill in this new world? Did he make a mistake by choosing this profession over the Sage? He found the wisp he could summon somewhat useful, but was a [Mana Bolt] more powerful?

The ranking of the skill reminded him of what Airman Brown mentioned. “What was it he said? ‘Godly 9999’? I suppose if skills and spells can grow over time, that means they become more powerful, and more useful. That’s what Zack theorized, and I have a feeling he is right.”

At the thought of Zack, Mathew heard someone walking toward him. He closed his menu and looked up to see the man walking over. The way he was walking over made Mathew shake his head in disappointment.

Zack was jumping from wall to wall, and tree to tree pretending he was hiding from someone or something. Once he jumped forward in an attempt to roll was the breaking point of second hand embarrassment for Mathew.

“Zack, at this point they know whether you are here or don’t. Just get over here, you are embarrassing yourself.”

Zack looked over at Mathew and sheepishly walked over. “Sorry, I was trying to be stealthy. I don’t have any Dexterity nor the skill, so I guess that’s why you saw me so easily.”

Mathew refrained from rolling his eyes infront of Zack. “While we wait for Leo, I want your advice on where to put my stats.”

“You didn't apply before choosing your Profession? That’s either really smart, or really dumb.” Zack’s eyes focused into nothing as he thought it over.

“Why would that be either?” Mathew asked.

“On one hand, if you wait, you can see what kind of profession you have. Then allocate your points to either shore up your weaknesses, or help push your advantages further ahead. However, you could have hurt yourself by not having those points applied that could have unlocked additional choices.”

“The other hand is if you put those points in ahead of time, the problems are reversed. Now you are stuck to pick a profession that either shores up your weaknesses, or pushes your advantages. But you know the choices you have are the only ones you could have gotten.”

Mathew nodded seeing his point. “So I had the profession choices acquired at Level 2, versus someone else who was Level 5?”

“Not necessarily. I doubt Level was taken into effect. We think Skills, Titles, applied Stats, and possibly lifestyle choices along with mental outlook would affect choices. That was until you picked yours and we were able to see the list. It’s obvious the first 3 are choices everyone will get no matter what. While at least one or two additonal choices are given based on life choices. You were a Lawyer before all this, so a Scribe and Contract Scribe fit you perfectly. Which brings me to our other theory.”

Mathew motioned for him to go on.

“You had Scribe and Contract Scribe, which is a straight upgrade. We had a theory that Professions and Classes would upgrade or become stronger like Skills, which proves it. The only problem is we have no idea at what level, or even how to earn upgrades.”

“That is a good theory, one I hope is real. I wouldn’t say no to more power.”

Zack nodded, “Glad you are starting to think that way, now I have to ask. Did you receive additional stat points from your profession after you chose it?”

Mathew shook his head. “Not at all, but I have 15 points to apply from my level ups.”

“Wait, did the profession screen say you get to keep gaining those five stat points every level, or did it only give bonuses to those stats every level?”

Mathew’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think of that. No, it didn’t mention I kept the extra five points, but it didn’t say I lost them either.”

“Okay, we won’t know till you level up if you keep the five points. No need to worry about that right now too much. What are your points right now?”

Mathew read them out, ensuring to subtract 5 from Intelligence and Wisdom that his title gave as a bonus. There was little reason to keep his plan of being a mage a secret, practically everyone knew it now.

Zack nodded. “So let’s go back to that wolf fight.”

“I would rather not if possible.”

“It’s a good baseline, you want power don’t you? Which means you have to fight.”

“I thought people could gain experience through doing skills?” Mathew asked.

“Yes, but an abysmal amount. Highest level person right now after a week is level 2 from doing that. While everyone out fighting are all 3, possibly a couple 4’s maybe another 5 right now I imagine.” Zack said. “That’s just here at the base, what about the rest of the world? You think you are the first to reach Level 5?”

Mathew hated that Zack was right. “Fine, okay. What about the fight?”

“What did you lack in that fight you could use right now?”

“A proper weapon.” Mathew said thinking that the guns were useless on the wolves.

“Right, but your staff and wisp won’t last forever, those are ranged fighters. You have to plan for shit to go wrong. In video games or table tops a Mage has a backup plan for when he is forced to fight out of his element. Either spells that work in close range, which you have none of, or a weapon he can use semi-well.”

“That makes sense. I have the [Knives] skill, so perhaps we can help me better with that?”

“I suggest putting five in both Strength and Dexterity. Maybe a couple in Vitality and Endurence after that. You are going to keep getting more stat points in total from your profession than the five you received before. There is no reason to keep applying points into those two stats right now. If you want to live, you need to shore up your weaknesses either with raw power or items and skills.”

Mathew thought it over while looking at his menu. Zack once again had a good point that he needed to cover his weak spots. If he was a little stronger he could have pushed the wolf off of him, or if he was faster he could have gotten another hit on the wolf possibly killing it, even aiming slightly better. He needed to plan better for the future, otherwise he would fall behind others.

He was close to twenty in both Intelligence and Wisdom, so he put a point into both of those to round them out. Mathew put five in both Strength and Dexterity as Zack suggested, and the last 3 into Vitality. He could heal slightly faster now, but knew it wouldn’t last forever, nor to work when he might fight stronger enemies.

Once it was done, he looked at everything.

Name: Mathew McGonald

Race: Human [Novice]

Class: N/A

Profession: Contract Scribe

Level: 5

Universal Currency: 300

Titles: Lawyer, Survivor

Strength:

15

Vitality:

14

Dexterity:

15

Endurance:

12

Intelligence:

20

Wisdom:

20

Unallotted Stat Points: 0

Skills

Knives | Novice 3

Negotiations | Novice 1

Writing | Novice 1

Spells

Summon Wisp | Novice 1

Mathew smiled to himself. “Progress is progress.”

“Sure is.” Zack said.

Mathew didn’t realize he was speaking out loud and closed his menus. “So, what other work has your nerd club been working out?”

Zack chuckled. “Half those guys are nothing compared to me. I’ve owned and read every manual, handbook, and fantasy novel out there.”

Mathew found it hard to think Zac read all of them, but didn’t want to burst his informants bubble.

“Anyways, my team is focusing on the nuances of the system. Why there is no inventory, no health bars, no identification abilities, or even a simple way to calculate what the numbers even mean for stats. Is twenty twice as strong as someone with ten strength? So far our conclusion is no, but we have found that there is an increase in capabilities when those points are applied. It’s not just a placebo.”

“How did you figure that out?”

“There is a guy who is a human guinea pig like myself. He purposefully chose to constantly only increase his dexterity. He is now Level 3, and at a total of 25, he has definitely increased not only hand-eye coordination but speed and acrobatic skills. The guy couldn’t even do a front flip before The System, now he can. Which then leads us down the spiral of ‘why ten’.”

Mathew raised an eyebrow. “Why ten?”

“Exactly! Why did every human being start out at ten in a state? From the most athletic to the smartest, to the fastest always started at ten in every stat. One theory is that it is just the average, but another thing is that there is some sort of percentile increase to your core self versus an additive one.”

“Which means instead of doubling at twenty, it’s only a small percent increase to the abilities you had before. As an example, you are only 2% stronger if you have twenty strength versus 10 whole points stronger.” Mathew said somehow following what Zack was suggesting.

“Yes! Oh I’m glad you are following along. So let’s take Dexterity again. If we had a man who could run a mile in less than eight minutes put his points directly into Dexterity and a couple in Endurance. He could now run it in seven and a half minutes with the same equal amount of effort. But if we took a guy like me, who could only run it in ten minues. If I did the same stat numbers, I couldn’t magically now run it in seven and a half minutes, I think. Instead I should probably be in the realm of nine minutes, maybe a little less.”

Mathew nodded. “So those who excel in those areas are now better, but someone who isn’t has to get even more points to get to that point.”

“That’s our working theory. Until we have more research points and higher levels, nobody will know.”

“You are going to have to repeat this to Leo, you realize that right?” Mathew said, remembering he was supposed to show up as well.

“No worries, I enjoy talking about it. If I am right, I am on my way to becoming the next Einstein.”

Mathew nodded at the comment. Zack was somewhat right. Whoever figured out the system, or was rich enough to buy the information from the shop, they would be hailed a hero across the world once the information starts to spread.

“Now that we established ‘why ten’ we can talk about the increase to healing. Someone else came up with this one though.”

“Which is?”

“Everyone was at ten right? That means the percentile increase each point gives, every person started with the equivalent of 65 points, or thirteen levels. Six stats, ten points each, plus the bonus 5 you had to add yourself when you were in the starting zone.”