Gamer

Stretching, I fumbled around until I managed to turn the alarm off.

I felt fine. Better than fine.

I had hoped that yesterday was a nightmare, but looking at the wrecked computer, my hopes were dashed.

I wanted to play Balezin. I wanted to play it so bad.

But there was no Balezin. There was no computer.

But while I was sleeping, maybe something happened? Could Balezin be back?

Walking to the hall, I picked up the cordless phone and dialled David"s number.

I hesitated before I asked "Any news about Balezin?"

A long heavy silence was drawn out.

I hanged up and went back to my bed.

Staring upwards at the ceiling, my eyes held a vacant look. My heart heavy in grief.

I had nothing to live for.

I knew David from school and often hanged out with him.

Sometimes David bought a handheld to school. We competed against each other trying to get the best score.

Balezin.

He sent me the link soon after and I joined him.

My computer wasn"t the greatest. My parents didn"t believe in handouts.

Thankfully my parents paid for the internet. I didn"t think I"d be able to afford that without a part time job.

When I was first introduced to Balezin I couldn"t believe it.

But we never saw any costs. I made friends there. Enemies too. But we all enjoyed ourselves.

David was my friend, but we didn"t hang around outside of school. Home had nothing to do.

Balezin changed my life.

I lay on my bed, remembering my past. I heard footsteps as my parents woke up.

Her eyes flickered to my computer as she softly told me to get ready for school.

Getting changed, I went downstairs for breakfast.

My body felt heavy as I grabbed my bag and walked outdoors, waiting at the bus-stop felt like a eternity.

We both sat there in melancholy.

The forums were crowded with flocks of anxious people. Eager for any news. Any hope they can find.

The bell rang and we headed to homeroom. After a short inspirational speech, the teacher left us for the ten minutes until the first cla.s.s.

Our next cla.s.s was english, but who honestly needs that?

I stared down at the exam which lay face down. I"d have loved to skip it today.

I wasn"t given a choice.

"Start"

Some of them I knew, others I had to guess at.

INT +1

A silvery blue text box appeared directly in front of me.

The teacher approached me and looked down where I lay on the ground.

Couldn"t they see the box in front of me?

Amid the snickering of my peers, I got up, righted my chair and sat back at my desk.

We had a final cla.s.s which was woodworking, but the teacher was out today.

Just what happened?

Intelligence?

Didn"t I see something like that box before?

Ah! Last night!

I don"t remember what it said, but it mentioned the word "Gamer" a few times.

WIS +1

There it was again!

Tilting and moving my head around, the box remained in the same position in my view.

As before however, it faded out quickly after.

I"m gaining stats as if it"s a game?

It had to be.

Experimenting, Jon felt awkward as he tried different words.

StatsLevel1VIT8STR7END8AGI7DEX12INT13WIS12LUK11

Looking at it, I noticed straight off that my physical stats were on the low side.

With my dexterity also rather high.

But strangely I didn"t see any other information. Just my stats.

My stats hadn"t disappeared this time like the gains had, but there was a "OK" b.u.t.ton.

Upon saying this, I was right as another window opened.

NameJonathan Clifft.i.tlesGamerLevel1VIT8STR7END8AGI7DEX12INT13WIS12LUK11Skills

Gamer lv.1

[/p]

Interesting.

My level was 1. Indictating I just started. And this t.i.tle..

I also had a skill listed under the same name.

But when I pressed on it, another window appeared over the character window.

t.i.tleGamerFor destroying the source of Balezin"s power and absorbing it, you were granted the object of your desire.
As such, you have earned the t.i.tle Gamer.

I.. Destroyed Balezin?

It was a game. Just a game.

Besides.

Something looked off about it. What was it..

Ah!

Surely that was a mistake?

However I was unable to do anything about it.

SkillGamerLevel1Reality is a game to you.
Play, survive and grow.

Now this was interesting. Despite the lack of information.

Except I had a funny feeling that pain and effort would both be involved.

"Uh.. What are you doing?"

When did he get there? Had I truly been that distracted?

Maybe it was because I was the source of Balezin"s downfall..

With a leisurely wave of my hands, I dismissed the windows and dropped my arm.

David gave me a funny look. "You better not be cracking up on me"

We sat there in silence, I continued to think about what this meant.

The skills window indicted you could learn skills. But unlike a game, I"d have to learn them as I go?

Both of which I doubted would be useful to obtain.

I didn"t want to be sitting around here when I could be looking into this.

"Well. I"m off"

Getting on, I travelled back home and trembling with impatience I quickly dumped my stuff in my room and changed from my school clothes.

I soon prepared a meal.

Upon completing it, A box appeared.

*Tring*

You have learnt the skill Cooking

You have learnt the subskill Cooking: Frying

As I hoped, I was able to gain the cooking skill.

Opening my character menu again, both skills were now listed.

NameJonathan Clifft.i.tlesGamerLevel1VIT8STR7END8AGI7DEX12INT13WIS12LUK11Skills

Gamer lv.1

Frying lv.1

[/p]

I tapped on both of the skills to open their descriptions.

When reopening them, they stayed in that position.

So it was easier to navigate the windows than you would originally think.

Opening the newly acquired skills, I quickly read through the little text that there was.

SkillCookingLevel1Cooking is a important aspect of your daily life.
You receive a small boost in your everyday skills in cooking and find it harder to ruin what you cook!

SkillCooking: FryingLevel1A subskill of cooking, frying has never been easier!
Anything you fry has a better chance of becoming something edible!

The descriptions sounded a little sarcastic.

Shouldn"t I be seeing things relating to experience? Such as how long until the next level?

I think I"ll enjoy this new found gift.

*Tring*

The skill Gamer has reached level 2You can now view your health.
+2% increase in experience gains.