>

"Ah, that... makes sense... wait, playback? So that was a recording? And you can actually read my mind?" he continued to 'think' in his head.

>

As Michael puzzled over what that text meant, the figure in the mirror faded out and was quickly replaced by a wall of text.

---------------------

Name: Michael Prout

Age: 14

D.O.B: s.e.xtilis 31

Overall Level: 1

Base Statistics:

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Physique: 8

Intelligence: 11

Willpower: 8

Presence: 10

Disciplines:

Student - Secondary I

Tinker - Amateur I

Performer - Amateur I

Labourer - Amateur I

Housekeeper - Amateur I

---------------------

"What the heck?" Michael muttered, looking at the mirror in a bewildered manner.

>

"This is like a Status window from an RPG... but what the heck are these statistics? Physique?"

>

"What are these underlying factors and skills?"

>

"How do your capabilities get upgraded?"

>

Stymied, Michael continued to look at the rest of the display. "What are these disciplines?"

>

"I see. I think I can generally understand a.s.sociated skills for a student, but what's with this labourer thing?"

>

"..."

A few minutes later, the pounding in his head finally receding, Michael stepped out of the bathroom and made his way downstairs, trying to sort out all of the newly received information. As he stepped into his room, the prompt appeared again.

>

Michael sighed and turned to the mirror next to the stairs.

---------------------

Territory: Michael's Bedroom

Status: Poor

Facilities & Equipment:

Bed => Quality: Average, Status: Unmade

Milk Crate => Quality: Average, Status: Nightstand

Alarm Clock => Quality: Average, Status: Modified (LVL 1), Underused

Humidifier => Quality: Average, Status: Repaired (LVL 1)

Mirror => Quality: Basic, Status: Basic Interaction Surface

Waste Bin => Quality: Basic, Status: Overloaded

Personal Computer LVL 1 => Quality: Average, Status: Modified (LVL 1)

Dresser => Quality: Basic, Status: Disorganized

Wardrobe => Quality: Basic, Status: Disorganized

Laundry Hamper => Quality: Basic, Status: Overloaded

Television & Game Console => Quality: Average, Status: Overused

Shelving => Quality: Poor, Status: Boxes

---------------------

Michael's expression turned gloomy as he looked at the a.s.sessment of his personal domain. "I'm 14, of course my room is a mess. Also, what does overused mean? Is my console wearing out?"

>

"Not you, too..." he grumbled.

>

-------------

[Mission: Walk to School]

Description: Regardless of the reason, you're now up and showered with plenty of time before morning bell. Take advantage of the fresh crisp fall air and walk to school instead of taking the bus. Do hurry, as you wouldn't want to be late on your first day.

Reward: a.s.sociated underlying skills will receive appropriate increase.

Penalty: System will generate appropriate signals for shame and physical discomfort due to lack of exertion. Laziness will not be tolerated.

-------------

"What?! But the school's like, almost an hour away!" Michael protested.

>

"What's this about a penalty?"

>

"Sure"

>

In the next moment, Michael felt an overwhelming sense of failure and disappointment in himself, as if a whole group of people had been counting on him and he'd let them down. In addition, he experienced a nervous energy in legs and lower back like he'd been sitting for an entire day in the back of a car without the opportunity to stretch his legs. It vanished almost instantly, but the aftermath left him with beads of cold sweat on his forehead.

"What...the h.e.l.l!" he growled through gritted teeth.

>

A voice Michael recognized from the bathroom mirror started speaking from nowhere. "Hey Kid. Looks like you've met The Stick. It's pretty amazing what our brains can do, it turns out. I told you you'd probably be cursing our name, didn't I? Better do what the System says - it's in your best interest, in multiple ways."

"...Future me sucks."

...

Michael stomped up the stairs, hastily dressed in a t-s.h.i.+rt and jeans with his knapsack in tow, and opened the side door to the garage where the jackets and shoes where kept.

"Leaving already? You don't have to catch your bus for another 30 minutes, right?" Anne called from the kitchen table where she was leisurely reading a book.

"I've decided to walk!" Michael replied grumpily. "Oh! Well... have fun, I guess?" Anne replied, mildly confused. "See you tonight - don't forget, you're on the hook for dinner! And don't burn the rice playing video games again, or they'll make you buy a new pot!" A swiftly retreating unintelligible growl was her only reply as she grinned and went back to her book.

...

As Michael started walking down the road that connected the residential area his family lived in to the area where the school was located, he decided to take the opportunity to ask his new 'room-mate' some questions. "So, if you can override both my sight and hearing, why can I only see the text you write?"

>

"Ok... then, what's up with the mirrors? Why can you only show me the statuses and such in mirrors?"

>

"Who would have guessed I would become so dramatic when I grew up..."

>

"...What?"

>

Michael covered his mouth with his fist and coughed. "Moving on. Why is my first mission walking to school?"

>

"... does that mean this isn't a one-time thing?"

>

"But what if it rains? Can I take the bus then?"

>

"...Future me REALLY sucks."