A Gamer Into Trails

Giving you readers a heads up, this chapter will have a heavy status dump at the end. It is condensed, and I will use this format going forward.

New Blessings:

 -Sara's Valestein's Blessing (+20% STR +20% SPD)

 -Tio Plato's Blessing (+30% ATS +1000 EP)

 -Elie MacDowell's Blessing (+20% ATS +20% INT +500 EP)

As always, Giliath demands your power stones!

*****

Lechter observed Tio as she was quickly adapting to the foreign and blue status-like screen floating before her.

"It still amazes me how quickly you're adapting to this, kiddo...", Lechter frowned. Even I was amazed at Tio. She could will her status screen as if it already belonged to her. Wherever Tio turned, the status screen followed.

"Mmm. It does take some time getting used to, but it'll be natural once you get the hang of it. I think I adapted quickly since I'm more sensitive to my surroundings than most people are. This also might be a side-effect of that Gnosis drug too...", Tio responded, wondering herself why she had already gotten used to the functions of the Gamer System.

"Well, there really isn't a right or wrong answer to this. I've had this ability since I was born.", I explained. I wasn't going to bullshit my way around this. I am still keeping the existence of the Gamer System under wraps, describing it as an ability, instead of saying it was a system.

It's easier that way. Especially whenever people question the Gamer System's existence. I'm sure there will be plenty who do once they form parties with me. Tio and Lechter are much more accepting, considering their current relationships to me.

The only one who knew of the Gamer System's true value was Roselia. She did gaze into all the memories I had when she resided at my villa. She's the only one who knows I'm a reincarnator, for that matter.

I have no intention of diving into that matter further. But if it happens, it happens. There are many otherworldly things in the Trailsverse, and I am quite skeptical once the Recluse Cube comes into play.

The Shining Ring is much more secure in what it does. It's basically a glorified genie lamp, allowing the ancient civilization to flourish, based on their desires. The Recluse Cube though...

That was an entire subspace used to manage those requests. It was a pathway, allowing one to link to an infinite number of worlds based on what people wished for.

You guessed that right. As ironic as this sounds, the Recluse Cube is the equivalent of a multiverse, stored inside a cube. None of it was real of course. People could interact with the cube, but none of it could be taken out. But that was why I was so skeptical about it. It allowed one's desires to flourish freely, and unbound. 

The Recluse Cube feeds off of peoples' memories, whether for good or bad. With that thought alone, I'm sure it won't be hard for the cube to let people learn of my true nature. The fact that I'm a reincarnator from Planet Earth.

The matter of the Recluse Cube will be something I have to tackle eventually. Thankfully, I still have two to three years before the Recluse Cube gets found. The events of the second chapter of Sky needs to take place first.

For now, it will be enough allowing Tio and Lechter to know that I was born with this "ability". They won't be the first to know of it, nor the last. The first time I allowed someone to bear witness to the Party System was back when I was with Ouroboros, observing the events of Hamel unfold.

That turned Hamel into an Instance Dungeon. The Party System gave the Enforcers and Anguis alike experience a one-of-a-kind scenario. One they couldn't experience again without my intervention. 

If I recall, Arianrhod and McBurn benefited the most from that Instance Dungeon. Arianrhod broke free of her shackles, rising to even greater heights. McBurn's flames powered up, becoming more deadly. This might come to bite those who will end up challenging these two later on, but we'll see how things go.

And speaking of Instance Dungeons, I do have some keys at my disposal. I may use one with Tio and Lechter around. One was only for two people, while the other was for four people. If I went with the latter, we might have to find a fourth individual to partake in it.

Lechter looked my way as a look of determination appeared in my eyes.

"You really were born with this peculiar ability, Young Master?", Lechter asked with growing interest.

"Yes. Not even father is aware of it yet, so if you utter a single word about it until more party members join, I'll send you on a one-way ticket to Gehenna.", I said with a snide remark. But Lechter saw how serious my eyes were currently.

"Of course. My lips are sealed~", Lechter teased me, but he nodded in acknowledgement. He even did a funny motion of moving his finger across his lips, as if he were zipping a zipper shut.

And well, I say father isn't aware of my system. I say that, but more than likely he is, or at least is aware of some of the abilities that I can do with it.

But Lechter was here right now. I did want to review Tio's stats once more, now that she had her Researcher Staff equipped, but I decided to have a bit of fun with Lechter first.

"Let's take that gut of yours for a spin, Lechter. Now that you've seen how this works firsthand, do you feel any different?", I decided to ask. Tio did joke about Lechter being a walking lie detector, but her words couldn't be further from the truth. If at some

"Well, it's clear the kid is stronger, just by holding that staff. I'm not getting any bad feeling from this, Young Master. Just uncertainty. That's what's bugging me.", Lechter said, taking a moment before he gave his answer.

"Pretty spot on, I'd say. There is some risk involved with it, but the rewards that come with it are just as plentiful.", I nodded. 

"The rewards you speak of, it's those items we'll be getting by defeating those worms?", Tio wondered. She had seen the quest show up. Lechter did too.

"Oh yeah, there was that, wasn't there? Sounds like this quest or whatever will reward me and the kid with an item. I have a sinking feeling about those Zemurian-Clad Boots, they aren't what I think they are, are they...?", Lechter wondered.

"Haha! We'll see what they are once we defeat the Abyss Worms. We'll have to pick one off to let Tio get a taste of combat. With my current power. I won't be partaking in this battle, as I fear my strength might be too much for the worms to bear.", I said to the two.

"You won't be fighting?", Tio replied, doubting me.

"Surely you aren't that strong already, Young Master. I know you said you can beat me in a battle. But then again, you did challenge that Jaeger King and managed to deliver a blow on him...", Lechter doubted.

"Wanna put that to the test?", I mused. 

"You wishing to compare abilities or something? That would be a good way for us to understand our strengths. And it's a plus if we don't have to do it through fighting. I feel like we're cheating or something.", Lechter doubted.

"That is what I am referring to, yes. So, are you going to do it, or what?", I smirked.

"Fine, fine. I can't go against your words, anyways. Young Master. If you want to gloat, then gloat.", Lechter responded, shrugging his shoulders.

"Just don't set the world on fire after seeing what I got alright? Anyways, now that you got your weapon equipped, I'll proceed to take out mine. You do the same, Lechter.", I said to the two.

"Got it.", Lechter said, proceeding to take out his rapier. It was clad in a vermillion hilt, and had a shiny, slick silver sheen on the blade's edge and tip. It looked quite mighty, ready to take down any monsters.

And well, they'll be in for another surprise. But then again, both Tio and Lechter had seen me activate Inventory before. So I did. A miniature black hole tore through space right beside as I stuck my hand into it.

"That...", Tio uttered.

"Let me guess, what you're doing is also part of this 'ability' of yours?", Lechter decided to ask. He had stayed silent on the matter until now, but I could see he was intrigued by it.

"That's a simple way of putting it, but yes.", I nodded, keeping the explanation of Inventory short. I didn't need to explain how Inventory worked either. It was self-explanatory. I could put items in and take items out, it didn't seem to have a limit either. It can store perishables too. I doubt a human can go inside it, but that would be something to test. To see if I could put a living creature inside of it.

I doubt it'd work. As I thought that, I put my staff away, the practice staff Roselia rewarded me with for training under her. Instead, I pulled out a similar-minded rapier. Both Lechter and I were users of the rapier. Unlike his though, my hilt was clad in silver and violet gems. It had a very domineering blade, composed out of very strong and durable metals. It was Radiant Starlight. This weapon used to belong to my mother, who unfortunately had passed away while giving birth to me.

I am in a sense, carrying her will through this blade.

"Your weapon is as dazzling as ever, Young Master. Looks like someone has been taking good care of it.", Lechter mused.

"Of course. It is a memento of mother's.", I happily nodded.

"This sword...belonged to your mother?", Tio raised her eyes at me.

"It does. And moreover, it's a growth item, just like your staff, Tio. I consider this rapier a partner weapon. It goes wherever I go.", I said, cracking a smile.

"Was it just me, or did you grow noticeably stronger just by taking that out?", Lechter wondered.

"Mmm. I felt it too.", Tio nodded.

"Hahaha! It's the weapon I've had for the longest. I do have others, like a rather special bow I'll show you two sometime. That one...is an oddity. For now, let's go over our stats again. Like I said just now, we'll start with you again, Tio.", I said.

"Okay.", Tio nodded.

"Sounds good to me.", Lechter also nodded.

Just like that, the three of us willed our status screens, taking a good look at them. I started with Tio's first.

And don't worry, we're doing this while remaining out of sight. It would look really silly with the three of us squatting in one place in the outskirts of Crossbell City, haha!

Tio's stats grew quite a bit, and Lechter was no slouch either. Yet the moment those two rested their eyes on my stats, their eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Lechter's reaction was especially funny to witness.

*

A/N: Going forward, I will use the basis you readers see below to display stat screens for party members. I will include crafts/spells/equipment etc lists at times when needed. 

[Tio Plato]

 Level: 1/250 (0/100)

 Age: 9

 [Equipment]

 -Weapon: Researcher - (Growth - Lv1 (0/100))(Upgradable)

 -Armor: N/A

 -Boots: N/A

 -Accessory One: N/A

 -Accessory Two: N/A

[Combat Orbment - Generation IV Model]

 -Line Slots:

  -One (Water): N/A

  -Two: N/A

  -Three: N/A

  -Four (Water): N/A

  -Five: N/A

  -Six: N/A

HP: 300/300 EP: 200/200

STR: 50 DEF: 50 ATS: 100  

ADF: 60 SPD: 20 DEX: 40

[Lechter Arundel]

 Age: 17

 Level: 100/250 (0/496,900)

[Equipment]

 -Weapon: Aerondight (+0) - (Enhance Option)

 -Armor: House Arundel Battle Garb

 -Boots: House Arundel Battle Boots

 -Accessory One: N/A

 -Accessory Two: N/A

[Combat Orbment - Generation IV Model]

 -Line Slots:

  -One (Fire): N/A

  -Two: N/A

  -Three: N/A

  -Four (Mirage): N/A

  -Five: N/A

  -Six: N/A

HP: 15,000 / 15,000 EP: 500/500

STR: 1750 DEF: 1700 ATS: 800

ADF: 750 SPD: 100 DEX: 150

[Naoto von Auslese]

 Age: 13

 Level 111/250 (0/1,146,900)

[Equipment]

 -Weapon: Radiant Starlight (Growth Lv111 (0/1,146,900))(S-Weapon)

 -Armor: Guardian Jacket

 -Boots: Guardian Boots

 -Accessory One: Sherryl's Adoration

 -Accessory Two: N/A

[Combat Orbment - Generation VI (Enigma II Model)

 -Master Quartz Slot: N/A

 -Line Slots:

  -One (Fire): N/A

  -Two: N/A

  -Three: N/A

  -Four (Water): N/A

  -Five: N/A

  -Six: N/A

Naoto's Stats after Title applied:

HP: 70,700/70,700 EP: 5900/5900

STR: 6250 DEF: 4700 ATS: 6900

ADF: 3250 SPD: 450 DEX: 140

*

(Harem Seeker Title doesn't apply to INT, only to EP after it calcs INT)

(Harem Seeker Title doesn't apply to SPD or DEX)

(Harem Seeker Title applies after all other stat calculations have finished)