A Gamer's Flames Of Ambition

The halls of Blackwell Academy have an aura to them. It permeates throughout the entirety of the school and even infect Arcadia Bay as a whole, and with time, infects the minds of all who may live there. To most that aura would seem dreadfully mundane, but those in the know have a grasp on just how serious the atmosphere of the school can get when the moment calls. 

Now realistically there are most likely plenty of other places in just this world alone with far more precarious situations, but the addition of powers that literally treat fundamental forces of the universe like a slight suggestion kinda bumps it up on the weirdness scale if you ask me. Said powers are also the reason why I chose this universe in the first place. 

Beyond her initial ability to rewind time, Max Caulfield could possibly have the potential to master time itself-managing to both go back in time and freeze it within only a week of practice with her powers. Having that kind of power under my control would do wonders for me no matter what activities I decide to undertake in the future.

Sitting in the photography classroom taught by Arcadia Bay's serial kidnapper, Mark Jefferson, I realized that canon hasn't started yet. While there are plenty of missing posters around for Rachel Amber, a victim of Mr. Jefferson of which he plans to pin the blame on his "protege", Nathan Prescott, the "Kate Marsh Incident" at the vortex club party happened two days ago while the story begins 3 days after it. 

That also lets me know that the only thing I really need to do today is socialize, and that tomorrow is when the real magic begins. I have to get everything right. Not because I can't afford to fail, but because I won't tolerate any outcome besides absolute success. 

My plan for Max is far more convoluted than it has any reason to be, but I'd rather be thorough in my manipulation. It'd suck to get pretty close to my objective just to realize that I've been erased from existence because I was found out before her loyalty was secured. 

I asked the system for confirmation, and unfortunately for me I don't have any resistance to temporal phenomena. 

I won't delve too deeply into the mechanics of my plans, but it mostly stems from conveniently placing myself at certain events; one of the first being when Max and Warren are in the parking lot at the beginning of the story. It'll take a bit of precision and a whole lot of making myself seem as innocent as possible later on, but it can work. 

Worming my way into her life shouldn't be hard seeing as Warren managed to do it, and I'd like to think that I'm better than a random nerd filled with more awkwardness than the average teen has throughout the entirety of their high school career. 

If I could just do that then I know for a fact that I can manipulate Max into going to another world with me. I can't be sure what the next world would be as of right now, but I know that once there I can continue to use her to further any goals I may have.

My reason for not taking my time but still being so thorough? I find this world horrifyingly boring. 

The writing for the story was so ass that you can't really find entertainment in much else unless you were to go to the events of the other games because of the lack of higher levels of world building, but the other games also share the same problem. My other reason is that I don't find too many of the girls in this world attractive, but you didn't hear that from me. 

Speaking, or thinking, of that, it gives me a question. Hey System, when will I be able to go to other worlds? 

You'll be able to interact with the world jump feature upon the completion of your [World Quest].

Thanks, als-

"And look everyone; it seems to me as though Mr. West here is in his own little world. What do you have to say about that young man?" 

Mr. Jefferson's words reminded me that I am in fact in the middle of an active classroom. Taking a millisecond to glance around the room, I notice that everyone's attention is momentarily fixed on me. While thinking I spent my time drawing to keep myself occupied, and I guess my lack of attention was finally noticed. Let's see where I stand compared to him, shall we?

|Mark Jefferson|

{Health: 100%}

{Stamina: 87%}

{Rank: Mortal} 

{Strength: D+}

{Constitution: E+}

{Dexterity: E+}

{Intelligence: B}

{Wisdom: C-}

{Charisma: B+}

{Luck: C-}

Damn. This quest might end up more annoying than I thought. 

Responding to his words after a beat of silence, I widened my eyes for a moment and responded in a faux surprised tone, "My bad Mr. Jefferson, I was just thinking about what pic I'm gonna send in for the contest," chuckling a bit at the end to really sell the act. 

The previous inhabitant of this body was quite a bit more than the system let on, but I'll get more on that later. 

"While in most situations I'd love to indulge my students' creativity, I have to ask that you keep your head out of the clouds, Mr. West," He replied in a light lecturing tone. 

Looking to my left I see Max somehow being socially awkward while doing nothing, Victoria pretending that she's not listening to every detail of what's being said, and up ahead of me I see Kate's deteriorating state. Everything seems to be in place. I can work with this.

Before I could give him a response the bell signaling the end of class rang, which was exactly what I've been waiting for the past 20 or so minutes, but it also interrupted whatever tangent I was sure he was about to go on. I made sure that I gave him a reply as I was walking out, effectively ending the conversation before it could turn into a full blown lecture. 

"You'd be surprised what you can find up there Mr. Jefferson. If some people took the time to think things through far more they'd make it a lot further in life." 

I could've responded in a million different ways to what he said, but I've always loved being intentionally vague. I find it entertaining. 

Let him think about what I said some more, it'll do nothing for him.

- Later - 

Taking a seat on the bed in my dorm, I don't even take the time to admire the room as I think about everything I've learned so far. Although it's not as if there's much to give thought to in the room anyways. 

After my first interaction with Jefferson I can say with absolute certainty that he's gotta go. 

"He noticed", I muttered, more to myself than anything.

[Indeed.]

He may not know the full truth, but he does know that something's up with the way I'm acting. It's unfortunate, really, but he did the same with Max in the game, so I guess I'm not surprised. 

I can ignore the obvious dangers that he presents to my plans and his weird obsession with photos, but I draw the line at the fact that he's one of the most boring people I've ever met. How can someone possibly waste their time giving dull ass lectures when they've actually felt the thrill that comes with killing others? 

He might actually like teaching, but I guess he won't live long enough to enjoy it much; especially after the new stuff the system brought out for me. 

[Choose Your Starter Class Archetype] 

[Mystical]

[Martial]

[Profession]

Upon choosing, your class will be rolled for at random. 

This window has been in the corner of my vision since I arrived in this world, but I took a day to think on it and have come to the conclusion that mystical might just be the choice I'm going with. 

The practical explanation for why is that I need something that I know for sure that no one in this world can counter, and mystical might just have something of that caliber. Although the less practical explanation is that I've always wanted to do magic, and I believe it might just make my life easier too.

I have spent my entire life working tirelessly so that everyone I care about can live comfortably. Dad? I learned how to cook and cleaned far more than anyone else in the house just so that he can sleep a bit easier at night and go out more. Barry and Iris? I studied ahead and worked my body to the bone so that I'd be smart enough to help them with school and strong enough to protect them. 

I may not like Barry all that much, but I still beat Tony Woodward's ass whenever I was there and he tried something with him.

I even got a job back in high school and saved up for years just so that it would take the burden off of dad when it came to paying for me to go to college, especially since I graduated from a higher end college too. 

So what if I took time out of my day to seduce my best friend's girlfriend? So what if I cause chaos simply for my own amusement? I deserve to indulge in whatever it is I desire. 

Now that I can literally become a god if I'm smart enough, I only believe that even more. Some people may think that it's wrong to have a god complex, but I think it's only natural. In fact, if you believe in time happening all at once I'm technically already one. 

And what can ants do about the desires of a god but concede to them? 

[Rolling Mystical Class…]

Class gained!

[The Cultist]

To some, faith is the most powerful thing in the world. This class embodies that notion. Whether it be through magical manipulation or divine intervention, you preach the words of your divine leader and instill reverence in those under you. 

With this class you gain 1 Perk, 1 Ability, and 1 Drawback. 

Despite the specifics of the class, the ability to manipulate others is exactly what I need more of in this world, but a drawback is not. Do all classes have drawbacks, and if not, what makes this one special?

No they do not, but you''ll learn the answer to your second question in due time.

Continuing on, as an extra to promote further growth, the class system includes a leveling system as well. To level up requires you to act according to your class as well as gain Experience from defeated foes and quests. 

The potential power I can see myself having in the future from this statement alone makes me want to spontaneously combust in pure happiness out of principle. Let's see what those automatically gained extras are about, shall we?

[Rolling…]

[Attraction of the Divine (Mythical)] - Perk 

Most of the time, it requires fantastical circumstances for a mortal to attract the attention of a divine entity. Let it be your charm, attractiveness, or pure aura, you have managed to do so. 

- Upgrade CHA to S automatically

[Honeyed Words (Beginner)] - Ability 

Your natural charisma, looks, and overall presence affect all who may hear your voice, making them feel far more compelled to listen to your words. 

- Connect a code word to the ability for maximum effect

[Divine Comedy (Legendary)] - Curse 

In order to keep the attention of the divine, one must struggle through hardship, grow, and have a story worth watching. This perk introduces new factors and challenges into your life in the name of making your story worth monitoring. 

Fuck. This was almost perfect. If only that flaw wasn't so ominous. 

So let's see…I'm almost at the peak of charisma for a mortal, and anything I say is far more likely to be taken as the truth. 

These new additions derail my plans a bit, but only slightly. In fact, this will do nothing but make my plan for making Max fall in love with me laughably easy even though it was already. After all, it only took her a week to fall for Warren in the main story. Or Chloe, it just depends on what you chose in the game really.

Finally leaving the comfort of my pretty nice twin sized bed, I walk over to the mirror I have sitting on a desk in my room, and am shocked by what I see. 

My hair, twisted into dreads purely to annoy my sister, is healthy and shiny. My skin, a fair bit smoother and a slightly lighter brown, is cured of all past imperfections. And my body? It looks like a deity took their sweet time to sculpt it to perfection. Not quite perfect, but we're getting there.

This is nice and all, but I still don't know if this was worth the flaw I got. 

 Speaking of my new upgrades, I know exactly what word I'm gonna use for it.

'Listen.' 

Is that your final choice?

Yes. 

Alright then. For the final stage of your class selection, choose a figure to worship. 

I had hoped that this option would come up, and I've already thought of who I'm gonna choose for this. 

There is no one I find more fitting to worship than me.

- That night - 

At the edge of town, you can find a lighthouse at the height of a cliff overlooking the bay. On this particular night, you'd even find me sitting on the bench right outside of the lighthouse. 

Now, if you were to take a cursory glance over the edge of the cliff, you'd find nothing too interesting. That is, if you don't find the mangled corpse of a recently dead man all that intriguing. 

It's unfortunate for him, really. He didn't even struggle all that much. A bit of coercion, a few good guesses based on the way he looked with a few well placed phrases in between, and he was dancing to my tune without a fight whatsoever. The guy truly believed that his family was in danger despite my lackluster manipulation attempt. He truly was pathetic. I knew so little about the man that I didn't even say his name once throughout the entire exchange. 

He even started praying in the midst of his tears, the poor thing. 

Once again I'll say that it's unfortunate for him that he got put through this turmoil, because in reality, the one he should've been praying to is me.

At the very least, I do know that I'm on the right track. 

[Honeyed Words (Practitioner)] - Ability

I just love seeing my growth in real time, it makes me feel so accomplished.

At first, I only planned on getting Max to fall in love with me, but if I have this, then that means that I can play with the hearts of just about anyone I want in Arcadia Bay and perhaps even wherever I go in the future. 

Man, life is good.