Now that I have a general understanding of my situation, I have to make one important decision. Do I dare to get "eliminated"?
The answer is a very clear no!
As such, under the assumption that the next fight could start at any moment and not only when I sleep, I had a lot to prepare.
This, however, put me in front of a problem. A lot to prepare means a lot to remember. While little time means I have to think fast and can't get distracted.
This led to my first decision. I had to figure out how to increase my stats, my mental ones specifically. Of course, I played with the thought of putting them all into speed or strength for a moment and going for a quick win. But considering the existence of Skills and Overskills, or even the possibility of the next fighter having a gun, I didn't even need to improve my mental stats to see in how many ways that can go wrong.
Thus, that became my first order of business.
"So, how do I do this? Status?", I mumble to myself.
Info:
Name: Alexander Wright
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Privileges: Recruit
Points:
Super point(s): 0
Overskill point(s): 1
Skill point(s): 1
Stat point(s): 0
Overskill: 1 / 1
Pocket dimension Lv.1
Skill: 2 / 5
Shock absorption Lv.1
Heat resistance Lv.1
Status:
Memory: 10 / 100
Processing speed: 11 / 100
Concentration: 10 / 100
Strength: 15 / 100
Speed: 17 / 100
Stamina: 12 / 100
Once again did I realize that the Information had increased.
"Privileges? What's this about?", I wonder, involuntarily opening another window in the process.
Privileges:
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Level: Recruit
Avatar: Disabled
Overskills: Out of sight
Skills: Out of sight
OoA Stats: max 20
This was definitely very important information I just stumbled about. Just quickly gleaning over the information, I could tell that my privileges would increase the more I rise in status. For example, for now, it seems like I can't activate my avatar on my own. Also, it seems like can't use my Skills and Overskills where anyone can see. And last but not least, my Stats, while I'm not in Avatar, seem to be restricted to twenty.
Raising all six Stats to twenty could serve as a good starting goal once I have figured out how.
"Ehhmmm... Increase Stats?"
It is very likely that saying all those things out loud makes me look stupid, but for now, I decided that it would make it a lot easier to figure out this system.
Stat point(s): 0
Status:
Memory: 10 +
Processing speed: 11 +
Concentration: 10 +
Strength: 15 +
Speed: 17 +
Stamina: 12 +
Sure enough, this seems quite easy to control. While the screens don't seem to actually exist, as my finger just moves through it when I try pressing one of the plus symbols, a slight prickly feeling at my fingertip tells me that this is at least one possible way to interact with the menu. Though, the fact that nothing happens tells me that I have to exchange my points manually. Probably a safeguard to prevent you from using more points than intended and accidentally exchanging your higher quality points when you don't intend to.
"Ok... Point exchange!", I say a little more confident since it seems like I'm either very good at guessing these commands or the system is very good at understanding its user's intent.
Points:
Super point(s): 0 =>
Overskill point(s): 1 =>
Skill point(s): 1 =>
Stat point(s): 0
I hesitate for a moment when I get a new idea.
"Increase Skill level."
Skill point(s): 1
Skill: 2 / 5
Shock absorption Lv.1 + (1p)
Heat resistance Lv.1 + (1p)
As I thought, I can also increase the Skill levels for points, and the same is probably possible for Overskills. But seeing as I can't glean any absolute improvement to my situation from this, I decide to go back to my original plan.
"Point exchange."
As the window opens, I quickly tap on the arrows several times, exchanging the points into twelve stat points.
Now, the question was how to allocate them. Overall, all three mental stats seem to be equally important. Better memory would make sure that I don't stand there like an idiot trying to remember what kind of plans I had actually made. Processing speed would improve my ability to assess a situation and improvise, while concentration makes sure I don't get distracted.
At first, I decided to distribute the points evenly, but when I remembered the saying "No plan survives contact with the enemy." I ended up putting 3 points into both Memory and Concentration, and ix points into Processing speed.
Stat point(s): 0
Status:
Memory: 13 +
Processing speed: 17 +
Concentration: 13 +
Strength: 15 +
Speed: 17 +
Stamina: 12 +
As I take another gulp from my beer, I realize that my concentration has already improved tremendously, considering how I was able to get this far without getting distracted.
That was when a realization hit me. Dumb as I was, I had only thought about this in terms of fighting. I quickly ran to my backpack, taking out the massive folder containing all of my course work and take out the homework lying right on top.
Twenty minutes later, work that would have normally taken up to two hours with extensive internet research was completed, letting me come to several conclusions.
First, increased memory works retroactively to a certain degree. While I couldn't suddenly remember what pants I wore on my sixth birthday, memories that were vague previously became a lot clearer. Like the fact that I had promised my sister to help her move into her new apartment next weekend.
Secondly, increasing my mental Stats even further could be very important to make my future studies easier and secure me a good job.
And lastly, increased concentration doesn't prevent me from getting distracted, but at least I would get fewer headaches in the future.