'So anything my clone sees or learns I never forget.'
'Not very helpful in terms of raw power or combat, especially in a world where I could get killed at any moment. But what is the extent of this ability? I need to find out more.'
It was clear to Liam that any actions his clone took, he would never forget as long as the clone was merged back into him. However, was that really all to his ability? He couldn't be sure so he had to do more research, and the best place to start was on the official WGO website. Here, one could learn everything related to gifted.
'No.. no, not that.. ah, here it is, replication abilities.'
---
Abilities are categorized into different types, Enhancement, Elementalist, Manipulation, Psionic, Transformation and Special:
Enhancement: Gifted that specialize in being able to physically strengthen themselves or objects.
- Common enhancement abilities include super strength, super speed etc.
- About 40% of gifted fall into this category.
Elementalist: Gifted that specialize in manipulating a certain element.
- Common elementalist abilities include manipulation of fire, earth, water and wind. There are even those who can manipulate rarer elements such as lightning.
- About 25% of gifted fall into this category.
Manipulation: Gifted that specialize in controlling animate or inanimate things.
- Common manipulation abilities include telekinesis and animal control.
- About 18% of gifted fall into this category.
Transformation: Gifted that specialize in morphing into superior shapes or forms.
- Common transformation abilities include shape-shifting and beast transformation.
- About 12% of gifted fall into this category.
Psionic: Gifted that specialize in mental as well as psychic-based powers.
- Common psionic abilities include telepathy, teleportation and precognition.
- About 5% of gifted fall into this category.
Special: Gifted that do not fit in any of the five other categories, most that fall under this category contain a unique gift.
- No known common ability
- About < 1% of gifted fall into this category
---
'No.. not that.. ah, this seems similar to what I have.' Liam said as he read the words on his monitor.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
---
Doppelgänger Physiology: The ability to create a duplicate of oneself that is composed of energy.
Category: Manipulation
Ability rank: D-
Rank explanation: As with the case with all duplication abilities, the clone will disappear after the user has run out of energy. Not very useful in combat, unlike elemental clones. Serves as a distraction at best.
---
"Wha...?"
'So my ability is called Doppelgänger Physiology? And it's a Manipulation type of ability, and... it's rank is only D-?'
"Well that sucks."
'I wonder why it's not mentioned that the clone has perfect memory of everything it experiences? Wouldn't that bump up the rank? Or did they factor that in as well? Maybe it's just not up to date or there aren't that many users with the same type of ability.'
'Even if it's not an overpowered ability, an ability is an ability. For now at least I have a slav- a 'helper' to do my homework for me.' Liam smirked as he thought about what he planned to do later on in the evening.
***
[10:02 PM]
'Alright, I think I've rested enough, time to clone my sexy ass' Liam thought as he activated his ability and instilled his will towards his clone.
"mRGH argh.."
'Still painful, but definitely not as much as before. So I guess it's like a muscle, I'll get used to it the more I use it?' Liam thought as he stared at his newly created clone.
"Alright, now what to do with you?"
"See that pile of books over there? Pick up the one about Economic and Social History"
'I think that's the one I'm failing most in right? I don't even know at this point'
"If you finish that then pick up the one about General Studies, then whatever tickles your fancy, nod if you understand"
*Nods* The clone gave a nod then headed towards the pile of books that looked like they haven't been touched in years.
"I'm leaving my education in your capable hands, don't let me down" Liam said as he watched his clone walk away.
'Time to get some shut eye'
***
[Sunday the 25th of August 10:19 AM]
Liam was confused when he woke up, he completely forgot about the fact that his clone relied on an 'energy' source, he wasn't exactly sure what that source was or where it was coming from, but that's not what left him confused. In front of him, the clone had moved to the living room and was still reading. But what irked him was that the clone was reading a book called 'Basic Maths for Dummies'.
'I didn't even know I had that book...'
"What the hell are you doing, this isn't what I told you to read idiot"
...
...
"Oh right, forgot I made it so you can't talk back to me... ugh"
"Whatever... how long have you been awake?"
...
..
"Just use your fingers, aren't you the one reading maths for dummies?" Liam said with a smirk on his face, proud of his diss to himself.
"...12 hours? How is that even possible, I mean, I don't think I consciously activated you again while I was sleeping, but I thought I needed to draw out energy from somewhere to keep you activated?"
'Is this like that anime where the guy has an unlimited amount of mana, is that what I have?!' Liam thought as he rested his chin on his hand.
'No it's too soon to assume anything, I have to do more research into this'
"For now I hope you had your fun learning about your times tables, but next time focus on what I tell you to do moron" Liam said as he withdrew his clone back into himself.
..
..
"ARRGGGHHHHHH- MMgHh" Liam belted out for a couple of minutes, only to try to then muffle his screams.
"What the hell was that" Liam said panting. He felt as if he had a bad hangover, but forgot all about the pain in the next second.
"The first case of a gifted individual was discovered on the border of Namibia which has now become one of the desolate zones..."
"Professor Charlie Xanov's widely acclaimed hypothesis on the source of gifted power was proven to be false due to..."
"A decimal number in which all the digits repeat looks something like 0.123123..."
Liam kept speaking words as if he was possessed. It was only after 10 minutes did he realize what he was doing.
"Holy shit, I'm a goddamn genius!"
'So he wasn't just messing around all night? Oh, right I did tell him he could read anything after he was done with the other books. Oh well, not like I can apologize to him anyway. Wait, yes I can. I'm sorry me, I'm awesome so don't take it personally'
'Jokes aside, I can see myself getting smarter with this ability, but just being smart isn't going to help me in a world overrun by beasts.'
'I need to properly plan a course of action on what I want to achieve from here on out.' Liam thought as he walked towards his drawer to get a pen and pencil.
After thinking for a while, he noted down the 3 things he wanted to achieve most.
'Power, Wealth, Influence'