The sting on Alex's cheek was a constant reminder of his mistake. He knew his apology would fall on deaf ears; Wanda needed time, space, and a reason to trust him again. He had betrayed her trust, but his next move was one that might begin to mend the fracture he had caused. He approached Polaris with a calm, businesslike demeanor. She was still wary, but her hunger and exhaustion had been replaced by a quiet strength.
"I'm arranging for your admission to Midtown High," he stated.
Polaris's jaw tightened. "I'm a vigilante. I don't go to school."
"And you can be a vigilante after school," Alex countered, a hint of steel in his voice. "You'll be safe there, with me, Pietro, and Wanda. And you'll get a normal education, something you deserve." It was a difficult negotiation, a mixture of stubbornness and kindness, but eventually, she relented, her face a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
The next day, Alex walked into Midtown High with a new purpose. Pietro had already forgiven him, a quick, silent gesture of a hand on his shoulder. Wanda was still cold, her eyes averted, but the tension was gone; she had forgiven him, but she hadn't forgotten. Polaris, a quiet rebel in Class B, kept to herself, a fierce, protective aura around her.
Alex, however, was in his element. He moved through the halls like a ghost in a narrative, his enhanced senses pinpointing every protagonist. He found a new group of friends, each encounter a strategic milestone. He introduced himself to Jaime Reyes, a shy, unassuming kid with a love for engineering. He chatted with Kamala Khan about her latest fanfiction, and he shared a laugh with a confident, strong-willed Cassie Sandsmark. He even found a moment to talk to a quiet, reserved Sam Alexander and a nerdy, fidgety Ned Leeds. The most important encounter, however, was with a girl he had already met. He approached Raven with a quiet respect, and she, in turn, offered him a small, knowing smile.
The system panel in his mind chimed a symphony of success.
[Credits Earned: +6 (Raven)]
[Credits Earned: +3 (Wonder Girl)]
[Credits Earned: +1 (Jaime Reyes)]
[Credits Earned: +1 (Kamala Khan)]
[Credits Earned: +1 (Stargirl)]
[Credits Earned: +1 (Sam Alexander)]
[Credits Earned: +1 (Ned Leeds)]
[Current Credits: 21]
He made a conscious effort to befriend all of them, but his extra attention was noted. He gave special care to Polaris, a sense of guilt and familial loyalty driving him. He found himself drawn to Felicia's cunning charm and Gwen's brilliant mind, both of them allies he needed to cultivate. But Wanda noticed, and the look in her eyes turned to a mixture of hurt and something akin to a quiet fury. She knew she couldn't monopolize him, and the thought seemed to anger her more.
Over the next few weeks, Alex went on a simulation spree, using the wealth of credits he had gained to amass a new arsenal of skills.
First, he entered the world of Kung Fu Panda for 3 credits, his goal a dark and singular one: the Ultimate Five-Animal Fusion. He used his Assassin's Creed stealth and his katana to systematically take down the Furious Five, each kill a stepping stone to mastery. He killed Po last, an act of cold, calculated precision. He almost had it all, but Shifu, fueled by grief, was too fast. The old master's final blow killed Alex, but the system had what it needed. The reward was immense.
Next, a quick run in Anaconda for 1 credit, where he used his newfound physical abilities to kill every snake. The reward was exactly what he wanted: a limitless supply of the Blood Orchid and all knowledge of its uses.
Then came the most important one. He spent 1 credit on Food Wars, a culinary simulation with a brutal twist. He killed the protagonist, Soma, in a silent act. The reward was immediate and tangible: God-level cooking. He used his new skill to make a meal for Wanda, a culinary masterpiece crafted to evoke feelings of comfort and warmth. He served it to her in her room, and she, for the first time since the revelation, looked at him with something other than coldness. The meal was a bridge, a silent apology made of love and flavor, and it was enough.
Finally, he paid a steep price of 5 credits for the Chronicle simulation. He saw the boys' powers as a dangerous, volatile threat. He found them on the night they were to get their powers, and he used his new skills to kill all three before they ever had a chance to get them. The reward was his greatest yet, a true superpower to combat the telepaths and mind-readers of this world.
He stood in his room, the system panel glowing in his mind. He was no longer just a genius with fighting skills. He was a force of nature.
[Host: Alexander Stark-Wayne]
[Abilities: Master-Level Assassination Techniques, Advanced Firearms Knowledge, All Breathing Styles, Ultimate Five-Animal Fusion, God-level Cooking, Strong Mental Resilience, Telekinesis, NZ-48 Recipe, Blood Orchid Knowledge, Increased Sensory Sensitivity]
[Items: Falchion Doppler Black Pearl Knife, Butterfly Knife, Katana of Scarlet Crimson Ore, Unlimited Blood Orchid]
[Simulation Credits: 11]