Adam stood still deep inside the forest. The air felt quiet and strange. The profound silence made it seem like he was the only person in the world. His sharp blue avatar eyes scanned everything. The tall trees stood close their branches forming a thick canopy overhead. The dense undergrowth made it difficult to see far ahead creating a shady and mysterious atmosphere. The air felt charged with a strange energy. Adam focused his attention on the glowing blue system window floating before him. He had just reviewed his Administrator class. Now he needed to understand his unbelievable unique skill Reality Manipulation.
With a wave of his hand the class description vanished. "Status window" he said quietly. Instantly another blue screen appeared showing his character details. He already knew his base stats were low. His eyes locked on the skills list specifically the single line showing his unique ability Reality Manipulation Level 1. A mix of intense curiosity and excitement flashed across his face. "I've never seen a skill like this in any game" he murmured. He took a calming breath then tapped the skill's name on the screen.
A new window appeared providing the skill's details.
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Reality Manipulation
This skill allows the player to manipulate reality to their will.
Adam stared at the incredibly short description. Just one sentence. It was surprisingly brief but those few words confirmed his wildest suspicions about its power. Adam's lips curved into a genuine smile. It was the expression of someone who had just discovered a legendary treasure. His success was short-lived. His eyes darted to the bottom of the window where bright red text served as a stark warning.
Warning:
This skill is currently at Level 1 and can only be used twice a day. Once both uses are exhausted the skill will not activate again for 24 hours. Additionally the player can only manipulate small aspects of reality.
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Adam let out a sigh of frustration. His excitement cooled. "So it's limited" he muttered shaking his head. "Twice a day? And only for small things?" The restrictions felt significant but he quickly regained his composure. A look of determination replaced his disappointment. He understood now why the system would grant such a powerful skill at the start. The limitations were a balancing act. Without them the skill would break the game entirely. Even with the limits it was a power no other player possessed.
"At least I have a skill," he said his voice firm. "Most new players have nothing. They have to grind just to unlock a basic attack. I even have a class." He was incredibly far ahead of everyone else. The other players at the spawn point were just learning to walk. Adam felt like he had already been given wings.
He remembered how players in his past life had to struggle until Level 10 just to choose a basic class like Fighter or Mage. He started at Level 1 with the Administrator class an impossibly rare and powerful designation. It was a complete departure from the game's normal rules.
He clenched his gloved fists. His bright blue eyes gleamed with focused intensity. He had a long way to go but he possessed the tools to get there faster than anyone else. "I can't afford to give up," he said his voice a low resolute whisper. He closed the system window and surveyed the forest again. It stretched out in every direction intimidating yet thrilling. This was the frontier where he would build his power.
"Okay," Adam decided speaking his plan aloud. "I need to level up fast. The stronger I get the more I can unlock the potential of my Administrator class."
As he stepped deeper into the woods a strategic thought struck him.
"Why not hide my true strength?" he whispered. The idea took root. If others knew he had a unique class and a skill like Reality Manipulation he would become an immediate target. A plan formed in his mind.
"I'll keep my true abilities secret. I'll use my future knowledge to get stronger quietly." No one would know the full extent of his power until he was strong enough to handle the consequences.
Satisfied with his strategy he found a small clearing and sat on the rough ground. The earth was coarse and uncomfortable but he barely noticed. His mind was focused on the next step testing Reality Manipulation.
"Reality Manipulation," he said firmly commanding the game. The air around him shimmered. A new blue window appeared.
Reality Manipulation Skill Activated.
A calm mechanical voice echoed through the forest. "Reality Manipulation skill activated. Please specify command."
A microphone icon appeared in the center of the new window. He blinked then understood. "I have to say what I want to change," he thought. He needed to use his voice. He considered a useful first command one that would not be too overt. An idea came to him. He spoke clearly toward the floating icon. "Change the level-up system. Don't let me level up unless I give explicit consent."
This would give him absolute control allowing him to remain at a low level publicly while secretly accumulating experience and power. The system responded instantly. A new window materialized confirming the change.
Level-Up Consent is now required for this player to upgrade levels.
Adam was stunned. It was that simple. He had changed a core game rule with just his voice. The possibilities were endless. His excitement vanished. A bright red warning window had appeared over the confirmation.
Error:
This change exceeds the limits of Reality Manipulation Level 1.
Adam's concern sharpened as more text appeared.
Exception granted. Since the user is an admin all exceptions are being ignored... The system administrator is actively looking into the game's code to see if there is a problem.
A knot of worry formed in his stomach. A system administrator was investigating? Was it a person or the game's notorious AI? He could be discovered his class removed his skill taken away. He waited tensed holding his breath. Minutes passed. Nothing happened. No new alerts no signs of detection. The message confirming his level-up change remained. The command had worked despite the warning.
Adam exhaled a shaky breath of relief. For now he was safe. The change had been allowed because he was an Admin. The gravity of the warning was not lost on him. "So even my skill has limits," he thought.
He could not change anything he wanted not at Level 1. The 'small aspects of reality' warning was critical. He had tried to alter a fundamental game rule a change too big for his current skill level. His Administrator class had forced it through triggering an alert.
He sat for a moment longer on the rough ground processing what had happened. The skill was unbelievably powerful but it was not unlimited. His thoughts turned to the future.
"If I can level up this skill maybe I can remove the restrictions." For now he had to be careful. The system administrator warning was serious and he had only one use of his skill left for the day. "I can't afford to waste it."
He stood and brushed the dirt from his black clothes. The forest was quiet but he knew it held monsters and other players.
"Okay," he said his voice firm. "I need to find a safe place to train. Somewhere I can fight and test my abilities without drawing any attention." He began walking deeper into the forest leaving the beginner village far behind. His mind was a whirlwind of plans. He was an Administrator a master of the game's mechanics. His journey had only just begun.