Goddess Mea's words hung heavy in the air. After a murmur of assent, each newcomer closed their eyes and uttered the silent command: "Status."
For a split second, nothing happened. Then, in a flash of azure light, translucent panels materialized before them, each brimming with cryptic symbols and numerical values.
[Alexander Kael Touch]
Experience Value:0/100
Gift: Two Guns *Sealed*
Skills: [Normal Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Swift Fingers Max] [Presence Detection Level 1]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The one who can't use Magic] [The one whose fingers are faster than Flash]
Alex squinted at his own window, a frown creasing his brow. Was this it? Were these numbers the measure of his potential, the key to unlocking his Isekai legend? He scanned the unfamiliar terms, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach. Were his stats average, mediocre, or perhaps...something sinister? Were they the harbingers of greatness or a cruel joke from fate?
Uncertainty gnawed at him. Did the others share his apprehension? He stole glances at their faces, each masked in a tapestry of emotions: curiosity, excitement, and perhaps a flicker of the same trepidation he felt.
Here's an edited version with some improvements:
Alex scanned the faces around him, searching for a glimmer of shared disappointment. But instead, he found only smiles, wide and genuine. Their elation stabbed at his already deflated spirit.
"They all must have excellent stats," He muttered, bitterness lacing his voice. Were they truly that lucky, or were they hiding their anxieties? He couldn't tell, and the uncertainty gnawed at him.
His pessimistic musings were interrupted by a familiar face. Leonardo, a smirk playing on his lips, strutted towards him with his entourage in tow. Alex's stomach clenched. That smile never boded well, especially not after seeing his own lackluster "Status." He braced himself for the inevitable mockery, the public humiliation.
Leonardo stopped right in front of him. There was no denying his appeal - short, sun-kissed blonde hair, eyes the color of a summer sky, and a jawline that could cut diamonds. His athletic prowess, honed on the basketball court, translated into an impressive physique, towering over Alex's own above average frame.
Leonardo's entourage completed the picture: Dodolus, his towering shadow with warm brown eyes; Kevin, his half-brother with dark hair and a glint of mischief; and Camilla, his little sister, whose beauty was unfortunately lost on everyone but Leonardo himself. Her long black hair and doe-brown eyes shimmered, but her gaze remained fixed on the object of her unrequited affection.
As Alex was bracing himself for what was about to come, Leonardo's voice broke the silence.
"Why the frown, Alexander? Your stats are not up to your illustrious expectations?" His mocking tone echoed through the room, drawing unwanted attention.
"Unless you're afraid to prove me wrong, perhaps you should with everyone?"
Anger flared in Alex's chest. It was obvious; Leonardo was deliberately trying to humiliate him. This wasn't just about Alex's stats; it was about asserting dominance, rubbing salt into the wound of their pre-existing rivalry. Alex clenched his fists, torn between the urge to lash out and the need to maintain some semblance of dignity.
But before he could decide, Leonardo leaned closer, his smirk widening.
"Unless, of course," He whispered, his voice dripping with malice, "Your stats are so abysmal, you wouldn't dare let anyone see them."
"Screw off, Leonardo. This doesn't concern you,"
Alex spat, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Leonardo clicked his tongue, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Ah, touchy, are we? From your reaction, it seems I hit a nerve."
He leaned closer, voice dripping with mock concern.
"Don't worry, we won't judge. How about we make a deal? We all share our statuses, and then you can grace us with yours, hmm?"
Alex hesitated, caught in a web of his own making. Earlier, he'd puffed his chest, proclaiming himself Maria's protector. Now, her expectant gaze held him hostage. He couldn't back down, not in front of her. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for the inevitable mockery.
With a flick of his wrist, his status window materialized, its blue glow stark against the air. Silence descended as everyone leaned in, their faces etched with curiosity. Then, a wave of blank stares washed over them, replaced by Leonardo's booming laughter that echoed through the room.
"Pathetic! Is that all you got, Alexander the Great?"
Leonardo doubled over, tears streaming down his face.
"Seems your mighty stats are as inflated as your ego!"
But amidst the jeering, Alex noticed something else. A flicker of surprise in Maria's eyes, a subtle twitch of Dodolus' brow. Was it pity? Confusion? He couldn't tell. But one thing was certain: his abysmal stats had just thrown him headfirst into the unknown, and the laughter was only the beginning.
After laughing for a few minutes, Leonardo's group proudly exhibits their statuses.
Experience Value:0/100
Magic: Holy Magic, Fire Magic
Gift: Holy Sword Excalibur
Skills: [Advanced Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Holy Extinction Ray Level 1] [Holy Slash Level 1] [Kick Boxer Level 2]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The Holy sword wielder] [ Le Sauveur] [Lady Killer]
Experience Value:0/100
Skills: [Normal Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Holy Barrier Level 1] [Holy Bash Level 1]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The Hero Shield] [ Guardian of the Holy Shield] [The Lackey]
Class: Magic Swordmaster
Experience Value:0/100
Gift: Magic Sword Surtr
Skills: [Normal Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Heavy Slash Level 1] [Meteor Slash Level 1]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [ The Lackey] [ Vicious Mouth]
Experience Value:0/100
Magic: Fire Magic, Wind Magic
Skills: [Normal Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Fire Meteor Level 1] [Wind Tornado Level 1]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [Pyromaniac] [The Stalker] [Maiden in Love]
Maria and her two best friends Luna and Sakuya, also showed their statuses. They didn't want to be left out.
[Maria Alexia Rosares]
Experience Value:0/100
Skills: [Advanced Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Ice Slash Level 1] [ Glaciate Level 1] [Ice Blast Level 1] [Close Quarters Combat Level 3]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The Ice Empress] [The Queen ]
Experience Value:0/100
Magic: Holy Magic, Healing Magic
Gift: Holy Staff Luminae
Skills: [Advanced Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Holy Barrier Level 1] [Holy Beam Level 1] [Heal Level 1]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The Healer] [La Sainte]
Experience Value:0/100
Gift: Katana Kaze no Yoroich?
Skills: [Advanced Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Kendo Level 6] [Swordsmanship Level 4] [Wind Slash] [Iaido Level 3] [Wind tornado Level 1] [Gale Slash Level 1]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [Kendo Master] [ Yamato Nadeshiko ] [Kendo Fanatic]
Alex clenched his jaw, a bitter smile flickering across his lips.
"Isn't this Overkill?" He muttered, scanning the dazzling displays of status windows around him.
"This feels shitty." Despair threatened to engulf him as he compared his modest stats to the seemingly celestial figures of others.
"Why me?" He whispered, the weight of perceived misfortune heavy on his chest.
However, soon a spark ignited within him, fueled by defiance. He straightened his shoulders, a fire dancing in his eyes.
"Earth may have called me wealthy," He murmured, a newfound determination hardening his voice.
"However, in this new world, I choose strength."
This wasn't just a declaration to the heavens, but a vow to himself, a refusal to be consumed by envy.
Across the room, Maria couldn't help but notice the shift in Alex's demeanor. Gone was the self-pity, replaced by a fierce glint of determination.
A smile tugged at her lips.
"Unlike some attention seekers," She mused,
"He truly understands what matters."