“All that time spent channeling the M’Kraan energy, and I only get plus twenty to my Innate Core?” she complained with a smile. “Ahhh, Psychic Reformatting, a boon to the power gamer thou art!”

“So very true,” I said, shaking my head myself. “Time to take me home and introduce me to your daughter, I think.”

“Ah, yes. This is the dreaded Dr. Ouilette, who you might know better as Dynamo...”

Her little girl Sattiva was being watched over by a Simulacrum, of course, always good for saving labor, but the little one knew the Sim wasn’t her mother, because her mother was a Marklink away.

She also happened to be a big fan of Dynamo after watching me get pounded around by Champion and beating up all those other big strong guys.

I suppose being the hero to my inherited daughter couldn’t be an all-bad thing.

My first full updating with my Duplicates was done. I’d have to do another round to truly update everyone else, but that was fine. Nobody was going to mind the extra Levels and Stats at all.

=========

Dynamo, Warlock of the Widow in the Web, The Sage of Focus

Neutral Good Female Augmented Powered Human/5, Base Spider Totem Template

Ur-Priest/1, Alchemist/3, Mystic Theurge/9 (Ur/Sorc), Hierophant/2, Warshaper/3; Wizard/1, Learned Sorceress/1, Arcane Theurge/10 (Sorc10/Wiz6), Archmage/3 (Wizard), Craft Theurge/4 (Alc/Wiz); Arcane Fist/4, Minstrel/1, Lyric Theurge/6 (Wizard/Minstrel), Theurge of the Arts (Alch/Min)/7

Strength: (14) 18->26 [57/63**]* Height: 5’9

Dexterity: 18->31 [50,+6**]* Weight: 140 lbs.

Constitution: (16) 18->25 [50**]* Hair: Black (Auburn)

Intelligence: 20->48 (52 Cold) Eyes: Green

Wisdom: (12) 18->30 Age: 20

Charisma: (12) 18->32

Health: 133

Soak: 595

Movement: 180’

**Nova Core Rank/Mutant Core: 6 (09%)/ 214 PP (fixed, integrated)

Arcane Pool/Ki: 53 (3+ ki (19) + Song (31))

Warlock Rank: 10

Theurgic Caster Levels: Ur-Priest/10 (59); Sorceress/20 (29); Wizard/20 (29); Minstrel/16 (25) (NOG reduced Slots), Alchemist/14 (23)

Notable Talents/Traits: Naturally Focused, Dauntless; Favored by Fate, Spell Affinity, Magical Tradition, Undead Slayer, Weird Scientist, Valiant Reputation; Soul of Le Fey; The Sage of Focus; Heavy Gravity Training/4; Born Eldritch Blade; Slayer: Ninja, Tong, Werewolf, Skrull/Dire Wraith, Brood, Fiends, Mutates, Constructs (robots) (acquired); Patient, Protective; Born to Shadows, Seductive, Manhunter, Independent; Widow of the Red Room; True Believer, Faithful; Romantic, Artistic; Sealed Identity; Master of Four Dragons (Sun, Moon, Shadow, Ocean); Master of Night Rose

Templated Powers: Poison Resistance and Acquired Immunity; Radiation Immunity; Perfect Balance; Enhanced Speed and Jumping; Impact Resistance; Enhanced Climbing

Warlock Powers (Spider Totem Pact, Active): Bio-Electric Generation*; Covalent Bonding/Repulsion*; Danger Sense*; Strength Increase*; Dexterity Increase*; Constitution Increase*; Speed Increase*; Reaction Time Increase*; Damage Reduction Increase*; Increased Healing Factor*; Manifest Eldritch Blade*

#Mutant Core Power: Superspeed, Flight, Increased Reaction Time at Speed; Increased Invulnerability at Speed

Nova Core Powers: Enhanced Strength VI, Enhanced Invulnerability VI, Enhanced Energy Absorption VI, Enhanced Flight VI, Enhanced Energy Projection VI, Enhanced Vitality VI, Enhanced Reaction Time VI

Widow Training: Enhanced Healing, Enhanced Memory, Combat Instincts, Fast Learner, Steady Mindset, Increased Longevity

Acquired Powers: Immune to Fire and Cold extremes, affinity for Fire and Cold Magic; Spellcaster (Weaver Magic); Pheromonal Control; Sunstone Attunement (Crystal Bones); Rune-Carved Bones (+5 to Physical Stats**, Unbreakable); Godstone Attunement; Ultra Nova Core; Beaubier Core (integrated)#

Spells per day: ...

================

------

Hours later...

The telepathic tap was polite this time, looking for my attention, not trying to intrude. I lifted a knowing eyebrow, and let my telepathic bead take it. -Yes, Miss Frost?- I /asked calmly.

I could distinctly hear her gasp on the far end. After all, neither she nor the Cuckoos had actually made mental contact with me before.

I think it was Kwannon’s Patient Trait that had tipped the scale, and given me the one Title I valued over all others back.

The Sage of Focus. Add all relevant mental modifiers to your Concentration Checks, in addition to your Constitution modifier. The reason I had Wisdom, Intellect, and Charisma-based Classes was for this very reason.

So, Emma was feeling a person with a +92 check to Concentration. To a telepath, I felt like a thousand deadly crystalline daggers, spinning and shimmering, and only a couple were actually paying attention to her.

But she could tell that I was dangerous.

Kwannon had been as smart as Cassandra was insightful. Now she was as smart as me, and Cassandra was going to flip when she entered Rapport with her. How Kwannon explained it was going to be interesting to find out in the future, but their relationship wouldn’t suffer for it. It was far more mental than physical anyways, although they were definitely planning to have a child together.

Or four or five. Kwannon loved kids, after all.

-May we... speak with you before you leave, Dr. Ouilette?- the White Queen /asked me, very politely. -I, and the four girls.-

-Certainly.- My politeness stirred up waves of relief, including levels from behind her. The four girls were listening in. -I will have Kwannon send you a message when I am ready to depart, which should be within an hour or two. Her daughter is currently enjoying an Asgardian Buff, throwing huge blocks around and pretending she is beating on the Abomination, rarrgh me strong Amazon warrior goddess!-

Despite herself, she could only be amused, especially as she considered the complete dichotomy of my brutal strength showing during the Contest and the absolute mental picture she was seeing now. -We shall be waiting!- she /replied as steadily as she could, clearly eager to have more direct contact.

---------

Cynosure was active at all hours, the result of Psions who meditated during the day and many mutants who preferred night hours over daytime.

She chose one of the cafes scattered over the grounds, serving light snacks and coffee or tea to the students at all times of day or night. While we were definitely noticed, as the White Queen was as well known on the campus as were the Cuckoos, nobody was going to bother us.

They rose when I walked up, bowing slightly as I approached. “Our apologies if we offended you earlier. I am very protective of my students, and they have been through a lot, Dr. Ouilette.”

“I do not hold onto grudges,” I replied patiently, to their immense relief. “Please be seated.” I waved them back to their seats as I pulled one out myself and sat down. “What did you wish to discuss, Miss Frost, ladies?”

“You... are Dynamo, are you not?” she first asked hesitantly, wanting to be absolutely clear on that point.

My Mask slid up, Specs crackling, and my hair turning redder and white at the tips, and growing an extra swirling foot for effect. “I am,” I replied calmly, as they all tensed, and I let Specs flow back away. “My powers are on the magical and alchemical side, not the psionic, however, so if you are looking for specific advice on power usage, there could be major differences.”

Despite herself, she could not resist a proud smile. “This IS Cynosure, Doctor,” she reminded me.

“That is true. But even the world’s greatest psionic university cannot assimilate all personal experiences for its students,” I pointed out, unruffled. “What did you wish to talk about?” I prompted again.

She hesitated a moment, but I wasn’t giving out any intimidating vibes. Encouraged, she managed to say, “Your mental disciplines. Where did you learn them?” she asked.

I had to smile slightly. “In Core terms?” I asked for reference.

“If that would be acceptable?” she nodded quickly.

I flicked up a list for her.

==================

Arcane Valence Concentration and Meditation, +9

Divine Magic Concentration and Meditation, by Domain, +5.

Heartsong Concentration and Performance, by Instrument, +3

Seven Dragons Ki Concentration and Meditation, by Style, +2.

Way of the Sun Dragon, VI

Way of the Moon Dragon, VI

Way Mastery: Sun, Moon, and Shadow

Concentration Mastery, +4.

Talent: Naturally Focused, +4

Skill Focus: Concentration and Meditation, +3

Skill Talent, Harmonious: +2 Concentration and Meditation

Skill Learning, Arcane Scholar: +1 to Alchemy, Concentration, Meditation, and Spellcraft.

Traits: Patient, Independent

Platinum Ring Alchemical Discovery: Synaptic Certainty, Mind and Body as One

Feats: Visual File, Arcane Meditation, Arcane Focus, Arcane Toughness, Arcane Will, Arcane Mastery, Narrow Focus, Superior Hostile Mind, Mental Defense, Heart of Iron, Improved Iron Will, Dual-Minded, Focus on Skill, Rapid Refocus, Split Mind, Energized Thoughtstreams, Bright Soul, Shining Soul, Fast Learner, Steady Focus, Steady Thoughts

Martial Feats: Find the Flaw, Moment of Perfect Mind, Action before Thought, Mind over Body; Diamond Heart of the Sun; Imperial Artisan

Mental Resistance Mastery: +5

Soul Feats: Diamond Will, Clarity of Thought, Mind over Muscle

Title: The Sage of Focus

================

They gawked. It was a pretty impressive list of purely mental-related disciplines. It didn’t cover active spells and magical defenses, of course, but it covered a lot of Will-related stuff, Concentration techniques, and Meditation effects.

I didn’t give her my Stats, leaving her to guess at those. But she had touched Kwannon previously, so she knew I was higher than Kwannon... and Kwannon was now my equal, but likely hiding that effect for reasons.

“That... that is an extraordinary level of training,” Emma managed to get out after a moment.

“Thank you.” I let the list fade away. “Up to Cynosure’s high standards, I trust?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite so overdone on the mental discipline side, even from the Headmistress or Kwannon,” she admitted softly.

“A Psion will generally just spend power to buttress their Will,” I said easily. “The rest of us have to jump through more hoops. You also get to practice your Will more than those of us who don’t sling it around. We have to practice largely on control, where you get to practice resistance training. Your method naturally reaps greater and faster rewards.”

“I see.” So, in other words, it took totally horrendous amounts of control to get where I was now, not something she could rival. “You... have probably realized that such a disciplined mind is very attractive to a telepath...” she said hesitantly.

She was blushing slightly. “Given I am living in New York City and not a Psion by any measure, I am probably not the ideal person for you to ask out, Miss Frost. Also, I am a Warlock, and that means I have a Pact Patron.” I TK’d up the back of my blouse, and spun around so they could look at it.

Their curiosity became outright shock, and one of the girls, Irma, actually fell over on her chair as she backed away in fright.

I dropped my blouse back down calmly, and turned back around. All of them were staring at me as if I were crazy. “You-you have THAT in your mind, all the time?” Emma protested, her pale lips quivering.