The pixie, Lacie was chuckling as she began. “The statistics or attributes describe a particular natural or inborn characteristic. It allows the system to generalize and adapt individuals to itself.” She smiled and continued. “We will start off with strength; Strength shows how much a person is able to carry, but it also your physical power and can reflect the damage you can do with a weapon. It also affects your life rating.”

Victoria found herself biting her lip as she listened to the explanation. “For a human, you have only average strength. But the good news is you can build your physical strength up over time.”

“I need to go to the gym?”

“Yes, you can start there. Then there is your Constitution. It reflects your overall health and stamina it also reflects your body's ability to fight off disease.” The pixie continued to lecture. A series of daggers appeared in her hand and she started to juggle them as she talked. The Dexterity attribute reflects your body's ability to move with grace and precision. It also aids in your ability to avoid danger. Your dexterity is slightly above average but you are no cheerleader.” Lacie said as she released the daggers in the air and they began to fall before disappearing one again.

“Then we come to the statistics you have that is the highest. Intelligence, its a measure of your ability to apply reason, logic rationality, and memory. You have a near-perfect recall. Like the other stats, you are able to build them up over time and with usage. However, the higher your stats are the harder it is to increase them through effort. While Wisdom, another high attribute score, has an effect on so many things. It affects your ability to learn and apply what you already know. It also aids in your body's Mana regeneration rates.”

“So I’m smart and wise?” Victoria asked dumbfounded.

“Oh no Wisdom doesn’t mean you are wise it just means you can use the knowledge you have. The statistics are only a general indicator of where you are at, there are aspects that are not able to be quantified.” The small woman seemed to smirk at Victoria. “Then we come to Charisma; Something you really need to work on by the way. This encompasses so many things, personal grooming, emotional intelligence social expressiveness and the ability to read cues from others.”

Victoria replied acerbically. “Abilities you feel I lack?”

“Oh, there is no feeling to it at all. Luke has been pining for you for years.” She drew out the last syllable in years to emphasize the boy's desire. “And what do you do?’ Michael, Michael, Michael!”

“Wait, Luke what?” She said in surprise.

“You missed every social cue he ever gave you.” The hateful little creature said laughing at the girl's distress. “And now he has a date for the formal with your best friend.” Shocked into silence the young girl sat staring at the pixie that stood to smirk at her.

Victoria felt herself growing defensive and then wondered why. She had no interest in Luke and the more she thought about it the more confused about her own feeling she became until something wrapped on her forehead. “Hey stop thinking about it you’ll do yourself a mischief.” She narrowed her eyes at the little monster wondering if she could hurt the little beast. “The last statistic is Luck.” Again the pixie mimicked an action that of throwing dice. “Luck in neither inherently good or bad but having a higher luck statistic means you will tend to see the extremes probabilities.”

“Such as?” Victoria mumbled.

“If you gamble you will tend to win big or lose big. You may see your weapons hit a particularly weak point on your prey.” Lacie stopped rolling the dice then looked at the girl as she thought.

Victoria thought back to the odd look that Mr. Lagrand had given her and how he had kept re-rolling the dice after she went to finish out her character. “So my luck is very high?” She asked nervously.

“It’s incredibly high for one so young. It is the only attribute that you can not change on your own or add points to. That being said registration is your one opportunity to increase it.”

“How do I do that?”

“That's the last part we will get to. You have five unassigned attribute points. You will receive an additional statistics point every fifth level. But you can build up your points between levels.”

“So I can assign these points I get to start with?” The pixie nodded her affirmative. “Then if I start working out I can build up my strength?”

“Essentially? Yes. But it is very difficult.” Victoria was chewing on her lip as she quickly thought. “Once I assign my points what then happens?”

“Then you can choose a class.”

“This is sounding more and more like dungeons and dragons.”

“Oh, it is where do you think Gary got the idea from?” The Pixie said with a smile and flutter of her eyebrows. “He knew several hunters in school and used what they told him to develop his game.”

“So whats this leveling about why not start everyone off with lots of power and wipe out the monsters quickly?” The dark-haired girl asked reasonably.

“The human mind and body are not equipped to deal with a sudden increase in power and ability. Again the levels are normalized everyone's leveling is going to be different. Your bodies have to acclimate to the power and knowledge that you absorb from the Akashic fields around you. To much power too quickly and your bodies suffer grievously.”

“Okay, so slow and steady power increases. But I still want to know about my family, obviously, there is a mistake somewhere.” Lacie shrugged her shoulders, the motions only serving to feed Victoria’s frustrations.

“Let's get this over with.” The girl said as she looked at the numbers before her. “What are the statistics I can grow on my own?”

The easiest to increase are Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. Wisdom comes from learning how to apply the knowledge you already have. Charisma and Constitution are the hardest to increase over time.”

“How would I gain Charisma?”

“Showing moral fortitude. Exercising, people are more apt to follow or listen to a fit person unless it's in medieval times then they listened to fat burghers.” She continued speaking. “Learn nonverbal cues and know when to use appropriate humor. Dress better.” She said reaching out and fingering the comfortable fuzzy robe Victoria wore.

“Okay, let me put two points into Wisdom and three points into Charisma.” She saw the Statistics change and felt a swelling in her head and body that she was unable to explain.

Statistics

Strength: 10

Dexterity: 12

Constitution: 15

Intelligence: 18

Wisdom: 20

Charisma: 14

Luck: 18

Extra Stat Points:0

The Akashic library spoke.“Victoria Vivian Leighton you have changed your statistics do you accept them and wish to move on to accept a class?”

“Yes.” she stammered. ”But I will need some help to understand what a class is.”

“Oh the class is easy,” Lacie said yawning. “You know what an archetype is? Well, the library is where all the archetypes come from. It allows the system to simplify things somewhat. But every Hunter is different and develops in different ways. This allows us to more easily classify and categorize.” Victoria nodded along.

“So the class is just a descriptor of the basic powers a hunter has available to them?” She asked brightly.

“Ahh, putting that increased wisdom to work already,” Lacie said as she flitted around laughing. “So any thoughts on what you want to become?”

She started to pace as she thought. “If this is anything like dungeons and dragons like you said. Then…” She trailed off in thought. “So, I know I don’t have the strength or desire to be a warrior. I’m not into the wilds, woods or animals so that leaves out Druid or ranger classes.” She paced a little more then stopped and let out a large sigh. I’m weak and squishy. She said looking back at the numbers before her. “I’m not very dexterous yet.” She acknowledged. “My statistics would be better for a magic class. Lacie, can you please tell me what magic-using classes I would be best for.”

“Wow, very charismatic.” The pixie said with a smile and clapping her hands. “Okay, so there is the basic Wizard, think of Gandolf, there is the Mage, witch, sorcerer, warlock, conjurer, thaumaturge, necromancer, and voodun.” The last two names made her shudder and break out in goosebumps.

“What's the difference between a witch and a sorceress?” She asked thoughtfully.

“Well with your old Charisma you would have been a perfect witch.” The pixie quipped. “All you lacked was a beaked nose and mole.” The young girl started to tear up. “Hey, don’t cry I was joking.”

“You know what? It’s my freaking bday... so excuse me if I just feel like crying...” She started to rant as her eyes turned red and blotchy as tears welled up and began to fall. “My dads in the hospital where I was attacked by a rat. There is a creepy gnome roaming around my neighborhood and in my yard. Then I find out magic is real, God may be a fucking interdimensional library and the pixie I was told was a figment of my imagination when I was seven is real, very snarky and mean to me. Then to top it all off I’m adopted.” She said as she wiped her eyes roughly with the sleeve of her robe. “So forgive me if I sit here feeling sorry for myself.”

“Yeah, I can see it has been a hard day for you.”

Victoria glared at the short pixie in a huff. “Tell me about the Sorceress.”

“Well the sorceress isn’t as studious as the witch, mage or wizard but she draws her powers through her bloodline. Plus..” She said holding up her fingers in air quotes.” “They get to dress all super sexy and slutty according to dragon magazine.”

“Will that help my Charisma?”

“It sure won’t hurt it.” The pixie said.

“Hey!” The birthday girl said angrily.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist I’ll stop I promise.”