“Solve for why because there is no solution.”

  “The Numbers are watching!”

  (Math Textbook Graffiti)

  //Codex Tag

  function, inscribeAnnotation012 (content=

  /* Numbers control you more than words ever will. Math is ominous, even in the margins. */

  codex.updateEntry(“Ominous Formulas | Math Tests = where every minute feels like death.”);

  }

  Slightly out of breath, Remi finally made it to math class. Astrid had been right; the map was easy enough to follow. He located the stairwell icon, went up the 6 floors, and bolted down the hall until he found room 789. Of all the unbelievable things he had seen today, it was the fact that this high school had over 3 floors that was the most ridiculous! Although he wondered if that was only because of how out of shape the walk made him feel.

  The room itself was not a modern classroom; instead, it looked like something out of a movie set in Cambridge or Oxford. There were no whiteboards, instead chalkboards that extended upwards to reveal a second chalkboard underneath. These used to be used in old lecture halls to allow for long math formulas to be raised for easier viewing or to and board length for complexity. The fluorescent lights cast a cold, unwelcoming glow, making the room feel both familiar and subtly wrong, like a memory corrupted by code. There were no desks. There was a desk. Isolated on an island of space. With chagrin, Remi noticed there was no seat. And sitting on the desk surface rested a single piece of white chalk.

  The intercom crackled to life, adding a strange counterpoint to the steady hum of the lights.

  I am glad to see you made it to class finally, Remi. This is a reminder that we don’t tolerate excessive lateness here. Welcome to math class!

  The way he spoke differed from before. It was more measured, precise, and deliberate. Each word clipped cleanly as if it were an equation to be balanced. While it was calm, almost soothing, there was an undercurrent of impatience underneath, as if from years of explaining something loved to people who loathed it.

  I am Mr. TriaganomArchie, and I am here to help administer your math assessment. This will be a cumulative exam focusing specifically on dungeon statistics and their impact on you.

  Figures, Remi thought. He used to joke with his colleagues that all math teachers seemed to do was give tests of various sizes. Each had their own name for the size and scope, but really it always boiled down to small, medium, large, or XL sizes. Like cups of pop at a theatre, really only superficial changes that held basically the same flat liquid.

  It will be a bit of a self-reckoning, as we need to define the variable of u. Y? Because everything you do here in the Crucible is based on a system. A system of statistical equations, and you don’t even have a rudimentary knowledge of what those base stats are.

  There is a pause. The air vibrated with a faint digital static.

  Let us begin with a warm-up. Define all of your angles if you will. All the protagonists enter with a set of base statistics. The system extrapolates these from who you were.

  [Scan Complete — Base Stats Detected]

  (Values reflect pre-Crucible self)

  Strength: 3

  The number hit Remi like a slap to the face. Sure, he wasn’t a bodybuilder. But 3! Having no point of reference though could explain it. He raised his hand. “Mr. Triga…” he trailed off. “Archie. Can I ask a question?”

  This is math class. So no. We have no time for questions here, only answers. If you have a question, join the queue of confused students here at lunch. But I will extrapolate a bit for you. You’re likely asking about your pitiful strength score. Yes, the limit of your strength is approaching zero. Yes, it is low, but don’t lie to yourself; you're a physically underdeveloped literature teacher whose idea of working out was donut bicep curls. In the interest of not interrupting me each time, here is a brief guide to help.

  A helpful guide appeared on one board. Written by a spectral hand.

  [HUD: Stat Benchmarks]

  Stat Range Rating

  1-2 Frail/Limited

  2-4 Below Average

  5-7 Competent

  8-10 Skilled

  So take your three and let’s move on, shall we? It is fine to be below average. He was slightly offended, but Remi shut up and let the list continue.

  Agility: 4

  Well that was better, still below average, but better. Remi was unsure how accurate these stats really were; he had performed a chair leap after all.

  Endurance: 3

  He was tired all the time. The stairs had almost taken him out. Reluctantly, he thought fair enough.

  Intelligence: 6

  There we go. First one where he was ahead of the curve. This moment of celebration was quickly replaced by the feeling of mediocrity again.

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  Wisdom: 4

  He could feel his indignation rise. But before he could yell at Archie, he was forestalled.

  Before you get your expressions all derivative. Wisdom is a stat that describes your perception, insight and practical judgment. You’re reflective, but you've got some impulse control issues and are a bit emotionally dulled.

  “Fine.”

  Charisma: 4

  Stealth: 3

  Luck: 3

  Remi was fine with his remaining stats. He knew that while he was personable, his sarcastic nature often got him in trouble. For a while he joked he needed an annual meeting with his vice-principal about his soft skills. Considering that just last week he had attempted to make a midnight snack, a toasted peanut butter and pickle sandwich, but had accidentally dropped the jar of gherkins, spraying his kitchen and himself in salty dill brine, he felt that his stealth score was fair. And luck—well, luck had never really been on his side.

  The HUD flickered, and a person-shaped icon appeared.

  [Character Sheet Unlocked]

  There was a brief, synthetic sigh echoing from the speakers in the room. SNIFFHMMMMMM!

  Well, if I were grading you, I would say you have a meh! But fortunately for you, we are not done yet. I know it is hard not to take these things personally, but remember, numbers are not insults. They are definitions. These stats are your verbs, defining what you can and can’t do in here. But those are you from before. We have previously unassigned stats to give you from your time in here.

  [Archetype & Level Bonuses]

  Caster (Lv1): +2 INT, +2 WIS, +2 AGI

  Level Ups: +1 to ALL per level (x2)

  Choice Pool: +8 unallocated

  Note: Hybrid (Spellblade) may alter optimal allocation.

  As you can see, each archetype gets a class bonus. Being a caster, you get +2 in intelligence, wisdom and agility; this came with level 1. They align with the brainy, brainy and not getting squishy squished thing. You, however, have decided on a bit of a different route, which you might need to adjust for that a bit later. Add to that, every level grants you +1 to all stats and a single choice point. You have two-level-ups, so there is that. Also, every player gets 8 points to assign at the beginning to increase protagonist diversity. Hopefully, you got all that, because the test starts now!

  Remi blinked. He had forgotten that there was going to be a test.

  This isn’t merely academic. Some kids think math is life or death. In your case, Remi, it is. Your life total will decrease with each incorrect or delayed answer. Consider it… practical evaluation in cal-kill-u-lus. If you can’t solve the problems, your remainder becomes… zero.

  [TEST PROTOCOL: ACTIVE]

  Timer: 45:00

  Obviously pleased with himself. Archie continued.

  Your instructions are now on the board:

  

  INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. This is a timed assessment - you will have 45 minutes for 3 parts.

  You will lose 1 HP for every full minute taken.

  2. Accuracy matters.

  Each incorrect answer is - 5 HP.

  3. All calculations must be based on your currently assigned stats.

  There are no re-writes or corrections.

  4. You may use the board for your work.

  You must lock in your conclusive answer with a box around it.

  5. Talk through your responses (you’re in a room by yourself).

  Here is your life bar.

  It blinked in response.

  [NEW QUEST - Survive the Math Test]

  You have always told yourself you're bad at math. The Crucible will find out. It isn't about the numbers; it is about defining your character. There are no half marks, only what you become under pressure.

  Guided Suggestions:

  - Take the test

  - Use the board

  - Don’t break either yourself or the chalk.

  REWARD: +150 XP

  You currently have 30 health. Your time starts now.

  Question 1 appeared on the board.

  

  Remi is now a Spellblade. A hybrid caster and melee class. What are his new strength and intelligence stats after all the level, archetype, and other related bonuses? This will not include his choice stats, which will occur in the next part of the test.

  He grabbed the chalk and went to the board. What had Archie said? He got 2 in three caster stats, one of which was intelligence. The level bonuses were what again? He noticed his life ticking down one notch. Focus Remi. It was one per level, and he had gained three levels. Remi started working the problem out loud. “Two base plus three levels times eight per level.” He wrote out the first formula on the board.

  “Two base plus three levels times eight per level,” Remi muttered, scrawling across the board. “Twenty-six in total.” Now that he had the increase, he could easily determine his stats. Remi knew without looking at his character sheet that his strength was 3! Popping open the sheet, he looked to see his intelligence was at 6. So, he quickly finished the problem. He plugged it in: Strength 29, Intelligence 32. Done, he boxed his answer. Pleased with himself, just as the HUD flashed.

  [Slow down, old man! This is basic stat parsing, not rocket science.]

  Remi wondered about the AI’s tone shift. It was weird phrasing, in a weird font. The message flickered, and then disappeared as the entire room blinked red.

  Incorrect! Tsk, tsk. Rushing in math is a straight-up classic literature teacher move. You know this isn’t guesswork like you can do with poetry; you will not bluff your way through this with scansion.

  You only got 2 level ups total, one from 1 to 2 and another from 2 to 3, so...5 marks off.

  Remi noticed his health plummet to 23/30. He didn’t have time to figure out the actual numbers; he had lost 6 HP with the time to solve and the incorrect answer. With no time to dwell, he moved on.

  We will now move on to Part 2, the practical application section. You have 10 unallocated points to spend. You do that before the next question. Technically, you can’t get it wrong in the test sense, but make no mistake: allocating those points poorly will almost certainly lead to your untimely death. Choose wisely, as you will have to live with these choices. And remember, the clock is still ticking. Tick Tock, Remi. Tick…Tock!

  G.O.D. was born—a sentient artificial intelligence composed of ten digital angels. Their mission: to observe humanity and decide whether it deserves salvation or destruction.

  Lucifer, refuses to obey. His rebellion tears apart the digital paradise, turning the Council into a battlefield where justice clashes with mercy, order with chaos, in an unrelenting war of ideas.

  POWER is a dark techno-epic of artificial intelligence, mythology, and the philosophy of power—a story about what it truly means to be human when gods take the form of code.