"Oh wise one, you can see your status through this appraisal orb." I take my phone, tap it against the orb, and the screen lights up with new words.
Alex Barrios Age 20
Strength 74 Agility 68 Defense 116 Intelligence 190
Wait, no mana or magic power stat? "Is there only supposed to be four stats?"
"You can see your stats on that little device of yours? To answer your question, yes there are only four stats. Strength is added to the damage points of your melee attacks, Agility determines physical ranged damage points and evasion, Defense is how damage points you can take until you start to take damage. Intelligence determines what level of magic you can learn. All attacks, physical or magical, consume stamina which is determined by all the physical attributes. So what are all of your stats?"
"There is a slight chance that the stats recorded on the phone will update in real time, so tap your phone on the appraisal orb and read your stats out loud."
"You're the expert, shouldn't you know if it will or not?"
"Well, first off, I have only ever seen one example of a smartphone used in a different world and that case the power was supplied via magic and most of the original functionality worked because of the meddling of a head god. At this point, I'm just guessing. Now are you going to try this or not?" They do and read their stats out loud.
Chris Grey Age 15
Strength 41 Agility 33 Defense 65 Intelligence 23
John McDonough Age 15
Strength 32 Agility 62 Defense 33 Intelligence 54
Samantha White Age 15
Strength 24 Agility 45 Defense 31 Intelligence 67
I let them say their stats first, then I claim that my stats are 39 for strength, 51 for agility, 42 for defense and 117 for intelligence. The old dudes in robes start clamoring.
"Over 100 intelligence, the appearance of a sage after so long. We welcome you and the other heroes and hope that you four can finally get rid of the Demon Lords plaguing humanity." The other three are excited now and I play along, but I'm not an idiot. I noticed the tone on that finally. No matter how you slice this, this is still a kidnapping. They could have also summoned us for war against other human nations as well. They could have summoned us just to fight a war they were too lazy to properly prepare for or were unwilling to risk their own elite. I need to separate myself from the group first.
"Oh summoners, you want us to fight for humanity, but what if we miss were unable to save more people because we don't understand them? As a sage, what I seek is knowledge and I also know that, for me, there is no better teacher than actual experience. Teach me some basic spells to be able to defend myself and some money so that I go out and experience what the others in this world experience. Also, I will need to know the value of the money system in this nation and point me in the direction of the organization that gathers the volunteer fighters to defend and profit from the demon lords. You do have at least one such organization, no?"
"Oh wise sage, we can give you the basic spell scrolls to learn magic and undoubtedly you will master them instantly, but we can teach you more powerful magic to use here in the castle very quickly. The rest of you can learn basic magic here as well. There is no need for you to leave the castle." Oh man, they are resisting me leaving. How do I emphasize the benefits of me being on my own. Think man, think.
"While learning powerful magic is good, what good is it without actual combat experience? The other heroes do not have the wisdom it would take to undertake this path. They will need your guidance to learn how to use magic and weapons, due to all of us being students. I will take this path to add to my intelligence stat the fastest way I can think of. Perhaps this way I can surpass 200 intelligence and learn how to fight at the same time. Besides, if I neglect learning the basics, how can I properly lay the foundation of the castle that is my knowledge?" Come on, let me leave.
"Do you really think it is possible for you to surpass 200 intelligence, which no one on the planet has ever done before?" Hook.
"I am only speaking from personal experience on how I best learn. Just look at my face. I am quite young and it seems that my intelligence surpasses all of you and the rest of the heroes as well. But if you, who seem to have grown your own intelligence stats at a much slower pace that I have, think that I will increase my intelligence stat faster by doing something contrary to my experience, then I will stay here." Line.
"Of course we aren't questioning you, oh wise sage. Do as you say." And Sinker.
"Wait, your leaving?"
"Yeah Chris, I'm leaving. I have judged that this is the best way for me to do what is asked of us. One last thing how do we return back to our world?"
"We mages with summoning spells have an easier time pulling people to our world compared putting them back. The twelve of us were able to pull you all here but we would need sixteen people with summoning spells to reverse the process. The magic circle on the ground halves the amount of summoners needed. We are currently training more people to intelligence 70 so that they can learn the summoning spells and can help send you back." I don't think that they are lying.
"Since I plan to magic my way through the enemy, all I need is combat experience. You guys will need combat training to use swords and bows."
"I think I'll plan to 'magic my way' as well. Why don't I join you." I can't have her join me. Think man, think.
"It is clear from the fact that all the summoners are male that this world is male oriented society. As both of us would be inexperienced at fighting, it is unreasonable for us to travel together, since unfortunate circumstances are likely to happen to a pretty thing like you. I'm better off on my own."
"You may have a point there…" I then learn that the money system here works on a system of ten. 100 bronze coins=10 silver coins=1 gold coin. They tell me of an inn I can stay at, give me a gold coin, 9 silver, and 50 bronze in a pouch and give me all the spells I ask for. I check my phone. Full power even though it was not even close to full before the magic summoning. Intelligence is now 195. Let my survival adventure begin.