—
Wired Differently (Unique)
ADHD. Autism. OCD. Dyslexia. The list goes on. Humanity loved slapping labels on each other—as if the brain could only follow a single trajectory. Yours is ADHD, with a side of Autism. Your mind doesn’t travel the usual routes: ideas burst forward in branching cascades and dig into depths few others reach. You’re brilliant at creativity, pattern-spotting, and sustained passion, yet you falter when tasks become monotonous, environments grow overwhelming, or plans shift without warning. Because of this, you gain:
- Second Order Stat Unlocked: Intuition
- Hyperfixation: When gripped by passion or curiosity, you enter a state of razor-sharp focus. Skills tied to the chosen subject gain +50% learning speed and may unlock unique insights or crafting options. During Hyperfixation, unrelated tasks, needs or details are more likely to be ignored or missed.
- Yeah Yeah The Time Knife. We’ve all seen it: Your thoughts leap unpredictably, finding unconventional links between unrelated details. You can spot solutions, strategies, or item synergies others would never consider. You excel at detecting hidden structures, repeating cycles, and subtle inconsistencies in both people and environments. Mysteries and systems often reveal themselves more clearly to you than to others. Due to this you gain increased bonuses to Creativity, Intuition, Awareness and Wisdom in relevant situations.
- Impulsive Action: In moments of tension, you may act before others have even decided. Sometimes this grants a decisive advantage; other times it leads to complications. Results in increased bonuses to reaction time, intuition and awareness for brief periods of time.
- Scattershot Recall: You retain fragments of countless facts, hobbies, and details. At times this provides exactly the knowledge needed in the moment. At other times, it produces irrelevant or distracting information.
- Side Quest Inclined: Increased rewards from completing side quests and secondary objectives
- The Grind: Long, repetitive, or monotonous tasks drain you more quickly than normal unless broken up with novelty or variety.
- Sensory Sensitivity: Overly bright, loud, or chaotic environments fatigue you faster. In overstimulating situations, stamina will drain more quickly. You will also experience enhanced awareness of sensory stimuli at times which can be both a blessing and a curse.
- Adaptability Rigid: While you brain craves novelty and is highly adaptable at times, once a course of action has been set you may resist sudden disruptions or unexpected changes in plans, making it harder to adapt mid-course
—
My body couldn't decide what to feel first—rage that something so personal had become just another game mechanic, or gratitude that the system had seen me clearly enough to name it. Part of me wanted to scream that they'd reduced my lifelong struggle to bullet points, while another part whispered this might finally be freedom. Freedom from being the square peg, the broken one, the burden. That relief triggered shame—was I that desperate to escape who I was? Then anger at a world that made me feel that way. Then guilt for feeling angry. Each emotion contradicted the last, creating a feedback loop I couldn't escape. I tried to acknowledge it and let it pass but I couldn't. These weren't just leaves on a stream — they were a hurricane made of fire, spinning in opposing directions at once.
The Architect could read my expression instantly. “That right there,” he said, gesturing toward the prompt, “perfectly illustrates why the system works the way it does.”
I frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
He assured me, “Trust me, it’s not what you’re thinking. Life’s emergence for most species isn’t the result of intention or grand design. Evolution is purely a process of adaptation—it only cares about helping your species survive in the moment. When a new challenge arises, evolution takes what you already have and tweaks it; it doesn’t scrap the design and start from scratch. By the time a species crosses the threshold into sentience, the result is usually a tangled mess. Humans are a prime example: you descend from the most anxious, threat-sensitive individuals precisely because that trait kept them alive. Even once that hypervigilance no longer serves you, your brains still default to the old threat response at the slightest provocation—because once upon a time, it worked. Now it’s simply part of who you are.”
I nodded, unable to argue. “Yeah, we’re collectively a neurotic mess prone to avoidance and self-destruction. So where does my ADHD fit into all this?”
The Architect smiled. “What you see as the system ‘gamifying’ something you’ve struggled with your entire life is actually the system’s way of telling you that you’re not broken. Sure, there are downsides—as there are with anything—but there are tremendous strengths, too. Brains like yours were designed to be watchdogs and innovators: the ones who see something scary and ask, ‘What if?’ The ones who refuse to accept ‘what is’ and are hardwired to ask ‘why.’ When societies grew, that inquisitiveness was often miscast as a threat rather than as a gift. The world failed to adapt to include you; it saw only cost and never the value.”
As I listened to the Architect's words, I could see my past and struggles flashing before my eyes like scenes in a movie. My heart ached as I relived painful memories and moments of frustration. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes, the words hitting me like a punch to the gut. My vision blurred and my eyes burned with unshed tears, the room around me becoming nothing but a blur of indistinct shapes.
He paused, giving me a moment to process and gather myself. “Evolution left your species fragmented—a beautiful patchwork of quirks and contradictions. The system simply strives to recognize those strengths and fill the gaps where evolution fell short—to ease your burden and help you become who you were meant to be.”
I let out a dry chuckle as the tension ebbed, the unshed tears fading. I inhaled and started my breathing exercise: four counts in, seven counts hold, eight counts out. Repeat. “It’s not your fault, and yet it is your responsibility,” I murmured, echoing a mantra from my compassion-focused therapy training.
The Architect signaled for me to continue, casting a quick look at Elena. She stared at her screen like she wasn't paying attention, but it was clear that she was absorbing every word we said.
I pressed on: “We don’t choose our brain’s wiring or the environments we grow up in. We don’t pick our parents or control every feeling that bubbles up. What we do get to choose is how we respond—to our thoughts, to our world. We can react with anger. We can check out. Or we can answer with kindness and acceptance. That response—that is ours to own. It shapes who we become and how others see us.”
“Exactly” the Architect replied. “Every lifeform is and wonderous in the eyes of the system. It wants to give you the tools to bear the responsibility that comes with existing a little easier and help you design who you become. Not just to survive but to thrive.”
He paused, studying me for a moment before adding, “Here’s a fun fact about your species: the first humans to harness fire were wired a lot more like you than like their peers. One of them saw a burning branch, snatched it up, and waved it around like a flaming sword. They nearly set half the grassland ablaze, yet afterward they discovered some of their food charred but still edible—something no one had ever encountered. They tasted it and found it delicious. That accidental experiment paved the way for cooked food, which propelled human brain development forward in leaps and bounds. All because someone saw fire and thought it was beautiful instead of just dangerous.”
I let the story wash over me, a smile tugging at my lips as my emotions settled.
Then, breaking the seriousness of the moment, Elena piped up, “Are you guys done? I’m booooorrrred.”
The Architect didn’t miss a beat. “Hello, bored. I’m the Architect.”
Elena's face contorted into an impossible mix of emotions—a laugh that crumbled into a sob, tears streaming down her cheeks while her eyes rolled skyward. My chest tightened as I crossed the space between us in three quick strides, gathering her trembling body against mine. Her small fingers clutched at my shirt.
“I’m sorry Dad” she said between sobs.
My voice broke as I whispered, "No apologies needed, love." I gestured at the impossible space around us, my hand shaking slightly. "None of us were built for this—especially not kids. Even one as incredible as you."
My eyes burned as I watched her lower lip quiver. "Even Dad's barely holding it together." I pressed her palm against my chest, letting her feel my heart hammering beneath. "Being overwhelmed right now? That's normal." I pulled her close, feeling her small body shudder against mine, her tears soaking through my shirt. Something primal in me wanted to shield her from all this, to carry this burden alone.
I stroked her hair, each strand precious against my fingertips. "Your big feelings make perfect sense. Just remember—" My arms tightened around her small frame, as if I could shield her from the universe itself. "I'm here. I've got you."
"Thanks Dad," she murmured into my shoulder. "I've got you too. I love you." She pulled back, clutching Baby so tightly her knuckles whitened, and wiped her nose on her sleeve. The damp fabric made my stomach twist— that sleeve is getting alot of use today, I thought to myself.
"Love you too. Always and forever." The words tumbled out instantly, a reflex as natural as breathing. I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, searching her eyes. "Ready to finish checking our traits? Then comes the good part—picking our powers."
"Sounds good Dad," she said, giving me a look that made my chest tighten—her eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of her mouth twitching downward in that way they did when she was trying to be brave. Through our bond, her emotions crashed against mine like waves against a cliff—fear mingled with curiosity, anger swirled with excitement, all of it churning beneath a fragile surface of forced calm.
My fingers curled into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms. In that moment, I hated all of it. The system with its cold calculations. The Architect with his patient explanations. Most of all, myself—standing here useless, watching her childhood dissolve like sugar in rain. I drew a deep breath, uncurled my fingers one by one. The Architect had done nothing but try to help us, his eyes kind even as he delivered world-shattering news. My anger was misplaced, a father's impotent rage at a universe that wouldn't bend to his will. I exhaled slowly and turned my attention to my unread traits, the text swimming before my eyes.
—
Progenitor’s Boon (Unique)
This is a unique perk crafted by the system. It bestows the following benefits:
- Starting Primary stats +25%
- 250 system creation credits to be used to purchase starter abilities
- Upgraded rewards for finishing [Welcome to the Multiverse] quest
- Enhanced class options upon reaching F Grade
- Starting in a green zone
—
I frowned at the screen. "This trait is suspiciously light on details compared to everything else. What exactly is a 'Progenitor,' and why am I getting their boon?"
"Mine’s the same. A whole lotta nothing." Elena said, squinting at her own display.
The Architect's expression remained neutral, but something flickered behind his eyes. "The system understands that certain revelations should unfold naturally through experience rather than explanation." His voice softened. "Some narratives belong to you alone to discover." He clasped his hands together and fell silent, his posture making it clear this particular line of questioning had reached a dead end.
—
Integrated! (Unique)
Don’t Panic. It won’t help. Trust us - we’ve done this a few times. Think of the following as a “welcome to the neighbourhood” gift and a way of easing the transition on you. As a being above the age of ascension you get the following perks:
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- Second Order Stat Unlocked: Resilience
- +5 bonus to Resilience stat
- Auto-translate for most known and currently used languages in the multiverse
- Significant bonus to learning lesser known or forgotten languages
- Integration Period - this will take place over a 5 year period of time, broken into a series of phases. During this time you will periodically have access to your integration guide, [The Architect], for tutorials and counsel as well as being assigned various system quests to aid you in your growth
- 500 system creation credits to be used to purchase starter abilities
—
I scanned through the remaining descriptions, checking for anything I might have overlooked. The Identify function behaved just as it did in all those LitRPG novels I'd devoured—revealing basic stats about objects, creatures, and people, with more detailed information unlocking based on rarity and my own related abilities.
With a flick of my mental focus, I pulled up my skill list. No surprises there—most skills aligned with exactly what their names suggested. The bulk reflected my decade and a half as a counselor and therapist, while others traced the constellation of hobbies and hyper-fixations that had captured my attention over the years. I was surprised there weren’t more in all honestly, but I recalled the initial prompt mentioning that it combined similar skills. It makes sense, I thought to myself — if it didn’t combine them you’d have a skill sheet pages long.
—
DIY’er
Why buy it when you can build it yourself, spend twice as long, make 6 trips to your local hardware store and end up with something that “has character?” At least it works…until it doesn’t. This skill allows you to attempt to build, repair, or jury-rig just about anything using whatever materials are lying around. Results range from impressively functional to highly questionable. It grants basic proficiency in all forms of crafting and allows substitution of materials with “creative alternatives”. Occasionally produces unique but questionably safe prototypes.
—
—
Quiet Leadership
Congratulations: you now lead without actually leading. Instead of shouting orders, you nod thoughtfully, ask good questions, and then let everyone else feel like they came up with the plan. Somehow, it works. You guide others through empathy, patience, and the uncanny ability to look disappointed without saying a word. You shape your group’s direction while making it look like you’re just “helping out.” Allies feel calmer, bicker less, and are mysteriously more productive when you’re around.
Remember, true leaders don’t raise their voices. They raise everyone else’s.
—
I raised an eyebrow at the [Parkour!] skill showing two whole points. After dragging myself through exactly three beginner classes, it felt generous at best, sarcastic at worst. Scrolling further, I couldn't help smiling at [Ginger Wrangling]. Between Cara's fiery temperament and Elena's occasional volcanic eruptions, I'd earned every bit of that skill. Though if I'm honest, defusing tensions on the psych ward had likely helped a bit too.
—
Ginger Wrangling
You have mastered the ancient art of surviving in a household where tempers run hotter than the hair color. Through patience, diplomacy, and strategic silence, you can defuse even the fiercest fiery storms. You are unusually skilled at calming strong personalities, diffusing tension, and redirecting conflict before it escalates. Arguments lose their edge around you, and fiery tempers burn out faster than expected.
This skill applies to all individuals around you regardless of hair colour. That said, you will receive maximum effectiveness when applying it to those of the ginger persuasion.
—
Definitely not going to show that one to Elana or Cara, I thought to myself. I looked over to Elena and she seemed to be mostly done and was just quietly talking to Baby, rocking her in her arms like one would a real baby. I glanced at the Architect and gave him a nod.
“Are you both ready to proceed?” he asked, only waiting for Elena to nod her head in the affirmative. “Wonderful. Now for the enjoyable portion. Congratulations on completing the more... instructional phase of your integration”
Quest [Welcome to the Multiverse] completed!
—
Welcome to the Multiverse
Primary Objectives:
- Complete general orientation - complete
- Learn about your character sheet and its various components - complete
Secondary Objectives (optional):
- Form Parental Bond - completed
—
Rewards calculating…
Increasing rewards based upon traits…
Rewards granted! You have earned the following:
- 1x Adventures Starter Pack (Mythic)
- +1 starting affinity selection
Adventures Starter Pack? I thought and immediately another prompt appeared.
—
Adventures Starter Pack (Legendary)
Everything the newly integrated could need and then some (thanks to those wonderful traits you have there). This pack includes:
- 1 full set of system generated armour
- 5 pieces of system generated clothing
- 2 system generated weapons
- 250 credits to be used at the System Store once it has been unlocked
- +3 spells of G Grade (Epic)
- +3 skills books of your choosing starting at +10
- 1x Archetype pack (Rare)
- 1x Backpack of Holding
- 1x Adventure’s Dome (Epic)
- 1x Adventure’s Travel Wards (Legendary)
- 1x Adventures Utility Tool Kit (includes various harvesting, bushcraft, cooking and crafting tools; all at Uncommon or lower)
- 1x Dimensional Toilet (Common)
- 1x copy of The Unexpectedly Integrated Persons Guide to the Multiverse (rare)
- 30 days worth of Multiversal MRES (Common)
—
Holy shit. I blinked at the inventory list scrolling before my eyes. This haul seemed excessive—probably thanks to those trait bonuses stacking with each other. Between the [Parental Bond], [Wired Differently] and [Progenitor’s Boon], I might be getting triple the standard package—assuming I was even properly sharing experience with Elena yet. Maybe more than triple if the bonuses were compounding.
I swiped through item descriptions, mentally cataloging our new gear. The Backpack of Holding was a standard dimensional storage item. It looked standard-sized but promised 250 liters of storage in a 50L frame. The Adventure's Dome materialized as a self-assembling shelter with beds and living space already furnished inside. Those Travel Wards would create an invisible perimeter around our camp, keeping creatures out and our presence—sounds, smells, the works—contained within. The Utility Kit held the expected survival tools: cookware, fire-starters, multi-tools. Even the MREs came in their own pocket dimensions that clipped to the main backpack.
Then there was the Dimensional Toilet. I stared at its description and felt my eyebrows climb toward my hairline.
—
Dimensional Toilet (Common)
What? You didn’t think that being Integrated into the multiverse would free you from the tyranny of your digestive system did you? Not to worry — this handy dimensional toilet whisks away waste to a realm where—believe it or not—the inhabitants are, shall we say, uniquely appreciative of your contributions. So appreciative, in fact, that we maintain a strict interdimensional filter to block the disturbingly elaborate thank-you notes they attempt to send. Trust us, you don’t want to know what they consider appropriate thank you presents. Not to yuck anyone’s yum but they’re weird, with a capital W.
Don't worry, a built-in purification field removes all DNA and magical signatures, preventing any awkward clone situations or tracking attempts. Comes with privacy screen to keep the peeping toms away. WARNING: Will not work against children, toddlers or monsters.
—
Finally there was the The Unexpectedly Integrated Persons Guide to the Multiverse (Rare) - which appeared to be a small black rectangle roughly the size of an A5 notebook. That said I couldn’t figure out how to open it and the description wasn’t very helpful.
—
The Unexpectedly Integrated Persons Guide to the Multiverse (Rare)
This handy little McGuffin contains a wide variety of knowledge about the multiverse and it’s inner workings. From demons to demi-gods, dimensional spaces to celestial hierarchies, Eldritch Horrors to Iconoclastic Fishing. This book has it all. Well maybe not - that depends on the rarity, but trust us, you don’t want to have to lug the Mythic version around.
It’s not a god whispering in your ear or an ancient dungeon core in your closet, but it will deliver a lore dump exactly when you need it.
—
“How exactly do I use any of these things?” I asked
“By infusing mana into them—something you can’t do until you leave this space,” the Architect replied.
I nodded, hoping he’d elaborate. He didn’t. I glanced at Elena. “What did you get?”
“Oh my god dad I got so much stuff! I got the rare adventure’s pack! Can you believe it! Rare! I got clothes, armour, a weapon, 2 uncommon spell books, 2 skill books, a tent, something called wards, a kids back pack that holds things. Wait, why does it say it holds things? Like no duh. That’s what it does. I also got a toilet - gross. And 30 days worth of food. That’s so much stuff! How are you going to carry all of this?” she said, finally stopping to take a massive breath in.
Ignoring that last remark I stopped to think. She’d only had one reward perk, yet hers still looked impressive. “You mean a Kid’s Backpack of Holding?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“It’s a dimensional storage bag—bigger inside so it holds more.”
“Ohhhh. Like a TARDIS!” and for a singular moment I felt like I had nailed fatherhood. “I also got this book - it’s called Beluga & Squid Get Integrated.” She held up a red square that was roughly the same size and shape as my own starter guide. A brief check of its description revealed it was basically identical to my version, just appeared to be more illustrated and geared towards kids. I handed it back to her with a smile, which she returned.
I turned to the Architect and asked “Is there any easier way for Elena and I to exchange information? Can we share information or see each other's screens?”
“Given your bond, you can share entire character sheets or just select parts. You can even link system credits to use each other’s funds.” Elena’s eye lit up at that and she immediately got a mischievous grin on her face. “Just think about what you want to share—item descriptions, abilities, or system prompts—and the system will handle the rest.” the Architect answered.
Elena’s eyes sparkled. Before I could ask what mischief she was planning, a new prompt appeared:
[Elena Alighieri] has chosen to share her Character Screen with you. Do you accept? Y / N
I quickly accepted and shared mine back — though I withheld access to my system credits, much to her dismay. I scanned her profile and immediately focused on her traits. No [Wired Differently] trait. A knot of tension I didn’t even realize I was carrying released. She’s free. I thought to myself. She’s not like me. Thank god.
That probably wasn’t the most compassionate mindset to have but after a lifetime wrestling with neurodivergence, I didn’t want her to face the same. Before I could spiral further a voice jolted me back to the present.
“GINGER WRANGLING?? SERIOUSLY? Wait till mom hears about this!”
Shit. Maybe I shouldn’t have given her full access.