Chapter Three: Reflections and Intent
Jeremy lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling as pale afternoon light filtered through the curtains. His thoughts refused to settle.
Elena. Bonnie. Matt. Caroline. Vicki. Aunt Jenna.
They all looked the same.
Not just similar—identical.
Faces, expressions, even the way they moved matched the actors who had portrayed them in his previous life. The realization sent a chill down his spine.
So this really is that world, he thought. Not inspired by it. Not similar. This is it.
Elena's face lingered the longest.
She was beautiful—there was no denying that. Soft features, expressive eyes, the kind of presence that naturally drew people in.
But Jeremy's expression hardened.
She's used to being the center of everything, he thought. Everyone bending, sacrificing, suffering for her. Even though she doesn't realise it subconsciously she wants others to act the way she wants.
He remembered it clearly—how people orbited around Elena's grief, how every tragedy somehow circled back to her.
That has to change.
He didn't want to revolve around her.
He wanted her to grow. To stand on her own. To stop expecting the world to shield her.
"And it won't just be her," he murmured quietly.
Bonnie—strong, loyal, but far too self-sacrificing.
Anna—guarded, lonely, driven by attachment.
Aunt Jenna—kind, naive, and too quick to trust the wrong people.
Others, too.
But first, he thought, I need to get stronger.
Jeremy sat up, eyes steady.
People don't follow force, he reasoned. They follow stability. Direction.
Trust first.
Dependence next.
Influence last.
Step by step.
"System," he said calmly. "Show my status. Then open the shop."
A translucent interface unfolded before him.
Host: Jeremy Gilbert
Race: Human
Age: 18
Location: Mystic Falls
Strength: 12
Agility: 11
Perception: 14
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 10
Willpower: 11
Vitality: 72/100
Charm: 19
SP: 0
Shop (Available)
Vervain & Wolfsbane
Capsules — 5 SP
Infused Water — 5 SP
Coated Blades — 10 SP
Jewelry (Ring / Bracelet) — 10 SP
Gilbert Family Artifacts
Gilbert Ring (Modified – no alter ego) — 200 SP
Gilbert Compass — 200 SP
Gilbert Journals (Digital) — 100 SP
Basic Hunter Gear
Wooden Stakes — 5 SP
Crossbow & Bolts — 50 SP
Stake Gun — 100 SP
Everything else—White Oak, the Cure, vampire blood, Original artifacts, grimoires—was visible but greyed out. Locked behind conditions he couldn't yet meet.
Rows of potential stretched endlessly before him.
For a moment, excitement flared.
Then reality settled in.
Every option required points.
And he had none.
Jeremy exhaled slowly. "So that's how it works," he murmured. "Opportunity… gated by preparation."
He wasn't discouraged.
He'd lived one life already. Panic never helped.
"System," he asked, composed, "how long until the main events begin?"
[Approximately one month.]
A month.
"That's more than enough."
His gaze drifted back to his status.
"System," he said slowly, "why does my age say eighteen?"
[This universe is a minor divergence. Jeremy Gilbert is eighteen, having repeated a year due to substance abuse.]
Jeremy frowned, then smirked. "That changes a lot… but it helps."
Less restrictions. Fewer limits.
He leaned back, letting memories settle.
No friends. Junkie reputation. Held back a year. Same school as Elena. Vicki already graduated. Everyone avoids me.
Good.
No expectations. No leash.
He moved to the window, looking out over Mystic Falls. Peaceful. Quiet.
But he knew what was coming.
A month to prepare.
A month to position himself.
Jeremy Gilbert wasn't going to be dragged along by fate this time.
He was going to be ready.
His phone buzzed.
Vicki:Don't forget the stuff on your way.
Jeremy stared at the screen, then spoke quietly.
"System. You said there are other ways to earn points."
[Confirmed. System Points can be obtained through kills and intimate interactions. Value scales with significance.]
He nodded slowly.
I can't kill a vampire alone yet.
One name came to mind.
He typed.
Jeremy:Hey Uncle John. I need your help. Call me.
Pocketing his phone, he grabbed his jacket.
A month, he thought. Let's make it count. But first let's go earn some system points with Vicki .