MTL NOVEL Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Points, Power, and a Better Path
Chapter 9: Points, Power, and a Better Path
Caspian Swan leaned against the hood of Bella's truck, the engine still ticking faintly as it cooled in the dim light of the La Push evening. Bella and Jacob were still chatting a few yards away, their voices a soft hum against the backdrop of crashing waves from the nearby beach. Caspian's focus, though, was elsewhere—locked on the glowing interface of his system, which had flared to life the moment Bella's laughter rang out. He swiped through the screen, his golden eyes narrowing as the latest update rolled in.
*"Quest Completed: Foster Bella's Connection with Jacob Black. Reward: +200 XP, Relationship Stability Bonus Unlocked. Current Level: 8. Total XP: 2,150."* A smirk crept across his face as he scrolled further. *"Bonus Rewards: Enhanced Telekinesis (Level 5), Phoenix Flame Precision (Level 4), Soulmate Resistance (Progress: 50%)."* The numbers were climbing fast, his powers sharpening with every move he made. He'd been grinding for months—secret dungeon runs, subtle interventions—and now it was paying off in spades.
The system didn't stop there. A new tab popped up, labeled *"Relationship Metrics,"* and Caspian tapped it, curious. Lines of data unfurled, comparing Bella's potential paths with cold, clinical precision. *"Bella Swan + Jacob Black: Compatibility Score – 87%. Stability Projection – 92%. Emotional Resonance – High. Long-Term Viability – Excellent."* He nodded, satisfied. *"That's what I'm talking about."* Then, the system flipped to the alternative: *"Bella Swan + Edward Cullen: Compatibility Score – 43%. Stability Projection – 19%. Emotional Resonance – Moderate (Volatile). Long-Term Viability – Poor."*
Caspian let out a low whistle, his smirk widening into a full grin. "Trash," he muttered under his breath. "Absolute trash. Look at that—43%? Edward's a walking disaster, and the system knows it." The numbers didn't lie: Jacob was the better match, hands down. Stability, trust, a real connection—everything Bella needed, everything Edward's brooding obsession couldn't deliver. Caspian had always hated how the story shoved Jacob aside, how fanfics trashed him like he was some second-rate rival. To him, it was bullshit—Jacob was the hero Bella deserved, and now the system was proving it.
He swiped again, pulling up his own stats. *"Caspian Swan: Level 8. Powers – Telekinesis (Level 5): Capable of lifting 2 tons with precision control. Phoenix Flame Precision (Level 4): Targeted bursts, minimal collateral damage. Celestial Aura (Level 3): Enhanced influence radius. Soulmate Resistance – 50%: Bond influence reduced by half."* The soulmate resistance caught his eye, and he chuckled darkly. *"Halfway there. Alice and Rosalie can shove it."* Every rejection, every step he took to defy that forced connection, pushed the percentage higher. He wasn't just playing the game—he was rewriting the rules.
The system pinged again, a new quest flashing: *"Solidify Bella's Path with Jacob. Ensure Edward's Influence Wanes. Reward: +300 XP, Advanced Skill Unlock."* Caspian's grin turned sharp. *"Oh, I'm all over that."* He dismissed the interface with a flick of his wrist, the glow fading as he turned his attention back to Bella and Jacob.
They were closer now, sitting on the tailgate of Jacob's Rabbit, Bella's shy smile mirroring Jacob's easy grin. Caspian could see it—the spark, the comfort. It was better than anything Edward could've offered, and he felt a surge of pride. He'd pushed her toward this, nudged the story off its rails, and it was working. Bella deserved someone who'd laugh with her, not stalk her from the shadows.
Back at the Cullen house, Alice's vision hit like a thunderclap. She staggered, gripping the edge of the piano as images flooded her mind—Bella and Jacob, their hands brushing as they laughed, a warmth growing between them; Caspian standing apart, his golden eyes glinting with triumph; Edward fading into the background, his presence dimming. She gasped, her voice trembling as she turned to the family. "He's winning," she said. "Caspian—he's pushing Bella toward Jacob, and it's working. Edward's losing her."
Edward's head snapped up, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean, losing her? She's my—"
"Your soulmate?" Alice finished, her tone sharp. "Maybe. But Caspian doesn't care. He's changing everything, and he's good at it. I can't see his moves—just the results. Bella's happier with Jacob. It's… stronger."
Rosalie smirked, leaning against the wall. "Told you he's trouble. He's not just rejecting us—he's rewriting the whole damn story."
Jasper frowned, sensing the shift in the room. "He's deliberate. Focused. Whatever he's doing, it's not random. He's got a plan."
Carlisle's expression grew thoughtful. "If Bella's path is shifting, we need to understand why he's so intent on it. His power, his resistance—it's more than stubbornness. He's playing a game we don't see."
Alice's hands clenched into fists, her frustration boiling over. "He's our soulmate, and he's treating us like enemies! How does he get away with this?"
Emmett chuckled, unfazed. "Guy's a legend. Ditching you two and outsmarting Edward? I'd buy him a beer."
Edward glared at him, but his mind was racing. Bella slipping away—toward Jacob, of all people—stung more than he'd admit. Caspian was a wall he couldn't breach, a force he couldn't counter. And back in La Push, Caspian watched Bella and Jacob with a quiet nod, the system's hum a steady reassurance. *"87% beats 43% any day,"* he thought. *"Sorry, Edward—game over."*