Crimson_Enigma

In a world where reality and virtual gaming collide, seventeen-year-old Alex Cipher awakens one morning to find their life irrevocably changed. Transformed into a girl and thrust into a hidden game-like reality known as the Neoxian Protocol, Alex must navigate the challenges of a new identity while mastering their mysterious power of Empathic Resonance.

Neoxian Academy for Exceptional Youth is no ordinary high school. Beneath its blend of futuristic technology and classical architecture lies a secret: an overlay of game-like elements visible only to those touched by the Protocol. Health bars, skill trees, and quest notifications become Alex's new reality as they struggle to understand their place in this altered world.

Aided by their quick-witted, non-binary best friend Pix, whose "Code Breaker" ability allows them to manipulate the game's underlying structure, Alex begins to unravel the mysteries of the Neoxian Protocol. Their journey is complicated by the alluring and enigmatic Luna Starforge, whose "Stellar Manipulation" powers are as captivating as her guarded personality. As Alex's feelings for Luna grow, so does the strength of their Empathic Resonance, creating a feedback loop of emotional intensity and power.

But not everyone welcomes Alex's newfound abilities. Vivian "Vivi" Shadowcast, armed with the power of "Shadow Stealth," emerges as a formidable rival, her suspicions threatening to expose Alex's secrets. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Professor Ren Enigma seems to know more about the Protocol than they let on, their "Mind Maze" ability blurring the lines between mentor and potential threat.

As Alex delves deeper into the Protocol, they uncover a web of conspiracies that threaten the fabric of their new reality. Glitches in the system begin to affect students in dangerous ways, and whispers of a hidden purpose behind the Neoxian Protocol grow louder. Alex and their friends must navigate shifting alliances, unlock the true potential of their abilities, and confront the shadowy forces behind the Protocol.

Amid the chaos, Alex grapples with profound questions of identity, ethics, and the nature of reality itself. Their growing feelings for Luna are complicated by the intimacy of their empathic connection, forcing Alex to confront their own biases and fears. As the lines between the virtual and the real blur, Alex must decide what truly matters in a world where emotions can be quantified and reality itself is mutable.

The story culminates in a high-stakes battle to save Neoxian Academy and the students trapped within the Protocol. Alex, now able to see the pink threads of potential romance linking people thanks to their evolved "Yuri Vision," must rally their friends and former rivals alike. Using a combination of coding skills, emotional intelligence, and newfound courage, they face off against the true architects of the Neoxian Protocol in a climactic showdown that will determine the fate of their world and identities.

"Leveling Up Love" is a genre-blending exploration of love, identity, and the power of human connection in an increasingly digital world. It challenges the boundaries between reality and virtuality, asking what it truly means to level up – not just in games, but in life and love.

Table of Leveling Up Love: A Pixel-Perfect Romance

Table of contents

Volume 1