tier 1 Psion build... possible?

[Darg]

Then I must somehow be misreading this:

"Psi-Like Abilities (Ps): The manifestation of powers by a psionic character is considered a psi-like ability, as is the manifestation of powers by creatures without a psionic class (creatures with the psionic subtype, also simply called psionic creatures)."

So how is that not explicitly stating that class-based manifesting is (Ps)?

Specific vs general. In general, psi-likes ignore pp costs. In specific, the manifesting classes use pp to manifest their powers, the ability of which to do so is a psi-like.

Look at the structure of the book.

And there are plenty of references to the differences. If you pay pp then it is not a psi-like ability.

A power is manifested when a psionic character pays its power point cost. Some psionic creatures automatically manifest powers, called psi-like abilities, without paying a power point cost. Other creatures pay power points to manifest their powers, just as characters do.

Psionic characters and creatures manifest powers. Whether they cost power points when manifest by a psionic character, or are manifested as psi-like abilities, powers’ effects remain the same.

You either manifest as a psionic power or as a psi-like ability power.

Nope. It says nothing about referring to transparency. What it actually says is:

"In addition, you always treat magic and psionics as identical."

Nothing about transparency. You treat magic and psionics as identical. You treat casting identically to manifesting. You treat powers the same as spells. You treat psi-like abilities the same as spell-like abilities. Obviously there are a few necessary mechanical differences, such as using pp instead of slots, but those are the way the classes function, not the way the powers and spells themselves function.

You always treat magic and psionics as identical. Full-stop.

You aren't quoting the entire entry:

In addition, you always treat magic and psionics as identical.
Therefore, powers such as dispel psionics work for both magic and psionics. Most campaigns already treat them in this manner, so this mantle is most useful in campaigns where they are considered different systems.

You don't treat Ps abilities as SLAs. You treat powers as magic. That's all. Powers are still powers. They don't magically become spells just because they are considered magic now. It's the same for Ps and SLAs.