11-André’s Training [1]
I slowly open my eyes, the soft morning light filtering through my room. The events of last night come rushing back—Arthur's insistence on sharing the bed, my initial resistance, and ultimately, my surrender. He had worn down my resolve until I let him stay. At least he had been a quiet sleeper, his presence barely disruptive after the compromise.Glancing at the clock on the wall, I note the time: 6:30 AM.-BAM!The door flies open with a resounding crash, jolting me upright. Standing there is André, his energy practically radiating in stark contrast to my grogginess. Dressed in a white shirt, black shorts, and white rubber shoes, he looks ready to take on the world—or, in this case, me."Dominic! Glad you're awake!" he announces, his booming voice far too chipper for this hour. "Get ready. Your training starts now. I'll wait for you outside."-BAM!He closes the door as forcefully as he'd opened it, leaving me stunned."Haah…" I yawn deeply, stretching my arms overhead as I try to mentally prepare for whatever André has planned.
New Quest!Quest: Complete 100 push-ups, 100 squats, 100 sit-ups, and a 10 km run.
Reward: 100 Stat Points
The sudden appearance of the System's notification catches me mid-yawn. The task list is daunting and exciting, and the promise of 100 Stat Points is too tempting to ignore. Sure, it's going to hurt, but that kind of boost? Completely worth it.Sliding out of bed carefully to not disturb Arthur, I tiptoe to the drawers in search of training clothes. He's still sound asleep, sprawled out across the bed like a starfish, his peaceful face almost comical after last night's stubbornness.I chuckle softly, shaking my head, and pull out a simple pair of sweatpants and a loose shirt: time to face the day—and André's brutal training regimen.As I get dressed, the reality of what's ahead sets in. This won't be easy, but it's exactly what I need. After all, if I'm going to survive in this world, I can't afford to take shortcuts. With a deep breath, I steel myself for the challenge.Here we go.════ ⋆★⋆ ════Stepping outside in a black shirt, white shorts, and black shoes, I brace myself for whatever André has in store. As I take in the sight before me, the cool morning air does little to calm my nerves.André effortlessly hoists a 100kg dumbbell with one arm, a picture of raw power and precision. He looks entirely unbothered by the massive weight, his movements smooth and controlled. The sheer ease with which he handles it serves as both a warning and a challenge.The thud of the dumbbell hitting the ground reverberates as André notices me. His face lights up with a welcoming grin. "Ah, there you are! Ready to get stronger?""Let's start, shall we?" he adds, striding toward me with the kind of energy that promises no mercy.I nod, trying to match his enthusiasm—or at least fake it convincingly. "Yeah, I'm ready.""We'll ease into it with a warm-up jog," André announces, gesturing to the path stretching ahead.A warm-up jog. Sure. Sounds innocent enough, but I'm not naive. This is just the prelude to whatever intense training regimen André has prepared. Still, I nod in agreement, my muscles already tensing in anticipation."Let's go," he says, taking off at a steady pace.I fall in step behind him, the rhythm of our feet on the pavement syncing. The simplicity of the run is deceptively comforting, but I know it won't stay this easy for long. This is André, after all—the man who treats 100kg weights like playthings.Still, as the cool air fills my lungs and the morning sun begins to rise, I can't help but feel a flicker of determination. This is what I signed up for, and if I want to survive—and thrive—in this world, I'll need every ounce of strength I can get.Bring it on.════ ⋆★⋆ ════Thirty minutes in, what André initially called a "warm-up jog" has transformed into something closer to a full-on marathon. My lungs burn, and my legs feel like lead, but I force myself to keep moving, one heavy step after another."Haah… hah…"The System's quest tracker hovers in my peripheral vision, an unyielding reminder of how far I still have to go.Quest Progress10km run: 27%
100 push-ups: 0%
100 sit-ups: 0%
100 squats: 0%
I pant heavily, my body protesting every movement. But I cling to one thought like a lifeline: the promised 100 Stat Points. This is my chance to grow stronger. I can't waste it."Come on, Dominic, keep running!" André calls out, his voice filled with energy and expectation."Y-yeah… hah… coming…" I manage to reply, my words broken by labored breaths. I nod, trying to project determination even as my body screams to stop.Endurance (+1)
Speed (+1)
A sudden notification from the System surprises me, momentarily cutting through my exhaustion. Every five minutes of continuous effort seems to increase my Endurance and Speed. The realization hits me: tasks like this don't just move me closer to completing quests—they actively enhance my stats.This small victory spurs me on, adding a spark of motivation to my flagging resolve. If I keep pushing, I'll earn Stat Points and strengthen myself in real-time."Come on, Dominic! You have to keep up!" André shouts again, his voice growing distant as he pulls ahead with ease."Hah… coming… hah!" I wheeze, summoning every ounce of willpower to keep going.Despite the pain, the progress I'm making—however incremental—fuels me. Each step, each stat increase, brings me closer to the strength I'll need to survive this world.I can do this.════ ⋆★⋆ ════Panting heavily, I clutch my knees, struggling to catch my breath as the 10km run finally ends.Quest Progress10km run: Complete
100 push-ups: 0%
100 sit-ups: 0%
100 squats: 0%
"Finally…" The word escapes me as I collapse onto the ground, my body utterly spent but satisfied. The run took a full hour, but it wasn't without reward. My endurance and speed have increased significantly, each gaining 12 points.I slowly open my eyes, staring at the clear sky above, and mutter, "System… hah… show me my stats…"InfoName: Dominic Eñerforte
Age: 15
Title: NoneStatsStrength: 25 (E-)
Endurance: 36 (E-)
Agility: 51 (E)
Speed: 62 (E)
Mana: 0 (F)
Luck: 402 (C+)
Instinct: 747 (A+)
Charisma: 362 (C)
Stat Points: 0Manual ArtsBasic Gun Arts (D+) – Beginner [0%]
Basic Gun Arts encompass many basic combat techniques involving firearms from range to melee. This art form requires physical dexterity to shoot and maneuver accurately and a deep understanding of the firearms themselves—maintenance, bullet types, and the physics of shooting.
Seeing the tangible improvement in my stats is a gratifying moment. This is progress, I think, the exhaustion of the run fading slightly as the sense of accomplishment settles in.André appears in my peripheral vision, holding out a water bottle. "Let's take a break for two minutes," he says, his tone calm yet commanding.Gratefully, I push myself into a sitting position, take the bottle, and drink deeply. The cool liquid is refreshing, washing away the dryness in my throat and giving me the energy to recover."Hah!" I sigh in relief, the break providing a brief but welcome respite.André settles beside me, pulling out a delicate lavender flower. He twirls it between his fingers, its soft purple hue catching the sunlight. "Dominic, what do you think of this lavender?"I raise an eyebrow, puzzled by the unexpected question. "It smells nice," I reply. "Why are you asking?"André smiles faintly, his expression growing more serious. "Lavender is known for its calming and healing properties. But it also symbolizes resilience—the ability to thrive in hardship."He holds it out to me. "I want you to have this as a reminder, Dominic. No matter how tough things get, remember that, like this flower, you can grow and flourish even in adversity. Strength isn't just about power but the will to endure and become stronger."I'm caught off guard by the depth of his words. For a brief moment, I see a side of André I hadn't fully appreciated—wise, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in my growth.I take the lavender, my grip firm but careful. "Thanks, Dad."André claps me on the shoulder and stands. "Alright, let's continue. Forty push-ups to start."I seize the moment to push my boundaries further. "Can we do 100 push-ups instead?"André's eyes widen in surprise. "What? Why?""I want to do more," I say earnestly. "To push myself further."His brows knit in concern. "Dominic, I know you want to catch up since you're behind, but rushing like this isn't the way to go."I hesitate for a moment, understanding his concern but unable to reveal the true reason for my urgency—the System and its quest. Instead, I channel my resolve."I can handle it, Dad. Trust me."He studies me momentarily, his eyes searching mine, before finally sighing. "Alright," he says, his tone a mixture of caution and trust. "But since you're new to this, we'll limit it to an hour per exercise. No complaints."A smile spreads across my face. "Thanks, Dad."This setup is perfect—an hour each for push-ups, squats, and sit-ups. Not only will it help me complete the quest, but it'll also give my stats another significant boost.I drop into position with renewed determination, ready to tackle the next challenge. One step closer to becoming stronger.════ ⋆★⋆ ════Arthur LyonI slowly open my eyes, the subtle fragrance of lavender drifting into my senses, gently pulling me from sleep. Sitting up, I stretch, letting out a wide yawn."Haa…"As I glance around, I notice Dominic is no longer beside me. That's unusual. Where could he have gone so early? My eyes flick to the clock: 7:37 AM."You can do it, Dominic!"Uncle André's familiar voice, both firm and encouraging, grabs my attention. It's coming from outside. Curious, I shuffle to the window and peer through.And there he is—Dominic—drenched in sweat, his body moving with a focused intensity as he powers through push-ups. The sight makes me pause.How long has he been at it?This… this isn't the Dominic I know.Dominic has always been the academic type—eager to study and excel, with dreams of becoming a Magitist. He loved unraveling mysteries and making discoveries, and he'd talk endlessly about innovations in Magitech and Mana Theory. The sudden shift in his goals, choosing the dangerous life of a Stargate Raider, completely blindsided me.At first, I thought it might've been a phase—maybe rebellion against expectations or family pressure. But seeing him now, with that unwavering focus and determination, I'm starting to wonder if there's something more to it.As his best friend, I want to support him. If Dominic truly wants this, I'll stand by his side. After all, we're both set to enroll in Verdant Arcanum soon. Who knows? Maybe pursuing this together will strengthen our bond even more.But… I'd be lying if I said I wasn't suspicious.Dominic's sudden behavioral changes have been throwing me off since yesterday. He's more confident, assertive, and confrontational than ever. Take that incident with Renard—kicking him… there? The old Dominic never would've done that. He would've avoided conflict, let Renard walk over him, and apologized for it.And the guns.I keep coming back to the guns.That ridiculous story he told me about finding them on the road? It made no sense. Deep down, I know it's not the truth. The Dominic I knew wouldn't have kept them for himself without reporting it or at least trying to figure out who they belonged to.But the strangest part?I believed him.I believed him despite the glaring holes in his story. Not because it was convincing, but because Dominic doesn't lie—or at least, he never used to. I've known him for years, long enough to recognize his habits, his tells, and how he freezes up when cornered.And yet, this new Dominic… he doesn't freeze. He doesn't avoid conflict. He's more decisive, almost calculating. It's like he's become someone else entirely, and I can't ignore the feeling that something deeper is going on.I want to trust him, and I want to believe in him. But no matter how much I try to ignore it, there's a gnawing thought: Dominic is hiding something. Something big."HAA!"Dominic's sharp shout slices through the morning air, yanking me from my swirling thoughts. I glance back out the window to see him still at it, pushing himself harder than I've ever seen, his body trembling with effort, sweat dripping freely from his brow.The sight is… inspiring, I won't lie. But at the same time, it stirs something uneasy within me.Dominic's always been exceptional, even without trying. Back when he poured all his energy into academics, he stood out. His intelligence seemed effortless—teachers praised him, admired him. I admired him. But that admiration wasn't always easy to carry. Sometimes it felt like living in his shadow. No matter how much effort I put into anything, Dominic's natural talent always seemed to outshine mine, just out of reach.And now?Now he's channeling that same focus and drive into physical training, into becoming a Stargate Raider—a goal so completely different from the Dominic I used to know. Watching him pour everything into this makes me wonder if history is about to repeat itself.Will I be overshadowed again?The thought feels selfish, almost shameful. Dominic's my best friend—I should be rooting for him, not comparing myself to him. But the worry lingers, gnawing at the edges of my mind.I sigh, leaning against the window frame, watching as Dominic pushes himself to the brink and beyond."Come on, Arthur," I mutter to myself. "Focus on your path. Support him. That's what friends do."Still, it's hard to shake the doubt entirely. Dominic's unrelenting intensity is a stark contrast to the carefree, passive person I thought I knew. If he's rising to new heights, where does that leave me?-Creak!The sound of the door opening pulls me from my thoughts. I glance back to see Auntie Celine stepping into the room, her warm smile as comforting as ever."Good morning, Arthur," she greets, her tone gentle."Good morning, Auntie," I reply, managing a small smile in return."Breakfast is ready. You should join me," she says kindly.I nod. "I will. Thanks, Auntie."With a satisfied nod, she leaves, closing the door softly behind her. Her presence, though brief, always seems to have a calming effect."You can do it, Dominic!"Uncle André's voice echoes through the window again, firm and encouraging. My gaze shifts back outside. Dominic, drenched in sweat and trembling with exhaustion, collapses onto the ground. But even as his body protests, he forces himself back up, his face set with unshakable determination.Watching him like this stirs something deep within me. That kind of dedication, that kind of relentless drive—it's inspiring in a way I can't ignore.For all my doubts and insecurities earlier, seeing Dominic refuse to give up reminds me of something important.If he can push himself this hard to change, why can't I?The question hits me with unexpected force, replacing my unease with a quiet determination.Swinging my legs off the bed, I stand and stretch, feeling a small but growing sense of purpose building inside me."Let's do this," I mutter under my breath.Motivated by Dominic's resilience, I begin preparing for the day—not just to face it, but to rise to it.