Speed reading is OP

Kyle would sometimes leave work early just to pick up Ana and today was one of those days. They thought it was a little odd that Jason was there before them. Jason had a habit of staying after to avoid everyone, but Jason came up with the 'perfect' excuse, "They sent me home early cause of a project we are working on."

From the questioning look in both of their eyes he knows it's not the best excuse but it would do for today. The next few weeks he would make sure they couldn't question him by arriving after Ana at least. 

'The public library should be perfect.' 

Kyle and Ana both notice that Jason isn't as gloomy as he usually is. He forces himself to say hi to them and thats when they notice. There is something different in his eyes. They watch him as he focuses on the book he is reading. 

Jason sits on their small three seat couch. It's a washed charchoal grey, Jason remembers when it used to be black but that was years ago. He spent so many days in this corner, playing video games or surfing on his phone. So many days the past four years. He regrets all the moments he missed with his parents. So lost in his pain he could barely muster enough energy to really talk to them..

After an hour of Jason sitting there Ana and Kyle join him. They had finished washing away the day and still they see Jason their his focus barely broken when they walk in again. 

Ana is the first to sit down. She sits right below him going through her physical therapy while watching some videos from her class. Kyle comes next and sits on the other side of the couch. He is wearing sweats and a tank top sighing heavily as he plops down. After a long shower Kyle needs this. He puts on some TV.

"Hey do you wanna watch something Jason?" Kyle asks. He never bothers him about watching stuff cause usually Jason is usually on his phone but Kyle can sense the change in his brother. Maybe Jason will respond with more than a single one. 

"Not today. Gotta read." Jason says quickly and returns to his book. 

Ana looks up at Kyle. Her eyes screaming, did you hear that? Jason is that serious about reading. All he ever does is sits there on his phone if Kyle or Ana are using the TV. Even if Jason is always there with them both he wouldn't ever say much. Just little stuff. Some days are better than others but never for three days in a row. 

Jason doesn't even think about grabbing his phone to read webnovels or watch youtube. He is focused on one thing. Finishing this book. 

SLAM! only one and a hald hours had gone by and there he was done. 

"Dude, are you good?" Kyle chimes in.

"Is everything okay?" Ana asks a slight concern hanging on her voice. 

Jason for once recognizing the warmth behind their concern. The sweetness in their voices and eyes outside of his depression. 

"Yeah. Just finished the book is all." Jason says with some pride in his voice. 

Kyle and Ana both look at each other in shock. They can see how thick that book is. Finishing it in just two days " No way! That's amazing Jason, I wish I could read that fast at work." Kyle exlaims almost shouting in amazement.

"Yeah.. I've been practicing. Read some cool stuff recently." 

"So cool! Teach me later." Ana shouts. 

"Don't forget about your brother here." Kyle jokes. 

Jason chuckles and gets up. He knows what's next in his journey. Implementation. If he uses what he is learning from the memorization book he can begin leveling the skill before imputting it into the system. 

'Not sure if it will work, but it's worth a try. From what I know it's possible.'

He quickly sits back down in the living room now armed with a notepad and a pen from his room. Work is the only way he can use this system perfectly. 

Soon he makes his way through the book again. 

'It's already 8 pm, I've finished the memorization book for the second time, using the techniques it's taught me on the book itself. I'll work on the next two books tomorrow. I need to research more about speed reading. I know the basics but some research could help the system implement more. The less time it spends on drudging up information out of nowhere. The more it has for mastery.'

Jason knows how the system currently works. He quickly reads through a free research article on speed reading and effective comprehension through auditory reading; The switch to visual reading. It took him some time just trying to implement memorization tactics while not knowing some of the words.

Jason finishes the article and nods. He is ready.

'Open system and allocate 12 hours.'

[Congrats Host for 2x exp bonus. Downloading new information]

[Idle System: Lvl 1] [Exp: 6/10] -> [Exp: 7/10]

[12:32:43- 24:00:00] ->[00:32:45-24:00:00]

[Slot 1: Speed Reading: Lvl 1] [Exp: 16.75/25] ->[Speed Reading: Lvl 2] [Exp: 1.5/25]

In just seconds he feels his brain start to change. Jason can feel his brain rewire itself. Each neuron that is used to process language shift. The connections get tighter and tighter and he can feel it drain him. A singe of pain rushes through his head.

Then gone.

Suddenly he no longer needs to softly read out loud to read faster. It was like everything he knew was no longer. He can feel the difference intrinsically.

Just seconds ago he was on the cusp of 500 wpm and now he knows he can read upwards of 700 wpm.

Every technique from years of research and the research papers he had never heard of fills his mind. Outside of that his brain feels perfectly suited for it all.

'I have to test this.'

He grabs the book on hacking and begins reading. Jason reads it purely, no memorization techniques, no writing notes, just reading it.

Two hours and 30 minutes.

'400 pages done just like that. Like nothing. Something that would take days, weeks to read. My comprehension sits at about 25% total book and almost 60% of the major points. It's like my brain has entered into genuis territory. If I improve my memory I could ace any exam. I can learn anything with minimal effort even without the system.'

[Pair that with the system and imagine]

'Exactly, imagine.'

Jason knows he is going to have to go to the library again soon. He will be done with these books tomorrow even using the memorization techniques. And soon he is going to see what his efforts have brought him. Soon.

Kyle and Ana had already gone to bed. They left him some food. Jason was so preoccupied he didn't even eat. He walks over to it and heats it in the microwave. Kyle had tried to make meat loaf. Jason took a bite and wishes he was still eating that carbonara.

'This week, I'm going to aquire as many lvl 0 skills as possible. Things that will help me gain power.'

Jason yawns after taking the last bite of meat loaf.

'But first some sleep.'

Jason is almost used to this routine. The past 4 days have been spent so different from the rest of his life. He knows for the next few months this is how he is going to spend his days. He isn't afraid of that. He knows the work it will take but he isn't going to lose this chance.

He falls asleep thinking of the future that awaits him. He isn't stuck anymore. He doesn't have to cower away. This week is a strategic retreat. A chance to make his life better.

One he won't let go of.