Monday, September 11th, 2045.

The following morning, Elias awoke to yet another surprise.

After he reached to turn off the alarm on his pad, he stepped into the shower, instinctively giving himself a thorough scrub. The previous day's battles and long hours had left a lingering grime on his body, and he sought to wash it away.

As the warm water cascaded over his skin and he vigorously scrubbed his arms, Elias noticed something peculiar – his skin felt tighter. He was not a vain man, but he had always been observant, understanding that his body was both his greatest weakness and strength. Throughout his life, he had maintained a rigorous fitness routine, even in retirement. He helped out at the retirement home, engaging in weekend walks to keep the grounds tidy, swimming a few times a week, and lifting weights at the gym.

Now, as the water enveloped him, Elias couldn't help but take a closer look. His skin indeed appeared tighter, and he felt a newfound firmness within his muscles. Intrigued, he stepped out of the shower and stood before the steamed-up mirror. With a swift motion of his hand, he wiped away the condensation, revealing a sight that left him stunned.

Elias appeared at least ten years younger. His face, alongside his body, had regressed, as if the passage of time had reversed itself. Wrapping a towel around his waist, Elias left the bathroom and approached the full-length mirror in his bedroom, his heart pounding with a mix of disbelief and exhilaration.

As he looked at his reflection, Elias couldn't help but notice the changes that had occurred. He stood a little taller, his back straighter, and his shoulders broader. His chest was tight, and his arms had grown bigger, exuding strength and vitality. Even with the war wound on the left side of his face, he exuded a rugged handsomeness that had earned him the endearing nickname of "Silver Fox" from one of the ladies at the retirement home.

With his hair and beard kept neatly trimmed, Elias stood before the mirror, a smile spreading across his rejuvenated face. "Rusty, where are you?" he called out with a mix of excitement and gratitude.

In response to his call, the little bird Rusty chirped and gracefully flew into the room, landing delicately on a shelf above the bed. "What's up, Elias?" Rusty inquired.

Turning to face his avian companion, Elias couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Am I getting younger?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

Tilting his head in contemplation, Rusty replied, "Not exactly, Elias. You're still 65, but you're reverting to a more optimal state. You've leveled up, and as a result, your Power has increased along with your Balance and Wisdom. As we discussed last night, it takes time for your body to adjust. A good night's sleep and you're already experiencing the changes. On Aethoria, races can live for a long time, and the stronger you become, the longer your lifespan might be. However, what's happening to you is different. Your body has never had to deal with magicules until yesterday. The magicules, along with the process of absorbing your level up, are revitalizing your body."

Elias sank down onto the bed, causing Rusty to flutter in surprise. The weight of uncertainty settled upon him as he contemplated the implications of his ongoing transformation. "Will it continue?" he asked, his worry evident in his voice. He feared that if the changes persisted, they would become too obvious and draw unwanted attention.

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Rusty perched nearby and reassured Elias, "Of course, Elias. The guardians in the sanctuary were all over level 150. For a Formorain to destroy them all, it had to be closer to level 300. I know you only finished it off, but there was only you to gain its experience points (XP)."

"Until you are able to get your level confirmed, I would guess you are easily over level 100," Rusty added, his words carrying a sense of awe.

Elias was taken aback by this revelation. He found himself torn between the excitement of growing stronger and the concern of appearing significantly younger and more physically fit. It dawned on him that this could potentially pose a problem in the modern age, where facial recognition technology is prevalent. Maintaining his appearance would be crucial to avoid any legal complications or misunderstandings.

With a determined mindset, Elias rose from the bed and began to get ready for the day. He dressed himself and made his way downstairs, heading straight for the kitchen. It was here that he would start formulating his plan to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

Elias prepared his breakfast, opting for a hearty meal of bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast. As he cooked, he carefully stored a second plate of food into the ring that he wore, a convenient way to save it for later while also testing a theory they came to the night before. Sitting down at the table, he enjoyed his meal while simultaneously messaging his friends, crafting loose excuses to explain his absence for the next week.

Once he finished eating, Elias swiftly tidied up the kitchen, ensuring everything was in its rightful place. With a sense of purpose, he turned his attention to a task that would become second nature to him - storing old but useful items into his storage.

This peculiar ability that allowed him to mentally catalog and recall each item he stored. It felt almost like having an Excel spreadsheet open in his mind, unseen but readily accessible. Every mug, spoon, or any other object had its designated slot, allowing him to retrieve them instantly when needed.

As he continued to organize his belongings, Elias contemplated the advantages of his storage ability. It would prove to be a valuable asset in his exploration of Aethoria’s vast forest.

Moving out to the garage Rusty took this opportunity to explore the garden while Elias continued to store items he thought might be useful. Some old folding chairs, many jars of nails and screws, several tools, old hammers, saws, an axe and a billhook machete. Simple gardening tools but if used with intent to cause harm could be turned into impoture weapons. Thinking about weapons he reached for a box stored in the garage's rafters. Laughing at the ease with which he retrieved the box, knowing how difficult it would have been for him to retrieve but just a few days before. After whipping the dust from the box and opening its lid he removed a Item inside.

In his hands was a Compound Crossbow Viper 430. Elias had brought this accurate hunting bow back from visiting a friend in America, he smiled after remembering teaching his son to shoot it many years before and the arguments with Helen as she didn't want her son “practicing to kill things”.

Realizing that this might not be enough for the challenges ahead, Elias swiftly stowed the crossbow and several bolts, acknowledging range weapons were always a force multiplier. With his preparations in place, he left the garage, deciding that a quick trip to the supermarket was in order.

After a few hours of shopping and navigating inane conversations due to his altered appearance, Elias returned home with a haul of essential items. He had acquired plenty of long-lasting food, new storage containers, cooking items, seasonings, and a selection of alcoholic beverages. These provisions, along with his meticulous organization and storage skills, would serve as crucial elements in helping Elias explore Aethoria.