I gently ran my fingers along the spine of the improvised weight bar, lost in thought about the various methods available to increase attribute stats.

"Leveling up," I whispered to myself, a notion both clear and straightforward.

This method was the most common way to gain attribute points. With each level up, achieved by gaining experience from defeating foes, a person was awarded three precious attribute points to allocate at their discretion.

It was an uncomplicated, direct pathway, the primary means by which individuals augmented their core attributes.

Then there were items, whether crafted from rare materials or dropped by defeated enemies.

I had heard tales of legendary equipment with the power to enhance one's abilities beyond imagination.

Swords that could slice through the toughest armor, robes that shielded their wearers from the deadliest spells—each piece held the potential to boost one's attributes significantly just as well.

The allure was undeniable, but acquiring such items was no small feat. Many coveted these treasures, and the competition to obtain them was fierce.

Lastly, there was the path of self-improvement—a path defined by discipline and persistence. Unlike the immediate benefits of leveling up or the tangible power of equipment, this method was a gradual process, requiring rigorous training and study.

It was the path most people embarked on in the early stages, as it was easier to increase attribute stats when they were still low.

However, as attribute points increased, this method became less effective.

That's why we were compelled to undergo this year-long training, to gain an advantage in the long run. The further our stats increased, the less impactful self-learning would become, which is why most pursued leveling up, this included the Arashi family.

Enhancing one's Intelligence attribute was intricately tied to the active practice of magic. Every individual possessed a mana pool, as indicated in the status window, even without specific active magical skills.

The abundance of books scattered throughout the space served as both tools and methods for manifesting this mana into existence, regardless of possessing active magical skills.

The process of accumulating Intelligence points went beyond mere absorption of knowledge from reading these books.

It involved actively utilizing and depleting one's mana pool through experimentation with various methods of mana manipulation.

In my previous life, I followed a systematic approach to developing my magical abilities. It began with simple exercises, such as using mana to levitate objects, and progressed to more complex tasks like moving them with increasing speed and managing multiple objects simultaneously.

I recall how the complexity of these tasks grew alongside my rising Intelligence stats.

I transitioned from manipulating a single object to handling two, then three, and eventually four objects concurrently. This progression not only tested my magical prowess but also provided a strategic means to continually expand my Intelligence attribute.

While this approach was my personal method for increasing Intelligence, I remained uncertain about how others achieved theirs. Each individuals likely had their unique approach or set of exercises to harness and expand their mana, thus increasing their Intelligence stat in their distinctive way.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

Strength attribute primarily involved the practical application of martial movements and techniques.

Unlike Intelligence, which relied on the practice of magic, the path to boosting Strength was grounded in martial discipline.

This was often considered the path of martial artists or those who relied on their physical prowess for combat.

To enhance Strength, one had to engage in rigorous repetitive movements. These activities ranged from repetitive kicks and punches to more complex movements designed for self-defense.

Usually those whom wished to increase that stats would engage in sparring matches or combat scenarios with training partners. These exercises provided practical experience and forced the body to adapt itself.

Dexterity, the attribute associated with agility and quick reflexes, had a straightforward method for improvement: pushing one's stamina to the limits.

Many individuals pursuing Dexterity engaged in demanding activities such as running through rugged terrain, climbing mountains, or participating in intense cardiac exercises. The key was to challenge the body's stamina and push it to the point where the heart pumped vigorously, forcing the body to adapt and increase one's blood flow and lung capacity.

like other attributes, the difficulty of gaining Dexterity points increased as the total number of points accumulated in that attribute grew. In other words, the more agile and reflexive one became, the harder it became to further enhance these qualities.

Vitality had a unique method of improvement—inflicting continuous damage to one's own body.

The concept behind increasing Vitality was closely linked to the practice of bodybuilding.

Individuals engaging in this method focused on lifting heavy weights in various forms and exercises. These activities caused muscle tears, which, despite not being physically painful, were considered a form of bodily damage.

The flexibility of this method made it relatively easy to implement. One could damage their body by using lower weights with numerous repetitions, or by increasing the weight to an amount they could barely lift, resulting in fewer repetitions.

If their Vitality stat was exceptionally high and neither of these methods provided a challenge, some individuals resorted to extreme measures.

There were accounts of people inflicting pain on themselves by cutting through their own flesh and skin repeatedly to intensify the damage inflicted, creating a more potent method for increasing their Vitality.

However, such extreme measures were not common due to the sheer difficulty and agony involved. Most individuals preferred less painful methods to enhance their Vitality, even if it meant a slower progress.

Most people whom lack the understanding of the world might be wondering why more individuals don't choose to increase their Vitality if it's relatively easy to do so.

It's important to clarify that many do engage in Vitality training, even mages. However, most individuals avoid starting with Vitality as their primary focus, primarily to avoid gaining the unique passive ability that comes with reaching the 10-point threshold.

But make no mistake, once people acquire the desired passive ability from their chosen attribute, they often turn to bodybuilding exercises to boost their Vitality.

However, many eventually halt their efforts upon encountering a significant plateau in their Vitality growth. This is because they understand that further improvements in Vitality would require them to inflict real physical damage on themselves, which is a daunting prospect.

I took a deep breath and prepared to begin my training. Placing the makeshift weight bar on my shoulders, I positioned myself on the study desk, using it as an improvised bench.

With determination in my eyes, I started lifting the weight. It was heavy, but not too heavy for me to manage.

The cool, dry air of the isolated space surrounded me as I continued with my repetitions. With each upward heave sent a wave of tension through my muscles.

"One...two...three...four..five..Ha...six..seven..Ha....E-Eight...Come on....N-NINE!"

Sweat beaded on my skin, glistening under the dim light, my heart thumping louder with every exertion.

I continued the repetitions, my muscles straining with each lift. Sweat dripped down my forehead as I pushed myself harder.

"Just a bit more... push through..." I gasped, my voice strained but resolute.

I adjusted the weight bar on my shoulders, taking another deep, steadying breath. The study desk, now repurposed as a makeshift bench, creaked slightly under my weight.

"Maybe adding more books to the bar next time." I pondered aloud, already strategizing ways to intensify my training.

"Ha~,Ha~,Ha~..."

As I set down the weight bar, panting, the reality hit me. It was going to be a relentless cycle of pushing the l boundaries of my body, a daily battle against my own limitations.

"I'll try different exercises... maybe use the environment here to create more resistance." I thought aloud trying to figure out the lacking part of my body that needed focus.

I had a long year ahead of me, filled with physical exertion and self-inflicted pain. But I was prepared to endure it all for the sake of my survival and the chance to rewrite my destiny.