Two weeks had passed since Alexander’s last major challenge. He spent every waking moment training, pushing himself to the limits in both rare and uncommon challenges. Each day was a test of endurance, skill, and mental fortitude, but Alexander relished the opportunity to grow stronger.
As he stood in the early morning light, he reflected on his journey so far. The days had been filled with intense physical training, sword and martial combats, and complex magical puzzles that required precise control. Every challenge had honed his abilities further, each battle a step toward mastery.
He called up his status screen to review his progress:
Status Screen
Name: Alexander Rey
Level: 25
Race: Awakened Human (Tier 2)
Titles: Mana Prodigy, Martial Prodigy, Skill Prodigy, Pioneer II, Forerunner I
Mana: 5160/5160
Strength: 53
Dexterity: 55
Endurance: 53
Vitality: 53
Intelligence: 55
Wisdom: 55
Charm: 50
Free Stats: 68
* Skills:
* Mixed Martial Arts: (Level 43->50)
* Sword Arts: (Level 45->52)
* Mana Channeling: (Level 38->48)
* Weapon Crafting: (Level 2->5)
* Calm Mind: (Level 30->39)
* Flexibility: (Level 26->32)
* Enduring Strength: (Level 28->35)
* Tactics: (Level 24->30)
* Mana Sensitivity: (Level 35->44)
* Intimidating Presence: (Level 24->30)
* Pain Tolerance: (Level 26->36)
* Tier 2:
* Multitasking: (Level 12->18)
* Heat Infusion: (Level 14->23)
* Will Enhancement: (Level 8->18)
* Light Flash: (Level 4->11)
* Tier 3:
* Mana Control: (Level 1->3)
* Enhanced Focus: (Level 5->9)
* Resilient Body: (Level 1->3)
* Resilient Mind: (Level 1->4)
The sight of his free stats brought a thoughtful frown to his face. He had been saving them, waiting for the right moment to allocate them. Now, after weeks of intense training and combat, he felt it was time.
With a deep breath, Alexander began to distribute his points, feeling the surge of power as each stat increased.
Status Screen (Updated)
Name: Alexander Rey
Level: 25
Race: Awakened Human (Tier 2)
Titles: Mana Prodigy, Martial Prodigy, Skill Prodigy, Pioneer II, Forerunner I
Mana: 7800/7800
Strength: 63
Dexterity: 65
Endurance: 63
Vitality: 63
Intelligence: 65
Wisdom: 65
Charm: 58
Free Stats: 0
The feeling of increased power was intoxicating. He flexed his muscles, feeling the newfound strength and agility coursing through him. His mind felt sharper, his mana more responsive. He was ready for whatever came next.
Alexander’s thoughts drifted back to the last two weeks of training. The physical and mental challenges had been grueling but rewarding. He remembered the intense sword fights, each one pushing his combat skills to new heights. The martial arts sessions had been equally demanding, every punch and kick a testament to his growing power.
The magical puzzles had been a different kind of challenge, requiring precise control and deep concentration. He had spent hours channeling mana through intricate patterns, learning to control its flow with exacting precision. This had led to the unlocking of new skills: Mana Control, Enhanced Focus, and Resilient Body. These skills had not only made him more powerful but had also upgraded his Pioneer I title to Pioneer II due to completing a rare tier challenge.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
After a particularly intense training session, Alexander found himself in the village, seeking some well-deserved rest. He walked into the local inn, where the familiar scent of hearty food and the sound of laughter greeted him. Marta, the inn owner, smiled warmly as he approached the counter.
“Alex! Good to see you. You look like you’ve been through the wringer,” she said, her eyes twinkling with concern and amusement.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks, Marta,” he replied, taking a seat at the bar. “But it’s been worth it. I feel stronger than ever.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” she said, placing a steaming plate of food in front of him. “Eat up, hun. You need your strength.”
As he dug into the meal, Alexander felt a sense of camaraderie with the villagers. They had become his friends, his support system. People like Marta, who always had a kind word and a hot meal ready, made the hard days more bearable.
Later that evening, he chatted with his teammates using the video call function of the Tutorial Chat. Katrina, Victor, Michael, Maria, Lila, Jack, and Jane were all there, sharing stories of their own challenges and training sessions.
“You look different, Alex,” Katrina observed, her eyes studying him closely. “Stronger. Sharper.”
“I’ve been pushing myself hard,” he admitted. “The training’s been intense, but I’ve unlocked some new skills. Mana Control, Enhanced Focus, Resilient Body. They’ve made a huge difference.”
“Those sound incredible,” Michael said, leaning forward with interest. “How do they work?”
“Mana Control helps me channel my mana more efficiently. Enhanced Focus comes from my Will affinity and improves my concentration and mental clarity. Resilient Body boosts my physical endurance and recovery. Together, they make me a lot more effective in combat and other challenges,” Alexander explained.
Jack nodded appreciatively. “That’s some serious progress. No wonder you’re looking so formidable.”
Maria smiled. “We’re proud of you, Alex. You’ve come a long way.”
Lila added with a grin, “Yeah, and don’t forget to give us some pointers, Mr. Prodigy.”
Jane, shy but determined, chimed in softly, “I..I will also work harder!”
“Thanks, everyone,” Alexander said, feeling a swell of gratitude. “I’m glad to be in the same team as all of you”
Victor, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. “What’s next for you, Alex?”
“I’m not sure yet,” Alexander admitted. “But I know I’ll keep training and pushing myself. There’s always room to improve.”
Over the next few days, Alexander continued to train, but he also made time to interact with the villagers and his teammates. These moments of connection were just as important as his training. They reminded him of why he fought, of the people who believed in him and relied on him.
One afternoon, he found himself talking to Marta again. She had a way of making him feel at ease, her presence comforting and steady.
“You’re doing great things, Alex,” she said, pouring him a cup of tea. “But don’t forget to take care of yourself. It’s easy to get lost in the training and challenges, but you need rest too.”
“I know, Marta,” he said, taking the cup gratefully. “I just want to be ready for whatever comes next.”
“You will be,” she assured him. “Just don’t burn yourself out.”
Her words stayed with him, a gentle reminder to balance his relentless drive with moments of rest and reflection.
Despite his progress, the memories of the vampire castle still haunted him. At night, he often found himself jolting awake from nightmares, the faces of the captives and the twisted forms of the transforming ghouls vivid in his mind. The screams, the smell of decay, the feeling of helplessness—it all came rushing back in those dark moments.
One particular night, he woke drenched in sweat, his heart pounding. 'I should have been stronger,' he thought, his mind racing. 'I should have saved them all.' The weight of his failure gnawed at him, fueling his determination to keep training, to become even stronger.
As the two weeks drew to a close, Alexander stood on the training grounds, reflecting on his journey. The challenges had been intense, but they had forged him into a stronger, more capable warrior. His new skills had opened up new possibilities, and his increased stats had given him the edge he needed.
He activated the tutorial chat, reaching out to his friends.
"Hey everyone, just wanted to check in. How’s everyone doing?" Alex typed.
Responses came quickly, each one filled with updates and playful banter.
“We’re all surviving, Alex,” Katrina replied. “Even without your hilarious pep talks.”
“Thanks, Katrina. I know you live for my motivational speeches,” Alex wrote back, smirking. “Let’s keep this circus moving forward together.”
Victor’s message popped up next. “Yeah, Alex, your daily dose of inspiration is what gets me out of bed. But seriously, let’s keep pushing.”
“Absolutely,” Maria agreed. “We’re stronger as a team, even if you can't tell a joke to save your life.”
Michael and Jack echoed their sentiments, and Lila added with a playful smile, “And don’t forget to have some fun while you’re at it. Your terrible jokes count as fun, right?”
Jane, quieter but supportive, typed, “We’ll keep improving together. And Alex, keep those jokes coming.”
With a scoff, Alex replied, “It was only ONE joke, and it wasn’t even that bad!”
As he closed the chat, he could imagine their laughter, making him chuckle as well.
‘Grandpa didn’t have the best jokes, and it seems like it runs in the family’
Alexander smiled as he felt a renewed sense of purpose. They were not just individuals facing challenges alone; they were a team, united by a common goal.
**
The next morning, Alexander woke early, feeling the familiar surge of energy that came with a new day. He had come a long way in the past two weeks, but he knew there was still much to do. His training was far from over, and the challenges ahead would only get tougher.
But he was ready. With his new skills, increased stats, and the support of his friends, he felt more confident than ever.
As he stepped out onto the training grounds, the sun rising behind him, he felt a sense of anticipation. The future was bright, filled with endless possibilities. And he would walk it.
‘One step at a time’