I wanna quit. I've been here for who knows how long, and I just want to leave. Maybe I'm not all that cut out for being a hero. I thought with the evolution thing I would be special. I thought that these things would come easily to me like it were some novel, but that's not true. Life doesn't like giving handouts, does it? And with this stupid acrobatics course, it really just rains on my parade.

I mean, compare myself to Thomas or Sophia. Thomas can twirl a benchpress bar like a fucking pen. A PEN! Sophia, well, uh, she hasn't shown much physical abilities, but she's an expert at casting magic on the dot. I mean spot, no, wait. I was right the first time.

I just…wanted control. Control over—something, anything. I never really did that before. I'm pretty sure that becoming a hero was the first impulsive thing I've done since I was like five. I think that was also the last time I saw my dad? Not sure. I can't really remember, fully, anyway. I just remember mother becoming…herself. Her current self.

Didn't Thomas leave to go deal with her? I wonder how that's going.

I peek at the step next to my head. I tried to break you. Tried, being the keyword. What did Thomas make you out of? Heh. Mother would yell at me for using a preposition like that. A pet peeve of her's, I think.

Well, 498th, or something, times the charm. Right? Ugh, whatever. Let's do this again.

I Jump my way of the first five steps. Completely skipping past a net that I would have to climb on. Then this part… I either have to Jump to the next step, or do a Mario and wall jump over. I don't know if that's its own skill or in Acrobatics. Maybe both, who knows? Thomas's notes definitely burned if that recording says anything.

I Jump towards the step. Miss by an inch. Making a saving throw by grabbing onto the ledge.

"This feels familiar," I muse to myself. In my idle thoughts, my sweaty palms begin to slip. Oh. Wait. Shit!

One hand tightly clamps down on the sheer surface. I'm going to be honest. I do not think I can take this anymore.

[ Through repeated actions you have unlocked the skill: Climb(Minimum, Passive) ]

[ Climb - Improves the user's ability to climb up vertical surfaces. ]

Did not know there was a skill for that. Well, it's helpful anyway. I can actually feel my hand readjusting itself to help me grip the ledge better. Huh. I wonder how hard it'll be to rank this up. Given how hard it was to get this blasted skill, I'd say very.

I attempt to Climb across the nets, finding it a much easier process this time. Hmm, this skill seems useful. Let's just…be careful. I hop onto the next step.

Something I noticed in a…fit earlier is that the panels are not completely smooth. There are little grooves cut into the surfaces that split each panel into smaller squares. Now that I can Climb, I want to see if I can use these to my advantage. I slowly grab onto the panel and try to hold myself up.

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I seem to have overestimated my strength.

I slide down with strained fingers onto the step. I had learned not to attempt something new over an empty space after I fell the first time. Or third. Or twelfth. Let's just try that again.

[ Due to training, your Power has increased by 1 ]

Well then. That's unexpected. But what else is unexpected? The fact that I've been stuck in here for so long. Let's do that again.

[ Due to training, your Power has increased by 1 ]

Again. I'll get it eventually.

[ Through repeated actions skill: Climb(Minimum, Passive) has ranked up to Climb(Minor, Passive) ]

Okay, now why are you ranking up so easily? Is it because I'm actively trying to rank you up, or is it something else? I'm tired, so I'll just go with my own assumption.

Man, I'm tired. And hungry. And I've been getting grumpier. I think I've also had mood swings. Not sure. Kinda getting hard to focus on things too, but—

I Jump off a step and latch onto a wall using Climb. I wonder…can I jump off of this wall. It's kinda hard to get a foothold to press off of, but if I do this…

[ Through repeated actions skill: Jump(Medium, Passive) and skill: Climb(Minor, Passive) have unlocked skill: Wall Jump(Minimum, Passive) ]

[ Wall Jump - A jumping maneuver for those with Climb and Jump. Allows the user to latch onto a vertical surface and propel themselves in the opposing direction. ]

What makes these passive skills? I have to actively jump to Jump. I have to actively latch to a wall to Wall Jump. Actually, it seems to modify my movements to make my jumps and climbing abilities more efficient. I guess that active might just be me channeling my Power into the skill.

I could really go for a steak. Maybe some fried chicken. A chicken-fried steak. Smothered in extra thick, white gravy. A nice large glass of milk to accompany it as well. Maybe two sunny-side-up eggs too.

Wait! I need to focus!

[ Through repeated actions skill: Mental Resistance(Medium, Passive) has ranked up to Mental Resistance(Major, Passive) ]

[ Through repeated actions you have unlocked the skill: Hunger Resistance(Minimum, Passive) ]

[ Hunger Resistance - Allows the user to ignore the effects of hunger on the user's body. The user should note that the physical effects of hunger are still present though dulled and that a strong enough hunger can override this skill. This, however, may take some time as metabolism is slowed with a high enough rank. ]

Having to repress that hunger seemed to give me some resistance and control over my mind. I guess I'll use this Hunger Resistance too. Judging from its description, if I can get the immunity version then I might never have to eat again. Drinking might be another question. Then get rid of body waste and I don't think I could be regarded as living then.

I'm still tired. Not physically, but mentally. Sleep immunity negates my physical needs. Let's just continue.

[ Due to training, your Dexterity has increased by 5 ]

[ Through repeated actions skill: Jump(Medium, Passive) has ranked up to Jump(Major, Passive) ]

[ Through repeated actions skill: Climb(Minor, Passive) has ranked up to Climb(Medium, Passive) ]

[ Through repeated actions skill: Wall Jump(Minimum, Passive) has ranked up to Wall Jump(Minor, Passive) ]

I don't even spare the messages a glance as I bound my way up through the acrobatics course. Step by step, I leap across the platforms and at the walls to continue my unbroken ascent. It's amazing how well I'm doing now compared to just a few hours ago.

Now for the final obstacle: The trapeze.

I take a deep breath. My nerves calming with my actions. I run. I leap towards the bar suspended by two runs in the air. My hands catch the bar as it begins swinging back and forth. Once I have enough momentum, I let go.

I land on the final platform.

[ Through specialized training, your Dexterity has increased by 30 ]

[ Through specialized training you have unlocked the skill: Acrobatics(Minor, Passive) ]

[ Through specialized training you have unlocked the skill: Balance(Minor, Passive) ]

[ Acrobatics - Allows the user to perform acrobatic feats with ease. ]

[ Balance - Allows the user to keep themselves upright regardless of the surrounding environment. ]

Finally. It's done.