Strength (+1)
Endurance (+1)
"Ninety-eight…ninety-nine…one hundred!"
I hit the ground, feeling the burn in my abs. Exhaustion washes over me, but the satisfaction of completing the set is undeniable.
QUEST PROGRESS 10km run (100%)
100 push-ups (100%)
100 squats (100%)
100 sit-ups (100%)
100 pull-ups (0%)
Lift 50kg dumbbells (0%)
I check my progress and smile. The 100 sit-ups, like the push-ups and squats, took about 30 minutes. I've gained six more points in Strength and Endurance, getting closer to my goals.
"Let's take a short break, Dominic," André suggests.
I shake my head, still catching my breath but determined. "I can keep going."
André raises an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay then…" André glances up, pointing toward the tree branch above us. "Do your pull-ups on that branch."
"Okay." I stand up, brush the dirt off my training shorts, and take a deep breath to strengthen myself.
I approach the tree, place my hands against the rough bark, and hoist myself. My arms shake slightly with the effort as I climb, every muscle fiber straining.
Reaching the branch, I grip it firmly and steady myself. Glancing down, André nods in approval. I prepare to begin the pull-ups—the next challenge in today's intense training session.
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Strength (+1)
Endurance (+1)
"Ninety-eight…ninety-nine…one hundred!"
I exhale deeply, gripping the tree branch tightly as I complete the last pull-up. My arms quiver slightly, and I hang for a moment, gathering Strength for my descent.
Carefully, I lowered myself, using the rough bark to steady my grip. Once my feet touch solid ground, I release a relieved breath, grateful to be back on firm earth.
QUEST PROGRESS 10km run (100%)
100 push-ups (100%)
100 squats (100%)
100 sit-ups (100%)
100 pull-ups (100%)
Lift 50kg dumbbells (0%)
I look at the quest progress screen, a satisfied smile crossing my face. "Five down, one to go."
"You've gained some muscle, Dominic." André grasps my arm, giving it a playful squeeze. "I hope this will impress the girls and bring me grandchildren."
I pull my hand away, laughing awkwardly. "Whoa, Dad. That's jumping ahead a bit."
André's smirk widens as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. "You're at that age now, Dominic. So, what kind of girl is your type?"
"Uh… well…"
I hesitate, my mind racing. In my previous life, I was so wrapped up in juggling multiple jobs that I never really thought about dating.
"Well?" André presses, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"I'm not looking to date right now," I admit, trying to deflect.
"Oh, that's a shame." André's tone is playfully mournful. "It seems Celine and I will have to wait a little longer for grandchildren."
I shake my head at his words. It's clear they're more eager about the idea than I am.
"Anyway, let's finish your training with the 50kg dumbbells," André says, returning to the task.
I nod, ready to tackle the last item on today's grueling list.
With a flick of his fingers, André summons two giant shadowy hands from his shadow, each holding a 50kg dumbbell. They place the weights beside me before retreating into the darkness.
"Lift these for an hour, and after that, we'll head home," André instructs.
Determined, I position myself by the dumbbells, mentally preparing for this final exertion. I take a deep breath, bend down, grip the cold metal, and begin lifting, ready to push my limits further. The strain in my muscles is immediate, but I embrace it, knowing that each lift brings me closer to my goals.
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"Gah!"
I drop both 50kg dumbbells to the ground with a loud thud. Only ten minutes have passed, but my arms ache from the strain. Unsurprisingly, this is the last exercise—it's the hardest.
Strength (+1)
Endurance (+1)
"You can take short breaks, Dominic," André advises, his voice calm yet firm. "But remember, I'll pause the timer every time you take a break."
I nod, grateful for the momentary reprieve. Extending my arms, I feel the burn intensify—a sharp reminder of the effort I've just exerted. Wincing slightly from the discomfort, I roll my shoulders to loosen them, taking a deep breath to steady myself.
Quitting now isn't an option, not when I've come this far.
Gritting my teeth, I bend down and grasp the handles of the dumbbells once more, feeling the cold metal against my palms. The weight is familiar now but no less challenging.
"Hah!"
With a determined exhale, I lift them again, muscles protesting but mind resolute. I focus on pushing through the pain, knowing that completing this challenge will bring me closer to my goals. Each lift is a battle, but I'm determined to see it through.
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"Five, four, three, two…one!"
As André counts down to 'one,' I let the 50kg dumbbells drop to the ground with a satisfying thud.
"Hah…hah…" I breathe heavily, slumping onto the grass as I roll my shoulders to relieve tension.
QUEST PROGRESS You completed a 10 km run, 100 push-ups, 100 squats, 100 sit-ups, 100 pull-ups, and lifted 50kg dumbbells.
You received 50 Stat Points.
Despite the overwhelming exhaustion, a smile creeps across my face—I've finished the quest. An hour of lifting those heavy dumbbells has pushed my limits, and I've gained 12 points in Strength and Endurance.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"Well done, Dominic! Let's go home," André announces with a satisfied nod.
I raise both hands weakly, a playful smile on my lips. "Carry me, Dad."
André chuckles at my request. "What are you, twelve?"
"Yes…" I reply, half-joking, half-serious.
André sighs, but the amusement in his eyes is clear. He walks over to me, turns around, and bends slightly, gesturing toward his back.
"Hop on."
Gratefully, I gather my remaining Strength, push myself off the ground, and clumsily climb onto his back. André adjusts his stance slightly to support my weight better, then walks toward our home.
As we return, a familiar feeling of safety and warmth surrounds me. No matter how tough the training is, I know I can always count on André to support me—literally and figuratively.
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
We arrive in front of our house, André still carrying me on his back. By the time we reach the door, I feel significantly better.
"Dominic, can you get down now?" André asks.
"Yeah…" I reply, sliding off his back onto solid ground.
André opens the door and steps inside. "We're home!" he announces cheerfully.
I follow him into the house.
"Welcome back, you two," Celine greets us warmly, holding a tray laden with food.
"Hi, Mum." I glance around, looking for Clark. He usually plays in the living room with some of Dominic's old toys, but it seems he isn't there. "Where's Clark, Mum?"
"He's still sleeping. He's tired from your game last night," she explains.
"I see…"
-Ring!
The sound of a Commlink ringing catches our attention.
"Oh, that's my Commlink."
André walks over to the table to pick it up. He looks at the screen, and his expression quickly turns into a scowl—a look I recognize all too well.
"There's a new Stargate, and it's in the Greenwood Region," he announces.
I guessed as much. "What rank is the Stargate, Dad?"
"Just like the one from the Emerald Coastline, it's also [A] rank."
"I see…"
After hearing from Celine how André demolished a [A] rank Stargate at the Emerald Coastline, I'm not as worried as I might have been otherwise.
"Looks like I have to go there now."
"You should eat some breakfast first, dear," Celine suggests, offering the tray.
André takes a piece of bread from the tray and kisses Celine on the cheek. He then approaches me, ruffles my hair, and raises his hand.
-Flick!
As he flicks his fingers, shadows envelop him, and he's suddenly dressed in a white dress shirt, a brown vest, a dark brown tie, brown pants, and black shoes, with his brown jacket draped over his shoulders like a cape.
"See you all later."
With that, André walks out the door.
"Well... there's that," I say, still amazed at how quickly he prepared to leave.
"That's your father, all right," Celine remarks with a slight chuckle. Then she turns to me, her expression shifting to mild disgust. "Go take a shower, Dominic. You smell bad."
Nodding, I head toward the bathroom after the morning's strenuous workout.
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After stepping out of the bathroom, I head to my bedroom, change into something more comfortable, and collapse onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Haa!" I exhale deeply, still feeling the fatigue from the morning's intense training. Despite the tiredness, I'm curious about my progress.
"System, my status."
The screen appears before me, revealing the following:
INFO Name: Dominic Eñerforte
Age: 15
Title: None STATS Strength: 241.5 (D)
Endurance: 253.5 (D+)
Agility: 208.5 (D)
Speed: 231.5 (D)
Mana: 0 (F)
Luck: 402 (C+)
Instinct: 747 (A+)
Charisma: 362 (C)
Stat Points: 50 MANUAL ARTS Basic Gun Arts (D+) – Beginner (99%)
Basic Gun Arts encompass a wide range of basic combat techniques involving the use of firearms from range to melee. This art form requires physical dexterity to shoot and maneuver accurately and a deep understanding of the firearms themselves—maintenance, bullet types, and the physics of shooting.
Noticing that my Strength has reached 241.5 and my Endurance has climbed to 253.5, now graded as [D+], I feel a sense of accomplishment. However, my Agility lags.
I allocate some of my available Stat Points to Speed and Agility.
"Add 30 to Agility and 20 to Speed."
Agility: 208.5 > 238.5 (D)
Speed: 231.5 > 251.5 (D+)
Immediately after updating my stats, a sensation of lightness washes over me. It's a refreshing change, making me feel more prepared for what's next.
All I have to do is reach [D+] in Agility and I will finally have the new update in the System.
-Ring!
The ringing of my Commlink from my desk catches my attention. I walk over and see Arthur's name flashing on the screen. I raise an eyebrow but answer the call anyway.
"Sup."
"Hey, Doms, where do you want to hang out tomorrow?"
Oh, right, I promised to hang out with him. An idea sparks in my mind: why not bring Arthur to the 'Temple du Sceptre Lié' at the Emerald Coastline to retrieve the 'Scepter of Binding'? The more, the merrier, and he could help if any monsters attacked.
“How about we go to ‘Temple du Sceptre Lié’? I'm curious about that place."
"Hmmm…" Arthur sounds contemplative. "Sure, that sounds fun."
"Thanks, Arthur. Let's meet at the train station at 10:30 in the morning."
"Okay, see you!"
We ended the call, and I lay back on my bed, planning the journey to the 'Temple du Sceptre Lié' in my mind. I could retrieve the 'Scepter of Binding,' and Arthur might also find valuable artifacts for himself. Plus, having him along could be a big help if we encounter any trouble.
-Knock! Knock!
The sound of someone knocking on my door interrupts my thoughts.
"Come in!"
-Creaaak!
The door swings open, and Clark bounds into my bedroom.
"Dominic!"
Clark leaps onto my bed with a running start, landing squarely on my torso.
"OOF!"
"Hehehehe!" Clark's laughter fills the room, his delight clear in his twinkling eyes.
Seeing Clark so full of mischief, I can't help but smile back at him.
"Why, you little rascal!" I exclaim, playfully ruffling his hair.
"Hehehe!" Clark giggles. "Dominic, where did you and André go earlier?"
"We went on a workout."
"Really?" Clark's face falls into a pout. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Well, you were having a beauty sleep, and I didn't want to disturb you. Secondly, you're too young for the exercises we were doing."
"Aww! But I wanna join!"
"Sorry, Clark, they're too intense for now."
"Aww… okay."
Clark's face droops, his disappointment palpable.
Seeing his sad expression makes my heart ache. I can't bear seeing him upset. Considering Clark is a younger version of myself from my previous life, it feels like looking into a mirror reflecting my sorrows.
I know I have to cheer him up. I don't want him to carry sad memories, especially while I’m still figuring out how to return him to his universe.
"Hey, how about we go to town? There are some delicious cakes there."
Clark's face instantly lights up at the mention of cakes.
"Really?"
I nod. "Yeah, I can buy you some cakes!"
"Yay!" Clark's enthusiasm is infectious as he jumps off the bed and dashes to the door. "Let's go!"
I laugh, his energy giving me a much-needed boost.
"Coming!"
Pushing myself off the bed, I follow him out the door. Despite the fatigue from the morning's training lingering in my muscles, the smile on Clark's face is more than enough motivation to get moving. I can't let my tiredness stand in the way of making a happy memory for him.
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-Clink! Clink!
The sound of metallic boots echoed through a vast, obsidian chamber. The room was bathed in a cold, dim light, the walls gleaming with an unnatural sheen as if carved from the very essence of darkness.
Pillars of black stone lined the path, casting long shadows that seemed to writhe and twist their own accord. The air was thick with a palpable sense of dread, imbued with an eerie silence that made the soft clinking of the boots all the more pronounced.
The figure moved with purpose, his footsteps steady as he walked along a long red carpet stretching toward a raised dais at the room's far end. Upon reaching the foot of the dais, he knelt, lowering his head in deference.
"Lord Malignor, I have returned from the mission you assigned to me," the figure, who had been watching Dominic earlier, reported in a voice laced with a mixture of fear and reverence. "What you foretold was accurate—a boy with black hair and blue eyes has indeed taken possession of the Mirror of Lysandra."
From the darkness above, a colossal figure loomed, its form obscured by shadows so deep that no details could be discerned. Only the faintest outline of a silhouette could be seen, towering and menacing, exuding an aura of overwhelming malice.
"I expected nothing less."
Lord Malignor's voice echoed through the chamber, dripping with cold, evil amusement. The playful tone from before was replaced with something far more sinister, a chilling menace that seeped into every word.
"They are always so predictable, no matter how often they repeat these events. Pathetic creatures, bound by their limited understanding, stumble through the same futile motions repeatedly."
Though measured and formal, his voice carried an underlying threat that sent a shiver down the figure's spine. There was no mistaking the power behind those words—a power that could destroy or manipulate at will.
"Théodore, for your next mission, I want you to hunt him down during the Stargate attack at the Eñeforte territory this coming Monday."
Théodore's head remained bowed as he absorbed the command. His heart quickened slightly, but his voice was steady when he replied, "As you command, Lord Malignor. I will ensure that the task is carried out without fail."
With that, Théodore nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the mission he had been given. He understood the gravity of the order and the consequences of failure. Rising slowly, he lowered his gaze as he prepared to leave and do his lord's bidding.
As Théodore walked out of the throne room, Lord Malignor's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Even in this final cycle, in this last breath of life, I shall not grant you mercy, mortal," he murmured, his voice dripping with malice. "You shall taste the full extent of my wrath; not even the end will bring you solace."