So what did I do after confirming I had powers?
Exactly what anyone else would have done in my position. Experiment with it and think about how I could use it to my benefit.
I'd tried working out before, even took the offered weight training classes a couple times, so I had some ideas as to how to train myself.
I knew gamers body will come in a clutch during training because I am now protected from atrophy, I can recover faster than normal and don't have to fear injuries like muscle pull. This meant that I could train more often in a single day, theoretically get gains easier than everyone else which was something I couldn't ignore. Especially if it meant getting that three in END out of my face, my screen technically. END being the lowest stat in my status, i did want to train it quickly.
I didn't stop at my physical stats either. Knowing I had to retake the SAT or take the ACT the coming school year I decided to use our old desktop and browse free exam prep materials. The aim was to raise my INT and prepare for the entrance exams. I wanted to make my parents proud.
Wisdom and luck were two things I wasn't sure how to work on so I left them alone for now. I was still exploring and not in a rush for anything.
Aside from working out I also tried to level up. I got to learn that this gamer system was adapted to real life as well, there were no monster hunting dungeons or quests to quickly level up.
I learned within days that XP was obtained through doing things so that's what I did, volunteering for chores and simply doing things before my parents even asked me to do them. The rewards were tiny, usually five XP points on average, but I knew each point counted and pushed me closer to level twenty. It was not some quickly powerup kind of system. I had to work to even level up.
I had some ideas for the future and was not in a hurry for anything, I was comfortable with what I had. Slowly, I fell into a routine- do physical exercise in the morning, play video games, help with chores around the house then go running in the evening and study at night. I was very comfortable and slowly accepted the 'gamer' and new memories as part of myself.
Just like that, the days crept along until something interesting happened two days before summer vacation ended.
[Level Up]
[+3 SP]
Don't you just love it when hard work pays off? I certainly do.
Despite what these self fulfilling novels and stories would tell you, I didn't become some Tony stark level genius with Captain America's body in the short break I had. Far from it actually.
[Lucas Reed]
LVL: 20
HP: 54
MP: 60
STR: 5
AGI: 5
END: 5
INT: 7
WIS: 5
LUK: 5
SP: 3
The biggest increase in stats came from endurance which went up a full two points. I did focus on that more than my other physical stats plus it was the lowest so I guess that explains it and I was very happy with my progress. Everything else went up one with the exception of luck.
Needless to say, if this summer was any indication as to how difficult it will be to raise my stats in future, then these level up bonuses are soon to be the biggest gifts. Unless those only come with certain levels, like multiples of five or ten or something like that. That would be unfortunate but, even then, free stat points!.
The question of the century now is 'how to use them'. More specifically, where should I put them? Saving is an option supported by the idea that I should train my stats naturally for now and leave the points for a bad day or when it gets too time consuming to even increase stats or reach a point where they can not even be trained but I also need to consider the timing.
I'm about to start my senior year in a couple days meaning I only have one year, less actually, to make myself stand out to those top colleges. My current GPA is nice but it's not enough seeing as how academics is all I have. Unlike those top students with voluntary work hours, and numerous other fields in which they excel in. I already accepted I had to do better and now I have the means to do so as well. I will definitely study my ass off.
Saving points is not really ideal and it's not a game, it's real life so it's pointless to save them, it's not like I need a sudden powerboost to defeat an orc or something. That's novel bullshit. Increasing the stats which do not increase normally will help me in the long run.
So I add these three points to INT for an even ten which might or might not be around the peak. With the additional brain power I can take on more AP courses and hopefully ace them, ace every class actually, and get a high score on whichever entrance exam I decide on.
I would potentially be smart enough to maintain those perfect grades while making time for a sports activity which is helping in every way.
Something like that would look great on my resume; every college wants a great student who can also generate lots of revenue as an athlete and bring them the clout for it.
Yeah… that sounds like a plan. Here goes nothing.
SP drops to zero while INT jumps to ten.
[INT: 7→10]
I did not feel much difference when my stats increased through training before but this sensation that I am feeling right now, it is overwhelming, good kind of overwhelming obviously.
There aren't words to describe the feeling of increasing a stat by that much that fast.
Then My world exploded and I slept like a log that night
AN: Support for more chapter and throw some stones.