Progenitor's Burden

Standing in his bathroom, Sinclair held his workout attire—the clothes bearing the mark of countless sports and activities—in his hands. A virtual interface materialized in front of him, with two options

Equip? Yes/No

Discard? Yes/No

Without hesitation, Sinclair chose to Equip them. The clothes vanished from his grasp, only to reappear on his body. They hugged him tightly, especially across his chest and quadriceps. He smiled at the realization that he'd gained years of muscle in just a single night.

Remembering the shadowing presence from before, Sinclair couldn't help but poke fun at the idea of someone monitoring his progress. For a minute, he genuinely considered making a sign that read, "Are you enjoying the view while I pee?" Sure, lots of people would think that was an inappropriate joke, but his friends would have laughed, and he wasn't one for following the societal norms of humor.

Now dressed, Sinclair stepped outside, greeted by the crisp, fresh air; it almost seemed unreal that the world could remain seemingly untouched by the revelation of his reality shifting around him. As Sinclair began to jog towards an open spot in his yard, he sensed a subtle—but distinct—change in how he interacted with the world around him. His steps had an unfamiliar precision; his movements felt lighter, even as he reveled in his newfound strength.

He began with basic stretches. Each movement flowed into the next with newfound ease, the usual stiffness in his lower back conspicuously absent. Lunging from side to side, he marveled at his legs' enhanced balance and strength. Continuing with more dynamic exercises, Sinclair became increasingly aware of the increased strength within his muscles and the rapidity of his every step. Jumps, sprints, and controlled breaths all seemed optimized, elevating his physical performance to a level he had never experienced before.

Taking a moment to catch his breath and wipe the perspiration from his brow, Sinclair surveyed his surroundings. The potential of his newfound abilities intrigued him, but it also left him cautious and contemplative. What happens next?

Warming-up complete, Sinclair was ready to begin strength training. Cardio had never been his favored choice, so he bypassed the treadmill in favor of the weights. He set up his deadlift bar, opting for his customary starting weight of 225 lbs. As his hands gripped the bar and he initiated the lift, the difference from the previous day was astonishing.

In the past, Sinclair typically completed 10-12 repetitions at this weight before transitioning to sets with fewer reps and heavier loads. His one-rep maximum before his transformation had been a respectable 515 lbs, but today, he had an inkling that he would easily surpass that mark.

He matched his previous maximum by the third set, and grew excited as he blew past every previous limit. Sinclair proceeded to load the bar with every weight plate in his possession, resulting in a staggering total of 705 lbs. Drawing a deep breath, he carefully positioned himself with an over-under grip on the bar. Summoning every ounce of strength and resolve, he began the monumental lift. The weight seemed to challenge the laws of gravity, ascending gradually and laboriously. His muscles strained, and his legs trembled as doubts crept in, warning he might not complete the lift. Yet, his indomitable spirit—or pigheadedness—prevailed, and with a thunderous roar, he succeeded in locking out the weight at the top.

Setting the bar down and taking in his accomplishments left Sinclair feeling lightheaded. He found the chair he had thoughtfully left out for moments like these and sat down, his mind buzzing with thoughts of new workouts and the need for additional equipment. However, the financial implications of expanding his gym setup soon loomed large in his mind.

Sinclair's current gym setup had been carefully pieced together over the years, often involving second-hand equipment acquired from yard sales and other budget-friendly sources. He recognized the need for more substantial gear but was also aware of the cost of such investments. Nevertheless, the potential before him was too enticing to ignore. Contemplating his options, he considered the possibility of seeking assistance from local farmers who might have old, heavy equipment that they would be willing to part with. As he visualized himself sprinting down a field while pulling a plow, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Sinclair proceeded with a typical full-body workout, since he couldn't focus on equipment acquisition while training. He continued with his leg exercises until his quads quivered from exhaustion, then moved onto the next muscle group. Over more than three hours, Sinclair pushed his body. He was so engrossed in his training that he lost track of his stamina, continuing to push himself beyond his usual boundaries. It wasn't until he found himself sprawled on the ground in sweat that he realized the consequences of his actions. In the corner of his vision, he could see that he had depleted his stamina completely, and his health had begun to be drained in its absence.

Sinclair hobbled to the garage, grabbed a protein shake from his fridge, and drained it, fast. The cold, refreshing liquid flowed down his throat, providing much-needed hydration after such an intense workout. His vision continued to flash with notifications, vying for his attention, but he ignored them. At that moment, all he desired was to let his body recover.

Fatigue washed over him, and he clung to his post-workout mantra as if it were a lifeline: "Breathe in, breathe out, try not to cry." It served as a humorous reminder to focus on the process of recovery and restoration.

After less than a minute, Sinclair felt an almost miraculous rejuvenation coursing through him. It was as though his stamina and health were being restored at an astonishing pace. He clapped his hands together, dispelling the lingering weariness, and leaned back against the fridge. The swiftness of his recovery was nothing short of extraordinary. In his previous state, a workout of such intensity would have left him incapacitated for days.

He finally gave in and pulled up his notifications

New Skill: Æsir's Resilience (Rare)

Description: Channeling the unwavering spirit of the Æsir, you manifest an unbreakable resolve that defies the limits of endurance.

Effects:

Your stamina operates with a ten percent increase in efficiency

In the direst of moments, when it reaches rock bottom, health is sacrificed at a reduced rate of four to one.

Your base stats have changed!

+8 Strength

+2 Agility

+5 Constitution

+6 Endurance

Sinclair's grin remained wide as he closed the screen, his mind swirling with amazement at the astounding stat boosts he had gained from a mere three hours of exercise. This magnitude of improvement far exceeded what he had anticipated. I assume it's easier at the start. Later changes won't be as dramatic.

Slowly rising to his feet, Sinclair contemplated his next steps. Despite the energy granted by increased stats, he couldn't shake a lingering bone-deep weariness that seemed strangely impervious to his newfound vigor. He deliberated for a while on whether to focus on mental or agility-based training next, but realized he wasn't giving his mind enough time to recover from the shock to his system. Following the train of thought, the question of how to train his mental stats lingered in his mind. Reading complex books came to mind, but he wondered if it was the most effective use of his time. Determined to find an innovative approach, he lamented the absence of a mentor—or trainer—in this surreal journey.

Reminding himself that he was standing in the middle of a slowly expanding pool of sweat, Sinclair decided a quick shower was in order. He was not going to ruin his office chair with perspiration. Already thinking of food, Sinclair recalled a stash of Christmas-tree cakes tucked away in the back of his pantry. I wonder if one of the local farmers would sell me beef in bulk? I could stick it in the deep freeze and that would totally save me money.

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After enjoying a second shower, Sinclair settled into his home office, firing up his computer and turning to everyone's friend, Google, to help him navigate a path to enhancing his mental stats. As he perused various articles and forums, he couldn't help but notice the heightened clarity and sharpness in his thinking, undoubtedly an effect of his boosted stats. He didn't necessarily feel smarter, but he felt like he was more able to grasp the details of increasingly complex topics. Sure, he didn't suddenly know how to do advanced physics but he felt that he could certainly understand some of it if he really tried. Yeah, I'd fit right in on The Big Bang Theory.

As he researched cognitive psychology, Sinclair realized that mental prowess encompassed far more than mere intelligence or memory. It covered a multifaceted skill set, including problem-solving, adaptability, the ability to focus, and the capacity to process information swiftly.

Sinclair shifted his focus to brain-training apps. They appeared promising, boasting exercises specifically crafted to hone various cognitive abilities. He envisioned that playing these games with discordant background music would challenge and enhance his concentration. It would be an excellent starting point for his mental training regimen.

With his characteristic determination, Sinclair immersed himself in the task at hand. Upon launching the first game, he encountered relatively fundamental challenges that initially struck him as child's play. As he navigated through memory tests, spot-the-difference puzzles, math quizzes, and word-fill games, he couldn't shake the feeling that the app was somewhat patronizing.

As he progressed through the levels, the difficulty gradually increased. Annoying ads intermittently punctuated his gameplay, disrupting his focus and rhythm. Frustration bubbled up, and Sinclair couldn't help but exclaim, "Damnit!" Recognizing their impediment, he promptly opted for the ad-free version, deeming it a small price for uninterrupted gaming.

The initial ease of the games was quickly replaced by tasks that demanded sharper focus and quicker reflexes. His screen time stretched from minutes to hours, his fingers dancing over the touchscreen, his eyes darting to catch subtle differences, and his brain working in overdrive. After a particularly challenging set, he could feel a light throb in his temples and a burn behind his eyes.

He decided that was enough for the day. As he prepared to shut down the game, he noticed the familiar notification icon at the corner of his screen. With anticipation and trepidation, he mentally tapped on it, eager to see what his efforts had wrought.

Your base stats have changed!

+3 Intelligence

+4 Willpower

New Skill: Meditation (Uncommon)

Description: You can meditate.

Effects:

1) +2 to Willpower

2) +2 to Intelligence

New Skill: Freyja's Foresight (Rare)

Description: Freyja, often associated with love, beauty, and fertility, is also revered for her foresight and wisdom. Your mind has achieved the extraordinary ability to maintain focus on two separate subjects simultaneously, enhancing your multitasking capabilities. This skill also allows you to compress mental training time, granting you faster skill acquisition and cognitive growth.

Effects:

+5 Intelligence

Mental training time reduced by 20%

Skill acquisition increased by 20%

Sinclair winced as the sudden influx of mental power hit him like a tidal wave. A sharp, blinding pain, focused entirely within the confines of his skull, left him momentarily disoriented.

For a moment, he felt as if every neuron in his brain was lighting up simultaneously. Each spark of cognition was sharper, more precise, and more intense. His previous experiences of stat increases had been more subtle, gradual—a growing sensation rather than a sudden jolt. But this? This was like flipping a switch, a rush of heightened awareness and clarity, as if a veil had been lifted.

He took a deep breath, attempting to ground himself amidst the whirlwind of sensations. "Guess the mind doesn't quite like rapid expansion as much as the muscles do," he mused aloud. While he appreciated the enhanced capabilities, he mentally noted to be cautious about how he approached any future boosts to his intelligence. The power was alluring, but the process? It was not something he was eager to repeat anytime soon.

SInclair's phone squawked and he glanced down to see there were new messages in the group chat he had with his closest friends.

Ed: Hey buddy, I know you are probably doing your whole sad hermit thing, but you should come out with us tonight and relax. You're on vacation anyway, so why not use it to hang with your best friend?

Alice: You mean friends? There is more than just you. LOL.

Rose: Drinks and grub down at Red Branch Brewery. That's your favorite place, right? You know you will enjoy it. Plus, you think the bartender's hot...

Reading through the message chain, he had no choice. When the family calls, you answer. They might not have been blood-related, but that never mattered to him. The changes to his body might be… interesting to hide. In this heat—or lack of it— he could probably wear a baggy hoodie, but there was no way his friends wouldn't notice he looked different. I'm not ready to divulge all the details yet, not when I'm still processing it all myself!

Sinclair: All right, already. I will go. Does 6 pm sound good to everyone? I'll Uber out there once I've finished a few things around the house.

Ed: Sounds good to me. See you then, studly

Rose: Did you really just call him studly?

Ed: Yeah. Pretend that didn't happen.

Alice: Sinclair, I'll put in a good word for you with the bartender before you get there.

Sinclair: Please stop.

Groaning, he closed his phone and returned to planning the rest of his day. He had already trained stats for strength, endurance, and mind. Sinclair sighed, pacing around his room. These changes were intriguing and beneficial, but they brought their own set of challenges. He needed to blend in and appear as normal as possible, even when everything inside him was screaming, "Look at me, I'm Superman!"

Glancing at his reflection, Sinclair noted the changes once more. I could try and get ahead of the narrative? "Been doing some pilates," he'd quip with a laugh, "and you won't believe the stretch it gave me!" Or perhaps, "Hey guys, I hit puberty and had a growth spurt!" He cringed just thinking that.

Chuckles aside, he recognized the challenge ahead. He had always been resourceful and adaptable. And with his newfound abilities? There was no telling how far he could stretch those skills. He felt a smirk playing on his lips. Tonight, he'd face his friends, and he'd handle it. Because in the grand scheme of things, explaining a sudden increase in bulk was the least of the mysteries he was grappling with.

Heading back outside, he decided to set up an obstacle course. If he was creative with the obstacles, he could set up something that was half parkour, half hurdles and half Assassin's Creed. Half awesome, too. It would be an excellent way to test his agility and reaction speed.

Ten minutes later, Sinclair was moving through his new obstacle course; the challenge of the agility-based workout starkly contrasted with his usual brute strength activities. The weights he'd strapped to his body added an extra layer of complexity. His muscles protested with each Plyometric jump, but he relished in the strain, knowing it was sculpting him into something better, more versatile. He remembered the football drills from school, but this... this was on a completely different level. With every repetition, he could feel his agility improving.

Sinclair's thoughts veered to the existential. What did 'reaching the top' even mean in this new world? Was there a pinnacle, an endgame? Or was it a continuous journey of self-improvement with no visible finish line? Or will I wake up and discover this was all a dream? I really hope not.

As the existential questions swirled, a stark realization came to him: he wasn't doing this for any profound reason or predetermined destiny... he was doing it because it felt right. Sinclair had always been a jack-of-all-trades, dabbling in myriad activities and becoming proficient in most. He loved a challenge, more than anything, and this was just another one. He didn't care about excelling just for the sake of excelling, or even for a particular goal, but rather because his newfound reality had reawakened a desperate need to always jump head first into the new and unknown.

*****

Kafor and Heroti monitored Sinclair's vitals on-screen. Most of what they had seen—both live, and on the logs—was to be expected, although the human's stat growth had been right at the top end of projections, verging into the unbelievable. The one thing they couldn't understand was the reference to an unknown entity watching. Since spotting the abnormality in the logs, the two now-Dragonkin had spent every opportunity on diagnostics to work out who was interfering with their experiment. This was still unexplored territory. There weren't any other active planets within several million light years. No-one should have been out here at all.

Nevertheless, scans of the planet kept coming up abnormally. The planet already had a dormant ley line system in place, which was impossible. There were existing mana nodes, albeit fractured or dead; this too was impossible. Kafor and Heroti had decided to slow their plans down. Instead of monitoring on the way out of the galaxy, which took months to traverse, they would now stay in planetary orbit while they attempted to answer these questions. "Did you see his nutritional needs spike?" Heroti asked.

"Yes, he will have to find better food sources. His internal mana will help, but it is not the same." Kafor rubbed the bone plates on his neck, sighing. Should we open the dimensional training zones early so he can start leveling and earning ? Once he has access to the Market, he will be able to buy more advanced foods.

"Now? We normally give beings a standard month before we open up the Market, so that they can take their time through the tutorial. Anyway, we had to sacrifice that function so our changes didn't trigger any alerts. "

They both stood there, pondering the best way to approach helping the human "We both know how important this is to us; let us not rush anything. Tomorrow we shall make the first realm available to him." Heroti said.

Kafor agreed with a contented sigh, "You are right. He has a long and difficult road ahead. He should have a night to spend with his friends before the real challenges start. We shall begin tomorrow."