Getting Stronger [7]

Something I noticed after entering the tower was that I started to want to make all my actions logical.

Perhaps this was a side effect of having knowledge of future events.

I wasn't like this back on Earth, so it could only be the case now.

Even though I could no longer deny that my priorities were starting to change, a major part of me was still seeking justification for my thoughts while simultaneously questioning them.

However.

The more I pondered, the further I drifted from my initial plan.

What was the initial plan?

It was to steadily grow stronger while trying my best to avoid altering the course of events in the original novel setting unless absolutely necessary, all while avoiding gathering unnecessary attention.

A plan like this made total sense.

So what was the new idea brewing in me?

It was simple.

To get stronger.

To become so strong that I could bend the events of the novel to my liking.

The current me couldn't achieve this, nor would my original plan effectively make me stronger.

As more thoughts flashed through my mind, I started to realise that staying passive, while not bad, was definitely not the best course of action for my goals.

Staying passive meant I had to stay low-key.

Being low-key meant I would miss out on a lot of opportunities to get stronger just to avoid attention.

Aside from logic, I personally started to not want this.

What was the difference between my actions here and back on Earth?

In the end, I wouldn't be living my life. I would just be existing and not living the life I wanted.

In the tower, unlike on Earth, I could achieve the life I wanted with my own hands.

Being passive was not going to help me achieve that.

Yes.

I also want to be incredibly strong.

I want to be so strong that the fantasies of my inner child become reality.

Strong enough to fully experience everything this world has to offer.

Strong enough to live without fear.

Strong enough to not rely on others.

Strong enough....to be myself, the person I want to be.

At this point, I began to suspect that I was simply searching for a rationalisation to justify my true desires.

It felt like I was deluding myself, grasping for an excuse.

"....."

I turned to look at Lionel in the purple pond.

His expression had shifted from blissful to slightly pained.

'Took long enough.'

Lionel Steel.

The protagonist of Tower Ascendance.

The central figure in this world.

'I'm not him.'

And...

'I don't need to be.'

My breathing steadied.

'I want to be the protagonist of my own life.'

I clenched my fist.

'I don't need to be the strongest, nor do I want to be.'

I released my hand and gazed at the sky.

'I simply want to lead a fulfilling life on my own terms.'

It was a fresh start for me, after all.

An opportunity to rewrite my fate.

A chance to become something different.

I'll do whatever it takes to be unlike my former self on Earth.

Anything.

Turning to glance at Lionel again, who appeared to be nearing his limit, a smile spread across my face.

Anything.

'As long as it doesn't cost many lives, right?'

*

"How are you feeling?"

"Not very good. I think I should have come out earlier."

"You aren't injured, right?"

"No."

"That's good."

That was our conversation after he emerged from the pond.

'I wonder how high his stats are now,' I thought, almost tempted to ask.

How strong is the Lionel here compared to the one in the novel during these early chapters?

'It must be crazy,' I mused.

Yes.

'I've turned him into an even bigger monster.'

Just perfect.

Perfect for what we were about to do next.

"Ahh."

A sound of exclamation escaped Lionel's lips.

A dazed look overtook his face as he stared into the air with unfocused eyes.

I knew what was happening.

He was checking his status.

My curiosity intensified.

'I wonder how high it is.'

I hesitated to ask, not wanting to potentially make Lionel wary of me.

It turned out I was overthinking.

He revealed it himself to me.

"Mr Leo!"

*

'What a beast.'

I almost could not believe what I just heard despite knowing the potential of a main character like Lionel.

'And this was only the first time.'

If we weren't pressed for time, we could have re-entered the pond after resting for another round of benefits from the mana water.

'What a waste of resources.'

I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sorrow.

I conveniently ignored the fact that Lionel and I's method of strengthening ourselves was the true waste.

The fact that we were pressed for time was a blessing for nature.

However.

'What a waste.'

I couldn't help but lament.

If I were able to view Lionel's stats, based on what he had just told me, it would look like this:

*

[Status]

[Strength: F6]

[Agility: F3]

[Endurance: F5]

[Mana: F2]

{Skills}

None in possession.

{Mana Art}

None in possession.

{Special Gift}

Bind[0/1]

*

Overall, it was a drastic increase.

If we had more time on our hands, even with my weak sensitivity to mana, I should have been reaching the peak of F rank in all stats, as stats become more difficult to raise the higher they are.

If it was like this for me, then how high would Lionel's be?

Some of his stats might even enter E rank.

That was not a power most tower participants would have.

That was something only rankers, participants that have passed the tutorial and have started climbing the tower, would have.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, I turned to look at the forest not too far from us.

My muddy thoughts cleared.

Strength.

I need it.

Strength.

I want it.

Strength.

I'll Have it.

For the sake of climbing the tower and living my life to the fullest on my own terms, one I wanted to be fulfilling, I had to do a little bit more.

Ah.

Yes.

I just have to be second to one person for a while.

Then...