CH 2: Getting Acclimated

[There aren't that many, master. Those were only the surface-level skill trees.]

"THERE'S MORE?! How am I supposed to learn all of that?"

[With enough time and a system assistant like me to help you, I'm sure you can manage it. Just take it one step at a time.]

"Jeez," I said, taking a deep breath and calming myself down. "Alright. The first step is to figure out my situation. Is there anything you can tell me that will help?"

[The only information I am able to disclose is what you've already surmised or observed. Beyond that, you do not have the power to learn it yet.]

"Yet? How can I get that power?" I asked in a hurry.

[By upgrading the mind skill tree to a sufficient degree, I can impart knowledge to your brain directly.]

"Sweet. How do I upgrade the mind skill tree?"

Every word besides 'Mind' disappeared on the system page. The word moved to the top and more information filled out the rest of the screen.

…

Mind:

Perception: N/A

[Strength of the 5 senses of the mind (Sight, Hearing, Smell, Touch, Taste). Allows for control over sensitivity and range of senses. ]

Acquity: N/A

[Ability to disregard human impulse, hormones, distractions, etc. for clarity of mind.]

Memory: N/A

[The mind's ability to recollect information.]

Neurotransmission: N/A

[Speed of how fast information and commands can be sent to the body. Shortens reaction time.]

Intelligence: N/A

[Amount of connections between neurons in the brain. Allows for more information to be processed at once.]

{Knowledge Skill Trees} [Locked]

…

[The mind skill trees have the following branches: Perception, Acuity, Memory, Neurotransmission, and Intelligence. Currently, you have not upgraded them yet, so they appear as non-applicable. By upgrading Memory, Neurotransmission, and Intelligence to tier one, permission will be granted for me to impart knowledge of this world to you.]

"I guess I have to level up to upgrade stuff?"

[Yes.]

I got up from the bed and headed to the door. "Well, guess I've got to go fight some mana beasts then."

[Fighting isn't the only way to gain XP, master.]

I stopped. "Oh? Then what should I do?"

[By training your body or your mind, marginal XP can be gained based on how much you improve. Since your current body is pretty weak, improving your physical state will earn a good amount of experience.]

"Hmm. I better see the butler, then. This house should have training equipment somewhere."

I opened the door which opened up to a hallway with marble floors and rows of windows.

"If I were a butler, where would I be?"

"Do you need me, sir?" A voice sounded from behind me and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I turned around and saw the elderly man standing behind me.

"Jeez, you almost gave me a heart attack," I said, putting my hand on my chest to calm my heart. "I was wondering if there is any training equipment to exercise with?"

"Training equipment? Hmm…" The man stroked his short, white goatee. "Now that I think about it, there is some equipment in the guest house. Since we never receive any guests, all the unused equipment was stored there."

"Great! Can you lead me to it?" I asked.

"Of course, young master. Right this way" The man turned around and started walking down the hall.

As I followed behind him, I got a better look at the mansion. It was a beautiful property with fountains, finely cut hedges, and paintings that catch the eye.

Outside, we walked on a pathway flanked by tall hedges that led to another smaller, but just as fancy house.

Inside, the interior was identical to the main house's. In one of the rooms was an assortment of weights and exercise equipment.

"Here we are, sir," The butler said. "Will you want your dinner here as well?"

"Hmm?" I was baffled by the amount of equipment they had. "Ah, yes. That will probably be for the best. Thank you, you may go now."

The man bowed. "Of course, young master."

He left the room and I was finally alone to train.

"Emy, what do you recommend I start with?" I asked.

A window popped up with a woman on the screen.

[Start by stretching and warming up. Your body is unprepared for any strenuous exercise right now.]

I began stretching my arms and bending over to touch my toes.

"Alright. The training arc commences."

15 minutes later…

"Haaah, haaah, haah."

After stretching and warming up, I was completely spent. On the floor and out of breath, I stared at the ceiling, panting heavily.

"Man, you were right, hah. This body is weak. Back on Earth, this wouldn't be enough to even make me break a sweat, haaah."

[After your recovery nap, you should be able to begin some light exercise.]

"Recovery nap? I don't need a *Yawn* recovery na…"

Snoring rang out through the room, coming from the skinny boy on the floor.

…

"Sir, you're dinner is ready."

As my consciousness slowly came back to me, an elderly man was over me, shaking my shoulder.

"Young master, I've brought your dinner for you," He said.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"*Yawn* Thank you."

The butler stood up and grabbed a plate from a nearby table.

"You must have worked pretty hard, sir. I've prepared a recovery meal for you."

On the plate was an assortment of meats and vegetables as well as some fruit.

"Looks delicious, thanks."

I took the plate and began to chow down. The food was as good as it looked. Every dish complemented the other and I couldn't resist finishing the whole thing in one sitting.

*Belch* "Wow, that was great."

I looked up from my plate to find the butler had already left.

"He must have left while I was eating."

I got up from the floor and set the plate on the table near the door.

"Emy, how much XP did I gain?"

A window of information faded into my vision.

…

Name: Kaiser Raijin

Level: 1

XP: 1 / 10

Status:

Health 100%

Stamina 100%

Mana: N/A

{Skill Trees}

…

[You have gained 1 experience point. Good job, master!]

"Nice. If I just do that ten more times, I'll be level two in no time."

20 minutes later…

"Haaah, haaah, haah."

[I will wake you up when your stamina is full again, master.]

"*Yawn* Thanks, Emy."

Snoring once again rang out in the training room.

…

5 hours later…

…

Name: Kaiser Raijin

Level: 2

XP: 0 / 25

Skill Points: 2

Status:

Health: 100%

Stamina: 100%

Mana: N/A

{Skill Trees}

…

"Yes! I did it!"

[Good job, master! I knew you could do it!]

I finally reached level two after five hours of exercising and sleeping over and over again.

"Skill points? That's new."

[Skill points are the points you need to advance through skill trees. Every time you level up, it will give you that number of skill points. For example, level five gives five skill points, twenty-five gives twenty-five, and so on.]

"Cool, so what can I upgrade?" I asked.

[With two skill points, you can unlock two tiers of any skill tree in body or mind.]

"Can you show me the body skill trees?"

[Of course.]

A new page appeared on the system.

…

Body:

Strength: N/A

[Amount of power generated by the body. Muscle size can be customized while retaining strength.]

Stamina: N/A

[Amount of reserves of energy in the body. Determines how long the body can generate power.]

Agility: N/A

[Ability to easily and quickly move the body.]

Endurance: N/A

[Strength of resistance to outside forces. Allows for control of bodily functions (precision of control relies on Intelligence stat).]

Flexibility: N/A

[The body's ability to contort. Allows for control over range of motion.]

{Fight Technique Skill Trees] {Locked}

…

[I would recommend starting with the mind skill trees. Training the body is easier and will gain more XP. If you upgrade the body, then improvement will be slower. But, it is up to you.]

"Hmm. You're right. I'll go with Memory and Neurotransmission to start."

[Performing upgrade.]

"This won't hurt ri–"

Suddenly, a searing pain pierced through my head. Everything I've seen since I've got here flashed through my mind at once.

"Arggh"

I held my hand and fell to my knees. Then, just as quickly as the pain came, it disappeared, leaving a quiet ringing noise.

[Memory upgrade completed. Try it out. You should be able to remember everything that's happened recently very clearly.]

I did as she said and recalled the events from the past twelve hours. Images, sounds, smells, and even how things felt were as clear as if I was living through it again a second time.

"Wow, this is crazy. It's like I've got a photographic memory."

[With the first tier of memory, you should be able to perfectly recall anything within a week. After that, anything up to a month ago will be pretty accurate but not as precise.]

"I still can't believe this stuff. It's only now setting in how insane this all is. One second I'm about to graduate college and the next I'm living out my dreams of when I was a kid."

[I'm glad you view this as a good experience. When we first met, I was unsure how you would acclimate.]

"Well, now that I've been here for a decent amount of time, I have to say, this is great. Back on Earth, I didn't really have any aspirations. I was just trying to please my parents. I guess they don't have to worry anymore." I chuckled. "I'm glad I got a sentient system. If I got one that didn't even talk, I would still be freaking out."

[We're in this together Lucas. I've been having fun so far.]

"Thanks. I'm glad I've got someone to talk to."

[Are you ready to begin the Neurotransmission upgrade?]

"Hit me."