Chapter 3: Adapting for Growth
By the second month of his rigorous training, Sebastian began to notice a troubling pattern. Despite his relentless focus on physical exertion—lifting heavy rocks, sprinting laps around the village, and performing countless squats and push-ups—his progress in physical stats was slowing. The System, ever precise, confirmed his suspicions:
[Physical: +1 Strength]
.
.
.
[Physical: +1 Endurance]
The gains were becoming infrequent, and it frustrated him. His mental stats, on the other hand, were growing rapidly. Every evening spent reading or play chess with the old timers yielded incremental but consistent improvements:
[Mental: +1 Intelligence]
[Mental: +1 Intelligence]
[Mental: +1 Wisdom]
[Mental: +1 Wisdom]
Sebastian sat under the shade of a gnarled oak tree, staring at his progress screen. The disparity between his physical and mental growth was undeniable. He smacked his head the answer now obvious.
"I'm still too young," he muttered. "Asta's future strength relied on years of training and natural growth. My body's not ready to maximize these gains yet. My testosterone levels will spike closer to adolescence… I need to adjust my approach."
With a deep breath, he resolved to shift his focus. For now, he would double down on his mental growth, helping the villagers and developing skills that didn't demand raw physicality. He would continue light training to maintain his base strength but leave intense physical training for later years.
Revised Daily Schedule
Morning:
1. Meditation: 30 minutes of focused breathing and mental clarity exercises.
2. Reading: Study any available books on practical knowledge (herbology, crafting, or strategy).
Afternoon:
1. Skill Refinement: Practice and improve existing skills, such as farming, cooking, or crafting.
2. Side Jobs: Assist villagers with tasks, bartering for knowledge or books in return.
Evening:
1. Strategic Games: Play chess-like games with the old timers or Yuno to develop planning and foresight.
2. Mental Drills: Memory exercises and visualization techniques to enhance focus and creativity.
3. Reflection: Review the day's progress and plan the next day.
The next few weeks saw Sebastian fully embracing his new plan. His mornings began with meditation. Sitting cross-legged on a patch of soft grass outside the orphanage, he focused on his breathing, pushing distractions from his mind. Though simple, the practice yielded unexpected results:
[Mental: +1 Focus]
[New Skill Unlocked: Meditation (Basic)]
Meditation (Basic): Enhances mental clarity and focus, aiding in stress reduction and concentration.
After meditation, Sebastian dove into books he had borrowed or bartered for. A villager who repaired tools lent him a manual on basic woodworking in exchange for help cleaning his shed. Sebastian eagerly devoured its contents, his mind buzzing with possibilities:
[New Skill Unlocked: Carpentry (Basic)]
Carpentry (Basic): Grants the ability to craft simple wooden structures and tools. Higher levels improve craftsmanship and efficiency.
In the afternoons, he turned his attention to practical work. He started helping the local fisherman repair nets and learned the basics of fishing. By the end of the second week, his efforts bore fruit:
[New Skill Unlocked: Fishing (Basic)]
Fishing (Basic): Increases proficiency in catching fish using various methods. Higher levels improve success rates and efficiency.
While assisting the blacksmith in sharpening farming tools, Sebastian's curiosity piqued. Though traditional blacksmithing was uncommon in this world, he saw the potential for adapting these methods. By observing the blacksmith's work and trying it himself, he gained another skill:
[New Skill Unlocked: Crafting (Basic)]
Crafting (Basic): Improves ability to create and repair tools and simple items. Higher levels enhance durability and complexity.
Evenings became Sebastian's favorite time of day. He often sat with Yuno or the village elders, engaging in strategic games similar to chess. These sessions were more than entertainment; they were exercises in planning and adaptation.
One night, after a particularly intense match, the System chimed:
[Mental: +1 Intelligence]
[New Skill Unlocked: Strategy (Basic)]
Strategy (Basic): Enhances the ability to plan and execute complex tactics. Higher levels improve foresight and adaptability.
Sebastian also worked on his charisma by helping Sister Lily with the younger children and assisting villagers with their problems. Whether mending fences, delivering goods, or simply listening to their concerns, he made a point to connect with everyone he met. Slowly, he noticed a change:
[Physical: +1 Charisma]
[New Skill Unlocked: Persuasion (Basic)]
Persuasion (Basic): Improves ability to negotiate and influence others. Higher levels increase success rates in convincing others.
Hage Village lacked traditional blacksmithing facilities, but Sebastian's ingenuity prevailed. Using a small fire pit, rocks, and rudimentary bellows, he experimented with heating and shaping scrap metal. Though crude, his creations—nails, hooks, and small blades—were functional.
[New Skill Unlocked: Blacksmithing (Basic)]Blacksmithing (Basic): Increases proficiency in working with metal. Higher levels enable creation of more refined tools and weapons.
By the end of three months, Sebastian's revised approach had paid off. His stats reflected his growth:
Primary Stats:
- Physical: 48
- Mental: 45
- Magic: 0
Detailed Stats:
- Physical: Strength: 12 | Speed: 10 | Endurance: 14 | Charisma: 12
- Mental: Intelligence: 17 | Wisdom: 15 | Focus: 13
Skills:
- Farming (Intermediate): Enhanced crop cultivation and efficiency.
- Cooking (Intermediate): Superior meal preparation skills.
- Climbing (Intermediate): Improved speed and grip strength.
- Sprinting (Intermediate): Faster bursts and better stamina.
- Jumping (Intermediate): Greater height and control.
-Literacy (Intermediate): Advanced reading and writing proficiency.
-Blacksmithing (Basic): Basic metalworking proficiency.
- Herbology (Basic): Foundational knowledge of plants and remedies.
- Potion Crafting (Basic): Ability to create basic potions.
- Carpentry (Basic): Craft simple wooden structures.
- Fishing (Basic): Increased fishing proficiency.
- Crafting (Basic): Improved tool-making and repairs.
- Strategy (Basic): Enhanced planning and tactical skills.
- Persuasion (Basic): Improved negotiation and influence.
- Meditation (Basic): Enhanced mental clarity and focus.
Though satisfied with his progress, Sebastian knew he was only scratching the surface of his potential. His body still lagged behind his mind, and he planned to revisit intense physical training when he turned nine, allowing time for his natural growth to catch up. Until then, he would continue refining his skills, building his knowledge, and strengthening his mental stats.