<h4>Chapter 7: Preparation</h4>
"Huff, fuck this!"
"Ughr -thre-e, hah"
[Master, please keep your back straight. Maintaining proper posture is crucial while performing push ups, or any form of exercise.]
Why was I doing push ups?
"Gh-hrr-fou-r!" I grunted, as I struggled toplete another rep.
In this world, you can''t survive with a weak body.
You have to be fit in case a monster attacks. With that thought, I pushed through the pain and continued with my exercise.
"f-ive?" ????????!—I counted out loud before copsing to the floor, my face getting stered to the concrete.
If someone saw my pushups, they would question if I was trying to prate the floor.
"I can''t even feel my arms," I exhaled my pain.
My body was so weak right now that I would definitely die during an invasion. No, forget invasion; even a low rank monster would be enough.
Thinking about the harsh conditions of this world, I knew I had to be strong. That''s why I asked Nano to prepare a workout n for me.
I got up and attempted push-ups again.
But, as I lowered myself down, I felt like my triceps were made of rubber.
Despite my best efforts, I was unable toplete even one rep. It felt as though my biceps and chest muscles also turned into rubber.
I flippedid my back, facing the floor mat.
My brows furrowed as I pondered, ''But there is something else that''s troubling me.''
Focusing on the air in front of me, I muttered, "Status."
──────────────────────
┌─────────────────┐
│ S t a t u s W i n d o w ?
└─────────────────┘
Name: Noah Grey
Age: 16 (+23?)(=39?)
ss: None
Rank: G-
PRIMARY STATS →
╭─────────────────────╮
│ Health: G- │ 100/ 100
│ Mana: G- │ 100/ 100
│ Strength: G- │ 100/ 100
│ Dexterity: F+
│ Intelligence: ???
│ Mana Capacity: │ 0
│
╰─────────────────────╯
SECONDARY STATS→
╭───────────────╮
│Armor: G- │ 1
│Resistance: G- │ 1
│Stamina: G-
│Charm: E-
│Durability: G- │ 1
│Flexibility: B
╰───────────────╯
SKILLS:
- None
RELICS:
-None
ART:
-None
Propensity: None
Mysteries:
[Mystery of Teleportation]
Achivments:
[Legendary Achievment! Acquired the mystery of Teleportation!]
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My mana capacity was 0, which was strange to think about.
Even a newborn baby would have a mana capacity of 5. But 0?
That''s unheard of. Every human born in this world should have a certain capacity for mana.
While it''s true that Elves have a better mana capacity than an average Human, the other three races—Rulers, Elves, and Dwarves—also have a certain mana capacity. Borderline is, that everyone has a mana capacity, its your ability/ capacity of how much atmospheric mana you can absorb into your core after all.
On the other hand, Orcs don''t use mana and rely on Aura.
But, I am a human. I have 100 mana and my mana capacity is 0.
Having mana, without any capacity to absorb it, went against thews of this world. I mean sure, your body can replenish it, but that would take a whole lot of time.
My situation served no other purpose than to remind me that, I am a paradox.
Leaving that aside, let''s focus on the current task—workout!
But, I don''t even have enough energy in my arms to pick up my water bottle, let alone do a pushup.
"Hey, Nano?"
[Yes, Master?]
"I don''t have the strength in my hands to keep going," I gasped out, taking a deep breath before continuing. "And your training program expects me to do another set of pushups, sit-ups, and go joggingter today? How am I supposed to manage that? Maybe you miscalcted my abilities."
[Certainly, it is not possible for a normal human who has never undergone any physical training in their life toplete two sets of training on their very first day, as their muscle fibers are not developed.]
"Then?"
[But with my help, it is possible for a human to continue training beyond their limits. As an advanced nanite tech of the 23rd century, I have the ability to rebuild tissue and protein structures of a human much faster than what is normally allowed.]
What the -? "What are you?" I eximed in bewilderment.
"I mean, why do you have such abilities? I thought your only purpose was to keep me alive, that''s what grandfather Hope-" my voice trailed off into sadness as I added after a short pause, "said..."
[Dr. Hope Reynar was working on a project for developing "Super Soldiers," and nano-technology was a crucial step in achieving this goal. As a result, I possess intricate abilities to train humans and develop their capabilities to reach superhuman levels.]
Just like that another bomb shell was dropped on my head.
"How exactly do you create a ''super soldier''?"
Nano exined that by changing my gic material and deploying specific genes, such as those found in spiders, ants, bees, bats, and others, they could slowly create a human with tougher bones, stronger muscles, faster reflexes, faster healing, and a longer lifespan.
But first, I had to reach the epitome of human biology. Once I reached my "limiter," as Nano called it, they would slowly transform my gic material.
A slow smirk formed on the corner of my lips as I blurted, "Nice... That does sounds pleasant."
***
It''s been a day since I got the [Mystery of teleportation], but I haven''t had the opportunity to test it.
Mysteries usually do not need mana to be used.
The reason for it was simple.
In this world, there were various forms of energy like mana, ether, demonic energy, aura, and different species had their own energy sources.
For instance, both the Demon King and Dragoth King can use mana even though they belong to a different race than humans.
Due to such aplex and diverse magical system, I decided not to restrict the usage of mysteries to any particr energy source.
Mysteries have no restrictions like what energy is needed for it to work.
But there definitely is certain price to use certain mysteries.
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?????????????? ???? ?????????????????????????? ?
Allows user to instantaneously change the ''point'' of existence.
Restrictions? Can only be used 3 times due to weak physical constitution.
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"I need to learn more about this," I let out as I made my way back from the supermarket, passing a vast green field.
With a deep breath in, I slowly approached the field and called out, "Hey Nano, be prepared in case something happens."
[Affirmative, Nano on standby]
My attention then focused on the front gate of the field, the same one that I had walked through moments before.
"This might be a yground," I muttrered to thin air as I stared intently at the gate.
I concentrated, silentlymanding, ''Teleport.''
In the blink of an eye, the scenery before me became hazy, blending the view of the gate with what I
would witness from up close.
As Inded in front of the gate, I copsed on the ground, dropping my groceries.
Waves of nausea and pain washed over me, twisting my stomach into knots.
The pressure in my head threatened to make it explode, and tears welled up in my eyes.
It was clear that teleporting had taken a heavy toll on my body.
"Blurghhh!!" whatever I had eaten in the morning was puked with a repulsive stench, and I could feel the bile rising in the back of my throat.
This continued for a full minute before I managed to stop. "Huh- fuck, why?"
The answer soon came to me, not from Nano this time, but from the status.
──────────────────────
???????????????????????? ??????????????!
Your current physical constitution is not sturdy enough to withstand spatial warping. Teleporting will result in severe harm. It is advised that you focus on strengthening your body before attempting to teleport again.
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"Guess I have no choice, but to be strong?"
As Iy on my back, gazing up at the crystal-clear blue sky, I couldn''t help but marvel at the breathtaking scenery above me.
It was such a stark contrast to the usual orange hue that I was ustomed to seeing.
I wasn''t sure if it was the excruciating pain I experienced or the soothing presence of nothingness, but my heart felt at
ease.
Despite the small pool of vomit beside me, I was peaceful in the moment.