Just like that, Zeke was a month away from being 3 years old. He also gained a lot in the past month not only in his stats but also in his skills. He didn't get any +int anymore from reading books in their study so he allotted most of his time in his Mana Circulation training.
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Ezekiel Flamehaven
Male; 2 years old
Pure Blooded Half-Dragon
Titles: Otherworlder; Unrestrained; Pandora's Champion; Perfect Mana Core User; Undying;
Str: 365
Agi: 322
End: 402
Int: 463
CP: 65
Skills: Aura; Mana Skin;
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'This is fast. My stats alone is already almost equivalent to 10% of my parents! This is broken!'
*Yes and No, Zeke. The stats you're getting from the daily quest isn't fixed, and it is dependent on what aspect you need to train. The reason you're getting stat points is that your daily quest up until now focuses on strengthening your body as well as your control over mana. If I deem your stats enough for your age, I'll naturally change the rewards.*
'Spoilsport. Why won't you just let me farm this so I could get stronger faster?'
Zeke inwardly grumbled. He felt restricted when he learned about the system changing the rewards.
*Excessive strength at your age isn't good, Zeke. You are already overpowered at your age, and it's not like I or Mr. Pandora wants to restrict you, but it's for your own safety and future.*
'What do you mean by that? Restricting me because of my safety?'
*Limits, Zeke. It's the limitation of all mortal bodies. Do you know how strong you are right now?*
'I don't. I only know that I'm much much stronger than my peers. Is that enough for an answer?'
*No, Zeke. Your current sheer strength is on par with a normal mortal adult at his prime. Do you realize how strong that is for a 3-year-old? Your body's capability alone is comparable to a 20-30-year-old mortal in his prime!*
'R-really? I'm that strong right now?'
Zeke was honestly shocked. He didn't have an exact grasp of his strength, but he didn't expect to have that much.
'But it still doesn't explain limitations. Wouldn't it be better for me to get stronger as soon as possible?'
*It is as you say, Zeke. It's better to be strong as soon as possible but you must know that your current strength is almost at the maximum your body could bear. Any more and it will only strain your muscles. Did you forget what your Father said? Don't overexert yourself.*
'What is this limit? Why is it so easily reached?' Zeke frowned inwardly.
*Not at all, Zeke. This limit is not something any and most mortals could reach. Have you heard of any children possessing sheer strength comparable to an adult in his prime?*
'W-well, no... But..!'
*You reached your body's limits due to the rewards. I am happy to make you stronger but in terms of sheer power, I'm afraid your body can't handle any more strengthening. No, it's not that it can't handle anymore, it's that your muscles reached the limit of a 3-year-old's physique. It can still handle a bit more, but after that, I'm afraid you reached the extreme mortal limits of your body at your age, Zeke.*
The voice didn't contain any feelings and it was always the same monotonous tone, but Zeke seemed to have been poured a bucket of cold water.
Zeke couldn't reply to the system. He thought over it, and it was indeed plausible. Maybe it's really the limit of his body right now?
'You said it's my limit at my age, so you mean this limit will also increase as long as I grow up?' Zeke suddenly thought of it and a bulb suddenly lit in his mind. It seemed like he understood the System.
*Naturally, Zeke. I merely said it's the limit for someone at your age. This limit will naturally disappear in the future when you grow to a certain age.*
'I see... I'm sorry for doubting you, System. I should've known.'
Zeke forgot about the system's objective, which was to help his user to the best of its capabilities. It wouldn't make sense for his system to screw him up, right? After all, the death of the user meant the death of the system inside.
*No offense taken, Zeke. Although I don't have and feel emotions, I understood your concern. Anyone would want to get strong, after all. It's just that you are already insanely strong for your age.*
Zeke suddenly had enlightenment. He realized that he was indeed working tirelessly in the past two months. Normally speaking, people wouldn't work that hard at his age and would only play around for a bit. He, however, trained all day long after his mana core formed. It was truly possible for him to reach the 'limit' of his body when the system's help is added to his insane robotic routine. He realized that he was indeed a bit too impatient. He felt a bit embarrassed when he thought of the childish and immature behavior earlier.
Amidst his embarrassment, the system seemed to console him.
*However, it doesn't mean you can't improve in other areas. Sheer power of the body isn't the only available power in this world after all.*
'What do you mean, System?'
Although Zeke was excited, he tried to suppress it as he feared he'd be impatient again.
'Skills. You still have to practice the Elemental Mana Circulation after Mana Circulation, right? You only need one more level to start Elemental Mana Circulation.*
'Right! I'm on the verge of level 4, maybe I could level it up today!'
Zeke's mood lightened when he thought of it. He cheerfully went out of the bed and walked outside. Although he wouldn't get stats that much anymore, it became his morning routine and he would get a penalty if he didn't.
Outside his house, he saw the three girls who he considers his childhood friends. Throughout the last month, Zeke got to know the trio.
Gaia was a shy but headstrong girl. As their first and formal encounter with her, she was a bit shy before strangers but as soon as they spent a bit of time with each other, he got to know her real self. She was a likable girl who wants to do new things. When she saw Zeke do new exercise and workouts, she always asked him how to do it. She was willing to try new things and challenger herself and that made Zeke like her. She was also quite mature for her age and Zeke found her enjoyable to talk to.
Aura was a cheerful and quite happy-go-lucky girl. When she first joined them, she treated their morning routine as something like a game where she challenged Rosaline in a game of endurance. Of course, she lost but she blamed it as a difference brought by age. Zeke found her to be quite a bit cute and a mood setter for them. She always acts cheerfully but Zeke chalked it off as her being young.
Rosaline was a cold and sometimes emotionless girl. Zeke rarely saw Rosaline's face with emotion, and he felt like Rosaline was always poker-face even when she was tired. Although she was sweating a lot, her face remained the same. When Zeke talked to her, he was surprised to hear that Rosaline wasn't that cold when she speaks, and her tone was always warm when Zeke talked to her. When she was bothered by Aura, Rosaline would always admonish her like a big sister but would also join Aura in whatever she wanted. The two looked like biological sisters by the way they acted.
Zeke then joined them and they all started their usual morning routine.
At the end of their routine, Zeke gained a measly 2 strength and 2 endurance. In the past, he would usually get twice or even thrice as much as that so it was clear as day. It's not that the system didn't want to, it's just that there are little to no improvements needed for his current body.
He went inside the room and finished his daily quest. There, he also only got + 2 of the four stats. The random +10 stats all went to his Int. Zeke felt relieved when his Int isn't limited by his body.
'System, I've been meaning to ask. How much mana do I really have? Am I a peak low tier 1 now?'
*Yes, Zeke. By estimation, you should turn into a mid-Tier 1 after having 500 Int.*
'How do I know if I advanced though?'
*You'll feel something when you achieve 500 Int in stats, Zeke. Try to remember that as it's the only sign of breaking through as a Perfect Mana Core user. Normally, magicians could sense their mana core inside and determine their own level. You could also do it too, but do note that your mana core holds 50% or more mana than mana cores of the same level. Luckily, you started early and had my rewards, or else you'll fall far behind with your peers with only meditating.*
'Alright, I'll keep that in mind.'
*By the way, I told you about other things that you can do to improve your strength, right?*
'Yes. Do you want me to practice Mana Circulation now?'
*No. I originally thought you'd take at least half a year more before you reach your body's limits, but since you already nearly reached it, it's time for you to learn how to use your body.*
Ding!
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Progressive Quest "Combat Training"
Learn Basic Hand Techniques
Condition:
Practice the four parts of Basic Hand Techniques and achieve mastery Lvl 5 on them.
Difficulty: D
Reward:
10xp
Skill Tome (Hand Martial Arts)
Access to quest "Combat Training II"
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