Michael, not wanting to hear his fathers retort, quickly sat back down closed eyes, ready to start his first training session. He immediately activated one of his skills that he got when he received the system, [Sense].
[Sense: Allows users soul to see and analyze and identify different types of energy in the environment or objects. Distance; up to a 5 foot radius from the user.]
An instant after he activated it, the area around him started to light up, as hundreds and hundreds of small, needle point sized silvery lights appeared. At first, he was a little confused as to how he could see them when he had his eyes closed, but he realized, that this was his soul seeing his surroundings. It took a couple seconds for him to get used to this.
An instant after these lights appeared, one of these many lights started to glow a bit brighter than the rest and at the same time, new, foreign information appeared in his mind in the form of a screen.
[Energy detected. Type: wind. 10 lights = 1 unit. Every 10 units devoured increases agility stat by +1. Devour 100 units to achieve rank 1 of energy type. After achieving rank 1 of an energy type, information and stats of said energy type will be added to the energy tab of user interface.]
Having new information just suddenly appear in his mind freaked him out a little bit, but he quickly regained his composure. With his sense skill still working it's wonders, he moved onto his next skill that he had received, [devour].
[Devour: Absorb and assimilate any type of energy from non-living items or the atmosphere. Speed of devouring and amount of energy assimilated depends on system stat levels. Devouring any energy will accumulate devour points. Accumulating a certain number of points will result in a system level up, granting stat points. Use said stat points to increase the level of any skill in the system stat panel.]
Now, the devour skill worked a bit differently than his sense skill. The sense skill was activated manually, but was maintained by the system until he deactivated the skill, meaning he didn't have to keep and maintain a constant focus on it. He could just activate it and leave it alone. The only condition was that he couldn't be moving or have his eyes open. If he did either one, the skill would automatically stop.
On the other hand, for the devour skill, he had to activate it manually as well as use it manually. The system didn't do it for him. The only part it took care of in this skill was after he had devoured the energy and it entered his body, where it would help him assimilate it. This skill required a bit of effort and patience as he had to first select the energy he wanted to absorb with his soul, and then will the energy into his body.
With his sense skill active, he started using the devour skill. with his mind he tried "willing" these silvery wind lights to enter his body. For the first few seconds, nothing happened as the energy did not seem to respond. So, he tried focusing a bit more and willing them a bit more, almost ordering them to enter him. That finally seemed to work as the air energy started slowly moving, making their way towards him slowly.
As the lights slowly made their way over towards him, he monitored the situation with his mind. less than a dozen of these lights had responded and were being attracted towards him. Seconds passed before the first few lights had reached him and slowly entered him through his pores on his skin, As they did, he slightly felt light breezes across his skin. It felt quite cool, and comfortable. He already started to feel like he could get addicted to this feeling. As the lights had entered, more lights had started making their way towards him.
This process of attracting, then absorption kept happening until 50 seconds later, a new message from the system had appeared in his mind.
[1 Unit of wind energy devoured. 1/10 units until next stat increase. 1/100 units of wind energy devoured until wind energy rank 1. 1 devour point acquired. 1/100 devour points until system level 1.]
Feeling beyond excited, knowing that he had officially started his journey to power, Michael had almost jumped up and disrupted his training only after a minute of starting. However, he had managed to catch himself in time and continue on with a huge grin plastered on his face. His parents didn't miss this and assumed that he had managed to make some progress. They felt even happier for him after that.
So, silence had ensued in the living room as Michael had continued his training. Minutes passed and soon, 10 minutes since he had started was approaching. In his mind, Michael was keeping track of how many units he had devoured. 8 units...9....then suddenly...
[1 unit of wind energy devoured. 10 units of wind energy assimilated. Agility stat +1. 10/100 wind energy devoured until wind energy level 1. 1 devour point acquired. 10/100 devour points until system level 1.]
As soon as this message appeared in his mind, he ended the session and opened his eyes, which were burning with excitement and amazement. He looked at his parents and gave them a large smile before saying in a tone of accomplishment "This is absolutely awesome! I have managed to increase my agility by 1 in just 10 minutes! I already feel just a tad bit faster. It feels a bit euphoric. Imagine how much I will improve if I train for an hour...2 hours..or longer. I...Is this how it usually feels when you get stronger, when you improve?"
His parents looked at him with proud smiles and nodded before his father spoke. "Indeed, yes, that is how it feels once you start training. However, keep in mind son, that training requires a focused mind and discipline. You have to work hard and keep at it to become strong. You understand?". Michael's expression turned serious instantly before he nodded his head and replied in a firm voice. "Yes father. I understand. I'll do my best to be the best. I'll surpass you too soon. You can bet on that.". His father nodded his head in satisfaction and approval. "Good, I will be looking forward to that day., However, don't expect it to be so easy. I gotta work harder to give you a challenge. HA HA!"
His laugh didn't last long as he felt a slightly painful punch on his arm. "Hey! What the he...?". before he could protest, his wife had already started speaking with Michael, completely ignoring him. "While your father may be a bit dense, hard-headed, and a training maniac, he is indeed correct. Growing strong requires hard work and dedication. Although, it is also important tio relax and take a break once in a while. Also, I have no doubt you will be stronger than me soon enough, let alone him, so son't listen to his nonsense."
"Alright, enough of this seriousness. your father and I will go to the kitchen and cook a feast to celebrate your awakening today. you can either just relax here or continue training in the meantime. If, by the time we finish cooking and you are training, we will just wait for you to finish. Sound good?". Michael nodded and his mother stood up with a satisfied smile while grabbing her husband's hand. "OK, let's go dear. Let him be while we prepares some good food for us."
With that, his mother dragged a reluctant father into the kitchen where they began to prepare a feast for all three of them. When the disappeared from the room, Michael immediately decided to resume training and get stronger as fast as possible, not willing to let any time slip by.