Chapter 17: The Path of Strength
Ain stood still for a moment, watching Liam disappear into the crowd of students heading towards the school building. A feeling of determination settled in his chest, the lingering warmth of inspiration fueling his resolve. If he wanted to get stronger, if he wanted to be like Liam—stoic, untouchable, free from the world's expectations—he would have to do more than just train. He would need to prove himself worthy of attention.
"Yeah," Ain muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. "I'll get stronger first. Then I'll challenge Liam. I need to show him that I'm serious. That I can be strong too."
It was a simple thought, but it echoed in his mind like a mantra. The idea of gaining Liam's attention, maybe even his respect, wasn't something Ain had considered before. But now that he thought about it, it seemed like the only path forward. He'd spent too long letting himself be a victim of his own weakness. Liam was right. Strength was the key, and Ain had already taken his first step on that road.
Ain pushed himself into motion, heading toward the nearest restroom. The school toilet wasn't the most private place, but he needed to check his system. The walk through the hallways was a blur as his mind was focused on the mission ahead: his stats, his potential, the only thing that could save him from the world he had once been crushed by.
Entering the restroom, Ain immediately locked himself in one of the stalls. The school was buzzing with students, but in here, he could be alone with his thoughts.
Ain then leaned against the wall of the surprisingly clean school restroom, his reflection staring back at him from the mirror. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead as he took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"System," Ain said, straightening up. "Show me my stats."
The familiar blue interface materialized before him, glowing faintly in the dim light.
Status Update
Name: Ain Lalder
Age: 14
Class: Time-Travelled Fighter: Intermediate Novice Boxer
Martial Level: 3
Attributes:
Strength: 13.5/15 (+3 system reward)
Speed: 13/15 (+3 system reward)
Endurance: 13/15 (+3 system reward)
Stamina: 10/15 (+3 system reward)
Combat Power: 14.5/15
Charm: 9/15 (realistically feels like a 7)
Fighting Potential: 16/15 (+3 system reward)
Boxing Points: 50,000 (from system rewards)
Ain's eyes scanned his stats, and a wide grin spread across his face. "Not bad at all. I feel like a completely different person. This system... it's insane."
Still, something gnawed at him. He wanted more. Why settle for "good" when he could be the best?
"Okay, let's push these stats to their limits," Ain said, excitement building. He tapped on the "Strength" attribute.
Would you like to max out this stat? Cost: 6 Boxing Points.
He confirmed, and immediately, a surge of power coursed through him. His fists clenched instinctively, the muscles in his arms tightening like coiled springs.
"Holy crap. This is amazing," Ain muttered, flexing his arms. "System, show me the updated stats."
Updated Attributes:
Strength: 15/15
Speed: 13/15 (+3 system reward)
Endurance: 13/15 (+3 system reward)
Stamina: 10/15 (+3 system reward)
Combat Power: 14.5/15
Charm: 9/15 (realistically feels like a 7)
Fighting Potential: 16/15 (+3 system reward)
Boxing Points Remaining: 49,994
Ain's grin widened. "One down. Let's keep going." He repeated the process for Speed, Endurance, and Stamina until all his stats hit their maximum.
Maxed Attributes:
Strength: 15/15
Speed: 15/15
Endurance: 15/15
Stamina: 15/15
Combat Power: 15/15
Charm: 9/15
Fighting Potential: 16/15
Boxing Points Remaining: 49,976
A new system prompt appeared.
The host has reached the maximum stats for a 14-year-old. To increase capacity, it costs 3,000 points. Proceed?
Ain's brow furrowed. "It's pricey, but worth it." He confirmed.
Attributes After Capacity Increase:
Strength: 16/21
Speed: 16/21
Endurance: 16/21
Stamina: 16/21
Combat Power: 16
Boxing Points Remaining: 46,976
Ain felt another rush of energy. His body seemed to grow lighter yet sturdier, as though he could run a marathon and still fight a battle afterward.
"Let's max it out again," Ain said. He used more Boxing Points to push each stat to 21.
Maxed Attributes After Upgrade:
Strength: 21/21
Speed: 21/21
Endurance: 21/21
Stamina: 21/21
Combat Power: 21
Boxing Points Remaining: 45,976
Note: Untill natural growth maximum capacity cannot be increased again
A system notification appeared.
Congratulations on surpassing the maximum capacity. Choose one of three rewards:
Two Right Hands: Grants ambidexterity.
Business Genius: Enhances negotiating skills.
New Random Attribute.
Ain didn't hesitate. "Random Attribute. Let's see what I get."
You have unlocked: Charisma.
New Attribute:
Charisma: 30 (inflated due to strength exceeding age limit).
Ain raised an eyebrow. "Charisma? That's unexpected. But maybe it'll come in handy."
Another notification popped up.
Unsealed 0.1% of the system's power.
A skill rank-up system is now available. Skills can be ranked up using Boxing Points.
"Now we're talking," Ain said, his excitement growing. He decided to test it out by ranking up **Improvised combat **from Rank E to Rank C.
Skill Rank-Up Costs:
Rank E → Rank D: 5,000 Points
Rank D → Rank C: 10,000 Points
Ain spent 15,000 points to upgrade the skill.
**Updated Skills: **
**Improvisedcombat :** Rank C
Boxing Points Remaining: 30,976
Another prompt appeared.
Choose one of three rewards for your first triple rank-up:
Inspector's Eye (F Rank): Enhanced perception of combat power for stronger opponents.
I Got Bald But Didn't Get Stronger (F Rank): 2% chance of being scouted by a monk, but 70% chance of permanent hair loss.
I Am a Tree (E Rank): 10% chance to negate seduction attempts with a cooldown.
Ain rolled his eyes at the second option. "Who writes this stuff? Obviously, I'm going with Inspector's Eye."
He upgraded it further, maxing out the skill at Rank B for 30,000 more points. His remaining balance was now 976.
Final Skills:
Inspector's Eye: Rank B (Enhanced detection of combat power for stronger opponents more details like height and other physical factors note cannot detect if a stat is more than 55 points higher than the host).
Ring Ring Rin
Hearing the school bell Ain stretched his arms, feeling stronger and more capable than ever. And made his way to his classroom sitting in his normal seat
Ain felt a sense of relief as he looked at his combat power. It was the highest it had ever been. But that wasn't enough. He needed more. Much more.
"If I'm going to stand a chance against people like Liam… I need to keep going," he whispered. "I need to push beyond these limits. I'll find a way."
His heart pounded with anticipation, but his mind was already planning. Training would have to be more intense than ever. And once he was strong enough, once he had proven himself, he would challenge Liam, ask him to be friends, maybe even work together to become stronger. Ain couldn't help but feel that Liam, despite his cold and distant nature, held some sort of key to unlocking his full potential.
Ain closed the system interface and sighed, feeling a bit more focused. He wasn't the type to set his sights on other people often, but the path of strength had changed everything. It was no longer just about surviving. It was about becoming someone worth admiring.
---
Meanwhile, Liam walked through the crowded hallways with his usual nonchalance. He was used to the stares, the whispers, and the way people parted like a sea around him. The thing about Liam was that, unlike most of the other strong students in the school, he didn't try to use his strength to control others or put on a show. He was, in his own words, "content with being left alone."
His white hair, though unusual and striking, was one of the main things that attracted attention. Combined with his pale skin and light blue eyes, he had an almost ethereal appearance—like someone who belonged to a different world. It was the kind of look that made people feel both intrigued and distant. The girls in his class, though they were all enamored with him, were the least likely to ever get close. His beauty was almost a curse, as it seemed to create more distance than closeness.
Liam had never been interested in relationships, never found anyone who could really get through his emotional walls. He had seen the desperation in the eyes of girls who thought they could tame him, and it made him more resolute in his decision to remain single. People often assumed that someone with his looks would be a womanizer, but Liam's indifference to dating had made it clear to everyone that he wasn't interested.
The only thing that mattered to him was strength, and the only company he truly needed was solitude.
As he approached his classroom, Class D Art, Liam adjusted the collar of his uniform and stepped inside, his usual calm demeanor never wavering. The class was buzzing with noise, but as always, Liam seemed to be invisible to the chaos. He made his way to an empty desk at the back, where he had always sat, and set his things down. The room quieted for a moment as the students caught sight of him, but soon the noise resumed.
He ignored it, as he always did. The only thing that mattered now was the lesson, the only thing that he could truly focus on without distraction. The teacher, Mr. Arnold, walked in soon after, beginning the class with his usual round of pleasantries. But Liam's thoughts were already elsewhere.
He had grown up in an environment where survival depended on strength. His father had pushed him relentlessly from a young age, often testing him in ways that weren't just physical but mental and emotional. By the time he entered high school, Liam had already surpassed his father in terms of strength and ability. Yet, his father's lessons had left their mark. His father was a powerful man, but he had always been distant, seeing Liam as a tool rather than a son. There had been no affection, no warmth—just the cold demand for excellence.
It was those early years that had shaped Liam into the person he was today. He had no desire to be loved or admired. What he wanted was power, control over his own life. The only person he needed was himself.
Liam had chosen calligraphy as his elective subject, a quiet hobby that he could practice alone in his free time. It was something that allowed him to channel his focus, his thoughts, into something tangible. It was the perfect balance to the chaotic nature of his life. The strokes of the brush, the flow of ink on paper, were as much an art of control as anything else. And that suited him.
Despite his aloofness, however, there were moments when he couldn't ignore the reality of his social standing. He saw the way people looked at him, the way they whispered when they thought he wasn't listening. Liam knew that many students thought he was untouchable, a lone wolf. But the truth was, he was just as trapped by his own isolation as anyone else.
Liam's eyes drifted over the classroom as he absentmindedly listened to the teacher's lecture. His gaze briefly met Ain's—Ain, who was sitting in the seat infront of him by a row, completely unaware of the connection that was about to form while talking too some other boys.
Ain was different now, though. He had that look in his eyes, the one that told Liam he had made up his mind. He was someone on the verge of breaking free from his own cage, someone who had finally understood the importance of strength. Liam couldn't help but feel a hint of curiosity about him.
Would Ain succeed in his quest for strength? The thought lingered in Liam's mind, but he quickly pushed it aside. It wasn't his concern. Yet, there was something about the determination in Ain's eyes that made him wonder.
For now, Liam remained quiet and observant, waiting to see what would unfold.