The rain continued to lash against the windows, mirroring the storm brewing inside Daniel. He whispered the code word, "Open" and the translucent panel of his system tree materialized before him.
Daniel's System Tree
* Physical Prowess: 3/10 (Normal Human: < 5)
* Strength: 1/5
* Speed: 2/5
* Agility: 1/5
* Endurance: 2/5
* Mental Acuity: 5/10 (Normal Human: < 7)
* Focus: 3/5
* Intelligence: 4/5
* Memory: 3/5
* Willpower: 1/5
* Emotional Control: 2/10 (Normal Human: < 3)
* Empathy: 1/10 (Normal Human: < 1)
* Creativity: 2/10 (Normal Human: < 5)
* Perception: 3/10 (Normal Human: < 8)
* Crush Factor: 4/10
The numbers seemed to mock him. His "Willpower" had increased marginally, but it was still pitifully weak. He was a long way from being strong enough to face Miguel, let alone his father, whoever that might be. A wave of despair washed over him. His life, once filled with the promise of exciting new abilities, now felt like a cruel joke.
He opened his laptop, the screen flickering to life. He searched for news related to "Awakened Ones." The headlines were a mix of awe and apprehension:
* "Military Trials of Awakened Soldiers Show Promising Results"
* "Ethical Concerns Rise as Government Establishes Specialized Schools for Awakened Children"
* "Superpowered Individuals Becoming Hot Commodity in Global Market"
The articles spoke of government-funded research programs, military units comprised entirely of Awakened individuals, and the emergence of a lucrative black market for enhancing abilities. The world was changing rapidly, and Daniel felt hopelessly behind.
The articles described Awakened individuals with superhuman strength shattering concrete, telekinetics manipulating objects with their minds, and bio-manipulators healing injuries with a touch. It felt like he was living in a science fiction novel, a world he was ill-equipped to navigate.
He scrolled through the articles, his heart pounding. One article caught his eye: "Government Initiates Project 'Ascend': Gifted Students Transferred to Specialized Academies." It detailed the government's plan to identify and recruit Awakened individuals with exceptional potential, offering them specialized training and resources at state-of-the-art academies.
The idea intrigued him. Perhaps, he thought, if he could get into one of those schools, he could train more effectively, learn to control his abilities, and maybe even find a way to surpass Miguel. He imagined himself honing his skills, pushing his limits, becoming stronger, faster, more powerful.
But how could he get into one of these academies? What were the requirements? Were they looking for specific abilities, or was it purely based on raw power? He felt a surge of anxiety. His current abilities were nothing special. He was barely stronger than an average person.
And then, a thought struck him. The "Crush" factor... If it had subtly increased his physical prowess before, perhaps increasing it further could lead to unexpected benefits.
He needed to "crush" more girls. The thought, while unsettling, was strangely appealing. It was a challenge, a way to channel his frustration and anger into something productive, or at least, something that might make him stronger.
He looked back at his system tree. The "Crush" factor currently stood at 4/10. "Perhaps," he muttered to himself, "a more aggressive approach is necessary."
He closed his eyes, picturing the faces of the girls he had "crushed" on. He felt a strange sense of unease, a nagging doubt that this was the right path. But the desire for power, for revenge, overshadowed his misgivings. He needed to become stronger, and he would do whatever it took.
He opened his eyes and focused on the system tree, channeling his determination into the "Crush" factor. He would increase it, no matter the cost. He would become stronger, faster, more powerful. He would get into one of those academies, and he would make them pay for what they had done to his mother.
He spent the rest of the night researching the academies, their admission criteria, and the training programs they offered. He discovered that these academies were highly competitive, with rigorous selection processes. He needed to stand out, to demonstrate exceptional potential.
He returned to his system tree, the numbers staring back at him like a challenge. He needed to increase his "Physical Prowess," improve his "Mental Acuity," and enhance his "Emotional Control." The "Crush" factor, he realized, was just one piece of the puzzle.
He spent the next few days meticulously planning his strategy.
He would focus on increasing his "Crush" factor while simultaneously working on improving his physical fitness. He would run, lift weights, and practice martial arts. He would also dedicate himself to improving his focus and mental acuity through meditation and rigorous academic study.
He knew it wouldn't be easy. It would require discipline, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of his goals. But he was determined. He would not let his mother's suffering be in vain. He would overcome his limitations, he would become stronger, and he would make them pay.
The rain had stopped, but the storm within Daniel raged on. He was on the verge of a transformation, a metamorphosis that would forever alter the course of his life. He was no longer just a boy with a system tree. He was becoming something more, something dangerous.
The list lay before him on his desk, a stark reminder of his ambition. At the top, scrawled in his messy handwriting, was the name 'Sarah'.
Sarah. Miguel's girlfriend.
A shiver ran down his spine. This was a dangerous game, a high-stakes gamble. But the thought of surpassing Miguel, of besting him in every way, fueled his resolve. He had to win Sarah.
He began to formulate a plan. First, he needed to make himself noticeable. He couldn't just rely on the "Crush" factor to do the work. He needed to be seen, to be heard. He decided to start small, with subtle acts of kindness. He would help Sarah with her homework, offer her a ride home, and engage her in casual conversation. He would be charming, witty, and attentive.
He knew he had to be careful. Miguel was fiercely possessive. One wrong move, one misplaced word, and he could find himself facing the wrath of the "Hulk." But the allure of victory, the prospect of not only surpassing Miguel but also undermining his authority, was too tempting to resist.
He glanced at his system tree again. The "Crush" factor remained at 4.2, a stubborn plateau. He needed to find a way to break through. He needed to ignite a genuine connection, to make Sarah truly desire his attention.
He thought about his recent research on the academies. They emphasized not just raw power, but also leadership, charisma, and the ability to influence others. Perhaps, he mused, the "Crush" factor wasn't just about physical attraction. Perhaps it was about power, about control, about bending others to your will.
A chilling realization dawned on him. This wasn't just about increasing his power; it was about manipulating others, about playing with their emotions. He felt a pang of unease, a flicker of guilt. But he quickly suppressed it. This was a game, and he was playing to win.
He looked back at the list, a cold glint in his eyes. Sarah was just the first step. There were other girls on the list, each representing a piece of the puzzle, each a stepping stone on his path to power. He would charm them, manipulate them, and use them to achieve his goals.
He had embarked on a dangerous path, a path that could consume him. But he was determined to see it through. He would become stronger, he would surpass Miguel, and he would make them all pay.