The limousine ride home from school was a blur. Nate spent the entire journey lost in thought, his mind buzzing with the possibilities the Limitless Will System presented.
The attribute gains from just one day of intellectual effort and a single football practice were astonishing.
If he could achieve so much by simply existing and doing what he was already doing, what would happen if he truly focused? What if he designed a workout regimen specifically to maximize point acquisition? The phrase "Host, As long as you can imagine it you can have it" echoed in his mind, fueling his nascent ambition.
As soon as he stepped out of the limo at the Thorne estate, he made a beeline for the vast, perfectly equipped home gym.
It was a space most professional athletes would envy: rows of free weights, state-of-the-art cardio machines, a full boxing setup, and even a small indoor track.
The 'old Nate' had used it, but probably haphazardly, following a coach's generic plan. This Nate would optimize.
He started with the basics, mentally initiating a workout session with the System.
[Workout Session Initiated: Earning Attribute Points will be active.]
He began with weightlifting, focusing on compound movements: squats, deadlifts, bench presses.
His current Strength attribute of 5.5 meant he could already lift weights that would challenge a decent bodybuilder.
He started with a challenging but manageable weight, feeling the familiar burn in his muscles. As he pushed through reps, he felt the subtle hum of the System.
[Rigorous Physical Exertion Detected: +2 Strength Attribute Point]
Good, Nate thought, pushing out another squat, sweat beading on his forehead. This is working. He increased the weight slightly, determined to push his new body to its absolute limits.
Each subsequent rep felt more powerful, almost effortless, as if his muscles were adapting instantly.
[Optimal Muscle Engagement: +1 Strength Attribute Point]
[Exceptional Stamina Under Load: +0.5 Stamina Attribute Point]
[Body Adaptation: +0.2 Constitution Attribute Point]
He moved to deadlifts, focusing on perfect form, feeling every muscle fiber engage. The bar, loaded with weight, felt heavy in his hands, but not insurmountable.
He gritted his teeth, pulled, and lifted it, holding it at the top before slowly lowering it. The satisfaction of the effort was immense.
[Maximal Effort Detected: +2.5 Strength Attribute Point]
[Form Perfection: +0.5 Dexterity Attribute Point]
[Physical Resilience: +0.3 Constitution Attribute Point]
Next were sprints on the indoor track. Nate unleashed a burst of speed, his legs churning like pistons.
The initial discomfort quickly faded, replaced by a surge of raw power.
He was faster than he'd ever imagined, a blur of motion across the track.
[High-Intensity Cardiovascular Activity: +0.2 Stamina Attribute Point]
[Explosive Movement: +0.5 Dexterity Attribute Point]
[Overcoming Previous Limits: +1 Strength Attribute Point]
[Accelerated Recovery: +0.2 Constitution Attribute Point]
He then incorporated agility drills, weaving through cones with fluid, precise movements, his newfound dexterity making him feel light on his feet despite his muscular build.
He ended his session with some boxing, hitting the heavy bag with powerful, precise punches, the impact shaking the very air around him.
[Agility Drill Mastery: +0.5 Dexterity Attribute Point]
[Striking Power: +1 Strength Attribute Point]
[Sustained Focus and Precision: +0.5 Wisdom Attribute Point]
By the time he finished, his body was humming with residual energy, feeling invigorated rather than exhausted.
He checked his attributes, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
[Host: Nathaniel Thorne]
[Current Attributes:]
Strength: 13.0 (5.5 + 2 + 1 + 2.5 + 1 + 1)
Dexterity: 4.9 (3.4 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5)
Stamina: 4.3 (3.6 + 0.5 + 0.2)
Constitution: 2.0 (1.3 + 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.2)
Intelligence: 2.1
Wisdom: 1.7 (1.2 + 0.5)
Charisma: 1.5
[Unspent Attribute Points: 0]
"Unbelievable!" Nate exclaimed, his voice a low, triumphant whisper. The gains were absolutely staggering.
His Strength had catapulted to a jaw-dropping 13.0! That meant he was now thirteen times stronger than an average human – a level of raw power that could rival some of the less-powered heroes in the MCU.
This wasn't just a physical improvement; it was a complete transformation.
He felt an almost boundless well of power in his limbs, his muscles dense and ready for anything.
His Dexterity had climbed to 4.9, making him almost five times more agile and coordinated, while his Stamina reached 4.3, allowing for incredible endurance.
Crucially, his Constitution had also seen a significant jump, now at 2.0.
This meant his overall bodily resilience, durability, and recovery rate were now double that of an average human, a vital component for sustaining his rapidly increasing power.
Even his Wisdom saw a significant bump to 1.7. The system's generosity was truly overwhelming. In just two days, his base attributes had skyrocketed.
Other protagonists would likely take months, even years, to achieve these kinds of gains. For him, it was a single afternoon of focused effort.
He felt the immediate benefits. His movements were more fluid, his recovery time almost instantaneous.
He could still feel the satisfying ache of worked muscles, but it was a pleasant reminder of his gains, not debilitating pain.
His vision seemed sharper, his reflexes quicker.
He felt… alive. More so than he ever had in his previous life. This body, combined with the System, was a symphony of potential.
He was rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with, and the thought fueled his growing confidence.
As he walked out of the gym, refreshed despite the intense workout, he saw his father, David Thorne, descending the grand staircase, attaché case in hand, looking ready to leave for an evening engagement.
"Nate, there you are," David said, his voice firm but with a hint of warmth Nate hadn't heard much yesterday. "Just about to head out. How was your day? And that practice? Coach Miller called me, sounded quite impressed."
Nate beamed. "It was great, Dad. Actually, the practice was amazing. I really pushed myself." He gestured vaguely towards the gym. "Just finished another session."
David raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Another session? After school practice? You're certainly… dedicated these days." He walked closer, his gaze assessing Nate. "You look different, son. There's a… spark in your eyes I haven't seen in a while."
Nate met his father's gaze, trying to convey sincerity without revealing too much. "I told you, Dad. I want to be better. I want to make you proud."
David's stern features softened almost imperceptibly. He reached out and clapped Nate firmly on the shoulder. "You already are, son. Just keep it up. Keep that focus." He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. "In fact, I've been considering something. You've shown remarkable improvement in your studies, and now your dedication to football… I might have something for you. A challenge, if you will, to test that renewed focus."
Nate's mind immediately leaped to the System's 'Quests.' Could this be one? "A challenge, Dad?" he asked, trying to keep his voice even.
"Yes. A small project. A problem that's been… vexing our company's cybersecurity division. It involves a particularly stubborn piece of ransomware that's infiltrated a client's system. Our top guys are stumped. Given your sudden aptitude for complex problems…" David smiled faintly. "Think of it as a test. If you can even make a dent, I'll be impressed. And there might be a significant reward."
[Potential Quest Detected: "The Ransomware Enigma"]
[Reward: High Tier Attribute Points, System Upgrade Progression, Undisclosed Bonus.]
Nate's heart leaped. Undisclosed Bonus! This was it.
Not just physical training, but a real-world application of his intellect, a direct path to higher-tier rewards and System evolution.
This was how his 'OP' status would truly begin to manifest.
"Consider it done, Dad," Nate said, his voice brimming with a confidence that surprised even himself. "Just give me the details. I'll take a look tonight."
David chuckled, clearly pleased. "That's the spirit. I'll have the brief sent to your secure email. Don't stress too much about it, though. It's a tough one." He patted Nate's shoulder again before heading towards the front door. "I'll see you in the morning."
As the front door closed, Nate turned and headed back to his room, a sense of exhilaration bubbling within him.
He was not just gaining power; he was actively shaping his new life, earning his place, solving real problems, and paving the way for unimaginable upgrades.
The System's promise wasn't just a slogan; it was his destiny. His dream was unfolding, and he was ready for the next step.