Chapter 10

+1 Strength (1), +1 Dexterity (1), +1 Constitution (1), +1 Intelligence (1), +1 Wisdom (1), +1 Aptitude (6)

The message was the first thing he noticed as he opened his eyes. Just like Syn had told him, he was rewarded with stat upgrades from his hard work the day before. Scanning over the rest of his stats quickly, he also noticed his stamina had fully filled back up to a nice 105/105, while his health was at 90/100. Apparently getting hit by a truck took a rather large toll on the body, and it was still going to be another day or so before he completely healed from that one. Still, it was good to know his stamina refreshed fully each day. As an added bonus his mental health had increased, so while it wasn’t yet at 100, it was at least creeping closer, sitting at now 78/100, versus the 67/100 of the day before.

And as he looked at those numbers, he did a quick self-assessment and realized he really did feel good. Better, in fact, than he had the day before. While he wasn’t certain any of his stats would notice a major boost from their singular advances, he was proud with his growth so far, and eager to see what would come. He had a feeling all the major stats would have bonus’s once he got to 10 in them, and he wanted to know what came with it.

+2 Ambition (52), +1 Self Esteem (56), +2 Happiness (69)

Oh yeah, today was going to be a good day.

Dan quickly got himself dressed and rushed downstairs. He marveled at the fact that he didn’t feel any hint of pain, which was completely unheard of. Even when he was playing soccer nonstop, a workout like he’d done the day before would have at least left some sort of soreness. And yet, the magic of whatever it was that had happened to him, had completely washed that away. He was charged and refreshed, as good as new. It was almost like taking a long rest in a video game, and waking up fully refreshed. He couldn’t stop grinning at the thought. If this was the case, he’d climb through the ranks of tennis players in no time.

+1 Ambition (53)

“Someone seems to be in a good mood.” His dad looked up from his tablet as Dan walked into the kitchen. Every morning his dad read through the news, and various emails on his work tablet, before heading to base. It allowed him to not only catch up on anything he had missed the day before, but also gave him an edge on everyone below him. His father regularly said information was an extremely valuable resource, both on the battlefield, and real life. He who had superior information or intelligence gathered, could control the world. Or something something ‘Art of War’. Dan had never actually read the book, even though his dad insisted he should.

“Just really excited for the day.” Dan said, throwing a couple bagels in the toaster as he spoke. He walked over to the fridge, grabbing butter and a couple slices of that fake, overly processed square cheese. It was terrible for him, he knew that, but frankly it tasted good and he didn’t really care. Besides, with his newfound powers…he wondered if he even had to worry about his actual health anymore. As long as he monitored his health stats…would he be invincible?

+1 Ambition (54)

“Glad you’re enjoying St. Arthurs,” his dad commented as he turned his tablet off, looking heavily at Dan. “Really, I’m glad.” Something was off. His dad’s voice was hinting at something.

“What’s going on?” Dan asked as he turned away from the toaster, his cooking bagel taking a backseat. He could already feel his emotions leveling out, his high fading. Looking at his dad, he noticed a new weight on his father’s shoulders. He’d been a bit distracted the past couple of days, what with the accident and his new powers…he hadn’t been paying as much attention to his dad.

“There’s been a change at work.” That wasn’t good. It was never good.

“How long?” Dan cut his dad off. He knew where this was going. This was supposed to be their final move. The military was supposed to just let his dad ride out the next few years in peace, on base. And yet, he could tell, once again, the military had lied.

“Just a month.” His dad said heavily. “I leave Saturday evening.” Dan’s father looked at him, his eyes heavy. “I tried to tell them I couldn’t. With your accident, I insisted you needed me here. But, they said it was urgent,” his dad offered him a half smile, “and well, you definitely seem to be doing alright.”

Silence hung in the air for a moment, interrupted only by the ding of the toaster, telling Dan his bagels were now complete. He let them sit there for a moment, just as he let his dad sit there in silence. He didn’t know what to say. Everything had been going well…and now, his dad was being taken away from him for a month. He was going to be alone, in a now town, at his new school…for a month.

-5 Happiness (64)

“It’s fine.” He said, his voice bitter. He knew he shouldn’t be mad. This was his dad’s job, his career. His father loved what he did, and Dan couldn’t hate him for that. What he did hate though, was the military. The job kept pulling his father away from him, at the worst times. And honestly, his dad was all he had, especially after what had happened to his-

-5 Happiness (59)

He stopped there, before the tears could come. That sudden drop in happiness, a full ten points, caused a sinking feeling of despair in the pit of his stomach. Without saying anything he just grabbed his backpack, leaving his food forgotten, and headed out of the door.

“Daniel.” His father’s voice called after him, but he didn’t listen. He didn’t even turn around as he began jogging towards school. Maybe, if he ran fast enough, he could run away from this all. Maybe, if he was fast enough…he could outrun the sorrow and depression that chased after him.