Over the next few days, I practiced using the Box of Dimensions. With Benny's guidance, I slowly became more proficient at creating objects that I would later erase, recreate, and erase again.
Each time I created something, I grew more and more confident. Each night, I fell asleep dreaming of the possibilities.
The process itself wasn't too difficult to understand. The routine was simple, but putting in the work drained me heavily.
While the Box of Dimensions allowed me to create and manipulate the world within and strengthen my ability to use Imagination Amplification, it could also be beneficial to incorporate other methods to strengthen and sharpen the mind. Meditation and physical exercise can both help improve the ability to focus and strengthen the body and mind.
According to Benny, meditation could help in a plethora of ways besides just improving concentration and focus. It allowed me to think clearly and broadened my perspective. This could be beneficial in creating more intricate and complex objects or environments within the box. It could also help improve the ability to visualize and manipulate things, making it easier to control Imagination Amplification. It was thanks to Benny's training regimens and advice that I had been able to improve at creating detailed and precise objects.
On the other hand, physical exercise could help increase stamina and endurance. This could make it easier to maintain Imagination Amplification for longer periods, making it easier to create larger and more complex creations. It could also help improve mental clarity and focus, which could further enhance the ability to concentrate during the creative process.
Overall, the Box of Dimensions was a powerful tool that could help develop and strengthen the ability to create and manipulate within the box.
I followed Benny's advice and incorporated meditation and physical exercise into my routine. Every morning, I woke up and did a few minutes of meditation. Then, I did some stretches and a quick workout. Finally, I would have a light breakfast and head to school.
Throughout the day, I would focus on the lessons and try to learn as much as possible. Acquiring knowledge and focusing in class was essential it was similar to meditation in increasing focus.
I found it to be quite difficult to be doing so many things throughout my day but I felt that besides training my mind I was improving as a person. I was becoming more focused, more disciplined, and more determined.
And it was all thanks to Benny and the Box of Dimensions. My progress was oddly fast, which surprised Benny. During my school break, Benny commented, "You already have a grasp on what you need to do. Continue doing what you are doing, Thomas."
At the end of the school day, I would head home and continue my training. I would spend hours creating and manipulating objects within the box. I would try to push the limits of my imagination and challenge myself to create bigger and better things.
And each night, I would go to bed exhausted but satisfied, knowing that I was getting closer and closer to becoming a worthy Author of Life I could be.
By the end of the week, I was feeling pretty good about my progress. I'd mastered creating simple objects, and I was able to create some more complex things, like buildings and even some vehicles. I would create and erase over and over again. While I was doing this, I noticed that the tree I had first created was growing bigger everyday. Its leaves were now many shades of colors that encompassed the rainbow and its trunk was growing thicker. I would have asked Benny why the tree was growing, but I was too focused on creating and erasing my creations.
I couldn't help but wonder if I was finally ready to move on to the next step.
"I believe you are," Benny said, reading my thoughts. "You have progressed well and shown great determination and dedication. You are almost ready to create a world within the box."
My heart swelled with anticipation but also fear. The weight of what I was about to do had begun getting to my head. It was hard to believe that this was all real.
"Thank you, Benny! I couldn't have done it without you, but is this really the right thing to do?"
"Don't thank me yet," Benny replied. "This is only the beginning. Creating a world is a big responsibility, and you must take it seriously."
"I will," I promised, the gravity of the situation settling in.
"Then let's begin," Benny said. "This will be a long process that will take days. We must make some preparations first. I advise you to erase all objects you have created besides the great tree."
"Alright," I agreed, closing my eyes before concentrating on the box. I asked, "why should I keep the tree?"
"It is your first creation and one that will be of incredible importance in the future. You should be proud, and when you ever waver, remember it." I smiled and blinked in thought. Then I concentrated on my task.
Slowly, all the objects I had created within the box faded away, leaving only the great tree.
"Good," Benny said. "Now, we must prepare the environment in which the world will reside. Let's begin by creating a sun first. Think of the warmest, brightest day you can remember, and envision it within the box. Imagine a great and powerful sun."
I did as he said, focusing on the image of a bright, warm sun. I felt the energy of the box amplifying my imagination, and I poured all my energy into creating the perfect sun.
The heat and light of the sun began to fill the void within the box, and soon, the Great Tree was basking in the warmth of a brand-new sun.
"Excellent," Benny said. "The creation of an entire sun is a great feat. Congratulations. You must feel an incredible amount of fatigue yes?"
"Yes," I said, feeling the overwhelming mental and physical exhaustion.
"Rest for a few days. We will continue when you are well-rested and make sure to continue your training."
I nodded but wondered why the sun exerted me so much, so I asked Benny, "why did this exert me so much? How is my exhaustion measured?"
"Great question. To put it simply, the exhaustion you feel has to do with your own experience. Since the sun is important to you and humans as a whole, it is only natural that it would exhaust you."
I rubbed my chin with my fingers in thought and replied, "what about creating the world?"
"Creating the world will exhaust you even more since its importance overrides the suns. You physically experience the world in more ways than one. You feel the elements such as the rain, wind, or the grass beneath your feet."
Interesting. I suppose what Benny said made some sense, but the measurements left me slightly skeptical. I guess it was all subjective. Shortly after the brief conversation, I lay in bed and fell asleep thinking about the future.
***
As the sun rose on another day, I woke up feeling more energetic and refreshed than I had in a long time. I made my usual breakfast, a bowl of cereal and some fruit, and ate quickly before heading out the door.
I spent most of the days alone. I hardly ever saw my parents due to their busy jobs that kept them away from home for long periods of time.
I always had the option of talking to Benny, who lived in the Box of Dimensions and was a part of my psyche, but he was often busy instructing me on how to use the box and helping me create things.
Today was no different.
I headed to school feeling bright and eager to learn. The teacher assigned us a few math problems, and I spent the majority of the class working on it. I wasn't particularly good at math, but I found the challenge refreshing.
At lunch, I sat at my usual table alone, listening to the chatter of the other students around me. I didn't really mind being alone. It was easier that way.
But today was different.
I had a strange sense of energy coursing through my veins. I felt like a completely different person, like the old me had been replaced by someone stronger, smarter, and braver.
I wasn't the only one who noticed. Kyle, a southern kid with a southern accent from my geometry class, whom I got along with, approached me.
"Hey Thomas, why are you acting differently today? You seem happy."
"Well," I paused, trying to figure out the right words. I wanted to keep the Box of Dimensions a secret so I simply said, "I've just had a good week is all."
Kyle looked at me for a moment and then shrugged. "Well, whatever it is, I'm glad you're doing better."
"Thanks," I said, genuinely meaning it.
"Maybe you can come hang out with me and my friends today at lunch," Kyle said, pointing to a group of kids who were laughing and joking. "I think they'd like you."
"Thanks, I'll take you up on your offer," I said, standing up, but my pessimistic thoughts instructed me to sit down. I felt incredibly anxious, but I pushed those thoughts aside.
"Cool, let's go then," Kyle said.
I joined Kyle and his friends for the rest of the lunch period, and I felt more accepted than I ever had before. Things seemed to be looking up for me.
As I walked to the gym for my Physical Education class, I couldn't help but notice the change in my body. My muscles felt strong, and my lungs were able to hold more air. I had never been particularly athletic, but now I felt like an entirely new person.
When the teacher announced that we were going to run a mile, I was the first one to the track. As the others joined me, I could feel their eyes on me, wondering why the shy, quiet kid was so eager to run.
The teacher blew the whistle, and we started running. At first, I stayed in the middle of the pack, but as we neared the halfway mark, I pushed myself to go faster.
As I passed the other runners, I felt a rush of energy coursing through my veins. My breathing was steady, and my muscles were strong. I didn't feel tired at all.
As I crossed the finish line, the teacher stared at me, disbelief written all over his face.
"How did you do that, Thomas?"
It was then that I noticed that I had been improving fast. Too fast in an almost inhuman way. In only a few days I was able to reach almost peak athleticism. I knew it was due to the Box of Dimensions and Benny's training, but I couldn't tell him that.
"Just lucky, I guess," I said, shrugging.
The teacher gave a skeptical look, nodded and gave me a pat on the back.
I looked over the teacher's shoulder and read the stopwatch, "5:52." My expression turned from indifference to shock 'Incredible! Under six minutes? I usually take seven minutes to run the mile.'
I spent the rest of the class feeling like a completely new person. As the final bell rang, signifying the end of the day, I packed up my things and headed home, feeling like a changed man.
As I entered my house, I went straight to my room and pulled out the Box of Dimensions. It was time to start the next step in my journey.