The faint warmth from the +1 Strength and Stamina faded, but the exhilaration remained, a buzzing undercurrent beneath Chris's skin. He had tangible proof. He had System Points. He had unlocked the Store.
His first instinct was pure curiosity. 'System, open the Store.'
The familiar blue interface shifted, displaying a new screen titled [System Store (Basic)]. It was sparsely populated.
-- SYSTEM STORE (Basic) --
ITEMS:
* [Basic Stamina Potion]: Restores 20% of maximum Stamina. Cost: 3 SP.
* [Basic Focus Candy]: Temporarily increases concentration (+1 Spirit) for 10 minutes. Cost: 2 SP.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
* [Beginner's Guide to Speed Reading]: Unlocks basic speed reading techniques. Cost: 5 SP.
* [Foundational Typing Primer]: Increases typing speed and accuracy foundation. Cost: 4 SP.
MISC:
* [System Theme Customization (Basic Colors)]: Change interface color. Cost: 1 SP.
It wasn't exactly a treasure trove, but even these simple options held immense potential. Speed reading? Faster typing? Potions? This was straight out of a game, but the implications for his real life were staggering. He only had 5 SP, enough for the speed reading guide or a combination of cheaper items. Tempting.
But before he could decide, another chime echoed in his mind, and the Quest Log automatically updated.
[NEW] Daily Quest: Foundational Knowledge
Description: A genius must constantly absorb information. Begin building your digital literacy.
Objective: Write a functional "Hello, World!" program in the Python programming language. You must understand the basic components (print function, strings).
Time Limit: 1 Hour.
Reward: +1 Intelligence, +5 SP, [Computer Science: Rank 1 - Novice] skill solidified.
Failure Penalty: Mild electric shock (Intensity 2).
Chris blinked. Intensity 2? That sounded slightly more unpleasant than the previous threat. And Python? He knew the name, knew it was a coding language, but he'd never actually written a line of code in his life. His Computer Science rank was listed as Rank 1 - Novice (Basic User), which apparently didn't even cover the absolute basics of programming.
His first instinct, honed by years of academic pressure, was to research. He turned to his laptop, opening a web browser. The system interface remained overlaid, a constant presence. He quickly searched for "Python Hello World tutorial."
The results flooded in. The core command seemed simple: print("Hello, World!"). But the quest specified understanding.
[System Reminder: Rote memorization is inefficient. True learning requires comprehension.]
Right. He couldn't just copy-paste. Chris spent the next twenty minutes diligently reading about the print() function, what parentheses were for in Python (calling functions), and why the text needed to be enclosed in quotation marks (defining it as a string literal). He even downloaded and installed the latest version of Python, following the instructions carefully.
He opened the Python IDLE (Integrated Development and Learning Environment) that came with the installation. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, a strange sense of nervousness mingling with excitement. He typed:
print("Hello, World!")
He hit Enter. The next line instantly displayed:
Hello, World!
Chime!
[Daily Quest: Foundational Knowledge - COMPLETE!]
[Rewards Issued: +1 Intelligence, +5 SP.]
[Skill Update: Computer Science Rank 1 - Novice (Basic Syntax Understood).]
A subtle wave of clarity washed over his mind. It wasn't a massive change, but thoughts seemed to flow a fraction smoother, connections forming just a bit quicker. He checked his status: Intelligence was now 19. His SP total was 10.
He hadn't even had time to fully process the intelligence boost when the Quest Log pinged again.
[NEW] Skill Quest: Observation Practice
Description: A keen eye notices details others miss. Train your observational memory.
Objective: Without looking directly at your desk again, mentally list 10 distinct items currently on its surface.
Time Limit: 5 Minutes.
Reward: +1 Spirit, +3 SP.
Failure Penalty: Mild electric shock (Intensity 1).
Ten items? From memory? He'd been sitting here for ages, but had he really been paying attention? He quickly turned his chair away from the desk, facing his bedroom wall. Okay, deep breath.
Laptop. Obvious.
Physics Textbook. Also obvious.
Empty mug. His usual water mug.
Pen. The one he dropped earlier.
Notepad. For scribbling quick notes.
Desk Lamp. Essential for late-night study.
Mouse. Connected to the laptop.
Smartphone. Face down near the edge.
Calculator. His trusty TI-84.
That was nine. He needed one more. His mind raced, visualizing the desk surface. What else was there? He almost gave up, then remembered the small, slightly dusty container holding spare paperclips near the back.
'Laptop, Physics Textbook, Mug, Pen, Notepad, Lamp, Mouse, Smartphone, Calculator, Paperclip Holder,' he transmitted the thought to the system.
Chime!
[Skill Quest: Observation Practice - COMPLETE!]
[Rewards Issued: +1 Spirit, +3 SP.]
He felt a slight sharpening of his focus, a heightened sense of awareness of his surroundings. His Spirit attribute climbed to 13, and his SP total reached 13. This system wasn't giving him a moment's rest, constantly pushing him into new territory.
And true to form, the next notification arrived almost instantly.
[NEW] Physical Quest: Body Awareness
Description: Mind and body are connected. Improve your proprioception and coordination.
Objective: Stand on one leg (either left or right) with eyes closed for 30 consecutive seconds without losing balance.
Time Limit: 10 Minutes.
Reward: +1 Agility, +2 SP.
Failure Penalty: Mild electric shock (Intensity 1).
Chris sighed. From coding to memory to... balancing? This 'All Round' business was no joke. His Agility was a pathetic 7. Balancing on one leg wasn't his forte even with eyes open.
He stood up, finding a clear space again. He chose his left leg, lifting his right foot off the ground. He wobbled slightly but held steady. Now for the hard part. He closed his eyes.
Immediately, his world tilted. Without visual input, his body struggled to orient itself. He flailed his arms instinctively, his ankle twisting as he fought to stay upright. He lasted maybe five seconds before hopping on his supporting foot, eyes snapping open.
Failure.
He tried again. Closed eyes. Wobble, wobble... hop. Failure.
Again. This time, he focused intently, trying to feel the pressure on the sole of his foot, making tiny adjustments with his ankle and core. He visualized staying upright. Ten seconds... fifteen... twenty... He started to sway more violently. Twenty-five... twenty-six... He could feel himself tipping... hop! Failure again.
Frustration mounted. This was harder than the push-ups. He only had a few minutes left on the timer. He took another deep breath, centering himself. Left leg planted firmly. Eyes closed. Focus. Feel the floor. Small movements. Breathe slowly.
1... 5... 10... 15... He felt steadier this time. 20... 25... The last five seconds crawled by. 28... 29... 30! He held it for an extra second before putting his foot down, opening his eyes with a grin.
Chime!
[Physical Quest: Body Awareness - COMPLETE!]
[Rewards Issued: +1 Agility, +2 SP.]
He felt a subtle lightness, a slightly better connection between his mind and limbs. His Agility nudged up to 8, still below average, but better. His SP stash grew to 15.
He was about to sit down, maybe finally look at the Store again, when his stomach rumbled loudly. Right. He hadn't eaten since lunch. Glancing at the clock on his laptop, he saw it was already past 6:30 PM. His mom usually called him for dinner around now.
As if on cue, a new notification popped up, but this one felt different.
[NEW] Life Quest: Maintaining Bonds
Description: Even a budding super genius needs sustenance and social connection. Your parental unit requires interaction.
Objective: Go downstairs, eat dinner with your family, and engage in at least one meaningful conversation (share something about your day beyond 'school was fine').
Time Limit: 2 Hours.
Reward: +1 Charm, +5 SP.
Failure Penalty: System will play embarrassing elevator music directly into Host's mind for 1 hour.
Chris stared at the quest, then chuckled despite himself. Embarrassing elevator music? And a quest for... eating dinner? The system truly covered everything. Even Charm was a stat it tracked. His was currently an 'Average' 8. Maybe this quest could nudge it up.
"Chris! Dinner!" His mom's voice floated up the stairs.
'Accept quest,' he thought, a determined smile on his face.
Even eating dinner was part of the journey now. With 15 SP in his virtual pocket and a head full of possibilities, Chris Miller headed downstairs, leaving the physics homework completely forgotten on the desk. The age of the All Round Super Genius had begun, one quest, one meal, one awkward conversation at a time.