Arin couldn't let go of the thought.If Hard Work truly was the foundation of all his progress, then finding a way to evolve it further wasn't optional—it was necessary.
The next few days, he decided to experiment.
At school, during physical training, he pushed himself harder than everyone else. While his classmates stopped to rest, Arin kept running laps until his legs burned and his lungs felt like fire. When the coach dismissed them, Arin stayed behind, running until the field emptied.
Each time he glanced at his Skill Panel, though, Hard Work didn't budge.
At home, he tried again. He spent hours writing simple characters in a notebook, repeating them until his hand ached. He practiced arithmetic far beyond what was required for his grade. Even when Mira told him to rest, he kept studying under the dim glow of a lamp.
Still, nothing.
"Maybe physical effort isn't enough… Maybe it needs more than just training or studying," Arin muttered to himself one evening. He lay back on his bed, exhausted, sweat dripping from his forehead. His body ached from the day's nonstop exertion.
He remembered the words he had once thought to himself: Hard Work is more than just practice—it's my spirit.
But what did that mean in practice?
The next morning, on the way to school, Lyra noticed his pale face. "Arin, are you okay? You look really tired…"
Arin forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just… training harder than usual."
Kai, walking beside them, raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. You don't need to train like a maniac. Some things just can't be forced." His tone was sharp, but there was also a trace of curiosity in his eyes.
Arin didn't reply. Deep down, he knew Kai wasn't wrong. Talent had its limits—but so did effort. And maybe Hard Work only advanced when he pushed beyond those limits.
That night, Arin stared at his skill panel again:
[Skill Panel]
Hard Work – Intermediate
Movement Mastery – Advanced (95%)
Observation – Mastery (50%)
Enhanced Communication – Advanced (55%)
Sensory Domain – Intermediate (10%)
He clenched his fists."No matter how stubborn you are, Hard Work… I'll find the key. I'll keep pushing until you can't ignore me anymore."
Somewhere deep within his soul, the skill flickered faintly—like an ember waiting for the right spark to ignite into flame.
Arin didn't know it yet, but the moment that would force Hard Work into Advanced was approaching.
And when it came, it would test more than his body. It would test his very heart.