19 Chapter 19: Reiji's Transformation
At 6:01 AM, Reiji was at the edge of his bed, absorbed in viewing the holographic page of the floating system in front of him.
"20 points for the [Physical Ability Activation Card – Athletics], and I have 21 points available..." Reiji reflected softly, weighing his options before deciding to make the exchange.
His initial desire was for the [Physical Ability Activation Card – Combat], which cost 35 points. Although he thought he might achieve better results with it, the Athletics card also seemed like an interesting alternative...
Finally, he chose to exchange his points for the [Physical Ability Activation Card – Athletics].
In an instant, a compact card appeared before him, materializing in a sudden flash...
For a moment, Reiji was mesmerized by the card, until he regained consciousness and selected the option [use card].
The card faded into an intense white light that penetrated his mind deeply.
Initially, Reiji felt a sharp pain, as if something was dissolving and being forcefully injected into his brain.
This sensation lasted for an indeterminate time. When he came to, Reiji found himself collapsed on the bed, hands on his head while a throbbing pain dominated his temple.
"The experience was more uncomfortable than I had anticipated," Reiji murmured as he rose with difficulty. "However, it was worth it for the gains."
Reiji examined his hands before throwing a punch into the air.
Whoosh! His movement created a small, yet intense, whirlwind!
He repeated the gesture several times, noticing that each punch was filled with vigor; it seemed as if every part of his body, from his waist to his legs, contributed harmoniously to the power of his punches. It was as if he had mastered this technique for a long time!
Feeling more attuned to his own physique, Reiji headed to the bathroom and, upon encountering his reflection in the mirror, almost jumped back in surprise.
"This... Why is my skin peeling like this?" Reiji questioned in a whisper, alarmed as he examined his face with trembling fingers.
With no other choice, he opted to take a shower.
After the shower, he noticed a pile of dead skin in the drain...
Looking at himself, he realized that his skin had regained an almost pale tone, reminiscent of a vampire.
Taking a deep breath, he pondered: 'It's impossible to go to school in this state...'
He wrapped himself in a towel and, picking up his smartphone, seeing that it was nearly 7 AM, he sent a message to Kanade, repeating the procedure with Nene. Then, he called the school to claim he was sick.
After hanging up, Reiji was uncertain about his feelings regarding the change. He was not averse to his previous bronzed tone, but he also did not mind the new appearance...
Regardless, what was done could not be undone...?
Indeed, Reiji had the option to reset, but he chose not to, preferring to create a restore point at that particular moment.
It was a new beginning for him, determined to accumulate more action points. Until that moment, he had not fully grasped the transformative potential of the cards; however, after such a revealing experience, his expectations for the future cards he could acquire, especially the [Physical Ability Activation Card – Combat] worth 35 points, had significantly increased.
That, possibly, would be his next acquisition.
'I have already completed my morning run; now, I will dedicate some time to physical training at home.'
With this plan in mind, Reiji put on shorts and a tank top to start a series of exercises—push-ups, squats, sit-ups, and other workouts he had found on the internet.
Putting on a playlist of electronic music, he began to train.
...
After an intense training session, covered in a layer of sweat, Reiji concluded his routine at 11:41 AM.
He was so exhausted that, for a moment, he could not even stand up.
Panting but satisfied upon seeing the 9 points added to his [Physical Capacity], he smiled. The effort was justified by the reward.
Moreover, this feeling of improvement was as refreshing as enjoying a cold lemonade on a warm day.
Now, his [Physical Capacity] value was approaching 50.
Considering that 20 is the average for a regular adult, his physical condition was more than double that standard. However, [Physical Capacity] is not limited to strength alone; it encompasses a broader spectrum, including reflexes, speed, senses, etc.
As soon as he regained some of his breath, Reiji stood up. Turning off the music that still echoed through the environment, he headed to the bathroom.
Upon exiting the bathroom, he felt revitalized.
In the kitchen, he prepared something simple to eat while browsing on his smartphone.
His lunch was followed by the creation of one of his best drawings yet.
The piece depicted a young woman on a street adorned with sakura trees, smiling gently as her blonde hair danced in the wind.
'If I keep up this pace, I'll soon be able to illustrate my own cover for the novel...' Reiji reflected.
...
Dressed in a hooded sweatshirt that disguised his slender silhouette, Reiji walked the streets almost anonymously. A surgical mask concealed his features, revealing only his intense blue eyes and a fraction of his dark brown hair, barely noticeable under the hood. This disguise gave him an enigmatic air, making him appear as a shadowy figure among the crowd, a dramatic turn from his usual charm...
Or, at least, that's what he imagined as he left his house, underestimating the curiosity of the people and the magnetic effect his presence had, even with part of his face hidden. If before his charisma hovered around 70, now it seemed to climb to 90. This notable increase was largely due to suspicions that he was a celebrity trying to go unnoticed, provoking inquisitive looks that sought to discover if he really was some well-known idol...
Because of this, he removed his hood, yet kept the surgical mask on. Shortly thereafter, he reached his destination: an electronics store where he quickly purchased a webcam and a microphone of satisfactory quality, costing him an additional 15,000 yen. Despite the high cost, this purchase was essential for his future plans.
Interestingly, during the return, the attention he received from the opposite sex reached unprecedented levels.
Some women did not hesitate to throw bold flirtations, such as a vocalized flirtation with an "Ohh at my place~!" Others, even more daring, approached him directly, asking for his number or even hinting at invitations for intimate encounters...
As he was about to enter and climb the stairs of his apartment building, a sweet and gentle voice called out to him.
"Reiji-kun?"
Turning around, he faced his attractive landlady, Nozomi Uehara, dressed casually in a blue apron.
"Oh, it's you..." She greeted him with a smile, asking: "Good afternoon, didn't you have class today? Also, your skin is so clear. Did you do some skin treatment?"
With a forced cough, Reiji's voice sounded slightly hoarse as he said: "Good afternoon, Mrs. Landlady." He continued: "I missed school today, as you can see, I'm feeling a bit unwell, and my skin... I suppose it has been affected by this?" His answer was laden with uncertainty.
"Mm... If it's something serious, you should go to the hospital," she expressed, her voice tinged with concern. "I hope you recover soon. And remember, my door is always open if you need anything."
However, inside, his heart raced.
Even though she was an 'experienced' woman, with a daughter almost the same age as Reiji, the sight of him in that state and the sound of his hoarse voice were too intense for her. However, she maintained her composure, although her cheeks acquired a faintly rosy hue.
"If I don't get better, I'll do that," Reiji replied. "I appreciate your concern and kindness."
After the farewell, he proceeded to the second floor and entered his apartment.
Inside, he positioned the laptop on the living room table and began to set up the microphone and camera.
Adjusting the two devices ended up taking more time than expected, almost an hour, until everything was nearly perfect for use.
"Alright, let's get started with this..." Reiji murmured.
