Earthling in Uncharted Dimensions

Yet, within a few minutes, there was noise rising from them. But it was much muffled than before and Glen was not agitated.

The 38 students have dispersed throughout the hall and had occupied a spot for themselves and were doing their best to invoke 'that' which professor Glen had mentioned.

Jonathan was the only one staring at others while others swung their swords and spears in the air. Even Tarina was trying her best.

'Let's tag along.'

One arm was inadequate to raise the rod. The unusually strong and heavy object gave wonders to him while he slowly raised it above the ground. Jonathan raised and lowered it a couple more times to familiarise himself with its weight when a notification appeared.

['Strength' Unlocked.]

[Calculation Complete.]

'Wait, what?'

The blue screen that appeared had only two lines in it and it disappeared without his permission. Stunned by the development, Jonathan summoned the status screen.

/=========

Name: Jonathan

Race: Elf

Affinities: Stone (Nature)

Strength: 23

=========/

"Oh, so I unlocked an attribute by lifting the rod?"

The wonder was evident in his eyes as he scanned the wooden rod. Then it struck him.

'Does that mean I can unlock Agility and others?'

It was a thought that unconsciously popped up in his mind but it gave him hope. It spread a grin on his face that no one saw.

"First, the strength."

***

An hour had passed.

Since most of the students were absorbed in their tasks, they did not notice Jonathan lifting and lowering the rod like a dumbbell.

Most of them were exhausted from continuous movements and so was Jonathan. His repeated motion had taken a toll on his vitality.

/=========

Name: Jonathan

Race: Elf

Affinities: Stone (Nature)

Vitality: 12

Strength: 24

=========/

Glancing at the screen, Jonathan can tell how much fatigue has accumulated in his body. The Strength had increased by one point while the Vitality had gone down by 14 points.

'Let's rest.'

Leaning on a wall, Jonathan sat while placing the rod horizontally on his lap. Gazing around him, he saw many panting and taking rest.

Unlike them, there was a delighted expression on Jonathan's face. He has finally figured out how the status screen works.

'So, the Strength went up by one point. That means I can grow stronger. The Vitality went down by 14 points. So that's my health and I must keep an eye on it.'

Sluggishness has enveloped Jonathan like a blanket and he can tell the fatigue weighing on him. And as he stared at the screen, the Vitality value went down by one point.

This made his soul plunge into unrest.

'I'm losing Vitality?'

Jonathan's heart rate began to quicken as he felt his life being drained away. But the next moment, his mind became calm as he began to meditate. He employed the meditation regime used by his grandfather on Earth.

***

Time flew past like a butterfly and everything was fine.

The students had been taking periodic rests and continuing with their tasks at hand. Surprisingly, none of them was able to awaken that 'something' that professor Glen had mentioned.

About the professor, he had already fallen asleep while sitting in the corner.

Tarina came to Jonathan to ask about how he's doing. He replied that there have been no fruits whatsoever he had done. Though she was sad hearing this, she cheered him that he will certainly invoke the sensation.

about 3 hours have passed by and it was evening. The twin stars had thrown a bucket of orange-yellow paint over the sky and it was beautiful.

*yawn*

Glen just woke up and yawned out loud as he stood and walked to the students. Upon seeing him, the students obediently formed a crowd.

"Did anyone invoke the channelling?"

There were no positive replies. The students simply shook their heads in disappointment.

"As expected. You'll continue this routine until every one of you can invoke the channelling.

Now you may place the weapons in its place and leave."

The students nodded in unison and walked to place their weapons as Glen took a moment to evaluate and check his gauntlets. Thus he did not hear the footsteps.

"Professor, can I keep this rod for training?"

Jonathan's voice was not too loud or too shallow yet it fell in the ears of all the students. Glen raised his eyes and saw him looking in front of him with expectation.

Glen's gaze was confused and cautious. He did not mask his wild aura when he scanned the rod.

"No!"

The answer was simple and Jonathan had no other way than leaving in its designated place. Soon the students left and Jonathan too exited the hall and went to his hostel.

Professor Glen remained in the hall even after the hall was vacant. His eyes shuttled towards the wooden rod from the door after confirming that there are no one around the door.

With ease, he picked it up with one arm. Though it was trouble-free, he could tell that it had unreal weight unfitting its size. He wondered what could be Jonathan's reason behind raising such a query. But since he could not find a feasible answer, he placed it back and left the hall after closing it.

***

Though his request was rejected, Jonathan was not discouraged. He considered it a blessing in disguise as he could excavate all the attributes he could gain through physical labour.

The students dispersed to their hostels and Jonathan walked to the academy ground. Spanning over a large area, it was a flat, flawless piece of land with no stones or pebbles.

"Maybe I can gain Agility."

Jonathan mumbled to himself as he placed his bag in a corner and took his first step. The next foot went ahead and he was running by the time he came to realise it.

['Agility' Unlocked.]

[Calculation Complete.]

A few minutes into the activity, a blue screen popped up and notified him that he had unlocked his agility attribute.

'Let's finish the round.'