The year moved forward slowly, and the system would scream at Adam occasionally about something vaguely apocalyptic.
[Host is advancing into a lethal area, caution is advised!!!]
In reality? His family took him to an amusement park.
The trip was great. A little boring since Adam couldn't go on the rides he wanted and was stuck with the 'kiddy' rides.
I hate that I'm a kid.
The amusement park itself was located further south of their home.
Reminiscent of the mouse-owned company's park.
He shivered at the comparison, hoping that a separate reality kept him safe from said mouse.
On the ride home, he noticed more system messages and had to mentally dig through them to find the meaningful stuff.
[Host has survived prolonged exposure to a lethal zone! Vitality and Perception increase by 0.5%!]
[Host has survived 4 small trials in the lethal zone! Increased Vitality by 0.3%!]
4 trials? Is it talking about the rides?
Adam leaned against the window.
IfI'd known, I would have gone on more.
He looked to the front seat where his parents sat in silence, Dad's bad music playing, Mom's hand entwined with his dads.
Still dogfood. he refocused back out the window.
***
At kindergarten, Adam still slacked off, showing perfect grades and attitude… until Rachel was involved.
The system treated her as an experience farm and Adam wasn't complaining.
"Adam! Come play!" Rachel said as she grabbed his arm.
"Did you finish the work?"
"Yeah!"
"Do you rush it?"
"N-no?"
"Then let me see."
Rachel shook her head fast.
"No! You can't!"
"And why's that?" Adam leaned his face into his free hand.
"Cause you'll make me redo it."
"Wouldn't have to redo it if you did it right the first time, Rae."
"Bring it here, I'll help you through it."
"Really?! No take backs!" Rachel ran off to get the paper she'd already turned in and rushed back.
[Host has begun teaching the skill Academics to Juvenile Mutant Brute!]
Adam spent time going over each of Rachel's answers. By the time he was done the bell had signaled the end of the day.
"Awww! We missed playtime!"
"There's always Monday."
"That's too far! I'll just ask my dad if we can play!"
Adam tilted his head, grinding stats on the weekend? He usually focused on Intelligence, but more physical stats seem fine.
"Then go ask him, I'll ask my dad too."
"Yay!!!"
Adam watched Rachel run off to where her dad usually was before turning to find his own.
[Host has gained 0.3% towards the next level of Academics]
[Host has gained 0.05% towards the next level of Intelligence.]
Still Works. Adam thought with a smile.
***
Getting permission from dad was easy. No questions asked.
After all, who would question a 5-year-old.
Dad dropped Adam off after speaking with Mr. Morgan for a bit.
Rachel was impatient, Adam guessed he was the first friend she brought home.
"Follow me!!" She ran off, Adam had no choice to follow.
Adam stopped at her doorway. "Is your room clean?"
"Huh? Why would that matter?"
"I don't want cooties."
"I DO NOT HAVE COOTIES!!"
"You don't? Then your room is clean?"
"You're such a meanie!" Despite her words, Rachel started cleaning her room.
Adam watched, a playful smirk on his lips.
[Host has gained 0.04% towards the next level of Charisma.]
So it increases this way, interesting.
"I was just teasing, I wouldn't come over if you had cooties."
Adam stepped inside the room and the system popped up without warning.
[HOST HAD ENTERED THE LAIR OF JUVENILE MUTANT BRUTE!]
[RECOMMENDED ACTION: RETREAT!]
Adam rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide it.
Ignoring the system, he helped Rachel clean.
"So what did you want to play?"
"Umm… I forgot?"
Adam flicked her forehead. "Dummy."
Rachel's hands shot to her forehead, covering it. "Hey! What was that for?"
"To jumpstart your brain, what else?"
"My brain does not need a jumpstart!"
Adam waited a moment before Rachel spoke again.
"What's a jumpstart?"
"Ask your dad, he does it to cars. Probably."
"How do you know?!"
"My dad said your dad was a mechanic." Adam stopped for a moment before continuing.
"A mechanic is a person who works on cars."
"Oooh!!"
Adam finished putting the last of her toys away, leaning back on the floor to observe the room.
"I thought you'd have more cutesy stuff in your room."
"Huh? Why?"
"Cause you're a girl."
"???"
"Yeah, it doesn't make sense."
Adam chuckled at her reaction.
From what he'd seen, Rachel had the makings of a tomboy.
"Say, has your dad talked to you about sports?"
"Nuh-uh."
Odd, her dad's obviously an ex-athlete.
Adam remembered walking past a framed photo of a younger Mr. Morgan in a sports uniform.
"Do you want to do a sport?"
"What kind are there?"
"Well you like to play tag, so I think you'd do well with running."
"Runnings a sport?"
"Kinda, it's called track and field."
Adam looked for her reaction, no excitement yet but undeniable curiosity.
"I think we're a little young for proper sports."
"That stinks."
"But we can do it on our own."
"Really?!"
"Yep, just gotta play race instead of tag."
"Youre on! I'm gonna leave you in the dust!"
And with that, Rachel ran out of the room.
"...Where is she racing to?"
***
The playtime at the Morgan's house was chaotic.
Rachel wanted to do everything she could think of together with Adam.
Which included bathtime.
Adam, being an adult mind in a kid's body, drew the line repeatedly, reminding her that he was a boy, she a girl.
Despite her confusion, Rachel complied.
Mostly because she knew Adam was smarter.
Mr. Morgan, however, silently approved.
By the time it was time for Adam to go home, Rachel disappeared into her room and came back with a toy.
"Here! You can give it back to me when you come over next time!"
...Did she just give me a reason to come back? Cheeky.
[Host has received a special item [Broken Plasma Gun] from the Juvenile Mutant Brute's lair.]
[Once repaired, this weapon will assist the host in survival!]
Adam looked at the toy gun in his hand.
She gave me a broken toy gun?
"You just want me to fix it, don't you?"
Rachel froze, mid-smile.
"I already know, and yeah, I'll try."
Rachel hugged him.
"Thank you! I'll let you borrow it whenever!"
Adam returned the hug half-heartedly.
"Save the thanks for after I fix it, Rae."
"But I'll know you'll fix it! You're the smartest person I know."
Adam swore he heard Mr. Morgan slightly choke.
"Thats a big rank, I'll be sure to keep it."
Rachel just nodded her head excitedly as she let Adam go.
"Well, I got to go before my dad decides to honk. See you later, Rae, later, Mr. Morgan."
***
Adam lay in his bed looking at the system.
It's been roughly two and a half months since the system came online.
[Loading System Window…
Title: The Last Human
Host: Adam Cross
Strength: 1 / 10 - progress to next level 0.54%
Agility: 1 / 10 - progress to next level 1.13%
Vitality: 1 / 10 - progress to next level 0.96%
Intelligence: 2 / 10 - progress to next level 0.60%
Perception: 2 / 10 - progress to next level 0.63%
Charisma: 1 / 10 - progress to the next level 0.21%
Skills –
Academics: 1 / 10 - progress to next level 53.4%
Cooking: 0 / 10 - progress to next level 0.36%
Fitness: 0 / 10 - progress to next level 0.11%
First Aid: 0 / 10 - progress to next level 0.07%
Recommended Action: Host should focus on stat acquisition and skill management.]
Recommended Action still hasn't changed.
Adam sighed, then dismissed the system.
He was only 5 years old, he couldn't just grind out stats and skills.
His body simply wasn't ready.
Lets aim for level 2 in all stats by 9. And all skills level 1 or higher too.