Description: The Atlas Challenger program provides an excellent framework for improving physical fitness and performance. Rise up to the challenge of the faith your friend has put in you. Meet the baseline for Silver tier in at least one category at the Challenger evaluation at the end of the month.

Reward: ??

Penalty: The unbearable weight of shame that you let a friend down. You monster.u003eu003e

"Cute," Michael grumbled.

"Oh come on, it won't be that hard," the System replied, giggling mischieviously. "After all, there are many categories. I'm sure one of them you won't be completely useless at. Take running, for example."

"Please. I've only been running for what, two weeks, not even? There's no way I'll meet the baseline."

"Don't compare two weeks with the wonderful gift of the System to two weeks for any normal high school student, Michael. Heck, even just the ability to run as often as you do is a miracle, considering you started from nothing at the beginning of the month. The only reason you haven't been caught is because of accidental compartmentalization. Oh, and that no one cares."

"Wow, you're really in a mean mood tonight, aren't you?"

"Maybe next time you won't ignore me for most of the day."

"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I was just distracted by all of the new developments."

"Sure. Don't forget - you may be able to talk to all of these other people, but I can only talk to you."

Michael frowned. It seemed like the System gained more than just a voice after the last upgrade.

"You never mentioned anything like this before."

"Well, it didn't occur to me before."

He decided to put that aside for the moment and s.h.i.+fted tracks back to dealing with the new mission.

"Still, keeping the Challenger slot is going to be a bit tricky. From what Jeremy explained, I can't be in last place for overall improvement in the region. Too bad it's not the whole province, or the entire company, or I'd have even better odds. Regardless, most of these people are dedicated athletes or professionals from what he described. That means they've got programs, plans, regimes, and setups that I can't compete with."

The System interjected. "Now, I'm not sure that's completely true. Between the fitness information we've stored in our knowledgebase, the internal tracking tools we have access to, and the new sensitivity you've developed, we should be able to put together a decent program. Plus, don't forget you have the Lucid s.p.a.ce for practicing form, even if you can't translate the physical aspect completely. You're not as poorly set up as you think you are, Michael. You'll never get a mission generated that's impossible to accomplish. Just ones that will push you."

Michael grunted in recognition and walked silently for a while, before he ultimate had to acknowledge the System's point.

"Ok. I'll grant you that we might have a decent arrangement for metrics and planning. But that doesn't change the fact that this type of training is only my second or third priority compared to those professionals. I just can't match up with the amount of time they've already invested or are able to invest as time goes by. I don't have enough time in the day as it is."

The silence continued after that for several minutes before the System replied.

"While that may be true, it doesn't mean that we can't match up to their overall gains by working more efficiently. There are... methods... to make sure that you get more value out of the training time you do have."

Michael stopped abruptly and frowned.

"You aren't suggesting steroids, are you?"

The System scoffed.

"Please nothing so primitive. You already have more than one tool available that could help you bridge the gap, or even surpa.s.s them."

"I do?", Michael asked, puzzled. "What?"

The System sighed inside his head, which was an odd sensation. "I can't just tell you everything. Some stuff you are supposed to figure out yourself."

Michael continued trudging home methodically as he searched his brain for solutions. After several more minutes, he gave up. "I really have no idea. Can you give me a hint?"

The System grumbled unintelligibly for a moment then replied. "Fine. I think I can do at least this much."

Before Michael could ask what the System meant, another prompt appeared.

u003cu003cGenerating Mission...u003eu003e

"Hey, wait! I just--"

u003cu003c[Mission: Does the System really have to do everything?]

Description: Sometimes it's like you're not even paying attention to all of the information the System so graviously provides. Say something nice about the System.

Reward: The System will point out the obvious.u003eu003e

Michael rolled his eyes and huffed.

"Really?"

"Hey, you asked."

"Fine..."

Michael started walking again.

"Is it that hard to think of something nice to say?"

"I'm thinking."

"Unbelievable."

The silence stretched on as they neared Michael's home. As the were turning on to Michael's street, he stopped.

"I... really like your voice."

"..."

"...System?"

u003cu003c[Mission: Does the System really have to do everything?] completed.u003eu003e

"...System?"

"I heard you... Thanks. Just... take another look at all those recipes and formulas you unlocked, ok? And maybe spend more time on the breathing exercises."

"Wow. You're right, I can't believe those slipped my mind. But... breathing exercises? Really?"

"Trust me."

"Of course," Michael replied, as he started walking down his street.

---

Ben wrapped up the paperwork for the day and locked the front door. He then walked over to where Jeremy was playing, watching his younger cousin's avatar dance through a group of enemies inside a dungeon.

Once combat had ended and Jeremy was following the rest of his group, the older cousin spoke.

"You gave him one of your Challenger slots?"

"Yup," his cousin replied, not looking away from his screen.

"You've only known him for two weeks, right?"

"Yup."

"How is he?"

"Enh."

"Seriously?"

"He's a decent runner, but not great. Beyond that, just an average student."

Ben frowned and struggled internally for several minutes before finally asking the question that had been puzzling him.

"Then why? If he loses, Uncle Seth is going to rake you over the coals. What possible reason could you have for being so confident?"

"Same reason I brought him here."

Ben started at his cousin's response, finally looking away from his screen to stare intently at the back of Jeremy's head.

"It triggered?"

"Day One."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't relevant," Jeremy replied as he warped back to a safe zone and logged off. He then stood up and looked up at his cousin, eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with excitement and confidence. "I didn't want to bias your opinions in our joint venture, either."

Ben returned his younger cousin's gaze for several moments before sighing and smiling. "Congratulations. I'm happy for you, cousin. You're only 14 and you've found your first Vessel. I guess the Patriarch was right to choose you as his successor after all."

Jeremy's eyes dimmed a bit. "Thank you, Ben. And you know you should call him Grandfather too, you know?"

Ben's smile turned sad as he replied. "Maybe some day in the future. Not now. Not yet. Still, a Vessel at 14? Is that a record?"

Jeremy grinned. "Not if you go back far enough. Besides, I haven't just found a Vessel. I've found a friend. Now come on, let's go upstairs. Mind if I crash in the guest room tonight? I don't want to head all the way back," the last said as he made for the stairs to the apartment above.

"Of course not. Rebecca's not home tonight anyway so we can watch a movie or two. Do you need to call and tell Cousin Isaac not to pick you up?", Ben replied, following him.

"Already did. Maybe one movie. I do have school tomorrow."

Ben rolled his eyes and climbed the stairs, shutting off the lights behind him.