The violent horn of his alarm rips him from whatever sweet dream he was having. If he could remember it, he would be to ashamed and embarrassed to talk about it. He is saved by the fact he is too excited about today to think about trivial things. The lack of sleep however dulls that excitement.
He groggily moves at a pace that a drunk man would be shocked at. He forces his way to the bathroom past the encroaching tired and then takes the coldest shower he can(exactly 24 seconds under the cold water). He washes the sleep off of him and moves past his siblings eyeing for time in the bathroom. Ana and Kyle bicker for a moment until Kyle concedes, obviously relinquishing to his little sister to go first.
Jason starts packing his backpack as fast as he can. Notebook, check. The library books, check. Water bottle, check. Packed lunch, check.
He was ready.
He slaps on his backpack and yells out into the apartment quickly saying goodbye to his siblings and rushing out the door.
The public library. Was beautiful even with it's age. The old pieces of a bygone era sitting within it's halls like a beacon of a past time. This place would be the start of his come to power.
The wealth of knowledge here that he can aquire in just weeks is unbelievable. First he needs to get through the books on hand. Then aquire more skills for the system to hold on to. That would all rely on the memorization techniques.
He quickly finds a spot at one of the many tables near the enterance.
Using the memorization techniques in the book he was reading required him to take notes, progressively honing the important aspects and creating a web of information. The notebook he uses sits by him filled with colorful sticky notes.
'I think i'm officially done with that one. Let's go through the next two.'
It doesn't take long for him to reread the hacking one and get more information. After a snack break he quickly devours the book on communication. He can't hide his shock at how different he talks compared to the book.
'This will be the hardest to implement on my own. I'll need practice. Maybe Ms.Gold and Kyle and Ana. I'm comfortable with them.'
As he finishes the persuasion book for the first time a blue transparent window pops up.
[Excessessive speed reading! Exp Bonus.]
[Speed reading: Lvl 2] [Exp:1.5/25]-> [Exp: 6.5/25]
'Wow a bonus 5 exp all from using it while it's slotted. Imagine getting it to level 3, I would be reading at expert levels at the least.' The idea tantalizes him. Reading books in an hour to two hours every single time. 60,000 words would be nothing to him, but Thomas wouldn't wait for him and Carol can only hold off the school for so long.
He shakes the thought away. Although it's good he got a boost; the 8:1 ratio would mean he needs a week and there is no promise he will get another Exp bonus. The conditions for them still don't make much sense. It is time to switch skills.
'System change slot 1 to improved memory'
[Slot 1 updated] -> [Slot 1: Improved Memory: Lvl 0] [Exp: 1/10]
'Wow using it that much actually got me some real exp. I think i got too used to the barely 1/10 exp improvement.'
Jason checks his time. He has only been here for 5 hours. The first read required him to write down lots of information for memorization but the second reread would allow him to hone more and get more specific.
[16:23:10-24:00:00]
'System allocate 16 hours.'
[2x Exp bonus. Wow.. you can work hard on something other than videogames.]
[Improved Memory: Lvl 1 Exp: 3.5/25]
The gaps in his mind and the pitfalls of his current technique all fill his brain. Articles and information he has never seen fill it. A year goes by worth of research. Every shift in level is like changing into a new person.
His head aches as his brain shapes around the knowledge. Something about this skill is different from speed reading. The information forcing itself into his brain is also shaping his neurons. The connections between everything he's ever learned seems to be tighter and faster. Suddenly he can remember moments from his past he has forgotten.
Memories he wishes that stayed forgotten. His mothers smile and his fathers laugh that haunts him is now coupled with trips they took. Moments with his little sister before she was sick. His Big Brother Kyle throwing him around and his father joining in.
He sits there in shock until he realizes what this means.
'This is so much more than a skill that makes studying easier. I could see it in speed reading, but this pain tells me all I need to know. This system changes my body as well. Years of time forced into seconds. My brain changing to fit the expanse of information and skill.'
He knows that the price of this is not just time, but pain as well. A painful road he is walking on. However his excitement blinds him from it all. What is some pain when he is promised an escape from his current life?
He laughs through the pain coursing through his mind. 'I need more books.'
He rushes and stands up. In his hurry he doesn't notice the girl walking behind him.
BAM!
He crashes into her and they both tumble to the ground. His black glasses fall off his face and right into hers. Jason slams his arms around her trying desperately to stop his weight from landing into her. His left hand smacks by her face and the other right beside her hips.
He buckles under his own weight smacking his elbows down into the carpet. He is just inches from her.
They both wince.
The books she was carrying are now scattered on the floor but they are both too distracted in each others eyes at the cliché moment. She wanted to shout but couldn't out of embarrassment.
"Are-Are you alright?" Jason fumbles concern out; still inches from her face.
"Yeah.. uh- could you?" Her eyes dart between them. A flush rushing over her.
Jason's olive skin blares a siren red when he realizes how close they really are. He shoots up staight and awkwardly offers his hand to her. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
She grabs his hand, trying to play off both of their blushing faces and gets up. "It's alright, just try not to jump out of your chair like that."
Jason apologizes again and they both laugh a little while they start picking up the fallen books. Jason notices some complex reading materials, a little bit of Calculus and lots of theoretical physics books.
"Woah, this is- uh. Are you in college?" Jason manages to ask
The girl is silent for a moment, "No just home schooled. My parents.. they are just extra. How about you?" She raises an eyebrow at his strange collection of books.
Jason contemplates for a minute about wether to tell the truth or not."Not exactly, just something similar."
Jason almost cringes at how 'mysterious' he was sounding. She looks him up and down.
"Well, 'something similar', I'm here every day studying so try not to hit me again." She says coyly.
She begins to walk off and Jason isn't sure if he should stop her. She's beautiful. Probably the most beautiful girl he has talked to around his age. She has thin golden glasses that highlight her dark amber eyes. She has locs tied up in a messy bun and deep brown skin.
And everything about her screams out of his league from the pleated skirt she is wearing to the designer shoes. He can learn calculus and physics eventually but everything about her is A-tier beautiful and perfect.
Before he can reach for her and asked her name, she turns back slightly.
"By the way my name is Vivian, stranger."
Jason blushes and calls out in what he thought sounded cool but is just squeaky," Jason. Jason Taylor is mine."
"Alright 007 see you around." She chuckles and walks off. Her own embarrasement melting away from the absolute fool he was making of himself.
'Jason what was that?! I can't believe I ran into such a pretty girl. She was so nice and I'm literally tripping over my own feet trying to talk to her. Sigh. Let's just check out some books and get home before I make any more mistakes. That communication skill couldn't be further away...'
Jason grabs several introductory books from a wide range of topics. Public speaking, self defense, programming, stocks and finance, to various fields of study for school. He ends up with exactly 12 books.
With his speed reading he is going to get a baseline of knowledge in school and everything he needs outside of that. He won't let the rest of his family end up like his parents.
'I won't make the same mistake. I'm going to be cautious and smart. When I finally plan my revenge, I will take them all down in one fell swoop.'