His friends returned from their respective trials to find Sinclair sprawled on the porch, lost in a slumber as heavy as the sorrow that weighed upon him. Without uttering a single word, they gently lifted him, cradling his unconscious form, despite the weight of him.

Navigating through the house, they carried him to his room. Upon discovering Chewy's resting form, they placed Sinclair beside him, the two warriors together in sleep much as they had been in battle.

Each of them retired to their respective rooms, partaking in their own rituals of rest. A quick cleanse to wash away the grime of the day, a hasty meal to replenish their energies, and then they found themselves surrendering to the call of rest. Sinclair might have had almost unending physical resilience, and barely needed sleep, but they weren't there yet, even if their sleep requirements had clearly dropped over the last day or two.

****

Awakening earlier than expected, Sinclair found himself ensconced within the familiar comforts of his own bed, an unexpected surprise considering his last memory. The anticipated fog of grogginess was surprisingly absent, as his mind regained its acuity at a startling pace. Aware that his friend's return was imminent, he pushed himself upright, preparing to embark on the routines of the day.

Padding softly towards the bathroom, the distant sounds of the waking forest whispered their greetings through the small window. Leia and Chewy were already immersed in the dawning day, their forms silhouettes against the burgeoning light, exploring the familiar contours of their territory. Establishing a mental connection, Chewy's voice echoed reassuringly in his mind, dispelling Sinclair's worries about his friend's health. The weight that had nestled in his heart lightened immediately, although the guilt still remained present, ready to strike once again.

Once his morning ablutions were complete, Sinclair descended the stairs to an unusually cluttered kitchen, full of surplus gear. His curiosity was piqued by the sight of Ed, sprawled comfortably on the living room sofa, snoring gently in the cozy embrace of sleep. A delighted smile tugged at the corners of Sinclair's mouth as he pieced together the situation. His friends were home earlier than expected and had taken care of him when they found him on the porch.

The memory of the previous evening sparked a moment of embarrassment, but it quickly dissolved into gratitude. He could only imagine how strong his friends must have become to carry his bulk. Perhaps today will be a good day after all.

Sinclair set about preparing breakfast for everyone, whipping up some of their favorite dishes. As he waited for the food to cook, he scrolled through his phone and was surprised to find he had actually overslept, albeit only slightly. An unread message and a missed call from his parents indicated they were on their way, his sister in tow, and would be arriving within the hour.

Hastily, he plated up the breakfast, attempting to set the table with sufficient care to mask his haste. As he arranged the spread, he reached out mentally to Chewy and Leia, requesting them to remain low profile until his parents arrived and he had had a chance to explain everything. He knew that they would not immediately understand or accept the transformation that had occurred. There was no doubt in his mind that this was going to be a difficult conversation, but he hoped his parents would eventually come to terms with the extraordinary changes that had transpired.

As the aroma of freshly cooked food pervaded the house, accentuated by the 'accidental' thuds of Sinclair's heavy footfall, his friends began to stir from their slumber. Sinclair sat down to eat, his keen senses detecting their gradual movements, each stretch and yawn more audible than the last to his recently enhanced senses.

One by one, starting with Ed, they filed into the dining room where a feast lay spread out before them. The table was laden with roasted meats, fresh bread, steaming vegetables, and an assortment of pies and fruits that filled the air with tantalizing aromas. As they took their seats and served themselves generous portions, their eyes turned expectantly toward Sinclair. Breaking the anticipatory silence, Ed leaned back in his chair, his tone light but probing.

"So, are you going to make us pry about why we found you in such a state after only being gone a few days, or will you just spill it out?"

Sinclair raised an eyebrow, pausing as he reached for a piece of bread. "A few days? How long do you think you were gone? When I did my tutorial, it was a one to three ratio."

Rose furrowed her brow, mulling over the time difference. "I don't think we got as much as that. I'd say it was closer to one day here to two days there. Compared to what you explained, we were definitely rushed through our tutorials. I barely caught a few hours of sleep between one trial and the next."

Alice nodded, her fork hovering over her plate as she chimed in. "I agree. That sounds about right. Although, I passed out from sheer exhaustion after the ladder trial."

Sinclair's gaze sharpened as he set his bread back on his plate. "I need to hear everything about your trials. They sound like they were very different from mine."

Sidetracked, they each took turns describing their experiences. Sinclair listened intently as they recounted the trials they faced, the paths they chose, and the new skills they obtained. There were moments of laughter, tension, and even awe as they shared their stories, their camaraderie strengthening with every detail exchanged.

After several minutes, Rose leaned forward, her tone direct and playful. "Ok, Sin. No more stalling. Spill the beans about what happened."

The air grew heavy with curiosity, and Sinclair felt the weight of their expectant gazes. He took a deep breath, realizing it was time to explain the events of the past few days. The anticipation in the room was palpable, every pair of eyes locked on him, ready to hear the tale.

Sinclair did not hold back. He recounted the unnerving darkness of the Eldfell pits, the cold tendrils of fear that gripped him as he faced the monstrous foes, the gnawing thought that he might not make it out alive. His voice was a low rumble, but steady, as he narrated the harrowing journey to Scotland. The fierce battles they fought, giving it everything they had, yet unable to save everyone. The grim memories made his heart twinge with sorrow.

He talked about the burdensome weight of his experiences, how the toll of it all had become unbearable last night. As he delved into the raw, untouched emotions, a single tear managed to escape, tracing a silent path down his rugged cheek.

His friends didn't interrupt, didn't judge, they just provided a space for their friend to vent his pent-up emotions. In the end, they understood. They were all in this together, and if Sinclair was bearing a weight, it was theirs to share.

The affection Sinclair could see in his friends' eyes provided a balm to his soul, lightening the burden of his recent members, if only a little. As he prepared to resume his tale, the subtle crunch of tires on gravel intruded his thoughts. Turning to Chewy and Leia via their mental link, they confirmed it was a vehicle carrying three individuals.

The only logical conclusion was that his family had arrived. Sinclair hurriedly imparted the news to his friends, "Mom, Dad, and my sister, Victoria, are here. I know I told you they were coming, but it seems they've decided to arrive a bit early. Continue with your meal. I'll go and welcome them. Once you're done, please join us outside. We have quite a bit to reveal."

The corners of Sinclair's lips lifted in a mischievous grin at his final remark. He knew the upcoming revelations would certainly stun his parents, and that impish thrill of anticipation made him forget his heavy heart, if only for a moment. He rose from the table and strode towards the door, ready to meet his family.

As his parents pulled up, they found themselves confronted with a sight that was both familiar and shockingly different. The person waiting on the front porch had their son's face, but he now possessed an imposing physical stature, greatly exceeding the boyish figure they remembered from the family gathering a few months prior. Several familiar vehicles dotted the vicinity, causing Bruce, Sinclair's father, to guess Sinclair's best friends were here as well. Bruce and his wife had always admired the bond Sinclair shared with his friends, a group that was always by each other's side during significant life events.

Parking in an open area of the front yard, they climbed out of the SUV, forming a small huddle. Their eyes never left Sinclair, who stood on the porch with an uncharacteristically broad grin plastered on his face. Each of them felt a mix of curiosity and unease as they stared back at him, unsure of what to make of the apparent changes in their son.

As Bruce began to move forward, his wife and daughter trailing cautiously behind him, he spoke out, "Sinclair? I see you think this is funny, but you're going to have to explain a few things to us . . ." His words hung in the air for a moment before he felt a sudden change. Before his eyes, Sinclair blurred, then suddenly appeared next to them, standing as if he'd been there all along.

Taking advantage of the skill Focused Charge, Sinclair had crossed the distance with supernatural speed, shocking his family with his sudden proximity. His grin widened at their stunned expressions, an undeniable glimmer of mischief in his yellow, wolf-like eyes.

His eyes caused his mother to raise her hand to her mouth. "Sinclair, your eyes. What has happened to you?"

With a playful flick of his hand, Sinclair signaled his family to follow him into the house, deciding it wasn't worth delaying the unravelling of the mysteries he'd spring upon them just for the sake of winding them up a little longer. All three of them trudged after him, their eyes wide with trepidation.

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Upon entering, they found Ed and the others just clearing up from breakfast, their warm smiles offering a sense of familiarity amid the oddities. Greetings were exchanged, Victoria receiving welcome hugs from the women in the group, before everyone found a seat, settling in for the long-awaited explanation.

Sinclair exhaled a deep sigh, gathering his thoughts. The room fell silent, their eyes fixed on him, waiting for the tale to begin. There was much to tell, and he knew this was just the beginning.

Sinclair began his account, detailing his awakening from that fateful morning a couple of weeks ago. He described every sensation, every bit of shock, fear, and eventual determination that arose from his encounter with the system.

With the air of a seasoned storyteller, he illustrated his path so far, speaking of each new revelation and challenge he faced. He demonstrated a few of his skills, a hint of pride creeping into his voice as he showed them the fruits of his efforts. His inventory, filled with an array of items that would have seemed fantastical weeks ago, held their rapt attention.

Eventually, he beckoned Chewy and Leia into the room, presenting his animal companions to his family. His parents, trying to maintain their composure, were visibly pale and overwhelmed by all the new information. In stark contrast, his sister Victoria practically glowed with excitement, a spark of curiosity flaring in her eyes as a barrage of questions bubbled on her lips.

Sinclair leaned back, his tale finally finished. His gaze flitted to his parents, lingering on their stunned expressions. Their mouths were agape, having taken in his every word with a mix of disbelief and shock.

Victoria didn't miss a beat, inhaling deeply before launching into a torrent of questions. Each question seemed more complex and speculative than the last, covering everything from his skills to the origin of the system to the future of the world as they knew it. While Sinclair had no immediate answers to her barrage of inquiries, he made a mental note to consult Huginn and Muninn about them later. The depth of Victoria's curiosity, it seemed, was as limitless as the new world they now found themselves in.

His mother started to speak, her voice soft and filled with a mother's worry. "Sinclair, this is . . . this is so much to take in. It's like a dream, and not all of it is good. I just need a little time to process it all."

His father, ever the rock, simply put a hand on his wife's arm, offering her silent support. "We'll talk it over, son. We need to understand it all better before we make any decisions."

"Of course, Mom," Sinclair replied, rising to his feet. "Take all the time you need. This is a big decision, after all." Although you won't have a choice here soon when the foundations for the System are finally in place and the world does whatever it does to convert.

As his parents excused themselves, disappearing into the guest room, Sinclair turned back to Victoria. Her eyes were practically glowing with anticipation. He chuckled softly, a mixture of amusement and warmth washing over him.

"Seems like you're pretty excited about all this," he commented, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You have no idea, Sinclair," Victoria said, nearly bouncing in her seat. "I mean, it's not every day your big brother becomes a superhero or something. Plus, powers. Who doesn't want powers?"

Sinclair laughed, his heart feeling lighter than it had in days. Despite the strange circumstances and the challenges they'd undoubtedly face, he couldn't help but feel grateful for his family's support. And if his sister's enthusiasm was anything to go by, they'd face whatever came their way head-on.

With a twinkle in his eye, Sinclair asked his sister, "Victoria, would you like to witness something truly extraordinary?" Without a moment's hesitation, she was standing by his side, eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation. "Absolutely, show me!" she exclaimed, the thrill of the unknown adding an extra bounce to her step.

Laughing lightly at her enthusiasm, Sinclair gestured for the others to follow and led the way. One by one, they trickled out of the back door, their curiosity piqued by the mystery of Sinclair's revelation. Their destination was a quaint little square nestled behind the house, an area framed by the charming, if not slightly weathered, structure of an old pole barn on one side, the inviting familiarity of the house on another, and the rugged robustness of the actual barn, a structure which held memories of countless training sessions, completing the trio.

Navigating his inventory, Sinclair selected the item that would grant System Access to his friends. As he activated the object, an intense flare of light momentarily obscured his vision, and when his eyes adjusted, he was greeted with a holographic projection of his backyard, now adorned with a magnificent crystal hovering above the ground.

The crystal was about four feet tall, its surface a dazzling kaleidoscope, refracting and reflecting light into a multitude of rainbow hues. It hung suspended in the air, a captivating display of the extraordinary.

Experimenting with the projection, Sinclair found he could manipulate the floating crystal, moving it around within the holographic representation of his yard. Satisfied with its placement in the center, he gave his acceptance, eager to see what would happen next.

"Um, Sinclair, I can't see," Victoria announced, her voice laced with a hint of panic. She was standing somewhat helplessly with her hands outstretched. Sinclair felt a pang of concern. The light had been bright for him, but for his sister, who had not undergone the changes they had, it must have been too much.

Rushing to Victoria's side, he gently took her hand and inspected her eyes. No visible damage, but that did not necessarily mean she was fine. As he reached for his storage device, intent on finding a healing item, Rose intervened.

"I've got this," she offered, stepping forward with an air of assurance. "We haven't had much chance to talk yet, Victoria, but I picked up some healing abilities in my tutorial."

Positioning her hand over Victoria's eyes, Rose murmured the incantation for her healing spell. A serene blue light seeped from between her fingers, enveloping Victoria's eyes. The light pulsated gently, a sign that Rose's healing magic was at work.

Once Rose had lifted her hand from Victoria's eyes, she stepped back to give her space. Victoria blinked a few times, her gaze drifting around as she slowly refocused on the shapes and colors around her.

"I can see again," she exclaimed, turning a grateful smile towards Rose. "Thank you so much, Rose."

But then, her gratitude evaporated as she swiveled to glare at her brother. "You could have warned someone!"

Caught off guard, Sinclair raised his hands defensively. "I didn't know that was going to happen either," he replied, an apologetic tone threading through his words. "This is all new to me as well, peanut." His pet name for his younger sister seemed to soften the intensity of her glare.

The floating crystal, ethereal and multicolored, seemed to captivate everyone present. It hung suspended in the air, without any visible attachment points. As if hung by invisible strings, the crystal existed in defiance of the laws of gravity.

Sinclair, understanding that only he really knew what it was, turned to the others, his tone instructive.

"Just place your hand on it and think about the system. You should then be able to see the market like I did. Once you do that, you'll be able to purchase your own things," he explained, his gaze encouraging.

Sinclair turned to Victoria, an eyebrow arched in speculation as he observed the others crowding around the ethereal crystal. "Well, looks like you're about to get a system screen whether you wanted it or not."

His sister turned to him, her eyes wide with startled confusion. "What are you talking about? You didn't cast your spell!"

"True, I didn't cast mine, but Rose healed you which exposed you to magic. That should be enough to start the conversion," Sinclair explained, his eyes sympathetic as he watched his sister grapple with this unexpected turn of events. He found himself wondering if anyone could ever be truly prepared for such a jarring shift in reality.

The siblings excused themselves, leaving their friends to explore the Market with the earnings they had accrued during their tutorials. They retreated a little, engaging in casual conversation while they waited for their parents to emerge from their private discussion and for their friends to finish their exploration of the new system capabilities.

Once his friends had finished their exploration of the crystal, they returned to Sinclair, their faces adorned with broad smiles. Each one held something in their hand, a token of their newfound abilities they couldn't wait to share.

Ed was the first to step forward, holding up a ring with a sense of pride. "This is the Ring of Trees," he explained, "it provides me with minor stat boosts and significantly enhances my nature-based healing abilities. Oh, and by the way, in case we haven't had the chance to discuss it yet, I acquired a class too—a rare one at that. It's called Primordial Druid. Once I level up my skills, I'll gain the ability to summon pets and perform basic healing spells for them and the party."

Sinclair gave him a clap on the shoulder, his grin broadening at the enthusiasm radiating off his friend. "That's amazing, Ed. And a rare class, huh? That's definitely a game-changer. Can't wait to see those pet summons in action."

Next up was Rose, who held out a beautifully embroidered cloak. "I chose a cloak to assist with my magic regeneration, it should provide a significant boost to my efficiency and power. I also purchased some healing and shielding spells. Oh, and I picked up a class too, Tempest Weaver. It allows me to balance the forces of nature and the elements in my spells."

Then it was Alice's turn. She held up what looked like a pair of old steel work book caps but was probably much more than that. "These are Force-Stride Enhancers, it not only boosts my physical strength but also my durability. And I picked up a class, Breaker of Chains. It focuses on strength and durability, perfect for a front-line fighter like me."

Victoria, who had been watching this all with wide eyes, suddenly piped up. "So when do I get a cool class and a magic item?" she asked, a hint of envy creeping into her voice.

Sinclair laughed at her eager reaction. "Patience, Victoria. You should have access to your system screen by tomorrow. Then you'll receive a tutorial, similar to what we had. Odin gave us a choice for ours, so you'll likely get a choice too. But remember, it's not a cakewalk. Be mindful not to bite off more than you can chew."

His sister seemed to be processing his words, a thoughtful expression on her young face. "Okay, thanks for the heads-up. It's just so much to digest all at once," she admitted.

Just then, the sound of footfalls on the stairs caught his attention. "Mom and Dad are coming," he alerted the group, with Victoria appearing astonished that he could hear them already. As his parents emerged, they found themselves the center of attention, with a group of expectant faces turned their way.

They appeared resolute, their expressions firm. "We've had a long discussion about this," his mother began, her voice steady. "If our son is prepared to put his life on the line for the world, we won't stand on the sidelines. We're in this with you."

Sinclair's parents were a formidable team; his mother was a project manager for a construction firm where his father worked as an architect. Their leadership and planning skills would undoubtedly come in handy once they completed their tutorials. However, Sinclair decided to put in a word with Odin to go a bit easier on his parents when it came to their initiation. After all, he didn't want them facing more than they could handle.

"If that's your decision," Sinclair replied, his voice carrying an echo of seriousness. He then activated Yggdrasil's Authority, causing everyone to feel a sudden surge of power and a notable boost in morale. The effect was instantaneous, his parents' eyes lighting up in wonder as they experienced the spell's benefits firsthand.

Sinclair's voice carried a tone of seriousness that wasn't often heard. "Let's all gather at the table," he began, gesturing towards the wooden expanse in the center of the room. "There are some things we need to discuss about the farm and the additional features I can add." Without another word, he led the way inside.

The others exchanged glances, sensing the importance of the impending conversation. One by one, they settled into their respective chairs; the wood creaking slightly under their weight. The room was filled with a palpable anticipation, all eyes on Sinclair, waiting for him to break the silence.

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