A week passed. Animus focused fully on building Wicca, training in the gym, and spending time with Zoe, Gwen, and the group. He woke up at 5 am every day. He went to the gym, worked out, and returned home for a bath. He would eat breakfast with Zoe and sometimes Gwen before they headed to work. He would quickly hit the daily Rad-Away quota before throwing himself into building Wicca. He would also spend some time reading in the library at night, learning more about the world.
He usually had lunch and dinner with the whole group: Jasmine, Daphne, Gwen, Yor, and Anya. Everyone talked and shared how their lives were going. Elsa joined them rarely. Malty began joining them less and less.
"You know, I think Malty is avoiding us." Gwen pointed out, looking at Malty who was sitting with an unfamiliar group of women.
"Maybe she doesn't like the ideas Animus pitched a few days ago?" Jasmine said, sounding unsure.
"It is sad that we can't eat together due to a difference in opinion." Yor said, her lips turned downward in a mild frown.
"Geh." Anya pulled her tongue out at the mention of Malty.
"What do you mean by that, Anya?" Zoe chuckled.
"I don't like the red aunty." Anya pouted.
Animus nearly spat his drink out.
"A-Aunty? Anya, you shouldn't say that!" Yor scolded.
"Hahaha! Anya, you're the best!" Gwen laughed.
"Y-You shouldn't encourage her, Gwen." Jasmine said, barely fighting her laughter.
"Just let Malty do what she wants, guys. She is entitled to her own opinion. It's not like she is spreading lies about us or harming us." Animus shrugged.
**
One day later, in the gym.
Animus was curling a weight of 2 kilograms before he suddenly felt his burning arms light up with renewed energy. His stance shifted, and he began lifting the weights with much ease.
Animus stopped. His muscles actively moved, enlarging and becoming firmer. His eyes widened.
Animus immediately set the weights down.
'Could it be?!' He thought with excitement.
He looked at his Pip-Boy and swiped the screen to show his stats.
[Stats]
[S.P.E.C.I.A.L]
[S: 3 (+1)]
[P: 5]
[E: 4]
[C: 5]
[I: 8]
[A: 2]
[L: 10]
"YES!" He shouted, grinning wildly. "YES! YES! YES!"
It was early morning, at around 6 o'clock. There were a few women in the gym. They stopped and looked at him weirdly. A woman near him took an anxious step away from him.
'It works! It really works! Exercise increased my strength!' Animus grinned, his lips stretched wide.
Then, his grin split his face further. He stared at his arms, which looked slightly bigger now.
'I am going to push myself beyond every limit. Strength training, cardio, calisthenics, boxing, and running.'
He stared at the weights as if they owed him money long past its payment date.
'I'm going to break and remake myself in the months to come.'
**
The whole day, Animus was giddy. The girls noticed it over dinner.
"Well, what has got you so happy?" Daphne asked.
"Did you get a kiss from a lady, Bro?" Zoe teased.
Gwen nearly spat her drink out. Jasmine almost choked on her meal.
"Sister?!" Daphne panicked, rubbing Jasmine's back.
"Gwen, easy." Animus chuckled, rubbing Gwen's back. "Bad Zo."
Zoe giggled and pulled her tongue out.
Gwen and Jasmine stared at each other before looking at Animus.
"You seem so happy, Animus. How was your day?" Jasmine asked, a touch of trepidation beneath her curiosity.
"I've been seeing you smiling the whole day. Mind telling me what's up?" Gwen asked, squeezing Animus' hand on the table.
Jasmine's eyes narrowed at them holding hands.
Animus smiled.
"Nothing much, really. It's just my workout at the gym is bearing results. I'm just happy we are all getting along." He said, squeezing Gwen's hand back.
"Always, Animus. I might join you in the gym too sometime." Gwen smiled and winked.
"Oh! That's great!" Jasmine clapped her hands before her voice turned a little sharp. "I think I need a workout too. I'll join you in the gym too, Animus."
Gwen turned to glare at Jasmine. Jasmine glared back.
"Just take it easy, Bro. Don't push yourself. You've always had a frail body." Zoe said, looking worried.
"Don't worry, Zo. I'm doing well." Animus smiled, holding his sister's hand.
"Fine, but go slow. Drink lots of water." Zoe smiled, reassured.
Animus nodded with a smile.
"Exercise is really good for one's health. I do yoga in the gym too, sometimes. We should all workout together!" Yor smiled, excited at the idea.
"Miss Yor, if yoga could make me half as strong or fast as you, I would practice even while eating dinner." Animus joked, taking a bite of his food.
Yor blushed. "I-I just have been meditating for a long time!"
'Mama's a liar.' Anya stared at her adoptive mother blankly.
"Seriously? If yoga is that effective, I want to learn from you, Miss Yor." Gwen said, her voice serious.
"Just what did those Indian sages eat and do to develop yoga? Miss Yor killed a giant mole rat in one hit," Zoe muttered.
"Teach me too, Miss Yor!" Jasmine said, her voice full of excitement.
Yor's eyes rolled around in embarrassment and worry.
"Awawa... I-I'll try!" She squeaked.
Everyone laughed.
"By the way," Jasmine began, her voice joyous. "You know how I told you guys about wanting to change my role assignment from the water treatment rooms to something else? I got it approved. I'll start working in the library from tomorrow."
"It is far more befitting our status, sister. Moreover, you'll be closer to me now." Daphne nodded happily, aware of the change in advance.
"That's nice. Being surrounded by books sounds great." Gwen smiled.
"Congratulations, Jasmine." Animus smiled at her.
"Yes, and..." Jasmine said, her voice containing a trace of expectation. "Animus, you go to the library often, right? Will you... visit me?"
"Of course. We can read together." Animus nodded with a smile.
"I would love that." Jasmine smiled sweetly.
Gwen's eyes narrowed.
'Did she plan for this? How devious. No matter. I spend eight hours every day at work with Animus, not to mention breakfast with Zoe and him, along with the rest of the meals. I won't let her get one up over me.' She thought.
'Just you wait, Gwen. I'm not giving up.' Jasmine thought while smiling.
'These two big sisters are scary.' Anya thought while staring at them.
"Congrats, Jasmine! The library is really close to the classrooms. We can hang out! You would be better company than Daphne." Zoe beamed.
"Anya wants to have fun with Miss Jasmine too!" Anya raised her hands in excitement. She was holding a spoon that nearly spilled the food on her. Yor deftly caught it and set it down.
"Yes, I'd love to hang out with you two." Jasmine giggled.
"Don't forget that I am your teacher, pipsqueak. I'm doubling your homework tomorrow." Daphne rolled her eyes.
"The travesty!" Zoe gasped. "Miss Yor, cover Anya's ears!"
Yor immediately clasped Anya's ears.
"Bro, hack her Pip-Boy and make it play the PornHub theme non-stop!" Zoe grinned.
"Zo!" Animus choked.
Gwen quickly rubbed Animus' back. She was blushing heavily. Even her ears were red.
"Zo, you have no filter." Gwen muttered, blushing hard as she rubbed Animus' back.
Yor's eyes rolled around in embarassment.
"P-P-P-Po..." Yor muttered, her head steaming.
"Zoe! You're being too loud!" Jasmine blushed, giggling.
"Y-You do that, Animus, and I'm putting laxatives in your food!" Daphne stammered, clutching her Pip-Boy close before pointing a finger at Zoe. "You! You brat! Stop coercing your brother or I'll quadruple your homework for every day of your schooling!"
"Blegh!" Zoe stuck her tongue out, laughing all the while.
**
The next day, Animus was exercising as usual in the athletics room. He performed cardio daily before switching over to the bicycle machine and then the treadmill. Suddenly, a soothing sensation swept his arms and legs. He felt them loosen up, as if the wind was cutting through them easier or like an invisible chain holding him back just snapped. He could feel his legs move a bit faster, and his body coordinate better with itself.
He slowed down on the machine before hopping off of it. He looked at his Pip-Boy in anticipation.
[Stats]
[S.P.E.C.I.A.L]
[S: 3]
[P: 5]
[E: 4]
[C: 5]
[I: 8]
[A: 3 (+1)]
[L: 10]
"Hehehe..." He giggled like a child.
A few women practicing in the same room looked at him weirdly.
'I am improving. These tangible improvements are making me so happy. Nothing beats this sensation.' He thought, eyes closed, a smile on his lips.
Then, his eyes snapped open.
'Time to keep grinding.' He thought.
Just like that, a full month had passed since Animus first entered the vault.
**