How I got fuc*ed up

Terta, Stellaria Continent, Temple of Stellaris, infirmary 

Julius slowly opened his eyes

“Morning, princess… What do you desire for breakfast?” asked a voice near him

“Tarlen… Who could it be if not my favorite snail?” replied the boy with a sarcastic tone, causing the High Priest to make a guilty face 

“Don't be too harsh on him, Julius… He has spent 3 days on your side and not even the Supreme Priest could make him move” said Kalon, appearing next to Julius’ bed “Plus, you give me a lot of work to do”

“Why? I was just here, sleeping”

“Yes, but the Qi and Mana fluctuations you caused were no joke… To think you are not even awakened…”

“Sorry, I didn't think that this would be the case… Wait a second, what is Tarlen doing here? And why are you saying such things in front of him?”

“Don't worry… He already knew almost everything and deduced the rest… It's difficult to hide such power-up from a battle maniac with an instinct such as Tarlen”

“... Well, I guess you are not wrong”

“You need allies Julius, more than anything… And someone as strong as him and with a military reputation of his level, is one of the best options… Now, did everything go according to your plans?”

“Good question”

-System, check stats-

[Status: stats] 

Strength: 50

Agility: 50

Stamina: 50

Intelligence: 50

Vitality: 9

Perception: 50

“Yes, everything went well”

“Good, now, why don't you get up?”

“Yes… It’s just that this bed is so comfortable” laughed Julius getting up. 

The point is that both priests became pale and even the boy was shocked. 

That was because the speed he moved at was not something an unawakened should have been able to move

“Boy… That's a peak Qi gathering speed level you are showcasing… I can't believe it”

“I told you that you didn't have any idea if the headaches he can cause” commented Kalon

“72 hours to go from a civilian to such strength is something unheard of…” said Tarlen, holding his s

‘’Don’t bother trying to apply common sense to him… Just think that there is the possibility that he will have trash Mana talent’’

‘Yes, you are right, there is still hope’’

‘’Hey, were you not supposed to be on my side?’’

‘’Yes, but it still is frustrating for us to witness something like this… We spent decades training and then you come here and do something impossible’’

“Well, I would advocate that considering the fact that I was sent here against my will, it is quite fair”

“I’ll give you that… Now, why don't we go to the courtyard and test you? Then we will eat and then you will be escorted to the trial”

“Ok”

A couple minutes later, 3 man could be seen arriving at the courtyard of the temple 

“Julius… Why don't you try running all around the place?” proposed Kalon

“Ok” replied the boy without hesitation, before starting running 

After a few seconds, the voice of Tarlen could be heard “... This is not an unawakened… God, that can't be… He is running at 70 km/h (44 mph) and he doesn't even look fatigued…”

“Yep… He isn't human…”

“Is there a need to make him run like this?”

“Not really… Julius, come back” exclaimed Kalon

“Was something wrong?”

“No, but there is no point in making you run like that… So, I would suggest switching to something else…”

“Please let me run a little more, I need to test something out”

“Ehm… Ok, as you wish”

“Thank you” replied Julius, before starting sprinting like a madman 

“... My ego is really at an all time low” whispered Tarlen

-System-

[How can I help the host?] 

-I have a question-

[Please, ask] 

-If now I am unawakened but I’m at the peak of the Qi gathering level in terms of overall strength… DoDoesn't that mean that as long as I have enough resources, I will be a major level above people at my same level?-

[That's precisely what it is like] 

-And I can even go further by upgrading through tasks and exercise?-

[Yes] 

-But does that mean that I can reach the apex without even awakening?-

[No]

-Why? - 

[Because the host’s Vitality can't keep up and the host would eventually die prematurely] 

-Doesn't sound nice to me… What is my real limit as an unawakened?-

[... Calculations on going based on the host data…]

-Didn't expect that-

[The safe limit is the peak of the Qi Core level, with the stats cap at 5000]

-Seems quite far-

[Please keep in mind that the stats are not all that matters] 

-I will… Now, can you tell me what tasks I need to complete to upgrade my stats?-

[Sorry host, but that function will be unlocked only after awakening, until then the host will have to experiment]

-Sounds like I have to try different things… Now, should I run 10 kilometers?-

[Tracker set: 25 meters… 50 meters… 75 meters…]

-Nice-

About 6 minutes and 40 seconds later…

[System note: the host has completed a 10 kilometer run. +1 Stamina]

‘’Kalon… Did he…’’

‘’Yes… I don’t know why or how, but there was a fluctuation around him just now’’

‘’I…How are we even supposed to keep that a secret if he keeps powering up like this?’’

‘’I don’t really know… I suppose the Supreme Priest has a plan, at least, I hope so’’

‘’Kalon… Is it my impression or is the boy making a strange face?’’

‘’Tarlen… That’s the face you make while fighting… Apparently, Julius is a training maniac… Seems like he doubled the effort’’

Less than 7 minutes later

[System not: the host has completed a 10 kilometer run. +1 Stamina]

-This is addicting-

[The host is about to exhaust his vitality. The use of low level Mana crystals is required or, even better, real food]

-Damn, why do I have to?]

[The host is still unawakened and therefore needs nutrients. Once host awakens, he can get that from Qi and Mana gathering]

-Ok, got it… What should I do?-

[I recommend host to rest and adapt to his new abilities]

-Ok, sounds reasonable-

“GUYS, I'M DONE … I NEED TO REST” shouted Julius from the opposite side of the running track to the priests

“Thank Stellar… I'm mean, yes Julius… Come here and we will bring you to get lunch”

“He is human after all” whispered Tarlen

“You don't look really confident”

“Because I'm not… I

I can assure you that he could have kept going for Stellar knows how long”

“I choose to focus on the fact that he stopped”

“Sounds reasonable…”

“Hey, everything right?” asked Julius who got there in a few seconds, hearing the priests talking to each other

“Well… Yes, kinda… Just to be clear, I would advise you to not do that powerup randomly”

“I will try… How would you evaluate my performance?”

“That was fu…” started Tarlen

“DECENT” shouted Kalon, interrupting his friend “That's a good progress from your starting  point… Now, let's go to the cantin, I heard they serve codfish today”

“Yes, let's go” added a depressed Tarlen