Alex Pov:
I stuck my shovel into the compost pile as I ran a rag across my forehead. I've spent the last week working on Martin's farm.
Good people, hard work, nice view. I could spend the rest of my life here.
'NOPE fuck that. I need games, books, anything. It feels like I'm suffering from fantasy withdrawals.'
I grumbled mentally as I got back to work. Moving compost and sweating like a pig.
----
Martin Pov:
'That new kid, Alex, is definitely trying. You can just tell he hasn't worked a day of physical labor in his life.'
I chuckled remembering how I almost had him pegged for a low life.
I looked over as Rosie brought me some drinks. 'Sweet girl. If my son doesn't get back and take care of his daughter soon, then I'll personally wring his ears.'
Smiling warmly to Rosie I took a glass with a thankful nod. She had a look about her, shy maybe?
Looking at the new kid I smiled inwardly as I leaned towards Rosie. "He won't bite."
She jumped slightly at my sudden comment and I couldn't help a light chuckle.
"You seemed worried. Thought you were waiting for his second head to spring out his neck." I teased her with a playful wink.
My antics got a strong eye roll from her. She was obviously not impressed with my humble insights.
"Grandpa, are you sure it's alright for us to leave him on the farm. What if he tries something dumb?"
I chuckled as I patted her head, obtaining an annoyed scoff in return.
"Well Rosie, he's to put it politely. City folk. Not used to hard labor or long suns. So he can keep working the field. Let him get it all out of his system."
Rosie frowned at my nonchalant reply before slowly nodding in resignation.
"OK Grandpa. If you think it's best." She then went to give Luke and the boys their drinks too.
I watched the new kid as I fell into thought. I started doing that a lot more recently.
Shaking that unsettling thought away. I focused on what was really bothering me.
'Kid is definitely new to aura. No control. Sloppy as hell. Yet his aura is built like a brick shit house.'
'All power no breaks. Kids actively bathing the place with aura and doesn't even know it.'
Shaking my head with a wry smile. I wandered over to Luke. We needed to decide how to handle the kid before his rampant aura drew a hoard of grim.
----
Alex Pov:
I finished moving the compost pile as I jumped slightly. The young girl, I think her name was Rosie? Just materialized next to me with a tray and a single glass of mystery pink stuff.
"Hey Rosie, I uh, didn't see you there. Is that for me?"
I asked tentatively, as a dry thirst made itself known at the back of my throat.
She nodded once while eyeing me suspiciously. The kind of look you give a sketchy ally and a person shaped pile of blankets.
'No idea what I did to piss her off. But noted. Sleep with one eye open and pray to whatever is out there I don't encounter an anime trope.'
Taking the glass gingerly, I sipped it lightly.
The drink had a strange mix between muscle milk and fruit punch. It was odd, but not unbearable.
"Never had this before, what is it?" I asked her curiously as I took a bigger drink.
Rosie grew a slightly smug expression as she showed off slightly. Forgetting her suspicion momentarily.
"It's a family secret. What makes us big and strong." She emphasized her declaration with a flex of her arm.
Part of me wanted to laugh at how adorable she was. However the much larger part of me was ashamed that a twelve year old girl had better muscles than me.
With renewed vigor I downed the drink and got back to work. I was gonna get that farm bod if it was the last thing I did.
However before I could really jump face first into my next fuck up. Martin and, the foreman?, Luke approached.
My mind played the undertale encounter sound as I stopped to see what they wanted.
'Shit, is this were they tell me to fuck off, nicely. Martin was a gentleman after all.'
"Hey son, let's talk for a moment." Martin started the battle with an AOE pattern as I already knew i didn't stand a chance without goat mom's tutorial.
"Yeah Doc, what do you need?" I asked cheerfully. Hoping to dodge the worst outcome.
Martin nodded with a smile to Luke. "Luke and I were thinking. You seem pretty green so we wanted to show you a thing or two about aura. Can't have a repeat of last time."
Luke nodded with a more serious tone. "Yeah kid, with how much aura you're leaking. You're practically a giant 'grim food here' sign. We gotta fix that ASAP."
I nodded enthusiastically. Learning aura. That was basically a super power. I absolutely wanted to learn.
"Absolutely! When do we start?" My enthusiasm was obvious but I couldn't care less. I was getting super powers and nothing could stop me.
The two men shared a knowing smile before turning back to me. And in unison spoke. "Now."
----
It's been two weeks since that cursed day.
I was actually starting to put on some muscle. However the field work and pink go juice had nothing to do with it.
Turns out learning aura was a lot more spartan than learning.
Basically. They beat my ass day in and day out until my aura broke. Told me how I fucked up. Then beat me some more for good measure.
OK, maybe I'm exaggerating. But if fucking felt like it. I've eaten so much dirt in the last two weeks I'm genuinely considering if I'm part earth worm.
Out in the field I hoisted some large grain bags. Two weeks ago I would have straight up laughed in your face if you told me to lift them.
Now? Now I was practically juggling them. Apparently aura was just a cheat. With my aura 'training' and physical labor. My strength was skyrocketing.
However the one God send for me was finding out I had Naruto level aura reserves.
My best guess is I'm just built different scrubs. However that pesky reason in me could almost guarantee the likely reason is I was brought here by something because of my stronk aura.
Either way, I had serious potential. Even if I was just starting to use diapers while everyone else was sprinting marathons.
Shaking that deranged image from my head I focused on work. Needed to get better. Especially since I now knew I was pre fall of Beacon territory.
Couldn't be caught laking when the grim hoards came for my future gaming rig.
I still haven't forgiven the last one they wrecked.
In other news I fucked up. Again. I panicked when they seriously pressed me for my name.
New ID needs a proper name. Only I don't want to DOX myself to whatever authorities are out there. So in a moment of pure fucking genius. I'm now Alexander Tenno. Because being a space ninja was on my bingo card.
Yeah I'm not proud of that one either. But good news. We're heading off the farm to get some metal work done.
And with my new ID, I can finally get a mecha-shift weapon!