Chapter 6: The College and Changes in Alex
The morning sun streamed through Alex's bedroom window, casting a golden glow on everything it touched. He stretched, feeling the tautness of his muscles and the newfound strength in his limbs. The Wish Crystal's update had completed overnight, accelerating the physical changes that had been gradually taking place. As he looked in the mirror, he barely recognized himself.
Gone was the slightly overweight, somewhat shy young man. In his place stood a fit, gym-trained figure with chiseled features and a confident posture. His transformation was nothing short of remarkable.
Alex dressed quickly, eager to see how his new appearance would be received at college. As he headed downstairs, his mother, Athena, did a double take, almost dropping the coffee pot she was holding.
"Alex? Is that you?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
He smiled. "Yeah, Mom. It's me."
She shook her head in disbelief. "You look... amazing. What happened?"
"It's a long story," he replied, glancing at the clock. "I'll explain later. I've got to get to class."
On the way to college, Alex felt an unusual sense of anticipation. He had always been known for his intellect, but today, he would also be noticed for his looks. As he walked through the gates, heads turned. Whispers followed him down the hallways, and he caught snippets of conversations among groups of students.
"Who is that?"
"Is he new here?"
"I think he's in my history class, but he looks so different!"
Even the professors were taken aback. In his first class, Professor Hargrove paused mid-lecture, squinting at him. "Alex Is that you?"
"Yes, Professor," Alex replied, feeling a mix of amusement and satisfaction.
The reaction from his classmates was immediate. The girls who had once overlooked him were now whispering and glancing his way, while the guys eyed him with a mix of envy and curiosity.
After class, a group of girls approached him. "Hey, Alex," one of them said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "We were thinking of grabbing coffee after class. Want to join us?"
Alex smiled politely. "Thanks for the invite, but I've got some things to take care of. Maybe another time."
As the day went on, the attention continued. During lunch, he found himself surrounded by people wanting to talk to him, get to know him. It was overwhelming but also exhilarating. He handled it with ease, his confidence bolstered not just by his new appearance but also by the skills and knowledge he had gained in the other world.
In the afternoon, Alex found a quiet spot in the library and called on CV. "CV, how do I handle all this attention?"
CV's voice echoed in his mind, calm and reassuring. "Remember to stay true to who you are, Alex. Use this opportunity to build genuine connections, but don't lose sight of your goals."
Taking CV's advice to heart, Alex navigated the rest of the day with a balanced approach. He enjoyed the newfound popularity but remained focused on his studies and the ongoing quests in the other world. That evening, as he prepared for another night of adventure, he reflected on how much his life had changed.