I return to my quarters through the maintenance tunnels, body tired but mind sharp after the intensive neural work with Desta. Her repairs are progressing nicely, which is good because her powers will be crucial as we move forward.

  Now I need to focus on myself, specifically the physical enhancements I've been neglecting. The aliens didn't just give me telekinesis; they modified my entire physiology. Super strength, enhanced speed, accelerated reflexes, capabilities I've barely utilized while focusing on telekinetic control and neural deception.

  With arena combat likely in my future and challenges from other enhanced humans inevitable, I need physical capabilities I can display publicly without hesitation. Raw physical power will serve me well in combat situations where telekinesis might be predictable or expected.

  I settle onto my thin mattress, arranging my body for deep meditation. The facility's night cycle has dimmed the lighting to minimal levels, creating suitable conditions for intensive neural work. As my breathing slows and consciousness begins detaching from immediate surroundings, I shift into sleep meditation where my self-directed development continues.

  My awareness turns inward, examining the physical enhancement pathways woven throughout my body. Unlike the telekinetic architecture centered primarily in my brain, these modifications extend through my entire muscular system, nervous pathways, and skeletal structure. Dormant potential I've never fully activated due to focus on more sophisticated abilities.

  There's no reason to ignore these physical enhancements anymore. The Integration Program has shown interest specifically in my telekinetic capabilities with molecular manipulation potential, not standard physical augmentation that countless other assets possess. Strength and speed represent common enhancements that wouldn't trigger special attention from Karis or her assessment teams.

  I begin methodical optimization of these physical enhancement channels, reinforcing neural connections between brain and muscle tissue, increasing efficiency of energy distribution systems, and refining control mechanisms for precise activation during combat situations. Not creating new capabilities, just fully unlocking what the aliens already built into my modified physiology.

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  The work proceeds systematically through major muscle groups, first legs for enhanced speed and jumping capability, then core muscles for stability and power transfer, finally arms and shoulders for striking force and lifting capacity. Each system receives careful attention, neural pathways strengthened and optimized for maximum performance.

  Unlike my telekinetic abilities which require careful camouflage to avoid Integration interest, these physical enhancements can be displayed openly without risk. The facility expects and even encourages physical combat capabilities for arena situations, it's the foundation of their entertainment system. Only specific, unusual abilities like molecular manipulation trigger the special attention that leads to Integration candidacy.

  Hours pass in this deep state, my telekinetic abilities operating at microscopic precision to optimize physical systems throughout my body. The neural camouflage remains active for my advanced telekinetic architecture, but the physical enhancement channels operate normally without additional concealment.

  As the facility's night cycle progresses toward morning, I transition from optimization to integration, establishing cognitive control patterns that allow instant access to enhanced physical capabilities without conscious effort. Muscle memory and neural response circuits linked directly to threat assessment systems, creating automatic physical enhancement during combat situations.

  By the time consciousness begins returning to normal waking patterns, I've transformed my physical capabilities from neglected potential to combat-ready assets. Not at the expense of telekinetic development, but as complementary systems operating through separate neural channels, advanced telekinesis carefully hidden while physical enhancements remain openly available.

  I open my eyes, physically rested despite the intensive neural work. The enhanced physiology now functions more efficiently even at rest, breathing optimized, cellular energy production increased, waste removal accelerated. These improvements will provide real advantage in physical confrontation without raising administrative eyebrows.

  In the arena or during independent challenges, I can demonstrate impressive physical capabilities while keeping advanced telekinetic skills in reserve, the perfect strategy for a facility that values combat performance while remaining wary of unusual mental abilities. Physical prowess earns respect without triggering the specialized assessment that molecular manipulation attracted.

  CHARACTER PROFILE

  Gary (PROTAGONIST)

  STR: 21(+10) - Enhanced strength

  SPD: 25(+12) - Enhanced reflexes

  RES: 18(+5) - Moderate enhancement recovery

  CTL: 65(+1) - Excellent telekinetic precision

  AWR: 31(+1) - Significant perception

  Primary: Advanced Telekinesis (Molecular manipulation, Neural Architecture Modification)

  Secondary: Physical Enhancement