With his strength now at 20 and master-level acting skills unlocked, Luke had 4 attribute points left to allocate. He wasn't about to let them sit unused—his constitution needed to hit 20 to unlock master-level performance insights, which would trigger a skill fusion upgrade. So, he dumped all his remaining points into constitution.
[Constitution: 15 → 17]
[Available Attributes: 4 → 0]
As his constitution improved, Luke could clearly feel his bones growing denser and stronger. This meant his body was now better equipped to withstand impacts without sustaining critical injuries. After all, the body's vital organs are shielded by the ribcage, and stronger bones meant better protection.
But the upgrade didn't stop at his skeleton. His cartilage and ligaments were reinforced, and even his Achilles tendon had lengthened. Legend has it that "Lightning" Bolt's Achilles tendon was a whopping 43cm long. Luke wasn't sure if that was true, but his own tendon now measured a solid 38cm—more than double the average person's 15cm.
The Achilles tendon, connecting the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone, is one of the body's thickest and strongest tendons. It's critical for walking, standing, and maintaining balance. A longer Achilles tendon often translates to greater explosive power. For activities like sprinting or jumping, it can mean faster runs or higher leaps. It also boosts flexibility and resilience, reducing the risk of sprains or other injuries.
Luke was thrilled with the results of this upgrade. With his strength and agility already at 20 and his constitution now at 17, he was confident he was among the world's physical elite, pushing the limits of human potential. Sure, someone like Usain Bolt might edge him out in a single event, but in terms of overall physical prowess, Luke doubted anyone could top him.
He couldn't wait for the day all three of his attributes—strength, agility, and constitution—broke past 20. That's when he'd dominate global sports, racking up unbeatable records.
With his attribute points spent, Luke turned his focus back to the film set. The major scenes for Pirates of the Caribbean were done. All that remained were a few minor pick-up shots and reshoots, set to wrap within days, putting a perfect bow on the four-month production.
Post-production was already underway to hit the North American summer release in May. Before that, Hero would premiere in early April. As a Foreign-language film, Hero faced an uphill battle securing screens during peak seasons. April was a solid compromise—warmer weather meant more people were willing to hit the theaters, and with major sports events on a lull, the movie wouldn't have to compete for attention.
Mr. Eisen, ever the strategist, had a backup plan: release Hero in early April, and if it performed beyond expectations, they could extend its run into the lucrative summer season, even if just for a tail-end boost to the box office.
It was February now, leaving just over a month until Hero's premiere. Promotional campaigns were already heating up across global markets, but that was Eisen's domain. Luke wanted to contribute in his own way. A trip to Japan was starting to look like the next step, where his master-level Japanese skills would come in handy.
---
New York, Mr. Eisen's study.
Luke sat in a chair, flipping through documents, but his mind was elsewhere. The past few months, alongside shooting Pirates of the Caribbean, had been eventful.
First, there was Yuffie. She'd aced her three rounds of entrance exams and was officially admitted to the Beijing Film Academy. On top of that, she'd landed a role in The Golden Family, marking her acting debut. Both she and Luke were swamped, keeping in touch mostly by phone, but they hadn't seen each other in ages. He decided to visit her in Wutai after his Japan trip.
Then there was Taylor Swift, who'd just made her official debut last week with her self-titled album, Taylor Swift. The album's storytelling was its strength, with Taylor pouring her heart into songs about the ups and downs of a girl-next-door's life. The tracks captured familiar moments—private memories, fleeting joys, and raw, vulnerable struggles. Her sincerity was her secret weapon, instantly connecting with listeners.
Luke knew that in his original timeline, this album hit #3 on the Billboard Country Charts and sold over 2.08 million copies. The single Our Song won CMT Music Awards for "Female Video of the Year" and "Video of the Year." For a debut, it was a bombshell, signaling the rise of a superstar.
What's more, the standard album had 11 tracks, the deluxe version 15—and Taylor's name was on every single one as a writer, often as the primary songwriter. That kind of creative talent reminded Luke of Jay Chou back home—a self-writing artist always earned more respect than one singing someone else's songs.
Those 15 songs were just the tip of the iceberg. Taylor had written nearly 100 songs, carefully selecting these for their cohesive theme and fit. Luke was beyond pleased with her debut, but Taylor? She was a bit disappointed, hoping for even bigger numbers so she could become his "rock and pillar" sooner. Her ambitious, slightly Versailles attitude was adorable, and Luke could only reassure her over the phone.
Taylor had one request: she wanted Luke to take her to the plum-blossom-lined path from The Lake House, a place she'd always dreamed of visiting. He agreed, of course, but couldn't help thinking, Man, there just aren't enough hours in the day.
The next moment, golden text flashed before his eyes:
[Host's need detected. Upon successfully forming close relationships with four types of women, you will be rewarded with the skill: Time Management (Master Level)]
Luke: ???