Drake and Alan continued their workout, and just as Drake was trying to shake off the feeling of unease, Mark, the muscular senior in his mid-20s, approached them. He wiped sweat from his brow with a towel before greeting them with a friendly smile.
"Hey there, guys! Haven't seen you around here before," Mark said, his voice carrying an air of confidence. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his broad chest was glistening with sweat. He was wearing tight black briefs that showcased his well-defined physique.
Drake and Alan exchanged quick glances before Drake responded, "Yeah, we're relatively new to this gym. I'm Drake, and this is my friend, Alan."
Mark extended a hand, his grip firm. "Nice to meet you, Drake and Alan. I'm Mark. Always good to see fresh faces in here."
As they chatted, Drake couldn't help but notice Mark's two workout buddies who had accompanied him. To Mark's right was Chris, a tall and lean guy with blonde hair. Chris had an easygoing smile and appeared to be in his early twenties. He wore blue briefs and was working on the lat pulldown machine, showcasing his toned back and biceps.
On Mark's left was Mike, a slightly shorter guy with a stocky build. Mike had a buzz cut and a friendly demeanor. He looked to be around the same age as Chris. His choice of attire was a pair of gray briefs, and he was focused on his chest workout, his pectoral muscles visibly flexing with each repetition.
As Mark continued their conversation, he turned his attention toward getting to know Alan and Drake better. With a friendly grin, he said, "So, guys, I'm curious. What's your age and what are your majors?"
Alan, always quick with a response, leaned back on a bench and chuckled. "Well, Mark, how about you take a guess first? It's more fun that way."
Mark glanced at Alan, sizing him up for a moment. "Alright, let me think... You, Alan, seem like you're in your early twenties, maybe 21 or 22. And as for your major, I'd say you're studying something related to fitness or sports science."
Alan laughed, seemingly impressed by Mark's accuracy. "Spot on, Mark! I'm 22, and I'm majoring in kinesiology."
Mark turned his attention to Drake, who was now standing beside Alan. Drake, with his new physique from the gym attire, looked noticeably younger and less muscular compared to Alan. Mark furrowed his brow in thought before offering his guess, "And you, buddy, you strike me as a fresh-faced 18-year-old freshman, am I right?"
Drake blinked in mild surprise and for a second wanted to correct him but what did he get wrong. "Yeah, you got it. I'm 18, starting my first year here. Majoring in literature."
Unbeknownst to Drake, a subtle shift had occurred in his reality. The wish Alan made in secret was now taking effect, and Mark's guess about Drake's age and major had become true. Drake felt no immediate change; it was as if the alterations were seamlessly woven into his memories and surroundings.
The workout continued, with Drake continuing to lift weights and engage in exercises. It was only later, as he looked at his student ID and saw the date of birth that indicated he was indeed 18, that a vague sense of something being amiss flickered in the back of his mind. However, he dismissed it as a momentary lapse in his memory.