Michael

Biodata

Background / History

Michael is a Franklin K. Lane High School senior who meets Li Wei at a gym shortly before they become classmates. He immediately invites Li Wei to train with him, and their joint chest-and-shoulder session completes Li Wei’s Chivalry task. 11

He has trained for nearly a year and can bench press 60 kilograms, an impressive result for a high-school student. Li Wei’s system-driven strength gains repeatedly surprise him, from Li Wei’s 80-kilogram bench press only days after beginning training to his later competition performance. 11 12 15 24

Michael is an honor student and takes AP History. He hopes to become a doctor, buy a large home for his family, and improve his family’s circumstances. 11 46

He grew up in a violent neighborhood and says that many of his childhood classmates and friends have either gone to prison or died from gun violence. His younger brother Carl is involved with a gang and uses drugs; Michael secretly saves money in hopes of sending Carl to rehabilitation and helping him leave the gang. 11 39

Personality

Michael is friendly and quick to form connections, treating Li Wei warmly from their first meeting and later greeting him enthusiastically at the school gate. 11 39

He is disciplined and conscientious. Despite working part-time, he makes time to train before school, extends his own workouts after witnessing Li Wei’s progress, performs community service for his church, and pursues demanding AP coursework. 12 15 24 46

His concern for Li Wei is genuine, though it often takes the form of disbelief at Li Wei’s abnormal improvements. He warns Li Wei against rushing his training, offers to spot him during risky lifts, and tries to dissuade him from entering the gym’s bench-press competition. 11 12 23

Abilities & Skills

Weight Training

Michael has nearly a year of gym experience and trains at a level comparable to Li Wei’s initial enhanced strength.

• Benches 60 kilograms during his first training session with Li Wei. 11
• Spots Li Wei during an 80-kilogram bench-press attempt despite doubting that Li Wei can complete it. 12
• Trains longer after Li Wei’s sudden progress challenges his confidence. 12

Academics

Michael is an honor student who takes Advanced Placement classes.

• Attends AP History. 46
• Was already identified as an AP student before Li Wei began at Franklin K. Lane High School. 11

Relationships

• Li Wei — Gym partner, fellow Franklin K. Lane student, and friend. Michael trains with him, worries about his rapid strength gains, and later reunites with him at the school gate. 11 12 15 23 39
• Carl — Younger brother. Carl is involved with a gang and uses drugs; Michael wants to save enough money to place him in rehabilitation and help him leave that life. 11 39

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Gym friendship — Meets Li Wei at the gym, trains with him, and becomes the first person to closely witness Li Wei’s rapid physical growth. 11 12 15
• Bench-press competition — Attempts to stop Li Wei from accepting an extreme public challenge, then remains shocked by the result. 23 24
• Franklin K. Lane High School — Reconnects with Li Wei at the school gate and reveals that Carl’s gang situation has worsened amid conflict between larger gangs. 39
• AP coursework — Appears alongside Li Wei after AP Calculus; they separate for their respective electives, with Michael attending AP History. 46

Notable Quotes

“I want to be a doctor. I want to change my class starting with my generation. I'm going to buy a big house for my parents and my brother.” 11