Might As Well Get On With It

"W-Wait, what?" Andrew questioned as a worried look rapidly appeared on his face. "W-What do you mean that I can't change back until I master all of my powers?"

"Being the Bearer of the Lightning is not only a great blessing, but also a great responsibility that if not mastered, can result in the death of the bearer and everyone around them," the old man standing opposite to him responded as he nodded. "For that reason we decided to impose a set of trials that once completed, would confirm that the Bearer of the Lightning has mastered all of their powers and can transform back to their former self at their please."

"And what are these 'trials' supposed to be?"

"Some of them just involve simple things like solving some puzzles and traversing labyrinths made specifically to test the very limits of your will. Others involve sealing once again infernal beings that must be never see the light of day or protecting the Earth from cyclic invasions from other dimensions that happen every few years or so. Finally, there is your responsibility of keeping the city safe and helping everyone who is in need of help."

Andrew was quickly taken aback by all of the things the old man had told him.

"And how long do you think I will take me to master all of my powers and pass all of my trials?" Andrew hesitated.

The old man remained silent for a few seconds as he was deep in thought. Nonetheless, it didn't take him much time to respond. "If you're as good as the last Bearer of the Lightning, then I'd say about five year-"

"FIVE YEARS?!" Andrew suddenly snapped at the wizard. "I'm going to be stuck in this body for FIVE YEARS?!"

"Could be more. Could be less," The old man responded, seemingly unaffected by Andrew's shock. "We've had bearers who've taken two years to fully master their powers, but they were the best of the best. Others... well, we had one bearer who took around twenty years to do the same. Either way, you won't age, so I wouldn't worry too much about it."

And just like that, the old man excused himself and left the chamber.

As for Andrew, he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

Just a day ago, he had been thrilled about the fact that out of all the people in the world, he had been chosen as the next Bearer of the Lightning. True, he had to transform into a woman bearing the exact image of the first Bearer of the Lightning in order to use his new powers, but as long as he could transform back to his former self at any moment, then why worry about it? He could enjoy all of the props of being an attractive woman with superpowers most people could only dream of, and then return back to his normal life as a guy whenever his help was no longer needed...

But no.

Only after he accepted the honor of being the Bearer of the Lightning did they tell him that he had to finish his trials and master his powers in order to transform back. And from everything the old man had told him, it seemed like he was going to be stuck in his new female form for a long, long time!

How was he even supposed to explain this to his family?!

And to his friends?!

And to his girlfriend?!

And to his coworkers?!

And to his manager?!

Not wanting to waste any more precious time, Andrew then picked up one of the many books laying in front of them and began to read it, trying as hard as he could to absorb all of its contents. If he had to master all of his powers as fast as possible in order to transform back to his former self, then he might as well get on with it.