Inside the gym, the familiar panel materialized again in front of Rowan's eyes.
[Goal Completed: Join Gym]
EXP: 00/100 → 10/100
+2 Stat Points Received
[Unspent Stat Points: 2]
Use Stat Points, Rowan thought.
[Allocate Points – Select Attribute:]
[Strength | Stamina | IQ | Perception | Agility | Charisma]
Strength, he commanded.
[How many points to allocate?]
2
[Strength increased: 8 → 10]
He felt it almost instantly. A warm, tingling sensation spread through his arms and chest. His posture subtly straightened. Nothing dramatic—but if someone looked closely, they'd notice a change.
Then, a new panel shimmered into view.
[Would you like to set a Training Session Goal?]
Yes, Rowan responded.
[Training Goal Created]
Daily Training Routine:
3 km Run
3 Sets × 4 Pull-ups
3 Sets × 25 Push-ups
3 Sets × 30 Squats
3 Sets × 30 Reach-ups
Reward: +10 EXP | +5 Bonus Stat Points
Rowan took a deep breath. He was ready.
⸻
The first day was brutal.
His lungs burned after the 3 km run. His arms trembled with each pull-up. Sweat poured off him like rain. Push-ups pushed him to his limit. By the time he finished the last reach-up, he was gasping for air—legs wobbly, arms numb.
He collapsed onto the mat, exhausted beyond words.
John noticed from his position. He was amazed to see Rowan's routine. It looked almost professional. He was doing full-body workouts. No weightlifting, but the distribution of sets, timing, and intensity—it all felt like watching a coach train himself.
The kid really knows his work, John thought to himself.
Then—
The panel popped up in front of Rowan again.
[Goal Completed: Training Session]
+10 EXP | +5 Bonus Stat Points Earned
EXP: 10/100 → 20/100
Another notification followed:
[System Update: Training Recovery Enabled]
Fatigue Recovery: Complete after Training Mission. All fatigue removed.
Suddenly,
A cool sensation washed over his body. Muscles that had screamed moments ago felt loose and relaxed. His breath returned. The pain completely vanished. He stood up, stunned.
Wow! The system is amazing.
It even resets my health... like a real game.
He grinned.
With a help like this, his progress wouldn't just multiply—it would skyrocket.
Use Bonus Points, he ordered.
[Allocate 5 Points – Select Attribute:]
Strength, Rowan said without hesitation.
[Strength increased: 10 → 15]
He walked past a gym mirror—and paused. His chubby belly had shrunk slightly. His arms and chest looked tighter, more defined. His shirt fit a bit looser now. It wasn't dramatic, but it was real. If he took off his shirt now, someone would definitely notice.
It's working. It really is! he thought, eyes focused.
⸻
The next day at school, Rowan walked in like usual.
But Nick's eyes widened the moment he saw him.
"Dude! Did you... lose weight overnight or something?" Nick asked, staring at him in disbelief.
Rowan smiled slightly. "Just started training."
"No way. Seriously, your face even looks a bit sharper. It's almost like you've got a jawline now."
"Really?" Rowan laughed softly. "Maybe I was just hiding under all the snacks and screen time."
Nick chuckled. "Well, whatever you're doing, it's working. You're like... 20% less potato already."
Rowan rolled his eyes, amused. "Thanks, man. That's the nicest thing you've ever said."
⸻
The week passed with a disciplined routine.
Every day after school: gym, training, recovery.
Each day, Rowan earned EXP and stat points. The pain no longer scared him—he welcomed it. Progress was visible. His stamina increased. He wasn't gasping after warm-ups anymore. The gym receptionist, John, noticed too.
"You again?" John said midweek, raising an eyebrow. "You're more consistent than half the adults here."
"Thank you for the compliment. I want to get stronger. That's why I'm working hard," Rowan replied with a determined nod.
John grinned. "Keep it up, kid. You might actually turn into a beast."
"Haha, thanks," said Rowan.
By the end of the week, Rowan had earned a total of 50 EXP and 25 stat points. He increased his Strength by 10 and Stamina by 15.
⸻
Weekend: Full-Day Training
Rowan doubled his routine—morning and evening sessions. Each time, the system rewarded him.
By the end of Sunday:
[Unspent Stat Points: 10]
Use Stat Points, Rowan thought.
[Allocate Points – Select Attribute:]
[Strength | Stamina | IQ | Perception | Agility | Charisma]
Strength 5, Stamina 5.
[Strength: 25 → 30]
[Stamina: 22 → 27]
EXP: 70/100 → 90/100
His muscles were more defined. His chest and shoulders had broadened. His breathing was deeper and more controlled. He didn't just feel strong—he looked it.
⸻
Monday Morning
When Rowan walked into class, the change was undeniable.
Nick's jaw dropped.
"Bro… what the hell?! You look like you went through puberty in one week!"
Even the class teacher did a double-take when Rowan handed in his homework.
Students stared in silence. The chubby boy had turned lean and confident. It was like a completely different person had walked in.
Girls whispered. Glances were exchanged. Some stole looks at him more than once.
Rowan felt their stares. A thin smile crept across his face—not out of pride, but from the quiet satisfaction of seeing his hard work pay off.
But one girl's glance was different.
She only looked once—but it was enough.
Lily.
The class belle. A rare beauty with shoulder-length blonde hair and striking light-blue eyes. Her gaze, usually indifferent, paused—just for a moment—on Rowan.
There was surprise. Then curiosity. Then—something else. Interest?
During class, she leaned over and whispered, "Rowan... did you do something to your hair? Or... everything?"
Rowan was caught off guard. He blinked, then smiled politely.
"Just working out a bit. Trying to get in shape."
Lily tilted her head slightly and smiled back. "Well, it's working."
Rowan's heart skipped a beat. Not because of the compliment—but because Lily was not just any girl.
She was his childhood crush in his past life. And in this one, nothing had changed.
Except now—she noticed him. She spoke to him.
Before, they had been like strangers.
Now—something was different.
And for the first time in his new life—
Rowan felt what it was like to be seen.
This time… I'll make the most of everything.
This time, I'll make sure I have no regrets.