Classes ended.
Leo walked home with his hands in his pockets, the golden glow of the late afternoon sun making everything look softer than it felt. He was quiet. Not in the awkward-new-kid way, but in the "thinking too damn much for a teenager" kind of way.
Back home, he dropped his bag, kicked off his shoes, and collapsed on his bed with a sigh that could've passed for a death rattle.
"Hm. That was a pretty good day," Leo muttered, staring at the ceiling fan spinning lazily overhead.
A few seconds passed. Then the thoughts came. Heavy ones.
"I'm currently living in a world filled with devils, angels, fallen ones... and I have to face them very soon. But the thing is... I am very, very weak right now."
He sat up, brushing a hand through his messy hair. "System. Status window."
Status Window — Leo Walsh
Name: Leo Walsh
Titles:Sadist Magnet,Narrative Blocker
Age: 17
Strength: D
Agility: D-
Stamina: C
Charisma: C+
Abilities:
Regeneration (C+)
Description: You can now passively regenerate light injuries and regrow one lost finger. Further upgrades required for greater recovery.
Leo squinted.
"Yeah... my status kind of sucks. Except the regeneration ability. Everything else is forgettable."
He paused, then smirked. "Well, since regeneration is decent, I might as well try upgrading it."
"System, how many points to upgrade regeneration to the next level? And what's the highest level? What's it capable of?"
[Ability Upgrade Cost: 90 Points]
[Maximum Grade: S+]
[At Grade S+: You can regenerate from a single atom. Even from nothingness.]
"Damn. That's dope," Leo muttered. Then sighed. "But yeah... that's a long way to go."
[System Points: 25]
He groaned. "Broke again. System, do I have any quests I can do at home right now?"
[Available Quest: Complete 70 push-ups in a single session.]
[Reward: +1 Strength Grade, 30 System Points]
Leo blinked.
"Seventy? I don't think I did more than ten in my entire past life. But... I guess this life demands more."
He got down on the floor and started. First ten? Easy. Fifteen? Shaky arms. Twenty-five? Elbows trembling. Thirty? He collapsed like a wet noodle.
Rest. Try again. Fail. Rest. Push. Collapse. Try.
Hours passed.
"68... 69... 70!"
[Quest Complete]
[Strength increased: D → D+]
[+30 SP Awarded]
[System Points: 55]
Leo rolled onto his back, panting, eyes barely open. "Hell yes... finally."
Then he blacked out.
The Next Morning
Leo woke up late. Very late. Sunlight was already pouring through the windows.
"Ugh. That was brutal," he mumbled, rolling out of bed. He stretched his arms—they felt lighter. Stronger.
He grinned. "Guess those push-ups actually did something."
After getting fresh and inhaling a hearty breakfast made by his world-assigned mother—a kind, cheerful woman who gave him warmth he never had in his previous life—Leo stepped outside.
The breeze was calm. The sky was clear.
"Today is a weekend. I guess I'll train all day. I need to upgrade everything—especially stamina. That thing is very important."
He took a deep breath. "System, give me my quests for today."
[Weekend Quests - Tier I Training Bundle]
Run 15 km
Reward: +1 Stamina Grade, 20 SP
Climb 44 trees (minimum height: 14 meters)
Reward: +1 Agility Grade, 25 SP
Lift and hold 30kg weight for 50 minutes
Reward: +1 Strength Grade, 25 SP
[Bonus Reward if all are completed: 40 SP and one stat grade-up of your choice]
Leo read through the list, mouth slightly agape.
"You're trying to kill me."
The day became a montage of suffering.
He started with tree climbing. Bark scraped his hands. A bird pooped on him by tree twelve. He slipped twice, banged his shin three times, and cursed out squirrels. But he did it.
[Agility: D- → D]
[+25 SP Earned]
Then came the weight lifting. He found an old concrete block in the shed. 30kg. He strapped it to his chest with a belt and lay on the floor like a cursed soul for almost an hour.
[Strength: D+ → C-]
[+25 SP Earned]
Finally, the run. Fifteen kilometers.
He saved it for last on purpose. Because if he passed out, he wanted to do it knowing he was done.
He ran through the neighborhood, backstreets, and parks. Kids watched him sprint past like he was possessed. Sweat poured, legs burned, lungs screamed.
But he made it.
[Stamina: C → C+]
[+20 SP Earned]
[Bonus Achieved: +40 SP]
[Choose One Stat to Upgrade]
"Strength. Stamina is currently in a better state.
[Strength: C- → C]
Leo collapsed in the grass, breathing like a dying boar.
"Man... finally completed. I thought I was gonna die."
[Current System Points: 140]
His fingers twitched. "System. Upgrade Regeneration."
[Regeneration upgraded: C+ → B-]
Ability Update:
Regeneration (B–)
Description: You can now passively regenerate moderate injuries and regrow multiple fingers or a small portion of flesh. Further upgrades required for major recovery.
"System. Status window."
Status Window — Leo Walsh
Name: Leo Walsh
Titles : Sadist Magnet,Narrative Blocker
Age: 17
Strength: C
Agility: D
Stamina: C+
Charisma: C+
Abilities:
Regeneration (B–)
Description: You can now passively regenerate moderate injuries and regrow multiple fingers or a small portion of flesh. Further upgrades required for major recovery.
Leo stared at the stats, a little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Not that bad for the start."
After returning home, having dinner with the warm family that made him feel less like an outsider and more like someone who belonged, Leo went to bed.
The moment his head hit the pillow, he stared at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow's another day. I need to get serious now. No more goofing around. Gotta achieve my dream. Gotta survive. I guess I was a little overexcited when I reincarnated."
A few seconds of silence.
Then, he blinked.
"Oh... Issei's date with death is coming up soon."
He frowned.
"What should I do...?"
He fell asleep while his mind swirled with ideas, strategies, and worries.
The next morning, he stood before the mirror, dressed for school.
He tightened his tie, a strange resolve building in his chest.
"Let's start the party."