Jordan's eyes snapped open he was back in his room just four minutes had passed. Only four minutes in the real world… yet his body remembered hours of strain.
He sat up and instantly regretted it. A jolt of dull pain shot through his muscles like a delayed earthquake. His shoulders ached, his thighs burned, and his forearms throbbed.
"Ugh…"
His hand gripped the bedsheet. Every part of him was sore until suddenly, it wasn't. The tension melted like mist beneath sunlight. Fast Recovery was activated.
A gentle pulse rippled through his limbs. Whatever discomfort remained, it vanished within seconds. Still, a strange weight lingered in his bones a phantom memory of training.
"System," he muttered.
A blue, holographic screen blinked into existence in front of him. [Yes, Jordan?]
"Open Player Profile."
[Player Profile
Name: Jordan Kai
Age: 16
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 62kg
Tittle : The Rebuilder
Sport: Volleyball
Position: None
Former Position: Wing Spiker (Ace)]
[Base Stats
Strength: 35 (+5)
Speed: 45 (+5)
Intelligence: 45
Acceleration: 35 (+5)
Jumping: 55 (+5)
Stamina: 35 (+5)
Spike: 55 (+5)
Serving: 35 (+5)
Shooting: 45 (+5)
Passing: 35 (+5)
Setting: 10
Hitting: 50
Defense: 5
Blocking: 15
Digging: 10
Overall Rating: 33]
Jordan smirked. "Okay, me. I see you."
The gains were small but real. Tangible. Earned.
Despite the recovery, his eyelids were heavy. He let himself fall back into bed, exhaling deeply. The pillow was cold and soft. Before he could stop himself, sleep claimed him like a wave crashing over shore.
Four hours later.
BAM BAM BAM!
The loud knocking rattled his door like gunfire.
"Jordan! Jordan! Jordan!" a familiar voice shouted from the other side.
His eyes flew open again this time for real.
Groggy and confused, he sat up. The room was darker now, a golden tint peeking through the blinds. "What the…"
"I'm coming!" he groaned, dragging himself out of bed.
He staggered to the door and yanked it open. There stood his little sister, Mina, arms folded, looking way too smug for someone so small.
"What the hell were you doing?" she demanded.
"Nothing," he muttered, voice raspy. "I was just sleeping."
"Yeah, yeah. If you say so."
"What do you want?"
"I need a favor. I'm your cute, adorable baby sister."
"You're a demon. That's what you are."
Mina gasped dramatically. "Hey! What happened to you being nice to me this morning?"
Jordan laughed. "Hahaha what do you mean this morning? It is morning."
"No, genius. It's 2:30."
He blinked. "For real? Damn."
"Anyway," she said, stepping past him into the room, "I want you to teach me volleyball."
Jordan narrowed his eyes. "What? Why?"
Jordan narrowed his eyes. "What? Why?"
"Because I want to learn! Dad taught you and Jessica. Don't you want to pass the family torch?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You… want to learn volleyball?"
"Yeah. Just the basics."
"Right. So what's his name?"
She froze. "What?"
Jordan stared her down. "The boy. Who is he?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Uh huh."
She huffed. "Fine! He's a volleyball player. But he won't talk to me much. He's always training or babbling about rotations or drills. So I figured if I learned some volleyball, he'd spend more time with me."
Jordan burst out laughing. "So you're using volleyball as a love language now?"
"Whatever! Just teach me already!"
"Nope. You said it yourself Dad taught me and Jess. Let him teach you."
"NOOOO! I can't ask Dad! He'll put pressure on me like he does with you two!"
"Then why not ask Jessica?"
"Because she's always working now!"
Mina suddenly hugged him, squeezing tight. "Please, big brother? I love you. Plus, you owe me."
"I don't owe you anything, you tiny demon."
"Pleaaaase!"
He sighed. "…Fine. I'll teach you. But" he pointed at her, "I want to meet this guy."
"Ugh. Fine." She said while rolling her eyes
"Who knows,Maybe I'll end up liking the sport and doing it."
"Yea you? Liking volleyball and playing it for real i doubt it"
"Hey i could say the same thing about you Mr i quit because of what happened."
"I guess you could say I'm no better," he admitted. "But… I'm gonna change that."
She looked at him for a beat, then shrugged. "If you say so. Byeee!"
"Where do you think you're going?"
"My room?"
"Nope. Your training starts now."
Her eyes widened in horror. "Wait what?! No! I'm tired! And my nails are still painted these are not volleyball nails I will start next month Ok."
"Hmm if you don't do it now i wont teach you at all."
"NOOOOOOO! Fine!"
"Good. Head to the yard. I'll grab the ball."
She stomped off, mumbling something under her breath.
Jordan turns and saw the ball in the corner and walk over to it and picked it up. The weight felt different in his hands lighter somehow.
But just as he turned toward the door, something hit him. Hard.
Wait… she didn't ask me to teach her volleyball the first time, did she?
She didn't come to me… she would've asked Dad. But if she had, he'd have drilled her with expectations. That's why she came to me this time so that's a no it couldn't have been dad then.
He stared at the ball in silence.
So… is this because I came back? Because she didn't came to me then is it because I quit volleyball.
From outside, Mina yelled, "JORDAN! HURRY UP!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!"
He headed downstairs. No sign of Mom or Jace. The house was quiet.
His mind raced.
I need to figure out what happened. Before I time travel who did she asked to teach her Volleyball because this is new to me.
Just before he stepped outside, he paused in the doorway.
"System."
[Yes, Jordan?]
"Is there by chance me deciding to join back volleyball, is the reason why mina wants to learn volleyball ? Maybe she saw another way to reach that boy other than volleyball in the original time line"
There was a slight hum. Then
[That is not how time travel functions. You have not altered anything major yet in the timeline. So yes she learned volleyball in the Original time line but just not from you or your dad]
Jordan stood in silence, the weight of that truth settling in his chest.
He stepped outside, the ball tucked under his arm. Mina stood waiting, arms crossed.
"Alright, Mina. You ready to suffer?"
She rolled her eyes. "Bring it on, has-been."
He smiled.
"Let's get to work."