Morning – Kagawa Residence, Tokyo
The morning light crept through the thin curtains, spilling softly across the small, cluttered room. The faint chirping of birds mixed with the quiet hum of the city outside.
Rui (Robotic tone): Good morning, Ryota. You have achieved sufficient rest. Shall I prepare your daily routine?
Ryota groaned, covering his face with a pillow.
Ryota (Sleepy): You again... geez, it's scary waking up to a voice in my head.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his messy hair and letting out a deep sigh. The clock blinked 7:03 AM. He pushed himself off the bed and trudged to the bathroom, splashing cold water over his face.
Ryota (Muttering): This is my life now, huh? Talking systems, glowing screens, voices in my head...
After brushing his teeth, he stepped into the shower. Warm water ran down his back, clearing the last traces of sleep. By the time he was done, the steam had fogged the mirror. He wiped it with his hand and looked at his reflection, his eyes faintly tired but determined.
He threw on a white shirt and dark jeans, then walked into the kitchen. He cracked two eggs into a pan, the sound of sizzling oil echoing through the quiet morning. The smell of breakfast filled the room.
His phone buzzed on the counter.
Father (Text): Are you doing fine, Ryota?
Ryota (Texting): Yeah, Dad. Everything's fine. Just trying to start the day right.
Father (Text): That's good. Take care of yourself.
He smiled faintly, placing his phone aside and plating his breakfast.
After eating, he moved around the small apartment, checking his bag. He placed his wallet, phone, keys, notebook, pencil, tablet, and laptop carefully inside. He also grabbed some lunch money and his ID. After locking the door, he took a deep breath of the crisp morning air.
Ryota: Alright. Another day. Let's see what happens.
He stepped into his car, started the engine, and drove off toward school. The city buzzed with life — traffic lights blinking, crowds moving, the sound of engines blending with morning chatter. The drive wasn't long, but it gave him time to think.
Was this system thing really real? It felt like a dream, yet everything that happened yesterday was too clear to ignore.
Daytime – Seirin High School, Classroom 2-A
Ryota parked in the school lot and slung his bag over his shoulder as he walked through the hallways. The chatter of students filled the corridors. Some greeted him, others just walked past, busy in their own worlds.
He entered the classroom and spotted Tetsuya leaning on his desk, scrolling through his phone.
Tetsuya: Hey, bro! Morning! You look fresh today.
Ryota (Smiling): Yeah, I actually slept early.
Tetsuya laughed and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.
Tetsuya: Good for you, zombie. Maybe you'll actually survive P.E. today.
Ryota chuckled, sitting down and pulling out his notebook. But as he looked up, something shimmered in front of his eyes. Transparent blue panels appeared for a moment, displaying glowing text.
[STATS – TETSUYA]
Stamina – Level 34
Flexibility – Level 28
Strength – Level 42
Speed – Level 51
IQ – Level 23
Shooting – Level 47
Ancestral Level: Null
Ryota (Thinking): Holy crap... he's this strong?
He glanced around the room. The same panels appeared briefly over his classmates. Some had Level 1 Strength, others had Speed around 5 or 6. Then his eyes stopped at Chu Jung sitting at the back.
[STATS – CHU JUNG]
Stamina – Level 32
Flexibility – Level 31
Strength – Level 39
Speed – Level 60
IQ – Level 24
Shooting – Level 42
Ancestral Level: Null
Ryota (Thinking): So Jung's even stronger than Tetsuya... and he was holding back that time we played? Unreal.
Ryota (Thinking): Wait, I can see people's stats… does that mean they also have a system like you, Rui?
Rui: Negative. Their strength and attributes are based purely on their physical condition and intelligence. I can analyze their DNA from head to toe, ensuring the data you see reflects their true performance. For instance, a thin individual naturally possesses lower strength compared to someone more muscular.
Ryota (Thinking): Huh, makes sense. So I can see their stats, but they don't even realize they have them, because they don't have a system that can measure or enhance their physique like you.
Rui: Precisely.
Tetsuya (Waving hand): Hellooo? You there? You're spacing out again, man.
Ryota: Ah, yeah, sorry. Just thinking.
Before Tetsuya could reply, the teacher entered.
Mr. Hayama: Alright, everyone. Settle down. Let's begin class.
The rest of the morning passed quietly, filled with lectures, yawns, and tapping pens. Ryota listened but couldn't stop thinking about those stats floating in front of his eyes.
Afternoon – Seirin Gymnasium
Classes ended. The sky outside had turned golden with the setting sun. Ryota zipped up his bag and turned to Tetsuya.
Ryota: Hey, Tetsuya. Wanna practice basketball for a bit?
Tetsuya blinked in surprise, nearly dropping his pen.
Tetsuya: What?! You, practice? Bro, are you serious?
Ryota (Laughing): Yeah. Why not?
Tetsuya: Sure, zombie! Let's go. The gym's empty right now anyway.
They headed toward the gym, their footsteps echoing down the hallway. The large room smelled faintly of sweat and polished wood. Ryota picked up a basketball from the rack and bounced it twice.
He aimed, took a shot, and missed.
Rui: Experience gained.
Ryota (Under his breath): So even that counts, huh?
He tried again, and again, each shot clumsy but determined. For twenty minutes, he practiced — dribbling, shooting, chasing the ball as it rolled away. Sweat dripped from his forehead.
Tetsuya leaned against the wall, watching silently. A small smile crept onto his face.
Tetsuya: You've really changed, man. What got into you?
Ryota (Panting): I'm... just tired of watching others play. I want to play too. I want to get good.
Tetsuya: That's the spirit. Alright, let's train together then.
They continued for another ten minutes. The sound of bouncing balls echoed through the empty gym.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
+1 Ancestral Level Acquired
Current Level: 6
Select Four Attributes to Enhance
Ryota (Thinking): Hmm... Two for Stamina, two for Strength.
He felt a brief surge of warmth flow through his limbs, but it faded quickly.
Tetsuya: You talking to yourself again, zombie?
Ryota (Grinning): Just imagining something.
Tetsuya: Whatever, man. You're weird. Anyway, I'm starving. Let's go eat — my treat!
Evening – Tokyo BBQ House
After changing into casual clothes, the two drove to a small BBQ restaurant near the train station. The scent of grilled meat filled the air, and the faint hum of chatter surrounded them.
Tetsuya: I'll order everything. Don't stop me.
Ryota (Surprised): Everything? You're crazy!
Tetsuya (Grinning): You need protein if you wanna get stronger!
They laughed as plates of meat, rice, and vegetables piled up. The sizzling sound from the grill made Ryota's stomach growl. They started eating, savoring each bite.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
+50% Experience Gained
Reason: Nutrient Intake and Physical Recovery
Ryota (Thinking): So eating gives EXP too, huh? That's kind of awesome.
Tetsuya leaned back, patting his stomach.
Tetsuya: I'm so full, I'm gonna explode.
Ryota (Laughing): Same. But you eat like a monster.
Tetsuya: You're still thin! You've got that fast metabolism. Don't worry, with training, you'll bulk up soon.
They talked for a long time — about classes, basketball, and random things. The sky outside darkened, city lights glowing in the distance. By the time they finished, it was nearly 6 PM.
Tetsuya paid the bill despite Ryota's protests.
Ryota: Thanks, man. For the meal and... for supporting me.
Tetsuya: Don't mention it. Let's keep training tomorrow.
They parted ways outside, waving goodbye as they headed to their cars.
Night – Kagawa Residence, Tokyo
Ryota returned home, tossing his bag onto the couch. The apartment was quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator. He stretched, feeling his muscles ache from the day's practice.
He washed the dishes, tidied his room a bit, and finally collapsed onto his bed.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
+1 Ancestral Level Acquired
Current Level: 7
Select Four Attributes to Enhance
Ryota (Smiling tiredly): Let's go all-in on Strength.
[STATS UPDATE]
Strength – Level 4 → Level 8
He clenched his fists. The improvement wasn't dramatic — he couldn't feel anything, no firmness in his arms, no steady pulse in his chest.
Ryota (Softly): Seems like its not working?? i guess i just need to wait.
He took a warm shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and sat by his desk. After playing a few games on his tablet, he yawned and stretched.
The city lights glowed faintly outside his window. He lay down, the sound of the wind brushing against the glass.
Rui (Calm tone): Rest well, Ryota. Tomorrow will bring greater challenges.
Ryota (Whispering): Yeah... let's see what comes next.
His eyes slowly closed as sleep pulled him under.
To be continued...