The sun filtered in softly through the half-open curtain, painting the ceiling in faint streaks of gold. Lenny stirred beneath his blanket and blinked at the time. 7:12 a.m. Saturday. No classes today. Just a full day to himself—or mostly to himself.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. The events of the previous night—the dinner, the fight, Emma's hand on his arm—lingered like a memory on loop. It didn't feel real. And yet, his sore shoulders and slightly bruised knuckles reminded him otherwise.
But there was no time to dawdle. The Warrior System had already greeted him as soon as he woke up.
Daily Tasks UpdatedJog 3 km — Reward: +60 XP60 Push-ups — Reward: +60 XP
Lenny laced up his running shoes and stepped outside. The morning air in Silversun City was cooler than usual, crisp and refreshing. He jogged along his usual route—past the closed shops, the sleeping apartment blocks, the distant hum of life beginning to stir.
With each footfall, his thoughts drifted. Not just to the System or Emma, but to himself. He had changed. His body felt different, more responsive. There was a fluidity to his movement, a rhythm in his breath. The streets felt less daunting, his stride more assured.
After the jog, he returned home, sweat lining his back, and without missing a beat, dropped to the floor for his push-ups. The repetition had become meditative. Sixty push-ups, clean form, even breaths.
Task Complete.+60 XPTask Complete.+60 XP
Level Up!Level: 7EXP: 55 / 300Health: 300 / 300
A soft blue shimmer briefly outlined his body, only visible to him, before fading. The familiar sensation washed over him—like every cell had just taken a deep breath.
By mid-morning, Lenny was showered, changed, and ready for his tutoring session. Every Saturday, he taught a small group of high school students in the neighborhood—mostly struggling seniors preparing for their final exams. It wasn't glamorous, but it helped cover transport and gave him a bit of savings.
The group met in a quiet classroom at a community center not far from home. Lenny arrived on time as usual, setting up the whiteboard while the students trickled in.
"Morning, Mr. Lenny," one of the girls greeted, teasingly formal.
He smiled. "If I'm a 'Mr.' at 17, what does that make your head teacher?"
The group laughed, and the session began. They went through algebra problems, essay-writing techniques, and even a few multiple-choice practice questions. Lenny had a way of explaining things simply, in a way they could grasp. It was one of the few times he felt completely in control—when he saw the lights come on in their eyes.
"Sir," one boy asked near the end, "do you think university's worth it?"
Lenny hesitated for a moment before answering. "It depends. But learning—growing—that's always worth it. No one can take knowledge away from you."
They nodded, thoughtful. When the five-hour session wrapped up, a few of the students lingered to thank him. He left feeling exhausted but quietly fulfilled.
The evening sun dipped low as Lenny arrived home. He was about to head to the kitchen when his younger sister Lizzy stepped out of her room, fidgeting slightly.
"Hey, Lenny," she said, her voice a little too casual.
"Yeah?"
She hesitated. "Can I borrow some money? Like… 120 dollars."
He raised a brow. That was a lot, especially for her. "What for?"
She looked away, avoiding his gaze. "It's nothing bad. I just… I really need it. Please?"
He studied her for a moment. Lizzy had always been honest with him, even when it hurt. But now, she wasn't meeting his eyes.
"You're not in trouble, are you?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light.
"No! I swear. Just trust me, okay?"
He sighed. He had some tutoring savings set aside and a bit left over from odd jobs. He could spare it—but it wasn't easy. Still, she was his sister.
"Alright," he said, pulling out his phone and sending the money via mobile transfer. "But you'll tell me eventually, yeah?"
Lizzy gave a small nod and hugged him. "Thanks, Lenny. I will. Promise."
But as she walked away, he felt a twist of unease settle in his chest. Something wasn't right. He could feel it. She had never asked for that much before.
At 9:30 p.m., the three of them—Lenny, Lizzy, and their mom—sat around the dinner table. Their dad was working a night shift again. Supper was simple: rice, fried cabbage, and some leftover chicken stew. Conversation was light. Their mom asked about their day, and Lenny mentioned the tutoring session. Lizzy stayed quiet, distracted, her plate mostly untouched.
Their mom didn't seem to notice, or if she did, she said nothing. Lenny watched his sister carefully but didn't press her. Not tonight.
After washing the dishes and helping to tidy up, Lenny retreated to his room. His body was tired, but his mind was wide awake—spinning with thoughts of Lizzy, the fight outside the restaurant, the growing power inside him, and the looming unknown of the national tests on Monday.
As he lay down and stared at the ceiling, the System's interface pulsed faintly in his mind.
Level: 7EXP: 55 / 300Health: 300 / 300
"Just keep moving forward," he whispered to himself.
And with that thought, Lenny closed his eyes and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.