During his first class of the day, Lin Xiao decided to focus on completing his daily mission.
He pulled out a book from his bag and started reading, immersing himself in the text. The classroom buzzed around him, but he stayed focused, determined to gain the benefits from his daily mission.
[Read a Book Daily Mission Completed - Reward: +0.5 Intelligence +10 Exp]
Lin Xiao smiled to himself as he saw the notification pop up. The small incremental gains were slowly but surely helping him get stronger.
Later, in the changing room for PE class, Lin Xiao pulled off his shirt and began to change into his athletic gear. As he did, Zhang Wei, who was nearby, noticed Lin Xiao's muscles.
"Hey, Lin Xiao, do you hit the gym?" Zhang Wei asked, his tone curious and a bit impressed.
Lin Xiao, not wanting to reveal the existence of the system, nodded. "Yeah, I do," he replied, trying to sound casual.
Wang Lei, who was also changing nearby, looked over and his eyes widened with envy. "Man, your muscles are pretty defined," he said. "I need to hit the gym more often."
Lin Xiao chuckled, feeling a bit awkward but also pleased with the compliments. "Thanks," he said, not wanting to elaborate further. "Consistency is key, I guess."
The trio finished changing and headed out to the PE field together. The sun was shining, and the fresh air was invigorating.
The PE teacher, Mr. Liu, a tall man with a commanding presence, gathered the students on the field. "Alright, everyone, let's start with some warm-up exercises. We'll do a few laps around the track, followed by some stretches," he announced.
After completing the warm-ups, Mr. Liu addressed the class again. "You've been working hard, so for the rest of the period, you have free time. You can choose whatever activity you want to do."
A group of boys, including Lin Xiao, Zhang Wei, and Wang Lei, decided to play a basketball match. The girls opted to watch the game, gathering around the court to cheer them on.
The team captains were quickly chosen. Li Jun, the school basketball team's captain, took charge of one team, while the vice-captain, Chen Ming, led the other.
The basketball team captain, Li Jun, a senior with a reputation for being an excellent player, began picking his team.
"I'll take Zhang Wei," Li Jun called out, and Zhang Wei stepped forward, joining his team. "And Lin Xiao,"
Lin Xiao was kind of surprised that Li Jun knew his name.
The vice-captain, Chen Ming, then began selecting players for his team. "I'll take Wang Lei," he said, and Wang Lei moved to his side.
With the teams picked, the game began.
Initially, Lin Xiao was somewhat ignored by his teammates, as his quiet demeanor and new status made them assume he wouldn't be much of an asset.
However, he was determined to prove them wrong and also make a good impression on the girls watching the game, especially Chen Menyao.
As the game began, it quickly became evident that Zhang Wei and Chen Ming were skilled players. They dribbled the ball expertly, passed with precision, and made several impressive shots. Lin Xiao stayed on the periphery, waiting for his moment.
Finally, during the second quarter, the opportunity arose.
Zhang Wei passed the ball to Lin Xiao, who found himself unguarded. Seizing the chance, Lin Xiao dribbled down the court with surprising speed and agility.
His physical fitness, honed by the system's daily missions, gave him an edge over the other players.
Lin Xiao maneuvered around the defenders with ease, executing flawless crossovers and spins. He leaped into the air and made a perfect jump shot, the ball swishing through the net. His teammates and the onlooking girls erupted in cheers.
Seeing Lin Xiao's prowess, Li Jun began passing the ball to him more often.
Lin Xiao continued to dominate, driving to the basket, making layups, and even sinking a three-pointer from the edge of the court.
His stamina and speed were unmatched, allowing him to keep up a relentless pace.
By the end of the game, Lin Xiao had scored the most points, leading his team to a decisive victory. The other boys, initially skeptical, now looked at him with respect.
The girls, still watching from the sidelines, whispered among themselves, clearly impressed.
As they rested on the sidelines, Li Jun approached Lin Xiao with a curious expression. "Lin Xiao, have you played basketball before? You were really skilled out there."
Lin Xiao paused, a bit confused himself. He remembered only playing basketball video games, never actually on the court.
He tried to process how he had managed to perform so well. The system chimed in to provide an explanation:
[Due to your increased intelligence, strength, and stamina, you are able to execute complex movements and strategies that the average person cannot]
Understanding that revealing the system's existence was not an option, Lin Xiao decided to keep it simple. "Yeah, I used to play basketball a bit," he said, trying to sound casual.
Li Jun's eyes lit up. "That's great! We're always looking for talented players. Would you be interested in joining the basketball team? We could really use someone with your skills."
Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment, considering the offer. He had never been on a sports team before, and the thought of committing to practices and games was daunting. However, this could be an opportunity to make more friends and further integrate into his new school.
Lin Xiao's mind was buzzing with thoughts as Li Jun's offer hung in the air. He hesitated, weighing his options and the potential commitment. "Can I think about it for a day?" he finally asked.
Li Jun nodded, though there was a hint of urgency in his eyes. "Of course, but I should mention something that might help you decide. There's a big basketball tournament coming up soon, and the prize is $100,000. If you join, our school team has a real shot at winning."
Lin Xiao's eyes widened at the mention of the prize money. That was a significant amount of money, and the idea of helping his school win such a prestigious tournament was tempting.
However, he still felt a bit uncomfortable due to the system and the sudden changes in his life.
"I appreciate the offer and the information," Lin Xiao said. "But I really need to think about it and talk to my mother as well."
Li Jun smiled understandingly. "No problem, Lin Xiao. Just let me know as soon as you can. We'd really love to have you on the team."
As they parted ways and headed back to their respective classes, Lin Xiao's thoughts were a whirlwind of possibilities and uncertainties.
Joining the basketball team could be a great way to make friends and excel in something new, but the system's influence on his abilities made him a little cautious.
He also knew he needed to have a serious conversation with his mother about this decision.
With a sigh, Lin Xiao resolved to focus on his classes for the rest of the day, trying to push the decision to the back of his mind until he could discuss it with his mother later that evening.