5:30 AM
[SYSTEM ONLINE]
It had been five days since Luca became the host of the Formula 1 System, and though the adjustment was tough, he was gradually getting used to it. The Daily Quests were strenuous and overwhelming, but he pushed himself to attempt and complete each one, never letting them interfere with his regular routine. Every morning, he kept his schedule like clockwork, not missing a step or falling short by even a minute.
Now, Luca was jogging down the street toward the gym behind the supermarket, each stride strengthening his thighs further. Despite the pain he had endured, the most he had gained was a mere +1 to his Strength. His Strength stat now sat at 3, and the other stats, though close, still required a bit more of a boost to level up.
[Today, host. We will be working on your Agility.]
[Agility is crucial for you, as it directly impacts your reaction time and overall control when handling the high-speed demands of an F1 car.]
[Enhanced Agility will help you maintain precise control, reduce errors when maneuvering through tight corners, and enable faster responses under pressure.]
[Today's session will focus on lateral ladder drills, cone drills, and box jumps.]
[EXERCISE: LATERAL LADDER DRILLS]
[EQUIPMENTS: AGILITY LADDER]
[Host is required to move laterally through the rungs of the ladder with precise footwork.]
[This will be done for 5 minutes, moving laterally from both sides.]
Luca exhaled with determination as he carefully laid the agility ladder across the gym floor, standing over it while waiting for his System's command.
[Let us proceed with LATERAL LADDER DRILLS.]
Without hesitation, Luca sprang into action, his feet dancing swiftly over the rungs of the ladder. He moved to the left, his steps precise and rhythmic, like he was jogging in between the squares, but with calculated precision. Not bad, not that though, he thought, his feet tapping lightly one after the other as he completed the first round and then reversed to the right.
Before long, he felt a familiar burning sensation in his calves, but it was manageable. Luca pressed on, knowing the slight discomfort or any pain he'd experienced in the past few days would be nothing compared to the grueling challenges on the race track. He continued hopping from foot to foot until the exercise was complete, hardly out of breath.
"Now, that was easy," he said proudly to himself, realizing that on a normal day, he might not have been able to accomplish this so effortlessly without the System's support.
[Good job, host. Moving on to the next.]
[EXERCISE: CONE DRILLS]
[EQUIPMENTS: CONES]
[Host is required to sprint through a series of cones set at various distances, making sharp, quick turns to simulate racing reflexes. You'll focus on speed, direction change, and foot placement to boost agility.]
[This will be done for 5 sets, each lasting 30 seconds with short rests in between to allow your body to recover while maintaining intensity.]
"Okay, this one isn't that difficult as well. We do a lot of cone drills in P.E class," Luca said to himself as he set up the cones. He arranged them in a zigzag pattern along the floor with a three-foot gap between each.
Taking a deep breath, Luca pounced like a tiger toward the first cone, weaving in and out in a tight zigzag path. His feet tapped lightly against the gym floor as he maneuvered swiftly, twisting his body sharply with each turn while his arms pumped in rhythm. The intensity of the drill heightened with each step, the burn in his calves creeping in as he pushed himself to maintain his speed. By the time he completed the cone drills, that familiar burn had intensified to an almost intolerable degree.
[Good job, host. Moving on to the next.]
[EXERCISE: BOX JUMPS]
[EQUIPMENTS: PLYOMETRIC BOX]
[Host is required to jump onto the box with both feet from a standing position, then step or jump down before repeating the exercise.]
[This will be done for 3 sets of 12 jumps, focusing on explosive power and leg strength.]
Now, this is unfamiliar, a typical gym exercise, Luca thought as he placed the plyometric box before him. He bent his knees, lowering his body into a squat before leaping high into the air. His muscles tensed briefly mid-air, then relaxed as he landed firmly on the box, his knees bending slightly to absorb the impact. He felt a surge of muscle power surge through his legs, building up his strength.
This is surreal, Luca mused, exhaling as he stood upright and stepped down to repeat the motion. It was strange to think that just months ago, he never imagined himself training intensely with a System, focusing on attributes that an F1 racer needed.
Luca finished all three sets the System laid out for him, each jump firing up his thighs and legs, and he was finally out of breath and exhausted, but was genuinely surprised and proud of himself for lasting so long.
[I am glad you can see the outcomes of another point in your Endurance attribute, host.]
"Indeed," Luca replied, sitting on the box as he wiped his sweaty face and neck with his towel. "I would have broken down midway through the cones. I feel quite stronger, honestly speaking."
[You are stronger. I am glad to announce you have gained +1 point to your Agility attribute.]
[Ding!]
[Agility +1]
"Wow! That's wonderful! I've been itching to hear that for so long now," Luca exclaimed with excitement, feeling a surge of accomplishment as he navigated to his [STATUS] to check his total Ability score.
[Physical Information:
Weight: 71kg / 154 lbs
Height: 6'1"
Body Fat Percentage: 11%
Muscle Mass: 30%
Strength: 3
Stamina: 2
Endurance: 6
Agility: 3
Intelligence: 5 ]
Hmmm, I wonder why my intelligence was one of the highest to begin with. Is it because I know a lot about the game already? Ah, that's that, Ability is now 3! Whoop!
[Good job, host. You can head over to the next phase of your Daily Routine. Your time in the gym today is over.]
[You finished earlier than expected, in fact.]
Luca smiled, feeling impressed with his progress and even more determined to continue improving. Packing up his gear, he headed out of the gym, walking through the door of the supermarket where he waved casually at Josh and Lana, who were just starting their shifts. They waved back with tired smiles, still adjusting to the early hours.
As Luca stepped outside, the soft warmth of the morning sun greeted him, casting an orange glow across the quiet streets. He paused for a moment, taking in the fresh air before the midday rush polluted it. The sunlight felt calm and energizing against his skin, and Luca took a deep breath before beginning his jog home.
Something inside him felt renewed, like the world was giving him a fresh start. He wasn't sure if it was the presence of the System or the progress it had pushed him to achieve, but either way, Luca was fueled with determination. "I will pass Grey-Husson's with flying colors," he promised himself, despite the fact that he had never even sat inside a single-seater.
Mallow had mentioned that Grey-Husson's Academy in Birmingham was one of the best in the world. It was a prime hunting ground for scouts every year, and this one was no different. The paperwork to get Luca's name on the list had been extensive, but Mallow had assured him it was done. On his own, Luca knew he wouldn't have had the status or connections to get into such a prestigious academy.
Luca slowed his jogging as he was approaching their 7-floor apartment building. He was still a few houses away when he slowed down, his eyes narrowing to see better. There was a car parked before the house, next to the street. The car wasn't too fancy, but it was unfamiliar, that's why it caught Luca's attention.
He eventually approached the car, noticing there was a man knocking softly on the door. "Can I help you?" Luca asked unhesitatingly.
The man in shades, turned around and Luca instantly recognized him. "Mr. Mallow?"
"Luca!" Mallow exclaimed with a broad smile, stepping down from the short steps as he removed his shades. "How do you do?"