Chapter 13: The last day of training
------ October 12th Thursday 2024
The soft chime of Ain's alarm broke the silence of the early morning, signaling the start of his last day of training before the midterm break came to an end. He groaned, stretching his arms above his head, remembering the strange encounter he had the day before. He recalled the masked figure who had asked him to train under him, claiming he had "potential." What was truly baffling, however, was the apparent confidence the figure displayed in bringing Ain under his wing, even after Ain's blatant refusal. Deciding not to dwell too much on past events, Ain tucked his pillow in and decided it was time to get up.
As he rose from his bed, Ain glanced out of the window at the rising sun, its golden rays casting long shadows across the street. The promise of another grueling day filled him with mixed emotions. On one hand, he was eager to push his limits, to see how much stronger he had become since the system had first integrated into his life. On the other hand, he knew that a break was just around the corner, and he couldn't help but look forward to the small reprieve.
"Alright, let's get this over with," Ain muttered to himself.
He shuffled to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on his face, letting the chill wake him up. The mirror reflected the young 14-year-old middle schooler, his features still rough around the edges, but there was a noticeable difference. He had grown taller since he had time travelled, his body beginning to show the early stages of muscle development. His fighting potential had been steadily increasing, thanks to the system's training regimen, but he couldn't ignore the fact that his Charm score still felt underwhelming. At 5'6", he was a bit shorter than his ideal height and still lacked the refined features that might make him stand out among others.
After finishing his morning routine, Ain grabbed his training gear and headed out to the gym. The system chimed in his ear, providing a daily quest notification.
---
System Update:
> Daily Quest: Train for Strength
Complete a weightlifting session at maximum capacity.
Reward: +2 Strength, +1 Stamina.
> Optional Quest: Perfect Your Appearance
Visit a local barber and receive a haircut to improve your appearance.
Reward: +1 Charm, +1 Perception.
---
Ain grinned, rubbing his hands together. A bonus quest to improve his appearance? This was just the kind of thing he'd been hoping for.
He had always been self-conscious about his looks, and though the system didn't outright criticize him, the low score in Charm had always been a bit of a sore spot. Maybe it was time to fix that.
His training session went smoothly, as usual, but this time, he pushed himself harder, feeling the familiar weight of the dumbbells in his hands as he lifted them to their max. He grunted, his muscles straining against the effort, but he felt the rush of power as his stats ticked up. Once he finished, the system chimed again, indicating the completion of his daily quest.
---
System Update:
> +2 Strength
+1 Stamina
---
With a satisfied grunt, Ain quickly packed up his things and left the gym. He knew that the next part of his day was just as important, if not more so. Time to deal with his Charm issue.
The local barber shop was just down the street, a small, cozy shop that had been around for years. Ain had passed by it countless times but had never actually gone inside. Today, however, was different. He opened the door, greeted by the scent of shaving cream and the soft hum of a razor buzzing.
"Afternoon, kid. What can I do for you?" the barber, a man in his late 40s with graying hair and a warm smile, greeted him.
Ain hesitated for a moment. "I need a haircut. Something that'll... make me look better."
The barber raised an eyebrow. "A little self-improvement, huh? I got just the thing. Take a seat, and we'll get started."
As Ain settled into the barber's chair, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. The man worked quickly, snipping away at his hair with practiced ease. With each pass of the clippers, Ain could feel himself changing, not just in appearance, but in confidence. He had always been self-conscious about his messy hair, but today, it felt like everything was aligning. His features began to sharpen, and the unfamiliar sense of satisfaction settled in.
---
System Update:
> New Functionality Unlocked: Charm Increase
Your Charm stat can now be increased through boxing points without relying on external means, such as haircuts, improved hygiene, or other methods that boost your appeal .
Increased Charm will affect your interactions with others and make you more attractive to potential allies or enemies.
Warning: Over-inflating your Charm score could affect your natural genetics.
Maximum Charm: 10/15 without damaging your genetic predisposition.
---
Ain blinked at the system's notification. His Charm could actually be boosted this way? It was a strange thought, but the idea of having a more attractive appearance was undeniably appealing.
Without thinking, he reached out mentally. "System, if I increase my Charm, will it affect my... other areas? You know... size?"
The system responded with surprising bluntness. "If you choose to increase your Charm, it will only affect your external appearance. It will not affect any internal changes, including your... physical attributes. However, if you push your Charm beyond 10/15, it might interfere with your natural genetics. Proceed with caution."
Ain felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. "So, I can't... enhance that? Alright, fine it's big enough already.So I'll just focus on the looks, then."
He thought for a moment before asking, "System, is it possible to boost my Charm all the way up to 10/15?"
There was a brief pause before the system replied. "Yes, but I recommend you stop at 10/15 to avoid altering your genetic potential. Proceed with caution."
Ain nodded, mentally preparing himself. This was a bit of an odd request, but he was determined to at least give himself a shot at looking better.
---
System Update:
After using 15 boxing points
> Charm Increased to 9/15
Appearance enhanced. Your physical features have become more refined and attractive. You now stand at 5'8" tall, with a leaner build and a more symmetrical face.
A boost in Charm may also increase your ability to influence others.
He grinned as he watched his reflection in the mirror. The transformation was immediate. His hair was now neatly cut and styled, framing his face in a way that accentuated his sharper jawline and clearer features. He looked taller, leaner, and more mature, like someone who had just undergone a significant glow-up in a day.
"Not bad, kid," the barber said, stepping back to examine his work. "I'd say that looks much better. What do you think?"
Ain smiled, feeling a surge of confidence he hadn't expected. "Yeah, looks good. Thanks."
He stood up from the chair, glancing at the mirror one more time.His reflection now matched the strength he was building on the inside.
---
"Alright," Ain muttered to himself, feeling the rush of his new stats. "Now I'm ready for school. Let's see what difference this makes."
---
The rest of his day passed in a blur. The walk home felt different, more assured. He noticed the occasional glance from passersby, their eyes lingering on him longer than they had in the past. It wasn't that he was suddenly the most handsome guy on the street, but he had undeniably become more attractive. The world felt a little different now that his appearance matched the strength and determination he had cultivated over the past few weeks.
When he arrived at his house, he took a moment to admire his reflection in the hallway mirror. His transformation was subtle but undeniable. Standing at 5'8" with a sharper jawline and a more defined physique, Ain had become someone he wasn't sure he'd recognize if he hadn't been through it himself.
---
System Notes:
> Your charm will increase your attractiveness and influence in social situations, but it will not alter your physical growth potential beyond natural limits.
---
Ain chuckled. "Guess I'm ready for school now."
That night, he spent some time reviewing his system stats, contemplating what his future would look like. The training, the fights, the strange twists of fate—all of it had led him to this point. The next day, he would head back to school, his last day before the break ended. The prospect of facing his peers with a newfound appearance and heightened confidence filled him with anticipation.
But as always, there was still a lingering question at the back of his mind: What would Jack do next?