The morning sunlight streamed through the window, landing squarely on Lucas's face. He groaned, turning over in bed to shield his eyes, but the pull of the day was stronger than his desire to stay asleep. Stretching out his arms and legs, he let out a yawn, the stiffness from yesterday's practice still lingering in his muscles.
As he sat up, a familiar chime echoed in his head.
[Stamina: +1. Updated Attribute: Stamina 38/100.]
Lucas blinked, momentarily confused. He rubbed his eyes, staring at the translucent interface that hovered in the air before him. His stamina had gone up—not during yesterday's workout, but overnight.
"System," Lucas muttered groggily, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "Why the stamina boost now? Shouldn't it have gone up during my workout yesterday?"
The system's calm voice responded immediately.
"[Muscle growth and endurance development occur during periods of rest. While exercise stimulates the body, proper recovery is necessary to strengthen it. The stamina boost reflects the benefits of adequate rest following a consistent workout routine.]"
Lucas frowned thoughtfully, his fingers idly tracing the edge of his blanket. "So, no matter how much I push myself, if I don't rest, I'm not really improving?"
"[Correct. Rest is as vital to progress as training. Neglecting recovery can lead to diminished results and increased risk of injury.]"
Lucas nodded slowly, letting the words sink in. It made sense. Back in his first life, he'd ignored the importance of recovery, and his body had paid the price. This time, he'd make sure to get it right.
Standing up, he stretched his arms high over his head, loosening his back and shoulders. Today would be a rest day, and he intended to stick to it.
After a quick shower, Lucas wandered into the kitchen, where the smell of fresh coffee and toast greeted him. Maria stood at the counter, humming softly to herself as she buttered a slice of bread.
"Good morning, cariño," she said, glancing over her shoulder with a warm smile. "You look rested."
"Morning, Mom," Lucas replied, grabbing a plate. "I'm taking it easy today—no practice, no workout. Just letting my body recover."
Maria arched an approving eyebrow as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "Smart. Your body needs time to heal if you want to keep going."
Lucas sat at the table, digging into his toast and scrambled eggs. "Speaking of training… I've been thinking about getting some equipment for home. You know, resistance bands, maybe a pull-up bar. Something to help me work on strength without going to the gym."
Maria set her coffee down, considering his words. "That's not a bad idea, but we'd have to see what's in the budget. Those things can be expensive."
Lucas nodded, already expecting her response. "Yeah, I get that. What about getting a part-time job or something? I mean, I'm only twelve, but there's gotta be something I can do to make some extra money, right?"
Maria tilted her head thoughtfully. "Hmm. Maybe you could help out at the community center? They're always looking for volunteers for small things. And some of the local shops might let you do odd jobs—stocking shelves or sweeping floors."
"Not a bad idea," Lucas said, already making mental notes.
Just then, the sound of the front door opening and closing signaled Steven's arrival. He stepped into the kitchen, looking slightly less weary than usual after his morning shift as a bus driver.
"Morning, champ," Steven said, grabbing a mug and pouring himself some coffee.
"Morning, Dad," Lucas replied, finishing off his eggs.
Maria filled Steven in on Lucas's idea, and Steven nodded approvingly. "Good thinking, kid. Earning your own money teaches responsibility. I'll ask around at work, see if anyone knows about odd jobs for kids."
Lucas grinned. "Thanks, Dad."
Steven sipped his coffee, giving Lucas a knowing look. "But don't get ahead of yourself. You've got school starting soon, and basketball's already keeping you busy. Don't overdo it."
"I won't," Lucas promised, though his mind was already buzzing with possibilities.
Back in his room, Lucas grabbed his phone and flopped onto his bed. He opened the group chat with Jaylen and Miguel, typing quickly.
Lucas: "Rest day for me today, but I've got a question. You guys ever think about getting equipment at home to work out?"
Jaylen was the first to respond.
Jaylen: "Not really. My mom wouldn't let me set anything up at home. Says it'll mess up the carpet lol."
Miguel's reply came seconds later.
Miguel: "I've got a set of dumbbells, but they're too light now. Why?"
Lucas: "Just thinking about getting some stuff. Resistance bands, pull-up bar, maybe a foam roller. If I can't get it, I might look for a job to make some cash. You guys know anyone hiring?"
Jaylen: "Man, you're 12. Who's gonna hire you?"
Miguel: "Community center? They love kids helping out. Or you could cut grass in the summer. Easy money."
Lucas smirked, appreciating the suggestions. He was lucky to have friends who always had his back, even if they loved to roast him now and then.
Lucas: "Good ideas. I'll ask around. See you guys tomorrow?"
Jaylen: "You know it."
Miguel: "For sure. Later."
The rest of the day passed quietly. Lucas spent the afternoon finishing a couple of assignments for school, flipping through his math workbook and jotting down answers to equations. He didn't love the work, but it felt good to stay ahead, especially since basketball would be taking up a lot of his time once the season started.
As evening fell, he joined Maria in the living room to watch a telenovela she'd been following. Though Lucas didn't pay much attention to the drama onscreen, he enjoyed the easy banter with his mom.
"Are you even watching this?" Maria teased, catching him zoning out during a particularly emotional scene.
Lucas laughed. "I'm keeping up! She just slapped him because he cheated, right?"
Maria shook her head with a smile. "You're lucky I don't quiz you on this."
When Steven came home, they ate dinner together, sharing stories about their day. Lucas filled his dad in on his plans to look for part-time work, and Steven shared a story about a passenger on his bus who had mistaken him for a jazz musician.
"You should've seen the look on her face when I told her I wasn't," Steven said, chuckling. "She asked for an autograph anyway."
Lucas laughed, shaking his head. "You should've signed it, Dad. Might've made her day."
Steven grinned. "Next time."
As the house grew quiet, Lucas retreated to his room and stretched one last time before bed. He worked through each stretch slowly, focusing on his breathing and letting his muscles relax.