Taryn's eyes fluttered open to soft sunlight filtering through the window. But before he could enjoy the peaceful start to his day, a grinning face filled his entire vision.
"Good morning, sunshine!"
Taryn yelped, flinching back and nearly rolling off the bed.
System floated gleefully in front of him. "Haha! Your reaction never disappoints. Ten out of ten panic again, my dear Taryn."
He groaned, rubbing his face. "Can't you show up… less creepily?"
"Now where's the fun in that?" System beamed. "Anyway! Quest time!"
Taryn blinked. "Already?"
"Yup! Today's going to be productive, whether your lazy bones like it or not. Your mission, should you choose to accept—and you have no choice—is as follows:"
System raised a dramatic finger. "First! Train your body until your energy is drained. Push every muscle, exhaust every drop of stamina. Second! Once you're as limp as a noodle, meditate and cultivate for one solid hour. And third!" He floated in circles like a cheesy dance instructor. "Read and complete Cultivation Theory 102."
"And the reward?" Taryn muttered.
"In the wise words of a very ancient toaster—'Little progress, little success.'" System laughed. "You'll get a small but vital advancement in your cultivation path and improve your body's compatibility with spiritual energy. We can call it… hmm… how about—Core Awakening Phase: Initiate Spark?"
Taryn narrowed his eyes. "Sounds like a cereal brand."
"Excuse me! It's a premium, destiny-fueled energy boost!" System crossed imaginary arms. "Now—outside! Get running! You can't cultivate on a full stomach forever!"
Taryn sighed and stood, stretching as his joints popped gently. Stepping outside, the fresh morning air was cool and crisp. Birds chirped over the manicured gardens, and the vast estate looked almost like a sacred training ground.
"Run, run, run!" the system shouted gleefully. "Again! You've only circled the courtyard twenty times!"
"This is abuse," Taryn muttered, sweat beading on his brow. Still, he ran.
Next came a grueling routine of push-ups, squats, body stretches, and stances. Each move strained his newly recovering muscles, but he could feel something subtle—an inner burn that was no longer pain, but progress.
"Now breathe. Now focus. Center yourself!" System buzzed around him during his meditation like a hyperactive coach.
As Taryn sat under a tree, sweat drying slowly under the shade, he closed his eyes and took in his breaths, calming his inner self. He reached for the spiritual energy again, and this time, it was a little clearer. A little warmer. Not quite flowing, but present—just enough to grasp.
He ended the hour tired, but peaceful.
"Now! Last step!" System chirped. "Time for Cultivation 102!"
Taryn dragged himself to his desk and cracked open the thick manual. The words weren't as dense as he feared—this book explained deeper concepts like energy circulation patterns, spiritual meridians, and the importance of aligning one's body with natural elements. It even had diagrams.
"Whoa," he muttered. "This… actually makes sense."
"You're welcome," System said smugly. "Your understanding level has been upgraded from 'vegetable' to 'sapling.' Soon, you might even hit 'novice lettuce.'"
Taryn rolled his eyes but smiled. When he finally closed the book, the sun had begun to dip.
System appeared again, more dramatically than ever, arms wide like an award show host. "Ladies and gentlemen! He did it! He really did it! Mission Complete!"
A golden shimmer surrounded Taryn for a moment, and he felt a warm tingle through his veins, a sense of lightness in his limbs.
"Congratulations, young cultivator," System said in a mock-epic voice. "You've taken your first real steps… and not just jogging around the courtyard like a headless chicken."
Taryn chuckled. "Thanks, I guess."
"No no no—thank me. I'm the greatest teacher in the world!"
Taryn raised a brow. "Humble too."
"Modesty is for people without legendary hosts," System grinned. "Now go get some rest, my little lettuce. Tomorrow… we rise again!"