Adjustments

Michael pulled over a blank pad of paper and a pencil from the corner of his work desk and began to take notes as he reviewed the document. While he couldn't use his computer to start to write up his code, he'd at least be able to plan out his process in the space. He could also work on his Algebra or Chemistry work for tomorrow, even though he'd still need to write out the answers again - it would just be a matter of transcribing the work. The possibilities of this Lucid Space were really exciting!

However, he decided that moving forward with the project for his parents was probably a higher priority - at least the components he could work on without access to his computer. Tomorrow night he'd have an entire 6 hours of time that he could use reading. So, he continued to work on his architectural design for the application he'd be developing to meet the requirements.

Shortly before 4am, the System chimed and let him know that he'd be waking up shortly. Michael took extra care to go over all of the work that he'd listed, so that the System could store it in memory. Then, he went back over to the bed and lay down. The System had recommended he do this in order to make the transition less jarring. As soon as his head hit the pillow, his eyes opened again.

4:00am, September 9th, 2000 CE

Michael's eyes opened, and it felt like he'd merely blinked. The System didn't provide him with a list of missed notifications, as he'd acknowledged them during his time in the Lucid Space. It did, however, generate a brand new mission.

<< [Mission: Road to a Healthy Body - Lvl 2]

Description: Complacency stymies growth. Daily Routine updated as follows:

- Pushups (tier 2: 50)

- Squats (tier 2: 50)

- Squat Thrusts (tier 2: 25)

- Leg-lifts (tier 2: 50)

- Bicycle Crunches (tier 2: 50)

- Running (minimum 5km)

Rewards: Subject will receive Physical Enhancement Module (Mk I) after two weeks of successfully completing Daily Routine.

Penalty: System will generate appropriate signals for physical discomfort due to lack of exertion.>>

Michael grimaced. This program was much more difficult, and the Basic Enhancement Module he'd been hoping to unlock sooner seemed to have been replaced by something else. He put off asking the System about it for now, as it wouldn't be unlocked for two weeks, and made his way to the exercise mat.

At shortly before 5am, a very pale Michael practically crawled up the stairs to the kitchen. He struggled his way to the cupboard and made himself his morning shake. Today was incredibly difficult in comparison to the week prior. When the cold liquid settled into his stomach, it began roiling, and he had to fight to keep it down. Trembling, he made his way over to the table and sat down. He needed to wait til the urge to faint had passed.

"System, I think the new routine might be a little too difficult."

<<System would like to remind Subject that it was the Subject's own request to make things more difficult.>>

"System, there's no need to sound so smug."

Eventually, Michael struggled his way through a shower and slowly started to feel better. However, not much time remained before he needed to head to school, so he somewhat begrudgingly packed his uniform and training gear into his schoolbag along with the food for the day (he had no appetite for breakfast after his shower, so he brought it with him) and then started the run to school.

---

Michael arrived at the school shortly before 7, a wheezing mess. Separately, this type of run hadn't been as challenging recently. In conjunction with his new workout, however, it was incredibly difficult.

"System, isn't the new 5 kilometre run on top of the new workout a little much?"

<<Subject was never told to perform the run in such proximity to the previous exercise.>>

"...Touché."

Michael noticed he hadn't quite hit the 5 kilometre total by the time he got to the school gates, so after a moment's hesitation, he changed course to the track next to the school. The track this morning was empty, luckily, so Michael didn't have to embarrass himself in front of any of the teams. He struggled his way around the track, hitting his target about halfway around. The thought of stopping right there crossed his mind briefly, but he found himself continuing in the same slow shuffle around the track. It was almost as if his body was too tired to quit at this point. It seemed that the System appreciated the scenario, as he saw his Limit Pusher title gain a bit more progress as he went. It almost seemed like a consolation from the System at this point.

Completing one slow lap around the track, Michael made his way into the School through the side-door, and directly entered the showers. He left his running gear in a sealed bag in one of the lockers, and hung his training gear in it, too, since he'd be back later that day. He wasn't looking forward to it.

He made it to the Library around 7:30, where he found Mr. Maddox already behind the desk.

"Good Morning, Mr. Prout. Right on time. We just got a new shipment of encyclopaedias that need shelving. You can remove the previous year's edition and place it in those crates. Oh, and I've finished reviewing your draft. Not bad, I must say. I've send my comments and notes in my reply."

Michael looked at the giant stack of boxes and softly whimpered.

---

Both Jeremy and Valeria noticed that Michael was awfully quiet during Latin class. They didn't dare disrupt the professor to check on him, but their faces were filled with concern. When the bell rang, they approached him cautiously, as Michael slowly pulled himself up from his desk.

"Michael, are you ok?" Valeria asked.

Michael looked up, as if only just noticing them. He opened his mouth slowly, as if even forming words was laborious, and was about to speak when a loud growl erupted audibly from his stomach.

The three looked at each other, eyes wide with incredulity. Even some of the other students filing out of class turned their heads at the sound.

Michael blushed furiously and mumbled, "Skipped breakfast." He then shuffled out of the class.

"Well, it is the most important meal of the day," Jeremy said, shrugging helplessly.

Michael didn't respond as he fished around in his bag and pulled out an apple. He devoured it as the three made their way to English class.

"All joking aside, you really okay?" Jeremy continued as they walked down the hall.

Apparently feeling more energized with the snack, Michael continued to fish around in his bag until he pulled out a sealed bag of peeled hard-boiled eggs.

"Mhm," he grunted as he chewed. "First day of a new workout program."

"Ah! Getting ready for the games, are you? Still thinking about those backs? I mean, never mind." Jeremy quickly stopped talking after seeing a glare from Michael.

"Backs?" Valeria asked, confused.

"It's nothing. Michael's just determined to improve before the Regional Games. Say, if you want, Michael, you can come with my to my gym sometime. I'm allowed to invite guests once a month. Might be fun? We have a pool. And a sauna!" Jeremy continued, clearly trying to gloss over and make amends for the inadvertent exposure of his friend's frustrations.

Michael grunted once again, continuing to inhale the eggs in the bag as they approached the door. He quickly stowed the rest back in his bag and wiped his hands on his pants before the three entered the classroom.

Ms. Aldrich was already at her desk, but since Michael was in the company of his two friends, he wasn't willing to go over and talk to her about his outline. He decided that he'd wait til the end of class for that. He, Jeremy, and Valeria took their usual seats, and were soon joined by the rest of the class as the bell rang.

Michael found that his attention was returning over the course of the class, as the food started to refill his energy reserves. He resolved that tomorrow he'd make sure to have breakfast at the appropriate time, despite any queasiness, as skipping it seemed to do more harm than good. The class began with a review of some of the advanced grammar and punctuation rules they'd been discussing, and the last section of the class was reserved for a surprise quiz.

Michael followed through, but wasn't incredibly confident in all of his answers. He decided that he'd look for and add some additional books on writing, grammar, and punctuation to his scanned library so he could review them in his Lucid Space. For now, he simply did his best.

At the end of class, he approached Ms. Aldrich and handed her his outline for review. She seemed surprised, but agreed to review it and pass it back for next class. He didn't mention that he'd already started the draft, since he might have to redo a lot of it, depending on the results of her review. He then headed to the Library for his lunch-time duties.