Chapter VII: The Running Loop

Thirty days had passed, and the system completely changed Zydan's daily routine. Each morning, he would wake up to the sound of Echo's familiar voice, now a constant companion.

|"Good morning, Zydan. Initiating the day's tasks."|

Zydan groaned, stretching out in bed. Echo's voice always seemed a bit too chipper for how early it was. He glanced at his Holophone, seeing the first task of the day flashing on the screen: 10 km run before meditation. The addition of the morning run had been a brutal adjustment at first, but Zydan had grown used to it. He no longer questioned the system's methods, focusing instead on completing each day's challenges.

Throwing on his running clothes, Zydan grabbed his worn-out sneakers and headed out the door. He had noticed the fraying soles and thinning fabric over the past week, but today it was impossible to ignore. Every step he took sent a dull ache through his feet.

As he ran through the quiet streets, the rhythm of his footsteps and his steady breathing became a familiar comfort. The early morning air was crisp, and the world still felt half-asleep. By now, he had memorized every corner of his route, every crack in the pavement. The once-grueling distance no longer seemed daunting; his legs moved on autopilot as he focused on his thoughts.

"Day 30," Zydan thought as he passed the halfway point of his run. "I can't believe I've kept this up for a month." His body had grown leaner, his stamina stronger, but the wear and tear on his shoes was undeniable.

When he finished the run and returned home, Zydan immediately checked his Holophone. Echo's voice chimed in.

|"Congratulations, Zydan. Task complete. Please proceed with meditation."|

But Zydan was distracted. He peeled off his shoes and examined them more closely. The soles were nearly smooth, the cushioning completely worn down. His feet throbbed, a constant reminder that he couldn't put off buying new ones any longer.

With a sigh, he opened his banking app and checked his savings account. The balance stared back at him, not as high as he had hoped. Zydan frowned. Between his café job and the money he had saved over the summer, he had managed to accumulate a modest amount, but a new pair of quality running shoes would set him back significantly.

"This is going to hurt," he muttered to himself, scrolling through his options. He couldn't afford to skimp on the shoes—his daily runs had become a core part of his routine, and cheap shoes would only lead to injury.

Echo's voice interrupted his thoughts.

|"Meditation task pending. Please proceed with the task."|

Zydan closed the app and sighed, setting aside his concerns for the moment. He knew better than to ignore Echo's reminders. After a quick shower, he sat down in his usual spot, legs crossed, hands resting on his knees. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths as he began to clear his mind.

Over the past thirty days, Zydan had noticed real progress in his meditation. What had once felt like an impossible task—to quiet his mind and sit still—now came naturally. He could slip into a calm state much faster, his thoughts no longer racing as they used to. He could almost feel the difference in his mental clarity, like a heavy fog had lifted.

"Maybe all that extra weight really was clouding my mental constitution," Zydan mused briefly before letting go of the thought, allowing his mind to settle into the stillness.

---

Zydan felt a flicker of excitement as he wrapped up his meditation. Today wasn't just another day in the system's routine; it was his first day at the university. After weeks of balancing work, training, and Echo's relentless tasks, he had finally taken a step towards something new.

He had enrolled in a finance course, something he'd always been curious about. But he hadn't forgotten to add an additional subject—language, thanks to Tara's suggestion. He figured improving his linguistic skills might help with the system's puzzles, not to mention it could be useful in the future.

Finishing his meditation with a deep, steadying breath, Zydan opened his eyes, feeling that familiar sense of calm and clarity that meditation now brought him. His thoughts, once cluttered and chaotic, seemed to flow more smoothly. It felt like each piece of the puzzle in his mind was slowly falling into place.

Zydan stood up and glanced at the time on his Holophone. He needed to get moving and pick up Finn before heading to the university. It was a regular part of his day now.

Throwing on his clothes, Zydan grabbed his bag and made his way out the door. His worn-out shoes would have to last a little longer, but he pushed that worry aside. Today, the focus was on starting something new.

---

As Zydan walked to Finn's school to pick him up, his thoughts wandered to his first day at the university. The finance course he'd enrolled in felt like a new beginning, but he was just as excited about the language class. Tara, his friend and café manager, had inspired him to pursue it. With no car, he and Finn would walk to the university together.

As soon as Finn spotted Zydan, his face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Uncle Zy!" he called out, running up to him. "You ready for your big day at school?"

Zydan chuckled. "Yeah, Finn, but remember, it's not just any school. It's university now."

Finn's eyes twinkled with playful mischief as they started walking. "Oh, right! And guess what? I heard Tara's your teacher! Is that true?"

Zydan laughed, shaking his head. "Not exactly, Finn. She's teaching the language class I'm taking, but she's not my main teacher."

"Still counts!" Finn teased, nudging Zydan with his elbow. "So, are you going to call her 'Professor Tara' now?"

Zydan rolled his eyes, smiling. "I think I'll just stick to calling her Tara."

Finn giggled. "Yeah, but what if she makes you do extra homework? You know, 'cause you're her friend?"

Zydan raised an eyebrow, amused. "I think I'll manage. Besides, maybe she'll give me some good tips for learning faster."

Finn grinned. "You mean like how you're getting better at running and meditating?"

Zydan smiled. "Exactly. Speaking of which, what do you think? Am I looking fitter these days?"

Finn looked him up and down with a dramatic expression. "Hmm… yeah, you're not so chubby anymore, Uncle Zy. But you're still slow!"

They both laughed as they continued walking, the teasing making the walk to the university more enjoyable.

As Zydan and Finn continued their walk, Zydan pulled out a book from his bag. The cover was sleek and mysterious, with the title in bold French lettering: *Les Aventures de l'Arsène Lupin*.

Finn glanced at the book curiously. "What's that, Uncle Zy? Some kind of superhero?"

Zydan shook his head, smiling. "Not exactly. It's about a famous thief named Arsène Lupin. Part of my language class is to read in French, so I figured this would be a good start."

Finn's eyes widened in excitement. "A thief? That sounds cool! Does he steal from the bad guys or something?"

Zydan laughed. "Yeah, kind of. He's like a gentleman thief, always outsmarting everyone and staying one step ahead of the law. It's pretty fun, and it's helping me learn French."

Finn grinned, clearly intrigued. "So, you're learning to be a thief *and* going to school? Sounds like you're gonna be the coolest uncle ever!"

Zydan chuckled, keeping his eyes on the book as they walked. "Let's hope I just stick to the language part and leave the thieving to Lupin."

As he read, Zydan could feel his understanding of the language growing, even if it was challenging. Completing his linguistic tasks while getting to school made him feel productive, and the thought of tackling university classes made his steps lighter.

When he finally arrived at the university, he felt a rush of anticipation. He completed his classes and then checked his Holophone. A system message flashed on the screen:

***Congratulations! You have completed your linguistic task by finishing a book.***

Reward: 5,000 Digicoins."

Zydan smiled at the reward. The completion of the book not only boosted his linguistic skills but also provided him with a substantial bonus. He felt a surge of motivation as he prepared for his new academic journey and continued to refine his skills.

–--

When Zydan arrived at the university, he was greeted by the typical hustle and bustle of a first day. Students milled around, some nervously clutching their schedules while others chatted excitedly about their classes. The campus was alive with fresh faces, new energy, and the scent of new beginnings. Zydan found himself caught up in the excitement, joining the line at the registration desk where students received their ID cards and orientation packets. Amidst the crowd, Zydan felt a sense of both anxiety and exhilaration, eager to dive into his new academic journey.

As Zydan navigated through the campus, he unexpectedly ran into an old high school friend, Alex, who had also enrolled at the university. They greeted each other with enthusiastic hugs and caught up on their recent lives and course choices. Alex's friends, a few of whom Zydan remembered from school events, noticed his leaner physique and more polished appearance.

One of them, Sarah, commented with surprise, "Wow, Zydan, you look really great! You've definitely changed since high school."

Zydan chuckled, a bit self-conscious. "Thanks, Sarah. I've been focusing on my health and personal growth."

Another friend, Emily, added with a grin, "Yeah, you're looking sharp. It's nice to see you again!"

The compliments gave Zydan a boost of confidence as he continued catching up with Alex and his friends, feeling more excited and positive about his first day at the university.

After a day full of new faces and classroom introductions, Zydan finally arrived at his last class of the day: the language subject. As he walked into the room, he saw Tara standing at the front of the class. She was dressed in a smart, formal outfit—a tailored blazer over a crisp blouse, paired with a pencil skirt and stylish heels. Her professional attire contrasted sharply with the casual wear of most students, reflecting her role as both a teacher and a friend.

The class proceeded with Tara leading engaging discussions and activities in French, her enthusiasm for the subject evident in her animated explanations and interactions with the students. Zydan found himself absorbed in the lesson, appreciating both her teaching style and the subject matter.

After the class ended, Tara approached Zydan as he packed up his belongings. "Hey, Zydan," she said with a warm smile, "what time is your shift at the café today?"

Zydan glanced up, returning her smile. "Hey, Tara. It's later this evening. Actually, I was wondering if you had some time to help me with something."

Tara raised an eyebrow, curious. "Sure, what's up?"

"I need to buy a new pair of running shoes," Zydan explained.

"My current ones are falling apart. If you're free, could you come with me? I could use a second opinion." He continued.

Tara's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah, I see. You've been running. That's why you're looking leaner these days. I'd be happy to help."

"Thanks," Zydan said appreciatively. "Let's head out once you're ready.

Tara nodded and checked her schedule. "Give me a few minutes to wrap up here, and then we'll go. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been up to."

With that, Zydan and Tara planned to meet shortly after, both looking forward to their time together outside of the classroom.