Old Man's Test

[You can call me Old Man.]

"So, Old Man, you said you could be of great help to me. What did you mean by that?"

[Even if I explained everything, you wouldn't understand, kid. But since you've become a bit more polite, I'll tell you a few things. I can help you use the system correctly. Not only that, but I can also make your missions easier or harder.]

"Huh? Really? So you can make the 'Perfect Form' mission easier so I can start pitching again soon?" - Shun got excited. In the past few days, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pitch with perfect form without making mistakes.

[Ehhh, I can't do that.]

"What do you mean you can't do that? You just said you could make the missions easier. Don't tell me you're just a liar!" - Shun quickly got discouraged and then irritated with the Old Man.

[I'm not a liar! Listen here, kid, I can make missions easier or harder, but I can only do that with missions you haven't accepted yet. Also, when I change the difficulty of a mission, the reward changes based on that. There are also limits, there's a minimum difficulty for a mission so it doesn't become too easy, and there's a maximum limit so it doesn't become impossible.]

"I think I understand, but I don't know if that's very useful to me." - Shun said skeptically. This Old Man clearly talked too much, but so far, all he had done was talk.

[Hmph! Of course, it's useful, kid. I can adjust the missions based on your condition. I can also ensure that you receive rewards more appropriate for your current situation. Additionally, I may not be able to change the difficulty of the missions you've already accepted, but I can help you complete them.]

"Huh? Really? You're not lying to me again, are you?"

[I've never lied to you, kid! Listen, completing the 'Perfect Form' mission is simply impossible for your current self. But as long as you listen to me, I can help you complete it.]

"Hmm, listen to you, huh? I can do that, but it'll depend on whether what you say makes sense." - Shun remained skeptical, but he truly believed the Old Man's words about it being impossible to complete the mission now. He had tried his best with all his concentration but couldn't even make one valid pitch.

[You're very suspicious for a kid. But fine, I'll tell you something that'll help you trust me. Currently, it's impossible for you to complete the mission because your physical condition isn't sufficient. To be more precise, your body balance, coordination, and flexibility are too low.]

"Eh? How do I improve that?" - Shun became anxious for the Old Man's response, but to his surprise, it didn't come. Instead, the system notification sounded in his head.

[DING]

[THE OLD BASEBALL PLAYER SYSTEM

System Level: 2 (1000 coins to upgrade)

User: Shun Takahashi

Age: 14 years

Coins: 0 coins

Missions *

System Shop (locked)

Arena (locked)

Inventory *

User Statistics:

Overall: D+

PITCHING: F+

BATTING: C-

FIELDING: B-

RUNNING: D+

GAME IQ: D+

Physical Conditioning:

Muscular Strength: D-

Agility: E-

Flexibility: F+

Coordination: F+

Body Balance: E-

Stamina: D-

Mental: E-

Overall Potential: S

User Skills:

4-seam fastball (E+) (locked)

Hunter Eyes (SS+)

Contact (A+)

Chase (A+)

Dive (C+)

User Quirks:

Break I]

"Huh? Why did the system menu suddenly appear? It looks like the only change is that physical conditioning has been unlocked, but these grades... they're so low!" - Shun was surprised by the sudden appearance, but that surprise was quickly replaced by disappointment when he saw the grades for his physical conditioning.

[Well, I thought it would be easier for you to understand if you saw it yourself.]

"These grades, is this what you were talking about? I need to improve them to be able to pitch with perfect form?"

[Exactly. These grades are just a reflection of your current physical condition. To pitch using the perfect form, you need your body balance, coordination, and flexibility all at a C+ grade. Of course, that's the minimum necessary. To pitch consistently, you'd need all three stats at a B grade.]

"B grade? I'm so far from that... Old Man, do you know how I can improve these stats?"

[You're already training these stats with the daily mission exercise list. As long as you keep completing it every day, one day you'll reach those grades. Though it might take a while.]

"Do you know how long it will take me to reach those grades?"

[Well, at your current growth rate, about two years.]

"What??!! Two years—two years is a long time!" - Shun became depressed when he thought it would take two years before he could start the mission that would allow him to pitch again. The boy was lost in his thoughts when the Old Man's voice gave him hope.

[I can help you reach those grades faster, but it won't be easy. You'll have to work much harder.]

"Are you serious? You can help me? How? No matter how hard I have to work, as long as I can pitch sooner." - Shun saw a ray of hope in the Old Man's voice, and he couldn't help but get excited.

The Old Man was surprised by the boy's reaction. He could feel that this boy truly loved pitching. He felt a sense of nostalgia before speaking.

[I can increase the difficulty level of the daily missions to the maximum possible. You'll be able to do it, but as I said, it will be extremely difficult. Additionally, I can ensure that your rewards will help you in some way to improve those grades. Are you willing?]

"Of course! As long as I can pitch again sooner, I'll do it. Besides, you said it's possible, so there's no problem." - Shun got very excited, so he didn't stop to think about the consequences of his choice for even a moment.

[Well, at your current level, even though it's possible to complete the physical training at the highest difficulty, you'll suffer a lot from the wear and tear over time. So I'll help you. As long as you complete my mission, I'll give you a quirk that will help with your recovery. Do you accept my mission?]

"Hahaha, you're a nice person after all, Old Man! Of course, I accept!" - Shun accepted eagerly. He even thought that the Old Man was nice for helping him and giving him a quirk as a reward.

[Ok. I'll ask you again to confirm. Are you willing to increase the difficulty of daily mission #1 Physical Training and accept the mission 'Old Man's Test'?

Yes/No]

"Yes!"