Ascendency: The 3 System User

The Lone Junior

“Not bad,” Faiz wheezed, grinning.

Later that evening, Azlan collapsed onto the gym floor after finishing 200 push-ups. The System chimed again:

“Next Mission: Perfect the Switch Jab within 24 hours. Failure will reduce Accuracy by 7%.”

Azlan groaned, staring up at the ceiling. “Do you ever stop?”

His coach clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t talk to yourself like a crazy person. Get up. We’re doing bag drills next.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Azlan muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.

When Azlan finally staggered home, the sun had long set. His mom was waiting at the dining table, her arms crossed.

“You’ve been out all day again,” she said, her tone sharp but laced with worry.

“Training,” Azlan replied, dropping his bag near the door.

“You’re overdoing it,” she said. “Your father would never have pushed himself like this.”

Azlan froze, his jaw tightening. “Dad wouldn’t settle for less than his best,” he said quietly. “I’m not settling either.”

“Azlan, you’re not him,” she said, her voice softeni