After Aaron got out of the truck, he didn't rush over to interrupt Mike while he was warming up.
He waited outside the yard until Mike finished a set of burpees, then spoke up. "You're improving fast. Coach George might want to consider letting you play in the summer league coming up soon…"
---
[Pickup System]
Host: Mike Quinn
Intelligence: 157+
(Average: 90–110 | Above Average: 110–120 | Excellent: 120–140 | Genius: 140+)
Physique: 136+
(Average adult male: 100)
Skills:
Driving Lv.3 (76/10,000)
Football Lv.2 (856/1,000)
Cooking Lv.2 (256/1,000)
…
(Skills are divided into five levels. More skills can be expanded.)
Trait: Demon Body
1. Immortality
2. Eternal Youth
3. Rapid Regeneration
(Note: "Immortality" does not mean invincibility. Severe damage to the brain or heart can still result in death.)
(Similar traits can stack and fuse.)
---
During this period, through relentless training and collecting various physical stat boosts, Mike's overall physique had increased by more than twenty points.
That might not sound like much, but it was equivalent to about one-fifth of an average person's physical fitness.
Thankfully, he had Rapid Regeneration. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to train at such high intensity, let alone boost his stats so quickly.
At this point, Mike's physical condition ranked near the top of the football team—he might even surpass Aaron slightly.
Based on Mike's estimation, once physique passed 140, it would reach the baseline of a true athlete.
There was still a little over a week until the high school summer league. Mike was confident he could push his physique past 140 before it started.
If he worked a bit harder and leveled his football skill up to Level 3, he'd have a real shot at becoming Milford High's absolute ace.
As team captain, Aaron had seen Mike's hard work and growth with his own eyes.
After the Sam incident, Aaron initially thought the team had picked up another troublemaker.
But after spending more time with Mike, he realized Mike had a great attitude and trained harder than anyone else.
Since Aaron planned to pursue football as a career, he naturally appreciated a junior like that.
"Do you want to rest for a bit, or head out with me now?" Aaron asked, noticing the sweat on Mike's forehead.
"No need. I feel great right now," Mike said, wiping his sweat. "Where are we training today?"
Aaron's pickup truck was loaded with standard training equipment. It was obvious the senior took training very seriously.
"The school field. There's plenty of space there," Aaron replied.
Schools in this area didn't close on weekends. In fact, the facilities were often open to nearby residents.
That didn't stop Aaron and Mike from using the track.
Just as Mike was about to climb into the truck, the Cooper family across the street heard the noise. George came out with the three kids.
After greeting Aaron, George asked, "What are you guys up to?"
"Oh, Mike invited me to train this weekend. We're heading to the school," Aaron explained.
Ever since George had gotten sick last time, Mary had been keeping a close eye on him and making him cut back on drinking.
It was the weekend, and he still hadn't managed to sneak a beer.
Thinking it was better to get out of the house than sit around miserable—and with the summer league approaching—George felt a sense of urgency.
"I've got the key to the equipment room. I'll come with you," George suggested.
The two in the truck were more than happy to have him.
Next to George, Missy spotted Mike sitting in the passenger seat and immediately wanted to tag along.
Seeing so many people going, little George decided he wanted to join the fun too.
A five-seat pickup was about to be packed.
Mike rolled down the window and looked at Sheldon, who was standing alone by the roadside. He joked, "Sheldon, want to come with us and play?"
"No. Compared to barbaric physical activities, I'd much rather enrich my mind at home. The Science Channel is about to start," Sheldon replied seriously.
"All right, see you later," Mike said with a grin, rolling the window back up.
With a roar of the engine, the pickup carried four people toward the school.
---
At the same time, the four Plastics rode in Regina's sports car to her family's small villa.
Regina's dad was also named George. He worked for the national power grid and held a regional leadership position.
Because of that, Regina's family was well-off and well-connected.
Cady stared at the pink villa in front of her, clearly stunned. Yes—Regina's house had been deliberately painted a girly pink.
Catching Cady's reaction out of the corner of her eye, Regina felt extremely satisfied.
After silently labeling her a country bumpkin, Regina led her three followers inside.
The two-story villa had been professionally designed. The high ceilings, furniture, and décor all screamed luxury.
Up in the second-floor living room, a woman in workout leggings was following an aerobics routine on TV.
"Mom~ I brought friends over! Turn the TV down!" Regina shouted, covering her ears as she went upstairs.
"What?" The woman turned around, her face looking seventy to eighty percent like Regina's.
She was Mrs. George—Amy.
Nearly forty, but impeccably maintained, she looked like she was barely in her twenties.
If she and Regina walked down the street together, most people would probably mistake them for sisters.
Regina had the girls sit on the couch, then called out again, "I said it's too loud~!"
This time, Amy heard her clearly. She turned off the TV and walked over cheerfully.
"Oh, my baby, did you have fun today?" Amy asked with a bright, open smile. She clearly had an outgoing personality.
"It was fine," Regina replied coolly, clearly unimpressed by her mom's enthusiasm.
Amy didn't mind at all. After greeting the other girls on the couch one by one, she stopped in front of Cady.
"Are you Regina's new friend? You're gorgeous! Have you ever thought about being a model?" Amy asked, overflowing with enthusiasm.
Seeing Amy's fashionable outfit and energetic demeanor, Cady felt a little overwhelmed.
There was no denying Amy took great care of herself. She was just as eye-catching as Regina, but with an added layer of mature charm.
"Mom, let us have some quiet time," Regina said, feeling embarrassed by her mom's overfamiliar behavior.
"Alright, have fun. I'll go get you something to drink," Amy said energetically. She clearly loved hanging out with girls.
After Amy left, Regina explained, "Amy's just bored. My dad's always busy with work and doesn't have time for her, so she's kind of… weird."
"No, I think your mom is really nice," Cady said honestly, speaking up in Amy's defense.
From what she'd just seen, Regina's mom was definitely way easier to get along with than Regina herself.
Karen and Gretchen, who were already used to Amy's enthusiasm, nodded in agreement beside her.