Bully Lord

Part-39

Back in his room, James collapsed onto his bed, the weight of the day pressing down on him. The upgraded skills were a welcome boost, the stat increase an unexpected bonus, but the upcoming fight with Sourov loomed large. Punching a pillow or punching bag just wouldn't cut it anymore. He needed proper training, a structured environment to hone his skills and learn new techniques. The idea of joining a gym sparked in his mind.

Just as he was about to voice this thought to his mother, a new notification flickered on the blue window, sending a jolt of surprise through him. It wasn't the usual skill upgrade message. Instead, bold letters spelled out:

**Mission 7: Join a Gym.**

**Reward: Loop Mission.**

**Penalty: Risk a random slap from your sister.**

James stared at the message, his jaw slack. So, the System was actively encouraging him to join a gym? It made sense, considering the upcoming fight. But the reward – a Loop Mission – was a mystery. What did that even mean? And the penalty? A random slap from his sister? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Lily's playful taps were one thing, but a full-on, System-powered sisterly slap? No thanks.

He mulled over the options. Joining a gym was a good idea, regardless of the System's prompting. But the penalty… could he risk it? The answer came in a flash – no. He couldn't explain the random slap, nor did he want to endure his sister's potential wrath.

Deciding to take matters into his own hands, James bypassed the whole "asking his parents for a gym membership" route.  He knew most gyms wouldn't accept a minor like him.  However, a memory sparked in his mind.  His father occasionally mentioned an old friend, Riva, who had retired from the police force and opened a small, family-oriented gym.  It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.

After school, James walked with a determined stride towards the address his father had mentioned years ago.  The gym itself was unassuming, tucked away in a quiet corner of the neighborhood.  A worn sign above the door proclaimed it "Riva's Fitness Den."  Taking a deep breath, James pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The air buzzed with the muffled clang of weights and the rhythmic grunts of people exercising.  The gym wasn't huge, but it was well-equipped, with a mix of cardio machines and free weights.  A woman with short, steely-gray hair and an aura of quiet authority stood behind the reception counter, wiping down a pair of dumbbells.  She glanced up at James, her gaze sharp and assessing.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice surprisingly gentle for someone who looked like she could bench-press James himself.

James, suddenly feeling a touch self-conscious, stammered, "Uh, hi. My name is James Khan. My dad, uh, he mentioned you might be able to help me?"  He wasn't sure how much to reveal, but mentioning his father seemed like a safe bet.

A flicker of recognition crossed the woman's face.  "James? You must be Samuel's son!  He hasn't mentioned you in ages.  What can I do for you?"

James explained his situation. He mentioned his desire to learn how to defend himself and get in better shape.  As he spoke, he noticed Riva studying him intently.