Chapter 3: F=ma!
Luke swung the tennis racket easily, getting used to the rhythm.
He rarely played sports like tennis, although during his free time, he would play badminton with Annie, which was similar.
As for Mikasa... forget it.
That girl's athletic ability was on a whole different level from normal people.
Playing a competitive sport like this against her was like hitting a rock with an egg.
The one and only time he played badminton with Mikasa, he seemed to spend the entire match just picking up the shuttlecock.
Even Annie, watching from the side, looked at him with pity.
Just thinking about it made him mad.
What kind of maid treats her Master like that?
Thus the match began.
Thanks to Miura Yumiko's status in school, the classmates – who were enthusiastic about everything except studying – immediately turned their attention over.
Miura Yumiko's little group of friends also stopped playing and looked their way.
Tobe Kakeru walked over to Hayama Hayato, the central 'hearth' of their group, and asked strangely, "Is this guy our classmate? How come I feel like I've never seen him before? How'd he tick off Miura?"
Hayama Hayato gave an awkward smile. "He is indeed our classmate. His name is Luke Nova. He's just a bit introverted."
Behind them, Ebina Hina heard this and let out a strange laugh that sent chills down your spine.
Hayama glanced back, saw Ebina's perverted fangirl smile, and couldn't help but facepalm with a wry smile.
This girl's definitely imagining some BL scenario involving her classmates again.
"How do we score? I don't know the rules," Luke asked, still swinging the racket in his hand.
"Just the most basic scoring rules are fine. First to 10 points wins."
As soon as she finished speaking, Miura Yumiko served first.
The tennis ball shot quickly towards his left side.
Luke was right-handed. Relying on his above-average stats, he just barely managed to reach the ball on his left.
But his unfamiliar, non-standard hitting form only managed to send the ball into the net.
"One," Miura Yumiko said, a hint of a smile showing.
So skilled.
Luke looked at the composed Miura Yumiko. Her slender legs definitely looked well-trained.
This match might be tough...
Just as he expected, the next few points went similarly.
Although, through observation and practice, he quickly figured out the knack for attacking and returning in tennis, and slowly started managing to rally back and forth a few times.
But this girl seemed exceptionally good at this sport, always managing to find his weak spots with her serves or returns.
If it came down to skill, he probably wasn't her match yet.
Plus, his unfamiliarity with tennis meant he couldn't really plan or outline any tactics that would tip the scales of victory in his favor.
So, that left only one way for him to possibly win: overpowering her with his stats.
No matter how good Miura Yumiko was at tennis, she was still just a girl.
Physically, there was a natural disadvantage, especially compared to him, whose strength stat far exceeded a normal person's.
As long as the skill gap wasn't as wide as a pro versus a complete beginner, he still had a chance to win.
And so, Luke took action. Making sure the ball would clear the net, he started hitting it back with all his strength.
Miura Yumiko's face flushed slightly, sweat starting to bead on her forehead.
Seeing her opponent steadily finding his rhythm, her initial intention of causing trouble slowly faded.
Now... she just wanted to win this duel.
Gripping the tennis ball tightly, Miura Yumiko served again.
Only, this time, Luke didn't move.
He looked at the notification panel, letting the tennis ball bounce past him.
[Strength +1]
"Sorry, I zoned out," Luke said, turning back to pick up the ball, looking at his stat panel.
[Attributes]: Strength 13, Agility 12, Constitution 10, Spirit 15;
His Strength had successfully broken through from 12 points to 13 during the match with Miura Yumiko.
And because he often exhausted his stamina dealing with Mikasa and Annie, coupled with lack of sleep, his Constitution stat had dropped to 9 points.
Now, it had successfully recovered by one point.
Therefore—
[Notification]: [Life Mission]: The value of life lies in continuous self-improvement. Attribute points exceed 50 (50/50) Completed. You have received a reward: Book of Strength!
Item: [Book of Strength] — When you hold this book, you will ignore attribute limits and gain an additional +3 Strength.
[Notification]: You have received a new [Life Mission]: Labor creates life's value. Earn 500,000 yen through work: 0/500,000.
"Hmph, what kind of excuse is that?" Miura Yumiko scoffed, unimpressed by her opponent letting her score freely.
"An excuse is an excuse, I guess."
Luke replied nonchalantly, taking the Book of Strength out of his item inventory.
The +3 Strength instantly made him feel different.
"But things are going to be different now, Miura-san... be careful."
"What's with the trash talk? You think that's enough to win... huh?" Miura Yumiko retorted, amused, only to see him pull out a book from nowhere.
No, no, the point wasn't the book, the point was where did he pull that book from?
"What are you doing with a book? Where did you get that from?" Miura Yumiko couldn't help asking.
13 + 3 = 16 points of Strength.
Luke felt the power flowing continuously from the book in his hand, surging through his entire body.
He felt a peculiar confidence now, like he could kill a bull with one punch.
A strength of 10 was indeed the standard for an average person, but that standard was for an average person in their prime, at the peak of their strength.
But he didn't celebrate yet.
This sudden surge of power felt too absurd. He wasn't that familiar with tennis and if he used his strength recklessly, things could easily go wrong...
"Miura-san, just surrender. I've already broken through the limits of an Earthling and become a Super Earthling. If I get serious, things could get dangerous," Luke stated matter-of-factly.
The classmates watching started jeering along: "Go for it—! Super Earthling, defeat the evil space emperor, Miura Frie... uhh."
"Hmm?" Miura Yumiko shot a viper-like glare towards the crowd.
Seeing Miura Yumiko's glare, like a python ready to strangle them, the jeering classmate quickly shut his mouth.
Miura looked back at Luke, speechless. "What nonsense are you spouting? If you want to surrender, just hurry up and do it. Who asks their opponent to give up mid-match? That's ridiculous."
Luke shook his head helplessly. He thought his little speech might make her feel awkward enough to forfeit.
But he didn't want to lose either.
So, he replied, "You have a point. It's not good to give up halfway through a match. I'll give it my all."
He held the book open with one hand, looking with interest at the large characters on the cover of the Book of Strength: "The Way of Strength Lies Within".
He flipped it open, and the truth was right before his eyes—
F=ma!
"Here I come."
Taking a deep breath, Luke put the Book of Strength back into his inventory and served. The strong urge to unleash his power made him swing the racket with full force.
As his right hand prepared to swing, the Book of Strength suddenly appeared in his free left hand, granting his body the +3 Strength bonus.
Miura Yumiko watched his movements intently.
Having been in the tennis club since middle school, she was experienced.
She was fully prepared for her opponent's desperate last stand, her eyes sharply focused on his movements and the trajectory of the ball.
But she quickly realized something was wrong. This shot was a bit... fast?
There was no time to react. Years of tennis training made her instinctively dash forward, while her arm swung the racket with all its might, perfectly positioned to intercept the incoming projectile.
But...
Smack!
The racket flew out of her hand. The tennis ball didn't stop, mercilessly whizzing past her and slamming into the metal fence behind with a loud thwack.
Miura Yumiko's legs gave out, unable to support her anymore.
The terrifying sound of the ball ripping through the air had stunned her.
She sat weakly on the ground, the roaring sound of the tennis ball cannonball still echoing in her ears...
A layer of mist clouded her eyes.
Although Miura Yumiko wasn't hurt, her little group still rushed over.
"Are you okay, Yumiko?" a girl with light pink hair quickly comforted the fallen girl.
Miura Yumiko gritted her teeth and stood up.
"Sorry, are you alright?" Luke put the Book of Strength back in his inventory.
He had regretted it somewhat right after swinging with all his might.
Thankfully, he'd managed to slightly correct the ball's trajectory at the last moment.
Otherwise, if that tennis ball had hit her... things would have been bad.
Seeing her opponent's calm demeanor, the mist in her eyes grew thicker.
Mustering strength from who knows where, she braced herself, turned around, and ran off.
"Sorry about that," Hayama said apologetically.
Luke nodded in response.
Hmm, making a girl cry feels pretty good.
...