章節 7: A Taste of Change

"This body is more toned and fit than my previous one. I'm even taller—maybe around 190 cm! My hard work at the gym has really paid off."

Luke's reflection looked strikingly different from the person he remembered. His once ordinary features now seemed more refined and sharp.

His black hair, slightly tousled, gave him a mysterious edge, catching the faint light around him and making it shimmer.

His piercing blue eyes held a hint of something new—an intensity that hadn't been there before.

Staring at his reflection in the mirror, Luke still tried to make sense of everything. His hand ran over his head, feeling the spot where the bandage had been, but there was no sign of injury. Not even a scar.

"How did I even get hurt in the first place?" he muttered to himself, frowning.

He searched his mind, but no memories surfaced to explain the injury.

[Probably some memories have yet to return. Give it a couple of days, and everything should come back.] The system's voice echoed calmly in his head.

"Maybe…"

"I should prepare dinner for Mom tonight," he thought.

Deciding to surprise her, Luke moved into the kitchen. He knew she worked hard, and this would be a nice treat.

As he chopped vegetables and stirred the pot, he marveled at how easily his body adapted to every motion; his muscles responded with precision and strength. It felt like second nature now.

Cooking had always been a struggle for him in his previous life, but now it seemed effortless.

Just as he finished plating the food, he heard the familiar click of the front door opening.

He turned to greet her, and there she stood—a beautiful woman with long black hair cascading down her back. Her striking blue eyes reflected the same intensity as Luke's.

She looked tired, yet her beauty radiated through her exhaustion, and her soft smile lit up the room.

"Mom, welcome home!" Luke said, smiling warmly.

His mother's eyes widened slightly as she took in the scene. "You cooked dinner?" she asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Yeah, I thought it would be nice to give you a break for once," Luke replied, pulling out a chair for her.

She laughed softly and ruffled his hair—something she hadn't done in a while. "You've grown so much, Luke."

"Hehe, just trying to help out more," he said with a light chuckle as he sat across from her at the table.

Sophia Dawbringer, his biological mother in this life, had always been a pillar of strength for their family. Even after the tragic loss of her husband, she stood firm, dedicating herself to providing for Luke and his sister, Nina. Her resilience had become a cornerstone of their lives, instilling a sense of determination in both children.

Sophia had faced great catastrophe when she was just ten years old—a time no one wanted to remember. Her family had been forced to flee their home, seeking refuge in one of the designated safe zones. It was within those temporary walls of safety that she met his father, a kind-hearted man.

Amidst the uncertainty of their world, they fell in love and eventually married, building a life together.

As Luke and his sister came into the world, Sophia poured her love and devotion into raising them, working tirelessly to ensure they had a stable and nurturing environment. Now, at thirty-five years old, she bore the weight of the years with grace.

Her long black hair framed her face elegantly, and her striking blue eyes—mirroring Luke's—held a depth of emotion that conveyed both the hardships she had faced and the love she had for her children.

"Mom, you look amazing," Luke said, noticing how her beauty remained untouched by time. With a gentle smile, she radiated a youthful glow that made her appear to be in her mid-twenties. The lines of worry etched on her face had softened over the years, but her strength was ever-present.

"Hahaha, why the sudden flattery?" she replied, washing her hands and preparing to eat.

"Nothing; I just felt like it."

Sophia took a seat at the table, her eyes sparkling with appreciation as she admired the meal Luke had prepared. "I can't believe you did all this by yourself. It smells incredible!" Her laughter was music to his ears.

"Just trying to help out more," Luke replied with a light chuckle, his heart swelling with pride. "You deserve a break, Mom."

Sophia looked at him, her expression a mix of pride and affection. "You've grown into such a remarkable young man. I'm so proud of you."

Her expression softened as she reached across the table to squeeze his hand, but it seemed she had more to say and chose to hold her words back.

As they began to eat, Luke watched her take a bite of the food, her eyes lighting up with surprise.

"This is delicious!" she exclaimed, her tone filled with admiration. "You've definitely improved! I remember when you couldn't even boil an egg properly."

"Yeah, well, practice makes perfect, I guess." Luke laughed, flexing his arm slightly to show off his toned muscles with a playful grin.

His mother chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't get too cocky now."

As they settled down to enjoy the meal, his mother glanced at him curiously. "You look different," she said. "Something's changed."

Luke froze for a second before shrugging. "I guess it's about my graduation in a couple of days. I've been feeling a mix of excitement and nerves about it."

Sophia tilted her head slightly, studying him with concern and curiosity. "Graduation is a big deal. Are you worried about your future path?"

Even someone like Sophia knew how important this moment was for Luke, so it wasn't surprising that she was asking about his future plans.

"Your sister has already enrolled in her new college and is preparing to start living there. Did you have any specific plans in mind?"

Luke hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to tell her.