Jace Rowan stood at the edge of the academy courtyard, clutching a folded letter in his trembling hand.
The wind didn't help. It tugged at his uniform and hair as if trying to drag him away, whispering the warning he refused to hear.
He took a deep breath anyway.
"Aria Bennett!" His voice rang out, more nervous than bold. Students from all directions turned their heads, pausing their morning routines. Whispers started. Laughter followed.
In the center of the courtyard, Aria Bennett—the class president, the prodigy, the ice queen—looked up from her tablet with mild annoyance.
"You've got to be kidding me…" someone muttered nearby.
Jace walked forward, every step heavier than the last. When he finally reached her, he held out the letter like it weighed more than his pride.
"I… I like you. I've liked you since our first year. I know I'm not strong or rich or anything like the guys you hang out with, but—"
Aria blinked slowly, stood, and took the letter. She didn't even open it.
She tore it cleanly down the middle.
For a second, there was only silence.
Then her voice rang out, clear and cold. "I don't date weaklings. Next time, try confessing after you've at least awakened your spirit core. Oh wait—you can't, right?"
Laughter exploded from the crowd.
Even the teachers at the edge of the courtyard made no move to stop it. No one defended him. Why would they? Jace was just a Level 0. Unawakened. Spiritless trash.
Aria dropped the shreds of the letter at his feet and walked away without a second glance.
Jace didn't move. He stood still as the voices surrounded him like daggers.
"He actually thought she'd say yes?"
"I heard he failed his spirit exam three times."
"Maybe he's aiming for pity points. Lame."
Something in him snapped.
Not in anger.
In clarity.
And that's when it happened.
[Humiliation Detected]
+10 Strength
+5 Charisma
+1 Rare Trait Unlocked: "Thick Skin (Passive)"
Your resolve to stand tall amidst scorn begins to take root.
A blue, translucent screen hovered in his vision—impossible, unreal, but there.
Jace blinked.
[Congratulations! You've awakened the "Humiliation Reward System."]
Grow stronger every time you're mocked, rejected, or insulted.Public embarrassment increases rewards.Ready to be looked down on again?
The cold wind returned, brushing across his face like a whisper of destiny.
Jace slowly looked up at the retreating figure of Aria Bennett.
He didn't feel pain. Not anymore.
He felt power.
And he smiled.