Phei stopped dead in his tracks.
The notification had popped up without warning—text burning across his vision like a divine summons he hadn't bloody asked for, but the universe had decided to deliver anyway:
[DING!]
[QUEST UNLOCKED: Stage Presence
Objective: At the assembly, take the spotlight, steal the stage from the academy president, and announce your debut in basketball!
Rewards: Cool Aura Wave (Single Use)
Note: This is a ONE-TIME USE ability. Choose your moment wisely]
Basketball?
Since when did the system give a toss about his athletic debut? And what the hell was a "Cool Aura Wave"—some kind of metaphysical flex that made everyone in the room spontaneously develop a smoking habit and a Phei fetish?
"Phei?" Sierra's voice sliced through his confusion—sharp as ever, the kind of sharp that could open envelopes and egos with equal ease. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
