The afternoon sun filtered through the gym windows, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. The final bell had rung, and most students had already left for the day, but the air hummed with a tense, anticipatory energy. A crowd had gathered along the bleachers—jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, and the curious onlookers who always flocked to a good fight. At the center of it all stood Jake Miller, his football jersey unbuttoned, his muscles flexed, a sneer of contempt on his face.
Ethan Reed stood across from him, calm and composed, his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. He'd expected this. Ever since he'd aced the math exam and walked out of class with Lila Chen on his arm, Jake had been seething. The star quarterback was used to being the center of attention, the king of the school, and Ethan's sudden rise had knocked him off his throne.
"Got yourself a little confidence boost, huh, Reed?" Jake sneered, spitting a piece of gum onto the floor. "Walking around like you own the place because you got lucky on a test. Newsflash: school isn't all about numbers. It's about strength. And you've got none."
Ethan didn't rise to the bait. He just looked at Jake, his expression neutral. "What do you want, Jake?"
"I want to put you back in your place," Jake said, taking a step forward. The crowd murmured. "I'm challenging you to a one-on-one football game. Right here, right now. If you win, I'll leave you alone forever. I'll even apologize to everyone I've ever bullied. But if you lose… you drop out of this school. You disappear. No more showing up Lila, no more acting like you're better than me. Deal?"
The crowd gasped. That was a heavy wager. Disappearing from Westbrook High was a death sentence for any social life, let alone a future. But Ethan didn't hesitate. He knew the System had given him a minor physical enhancement—10% increase in strength, speed, and reflexes. It wasn't superhuman, but it was enough.
"Deal," Ethan said. "But I want to add one more condition. If I win, you pay for the new library books the school's been begging for. The ones you said were 'for losers.'"
Jake laughed, a loud, braying sound. "You're on! I'll even throw in a new trophy case for the math team, just to rub it in when you lose."
The crowd moved back, forming a makeshift field. Lila stood at the edge of the circle, her hands clenched into fists, her face tight with worry. "Ethan, don't do this," she whispered. "He's a monster. He'll hurt you."
Ethan looked at her and smiled. "I'll be fine. Trust me."
The game started. Jake took the ball first, charging at Ethan like a freight train. He was used to bowling over defenders, to using his size and strength to intimidate. But this time, when he reached Ethan, the smaller boy sidestepped him with a fluidity that shocked everyone. Jake stumbled, nearly falling face-first into the floor. The crowd erupted in laughter.
"Cheap trick!" Jake roared, spinning around. "Do it again!"
Ethan just nodded. "Sure."
This time, Jake was more careful. He feinted left, then right, trying to confuse Ethan, but Ethan read his movements like a book. He dodged again, and this time, he reached out and snatched the ball out of Jake's hands before the quarterback even realized what was happening.
The crowd went wild.
Ethan didn't gloat. He just turned and ran, his feet light on the floor, weaving through the imaginary defenders. Jake chased him, his face red with rage, but he couldn't keep up. Ethan was faster, more agile, and he had a plan. He reached the end zone and scored the first touchdown.
The score was 7-0.
Jake was furious. "This isn't over!" he screamed. "I'm not done!"
The game continued. Every time Jake had the ball, Ethan dodged him, stole it, or tackled him to the floor with a precision that belied his small frame. Every time Ethan had the ball, he scored. By halftime, the score was 28-0. Jake was gasping for breath, his jersey soaked in sweat, his pride in tatters.
"I can't… I can't breathe," he panted, collapsing onto the floor. "This isn't fair. You're using some kind of trick. You're a cheater!"
Ethan walked over to him, standing over the fallen bully. "Life isn't fair, Jake," he said, his voice cold and steady. "You've spent years making it unfair for everyone else. You bullied the weak, you mocked the smart, you thought you were untouchable. Now you're getting a taste of your own medicine."
He held out his hand. "Now, keep your promise. Apologize. And pay for the library books."
Jake looked up at him, his eyes filled with hatred and humiliation. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, slowly, he took Ethan's hand and stood up. He turned to the crowd, his face burning with shame.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry to everyone I've ever bullied. I was wrong. I'll pay for the library books. All of them."
The crowd erupted in cheers. Lila ran over to Ethan, throwing her arms around him. "You did it!" she said, her voice filled with awe. "You actually did it!"
[Ding!][Quest "Humiliate the Bully" completed!][Rewards awarded:][1. Peak Physical Condition permanently unlocked!][2. $1,000,000 deposited into Host's bank account!][3. Reputation increased significantly among peers.][New Quest Unlocked: The Regional Math Competition.][Objective: Lead Westbrook High's math team to victory at the regional competition.][Reward: Eidetic Memory (upgrade from Photographic Memory), Full Charisma Boost, $50,000 college scholarship.]
Ethan smiled, wrapping his arm around Lila. He looked out at the crowd, at the students who now looked at him with respect instead of contempt, at Jake, who was already walking away, his head hung low.
He was no longer the invisible kid, the failing loser.
He was Ethan Reed—the school genius, the champion, and he was just getting started.