Jace didn't go to class that day.
He walked. Nowhere in particular. Past the training fields where awakened students crushed targets with glowing fists. Past the Spirit Core Testing Hall, where his name was still etched in red for "Three Failures."
He ended up behind the old lecture building—where weeds grew taller than ambition, and no one ever came.
[Status Updated]
Jace Rowan – Level 1 Trash
Strength: 12 (+10)
Agility: 9 (+5)
Intelligence: 14
Trait: Thick Skin (Passive)
Energy Core: None
Reputation: Laughingstock
Jace squinted at the translucent screen floating in front of him. It shimmered like digital mist, flickering slightly every time his heartbeat surged.
[New Objective: Get Mocked Again]
Reward: +Random Stat Boost / Chance for Trait Drop
Tip: Try interacting with arrogant people, especially if they think you're beneath them.
"...This is insane," Jace muttered.
But it wasn't a dream. His body felt stronger. His thoughts were sharper. His heart was still humiliated—but now that shame fed him.
He wasn't just surviving.
He was leveling up.
"Yo. Jace?" a voice called out.
He turned. A girl approached, ponytail swaying behind her.
Tessa Blake.
The academy's idol. The one who'd made headlines last semester for becoming the youngest S-Rank performer in history.
The same girl who once rejected him on livestream with a casual, "He's like... my dog. Cute, but you don't date a pet."
She tilted her head. "You okay? Thought you might've gone full emo after this morning."
Jace stared. "Why are you even talking to me?"
"Why not?" she smirked. "It's kind of fun watching you crash and burn. Besides—someone has to check if you're still alive."
[Humiliation Detected: "You're like my dog."]
+10 Willpower
+5 Charisma
New Trait Gained: "Bark Back"
Your comebacks sting deeper when underestimated.
Jace's eyes narrowed. He should be angry.
But instead, he smiled.
"I'm still alive," he said calmly. "And I bark louder now."
Tessa blinked. "Did... you just flirt with me?"
"No," he said. "I warned you."
She opened her mouth for a snappy comeback—then frowned. Something about him was different.
Less pitiful. More dangerous.
Before she could speak again, he turned and walked away.
Back in his dorm room, Jace pulled out a notebook. He flipped to the first blank page and titled it in bold:
Ways I Can Get Humiliated Without Dying
1. Challenge someone to a duel and lose horribly
2. Publicly ask for tutoring from an arrogant genius
3. Sit in the front row and ask dumb questions in magic theory
4. Confess to a princess (again)
5. Let the martial arts club use me as a warm-up dummy
He paused.
And smiled.