The next morning, Ethan arrived at Westbrook High feeling more focused than he had in his entire life. The quiet confidence that had settled over him like a second skin was no longer just an act—it was real, forged by perfect exam scores, a humiliating defeat of the school's worst bully, and a secret fortune that could change his family's future forever.
As he walked through the hallway, students who had once ignored or mocked him now turned their heads. Whispers followed him everywhere he went, but they were no longer filled with contempt. They were filled with curiosity, respect, and even a little awe. For the first time, Ethan did not shrink away from the attention. He walked tall, his eyes forward, his steps steady.
Lila spotted him at once and hurried to his side, a bright smile on her face. The sunlight caught her hair, turning it to soft gold, and Ethan felt a faint warmth in his chest. Whatever connection was growing between them, it was stronger than anything he had ever known.
"Good morning," she said, falling into step beside him. "I brought extra practice problems from last year's competition. I thought we could go through them before class."
Ethan smiled back. "I'd like that. But I actually have something to tell you. Something that might help the entire team."
Lila raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?"
Before Ethan could answer, the sharp, angry sound of a locker slamming shut cut through the noise. Jake Miller stood at the end of the hallway, his jaw tight, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared directly at them. His friends stood nervously behind him, clearly uncomfortable with the tension boiling off their leader.
Ethan's expression cooled. He had hoped Jake would have learned his lesson after their humiliating showdown in the gym, but it was clear the bully had no intention of backing down. If anything, his defeat had only made him more dangerous.
Lila noticed the change in Ethan's demeanor and followed his gaze. Her smile faded, and she instinctively moved a little closer to him. "Ignore him," she said quietly. "He's just upset because everyone's talking about you instead of him."
Ethan nodded. He did not want to give Jake the satisfaction of reacting. But he also knew he could not back down—not now, not when the team, and Lila, were counting on him.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of classes and whispered speculation. Ethan aced every pop quiz without effort, his photographic memory and upgraded intelligence making even the hardest material feel simple. Teachers who had once written him off now called on him constantly, amazed by his sudden transformation.
During lunch, Ethan gathered the math team in the empty classroom. The mood was excited but nervous. Everyone knew the regional competition was approaching, and no one wanted to finish last again.
Mr. Henderson stood at the front, his expression serious. "I know you've all been working hard, but this year we have an advantage. Thanks to Ethan's… unique opportunities, we've secured a private mentor to help us prepare."
The students murmured in surprise. A private mentor was unheard of for a school that had always finished at the bottom of the rankings.
Ethan stepped forward. "His name is Mr. Cole. He's a former national math champion, and he's agreed to train us every afternoon this week. He'll push us harder than we've ever been pushed, but he'll make us winners."
Aaron, the nervous boy Ethan had helped earlier, looked up with hope in his eyes. "Do you really think we can win?"
Ethan met his gaze firmly. "I know we can. None of you are weak. None of you are stupid. You just haven't been given the chance to prove yourselves. That changes now."
[Ding!][Team morale has reached maximum level.][Passive ability: Team Synergy unlocked.Every team member's academic ability increases by 10%.][Reward: Advanced Focus unlocked.]
A quiet cheer went up around the room. For the first time in years, the math team actually believed they could win.
But the peaceful moment did not last.
As the team began to practice, the classroom door creaked open. Principal Carter stood in the doorway, his expression unusually grim. He gestured for Ethan and Mr. Henderson to join him in the hallway.
Once outside, the principal's tone dropped to a serious whisper. "I just got a call from the competition board. North High—our biggest rivals—have filed a formal complaint. They're accusing you of cheating, Ethan. They say your perfect scores were too sudden, that you must have used stolen test answers."
Ethan's jaw tightened. He knew exactly who was behind this.
Mr. Henderson's face flushed with anger. "That's ridiculous! We watched him take those exams ourselves. He didn't cheat."
"I know that," the principal said, sighing. "But the board has to investigate. They're threatening to disqualify our entire team before the competition even starts if we can't prove Ethan's scores are legitimate."
Lila, who had followed them into the hallway, paled. "That's not fair! Jake is doing this, isn't he? He's trying to ruin everything."
The principal nodded grimly. "I have no concrete proof, but all the evidence points to Jake. He has connections on the board through his father. He's using his family's influence to sabotage us."
Ethan stood silent, his mind racing. Jake had not just challenged him—he had declared war. And he was playing dirty.
But Ethan was no longer the weak boy who would let himself be pushed around.
[Ding!][Host has encountered a plot sabotage.New quest unlocked: Clear Your Name.Objective: Prove your innocence to the competition board and stop Jake's sabotage.Difficulty: High.Reward: System Luck increased permanently, $50,000 cash bonus, full public apology from the board.Failure penalty: Team disqualified; public reputation damaged.]
Ethan lifted his head, his eyes calm but determined.
"Tell the board I'll take any test they want," he said firmly. "Any time, any place, no notes, no help. I'll score perfect again. And when I do, they'll have no choice but to dismiss the complaint."
Mr. Henderson stared at him, impressed. "Are you sure? They'll give you the hardest problems they can find."
"I'm sure," Ethan said. "Let them bring it on."
Lila looked at him, her eyes shining with admiration and trust. "We'll be with you," she said. "All of us. No matter what happens."
Ethan smiled. For the first time that day, he felt completely at peace.
He did not just have a system.He did not just have money and power.
He had people who believed in him.
And that made him unbeatable.
The challenge ahead was dangerous, the stakes higher than ever.But Ethan Reed was ready.