The second Ryan stepped into his room, he dropped face-first onto the floor like a dead body hitting the pavement.
"Fuuuck..." he groaned into the wood. "That psychopath almost broke my jaw."
His limbs ached. His ribs felt like someone had used them as a xylophone. His pride? That was currently in a coma.
[DING!]
[System Notice: Yes, host. You were approximately 1.3 seconds away from unconsciousness. If Maya hadn't intervened, your jaw would be powder and your soul would be halfway to customer support.]
"...Thanks for the reminder." Ryan rolled onto his back, sweat-soaked shirt clinging to his skin. "That punch… was blocked. And Maya still got bruised?"
[Correct. Scans indicate a hairline contusion on Maya's forearm. Estimated recovery: 2-3 days.]
Ryan blinked. "T-Two days? From a blocked punch?"
[Yes, host. And that was not even 50% of Arthur Kane's full strength.]
Ryan stared at the ceiling like it held the secrets of the universe. "So, what… if that punch actually landed on me…?"
[Your teeth would be eating apples through a straw for the next six months.]
He groaned and slapped a hand over his face. "What kind of monster did I agree to spar with?"
[Correction: You didn't agree. You were peer pressured. And you survived—barely—due to your Boxing Jab skill and sheer luck.]
Ryan sighed and muttered, "At least I didn't lie about knowing how to jab… God knows what Arthur would've done then."
[Probably drop-kick you into the next calendar year.]
The next morning came with stiffness in every muscle Ryan possessed. His shoulders popped just reaching for his toothbrush.
But he made it to school, dragging his feet through the hallway like a zombie dressed in uniform.
Arthur was already at his desk.
Silent. Arms folded. Eyes closed like he was meditating or bored out of his mind. A titan disguised as a high schooler.
Ryan shuffled in and collapsed beside him.
Arthur cracked one eye open. "Yo."
Ryan blinked. "…Yo."
Just one word. That was it. No mention of the near-death match yesterday. No apology. No concern. Just yo.
'This guy… he's unreal.'
The rest of the morning passed like a blur. Ryan's body felt like a beaten dog, but something inside him itched. That spark—the one that had awakened when he dared step into the ring.
And that spark flared even more when gym class came around.
The boxing gym buzzed with energy. Heavy bags swinging. Jump ropes whipping. The sharp thwack of gloves hitting pads filled the air like music.
The gym itself was a battleground—a cathedral of sweat and steel. Dumbbells lined the racks like weapons waiting to be picked.
Benches. Weight sleds. Mats. Rings. Even a corner dedicated to MMA and grappling.
Ryan walked in with Arthur, still sore but more alert now. Something was happening.
And then the gym teacher, Coach Wilkins, a broad-chested man with a voice like thunder, stepped forward and clapped his hands.
"Listen up! The school's annual Inter-Club Tournament is officially a go!" he barked. "All clubs are in—basketball, judo, track, even archery. But I'm expecting our boxing team to make it to the finals this year. Got it?"
A cheer erupted around the room—half excitement, half testosterone-fueled pride.
Arthur didn't cheer. He just stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp, completely unbothered.
Coach Wilkins' gaze scanned the room. "We're holding qualifiers next week. Win two matches and you're locked in. Make it to the main bracket and you might just earn your spot on the school banner."
That's when it happened.
[DING! New Quest Received.]
[Quest: Win at least 2 matches in the School Inter-Club Tournament.]
[Reward: +1 Strength, +1 Reputation, New Skill Option Unlocked.]
Ryan's mouth dropped.
"You've got to be kidding me…" he muttered.
[No, host. This is your shot to prove you're not the weakest in the food chain.]
He groaned and rubbed his temples. "You just love to see me get beat up, huh?"
[Correction: I love to see you evolve. But yes, the beatdowns are… statistically amusing.]
Arthur turned and looked at Ryan, his cold eyes scanning him for a beat. "You joining?"
Ryan hesitated. Then nodded.
"I guess I don't have a choice."
Arthur gave the faintest smirk. "Good. Don't back out."
And with that, he picked up his gym bag and walked out of the ring without another word. A few students parted out of his way like he was Moses splitting the Red Sea.
Ryan stared after him.
'He didn't even react to the tournament news. Did he already know? Or did he just not care?'
He glanced at his fists. His right knuckle still faintly bruised from yesterday's jab.
"I need to get better. Fast."
From the side, Coach Wilkins approached him. "You. West, right?"
Ryan blinked. "Uh, yeah?"
"Didn't expect much when you joined, but I saw that jab you threw yesterday. Not bad. Not polished, but you've got potential."
Ryan lit up a little. "Thanks, Coach."
"Don't thank me yet. Survive two fights first."
The coach walked off, leaving Ryan standing there, somewhere between fear and adrenaline.
From across the room, Maya gave him a wave with her left arm. The right one was bandaged.
"You alive, rookie?"
"Barely," Ryan called back.
She smirked. "Keep it up. You might just earn the right to call yourself a boxer."
Ryan chuckled softly.
Friends… potential... maybe even strength.
He looked at the notification glowing in his mind.
Two wins. Time to earn them.