Hearing Maguire's words, the already-intimidated Carl quickly blurted out,
"Sorry, Peter, I had too much to drink.
Everything I said was nonsense—it was my fault. I apologize. Don't take it to heart."
Maguire drew in a sharp breath, his expression full of impatience.
"Tch… Did I stutter? Or do you have pig hair stuffed in your ears?"
"I told you to say it again—didn't you understand?"
Carl froze, baffled.
*Wait… he really meant for me to say it again?*
*Damn, is this how normal people think?*
Reluctantly, Carl tried to repeat himself.
"What are you looking at, brat—"
He didn't get to finish.
With a sudden surge of strength, Maguire hurled Carl onto the grass.
"You've got guts. I told you to say it again—and you actually did."
"You think I'm made of clay?"
Carl, clutching his side, looked up at Maguire in shock and fear.
*When did this kid turn into… an actual bully?*
Maguire glared down at him.
"Don't let me hear crap like that out of your mouth again."
Carl, completely cowed, could only nod blankly.
Then, the system's voice rang out in Maguire's mind:
> \[Congratulations, host. Bully action completed.
> Bully Points +20.
> Tip: The stronger your target, the more points you earn.
> Bully actions against story characters yield extra points.
> Bully actions against story *villains* yield double points.]
Maguire smirked to himself.
*So that's how you rack up points… If I'd known, I would've pulled a bully move on Mary Jane.*
Curious about this new world, he decided to check out his high school.
He started down the street.
Mary Jane, standing nearby, watched him approach, her heart rippling.
*Peter's changed… I didn't expect him to be so bold.*
*Even if he's not boyfriend material, having a tough "backup" guy isn't a bad idea.*
With that thought, she decided to strike up a conversation with her good neighbor.
With her charm, Peter would surely fall at her feet.
Maguire soon reached her.
Mary Jane kept her pitiful expression, extending her delicate hand to greet him.
But Maguire didn't even notice her—his attention was on the school bus that had just pulled up.
Before she could speak, he walked right past her and got on.
Mary Jane was left staring in disbelief.
*What just happened? Did he just… walk away?*
She turned her head, only to see Maguire already boarding the bus.
Her cheeks flushed with irritation.
*So he's ignoring me, huh? Hmph…*
*Must've learned this "play hard to get" nonsense from someone.*
*What does he think I am, a little teenage girl? Tch.*
Just then, a convertible roared up, tires screeching.
It came to a stop right beside her.
At the wheel was her current boyfriend, Flash Thompson.
"Babe, hop in. I'll give you a ride to school."
Looking at Flash—tall, broad-shouldered, and loaded—Mary Jane quickly shoved the poor kid Peter out of her mind.
She climbed into the convertible, and they sped off toward school.
…
Before long, the school bus carrying Maguire arrived at Midtown High.
As he stepped off, looking at the crowd of boys and girls bustling about, he couldn't help but think—
*Youth really is a beautiful thing.*
Then, a luxury Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the school gates.
A handsome young man stepped out.
It was none other than Peter Parker's best friend, heir to Oscorp Industries—
Harry Osborn.
His arrival made many of the nearby girls swoon.
"He's so handsome…"
"And his family owns one of the two biggest military manufacturers in the country."
"You've heard of Oscorp Industries, right? It's on par with Stark Industries."
…
Harry spotted his best friend in the distance and ran over excitedly.
When he saw Peter's sleek outfit, he grinned.
"Peter, you look great today."
Maguire smiled.
"As if there's ever a day I don't look great."
The two headed toward the school together.
Not long after, that same convertible pulled up at the gates.
Seeing Harry walking alongside Maguire, Mary Jane's eyes flashed with interest.
…
//Check out my Patreon for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[[email protected]/Razeil0810](http://[email protected]/Razeil0810)