The first classes went by in a blur. Algebra was boring, and Chemistry… even more boring. However, Literature turned out to be better than I expected. It was as if my brain was absorbing the information more easily than in my previous life, making the lessons far more interesting.
The rest of the classes passed normally until the sound of the bell announced lunch.
The hallway filled with students, and I let myself get carried by the current of the crowd. After buying a hamburger, I sat at an empty table. Peter spotted me and walked over with his tray.
"Mind if I sit here?" he asked, smiling awkwardly.
"Sure, go ahead," I replied.
Just as Peter sat down, a tall boy with designer clothes and dark brown—almost black—hair approached our table. It was Harry Osborn, Norman Osborn's son. He carried an air of confidence, a little arrogant, but his smile was somewhat playful.
"Hey! Peter, aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend?" he said in a teasing tone, sitting down next to Peter.
"This is Damon Blake, he's new here. Damon, this is Harry Osborn."
Harry shook my hand. His grip was firm.
"Nice to meet you, Damon. Peter and I have been inseparable since preschool, so if you're his friend, you're my friend by extension," he said with a grin.
"Then I hope we get along," I replied, smiling back.
The conversation flowed naturally. Peter and Harry talked about school, the robotics club, and their weekend plans. Well, it was more about Harry trying to drag Peter into a double date and Peter refusing because of robotics club. Watching them interact made me smile. Harry didn't treat Peter like he was beneath him; rather, he acted like a brother—teasing him, but deep down, it was obvious he cared.
Suddenly, a red-haired girl approached our table. Mary Jane Watson—the girl Peter kept sneaking glances at in class.
"Peter, I need your help," she said desperately.
"My math teacher said if I don't improve my grades, he's going to fail me," MJ sighed. Then, noticing Harry and me, she smiled. "Hi, Harry. And you must be the new guy, Damon, right? I'm Mary Jane."
"Nice to meet you," I said with a smile.
"Peter, could you help me this afternoon? I don't understand anything my teacher explains," MJ asked, her eyes pleading.
"Of course, MJ. I'll see you at your place at three."
MJ smiled, relieved.
"Thanks, Peter. You're a lifesaver," she said before leaving.
Peter blushed again, Harry smirked at him, and I nudged him lightly on the shoulder.
"Looks like Peter's more popular than I thought," I said, glancing at Harry with a playful grin.
"Tell me, Pete, are you really just going to her place to study?" Harry asked, clearly enjoying teasing him.
"No! No, I'm just helping her study, that's all," Peter said, burying himself in his food, clearly trying to avoid our stares.
"Don't play the hero, Peter. We know what you're after," Harry said with a wink.
The rest of lunch passed much like in my previous life. By the end of the day, we left school. Harry said goodbye and was picked up by a chauffeur in a black limousine, while Peter and I walked home.
"So… you like MJ?" I asked, grinning teasingly. It was obvious, not to mention that she usually ended up as his partner in most of the comics.
Peter blushed, his face turning as red as MJ's hair. "No… I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course you do. You stare at her all the time in class."
"I don't stare. I'm just… just focused," Peter said defensively.
I laughed and didn't push further. As we walked, Peter told me about the city, his favorite places, and even took me to Delmar's. According to him, they had the best sandwich in Queens. I had nothing to argue against that—it was definitely top quality.
"Well, Damon, this is where we split," Peter said, stopping at a corner. "See you tomorrow."
"See you," I replied, and we went our separate ways.
Finally alone, I decided to wander around and look for an interesting dojo. My thoughts shifted to my new Bruno Mars ability. I knew musical talent could be a huge asset, especially considering there were still eight years before the events of Iron Man 1. I could make a fortune with this skill and give my mother a better life. But… what if I used it to be in the right places at the right times?
Eight years to build a name in the music industry, with both talent and the knowledge from my past life, was more than enough to take off. That way, when everything started, I could go wherever I wanted. Hulk in Harlem? Concert in Harlem days before! Thor's arrival? Concert in New Mexico! Marital issues between Iron Man and Captain America? Concert in Germany!
The closer I was to the events, the more missions I'd get. And that meant becoming stronger—and eventually unlocking even more powerful templates.
But for now, my priority was the Bruce Lee template. Before getting more, I needed to master this one.
I walked for a couple of hours, searching for a place that seemed trustworthy. I saw several dojos that looked more like boxing gyms than martial arts schools. I was about to give up when I saw a sign that read "Kaze Dojo." The dojo was small and a bit old, but the door was open, and I could hear the sounds of punches and shouts from inside.
I stepped in. The place was full of students training. A bald man in his sixties was instructing a group. He carried an air of authority, but his face was kind.
I approached him, glancing around the dojo. "Hi, I was interested in joining a dojo, and this one caught my attention. Could you tell me about the membership fee?"
"The membership is a hundred dollars a month," he said with a smile.
The price was high, but not outrageous. Fair for a place that looked this reliable. My eyes fell on a bronze medal hanging from his neck, and curiosity took over.
"Is that an Olympic medal?" I asked, surprised and impressed. Master Tanaka smiled, his face lighting up with pride.
"Yes, from the 1972 Munich Olympics. I was part of the Japanese karate team. It wasn't gold, but it was a highlight of my life."
A smile spread across my face. This was definitely the right place.
"I'm in," I said, smiling.
Master Tanaka shook my hand.
"Welcome to Kaze Dojo. My name is Master Tanaka."
"Nice to meet you, Master Tanaka. I'm Damon Blake."
I felt relieved. I had found my first step in this new world. Life wasn't so bad, and maybe, with my new friends and this dojo, everything would get a little easier.
[DING]
A system window appeared before me.
[MAIN MISSION: TRAINING!]
Complete your first day of training at Kaze Dojo and learn the fundamentals of martial arts.
[REWARD: 100 EXP, 100 SHOP POINTS]
Yes, this was definitely the right path.