The day had begun like any other, but the MC—James Lee—knew it would not stay ordinary. With Yamagishi as his first recruit, the next step was expanding Valhalla. His system had already highlighted Kazutora, a boy both impulsive and strong, whose aggression could be molded into loyalty.
James Lee approached Kazutora during lunch, exuding calm authority. "Kazutora," he called, voice smooth but firm. "Ever feel like you're capable of more than just… fighting for scraps?"
Kazutora looked up, skeptical but curious. "Huh? Who are you?"
"Call me James Lee," he said, letting the name settle like a weight. "I'm forming something… bigger. Strength, loyalty, influence. You join me, and you'll be part of it. But betrayal… isn't an option."
The system chimed softly: [Recruitment Attempt Initiated: Kazutora – Potential Loyalty High]
Kazutora smirked, a mix of pride and curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Hah… you got guts. Alright… I'll bite. What do I have to do?"
"Follow my lead," James Lee said simply. "Learn. Observe. Prove loyalty."
By afternoon, Kazutora had officially joined Valhalla, wearing the first Valhalla jacket, the emblem gleaming under sunlight. The system confirmed:
[Recruitment Complete: Kazutora – Loyalty High, Member 2 of Valhalla][Gang Formation Progress: 75% Complete]
The MC and his two recruits, Yamagishi and Kazutora, were patrolling the courtyard when a commotion erupted near the edge of the school grounds. A group of upperclassmen had cornered a smaller student—Takemichi's friend, Yamagishi's acquaintance, forced to fight for amusement in the so-called "arena."
Yamagishi panicked. "They're going to… he can't—he'll get hurt!"
James Lee's eyes narrowed. "Stay calm. Let me handle this."
He stepped forward, voice sharp and commanding. "Stop! Do you know what this is? This is disrespect, weakness, and chaos! You're challenging people without cause."
The upperclassmen laughed. "And who are you to tell us what to do?"
James Lee smirked faintly. "You're looking at the leader of Valhalla. Remember the name."
The system pinged: [Combat Readiness Activated – Threat Detected]
The boys hesitated, unsure. Valhalla was small, but the aura James Lee exuded—calm, confident, dangerous—made them pause. They had underestimated him.
Before violence could escalate, James Lee stepped forward decisively, pushing through the group. Yamagishi and Kazutora followed, trusting their leader completely.
"I said stop!" James Lee commanded. The words carried weight beyond his size. "Leave now, or you'll regret ignoring Valhalla."
The boys sneered, but James Lee's calm, piercing gaze held them in place. He didn't attack—not yet—but his presence alone radiated authority and threat. They retreated slowly, murmuring among themselves, leaving Takemichi's friend unharmed.
Later, in the quiet of the courtyard, two familiar figures appeared: Mikey and Draken. Both had been observing, assessing this new presence. Mikey's expression was calm, almost curious. Draken's eyes narrowed, sizing up the newcomer.
James Lee stepped forward confidently, meeting their gaze. "I don't expect you to believe me now," he said, voice steady. "But remember this name: Valhalla. One day, I will face you. And when that day comes, you'll remember who I am. You'll remember what this name stands for."
Mikey tilted his head slightly, a small, amused smile on his face. "Interesting… you've got guts."
Draken's expression hardened. "Don't think we'll forget this."
James Lee nodded slightly, smirking faintly. "I wouldn't expect you to. But for now… you've seen what small beginnings can do. Valhalla isn't just a name. It's a force. And it's growing."
As he walked away, Yamagishi and Kazutora following closely, the system pinged softly:
[Hidden Quest Update: Valhalla Foundations – 90% Complete][New Skill Unlocked: Aura of Authority]
James Lee glanced back once more at Mikey and Draken. The rivalry had begun, the stakes were set, and the timeline had just been nudged—subtly, carefully—by a single, calculating presence.
This was the first real demonstration of Valhalla's power. A small victory, yes—but one that would echo far beyond the school courtyard.
And James Lee knew: this was only the beginning.