The schoolyard was alive with the usual chaos: students clustered in groups, shouting and laughing, and the occasional scuffle breaking out over petty arguments. James Lee stood near the edge of the courtyard, Yamagishi at his side, both of them calm amidst the storm.
"Takemichi's over there," Yamagishi said quietly, gesturing toward the nervous boy by the school gates. "He… he's new here. Thought you might want to meet him."
James Lee nodded, his system pinging softly with new observations. [QuestSim: Key Student Detected – Observation +1] His recruits were loyal, his influence small but growing, and now he had the perfect opportunity to expand Valhalla's reach subtly.
As they approached, the courtyard suddenly erupted. A group of upperclassmen were bullying a smaller student, pushing him to the ground, laughing cruelly. The air shifted; tension rolled like a wave through the crowd.
Before James Lee could act, two familiar figures appeared: Mikey and Draken, calm but imposing. With a few swift movements, they dismantled the senior's authority—fists, intimidation, and precision—leaving the bullied students stunned. Mikey's piercing gaze swept the courtyard like a predator's.
Takemichi froze, wide-eyed. "Wha—what is happening?"
Yamagishi stepped forward, slightly nervous but confident under James Lee's watchful presence. "James… this is Takemichi. Takemichi, this is James Lee. He… he helps people, trains people… you'll see."
James Lee inclined his head politely, his aura calm but commanding. "Pleasure to meet you. I've heard of your situation. Seems like you have a lot to learn… but don't worry, you're in good company."
Before Takemichi could respond, Mikey approached and crouched to meet his eyes. "You're the new kid? Heard you're getting pushed around. Don't worry about it—we take care of our own."
Draken crossed his arms, towering over them all. "Stick close, kid. Things get messy fast."
James Lee's system analyzed them:[Mikey – Influence Extreme, Combat High][Draken – Influence High, Combat High][Takemichi – Potential Medium, Vulnerable]
The MC smirked faintly. Even without acting, he was observing, learning, and storing valuable data. The seeds of Valhalla were growing, and knowing these powerful players firsthand would be crucial for his long-term strategy.
Yamagishi whispered, "James… they're strong… but maybe… we can learn from this."
James Lee's eyes gleamed. "Patience. Observation first. Action later. But remember the name Valhalla—we're not just watching the timeline unfold. We'll shape it."
As Mikey and Draken walked Takemichi away, leaving stunned students behind, James Lee's system pinged:
[Hidden Quest Update: Observe Key Figures – Complete][Experience +20, Tactical Influence Unlocked]
James Lee turned to Yamagishi and Kazutora, who had been quietly watching. "Take notes. Strength, loyalty, influence—every detail matters. Today, we observe. Tomorrow… Valhalla grows."
The city beyond the gates shimmered under the late afternoon sun. The threads of fate were already weaving, and James Lee knew that the coming days would test his recruits, his strategy, and his influence.
Valhalla had begun.