“Aaand, GO!" Percy called out, snapping Maxym back to reality. He steadied himself, took a deep breath, and sprinted onto the course.
System Log
Soul trait [Kindergartner] unlocked
Are you a [Kindergartner]?
His foot slipped on the damp wood of the first beam, arms pinwheeling, but he caught his balance at the last second. The others laughed, but he ignored them as he accepted and dismissed the system window.
I have got to figure out how to make those notifications less obtrusive, even if this is actually great to unlock so soon I really didn’t need to know -right now-
One step. Another. He leapt across to the next beam, stumbling but staying upright. The world narrowed to the path in front of him, doubts and taunts fading away.
Maxym ran forward.
I can do this.
His feet pounded against the ground as he approached the next obstacle- a wooden wall with handholds carved into the sides. He jumped up, grabbing hold, climbed to the top of the wall, and hauled himself over with a grunt.
On the other side, his foot caught on a tree root and he tumbled to the ground, scraping his knees and palms. Pain radiated through his bones, his wounds stung, and he bit back a sob. The laughter of the other children echoed in his mind.
No.
He pushed himself to his feet, wiping the tears from his eyes, and on he continued. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him break down.
The next few obstacles passed in a blur of motion. His body moved on survival instinct, barely dodging swinging logs and leaping over pits of mud. His side burned and his breath came in pants, but he pushed on. Leap, duck, climb, crawl, swing. He was doing it. He was going to make it. The end of the course, the halfway point where he would turn around, was in sight.
As he approached a geodesic climbing dome, arms shaking and legs about to give out, almost 10 minutes had passed. He caught sight of Kam, the fourth and final runner, blitzing past him in a blur. Instead of clumsily clamoring over the rungs, Kam dove into a handspring and launched himself clear over the dome. By the time Maxym reached the other side and began his run across the last obstacle Kam had already reached the end, looped back, and was running across the same rope bridge from the other end.
With every step the suspended planks undulated more wildly, both Maxym and Kam struggling to keep their footing as they attempted to pass one another on the narrow, rickety bridge. The rhythm of each runner sent its own waveform out, crashing into each other in seemingly unpredictable patterns. However, an [Intuitive] inevitability became clear to Maxym, Kam was barreling ahead so quickly and blindly that just like Tad he’d soon find himself stepping into thin air.
I’ll only have one chance at this but I think if I-
Instinctively and literally, Maxym leapt to Kam’s rescue, landing with both feet forcefully enough to send a new ripple racing to fill the void and successfully averting the predicted plummet. Unfortunately, he did not account for the recoil of his impact and found himself shooting forward, launched as if from a springboard, directly into the boy he’d been trying to save.
“You aren’t allowed t-”, Maxym heard Kam shout, the world spun, and then- darkness.
"Ugh," Maxym groaned, spitting out mud and struggling to his feet. Kam had managed to duck in the nick of time to dodge what was seen by his peers as a flagrant attempt at sabotage, despite Percy’s attempts to reassure the group it was too uncoordinated to have been intentional.
No one would believe he’d intended to help without any proof, so he knew there was no point in protesting. Instead, spite ignited within him, fueling his every step. Maxym pushed himself to his feet, brushing what loose dirt and grass he could from his clothes with trembling hands.
Mud-caked and bruised, Maxym ran with all his might, each obstacle he slogged through a testament to his resolve. He might not be the fastest or the strongest, but he would be the most determined.
"Push through, Maxym!" the teacher called out as he finally stumbled back into view, his breath ragged and his entire body covered in dirt, detritus, or damage.
Nearly twenty-five minutes had passed since Maxym started running the obstacle course. The other first years had returned within ten to fifteen minutes, their faces flushed with exertion but smiles of accomplishment on their lips. They now stood apart from Maxym, their expressions a mix of disdain and hostility.
"Max, that was…" Percy trailed off, trying to soften the blow with a sympathetic smile. "You'll need to push yourself harder in the future."
Maxym's heart sank, the weight of disappointment threatening to crush him. But he held his head high, refusing to let their words break his spirit.
The teacher clapped their hands, signaling the long-awaited end of the ranking runs. "Alright, everyone! Time for you to familiarize yourself with the rest of the grounds, so let's get a move on," Percy said, gesturing for the first years to follow them. They led the group around the rest of the field, explaining various types of playground-like workout equipment used by the older kids. "Each [Training Apparatus] is [Enchanted] to funnel effort into different Attributes, such as [Might], [Agility], or [Fortitude]. I encourage you all to explore and 'play,' or observe the older children until midday when we meet at the sand pit for your first ranking duels of the season.”
Maxym's eyes widened in fascination as they passed by strange contraptions: massive pendulums swinging back and forth, requiring precise timing to dodge; tall platforms connected by swaying ropes, demanding balance and speed; an enormous wheel that spun continuously, testing one's endurance to keep pace.
"Y-you really expect us to use th-those?" Maxym stuttered, unable to hide his skepticism.
"Of course!" the teacher replied, their voice [Cheerful] yet [Resolute]. "This is where you'll grow stronger, faster, [Muscular], [Flexible], or simply- grow! Remember, it's not about being the best, but becoming the best version of yourself."
Maxym nodded, trying to internalize the teacher's words and push back the nagging self-doubt that whispered in his ear.
"Good luck, first years," the teacher said with a smile. "I'll see you all at the sand pit for your duels."
As Maxym watched his peers join their friends to explore the various training equipment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation. Their eyes seemed to bore into him, branding him as an outsider, not only because of his lack of [Eladrin] heritage but also because of his perceived weakness. His gaze fell upon a trio who sneered down at him from the edge of the obstacle course; their eyes shone with disdain. These were Tad, Kol, and Gracie, and- unbeknownst to Maxym- they each had their own grudge against him.
It was a web of hostility that threatened to ensnare him, but Maxym knew enough to avoid a direct confrontation. He took a deep breath. Fanning the faint glow of determination still burning in his chest, like the barest beginnings of a phoenix rising from the cold dead ashes, he silently made a vow to himself.
I will just have to prove them wrong.
Maxym's stomach lurched as he approached the first piece of equipment, a set of parallel bars. He could feel the stares of the other children, their eyes like icicles piercing his skin. His hands trembled as he gripped the cold metal, his muscles tense with anticipation.
"Hey, weakling!" Kol shouted, waving him off dismissively. "Don't even think about trying that. You'll only embarrass yourself."
Maxym gritted his teeth, feeling the sting of rejection. He released the bars, his hands red and numb from the brief contact, and moved on to the next training apparatus- a towering climbing wall covered in mossy handholds. Tad, who had been watching Maxym's every move, laughed maliciously as he blocked Maxym's path.
"Sorry, but you're not welcome here," Tad sneered, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Go back to whatever hole you crawled out of."
Maxym's fists clenched at his sides, anger and frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Instead of lashing out, he looked inward, remembering the teacher's words- becoming the best version of yourself.
Ignoring the taunts, Maxym found solace in the one place others seemed to avoid, the obstacle course. He ran it over and over again, pushing his body to its limits, sweat dripping down his face as he navigated the muddy terrain. With each repetition, he felt the weight of his insecurities slowly lifting, replaced by a small ember of confidence that burned brighter with every step.
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A blast of magic hit him square in the face, stars bursting across his vision. His grip slipped and sent him tumbling from the swinging ropes, crashing into the mud below. Everything went dark. Again.
He came awake to laughter and jeers, blinking up at the pale sneer of Gracie's face. "No matter how hard you try, you'll never belong here," she spat.
The words cut deeper than any blow, shame and sorrow welling up inside. He shook his head, wiping mud and tears from his cheeks. It didn't end here. He had come so far, proven to himself what he was capable of, and a little mishap wasn't going to stop him.
Maxym picked himself up, gaze steady on Gracie. She recoiled at the look in his eyes, taking a half step back.
"You're wrong," he said, voice clear and strong.
System Log
Through practice and perseverance Resolute has grown from Tier IV to III
He smiled then, bright and fierce, and turned to face the course once more. Today might not be his day, but his time would come.
I won't resign myself to being a failure, not anymore. In this life, I’ll do whatever it takes to rise above these jerks.
As noon drew near, Maxym reluctantly left the obstacle course behind and made his way toward the dueling area, the sandpit beckoning ominously. He didn't make it far before he encountered a familiar trio, their faces twisted into cruel smiles.
"Look who chose to show up," Gracie said haughtily, her golden curls bouncing as she stepped in front of Maxym. "We were just talking about how you should save yourself the humiliation and leave. Forever."
"Y-yeah?" Maxym stuttered, his voice wavering but determined. "Well, I'm not going anywhere."
"Such a shame," Kol chimed in, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Guess we'll have to teach you a lesson on what happens to weaklings around here."
Maxym swallowed hard, the ember of confidence within him flickering uncertainly. But he knew that backing down now would only serve to prove them right. He had come too far, fought too hard against his self-doubt, to turn back now.
"Y-you don't want to d-do...that," Maxym stammered, his voice barely a whisper. His heart pounded in his chest, the muscles in his legs were coiled like springs, he was ready to flee at any moment.
"Aw, did you hear that?" Tad snickered, turning to Kol and Gracie. "He's trying to threaten us. How adorable."
"Maybe we should give him a break," Prissy said with feigned sympathy. "After all, he's just a pathetic little half-breed."
"Or maybe," Kol mused, stepping closer to Maxym, "we should teach him a lesson he'll never forget.”
Maxym's stutter grew worse, his words stumbling over themselves as he tried to reason with his tormentors. "I-I'm n-n-n-not worth-th your t-t-t-t-time."
"Ha! Did you catch that?" Tad laughed, doubling over. "He sounds like a broken recording crystal! Maybe we should call him Stutterbug."
Amidst the bullies' laughter, Maxym seized the opportunity to slip past them, darting towards the watchful eyes of their teacher. He could still hear their taunts echoing behind him, but for now, he had won. He strode through the jeers and taunts, head held high.
"Settle down, everyone," Percy called out as Maxym reached the sand pit. Their gaze lingered on Maxym for a moment before addressing the group. "Today, we begin the duels. The eldest two will start, and we'll continue in order of age. Win, and you're done for the day. Lose, and you must continue to fight the younger opponents until you either win or they have all fought."
Maxym's breath caught in his throat, a gnawing anxiety settling within him as he listened to the teacher's words. He knew that facing these duels would test the very limits of his physical and emotional strength, but he couldn't afford to back down even if there was no hope of ranking better than worst.
"Remember," Percy continued, "this is not about proving your superiority or inferiority to others. It's about overcoming your self-imposed mental limitations by pushing your right to the edge of what you believe is possible for yourselves.”
Though Maxym tried to cling to those words, the laughter and scorn of his peers still echoed in his ears, threatening to drown out any hope of self-acceptance. But deep within him, the ember of determination still burned, flickering with each small victory against the odds.
The high sun burned away all but the barest of shadows below each combatant as the first duel commenced, the air crackling with tension. Maxym's eyes widened as he watched the eldest two engage in a ferocious dance of clashing wood and whistling strikes. The one with the sword and shield moved with the grace of an autumn leaf on the breeze, while Freya, wielding a polearm, struck with the relentless force of a summer monsoon.
"No. No no nonono," Maxym whispered to himself, heart pounding like a drum within his chest.
I never could've imagined kids would be doing anything like this.
The duel lasted mere minutes, but it felt like an eternity to the [Juvenile][Eladrin] fighting with everything they had. In the end, Freya emerged victorious, her weapon sweeping aside the sword in a decisive final blow. As the defeated child staggered back, Gracie stepped forward with a haughty smirk.
"Watch closely, Maxym," she taunted, her voice dripping with condescension. "This is what [Royal] magic can do."
Maxym rolled his eyes at her words, but he couldn't tear his gaze away as she raised her hands, bringing together her bracelets and activating her sole [Major Trait]- [Talisman Conduit]- to unleash from them a torrent of arcane energy that took his breath away. A symphony of colors danced around her, swirling like glitter caught in an unseen wind, before crashing down upon her opponent like a tidal wave. The sword-and-shield user crumpled beneath the onslaught, overwhelmed by Gracie's excessively well-funded magic.
Heart racing, Maxym watched with mingled awe and trepidation as the duels continued. One by one, the children fought, showing off their prowess in battles that seemed more like works of art than acts of violence. Each clash thrummed with a unique beat, weaving a tapestry of triumphs and defeats that captivated the young onlookers.
Eventually, it was Kol's turn to step into the fray. He was one of the younger boys in the year 2 group, but his performance was markedly different from the others. He stumbled through his duels, making mindless blunders that caused him to lose again and again, even against the first years.
Is he just clumsy? Or is there something else going on?
As his losing streak continued, a chilling realization crept over Maxym. An evil smile twisted Kol's lips as he approached the defeated first years, his eyes locked onto Maxym with malicious intent. It was all too clear, he had lost on purpose, orchestrating events so he could be the one to face Maxym in combat.
Come on, what is this guy’s problem??
He whispered to himself, trying to summon the courage that felt as elusive as a fleeting autumn breeze, "You can do this. You have to.”
"I'm ready now." His gaze flicked over the other children, meeting their hostility with cool indifference. They might not respect him yet, but he would change their minds.
The teacher studied him a long moment before nodding. "Very well. Choose your weapon."
With his heart pounding like a wild hare caught in a snare, Maxym hesitated over his choice of weapon. Should he choose the sword and shield, like the graceful fighter he had admired earlier? Or perhaps the polearm, with its formidable reach and striking force? Each option seemed more daunting than the last, and Maxym walked over to the racks, considering them carefully. A staff would also give him reach, but he wasn't adept enough to make full use of it. A sword likewise required finesse he had yet to master. No, if he wanted to make a statement, it had to be something unexpected.
Hand trembling, he reached out to take the weapon that would likely decide his fate, only to stop at the last moment. A flicker of crimson defiance flashed in his eyes, Maxym calculated that facing Kol barehanded would not only further infuriate the older boy, but also hopefully throw him off balance enough to make him prone to real mistakes. He raised his fists and stepped forward, meeting Kol's malicious gaze with a blend of bravery and fear he could hardly comprehend.
"Y-y-you're the one n-not even w-worth my time," Maxym stuttered, taunting him with an uncharacteristic smirk. "B-but I'll h-humor you."
Kol's face twisted into a crimson mask of anger, his hands trembling as he gripped his wooden sword. "You little runt," he spat, advancing toward Maxym with vicious intent. "I'll teach you to disrespect your betters."
The air itself seemed to thicken with anticipation as the two boys circled each other, their movements a macabre dance of malice and desperation. The rest of the children watched with a mixture of glee and horror as Kol began his onslaught.
Maxym tried to focus on Kol's movements, searching for any hint of the emotional imbalance he had hoped to provoke. Yet, despite his earlier display of clumsiness, Kol remained unnervingly composed, his strikes precise and ruthless. Each blow sent shockwaves of pain through Maxym's body, and he knew that he was quickly approaching the limits of his [Endurance].
"Give up yet?" Kol sneered, delivering a particularly brutal slash to Maxym's chest, which sent him sprawling onto the ground. His breathing ragged, Maxym struggled to prop himself up on shaky arms, unwilling to admit defeat.
"Never," he whispered, though the word tasted like ash in his mouth and his vision blurred at the edges. With every ounce of [Will] he had left, Maxym launched himself at Kol one final time, his heart hammering desperately against his ribcage.
"Pathetic," Kol snarled, easily dodging the attack and delivering a vicious kick to Maxym's side. As darkness closed in around him, Maxym felt an odd sense of tranquility amidst the pain, like a single snowflake melting on a frozen pond. It was a fleeting moment of peace that cradled him as he lost consciousness, the harsh laughter of the children fading into the shadows of his dreams.
Maxym blinked his eyes open to see Percy leaning over him, brows knitted in concern. "Do you still hurt anywhere? If you have any injuries remaining, they were more serious than I could restore using a [Major Infusion] of [Healing Attuned] mana; to be honest, your body was a lot less resilient than I’d been expecting…"
Maxym shook his head, he felt no more physical pain. Humiliation and rage warred within him, chest tightening until he thought it might burst. He opened his mouth, a scream building in his throat when a gentle hand rested on his shoulder.
He looked up to see Freya giving him an apologetic smile. "Don't listen to them," she said softly. "You did great. Really great. Ignore the others, okay?"
Maxym stared at her, the scream dying in his throat.
She… she doesn't think I am weak. She believes in me.
His eyes burned, but this time, the tears that slipped free were not from pain or anger. He smiled up at Freya, a trembling but genuine thing, and let out a weak laugh. "Thanks.”