Lou spent the day in a haze, his thoughts revolving around Derek's newfound power. History class felt like wading through molasses, every minute dragging as his mind wandered back to the injustice of it all. Derek, of all people, with a power called Heroism. It was ludicrous.

Lou's fingers drummed on his desk, eyes glazed over as he stared at the board. Derek’s sneer haunted him. How could someone like Derek, who thrived on making others miserable, be deemed a hero? It was a slap in the face to everything Lou believed in.

In science, the periodic table blurred as Lou's frustration simmered. "Heroism," he muttered under his breath, earning a curious glance from the girl next to him. He ignored her, lost in the absurdity of the situation. Did this mean Derek had to perform heroic deeds to level up? The irony was suffocating. "If that's the case he will be stuck in Level 1." Lou thought.

Lunch was no better. Lou sat at his usual spot. His mind kept replaying scenarios of Derek trying to be heroic, each more ridiculous than the last. "Maybe he has to save kittens from trees," Lou thought bitterly, stabbing at his food. "Or help old ladies cross the street."

"At least when my charisma score is 3, I'm not making people cringe. Or no one comes and tries to talk to me. I have to focus on myself... I'll think about Derek when the time comes..." thought Lou. But he couldn’t explain the turmoil inside him, the gnawing sense of unfairness. Derek, a hero. The words didn’t even belong in the same sentence.

By the time the final bell rang, Lou was exhausted from his internal battle. He trudged to his locker, the hallway buzzing with end-of-day energy. Students laughed and shouted, but Lou felt like he was moving through a different world, one shadowed by Derek’s undeserved power.

"Ground control to Major Tom!" Nate teased, clapping Lou on the shoulder. "I've been standing next to you for 30 seconds. What happened again? You don't look well."

Lou sighed, feeling the weight of his frustration. "It's Derek," he acknowledged, checking to make sure nobody was listening in. "His new power. Power of Heroism. Can you believe it?"

Nate raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Power of Heroism, huh? Don't tell me that.. Is this the same type of the gift as yours?"

"Exactly!" Lou exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "How is it fair? How does someone like him get that kind of power? He got Heroism and I got Cringe. It’s like the universe is mocking me."

Nate chuckled, but his eyes were serious. "Maybe it’s supposed to teach him something. Or maybe it’s just random. Who knows how these things work?"

Lou, still fuming, shook his head. "I'm having trouble understanding it. To level up, does he need to perform heroic deeds? The thought of Derek trying to be a hero is ridiculous. He’s probably going to be stuck at Level 1 forever."

Nate nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I can’t see him doing anything genuinely heroic. But you know what? Maybe that’s a good thing. If he’s busy trying to figure out how to level up, he might leave everyone else alone."

Lou grinned despite himself. "I guess you’re right. Still, the whole thing just feels wrong."

"Hey," Nate said, giving Lou a reassuring pat on the back, "don’t let it get to you. We’ve got bigger things to focus on, like our Dojo hunt. Derek and his 'heroism' can wait."

Lou took a deep breath, feeling a bit lighter. "Thanks, Nate. You’re right. Let’s head to Mrs. Acare’s. We’ve got work to do."

------------

Lou and Nate entered Mrs. Acare's office and were greeted by the familiar smell of polished wood and old books. The guidance counselor lifted her head from her file, a kind grin lighting up her face.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Lou, Nate, welcome back!" Mrs. Acare's voice was like a comforting balm after the sterile atmosphere of the principal's office. "I trust your suspensions were... enlightening? From now on, it would be better to save your fighting skills for the dojos, what do you think?"

Lou shifted uncomfortably, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "You could say that, Mrs. Acare. I've had plenty of time to think about my actions."

Nate chuckled, elbowing Lou playfully. "Yeah, and plenty of time to get his butt kicked in training."

Mrs. Acare raised an eyebrow, her smile unwavering. "Oh? Sounds like you two have been busy. But that's good. Preparation is key for the Dojo Hunt."

Lou leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with renewed determination. "That's why we're here, Mrs. Acare. We're ready to start planning our route."

"Excellent!" Mrs. Acare exclaimed, pulling a large map of the region from a drawer. "After some research, I'd like to recommend a few dojos that are ideal for beginners just like you."

Nate scoffed playfully. "Beginners? Lou here already took down Derek, the school's reigning bully."

Lou colored at the wash of embarrassment that suddenly flowed over him. "It wasn't exactly a fair fight," he mumbled, thinking back on the scene in the cafeteria.

Mrs. Arcane chuckled. "Yeah yeah.. We all know about that. Let's stick to our subject. It's wise to start small and work your way up. I mean, think—each of those Dojo Masters you'll be going up against are veterans of the Duel League. They aren't going to take it easy on you just because you're new."

"You're right, Mrs. Acare. Don't pay attention to Nate. He's such a jokester."

Mrs. Acare spread the map out on her desk, her finger tracing a path through a cluster of small towns and villages. "I'd recommend starting with the Paper Cut Dojo in Arkenster. The Dojo Master, Thalia Jones, has the power of Paper Control. She can manipulate paper into razor-sharp weapons and defensive barriers. It's a good place to start honing your combat skills and learning to adapt to different power types."

"Paper control?" With a sarcastic tone in his voice, Nate chimed in. "It definitely sounds a bit... weak?"

Mrs. Acare's lips twitched in amusement. "Don't underestimate her, Nate. Thalia may not have the flashiest power, but she's incredibly skilled and strategic. She even made it to the top 64 in the Duel League last year."

Lou's eyes widened. "Top 64? That's impressive."

Nate leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Wait, I think I remember her. Wasn't she the one with the crazy paper tornado move?"

Mrs. Acare nodded. "Yup! That's her. She's known for her flashy moves. But considering the alternatives, this Dojo may be one of your best options."

Lou whistled. "And paper cuts hurt like hell."

Mrs. Acare smiled. "Indeed. But that's the beauty of the Dojo Hunt. It's not just about winning; it's about learning and growing as a duelist." She tapped another point on the map. "Next, I'd suggest the Feather Touch Dojo in Brimsville. The Dojo Master, Aaron Cook, has the power of Feather Lightness. He can decrease his own weight, making him incredibly fast and agile."

Nate perked up. "Now that sounds more like it. I've definitely heard of him. He made it to the quarterfinals three years ago, right?"

"That's correct," Mrs. Acare confirmed. "He's a formidable opponent, but his dojo is known for its emphasis on speed and agility, which would be a good challenge for you guys."

Lou nodded, his mind already racing with potential strategies. "I like it. And this one is more like a martial artist. Maybe we could have a higher chance. What else?"

Mrs. Acare pointed to a town nestled near a river. "The Pebble Throw Dojo in Riverton. The Dojo Master, Callum Bright, has the power of Stone Throwing. He can hurl pebbles with incredible accuracy and force."

"Pebble Throw Dojo?" Lou chuckled. "That sounds almost as cringey as my power."

Mrs. Acare smiled. "Don't let the name fool you, Lou. Callum's accuracy is legendary. He is someone who once reached the quarter finals. Of course, this was years ago, but as they say, form is temporary, class is permanent."

"Okay, I'm sold," Lou said, impressed. "Two more to go."

Mrs. Acare moved her finger to a sprawling city on the map. "The Gum Grip Dojo in Duskington. The Dojo Master, Marla Song, has the power of Gum Control. She can manipulate gum into sticky traps and barriers."

Nate made a face. "Gum? Seriously? No, actually nevermind. Now you will talk about what she achieved in her time. I won't fall for that again. "

"Haha, you are right. Don't underestimate anyone who owns a Dojo," Mrs. Acare said with a wink. "Marla's control over gum is surprisingly versatile. It's a unique power that requires a lot of creativity to counter."

"Alright, I'm intrigued," Lou said. "What about the last one?"

Mrs. Acare's finger landed on a coastal town. "The Mirage Reflection Dojo in Banderma. The Dojo Master, Mira Ellis, has the power of Minor Illusions. She can create small-scale illusions to confuse and disorient her opponents."

Lou's eyes lit up. "Illusions? Sounds interesting, but I wasn't exactly sure how he could use it in combat. I liked it though."

Nate nodded in agreement. "This is a solid map, Mrs. Acare. Thanks for your help."

Mrs. Acare smiled. "You're welcome, guys. This is my job, you know. Remember, Dojo Hunting is as much a journey of self-discovery as it is about earning badges. Embrace the challenges, learn from your opponents. Remember that even if you lose, you'll learn something. The main thing is not to give up."

Lou with a sincere smile talked. "Thank you so much. I didn't expect you to help us in such a detailed way. To be honest, I thought you'd just give us a few tips and send us on our way."

"Of course not! Unfortunately, we don't have many students from our school trying to join the Duel League. I hope I get the chance to watch you from the stands when the League starts. Good luck!"