The room was electric, filled with the roaring cheers of students as Isa stood over Zul, who lay on the mat, battered and gasping for air.
Azlan raised Isa’s hand, signaling his victory. “The winner, Isa!”
The crowd erupted, chanting Isa’s name. For the first time, the boy who was once mocked and underestimated had proven himself. Even Zul’s closest friends looked shocked, whispering among themselves.
Stacy, sitting at the front, looked at Isa with a mix of disbelief and newfound admiration. She hadn’t expected him to come out on top, but now she couldn’t deny his determination or the fire in his eyes.
Zul groaned, attempting to sit up, but Azlan was quick to kneel beside him. “Stay down, bro. You lost. Don’t make this worse.”
Zul glared at Isa but didn’t argue. He slumped back, defeated.
Isa wiped the sweat off his forehead and glanced at the crowd. For once, he saw something he never expected—respect.
As Isa walked out of the sports hall, students clapped him on the back, some even shaking his hand.
“That was insane, Isa!”
“Never thought you had it in you!”
“You really took Zul down!”
Joseph grinned as he walked alongside Isa. “You’re a legend now, bro. They’re never gonna forget this.”
Isa smirked but stayed quiet. He had won the fight, but he knew this was just the beginning. The System’s voice echoed in his head.
[Mission Complete: Defeat Zul.]
[Rewards: +20 Strength, +10 Endurance, Social Respect Boost.]
Isa’s body tingled as the System distributed the rewards, his muscles feeling stronger and his stamina replenished. But the real surprise came next.
[New Missions Unlocked.]
Flirt King: Charm and win the heart of your crush.
Academic Ace: Focus on your studies and become the top student in your class.
Iron Fist: Train to become the undisputed strongest in the school.]
Isa froze, his lips curling into a mischievous grin. He muttered under his breath, “System, show me the details of ‘Flirt King.’”
The System responded immediately.
[Mission: Flirt King.]
- Objective: Increase your charm level by successfully impressing and bonding with your chosen crush.
- Rewards: +10 Charisma, Social Leader Trait.]
Joseph noticed Isa’s grin and nudged him. “What’s with that look? Planning something already?”
Isa smirked. “Let’s just say… I’ve got a new goal.”
Day 1: The Art of Flirting
Isa sat at his desk in class the next day, watching Stacy from across the room. She was sitting with her friends, laughing softly at some joke. For the first time, Isa noticed the small things about her—the way her hair caught the sunlight, the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled.
The System’s voice cut through his thoughts.
[Flirt King Progress: 0%. Initiate first interaction to begin.]
Isa took a deep breath, psyching himself up. “Alright, here goes nothing.”
He stood and walked over to Stacy’s group, his heart pounding. Her friends fell silent, their eyes darting between him and Stacy.
“Uh, hey,” Isa said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Stacy looked up, surprised. “Isa?”
“I just, uh…” He stumbled over his words, feeling the pressure of the moment. The System’s voice rang in his head.
[Tip: Confidence is key. Speak clearly and maintain eye contact.]
Isa straightened up and smiled. “I just wanted to say you looked really cool cheering me on during the fight.”
Stacy blinked, then laughed softly. “I wasn’t cheering you on. I was just watching.”
Isa chuckled. “Fair enough. But hey, I’d like to thank you anyway. Maybe I can buy you a drink after school?”
Her friends giggled, nudging her teasingly. Stacy blushed but didn’t look away. “I’ll think about it.”
To Isa’s surprise, Stacy actually showed up at the canteen after school. She sat across from him, sipping on the drink he’d bought her.
“You really surprised everyone yesterday,” Stacy said, twirling her straw.
Isa shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Had to prove myself somehow.”
“And now what? You’re the hero of the school?” she teased, her lips curving into a playful smile.
Isa leaned forward, grinning. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just trying to impress someone.”
Stacy raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And who might that be?”
Isa hesitated for a second but then decided to take the plunge. “You.”
Stacy blinked, her cheeks turning pink. She looked away, hiding her smile. “You’re bolder than I thought, Isa.”
The System chimed in.
[Flirt King Progress: 25%. Host is making significant strides. Continue building rapport.]
Isa couldn’t help but grin.
Over the next few days, Isa balanced his newfound popularity with his personal mission. He spent more time with Stacy, subtly getting to know her while also handling the attention of other students.
“Hey, Isa!” one boy called during break. “Think you can teach me how to fight like that?”
Isa laughed, waving him off. “One step at a time, bro.”
Joseph shook his head as they walked to class. “You’re enjoying this too much, man. Don’t let it get to your head.”
“Relax,” Isa said, smirking. “I’ve got everything under control.”
The System, however, had other ideas.
[Reminder: Mission ‘Flirt King’ is incomplete. Focus on Stacy to achieve full progress.]
Isa sighed. “Alright, alright. System, I hear you.”
To Be Continued…
The days after the fight had turned Isa’s life upside down. Everywhere he went, students greeted him with respect, some even admiration. His name was whispered in hallways, and students who once avoided him now sought his advice or simply wanted to be seen with him.But Isa had his focus locked on one thing—or rather, one person. Stacy.Isa spotted Stacy sitting in the library, a stack of books spread out before her. She was absorbed in her notes, her pen gliding across the page.[Flirt King Progress: 30%. Objective: Strengthen your bond with Stacy through shared experiences.]Isa approached with a confident stride, pulling up a chair beside her.“Hey, bookworm. Didn’t know you were the type to spend afternoons buried in notes,” he teased.Stacy glanced up, surprised but not displeased to see him. “Unlike you, I actually take my studies seriously.”Isa leaned back, smirking. “I could be a scholar if I wanted to. I’m just… saving my energy for bigger things.”Stacy rolled her eyes but
Isa squared up, his fists raised and ready. Hamid and his crew circled him like predators, their smirks brimming with confidence. The onlookers who had gathered whispered nervously, wondering if Isa would survive this time.Hamid stepped forward, his voice mocking. “You’ve been riding high since you beat Zul. Time for someone to put you back in your place.”Isa smirked, his adrenaline pumping. “Talk all you want, Hamid. I’ve taken down bigger threats than you.”Hamid cracked his knuckles and lunged. Isa barely dodged, retaliating with a quick jab that connected with Hamid’s jaw. But before Isa could savor the hit, one of Hamid’s lackeys swung a punch from the side.It connected.Isa stumbled, his cheek stinging, but he regained his footing quickly. “Alright,” Isa muttered, wiping his mouth. “You wanna play dirty? Fine by me.”The fight erupted into chaos. Isa ducked and weaved, landing blows where he could, but it was clear he was outnumbered. Hamid’s crew pressed in, their punches an
Isa was riding high. After surviving the ambush with Azlan and Joseph, his reputation soared even higher in school. He was no longer just “that loud guy” or “the troublemaker”; now, he was someone students respected—or feared. But Isa had bigger goals.His System reminded him every day:[Flirt King Mission: 75% Progress. Objective: Win Stacy’s Heart.]Isa smirked to himself. “Piece of cake.”The next day, Isa spotted Stacy in the cafeteria. She was sitting with her friends, laughing at something on her phone. She looked radiant, her laugh lighting up the room. Isa’s heart skipped a beat.He took a deep breath. This is it.As Isa approached the table, Stacy’s friends noticed him first. Their chatter stopped, replaced by curious whispers.“Hey, Stacy,” Isa said, leaning casually against the table.Stacy looked up, surprised. “Isa? What are you doing here?”“I was in the area,” Isa said with a grin, pretending not to notice her skeptical look. “Thought I’d stop by and say hi. You know, b
The school gym was alive with the sounds of grunts, the rhythmic thud of fists meeting punching bags, and the occasional sharp whistle from Coach Raman. Azlan wiped the sweat from his brow as he finished his last set of speed punches. His muscles ached, but he thrived on the burn. The championship fight was in two weeks, and he was determined to defend his title as the school’s undefeated boxing champ.“Alright, champ,” Coach Raman called out, tossing Azlan a towel. “That was solid. But you’ve got a sparring session next. New partner today.”Azlan frowned, catching the towel. “New partner? What happened to Kamal?”“Out with a shoulder injury,” Coach said, his lips quirking into a smirk. “But don’t worry. This one’s got potential. You might actually sweat for a change.”Azlan snorted. “Doubt it.”The gym door creaked open, and Azlan turned to see none other than Isa strolling in, his trademark cocky grin plastered on his face.“Yo, Azlan!” Isa called out, throwing his bag to the side.
Azlan walked into his house, the faint scent of his mother’s cooking wafting through the air. The cozy living room was filled with familiar sights: the old sofa with its worn-out cushions, family photos hanging on the wall, and right in the center of the room—a glass cabinet displaying his father’s boxing trophies.The golden trophies gleamed in the evening light, each one a reminder of the man Azlan looked up to. His father had been a local boxing legend, a powerhouse in his prime.“Azlan, is that you?” his mother called from the kitchen.“Yeah, Ma. I’m back!” Azlan replied, kicking off his shoes and heading to the kitchen.His mother was at the stove, stirring a pot of curry. She turned to him, a warm smile on her face. “How was training today?”Azlan grabbed a glass of water from the counter and took a long sip. “Tough. Coach paired me up with Isa as a sparring partner. You remember Isa, right? The loud one.”His mom chuckled. “The one who talks too much? Sounds like he’d be a hand
The gym was packed. Students crowded around the ring, their cheers deafening as the school championship was about to begin. Posters of Azlan and Zafran, the two titans of the school’s boxing scene, hung high on the walls. Azlan adjusted his gloves, his jaw tight as his System chimed in:“Opponent Analysis: Speed-focused fighter. Agility 85%, Strength 70%. Focus required for optimal victory.”He glanced across the ring at Zafran, who was shadowboxing with an arrogant smirk. Zafran locked eyes with Azlan and mouthed, “You’re done for, champ.”Isa leaned over the ropes from Azlan’s corner, shouting, “Bro, don’t let that guy’s cocky face fool you. Just knock him out!”Azlan smirked faintly. “Focus on your popcorn, Isa. I got this.”Rika sat quietly in the crowd, her sketchpad on her lap. She wasn’t drawing this time, though. Her eyes were locked on Azlan, her fingers gripping the edges of the sketchpad.Why do I feel nervous for him? she thought, biting her lip.The bell rang, and the cro
“Not bad,” Faiz wheezed, grinning.Later that evening, Azlan collapsed onto the gym floor after finishing 200 push-ups. The System chimed again:“Next Mission: Perfect the Switch Jab within 24 hours. Failure will reduce Accuracy by 7%.”Azlan groaned, staring up at the ceiling. “Do you ever stop?”His coach clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t talk to yourself like a crazy person. Get up. We’re doing bag drills next.”“Yeah, yeah,” Azlan muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.When Azlan finally staggered home, the sun had long set. His mom was waiting at the dining table, her arms crossed.“You’ve been out all day again,” she said, her tone sharp but laced with worry.“Training,” Azlan replied, dropping his bag near the door.“You’re overdoing it,” she said. “Your father would never have pushed himself like this.”Azlan froze, his jaw tightening. “Dad wouldn’t settle for less than his best,” he said quietly. “I’m not settling either.”“Azlan, you’re not him,” she said, her voice softeni
The opportunity came sooner than Isa expected. He found Aisha sitting on a bench near the school’s back gate, her head buried in a book.“Hey,” Isa said, approaching cautiously.She glanced up, startled, before quickly looking away. “What do you want?”“I just wanted to check if you’re okay,” Isa said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “After what happened in the cafeteria.”“I’m fine,” she mumbled, flipping a page without reading it.Isa sat down at the far end of the bench, giving her space. “Doesn’t look like you’re fine. Those girls—do they do this to you a lot?”Aisha didn’t answer right away. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper. “It doesn’t matter. They’ll never stop. People like me… we’re just easy targets.”“Why?” Isa asked, genuinely curious.She looked at him then, her eyes tired but defiant. “Because I don’t trust people. Every time I let someone in, they just end up hurting me. It’s easier to be alone.”Isa frowned. Her words hit closer to home than he
Isa handed him the notebook, his heart pounding as he explained everything. Mr. Harun’s expression grew darker with every word.“This… this is serious,” Mr. Harun said, closing the notebook. “Isa, you’ve done the right thing by bringing this to me. I’ll make sure this is investigated properly. But you need to be prepared—this might get messy.”“I just want the truth to come out,” Isa said firmly. “She deserves that much.”Later that evening, Isa and Luna sat by the basketball court, watching some students play.“You know,” Isa said, breaking the silence, “helping you… it reminded me of her. My sister, I mean. She was shy, like you. Kind, too. But I didn’t protect her like I should’ve.”Luna frowned. “Isa, you can’t keep blaming yourself for that. You’ve done so much for me, and for her memory. She’d be proud of you.”Isa smiled faintly. “Maybe. Thanks, Luna.”Luna grinned. “Anytime. And hey, thanks for everything. You’ve helped me more than I can say.”The next day, the school buzzed
Disheartened, Isa thanked him and moved on to another lead—his sister’s former classmates. But the responses were always the same: vague, indifferent, or unhelpful.“Why is everyone acting like she didn’t exist?” Isa muttered to himself, frustration mounting.By lunchtime, Isa sat alone under a tree, the weight of dead ends pressing down on him.“Isa?” Luna’s soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts.He looked up, startled. “Luna, hey. What’s up?”“I should be asking you that,” she said, sitting beside him. “You’ve been acting… distant. What’s going on?”Isa shook his head. “It’s nothing. Just some stuff I’m trying to figure out.”Luna frowned. “You’re lying. I’ve seen that look before—when I used to bottle things up. Whatever it is, you don’t have to deal with it alone.”Isa hesitated, then sighed. “It’s about my sister. She died a few years ago. Someone left this photo of her in my locker, and I think it’s a clue to what happened to her.”Luna’s expression softened. “Isa, I’m so so
“What did you just say?” the ringleader asked, her tone faltering.“You heard me,” Luna said, meeting her gaze without flinching. “Now, get out of my way. I’ve got better things to do than deal with your drama.”The bullies hesitated before retreating, muttering under their breaths.Isa leaned back in his seat, a proud grin spreading across his face.When Luna returned to her desk, Isa whispered, “Nice one, tiger.”She blushed but smiled. “Thanks. I guess I just… remembered what you said.”System Notification:Mission Complete: Help the Lonely One. Bonus Rewards Unlocked: Increased Charisma and Empathy Stats. New Path Unlocked: Emotional Guardian.Isa glanced at Luna, who was now laughing softly with Stacy and Joseph. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he’d done something that truly mattered.“Good job, sis,” Isa murmured under his breath, glancing at his sister’s photo in his wallet. “I think you’d be proud.”The school day dragged on, but Isa’s thoughts were elsewhere.
The opportunity came sooner than Isa expected. He found Aisha sitting on a bench near the school’s back gate, her head buried in a book.“Hey,” Isa said, approaching cautiously.She glanced up, startled, before quickly looking away. “What do you want?”“I just wanted to check if you’re okay,” Isa said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “After what happened in the cafeteria.”“I’m fine,” she mumbled, flipping a page without reading it.Isa sat down at the far end of the bench, giving her space. “Doesn’t look like you’re fine. Those girls—do they do this to you a lot?”Aisha didn’t answer right away. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper. “It doesn’t matter. They’ll never stop. People like me… we’re just easy targets.”“Why?” Isa asked, genuinely curious.She looked at him then, her eyes tired but defiant. “Because I don’t trust people. Every time I let someone in, they just end up hurting me. It’s easier to be alone.”Isa frowned. Her words hit closer to home than he
“Not bad,” Faiz wheezed, grinning.Later that evening, Azlan collapsed onto the gym floor after finishing 200 push-ups. The System chimed again:“Next Mission: Perfect the Switch Jab within 24 hours. Failure will reduce Accuracy by 7%.”Azlan groaned, staring up at the ceiling. “Do you ever stop?”His coach clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t talk to yourself like a crazy person. Get up. We’re doing bag drills next.”“Yeah, yeah,” Azlan muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.When Azlan finally staggered home, the sun had long set. His mom was waiting at the dining table, her arms crossed.“You’ve been out all day again,” she said, her tone sharp but laced with worry.“Training,” Azlan replied, dropping his bag near the door.“You’re overdoing it,” she said. “Your father would never have pushed himself like this.”Azlan froze, his jaw tightening. “Dad wouldn’t settle for less than his best,” he said quietly. “I’m not settling either.”“Azlan, you’re not him,” she said, her voice softeni
The gym was packed. Students crowded around the ring, their cheers deafening as the school championship was about to begin. Posters of Azlan and Zafran, the two titans of the school’s boxing scene, hung high on the walls. Azlan adjusted his gloves, his jaw tight as his System chimed in:“Opponent Analysis: Speed-focused fighter. Agility 85%, Strength 70%. Focus required for optimal victory.”He glanced across the ring at Zafran, who was shadowboxing with an arrogant smirk. Zafran locked eyes with Azlan and mouthed, “You’re done for, champ.”Isa leaned over the ropes from Azlan’s corner, shouting, “Bro, don’t let that guy’s cocky face fool you. Just knock him out!”Azlan smirked faintly. “Focus on your popcorn, Isa. I got this.”Rika sat quietly in the crowd, her sketchpad on her lap. She wasn’t drawing this time, though. Her eyes were locked on Azlan, her fingers gripping the edges of the sketchpad.Why do I feel nervous for him? she thought, biting her lip.The bell rang, and the cro
Azlan walked into his house, the faint scent of his mother’s cooking wafting through the air. The cozy living room was filled with familiar sights: the old sofa with its worn-out cushions, family photos hanging on the wall, and right in the center of the room—a glass cabinet displaying his father’s boxing trophies.The golden trophies gleamed in the evening light, each one a reminder of the man Azlan looked up to. His father had been a local boxing legend, a powerhouse in his prime.“Azlan, is that you?” his mother called from the kitchen.“Yeah, Ma. I’m back!” Azlan replied, kicking off his shoes and heading to the kitchen.His mother was at the stove, stirring a pot of curry. She turned to him, a warm smile on her face. “How was training today?”Azlan grabbed a glass of water from the counter and took a long sip. “Tough. Coach paired me up with Isa as a sparring partner. You remember Isa, right? The loud one.”His mom chuckled. “The one who talks too much? Sounds like he’d be a hand
The school gym was alive with the sounds of grunts, the rhythmic thud of fists meeting punching bags, and the occasional sharp whistle from Coach Raman. Azlan wiped the sweat from his brow as he finished his last set of speed punches. His muscles ached, but he thrived on the burn. The championship fight was in two weeks, and he was determined to defend his title as the school’s undefeated boxing champ.“Alright, champ,” Coach Raman called out, tossing Azlan a towel. “That was solid. But you’ve got a sparring session next. New partner today.”Azlan frowned, catching the towel. “New partner? What happened to Kamal?”“Out with a shoulder injury,” Coach said, his lips quirking into a smirk. “But don’t worry. This one’s got potential. You might actually sweat for a change.”Azlan snorted. “Doubt it.”The gym door creaked open, and Azlan turned to see none other than Isa strolling in, his trademark cocky grin plastered on his face.“Yo, Azlan!” Isa called out, throwing his bag to the side.
Isa was riding high. After surviving the ambush with Azlan and Joseph, his reputation soared even higher in school. He was no longer just “that loud guy” or “the troublemaker”; now, he was someone students respected—or feared. But Isa had bigger goals.His System reminded him every day:[Flirt King Mission: 75% Progress. Objective: Win Stacy’s Heart.]Isa smirked to himself. “Piece of cake.”The next day, Isa spotted Stacy in the cafeteria. She was sitting with her friends, laughing at something on her phone. She looked radiant, her laugh lighting up the room. Isa’s heart skipped a beat.He took a deep breath. This is it.As Isa approached the table, Stacy’s friends noticed him first. Their chatter stopped, replaced by curious whispers.“Hey, Stacy,” Isa said, leaning casually against the table.Stacy looked up, surprised. “Isa? What are you doing here?”“I was in the area,” Isa said with a grin, pretending not to notice her skeptical look. “Thought I’d stop by and say hi. You know, b