The buzz wasn't about fights anymore; it was about the upcoming midterms. A tangible tension replaced hallway bravado. For Li, this was another battlefield, one perfectly suited to his growing arsenal. His INT 17 felt like a supercomputer humming in his skull. [Focused Study Lv.1] and [Basic Problem Solving Lv.1] were his weapons. Math was first.
[MAJOR QUEST: MIDTERM MASTERY - MATH]
Objective: Achieve a score of 95% or higher on the Math Midterm.
Reward: +300 XP, +2 INT, Skill: [Mathematical Precision Lv.1] (Reduces calculation errors, improves spatial reasoning), Reputation: "The Calculator" (Significant boost to academic credibility)
Failure: Status Effect: Test Anxiety (Increased chance of mental blocks during future exams)
Ninety-five percent. Ambitious. Pre-system Li would have laughed. Level 5 Li cracked his knuckles. Challenge accepted.
He spent every spare moment drilling. Lunch in the library (earning +25 XP/day for [Academic Dedication]), after detention, late into the night. Lisa Henderson noticed, leaving extra snacks by his door with worried but proud smiles. The formulas danced in his head, patterns emerging effortlessly. Word problems unraveled under his [Basic Problem Solving].
Test day arrived. The classroom was silent except for the scratch of pencils and the nervous tap of feet. Li took his seat, breathed deep, and opened the booklet. His mind clicked into gear. [Quick Thinking] accelerated his processing. Equations solved themselves. Complex geometry proofs unfolded with logical precision thanks to [Mathematical Precision] – the skill manifesting as an almost intuitive grasp of angles and relationships. He worked methodically, checking and rechecking.
He finished with twenty minutes to spare, a first for him. He closed the booklet, a quiet confidence settling over him. He knew he'd aced it.
Two days later, Mr. Davies handed back the tests. Li's heart pounded, a different kind of adrenaline this time. Davies paused at Li's desk, a look of pure astonishment on his face. "Li Wei... 98%. Highest score in the class. Outstanding work. Truly outstanding." He placed the test face-down on Li's desk.
A collective gasp rippled through the room. Heads turned. Brad, who'd scraped a 72%, stared, jaw slack. Li flipped the test over. The red "98" gleamed like a trophy.
[MAJOR QUEST: MIDTERM MASTERY - MATH - COMPLETE! (Score: 98%)]
Reward Claimed: +300 XP, +2 INT (New INT: 19!), Skill: [Mathematical Precision Lv.1], Reputation: "The Calculator" (Effect Active)
Level Up! Level 6 Achieved! All Stats +0.5!
Level Progress: Level 6 (175/600 XP)
The surge of mental power was incredible. INT 19! The world seemed sharper, more quantifiable. Whispers exploded: "Ninety-eight?! No way!" "Dude beat Sarah Kim?" "Guess he really was studying..."
Mr. Davies cleared his throat. "Given this exceptional performance, Li, I'd like to recommend you for the accelerated Math track next semester. Talk to your counselor." More murmurs. Accelerated track? That was for the genius kids.
Li just nodded, a genuine smile spreading across his face for the first time in months. It wasn't just about the score. It was proof. Proof that the system worked. Proof that he could excel. Proof that he wasn't just the kid who got shoved around anymore. He was Li: Level 6, INT 19, and now, undeniably, "The Calculator." The victory tasted even sweeter than the cafeteria standoff. He'd beaten Brad on Brad's old turf – brute force – and now he'd conquered his own new territory: the mind. The underdog wasn't just fighting back; he was starting to lead the pack.