The next day, excitement buzzed through the school as students gathered for the annual tournament — a series of one-on-one matches that would test their abilities in a controlled face-off. Zik's name was on the roster, and as he prepared for his first match, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation. This was his chance to show just how far he'd come, to prove he was no longer the "nobody" people ignored.
His first opponent, a Level 5 like him, stepped into the ring, and Zik sized him up. His name was Leon, and Zik recognized him from some of his gym sessions. Leon wasn't flashy or aggressive; he was the type who showed up every day and put in the work, determined but unassuming. He had no major reputation, just a steady, reliable presence. Zik felt a twinge of respect, noticing the focus and quiet grit in Leon's expression.
The referee blew the whistle, and the match began. Zik activated Telekinesis immediately, creating small, strategic obstacles around Leon to throw him off balance. Leon, who had an agility boost ability, dodged skillfully, leaping back and forth with precision. For a moment, they were evenly matched, Zik testing Leon's movements and Leon countering each attempt.
But then Zik tapped into Speed Strike, landing a punch that sent Leon stumbling back. Leon steadied himself, but Zik could feel his own confidence swelling, pushing him to go harder. He used Telekinesis again, pulling Leon toward him, following up with another series of hits. He felt his movements sharpen, his control solidifying with each step. The match didn't last much longer; Leon fought back, but Zik was relentless, his strikes landing with a precision he hadn't known before.
And just like that, it was over.
Leon lay on the mat, gasping, his expression dazed and defeated. Zik felt a rush of exhilaration — he'd done it. He'd won. His heart raced with a surge of pride, and a notification appeared in his vision:
> Quest Complete: Win the First Match
Reward: +30 EXP
The crowd cheered, and Zik couldn't help but grin, glancing around at the students watching. For the first time, he was the one they were clapping for, the one they were looking at with admiration and respect. He raised his fist in a small victory gesture, savoring the moment. It was a feeling he'd been chasing for so long, a sense that he'd finally arrived.
As Leon slowly got to his feet, Zik threw him a glance, noticing the disappointment etched across his face. Leon had fought hard, just like him. He'd shown up, trained, and tried his best. But in his excitement, Zik brushed off the thought, shrugging as he looked back at the crowd. A smirk tugged at his lips, and he called out without thinking, "Better luck next time, man."
The crowd laughed, and Zik felt a thrill shoot through him as he took in the attention. He felt unstoppable, like he'd finally proven himself. They're finally seeing me, he thought. I finally matter.
Just then, his system flashed with a new notification:
> New Quest: Reflect on the Third Hero Code — Don't Exult
Objective: Remember the importance of humility.
Reward: +15 EXP
Failure Penalty: -5 Luck (Temporary)
The Third Hero Code. The words landed like a bucket of cold water. He remembered learning about it in his first weeks at school — "Don't exult." Heroes weren't supposed to flaunt their victories, to lift themselves up at the expense of others. Winning was about growth, not gloating. It was about lifting others up, not pushing them down. The code warned against pride, a reminder that arrogance could lead to mistakes, misjudgments, and, ultimately, isolation.
Zik looked at Leon, who was now walking off the mat with a stoic but defeated expression. For a moment, he saw himself in Leon — the kid who tried his best, who worked hard day after day without anyone noticing. Zik felt his smile fade, a pang of guilt gnawing at him. Leon wasn't just a faceless opponent; he was a person, someone who'd trained just as hard, who'd taken the loss with dignity even as Zik basked in the glory.
As he stepped out of the ring, the weight of his actions settled on him, and a chill seemed to settle over the once-thrilling applause. Zik's face flushed with the sting of his own arrogance. This wasn't what he wanted — not really. He didn't want to be the kind of hero who forgot his own struggles the moment he tasted victory.
Respect isn't earned by tearing others down, he realized. It's earned by lifting yourself up without looking down on anyone.
The crowd began to quiet as the next match was called, and Zik stepped away, feeling the penalty from the quest tugging at his system. It was just a temporary loss of luck, but he felt the impact as though it were something much heavier. He hadn't just lost points; he'd lost sight of the hero he wanted to be.
Zik took a deep breath, his pride deflating as he let the lesson sink in. Winning, he understood now, wasn't about basking in the spotlight. It was about respecting the effort — not only his own but also that of those who fought alongside him. Next time, he promised himself, he'd carry his victories with grace. He'd honor the Third Hero Code, knowing that the strength of a real hero wasn't in their triumphs, but in their humility.
With a newfound clarity, Zik walked back to the sidelines, feeling his resolve strengthen. He didn't just want to be seen; he wanted to be worthy of being seen. And that would mean living by the codes, honoring every step, and remembering the person he was — the person who, not too long ago, had been struggling just like Leon.
As Zik waited on the sidelines for his next match, he felt the subtle tug of the penalty on his system. The temporary drop in luck sat in his mind like a quiet warning, a reminder of his earlier arrogance. He'd lost sight of the Third Hero Code, and it seemed the universe had taken notice, dealing him a tough hand in return.
When the match list updated, his eyes landed on his next opponent: Joy. A Level 7 powerhouse known for her skill, confidence, and flair in the ring. She wasn't just talented — she was one of the most admired fighters in school, a local star of sorts, known for her impressive command over a range of abilities. And as Zik scanned her stats, he felt a chill settle over him.
> Level 7
Abilities: Teleportation (Grade B), Energy Blast (Grade B), Enhanced Agility (Grade B)
Each of her abilities was Grade B, and combined, they made her a formidable opponent. Zik had heard the stories of her matches, the way she dominated the ring with a mixture of grace and confidence. Joy didn't just fight — she performed, turning every match into a spectacle.
As they entered the ring, Joy's confidence was evident in every step she took. She smiled, flashing a grin that seemed to say, This will be easy. She'd seen his previous match, and Zik could tell she saw him as just another hurdle on her path to the top. When the referee blew the whistle, Zik prepared himself, activating Telekinesis to try and keep her at a distance, but Joy was already moving.
With her Enhanced Agility, she blurred into motion, teleporting to his side and landing a sharp, precise kick that sent him staggering. Zik barely had time to recover before she teleported again, reappearing directly in front of him. He raised his hands in defense, but it was too late. Her Energy Blast hit him square in the chest, sending him sprawling back across the mat.
The crowd gasped, and Joy just smirked, crossing her arms as she watched him struggle to his feet.
"Aw, did the underdog have a bad day?" she called out, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Looks like you're not as tough as you thought."
Zik clenched his fists, feeling a surge of frustration as he pushed himself up. He knew he was outmatched, but he couldn't just give up. He activated Super Speed, attempting to dash around her, hoping to land a Speed Strike while she was distracted. But she saw him coming, teleporting behind him in a blink and delivering another energy blast that knocked the wind out of him.
The crowd's laughter mixed with her taunts, and Zik felt every blow sting deeper than the last. She wasn't just winning; she was toying with him, turning his own tactics against him. He tried to counter with Telekinesis, attempting to pull her off balance, but her agility made it nearly impossible to keep a hold on her. Every attempt he made seemed only to amuse her further.
Joy teleported again, appearing just inches from him, her grin widening as she leaned in. "Thought you were tough, huh? Guess super speed don't mean much when you can't keep up."
With a final, sweeping kick, she sent him crashing to the mat. Zik's mind spun as he tried to find some way to recover, some strategy he hadn't thought of, but the gap in their levels was impossible to ignore. She was faster, stronger, and better trained, and she knew it.
As he lay on the mat, catching his breath, she stood over him, her stance relaxed as she raised her arms to the crowd, basking in the applause. They cheered her name, her victory all but certain as she took a small bow, grinning at the attention. Zik felt a pang of bitterness, realizing that Joy was a living embodiment of the very exult he'd fallen into earlier. She reveled in the spotlight, letting her arrogance fuel her, never once considering her opponent as anything more than an accessory to her own success.
The match ended with her as the clear victor, Zik barely able to stand as the referee called it. Joy took a few more moments to soak in the applause, tossing him a casual smirk as she exited the ring, leaving him to limp off on his own.
In the silence that followed, Zik felt the weight of his loss settling over him. Joy had humiliated him, showing him exactly how it felt to be on the receiving end of someone's unchecked pride. The irony was painfully clear. Just as he'd mocked Leon earlier, thinking his win made him superior, he'd now been on the other side of that same ridicule. The taste of victory, once so sweet, felt hollow now, replaced by a newfound respect for the Third Hero Code.
He understood now that exulting in victory only led to humiliation. He'd lost more than just a match — he'd lost the respect he'd been building for himself. It was a hard lesson, but one he knew he needed.
As he limped out of the arena, he glanced around, noticing a few faces that looked at him with something close to sympathy, maybe even a little respect. It wasn't for winning or losing but for the simple fact that he'd tried, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
With his bruised body and bruised pride, Zik left the arena, a promise echoing in his mind: the next time he won, he'd carry that victory with humility. Because he'd learned today that true strength wasn't in standing above others but in lifting himself with dignity, no matter the outcome.
As Zik limped out of the arena, bruised and sore from his humiliating match with Joy, a familiar ping flashed in his vision:
> Skill Update: Regeneration has leveled up! Now Level 5
Healing time and stamina increased.
> Skill Update: Telekinesis has leveled up! Now Level 2
Control and weight capacity slightly increased.
> Skill Update: Super Speed has leveled up! Now Level 4
Enhanced reaction time and speed.
Despite the sting of defeat, the notifications offered a small comfort. His abilities had grown through the experience, his skills adapting under pressure. The setback with Joy had pushed him, forcing his powers to evolve in a way they might not have otherwise. He'd lost, but he'd gained strength — just not the kind he'd expected.
Reflecting on the fight, Zik thought about the mistakes he'd made. Joy's abilities allowed her to stay on the move, outmaneuvering him with ease. He'd tried to match her directly, and it had cost him. His head-on approach had left him open, predictable. He realized that if he'd used Stealth — an ability he'd nearly forgotten he had — he might have been able to avoid her attacks or strike when she wasn't expecting it.
Next time, he told himself, I'll use Stealth.
As he walked out of the building, he understood that this loss had given him more than he'd thought possible. It had taught him to approach fights with more strategy, to value humility, and to remember that his real strength lay in adapting and staying grounded.
Zik left the arena with a renewed resolve. He would learn from this experience, training harder and integrating Stealth into his arsenal, building himself into someone who could win not just by force, but by thinking ahead. And the next time he entered the ring, he'd be ready to face whatever came his way.