The city walls rose in the distance, a familiar yet oddly distant sight. It had been two grueling months since Ned had left on his leveling spree, and now he was finally returning.
Holding a floating orb of mana in front of him (because cameras were for people who didn't know how to improvise), he started talking, his voice carrying over the hum of passing travelers and the clip-clop of merchant carts.
"Yo, folks! It's your favorite underdog, Ned Forester, back with another episode of 'Look At Me Now, I'm Amazing.' First off, can we appreciate the glow-up?" He gestured at himself, pausing for dramatic effect.
Gone was the boy who had left the city. In his place was someone unrecognizable—broad shoulders, defined muscles, and a confidence in his stride that could probably intimidate the average bandit. His once-unkempt hair was now tied back neatly, with just enough messiness to make it look effortlessly cool. His cheeks had lost their boyish roundness, replaced by sharp jawlines that practically screamed, main character energy.
"Yeah, I know," he continued, flexing his arms in an exaggerated way. "Your boy's been hitting the grind. Level 49, baby! Just one level away from Second Awakening territory. That's right, I'm officially a step closer to leaving mediocrity behind. Get jealous."
Ned crouched on the ground and picked up a pebble. He flicked it into the air, and with a quick gesture, a thin, glowing needle of mana materialized between his fingers. With a sharp flick, the needle zipped through the air and struck the pebble mid-flight, shattering it into a puff of dust.
"Boom! Mana needles," he said, grinning. "But wait, there's more. Watch this."
He crouched, focused, and with a grunt of effort, lifted himself a few inches off the ground using a burst of controlled mana under his feet. He hovered for a few seconds before flopping back down unceremoniously, landing on his rear.
"Okay, okay, so maybe I can't fly yet," he muttered, brushing dirt off his pants. "But give me time! Baby steps, people. Baby steps."
By the time Ned reached the gates, the hustle and bustle of the city filled his ears. The smells of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and far-too-sweaty passersby assaulted his senses.
As he passed through the gates, the guards barely glanced at him. Two months ago, they might have stopped him for looking like a stray urchin. Now, though, he carried himself with a presence that demanded respect—or at least indifference.
He took a deep breath. "Ah, home sweet home. Nothing like the comforting aroma of overpriced rent and street food that will absolutely destroy your stomach."
Ned's house stood in its usual corner of the bustling neighborhood. It wasn't much, but it was home. He hesitated at the door, his hand hovering over the handle. What if they didn't recognize him? What if they thought he looked too cool now?
Finally, he pushed open the door.
"Cheta!" His little sister's voice pierced the air as she barreled toward him at full speed, nearly knocking him over.
"Whoa, whoa!" Ned laughed, hugging her tightly. She pulled back and looked him over, her eyes wide.
"You look... different," she said, poking his bicep. "Are you sure you're my brother? You're not some imposter, right?"
"Ha! Very funny," Ned said, ruffling her hair. "I'm still the same Ned. Just, you know,cooler."
His mother emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She froze when she saw him, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Mom," Ned said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "Don't cry, okay? I'm fine. Better than fine, actually. Look at these guns!" He flexed his arms again, though this time it was more to lighten the mood.
His mother laughed through her tears and pulled him into a hug. "I'm just so glad you're safe."
From the corner of the room, his father gave him a nod. The man was stoic as always, but there was a flicker of pride in his eyes.
"Welcome back, son," his father said gruffly.
"Thanks, Dad," Ned replied, feeling a warmth he hadn't expected.
The next day, Ned strolled into the academy, his head held high. He could feel the eyes of his classmates on him, their gazes a mix of surprise, curiosity, and maybe even a little envy.
And then there was Reena.
She was leaning against a wall near the classroom door, chatting with a few other students. When she saw him, her jaw dropped.
"Ned?" she said, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"The one and only," he said with a grin.
"You look... You look like a completely different person!"
He shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh, you know. A couple of protein shakes, some intense training, a near-death experience or two. The usual."
Reena narrowed her eyes. "What did you really do?"
"Fine," Ned said, leaning closer and lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I ate a magic bean. Grew six feet taller overnight. Don't tell anyone; it's a secret."
Reena rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
But she couldn't hide her smile—or the way her gaze lingered on him a little longer than usual.
Inside the classroom, it was clear that everyone had been working hard during the past two months. Muscles, mana, and confidence levels had all seen significant upgrades. The once-ragtag group of students now looked like a proper squad of budding warriors.
Ned plopped into his usual seat, leaning back and kicking his feet up on the desk.
"Nice to see everyone's been busy," he said casually.
A few students glanced his way, their expressions a mix of admiration and annoyance.
"Yeah, well, don't think you're the only one who's improved," one of them muttered.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Ned said, flashing a cheeky grin.
The classroom door creaked open, and a hush fell over the room. Christine stepped in, her presence commanding immediate attention. She moved with the grace of someone who knew they were better than everyone else—and, annoyingly, could back it up.
Her gaze swept the room, landing briefly on Ned. Her eyes narrowed, as if sizing him up.
Ned met her gaze with a smirk, resisting the urge to say something stupid. He could feel the tension in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the rivalry that had been simmering between them since day one.
"Let's see what you've got," Christine said, her voice cool and challenging.
Ned leaned back in his chair, his grin widening. "Oh, don't worry. You'll see soon enough."
And just like that, the stage was set.