The basketball court hummed with life as students from Classroom 8B lingered in small groups, their conversations animated under the warm afternoon sun. A few boys passed a basketball back and forth, their sneakers scuffing the court with each casual dribble, while others leaned against the bleachers, discussing everything from sports to the day's classes.
Nearby, Steven sat beneath the shade of a large oak tree, his back resting against its sturdy trunk. He exhaled deeply, letting the cool breeze wash over him.
[Resting. Recovering Energy. Stabilizing Body Function.]
The system's notification chimed softly in his mind, and Steven felt a warm wave of energy flow through his body, soothing his muscles and revitalizing every cell. It was as though his entire being had been immersed in pure oxygen. The fatigue and soreness from the day's exertions melted away, leaving him feeling invigorated.
He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the sensation, but a voice broke his tranquility.
"Steven!"
He opened his eyes to see Veronica striding toward him. Her confident gait and the way her long hair caught the sunlight made her stand out amidst the scattered crowd. Two of her friends trailed closely behind, their curious eyes fixed on Steven.
Veronica stopped a few feet away, crossing her arms as she studied Steven with a critical gaze. "Steven, you performed exceptionally in class today," she said, her tone calm but probing. "Did you perhaps hide your abilities from us this whole time?"
Steven leaned back against the tree, smiling faintly. "Hide my abilities? Not really. Maybe I just didn't realize I had them myself."
Veronica raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Come on, Steven. You went from barely noticeable to solving math problems faster than anyone, writing essays that even Mrs. Langford raved about, and speaking French like you've lived in Paris your entire life. How does that just happen?"
Steven shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I never wanted the spotlight on me. You told me to try harder, so I did. Just following your advice."
Veronica frowned slightly, unsure whether he was being modest or deliberately vague.
Across the court, Leon watched the exchange with growing irritation. He stood with a group of boys near the basketball hoop, his gaze locked on Veronica and Steven.
Leon had always harbored a quiet crush on Veronica, though she never seemed to notice him. Her attention, now clearly fixed on Steven, stoked a bitter jealousy in his chest.
Unable to contain himself, Leon stormed across the court, his sneakers slapping loudly against the asphalt. He stopped a few feet from Steven, towering over him with a glare.
"Hey, Blake," Leon said sharply, drawing the attention of nearby students. "Think you're hot stuff now, huh? Just because you solved a few problems in class?"
Steven opened one eye lazily and tilted his head. "Not really," he replied, his tone even. "But thanks for noticing."
Leon's jaw tightened, his fists clenching. "Don't get cocky. You think you're better than us now?"
The surrounding students began to take notice, their conversations dying down as they turned to watch the brewing confrontation. Veronica glanced between the two boys, her expression wary.
"I don't think I'm better than anyone," Steven said calmly, standing up. His gaze met Leon's, steady and unflinching. "I just do my best. That's all."
Leon snorted, his jealousy boiling over. "Prove it then. Let's see if you're as good on the court as you are in class." He gestured toward the basketball hoop. "One-on-one. You and me. Right now."
The challenge electrified the air. Students quickly gathered around the court, forming a loose circle as the tension between Leon and Steven grew. Veronica watched silently, unsure whether to intervene.
Steven tilted his head, considering the challenge. Basketball wasn't something he had actively practiced, but the system had enhanced his agility, stamina, and reflexes. This could be interesting.
"Alright," Steven said finally, his voice calm. "Let's play."
Leon smirked, confident he'd show Steven up in front of everyone. He grabbed a basketball and dribbled it with practiced ease, motioning for Steven to take the court.
"First to 11 points wins," Leon said. "Let's see if you can keep up."
The game began with Leon taking the ball. He darted forward, using quick footwork to bypass Steven, but Steven's newly heightened reflexes kicked in. He pivoted smoothly, blocking Leon's path and forcing him to shoot from an awkward angle.
The ball hit the rim and bounced off. Steven grabbed the rebound, his movements fluid and efficient.
As Steven dribbled the ball, a notification flashed in his mind.
[Playing Basketball. Skill Unlocked: Basic Basketball (Basic Proficiency: 1/10).]
His hands seemed to move instinctively, guiding the ball with precision as he made his way toward the hoop. Leon tried to block him, but Steven faked left, then spun right, leaving Leon scrambling to catch up.
With a graceful jump, Steven shot the ball. It sailed cleanly through the hoop, the sound of the swish drawing cheers from the crowd.
Leon's confidence faltered, but he refused to back down. He grabbed the ball and launched into an aggressive offensive, but Steven anticipated his every move.
[Playing Basketball. Basic Basketball Proficiency +1. Agility +0.5.]
[Dodging. Reflexes +1.]
Steven's reactions were sharp and calculated, his movements effortless. He intercepted Leon's passes, dodged his attempts to steal the ball, and scored point after point.
The score quickly climbed to 10-4 in Steven's favor. Leon's frustration was palpable. His movements became sloppy, his passes rushed.
Steven, on the other hand, remained composed, his movement became fluid like he was used to playing basketball. His proficiency climbed and broke into Intermediate Proficiency. He dribbled the ball with ease, his eyes scanning the court as he planned his next move.
Leon charged at him, attempting to block, but Steven leaped into the air with a smooth jump shot. The ball arced perfectly and dropped through the hoop, sealing his victory.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Veronica clapped politely, her lips curving into a small smile.
Leon stood frozen, his chest heaving as he glared at Steven. The bitter taste of defeat was hard to swallow, especially in front of Veronica.
"Good game," Steven said, offering a hand.
Leon hesitated, his pride warring with his sense of sportsmanship. Finally, he shook Steven's hand, though his grip was firm, almost aggressive.
"You got lucky," Leon muttered, turning away.
Steven watched him go, a small smile playing on his lips. The game had drawn a lot of attention, but for Steven, it was just another opportunity to grow.
As the crowd began to disperse, Veronica approached him again.
"You keep surprising me, Steven," she said, her tone softer now. "First in class, and now on the court. Is there anything you can't do?"
Steven chuckled, his expression thoughtful. "Guess we'll find out."