As Mari's skills grew, so did the challenges she faced—both from within and from the world outside. Rumors of a mysterious, once-disgraced idol with an unattractive past had begun circulating among the academy's ranks. Some whispered that Mari was that very person reborn, while others claimed she was a miracle, a testament to the possibility of transformation.
One rainy afternoon, as thunder rumbled outside the academy's ornate training hall, Mari encountered a former rival from her previous life—a girl named Yumi who had once ridiculed her relentlessly. Yumi's eyes held a mix of jealousy and regret as she confronted Mari after practice. "How can you be so confident now? You were never beautiful, never talented," she spat bitterly.
For a moment, Mari felt the old sting of self-doubt. But then, the system's gentle reminder flashed in her mind: "Every setback is an opportunity to level up. Embrace your past, learn from it, and let it fuel your growth." With newfound resolve, Mari replied softly, "I may have been weak before, but every day I'm becoming stronger—and more of who I was always meant to be." In that moment, her "Charm" and "Intelligence" bars received a surge of points, not just from the system, but from the strength of her conviction.