Bully Lord

Part-28

James emerged from Lily's room with a swagger that surprised even himself. He'd not only avoided a potentially world-ending slap, but he'd also managed to create a strange sense of camaraderie with his sister.  A nervous grin stretched across his face as he replayed Lily's playful ruffle of his hair – a rare gesture of affection.

Just as he reached the top of the stairs, the familiar blue window flickered to life in the corner of his vision.  He braced himself, expecting another impossible mission or a terrifying penalty.  Instead, a new message greeted him:

Mission 6: Upgrade your Thunderclap Slap skill (9/100). Reward: Skill Kangaroo Cut. Penalty: None.

James blinked, surprised by the relative simplicity of the mission. Upgrading his "Thunderclap Slap" skill? That sounded manageable, almost… desirable.  He wasn't sure what a "Kangaroo Cut" was, but the lack of a penalty was a definite plus.

A flicker of curiosity sparked within him.  Maybe this Bully System wasn't all bad.  Maybe it could actually help him, make him stronger.  The thought of a more powerful "Thunderclap Slap", or whatever this "Kangaroo Cut" might be, sent a thrill through him.

James' steps faltered as he reached his room. The initial excitement over the new mission – upgrading his "Thunderclap Slap" skill – fizzled slightly as he recalled the details displayed on the blue window.  It required 91 more uses of the skill to reach the upgrade point.  Slapping Ryan twice and Tony seven times barely made a dent – a mere 9 points out of the daunting 100.

A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes.  He remembered the blue window mentioning experience points increased when "slapping someone."  Could that include himself?  The thought was absurd, yet strangely tempting.  He extended a hand towards his own cheek, the memory of the power coursing through him during the fights a potent motivator.

With a hesitant wince, James delivered a light slap to his own face.  A dull thud echoed in the room, but the blue window remained stubbornly blank.  No satisfying "ding" or increase in experience points.  Disappointment washed over him.  Apparently, self-inflicted slaps were off the table.

He slumped onto his bed, frustration gnawing at him.  91 more slaps?  The thought of randomly going around school, unleashing thunderclaps on unsuspecting people, sent shivers down his spine.  He wasn't a bully, and the very idea went against everything he believed in.

But then, a memory surfaced – a memory from gym class.  He'd seen the athletic students practicing a strange exercise routine that involved rapid-fire slapping of punching bags.  Could that be it?  Was there a way to train and hone his skill without resorting to violence?

Hope flickered within him.  He scrambled off the bed, his mind racing with possibilities.  He could use pillows, cushions, maybe even a stack of old textbooks!  He could practice speed, and accuracy, and maybe even develop some new variations of the slap technique.

A surge of determination replaced his earlier frustration.  He wouldn't become a mindless slapper.  He would find a way to train, to upgrade his skills ethically and strategically.  The Bully System might have thrown him a curveball, but James was no longer the shy, invisible boy.  He was ready to play the game, on his own terms.