Bully Lord

Part-103

James, initially speechless, finally found his voice.  "It's going well, thanks, Senior Robin," he stammered, slightly surprised by Robin's knowledge.  "I'm learning a lot."

Robin nodded.  "That's great to hear.  Strength isn't just about physical ability, you know.  It's also about courage and standing up for what's right."  His words hung heavy in the air, carrying an unspoken weight.

Before he could say anything, Robin spoke again.

"Anyway," Robin continued, his tone lighter, "see you around, James.  Keep up the good work."  With a final friendly nod, Robin turned and walked away, leaving James standing there in a thoughtful silence.

While Robin hadn't explicitly mentioned the Emdad's mobile stealing incident, James couldn't help but feel a connection between his words about courage and the events that had unfolded just a day ago.  Perhaps Robin, in his own way, was acknowledging James' actions.

This realization filled James with a sense of pride, mixed with a hint of apprehension. 

As James continued walking home, his mind raced with many new thoughts.

Three days of relentless practice. Muscles screamed, sweat drenched his gi, but James persevered. Finally, with a triumphant grunt, he completed his hundredth throwdown. The System chimed, a monotonous notification devoid of fanfare.

**Mission 16 & Chain Mission 2 Complete.**

A familiar pang of disappointment washed over James. He yearned to understand the System's purpose, the reason behind these cryptic missions. Yet, there he was, left with only the satisfaction of a job well done.

"No reward, huh......... Maybe the system will give me everything at once? Oh well......... This time, it took a long time to complete," James muttered.

He slumped onto the mat, catching his breath. Completing this chain mission felt like an eternity compared to the first. Was the difficulty going to increase with each one?  A shiver ran down his spine, both from exertion and a hint of trepidation.

Just then, the System's voice echoed in his mind, devoid of its usual mechanical tone.  A hint of amusement, almost… anticipation, colored its words.

**Mission 17 Assigned. (Chain Mission 3) Defeat an opponent using only Judo techniques. Crazy Mode disabled.**

James' eyes widened. This wasn't just another training exercise. This was a real fight, a test of his newfound skills without the System's skills.  A surge of adrenaline coursed through him.  Fear mingled with a spark of excitement.  Could he pull it off?

The morning sun cast long shadows as James entered the schoolyard. The air buzzed with the usual pre-class chatter, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him. Mission 17 loomed large, a constant reminder of the challenge that awaited him. 

Suddenly, a figure stepped into his path, blocking his way. James halted, his senses on high alert. The boy wasn't familiar – short and wiry with a shaved head and a smirk playing on his lips.

"Alex wants to see you," the boy announced, his voice dripping with a false sense of authority.  Before James could formulate a response, the boy continued, "And don't be late. He doesn't like waiting."