Godly Beggar

The days leading up to the interschool competition were intense. Jiang Han's schedule was packed with classes, project work, and gruelling study sessions. The school buzzed with anticipation, and the arrival of Lee Wei Ren, the Prodigy from Seladang City, only heightened the excitement.

Jiang Han wasn't one to back down from a challenge, but even he couldn't deny the mounting pressure. Every glance and every whisper from his classmates reminded him of what was at stake.

"Jiang Han, you're our best chance to win," Wang Jia Qi said during lunch, her tone unusually serious.

"I know," Jiang Han replied, taking a sip of water. "But Wei Ren isn't just another opponent. He's calculated, and confident, and he's been in the spotlight before. This won't be easy."

"Easy isn't your style anyway," Jia Qi said with a grin.

That evening, as Jiang Han reviewed his notes, the familiar chime of the Begging System rang in his mind.

[System Alert! Major Mission Reminder.]

Mission: Defeat the Prodigy in the upcoming interschool competition.]

Failure to comply will result in a system penalty: Skill downgrades for 7 days.]

Reward: Strategic Planning Skill (Master Level).]

Jiang Han sighed, leaning back in his chair. The stakes were high, and the system wasn't letting him forget it.

To make matters worse, a new notification appeared.

[System Alert! Situational Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Beg Lee Wei Ren for a practice session to assess his skills.]

Failure to comply will result in a deduction of -70 system points.]

Reward: Observation Skill (Advanced Level).]

Jiang Han blinked at the screen. "Beg him for a practice session? The system must truly despise my pride."

The next morning, Jiang Han found Wei Ren in the library, reviewing a thick chemistry textbook. The Prodigy exuded confidence, his calm demeanour almost unnerving.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Han walked over. "Wei Ren."

The other student looked up, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Jiang Han. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you'd be interested in a practice session before the competition," Jiang Han said, keeping his tone steady.

Wei Ren raised an eyebrow. "You want to practise with me?"

"Yes," Jiang Han replied. "I thought it might be mutually beneficial."

A small smile played on Wei Ren's lips. "You're surprisingly straightforward. Most people would be too proud to make such a request."

"Pride doesn't win competitions," Jiang Han said.

Wei Ren studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine. Let's see what you've got."

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Observation Skill (Advanced Level).]

As the reward activated, Jiang Han felt a shift in his perception. Subtle details—the way Wei Ren held his pen, the precision of his handwriting, the faint twitch of his brow—became clearer, offering insights into the Prodigy's meticulous nature.

The two met in an empty classroom after school, their materials spread out across a table. The session began with a series of rapid-fire questions, each designed to test their knowledge across multiple subjects.

Wei Ren was as sharp as Jiang Han had expected, his answers quick and precise. But Jiang Han wasn't far behind, his system-enhanced skills allowing him to keep pace.

Midway through the session, Wei Ren leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "You're better than I expected," he admitted.

"Likewise," Jiang Han replied.

Wei Ren's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "But tell me, Jiang Han—what's driving you? Why go to all this effort?"

Jiang Han hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I've been given a second chance," he said finally. "I don't intend to waste it."

Wei Ren's expression flickered as if he recognised something in Jiang Han's words. But he said nothing, returning his focus to the session.

As they packed up their materials, Wei Ren turned to Jiang Han, his gaze serious.

"Competitions like this aren't just about knowledge or skills," Wei Ren said. "They're about strategy, composure, and knowing how to play to your strengths."

Jiang Han nodded. "I understand."

"Good," Wei Ren said, his tone softening slightly. "Because I won't hold back."

The night before the competition, Jiang Han found himself staring at his notebook, the pages filled with neatly written notes and diagrams. Despite his preparation, a sense of unease lingered.

He stood and walked to the window, the cool night air brushing against his face. The city lights twinkled in the distance, a reminder of how far he'd come since the system entered his life.

"Reincarnation, transmigration, a system that forces me to beg… It's all absurd," Jiang Han thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "But it's also an opportunity. I won't let it go to waste."

The next morning, the school auditorium buzzed with energy. Students and teachers filled the seats, eager to witness the interschool competition.

Jiang Han stood backstage with his team—Wang Jia Qi, Sheng Hui Qi, and Derek Lim. Their project on renewable energy had earned them a spot in the finals, but the real challenge was yet to come.

On the opposing side, Wei Ren stood with his team, exuding the same quiet confidence Jiang Han had come to recognise. Their eyes met briefly, and Wei Ren gave a small nod.

The competition began with a written test, with each team member tasked with answering a series of challenging questions. Jiang Han's system-enhanced skills allowed him to breeze through the test, but he remained focused, knowing the real test lay ahead.

By the end of the first round, both teams were tied for the lead, setting the stage for an intense second round.

The second round was a direct face-off between the team captains. Jiang Han and Wei Ren stepped onto the stage, the tension in the room palpable.

The moderator explained the rules: a series of rapid-fire questions, with points awarded for both speed and accuracy.

The first few questions flew by, with both competitors answering quickly and confidently. But as the questions grew more complex, Jiang Han's system rewards began to shine.

When the final question was announced, the score was tied. The question was a complex physics problem, requiring not just knowledge but also quick calculations.

Jiang Han's mind raced, the system's rewards enhancing his thought process. Within seconds, he scribbled down his answer and handed it to the moderator.

"Correct!" the moderator announced.

The room erupted into applause as Jiang Han's team celebrated their victory.

As the crowd dispersed, Wei Ren approached Jiang Han, his expression unreadable.

"Well done," Wei Ren said, extending a hand.

"You too," Jiang Han replied, shaking his hand firmly.

Wei Ren's lips quirked into a small smile. "You're not bad, Jiang Han. But don't get comfortable—I'll be back."

Jiang Han chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

That evening, as Jiang Han walked home, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The competition had been a test of his skills, but it had also taught him valuable lessons about strategy, perseverance, and respect.

"The system pushes me to grow, but the real growth comes from facing the challenges head-on," he thought.

With each step forward, Jiang Han felt more certain of his path. The journey wasn't just about personal success—it was about becoming someone who could face any challenge, no matter how daunting.

As the sun set over Petraling Jaya, Jiang Han walked home with a sense of quiet satisfaction. The day's victory had been hard-fought, but it wasn't just about defeating Wei Ren or winning the competition. It was about proving to himself that he could rise above expectations—even his own.

The streets were quieter now, the chatter of the day fading into the distant hum of the city. Jiang Han's thoughts wandered back to the competition, replaying the tense moments on stage.

Wei Ren's final handshake lingered in his mind. Despite their rivalry, there had been an unspoken understanding between them—an acknowledgement of mutual respect.

"He's not just a prodigy," Jiang Han mused. "He's a strategist. Someone who pushes me to think beyond the obvious."

The familiar chime of the Begging System snapped him out of his reverie.

[System Notification: Bonus Mission Complete.]

Mission: Foster a meaningful connection with Lee Wei Ren.]

Reward: Situational Awareness Skill (Intermediate Level).]

Jiang Han smirked. "So the system rewards diplomacy now? Who knew it could be so... civilised."

As the reward activated, Jiang Han felt a subtle shift in his perception. It was as if the world around him became sharper—every detail, every sound, every movement seemed to hold meaning.

When Jiang Han reached home, his younger sister, Jiang Mei, was sprawled across the living room sofa, surrounded by a mountain of textbooks.

"Another late night of studying?" Jiang Han asked, kicking off his shoes.

Mei looked up, her face scrunching in mock irritation. "Don't remind me. Biology is killing me, and chemistry isn't far behind."

Jiang Han chuckled, tossing his bag onto a nearby chair. "Let me know if you need help. I might be able to pull off a miracle or two."

"Miracles, huh?" Mei teased. "I'll hold you to that."

As Jiang Han headed to his room, he paused at the door, his thoughts lingering on Mei's struggles. It reminded him of his own past life, of the relentless grind and the weight of expectations.

"I won't let her go through what I did," he thought, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

Later that evening, Jiang Han decided to take a walk to clear his mind. The cool night air was refreshing, and the quiet streets offered a welcome respite from the day's excitement.

As he turned a corner, he nearly collided with someone coming in the opposite direction.

"Careful!" the person exclaimed, stepping back.

Jiang Han looked up, surprised to see none other than Wei Ren standing before him, dressed casually and carrying a stack of books.

"Wei Ren?" Jiang Han said, blinking. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same," Wei Ren replied, his tone light but guarded. "I was just visiting a local bookstore. Needed some materials for my next project."

Jiang Han glanced at the books in Wei Ren's arms, noting the titles. Advanced physics, strategic decision-making, and—curiously—a novel about personal growth.

"You're always working, aren't you?" Jiang Han remarked with a faint smile.

Wei Ren shrugged. "Preparation is half the battle."

The two began walking together, the conversation flowing more naturally than Jiang Han had expected.

"Do you always push yourself this hard?" Jiang Han asked after a while.

Wei Ren hesitated, his expression softening. "I have to. My family's expectations are... intense. Failure isn't an option."

Jiang Han nodded, understanding more than he cared to admit. "I get it. But sometimes, it's okay to take a step back. Success doesn't mean much if you're too burnt out to enjoy it."

Wei Ren glanced at him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Wise words. You sound like you've been through this before."

"Maybe I have," Jiang Han said with a wry smile.

As they reached a quiet park, the two sat on a bench, the silence between them surprisingly comfortable.

"Do you ever feel like the system—" Jiang Han stopped abruptly, catching himself.

"System?" Wei Ren asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing," Jiang Han said quickly. "Just thinking out loud."

Wei Ren didn't press, but his curious gaze lingered. "You're a mystery, Jiang Han. One moment you're a competitor, the next you're offering advice like some kind of mentor."

"Let's just say I've had a unique journey," Jiang Han replied, leaning back and gazing at the stars.

For a moment, neither spoke, the quiet night wrapping around them like a cocoon.

"You're not bad, Jiang Han," Wei Ren said eventually. "For a rival."

Jiang Han smirked. "You're not bad yourself. For a prodigy."

When Jiang Han returned home, the system chimed once more.

[System Notification: Reflection Mode Activated.]

[Host has demonstrated significant growth. Revisiting the system's purpose...]

Jiang Han sat down, his curiosity piqued. "System, what exactly is your purpose?"

[Response: To guide the host toward fulfilling their ultimate potential, utilising challenges, humility, and growth as core principles.]

"Sounds vague," Jiang Han muttered.

[Clarification: The host's reincarnation is a result of unfinished potential in their previous life. The system exists to correct that.]

The words hit Jiang Han harder than he expected. "Unfinished potential," he echoed, his voice soft.

He thought of his past life—the missed opportunities, the regret, the burnout that had ultimately consumed him. The system wasn't just a tool; it was a second chance.

"Then I won't waste it," Jiang Han said firmly.

[Acknowledged. Mission parameters will intensify as the host progresses. Prepare accordingly.]

Jiang Han leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. The challenges would only get harder, but he was ready.

"Bring it on," he thought.