Godly Beggar

The classroom felt different today. Jiang Han walked in, and the usual idle chatter of his classmates quietened. Conversations grew softer, glances lingered longer. For someone who had spent most of his high school life being invisible, the sudden attention was unnerving.

It was all because of the maths duel the previous day. Jiang Han, once the underdog, had defeated Tan Kang Min, the self-proclaimed maths genius of the class.

"Is he some kind of hidden prodigy?" someone whispered.

"Maybe he just got lucky," another muttered.

Jiang Han ignored the murmurs and went to his seat. Despite his calm demeanour, his thoughts were racing. The memory of the Begging System's recent mission still stung. Begging Kang Min for mercy had felt humiliating, but the reward—a significant boost in calculation efficiency—had turned the tables in his favour.

"It's not about pride," he reminded himself. "It's about strategy. Every step counts."

The morning passed uneventfully, though Jiang Han could feel the subtle shift in how his classmates treated him. Some avoided eye contact, while others gave him quick nods—a sign of reluctant respect. Even Kang Min, whose arrogance usually filled the room, seemed quieter today.

During the lunch break, Jiang Han was reviewing his notes when a shadow fell over his desk. He looked up to see Lee Jun Kai, one of Ang Xuan Ming's lackeys, standing with his arms crossed.

"Jiang Han," Jun Kai said, his voice dripping with mockery. "You think you're hot stuff now, don't you? Beating Kang Min in maths doesn't make you special."

Jiang Han stayed silent, meeting Jun Kai's gaze calmly.

Jun Kai smirked. "How about we see how smart you are? A quiz battle—science this time. Unless you're afraid."

The room buzzed with excitement.

"Another battle? This is getting interesting."

"Jun Kai's good at science. Jiang Han might not win this time."

Jiang Han sighed inwardly. He wasn't interested in showing off or proving himself to people like Jun Kai. But before he could respond, the familiar voice of the system echoed in his mind.

[System Alert! Situational Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Beg Jun Kai to lower the stakes of the battle.]

Failure to comply will result in a penalty of -30 system points.]

Reward: Calculation Enhancement (+5% problem-solving speed and accuracy for 24 hours).]

Jiang Han's chest tightened. Beg again? He clenched his fists under the desk, fighting the urge to argue with the system. He knew it was pointless.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Han forced himself to speak. "Jun Kai," he said, his voice steady but soft, "you're right. I'm not as good at science as I am at maths. Can we keep this friendly? Just a low-stakes match?"

Jun Kai's smirk widened. "Oh, so you're already scared? Fine, I'll go easy on you. This'll be fun."

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Calculation Enhancement (+5% problem-solving speed and accuracy for 24 hours).]

Jiang Han felt a subtle but powerful shift in his mind. His thoughts felt sharper, and his confidence grew. Now, the real game could begin.

The teacher entered the room just as the class was rearranging desks for the quiz battle. She raised an eyebrow at the commotion.

"What's going on here?" she asked.

"Jun Kai challenged Jiang Han to a science battle," someone explained eagerly.

The teacher sighed but seemed intrigued. "If we're going to do this, let's make it official. I'll moderate."

The class cheered as the desks were set up like an arena. Jiang Han and Jun Kai stood at opposite sides, their chalkboards ready.

"I'll ask a series of questions," the teacher said. "You'll each answer five. Whoever gets the most correct wins."

Jun Kai grinned confidently, but Jiang Han remained calm. He had no intention of losing.

The first question was about biology.

"What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy?" the teacher asked.

"Photosynthesis," Jun Kai answered quickly, his voice loud and clear.

"Correct," the teacher said.

Jun Kai smirked at Jiang Han, who ignored him.

The next question was chemistry-related: "What is the chemical formula for water?"

"H₂O," Jiang Han answered, his tone calm but precise.

"Correct," the teacher said.

The score was tied as the questions continued, but Jiang Han noticed something important: Jun Kai was fast but careless. His overconfidence led him to blurt out answers without fully thinking them through.

By the fourth question, Jun Kai had made a critical error in physics, giving Jiang Han the chance to pull ahead.

The final question, which involved the periodic table, was difficult.

"What element has the atomic number 6?" the teacher asked.

"Carbon," Jiang Han answered without hesitation.

"Correct. Jiang Han wins," the teacher announced.

The classroom erupted in cheers and murmurs.

"He did it again!"

"Jun Kai didn't stand a chance."

Jun Kai's face turned red as he slumped back into his seat. Jiang Han, meanwhile, returned to his desk quietly, avoiding the spotlight.

That evening, as Jiang Han walked home, the thrill of victory had already faded. Winning was satisfying, but it didn't erase the moments of humiliation the system forced him to endure.

As he passed a quiet corner of the street, his attention was drawn to an old man sitting by a small cart, roasting chestnuts over a flickering flame. The man's weathered hands moved skilfully, and his warm smile welcomed customers.

"Good evening, young man," the vendor said as Jiang Han stopped to buy a small bag of chestnuts.

Jiang Han handed over the money, and the vendor chuckled. "You look like someone with a lot on his mind. Hard day?"

Jiang Han hesitated before nodding. "You could say that."

The vendor handed him the bag and said, "Life is like these chestnuts. Sometimes, you have to let the shell crack before you can taste the sweetness inside."

Jiang Han stared at the chestnuts, his mind turning over the man's words. They were simple, yet they struck a chord deep within him.

"Thank you," Jiang Han said quietly.

As he walked home, he thought about how his own "shell" was being cracked. The system's missions forced him to confront his pride, but each time, he emerged stronger.

Back at home, Jiang Han sat at his desk, the bag of chestnuts beside him. The warmth of the vendor's words lingered as he reflected on the day.

The Begging System wasn't just about rewards—it was teaching him something deeper.

"Sometimes, you have to bend so you don't break," he thought. "Humility isn't weakness. It's a way to grow."

He opened his science textbook, determined to build on the system's reward. Knowledge, he realised, was like a chestnut. It took effort to crack open, but the results were worth it.

The challenges at school were only the beginning. Jiang Han knew more battles lay ahead—both academic and personal. But with each victory, his confidence grew, and so did his determination to rise above his circumstances.

This was his second chance, and he wasn't going to waste it.

Jiang Han woke up early the next morning, the vendor's words still echoing in his mind. Life wasn't just about the battles he won—it was about the growth each challenge brought him. The thought settled deeply within him as he prepared for another day.

Arriving at school, Jiang Han noticed a subtle shift in the way his classmates treated him. No longer was he ignored or dismissed. Instead, there was a mixture of curiosity, respect, and perhaps a hint of envy. He didn't relish the attention, but he couldn't deny that it felt better than the indifference he was used to.

"Morning, Jiang Han," a familiar voice chirped.

He turned to see Wang Jia Qi, her bright smile a welcome sight amidst the bustling classroom.

"You've been incredible lately," she said, leaning slightly on his desk. "It's like you've become a completely different person."

Jiang Han shrugged, his expression calm. "Not really. I'm just trying to improve."

"Well, it's working," Jia Qi replied. She hesitated for a moment before adding, "But, you know, you don't have to take on every challenge people throw at you. It's okay to say no sometimes."

Jiang Han looked at her thoughtfully. "I appreciate that, but some challenges aren't just about proving myself to others. They're about proving something to myself."

Jia Qi nodded slowly, seeming to understand. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself too."

As she walked back to her seat, Jiang Han felt a small warmth in his chest. Jia Qi's concern wasn't laced with envy or mockery—it was genuine.

Later that day, during a physics class, Jiang Han found himself unexpectedly enjoying the lesson. The system's recent reward, Calculation Enhancement, had heightened his ability to process information, making complex concepts seem almost intuitive.

The teacher wrote a challenging problem on the board and asked for a volunteer to solve it.

"Jiang Han," she said, looking directly at him. "Would you like to give it a try?"

The class fell silent, all eyes turning to him. Jiang Han stood, his movements calm and steady, and walked to the board.

The problem involved calculating the trajectory of an object launched at an angle, requiring a mix of trigonometry and physics.

He began writing, his steps methodical yet efficient. The equations flowed naturally, each line building on the last. By the time he placed the chalk down, the solution was complete.

"Excellent work," the teacher said, nodding in approval.

The class murmured in amazement.

"Wow, he is good at this."

"I wouldn't have been able to solve that in a million years!"

Jiang Han returned to his seat, his face calm but his heart lighter. The experience was another small victory, another step towards building a future where he wouldn't have to rely on the system forever.

As the school day ended, Jiang Han paused near the gates, his gaze lingering on the familiar path home. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of quiet confidence. He was still learning, still growing, but every step he took felt more certain than the last.

"This is just the beginning," he thought to himself, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips.