Bully Lord

Part-236

James didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving the men to their pain and confusion. As he rounded the corner, a familiar chime echoed in his mind, and a notification appeared before him:

**[You have defeated the ambushers. Bonus EXP awarded for utilizing a training weapon in combat. +2000 EXP.]**

James smirked. "Looks like the system’s happy, too," he muttered, his body still buzzing with adrenaline.

He made his way home, every step a reminder of his growing strength. Despite the aches and bruises, James felt more alive than he had in a long time. This battle, like the ones before it, had brought him one step closer to his goal. He couldn’t wait to see what challenges awaited him next.

The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of pine that wafted through the open windows of the dojo. Sunlight filtered in, casting warm, golden patches across the wooden floor. Kashem Chowdhury, the Judo instructor, stood tall at the center of the mat, his voice firm yet encouraging as he guided James and the others through a series of techniques. Despite the intensity of the session, James's mind wasn't entirely focused on Judo today. He had another challenge waiting for him.

"James, that's enough for today. You're pushing yourself hard, and that's good," Kashem said with a hint of approval as the class came to a close. "But remember, balance is key in martial arts. You can't master everything at once."

James nodded, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, sir. I'll keep that in mind."

As he left the mat, James couldn't help but glance over to the far side of the dojo, where he saw Mili standing with his sister, Lily. Mili's gaze met his briefly before she looked away, her expression thoughtful. Despite their recent interactions, there was still a sense of distance between them. James felt a pang of frustration; he couldn't pinpoint the reason, but it seemed like something was holding her back.

Meanwhile, Lily, his older sister and the kickboxing instructor, was engaged in a conversation with Mili. Her long hair was tied back, and her sharp, focused eyes betrayed the concern she felt as she watched her younger brother.

"Want to go meet him?" Lily asked, noting the way Mili's eyes kept drifting toward James.

"No," Mili replied, shaking her head, but she didn't seem entirely certain. "But I am a bit surprised that he's interested in swordsmanship now. I thought he was attending karate classes, then I heard he joined the Judo Club, and now he's training with a sword. It’s like he can’t settle on one style, and that’s not ideal. How can he become good at anything if he’s always switching?"

Lily’s eyes softened as she continued watching James set up his practice area with his wooden sword. "James has always been a bit... different," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "He’s never been one to follow the beaten path. I used to think it was a flaw. But now… I think he’s just searching for something—something that resonates with him."