2

The sun beamed down from the clear blue sky, casting a bright light over the open track court and inviting the warm breeze to gently flow through. The sound of sneakers pounding against the rubber surface echoed around the outdoor track, where Ulysses Bertram pushed himself to his limits with each powerful stomp. His fatty body glistened with sweat as he sprinted around the track, determined to reach peak physical condition. Fellow muscular athletes joined him in a charged atmosphere, their dedication to their fitness goals palpable in the air.

"Look at this guy, running around in circles; he thinks that's going to make him skinny?" Yohan laughs, and his cronies join him in making fun of Ulysses.

"You're not getting skinny anytime soon." The bullies continue to taunt and harass Ulysses, making fun of his weight and his stamina.

(D-don't talk like that!) Ulysses' voice trembled in his mind. He felt hurt and upset when others mocked his body, making him dislike it even more.

"Oh, did I touch a nerve? I bet he's been running so hard just to try to look fit to impress his favorite waifu. Does she even know you exist?" Yohan pushed Ulysses onto the ground while he and his cronies laughed.

(Stop!) He shouted back in his head, his voice cracking. (Don't talk like that! I'll never be thin! I'll never be good-looking!) He was on the verge of tears but still had to hold them back.

Ulysses rose from the ground and made his way over to the secluded benches, where he retreated to think. Memories from his past flooded his mind as he settled in. He couldn't help but recall a time in his school days when he had faced relentless bullying from his male classmates due to his fondness for anime. Because one of the girls despised the disgusting nature of anime, he had earned the scorn of the girls in his class as well.

The mean kids made fun of him for liking anime, which made him feel awful. He struggled to fit in with the other kids at school due to their cruelty, leaving him feeling lonely and sad. He longed to be able to enjoy watching anime without feeling ashamed.

(I need to become a high commander and win the tournament; that is the only way for things to be right.)

Gallifrakis II, a petite woman with fair skin and a youthful appearance, stood before Ulysses. Her blonde hair framed her delicate features - blue eyes, a small nose, and small lips. Adorning her ears were two large hoop earrings, adding a touch of classic style to her uniformed attire. Despite her slim figure and barely-flat chest, she exuded a confidence that demanded attention. With a gentle tap on his back, Gallifrakis greeted Ulysses with a warm smile.

"What's wrong with people these days? They always bully innocent people like us." Gallifrakis sat beside Ulysses.

"Did you see that earlier? They suck," he grumbled under his breath before turning his gaze to Gallifrakis.

"Yeah, I watched it all; those guys are dicks. They think they are cool or superior just because they have a good look on their faces, but inside they are not even close to being humans; they are monsters." Gallifrakis gently placed a reassuring hand on Ulysses' shoulder.

It wasn't anything romantic, but the feeling of care and protection enveloped him. He wasn't alone; someone was watching over him, seeing him for who he truly was. For a brief moment, the worries and problems of life vanished from Ulysses' mind, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Thanks, Gallifrakis. You're really nice; do you know that?" He mumbled, trying not to break down in tears in front of her.

Gallifrakis looked at Ulysses with surprise. "Oh, thanks; yeah, I was just being honest because you don't deserve to be treated like this." She looked at his smiling face and feels relief. "Don't worry, it's fine to cry in front of me if it will make you feel better."

"Are you going to join in the Battle of Supremacy tournament?" Ulysses looked at Gallifrakis II with concern.

Gallifrakis looked at Ulysses and said, "Honestly, I don't know yet. I know I'm the strongest in Club Saint Lucia, but I don't want the responsibility that comes with it. I'd much rather have fun and mess around."

"Oh, but you're the strongest one in our class! Even though Yohan was announced as the Supermarcy, I believe you deserved the title."

Gallifrakis II rose from the bench and turned to face him, unwittingly positioning her back towards him. Ulysses couldn't clearly tell what she was looking at, but she told him, "That's not for me. I feel like being at the top isn't meant for me; I don't enjoy having all the attention that comes with being some type of leader." She then turned back to Ulysses, saying, "I do like to see how strong and determined you have become, so I will be joining you just for that."

"...."

"As I recall, the updated rule prevents kids from participating from now on due to their lack of leadership skills. This means that only teens and adults will be involved in the competition. As a result, there will be fewer people." Gallifrakis started to think.

Ulysses was focused on Gallifrakis. "Do you honestly think I will be able to win? I don't have the strongest magical energy in the entire club of Saint Lucia." Even though he tried his very best to be as strong as any other superior in the group, he felt like he was lacking. "I'm just a weakling compared to the rest of the club. How could I even hope to make a change?" Ulysses' mind became flooded with negative thoughts and doubts.

"If you continue to think this way, you will never win. Do you understand what truly weakens you? It's your mindset, because it is the root cause of all negativity.

In order to change your life, you must change the way you think. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. If you keep calling yourself weak, you will never see change. However, if you change your mindset and call yourself strong, your mind will start believing that you are truly strong." Gallifrakis chuckled and offered a hand to Ulysses to help him stand up.

As he pulled himself up, he could feel the warmth emanating from her small hand. Despite their physical differences, there was a sense of unity at that moment as they stood side by side, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Gallifrakis II was always by Ulysses's side as a friend, filling him with overwhelming gratitude; their unbreakable bond surpassed even the forces of nature.

"Hey Ulysses, did you make sure that you got everything ready for the exam? If you pass the exam, then you're going to the second stage of the tournament."

Ulysses nodded his head at Gallifrakis, expressing his passion to win the Battle of Supremacy tournament. It meant a great deal to him, perhaps more than it should have. "I've been studying a lot, so don't worry about my written test. I'm all set for that. However, the battle stage is a whole different story. Last time, I couldn't defeat any Saint Lucia Club members because I was still new to this. But this time, I'm confident I can be the winner."

"Remember my words: you must win. I hope we can meet again, so make sure you don't lose, alright?" Gallifrakis laughs as she pokes Ulysses belly playfully.