A New Understanding

The morning after the meeting, John walked through the halls of his school with a heavy mind. His encounter with the other leaders had left him feeling both empowered and overwhelmed. The weight of his responsibilities as the new leader of the South hung heavily on his shoulders, but there was still something else bothering him.

He couldn't shake the image of Marcus's stats. The potential in Marcus was enormous—A+—and that had left John questioning the true limits of his own power. If he had S-tier potential, how far could he push himself? And if Marcus wasn't even fighting at full strength, what kind of threat did he truly pose to John?

As he entered the meeting room where his group usually gathered, his thoughts continued to swirl. He took a deep breath, trying to push away the rising anxiety. He had to focus. He had to get stronger.

And then it occurred to him. What about his friends? What were their stats like? How strong were they really?

He glanced around the room, where Tyler, Kyle, Alex, Ava, Isaac, Sarah, Lily, and Miranda were already waiting. They were all his closest allies now, and if they were to face what lay ahead with him, he needed to know how they could contribute.

Without a word, John activated the "Mind's Eye" ability. He hesitated for a moment, then focused on the first person in the room—Alex.

[Alex's Stats]

Strength: 52

Speed: 55

Defense: 53

IQ: 85

Potential: A

John's eyes widened. Alex's stats weren't far off from his own. He wasn't as strong as Marcus, but compared to John, Alex was clearly no slouch. The "A" potential stood out, too—there was room for Alex to grow, just like John.

Next, John turned to Tyler. Tyler had always been a steady and reliable presence in their group, but now John could see the true measure of his strength.

[Tyler's Stats]

Strength: 58

Speed: 61

Defense: 59

IQ: 87

Potential: A-

Tyler's stats were even higher than Alex's. The gap between them wasn't huge, but it was clear that Tyler's physical abilities were more developed than John's own. His potential, though slightly below Alex's, still left plenty of room for growth.

John then shifted his focus to Kyle, his oldest and most trusted friend.

[Kyle's Stats]

Strength: 55

Speed: 60

Defense: 57

IQ: 90

Potential: A

Kyle's stats were similar to Tyler's—strong, fast, and with a solid defense. His IQ was also impressive, higher than Alex's. It made sense; Kyle had always been the most intelligent of the group. His potential was right there with Tyler's—A-level—making him another formidable ally.

Now, John felt a growing sense of urgency. His friends weren't as strong as Marcus, but they were no pushovers either. Together, they could become a force to be reckoned with. He quickly moved on to the others in the group, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

[Isaac's Stats]

Strength: 48

Speed: 50

Defense: 46

IQ: 98

Potential: B+

Isaac's stats were weaker than the others, but his IQ—98—was off the charts. His intelligence was clearly his greatest asset, and John realized Isaac would likely be the strategist of their group. His B+ potential still offered room for growth, though.

[Sarah's Stats]

Strength: 46

Speed: 47

Defense: 45

IQ: 92

Potential: B+

Sarah was similar to Isaac, with lower physical stats but an IQ of 92—well above average. Her potential wasn't as high as some of the others, but John saw that her mental abilities could play a crucial role in the team.

[Ava's Stats]

Strength: 44

Speed: 46

Defense: 45

IQ: 85

Potential: B

Ava had the lowest stats among the group. Her physical abilities were subpar, and her potential was only at B. But John knew better than to dismiss her. She had her own unique strengths, and she always had a way of seeing the world differently.

[Miranda's Stats]

Strength: 42

Speed: 44

Defense: 43

IQ: 90

Potential: B

Miranda, like Ava, had lower physical stats. Her potential was also ranked at B, but her IQ was solid—90. While she might not have been the most powerful, she was clever and resourceful, something John could rely on in a tight situation.

[Lily's Stats]

Strength: 47

Speed: 50

Defense: 48

IQ: 88

Potential: A-

Lily's stats were decent, just like the others. She had a good balance between strength, speed, and defense, and her potential—A-—was encouraging. John knew she had the ability to grow stronger with time and training.

---

John sat back, his mind racing as he processed what he had just learned. His group wasn't as powerful as Marcus or the other leaders, but they were far from weak. Each member had their strengths, and their combined potential could turn them into a formidable team.

He realized that the gap between them and Marcus wasn't as insurmountable as it seemed. With the right training, strategies, and leadership, they could bridge that gap. They just needed time.

For the first time since receiving the system, John felt a surge of hope. His group was full of potential. They weren't perfect, but they were strong in their own right.

Turning to face his friends, John stood tall. His heart felt lighter, his determination stronger than ever. He would make sure they all reached their full potential—and together, they would become unstoppable.

He had a lot of work to do, but now he knew exactly what he needed to focus on.

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To be continued...