Part-295

  James tehese weren’t just athletes—they were predators.

  Jel’s gaze flicked zily over Banani High’s team, finally log onto James. His smirk widened, as if seeing an old rival he couldn’t wait to crush. The message in his expression was clear: *You don’t belong here. And yoing tret trying.*

  Ryan’s jaw ched so tight James could hear his teeth grinding. “What do you want again, Jel?”

  Jel chuckled, the sound low and mog. “What do I want?” He exged gnces with his teammates, who snickered as if Ryan had asked the dumbest question imaginable.

  “I thought it was obvious,” Jel said smoothly. “I just wao get a good look at the team we’ll be breaking in the finals.”

  Sourov stepped forward, his bulky frame radiating anger. “You think you’re already through? Don’t t your wins before they happen.”

  One of Jel’s teammates, a tall girl with braided hair, sneered. “It’s not about ting. It’s about *knowing.*”

  Zia put a hand on Sourov’s arm, pulling him back a step. “They’re trying to get in our heads. Don’t give them the satisfa.”

  “Listen to yhtweight,” Jel said with a smirk, his eyes glittering with amusement. “You’ll need every bit of that advice when we’re doh you.”

  James remained quiet, Jel and his team. The system hummed quietly in the back of his mind, revealing what his instincts already knew.

  James’ eyes sed Jel and his teammates carefully. He had learo trust the system that allowed him to see stats—and what he saw firmed his instincts. Every member of Jel’s team had stats that, when bined, crossed the 200-mark easily. STR, , DEX, INT, and WIS—all were above average for their age, making them not just athletes but terrifying oppos.

  The stats firmed it—these were elite fighters, and they k. But stats only told part of the story. The way they stood, the way they spoke—it was all calcuted, desigo shake fidend pnt fear. Jel wasn’t just strong with his 393 biats. He was dangerous in ways numbers couldn’t quantify.

  “Don’t worry,” Jel tinued, his voice dripping with mock reassurance. “We’ll make it quio hard feelings, right?”

  Ryan’s fists ched so tightly his knuckles turned white. Sourov shifted beside him, his muscles coiled like springs, ready to explode. James could tell that if someone didn’t intervehis frontation was going to get ugly fast.

  “Rya go,” James said softly, steppiween him and Jel.

  Ryan shot him a look, frustration simmering just below the surface. “James—”

  “I know,” James cut him off. “But not here. Not now.”

  Jel tilted his head, his grin widening. “Smart move, James. Wouldn’t want to get yourselves disqualified before the fuarts.”

  Abbas, who had been quietly from the back, finally spoke. His voice was calm but carried a hint of warning. “Enjoy your fun while you , Jel. You’ll .”

  Jel’s eyes flicked toward Abbas, his smile never faltering. “We’ll see, won’t we?”