CHAPTER SIXTEEN
📅 May 13th, 2005
The lights weren't as bright as the big leagues.
But the pressure? Heavier than gold.
The BWF Trial Arena wasn't for show. It was for proving yourself—or getting chewed up trying.
No fans. No pyro. Just old ring mats, clipboard-holding scouts, and cold-blooded ambition.
Malik bounced on the balls of his feet, rolling his shoulders.
This wasn't high school anymore. This was the proving grounds of the future.
🎯 Objective: Pass Your First Official BWF Trial Match
🧾 Bonus Objective: "Win Without Taking a Fall"
🧬 SYSTEM PULSE BEFORE THE STORM
📲 Scanning…
📊 LEVEL 12 – XP: 1040 / 5000
Current Stats:
Strength: 30 Agility: 27 Endurance: 27 Charisma: 68 Technique: 26 Intelligence: 20 Money Maker: 15
Traits Active:
🧠 Tactical Genius I 💵 Business Mindset I ⚡ Hype Engine (Passive) 💼 Side Hustler (Passive)
Moves:
⚔️ Signature Move: Skyfall Judgment 💀 Finisher: CROWN CRUSHER (Head Stomp)
🎙️ First Trial Match
Opponent: Darius Cross
Stats: 6'2", 240 lbs, former amateur boxer. Thick arms. Thicker attitude. Big dude. Bigger fists.
He cracked his knuckles and smirked. "You look soft, kid."
Malik smirked right back. "And you look like a warm-up."
DING DING!
🔥 The Match Begins
Darius came in heavy—wild left hook!
Malik ducked—whoosh!—and countered with a snap kick to the ribs.
WHACK!
Darius winced.
Malik danced back.
Coach Barker shouted from ringside:
"Stick and move, M.K.! Don't play punch-face with a boxer!"
Darius charged again—
Malik sidestepped, grabbed his arm—
ARM DRAG INTO A HEADLOCK!
The crowd of scouts murmured.
Darius powered up, tossing Malik off.
They reset.
Malik smiled.
He saw it.
Every move.
Every pattern.
Tactical Genius kicked in. His brain was chess. Darius was checkers.
Darius faked left—Malik didn't bite.
Darius lunged—Malik spun behind, rolled him up—
Not for a pin, just to embarrass him.
He let him go, and winked.
"Oh, you cocky—" Darius roared, charging again.
Malik grabbed the ropes, sprung off—
RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE CHEST!
Darius slammed into the turnbuckle.
Skyfall Judgment TIME.
Malik hoisted him up—shoulders trembling under the weight—
SKYFALL JUDGMENT!!!
Boom!
Darius bounced.
Malik could've pinned.
But he didn't.
Not yet.
"Not enough drama," he whispered to himself.
He dragged Darius up.
Climbed the second rope…
The scouts leaned forward.
CROWN CRUSHER!!!
Darius' face hit the mat like thunder.
1… 2… 3!!
✅ WINNER: MALIK "M.K. JR." SMITH
🎮 Post-Match System Update
🎉 XP GAINED: +600
📈 Total XP: 1640 / 5000
🟨 Still Level 12 — nearly halfway to 13.
🎯 Bonus Objective Achieved:
✅ Win Without Taking a Fall
→ +100 Bonus XP
→ +3 Technique, +2 Endurance
📊 Updated Stats:
Strength: 30 Agility: 27 Endurance: 29 Charisma: 68 Technique: 29 Intelligence: 20 Money Maker: 15
🧠 Tactical Genius I Buff Enhanced: +15% move-read accuracy vs BWF-level opponents
👔 BWF Internal Evaluation:
"Shows polish, power, and performance under pressure. Candidate for televised match consideration."
🃏 After the Bell
Malik sat on the bench, wrist iced, tape peeling, sweat cooling on his brow.
A man in a slick BWF blazer approached.
"You've got something, kid."
Malik looked up. "That so?"
The man handed him a card with gold lettering.
"Talent Coordinator – WEW Developmental"
Malik exhaled.
No screaming crowd.
No belt.
Just proof.
Proof that the path was real.
And he was already walking it.
[End of Chapter 16 – "Trial by Fire"]