Sometimes, it's about fitting into society. The main character might be in a world where being too powerful is seen as abnormal or feared. To avoid being ostracized, they hide their strength. They want to live a normal life among others, at least for a while, and gradually reveal their strength as they build relationships and trust with those around them.
One reason could be self - protection. In many light novels, the world is filled with danger. If the main character reveals his full strength too early, he might attract unwanted enemies. For example, in a world full of power - hungry villains, showing off strength could make the character a target.
Another example is 'Sword Art Online'. Kirito often hides his full capabilities in the game world. He doesn't always show his best skills and strength, especially when he wants to avoid unwanted attention or when he is trying to figure out the motives of other players. He only reveals his true strength when it's absolutely necessary, like when facing powerful bosses or protecting his friends.
One popular one is 'Solo Leveling'. The main character, Sung Jin - Woo, initially appears weak but gradually reveals his incredible strength. Another is 'Overlord', where the protagonist Momonga hides his true power in the new world he is transported to. And 'The Rising of the Shield Hero' also has a main character, Naofumi Iwatani, who is underestimated at first and hides his growing capabilities.
One common device is the element of surprise. For example, in 'Solo Leveling', when Sung Jin - Woo suddenly shows his enhanced powers in a battle, it surprises both the enemies and other characters. Another is the underdog story arc. The main character is often underestimated, like Naofumi in 'The Rising of the Shield Hero', which adds to the tension and excitement when their strength is finally revealed.
Another theme is growth. Often, these characters are not only hiding their strength but also growing in power secretly. They might be training in isolation or learning new skills without others knowing. This internal growth is then shown externally when they unveil their true strength. In 'Solo Leveling', the main character's growth while hiding his power is a significant part of the story.
Well, 'The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor' also fits. The main character keeps his real skills and power under wraps. He has to navigate through a virtual world while concealing his true capabilities, and the story unfolds as he gradually unveils his strength in different situations.
I recommend the book 'Douluo: My Strength Was Almost Exposed' to you. The main character Jiang Chen activated the hidden strength system after he crossed over to Douluo Continent. As long as he hid his strength well, no one would be able to find out how powerful he was. From then on, there was another hidden king on Douluo Continent. I hope you like this recommendation.😘
One reason could be that he doesn't want to stand out too much. In the fanfiction world, just like in the original Harry Potter story, being overly intelligent might draw unwanted attention, especially from the bad guys. He might be afraid of being targeted more if his intelligence is known.
Another possibility is that he's being bullied. In school settings within fanfictions, bullying is a common theme. Percy might be trying to hide his face to avoid the taunts and mean looks from the bullies. He could be self - conscious about some aspect of his appearance that the bullies have targeted, like a scar or his overall look. By hiding his face, he hopes to protect himself from their cruel remarks.
Maybe he has some dark secrets in his past that he doesn't want to be known. For example, he might have been involved in something illegal or unethical that could damage his reputation in the world of the web novel.
There were many animes in which the male lead hid his strength. Here are some of the more famous ones: Naruto: Naruto Uzumaki had been hiding his strength throughout the story and only showed it when necessary. 2 One Piece: Monchi D. Luffy Although he was a pirate, he had always hidden his fruit ability until he became One Piece. [3]" Death ": The King of the Void Ring, Aizen Yuusuke, had been hiding his true strength until he successfully destroyed the Void Ring before he was recognized. [4. The Attacking Giant: Alan Yeager has been hiding his Giant's Power until he successfully activates it.] [5: The Blade of Ghost Destruction: Tanjiro had been hiding his talents in the story until he successfully defeated the ghost. Only then did people realize it.]