Competing with someone doesn't mean you have to act borderline antagonistic or arrogant towards them. Almost every single character in the main story, even the ones you aren't actually competing with (and have their own agenda), is having a power trip, acting like they're objectively better than you, or being so vague they might as well be hindering you.
Most of the characters are easily categorized as special snowflakes, rather than just being likeable characters with their own agendas.
