The hum of the air conditioner was a distant memory. Last night, after stuffing my brain with what felt like a lifetime's worth of new information from the System, I'd crashed hard. My head was still a bit foggy when I woke up, but a quick glance at the clock told me it was early. Perfect. Time to get a head start on the day.
I padded into the kitchen, the cool tiles a welcome sensation under my bare feet. First order of business: coffee. The rich, earthy smell filled the air as I brewed a fresh pot. While it dripped, I started pulling out ingredients for breakfast. My mind, however, was already miles away, replaying the highlights reel of my life since the System dropped into it.
Lina's betrayal. That still stung, a dull ache in a corner of my heart. Friedrich and Lina's humiliation. Ah, that was a very terrifying memory. Then, the System itself, with its insane power hierarchy and unyielding rules. The bizarre missions, my weird journey back to my family, becoming this… new, prominent figure at Northwood High. Stacy's challenge, and then… Miss Lily. The supermarket event, Aunt's confession, and now, Isabel and my new "romantic" life. So much had happened, so fast.
And the problems? Oh, they were piling up. Miss Lily's "proposal" (still couldn't believe that happened) and the very real threat of expulsion. OMG! I have to handle all these… but how?
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even hear Isabel come in. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind, and a soft, warm weight pressed against my back.
"What are you thinking about?" Isabel's voice was a sleepy murmur against my ear, her breath warm.
"Nothing much," I mumbled, trying to act casual. "You woke up early."
She giggled, a playful sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Yeah! Adam, I wanted to see you and do something naughty."
My eyes widened. Before I could even process that, her hands moved, her breasts rubbing against my back, and then, her fingers, light as a feather, started caressing my crotch. Holy hell! All my tension, all my worries about Miss Lily and expulsion, just evaporated like steam.
I spun around, scooping her up effortlessly – thanks, System stats! – and set her on the dining table. I leaned in, a wide grin spreading across my face. "Now, brace yourself, young lady. I will make you feel the heaven."
Just as things were about to get really interesting, the kitchen door swung open.
"Oh! How sweet of you two?" Mom's cheerful voice cut through the charged atmosphere. "Both of you prepared breakfast."
Isabel, bless her quick reflexes, was off the table in a flash, trying to act like a perfectly normal stepsister. Her face was bright red, though.
"Yeah! Mom, we were preparing the breakfast," I stammered, my voice a little too high. "Breakfast is ready."
Mom looked at me, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Adam, you look a little tired, are you okay?"
"Yeah! Everything is fine," I replied, trying to sound convincing.
She then looked at Isabel, whose face was still a furious shade of crimson. "Isabel, do you have a fever?"
"No, Mom, everything is fine. Let's eat." Isabel practically dove for a chair, avoiding eye contact.
The breakfast was a weird kind of quiet, thick with unspoken thoughts. Afterward, Isabel and I headed out for school. The morning air was cool, but the tension between us was anything but.
"That was very risky," Isabel whispered as we walked, her voice still a bit shaky. "Why did you do it?"
I chuckled, nudging her playfully. "You were provoking me, Izzy."
"But that was dangerous! What would happen if Mom had seen it?" Her eyes were wide with a mix of fear and... something else. Excitement?
I stopped, grabbed her gently by the waist, and pulled her close. Her body stiffened against mine, then relaxed. I leaned in, whispering in her ear, "I really wanted to eat you, Izzy. Can we continue somewhere else?"
Her entire face went from red to an impossible shade of scarlet. She stammered, "N-not in public, in my room at night."
Then, she was off, sprinting down the street like a startled gazelle. I watched her go, a smile playing on my lips. This girl. On our date, she'd looked so mature, so composed. I loved that mature look, but this embarrassed, blushing Izzy? It was incredibly refreshing. Now, I was definitely curious about "her room at night."
As she disappeared around the corner, my mind drifted back to the System. I opened the Elites panel, a translucent screen shimmering into existence before my eyes. I hadn't really focused on it much, but now I noticed something new. A few of my Elites had acquired new passive skills.
Jack Mullar: My best friend, the one who'd stood by me through thick and thin. He now had [One Last Push]. Ken Pots: My first devotee, the kid who kowtowed to me. He had [Powerhouse]. Qasim: One of the guys who joined my "guild" through Ken. He had [Mercy]. Padro: Another new recruit. He had [Brawler] and [Anything a Weapon].
Interesting. I demanded an explanation from the System.
The System's voice, calm and informative as always, replied instantly: "Host, let's start with them one by one. Jack's passive skill, [One Last Push], means that in moments of extreme exhaustion, when he's unable to fight anymore, this skill will activate. It will help Jack stand up for one more round, allowing him to continue fighting even when his body has given out."
"Now, let's talk about Ken's skill, [Powerhouse]. If Ken is present in a team, his skill can significantly increase the motivation and dedication of the entire team. He acts as a morale booster, inspiring those around him to perform better."
"And Qasim's skill, [Mercy], as the name suggests, allows him to forgive any mistake made by anyone. This can be useful in situations requiring diplomacy or de-escalation."
"I understand everyone's skill," I said, processing the information. "But what will Qasim's skill be used for?"
"It's up to you to find its application, Host," the System replied cryptically. Right. Of course it is.
"Next," I continued, "can you explain the skills that Padro acquired?"
The System responded: "Padro acquired [Brawler] and [Anything a Weapon]. He gained [Brawler] because he doesn't know any formal fighting style or art. Thus, he can fight like a street brawler, relying on raw power and unpredictable movements rather than technique. His true power lies in his randomness. As for [Anything a Weapon], as the name suggests, it allows him to use any object in his hand as a weapon."
"Then what's the difference between his [Anything a Weapon] skill and my [Weapon Expertise]?" I asked. I'd spent 40 Fear Coins on my skill, and I wanted to make sure it was superior.
"It might sound alike," the System explained, "but the difference is significant. Padro can use anything as a weapon, but you have expertise in using everything as a weapon. In simple terms, what he can do, you can do better. But more importantly, what he can't do, you can still do. For example, both of you can use a baseball bat, but he will swing randomly, relying on brute force, while you will swing with technique, precision, and efficiency. You understand now?"
"Now I get it," I muttered. My [Weapon Expertise] was clearly superior. Good.
My doubts settled, I finally entered the school building. The moment I stepped through the main doors, a wave of stares hit me. The whole school was looking at me. Whispers followed me like a shadow. I knew why. The Charles fight, the Stacy kiss, the "proposal" rumors. My life had become a public spectacle.
Then, Jack appeared, pushing through the crowd, his face a mixture of concern and barely contained amusement. "Bro," he said, "you were summoned for your previous act in front of Headmistress. But you need to meet Miss Lily first."
My stomach dropped. Miss Lily. The "Demon Queen of Northwood High." My feet felt cold, like I'd just stepped into a freezer. "This is really dangerous," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
Jack clapped me on the shoulder, a sympathetic but also slightly mocking grin on his face. "Then who told you to propose to the Demon Queen of Northwood High? I wish you survive this catastrophe, my friend. Hope for the good." He gave me a thumbs-up, which did absolutely nothing to calm my nerves.
I walked down the hallway, every step heavy. So many thoughts were swirling in my head, a chaotic mess. I couldn't understand any of it. I was scared, frightened, and continuously cursing the System. Why me? Why now?
I found myself standing in front of Miss Lily's office door. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum solo. I was scared out of my wits. Terrified. But I had to do it. I took a deep, shaky breath and knocked.
"Come in," a cold, sharp voice commanded from inside.
I pushed the door open and stepped into the office. Miss Lily was sitting behind her desk, her turquoise eyes, usually so sharp and intimidating, were now cold, burning with a barely suppressed rage. She gazed at me for a second, her expression unreadable, yet radiating pure fury.
Then, she suddenly stood up. My breath hitched. She started walking towards me, slowly, deliberately. Every step felt like a hammer blow to my chest. I was paralyzed, my mind racing, trying to guess what would happen. A lecture? Detention? Expulsion? A public shaming?
She stopped just a few feet in front of me. Her eyes, still blazing with an intense emotion, locked onto mine. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst. The air crackled with unspoken tension.
Then, in a second, she closed the distance. My mind went blank. I don't know what was happening. Her lips, soft and juicy, locked with mine. Her soft breasts pressed against my chest. My brain stopped processing. My whole world went into chaos. I was awestruck and couldn't think of anything except how soft and juicy her lips were.
The kiss was deep, demanding, and utterly unexpected. It wasn't a gentle peck; it was a statement. A forceful claim. My hands, without conscious thought, went to her waist, pulling her closer. Her body, surprisingly firm and warm, molded against mine. The scent of her perfume, a sophisticated floral, filled my nostrils, intoxicating me.
This is insane. This is Miss Lily. My teacher. What the hell is going on? My rational brain screamed, but it was a distant, muffled sound against the overwhelming sensation of her lips on mine. Her fingers tangled in my hair, deepening the kiss further. It was a whirlwind, a chaotic storm of sensation that left me breathless.
After what felt like an eternity, but was probably only a few seconds, she pulled back, her eyes still locked on mine, but the rage had softened, replaced by a complex mix of triumph, desire, and something akin to... possessiveness. Her lips were slightly swollen, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.