"Privacy is also gleaned out in several provisions of the Constitution, the Data Privacy Act. For example, Article 3, Section 2, Article 3, Section 3, paragraph 1, and Article III, Section 3, Paragraph 2…"
Dillingham slowly turned to Jack, wearing an expression Jack couldn't decipher.
"Did you memorize the entire Article 3?"
'Memorized?' Jack almost snorted. There was no way he would do something that taxing. He was never a fan of it, and he wasn't very good at it to begin with.
But now, it looked like that, huh?
A grin tugged at his lips.
It was because of the system specifically, the speed-reading skill that didn't just make him read fast, but absorb, comprehend, and store everything like a sponge.
And when he needed to recall it? He can just read it.
It was his first time reading a law book since he obtained the system. The law book was thick with most having 500-700 pages with little font size.
It used to traumatize him just seeing them.
But that all changed when he obtained the system especially the speed-reading skill. Once he activated the skill, the pages practically surrendered to him.
Time moved slowly.
Normally, he could have taken days to read and understand that much, even if he was diligent which he never was. But now, he can finish reading books in just one sitting.
"Memorized?" Jack echoed almost too cheerfully and then added, "Not just Article 3, I memorized the whole constitution actually."
'???'
"The whole constitution?"
The class stared at him as if he had grown a second head.
Who memorizes the entire Constitution? What was he, a walking photocopier? That was not even possible.
"He's an idiot." One whispered to his seatmate as they mocked him.
"He's dug his own grave"
But what could they say?
Jack practically did have the entire Constitution floating in front of him.
Photographic memory? He had something better. He had a literal interface.
Dillingham was silent.
But unlike what most expected, he didn't frown or raise his voice. He discreetly checked his watch and spoke calmly.
"You may sit down, Crawluster."
"Thank you, Professor," Jack replied with a polite smile as he sat.
At the lectern, Dillingham opened his files, stealing one last thoughtful glance at Jack.
'Jack Crawluster. His answers always lacked substance, and he barely passed most of his exams. Did he have a talent for memorization? Hm, but he didn't seem to be lying. How interesting,' he thought.
Jack, meanwhile, in his seat, wiped sweat off his forehead and closed the system interface.
'I never thought I would stand up to Professor Dillingham like that in my life. I only dreamed of it.' Jack thought, who was glad he wasn't kicked out of the class, but at the same time, unsure whether he had impressed or annoyed the man.
Then he looked around. His classmates kept sneaking glances at him, all dumbfounded, as they whispered behind their hands.
The class resumed like usual but Jack maintained a poker face, pretending to concentrate, but inside he was glowing.
'I can't wait to take an exam. It's going to be so easy now!' he thought inwardly.
After class, the students started to disperse, either to go home, to go to their next class, or to hang out outside.
As expected, Jack was quickly approached by a group of boys, still stunned by what happened, and asked him about what happened to him.
"Bro, what happened to you?"
"You were like, like a different person earlier!"
"Did you actually memorize everything? No way!"
Jack only chuckled, offering the same excuse he used with everyone.
"I just studied hard. That's all."
He didn't reveal anything about the company, the association, or the system.
One of the older guys then slipped an arm around his neck.
"Anyway! We're going to eat at the usual spot. You're coming, right? Come on, it's been ages."
Another nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, man. Join us."
Jack scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, I've been busy lately….but this time, I'll join!"
These people were one of his cliques, mostly working students who balanced 8-to-5 jobs with law school. Their post-class meals were their version of therapy.
Jack used to join regularly in his first year. But as life got harder, he drifted away. That behavior of his became exhausting and draining.
Going out.
They soon arrived at their usual ramen shop across the street, ordered bowls of steaming noodles, and talked about life and eventually, they parted ways.
On his way home, Jack was looking at the sky filled with stars.
'An ordinary life… it's nice, but why would I even want something like that if I have a cool system like this? If this world had powers and secrets…and I can even gain so much money compared to ordinary people.'
He continued toward home. But as he turned into his street, he saw a couple of guys cornering a girl.
The girl had long black hair, slender and pale and was in jogging attire, and was clearly being blocked. The two men, on the other hand, seemed to be out for a good time.
Jack paused.
'Lucy? What is she doing here?'
it was Lucy.
Jack clicked his tongue.
With her looks and timid nature, she was exactly the kind of person idiots targeted.
The person in a hoodie, dressed like he just went skateboarding, had stepped closer to her, grinning.
"You look lonely. Why don't you hang out with us?"
"I—I'm going home," Lucy said and passed him.
But the other guy blocked her path, smirking. "Relax. It's still very early you know, how old are you? Are you currently in school?"
The first person then grabbed her wrist. "Or maybe grab a drink first. Don't be shy…We take care of angels like you very well."
"Please… just let me pass."
"Aww. Don't be like that. Just a little fun."
Jack activated appraisal instinctively.
[Subject: James Han]
[Level: 3]
[Age: 22]
[Race: 22% Gnome, 13% Ork, 12% Human (Unawakened)]
[Subject: Ben Cross]
[Level: 4]
[Age: 23]
[Race: 13% Beastfolk, 19% Elf, 22% Human (Unawakened)]
'…'
Jack frowned.
'Why isn't she doing anything? Is she really about to get dragged off? They're just ordinary citizens.'
Couldn't take it anymore, Jack then took a single step forward.
But before he could intervene, the men collapsed.
The first one crumbled after a swift, accurate kick to the ribs. The other dropped from a clean chop to the neck. Jack even shivered while Lucy grabbed the unconscious men by their collars like a good neighbor, dragged them to the side like bags of trash, and calmly stepped into the gate.
'…What did I expect?'
Jack sighed and followed, unsure whether to feel angry still, impressed, or sorry for the conscious thugs still groaning on the ground.
But as he entered the gate, his system flickered. Up on the roof, a familiar black cat stared at him, fur clumped with blood, one limb injured.
'Shadow?'
But at the same time, there was another thing that was red in front of his eyes.
[Danger proximity detected. Two awakened hostile to the host watching.]