Alaric was carried off to the infirmary, gasping like a landed fish and claiming he'd been struck by an invisible force. Elara followed, her face a mask of worry, leaving Kaelen alone in the damp, dark library.
The moment the door swung shut, Kaelen's "panicked student" facade evaporated. He sat on a stack of dusty ledgers and spat on the floor.
"Two hundred and eight points," he muttered. "If I don't get them by dawn, the System repossesses my soul. And apparently, punching Alaric in the gut is a one-time bonus."
[ALERT: Monthly Interest Payment is Looming.]
[Would you like to browse the 'High-Risk' category of the System Shop?]
Kaelen's eyes narrowed. "High-risk usually means high-reward. Show me."
A new tab flickered open, glowing with a sinister, sickly green hue.
ItemCostEffectThe Sin-Eater's Gamble0 KPPassive: All Karma earned is tripled for 4 hours. Penalty: If you don't reach your goal, your 'Tax' doubles forever.Debt Collection (Active)50 KPMark a target. If they commit a 'Sin' within your vicinity, you steal their Karma.Vial of Bottled Malice200 KPA temporary boost to Void Magic. (Tax-Exempt for 60 seconds).
Kaelen chuckled. "Debt Collection. I'm literally becoming a cosmic tax collector."
He spent 50 of his hard-earned points. He had to spend points to make points—the golden rule of any corrupt empire.
[PURCHASE CONFIRMED: 'Debt Collection' Level 1.]
[Remaining Karma: 242]
He walked out of the library and headed toward the one place where "sins" were most common: The Academy Dining Hall. It was evening, and the wealthy students—the "Noble Hero" candidates—would be there, lording their status over the commoner scholars.
As he entered, the smell of roasted pheasant and expensive wine hit him. At a central table sat a group of students from the 'A-Class'. They were laughing as they threw bread crusts at a shivering, first-year commoner girl who was trying to scrub the floor.
"Clean it faster, peasant!" one of them shouted. "My boots cost more than your father's farm. If I see a speck of dust, I'll have you expelled for 'incompetence'."
Kaelen felt a familiar itch in his palms. In the old days, he would have collapsed the roof on them. Now? He just leaned against a pillar and whispered, "Tag."
[Target Marked: Lord Silas (Trait: Arrogance/Cruelty).]
[Target Marked: Lady Vane (Trait: Vanity).]
Kaelen watched. Silas picked up a goblet of wine and, with a sneer, poured it over the girl's head. "Oh, look. It's raining. Better wipe that up too."
[DING!]
[Sin Detected: Bullying/Cruelty.]
[The target would have lost 20 Karma. You have intercepted the 'Fine'.]
[+20 Karma Points.]
Kaelen's eyes lit up. This is easier than cleaning fountains.
He spent the next hour lurking in the shadows like a literal vulture. Every time a noble insulted a servant, every time someone stole a piece of fruit, every time a student lied to a teacher—Kaelen was there, his System screen chiming like a jackpot at a casino.
[+15 KP: Theft (Lady Vane stole a silk handkerchief).]
[+10 KP: Deceit (Student lied about finishing homework).]
[+40 KP: Malice (Silas tripped a waiter).]
[Current Karma: 487 / 500]
"Thirteen points to go," Kaelen whispered. "One more decent sin and I live to see tomorrow."
But then, the atmosphere in the hall shifted. The heavy oak doors creaked open, and a man in black robes stepped in. It was Professor Mordred, the instructor for "Dark Arts Containment." He was a man with a face like crumpled parchment and eyes that saw through everything.
Mordred's gaze swept the room, pausing for a fraction of a second on the pillar where Kaelen was hiding.
"Curious," Mordred murmured, his voice carrying through the silent hall. "The air in here smells of... debt."
Kaelen stiffened. Can he see the System?
"Student Kaelen," Mordred called out, not looking at him. "A word. Now."
Kaelen stepped out, his heart hammering. He was 13 points shy of survival, and the most dangerous teacher in the school had just cornered him.
"Professor?" Kaelen said, his voice trembling—this time, it wasn't entirely an act.
"I noticed the fountain was cleaned today. And the library door was unsealed," Mordred said, walking toward him. The Professor leaned in, whispering so only Kaelen could hear. "You're playing a very dangerous game with the Heavens, boy. I know what you are."
Kaelen's hand went to a hidden steak knife he'd swiped from a table. "And what am I?"
"A man who is about to miss his deadline," Mordred smirked. He reached into his robe and pulled out a small, black bird—a Starving Crow. "This bird hasn't been fed in three days. Feed it your own blood, and I'll give you the 'Self-Sacrifice' points you need. Or, I can tell the Headmaster that you've been 'leeching' Karma from your classmates."
[NEW QUEST: The Professor's Deal.]
[Choice: Feed the Crow (Lose 10 HP, Gain 50 Karma) OR Refuse (Face Exposure).]
Kaelen looked at the bird. He looked at the Professor. Then he looked at the clock.
[Time until Soul Liquidation: 05 Minutes, 12 Seconds.]
"I've always hated birds," Kaelen hissed. He grabbed the crow.
Progress Report:
Current Karma: 487
Health: 100% (About to drop)
Status: Cornered by a Professor who knows too much.