[+10 Evil Points]
"What a waste of time," the kid muttered upon hearing my response.
"Of course it is. You won't make it. You're just a weak kid. Go back to school and continue to be tormented for the rest of your life. I'm sure you'll make plenty of friends that way."
"Allow me to offer you some advice, out of sheer pity for your situation. Don't delude yourself into thinking that the bullying will stop after high school. I can see it now; you'll go to college in the future, and the level of torment you'll endure will only intensify." The advice I provided was a sobering reality. My own experiences in this body were a testament to that fact.
[+5 Evil Points]
"Wait!" I exclaimed with a sly grin, my back turned toward him.
"Kid, if you're looking for some guidance, come with me. Public conversations aren't my thing." I coaxed him into a secluded spot behind the convenience store, drawing him closer to my intended location.
"So what is it that you want?" I made it sound like I had no time to waste.
"Please, I beg you, teach me how to protect myself!" The kid implored, his desperation apparent.
"Kneel," I commanded with a stern tone, asserting my dominance.
The boy immediately obeyed, dropping to his knees. I exerted pressure on his head, causing it to make contact with the pavement.
[+20 Evil Points]
"That was a test. Never kneel to anyone," I coldly advised, pushing the limits of my cruelty.
Removing my foot from the top of his head, I allowed him to lift his head. I noticed a trickle of blood coming from his nose due to the pressure I had applied.
"Was that necessary?" He complained, understandably unhappy with how unfairly he had been treated.
"Did I say you could talk back to me?" I snapped back at him, reveling in the points I continued to accumulate with each unreasonable demand. The doubt in the kid's eyes was clear, and he was likely beginning to regret getting involved in this situation.
"First, throw those pieces of bread in your arms out. The reason you're being a shuttle is because you're a total pushover. Truth be told, you will get beaten up for doing it. However, you will be labeled as an incompetent shuttle, and the role of that might be given to someone else. Unless you're the only person in school being bullied." I ordered him to toss his food on the ground and step on it without hesitation. The boy hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly obeyed, discarding the bread as I directed.
[+10 Evil Points]
His heart sank as he watched his actions take a toll on him, but it appeared that he had resolved to follow my advice.
"Master! How can I protect myself?" He asked, clearly afraid of further harm.
Hearing him call me "master" was strange, given we had only met a few minutes ago. Nevertheless, acquiring a follower on the second day felt rather satisfying.
"Well, there are a few ways to avoid getting into trouble," I advised, noting the kid's eagerness.
"One strategy is to feign incompetence. Many people today advocate for those with disabilities. By acting as if you have some kind of disability, you can gain sympathy and support."
[+50 Evil Points]
The kid's face distorted hearing my bullshit. Was he angry that I told him to fake being retarded, or was he the sympathetic type and found what I said very low?
"Is there any other approach?" The first suggestion was quickly dismissed.
"Another option is to act like a complete lunatic and make threats against their families. People tend to avoid dealing with those they perceive as crazy. If you gain a reputation for being insane, most will steer clear of you."
"Isn't there a less illegal way?" He seemed uncomfortable with the previous suggestions.
"Well, there is one option, but it's not for everyone. It might not be something you're willing to do." I had more ideas, but my purpose wasn't to help him avoid bullying.
"What is it?" He urged me, seeming eager for any solution to his problem.
"How do you feel about training? I know a way for you to become stronger, but it's not an easy path. Training can be quite rigorous." I continued to play the role of a wise mentor, convincing the kid with my act. It was a shame that he didn't appear to be wealthy; otherwise, I might have tried to scam him.
"Before you complain, you need to consider this carefully. The only way to genuinely put an end to bullying is by gaining the power to defend yourself. You might not be thrilled about it, but in the long run, it could be beneficial."
"I'm in!" He mustered up the courage to give it a shot. Little did he know that I had opened the door for more point opportunities by accepting.
"Give me your contact information. I don't know when your class starts, but it should be soon. Since I have accepted you as my pupil, stay close to the teachers. With the lunch that you were supposed to give, you will make some hungry students mad." His face paled, remembering the consequences that would happen if he returned to his class.
I collected his contact information and added it to my phone. It was disheartening to realize how few people I knew in this new world.
"Our training will commence on your weekend. Best of luck at school," I said as I dismissed him, instructing him to contact me during the weekend. That would be in two days, and it presented an excellent opportunity to earn more points. I also discovered that the kid's name was Corey, which was unexpected.
As Corey left, he waved goodbye and expressed his gratitude for my assistance, even though I hadn't done much to help him. I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at how grateful he seemed.
I never knew I had this side of me. Perhaps the system was correct about me. Would I eventually feel remorse for all the malicious deeds I would commit, or would I derive satisfaction from prioritizing myself above all else?
Why am I contemplating the future? Right now, I simply need to locate more potential targets.