Not long after his victory, class started. The first period was English, an easy class since everyone was fluent in the language.
However, what the teacher taught today wasn't the usual conversational English. Instead, it was filled with uncommon words, honorifics, and the ethics of language—topics that, while seemingly simple, carried a strange weight.
It made English feel far more complicated than it appeared. And that was even if one was paying rapt attention.
Vincent was a good listener—perhaps the best in class. Teachers often commended his attentiveness, and it reflected in his exams and tests. He had never failed. Yet, he remained unsatisfied. He couldn't be first. Not with that guy around. Even so, he was still one of the best.
Maybe if he had been taller earlier, people would have noticed him. Or maybe… they would now.
But today, his focus was elsewhere. The teacher's voice droned on, words blending into an indistinct hum like background music. His gaze was locked on the window, staring into the distance.
'I won.'
The thought wrapped around him like an invisible cloak, its weight pressing into his very being. The realization kept looping in his head, refusing to fade.
Those three bullies—every morning, they would come, throw a few punches, snatch his books so he couldn't write in class, and force him to do their assignments.
Piles of shit. That's what they were. Not that they had any real authority, but because they rolled with the school's main bullies—mobsters of some sort, rumored to be connected to a notorious street gang.
By hanging around those guys, these three leeches latched onto their influence, harassing classmates and forcing them into submission.
But now…
He had defeated them.
A smile tugged at his lips.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden thwack—a chalk piece striking his cheek, snapping his attention back to the front.
"If you love staring outside so damn much, why don't you go out there?" The teacher hissed.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Vincent responded, bowing his head slightly before forcing himself to focus.
For the first time since he started school, the day was peaceful. No bullying during lunch, no stolen books, no bruises. The only problem was Fatty following him around, eyes gleaming with something akin to admiration.
Vincent didn't want a friend. He didn't appreciate being followed.
And yet, another annoyance arrived.
The blonde-haired guy from earlier in class approached him during lunch, his expression filled with curiosity.
"How the hell did you take those guys down?" he asked, persistent. "What was that punch? Where did you learn it?"
Vincent ignored him, but the guy didn't give up. Eventually, he blurted out a lie.
"I saw it on TV."
He didn't even own a TV.
Still, the rest of the day flowed smoothly—enjoyable, even. And it all boiled down to one thing.
No… not just that.
It was because of Blue.
If the system hadn't entered his life, nothing would have changed. He would have come to school, suffered the same bullying, and gone home defeated.
But with a single event, everything shifted.
As the final bell rang, Vincent exhaled deeply, packing his books into his crossbody bag before heading toward the staff quarters. He needed his measurements taken—hopefully, his uniform would arrive before the week ended. He was growing tired of standing out.
The porcelain-skinned woman at the doorway greeted him as he reached her office.
"Hey, Vinny."
He bowed and stepped inside.
She removed her glasses, offering a soft smile before gesturing for him to sit. Vincent obeyed, his gaze flickering around her office—neat, pristine, much like the woman herself.
Each homeroom teacher had a private office aside from the shared staff room. Hers was simple, yet elegant, much like her demeanor.
After a few minutes, she paused her writing, closing her book before settling her monolid eyes on him.
"Oh my, I was going to mention this earlier, but did you grow taller? Or is it just me?"
Vincent sheepishly lowered his head.
"I don't know. It just happened all of a sudden. Puberty, maybe?"
'Seriously, bro? Puberty? That's the best you could come up with?'
Whenever he was around her, Vincent felt like his brain turned to mush.
She was also the only person who called him Vinny—a pet name he didn't mind. In fact, he didn't mind being her pet at this point.
She had caught his eye from the very first day he entered this school.
A flawless woman, not just in her manner of dressing, but in her everything. Her white skin was smooth—pristine, untouched.
She rarely wore makeup, yet she was effortlessly beautiful. Her lips were small, round, and every time she spoke, they looked like they were begging to be kissed.
She was also intelligent, fluent in English, French, and Spanish. The male teachers—especially the cool ones—were always hovering around her, yet she had never been with anyone.
Rumor had it she was single.
'...What the hell am I even thinking?'
Single or not, it wasn't like he had a shot.
Vincent pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on why he was here.
The woman stood up, her curves shifting subtly as she moved. Grabbing the measuring tape, she gestured for him to stand.
He obeyed instantly, spine straight, breath caught in his throat as she took his measurements up close. The seconds stretched, every inch of distance between them dwindling into nothingness.
In a few minutes, it was over.
But those few minutes… felt excruciatingly long.
Afterward, Vincent bowed respectfully and left her office, his mind a mess as he made his way home.
His gaze dropped to his rewards—the ones he had received after taking down the leader of the trio.
Immediately as he stepped out of the building, they appeared.
The three of them.
The one in the middle—his face bruised, nose plastered—stood stiff, teeth grinding, his glare sharp enough to cut.
Vincent immediately hardened his expression, lifting his chin with forced confidence.
They reached him, and the injured one spat venomously, "You crazy bastard. You're done for today."
Vincent narrowed his eyes. "What?"
"Follow us. Baron wants to see you."
The moment he heard the name, a cold wave of dread rolled through his chest. His expression faltered—just for a second.
But that second was all they needed.
Their smug grins widened, feeding off his fear.
"You think you can hit me and get away with it?" the injured one sneered. "Guess who's about to get the beating of his life? You. Bitch."
[Main Quest has been updated.]
Vincent's stomach sank.
He had thought about running.
But the moment that system panel popped up, he knew—he couldn't.
Not now.
He clenched his fists.
He had received some cool cards earlier, right?
Things were going to be okay…
…Right?
'Shit…'
He couldn't tell.