Chapter 2
The math teacher always seems to love me just because I raise my hand.
Honestly, I don't know why I even do that since there are plenty of people in my class who are better at math than I am.
If I had to rank myself, I'd say I'm probably fifth when it comes to math skills.
The funny thing is, those same people who are better than me often come to me asking for help with math.
They even solve the same problems they initially struggled with faster than I do.
But who cares? My grades are dropping anyway.
That's when the other me—the one inside my head—came back.
"Yeah, who cares that you're fifth in math, second in English, tenth in geography, eighth in…" Before this version of me could finish, I interrupted.
"Okay, I'm calling you Alter Elijah now," I said, annoyed.
"What's your point?" I asked.
"Well," Alter Elijah began, "I'm the version of you who's first place in all those subjects, and my other self is here saying it's okay when clearly, it's not."
"So what do you want me to do?" I asked, looking around. Our English teacher hadn't come to school today, so we had a free period.
"Do you want to be the greatest?" Alter Elijah asked.
"The greatest at what?" I questioned.
"At whatever you want," Alter Elijah replied.
"You're making less sense the more I talk to you," I said.
"And you're becoming lazier the more I watch your life. Our mother is crying every night, Elijah.
We don't have money to do what we want. We don't have a girlfriend. You said things yesterday that you need to fulfill.
So, what are you going to do? Stay like this and let your mother die unhappy? Or stand up and go for it?" Alter Elijah's tone grew angrier with every word.
I understood his emotions because they were mine too. Sighing deeply, I asked, "Then how do I become the greatest?"
"That's the spirit," Alter Elijah said, pausing briefly before continuing. "Remember those systems that help the main character become the best overnight?"
"Yeah, what about them?" I asked.
"Close your eyes and imagine one in front of you. I'll design the system; you just need to focus on making it seem real," Alter Elijah instructed.
"Well, I'm officially going crazy," I muttered but still went along with it. I closed my eyes and concentrated until I heard a voice again.
"Now, open your eyes."
[Ding!! System online.]
[Name: Elijah Havor.]
[Level: 1]
[Tasks:]
Find a study method that suits you.
Study math and English for one hour each today.
[Reward:] Gaming with Jack.
[Penalty:] Screaming in front of your whole class, "I like you, Lisa."
"Yeah, I'm not doing any of this," I said, glancing at Lisa, the girl I liked. Shaking my head, I added, "Nope."
"I wish I could force you, but I can't. Remember, I'm just your imagination giving voice to what you already want," Alter Elijah said. The screen vanished, and his voice went silent.
I thought I wouldn't care, but I sat there alone, trying to process why Alter Elijah had shown me those tasks.
After some time, I realized something.
Deep down, I wanted all of this.
I wanted to study and pass my classes so my mother wouldn't worry about me.
I wanted to game with Kai.
I even wanted to confess to Lisa.
I called for Alter Elijah again, but he didn't respond.
Soon, it was break time. Outside, I was talking to Kai.
"I saw that movie. Is it the one with the bald guy jumping off buildings?" Kai asked.
"Yeah, that's the one. He's famous. How do you not remember his name?" I replied.
"I don't really care about anyone else who isn't you or me," Kai said, sipping his juice.
"I wish I had his strength, you know," I said.
Kai smirked. "That's what I hate about you."
Confused, I asked, "You hate what?"
"Never mind," Kai said.
Not taking it seriously, I kept watching one spot: where Lisa was standing. Kai noticed and said, "You're becoming weirder by the day, my friend."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Why not just go talk to her? Saying 'hey' isn't that hard," Kai teased.
"It's different. Every time I try to say something, I choke. I don't even know what to talk about after saying 'hey.'
I've watched so many videos, but it's still complicated," I admitted.
Kai smacked me on the head. "Idiot. Then how are you talking to me?"
Scratching my head, I replied, "You're a guy, and she's a girl."
"What's the difference? She pees, she poops, she vomits, she cries, she gets angry, sad, and mad, just like me.
The only difference is I have a d***, and she has a v****a. Just go say 'hey,' and the rest will follow," Kai said.
"What if…" Before I could finish, Kai slapped me again.
"Bro, you don't know the future, so live in the present, okay?" Kai said, hugging me. He added, "We're not leaving school today without you talking to her."
"Damn. What should I do?" I panicked, knowing my friend would push me to do it one way or another.