Six years had passed since Xander first entered the Host Academy, and as he finally stepped out of its formidable gates, he felt a mix of relief and accomplishment. The intensity of the lessons and the vast array of skills he had to master were almost overwhelming. "That damn place... I thought it would just be a few basic lessons, but no, they drilled every skill imaginable into my head. Archery, martial arts, sword fighting, defense, business, music, arts, dance—you name it, I've done it," he muttered, a hint of exhaustion and pride in his voice.
With his six years of rigorous training finally behind him, Xander walked into the open nexus, eager to meet his new assigned system and embark on his missions. The gates closed behind him, and the academy disappeared into the nexus, leaving him in a desolate, open plain. He didn't have to wait long before his new system appeared, a small, hand-sized doll floating gracefully in front of his face.
"Hello! New host, I'm System 371496, but you can call me Gin," the system said, its voice cheerful and energetic.
Xander smiled, feeling a spark of excitement. "It's nice to finally meet you, Gin. Are you ready to get started?"
Gin floated closer, a playful glint in its eyes. "Patience, dear host. First, I have a welcome gift from the Creator. He's given you two poison neutralizers, three pain relievers, and five hundred system points, which you can use in the system shop at any time."
Xander listened intently, his excitement growing. "Thank you, Gin. That's very generous. Now, what's next?"
Gin's demeanor turned mischievous, a slight giggle escaping its voice. "The Creator has chosen a romance genre to be your specialty."
Xander nodded, not picking up on Gin's playful tone. "Romance? Alright, that doesn't sound too difficult. I can do that," he said confidently, his mind already racing with anticipation of his first mission.
Gin floated around Xander, a mischievous smile on its face. "I have a feeling you're going to enjoy this, Xander. Romance can be quite... interesting."
Gin floated in front of Xander, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he delivered the details of the first mission. "Now, for your first mission, your target is Damian Sangie. His life has been anything but fortunate. Abandoned by his mother at a young age, he was left in the care of an abusive, alcoholic father who squandered their money on gambling and alcohol. When the funds ran dry, his father's rage would turn on Damian, leaving him with both physical and emotional scars.
Damian was a loner in school, often overlooked and bullied. His wardrobe consisted of old, baggy clothes, and his long, shaggy hair hid his face from the world. Despite the hardships, Damian managed to secure a scholarship to a prestigious college. The summer before college, a growth spurt and a haircut transformed his appearance, but his clothes remained the same, now fitting him better. At college, he mostly kept to himself, but a wealthy, snobbish student took an interest in him. When Damian didn't reciprocate, the student turned their attention to bullying and threatening him, even going so far as to hire men to kidnap him. Tragically, the kidnapping went wrong, and Damian's life ended in a series of unfortunate events and abuse.
Your mission, Xander, is to give Damian the life he deserves. Make his school life and home life better, protect him from bullies, and help him find happiness and love. Are you ready to make a difference?" Gin asked, his voice filled with determination and hope.
Xander listened intently, his expression growing more resolute with each word. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he nodded firmly. "Alright, Gin. Let's go. I'm ready to help Damian live the life he should have had."
Gin nodded excitedly, "Starting system world transfer." A bright, intense light enveloped Xander, and when it faded, he found himself in a college classroom, the hum of student chatter filling the air. He looked around, taking in his surroundings, before mind-linking with Gin.
"Who am I playing as? And where is my target?" Xander asked, curiosity piqued.
Gin responded promptly, "You're in the body of Noah Kingston. He comes from old money, and his parents forced him to go to college by threatening to cut him off. He's popular, good-looking, and usually gets along with everyone, but he has a nasty temper when pissed off. He's known for using his money and connections to make people disappear or financially ruin them. Your target, Damian, is sitting in the last row, three seats directly behind you."
Xander nodded, glancing back discreetly to get a look at Damian. He was surprised to see that Damian was actually quite good-looking, with a rugged, almost brooding appeal. Xander found himself staring a bit longer than intended, lost in thought, and was caught by Damian, who raised an eyebrow in response.
Flustered and embarrassed, Xander quickly turned back around to face the front of the classroom, his cheeks burning slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure, and focused on the task at hand. He had a mission to fulfill, and he was determined to make a difference in Damian's life.
Xander eventually rose from his seat and made his way to the bathroom, his mind racing with strategies on how to approach Damian without seeming suspicious or intimidating. As he stood in front of the mirror, he took in his new appearance for the first time. Sandy blonde hair, porcelain skin, and striking features gazed back at him.
"Hey, Gin, Noah's a good-looking guy. He could definitely pass for a pretty boy," Xander mind-linked, a note of amusement in his voice as he examined his reflection. "He's a bit short and could use some more muscle, but overall, not bad."
He continued to admire his new physique for a moment longer before turning to leave. Suddenly, he collided with a solid chest, strong arms wrapping around his waist to steady him. He looked up, startled, and found himself face-to-face with Damian.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention," Xander stammered, his cheeks flushing a soft pink. He hadn't expected to encounter Damian so soon and was taken aback by the sudden contact.
Damian's expression was mostly blank, but his eyes held a spark of something unreadable. He slowly released Xander, ensuring he was steady on his feet, and gave a slight nod before walking past him and into a bathroom stall, leaving Xander standing there, a mix of surprise and curiosity swirling in his mind.