Jack walked out of class with the rest of the students as the bell echoed through the futuristic halls. Students filled the wide hallway,rushing to get to their different destinations.The sleek glass walls reflected his face ; a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity.
His stomach growled.
"Lunch time," he muttered, heading toward the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was enormous , high ceilings with bright white lights, metallic tables that shimmered faintly, and long queues of students lined before digital menus floating above serving counters. The scent of all kinds of food filled the air : spicy pepper soup, grilled meat, sweet pastries, and a thousand more delights.
Jack's mouth watered.
He picked up a tray and began loading it with reckless joy: a burger, rice with pepper soup, a shawarma, a spoonful of spaghetti, a slice of cake, and a bottle of milk. His stomach practically sang.
The lunch lady ; a woman with a mole on her cheek and a perpetual scowl squinted at him.
"What do you want?" she asked flatly.
Jack smiled. "All of this."
"Slide your meal card through the reader," she said, pointing at the scanner.
"Uh, I'm a new student. I don't have one yet," Jack replied.
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard that one before," she said. "No meal card, no lunch."
"I can pay with credits"
She interrupted, "No meal card, no lunch."
Jack sighed and set the tray down, painfully aware of the students staring at him. A few whispered. Some laughed. He gave a mock bow and said under his breath,
"Way to gain some aura and steeze on the first day of school, Jack."
He turned around and left, cheeks burning.
Outside, under the bright sky, he spotted some benches under parasol-like umbrellas. He was about to sit when a timid voice called out,
"Hey, um… I saw what happened back there. Happened to me too on my first day. Want to share a lunch?"
Jack turned. A small boy with round glasses and an awkward smile stood holding an apple and a sandwich.
Jack grinned. "Of course."
He sat down, grabbed the offered apple, and they began to talk.
"I'm James," the boy said.
"Jack."
They got to know each other while Jack learner some more about class schedules and school activities.
When the bell rang again, James waved and hurried off. Jack walked back into the hallway, checking the schedule projected on his wristwatch.
"Technical Drawing," he read. "So glad I dropped that."
He leaned against a locker. "Library?He thought of the peace,the quiet,the deafening silence.
"No way. First day and I'm not spending it cooped up."
He opened his system interface. The holographic blue screen blinked to life:
Level: 6
EXP: 200/1600
Credits: 49,600
HP: 125/125
Strength: 7
Agility: 8
Endurance: 6
Speed: 7
Intelligence: 9
Willpower: 6
Charm: 5
Charisma: 5
Luck: 7
Skills:
Teleportation: Level 2 .Inspect: Level 1. Object Teleportation: Level 1. warp strike:Level 1
"Not bad," Jack said. "But I'll need to keep improving if I'm going to face stronger enemies."
A flashing icon caught his eye — Quest Reward Available: School Bag
He smirked. "Right, the bag."
"How do I get my reward?" he asked.
System: Just think about it in your hands.
He did, and a sleek black bag materialized instantly. He inspected it:
[Adaptive School Bag]
Infinite containment (weightless) .Can morph into a shield for limited protection and the strength and efficiency of the shield depends on the level of endurance of the user. Cooldown: 5 seconds
Jack grinned. "Sweet. Perfect for avoiding fatal blows and carrying homework.I can't wait to test this out."
He was still admiring it when Nora Lirien walked by. She smiled, waved slightly,and had walked a few feet but then turned back.
"You're the new student, right? Yeah I remember you from this morning.I really admired the way you answered the teachers questions so easily and effortlessly.Maybe you could coach me later even though our subject fields aren't related."
Jack shrugged. "Of course,we can talk more about that later."
"No classes?" he asked.
"Dropped Religious studies" she said.
"So, you're an arts student."
"Yeah."
"Can I see some of your drawings?"
She smirked. "You haven't earned that privilege."
Jack raised his hands. "Okay, backing off."
Still, she gestured for him to follow, showing him around. The school was massive ; glass walkways, sunlit courtyards, clean marble floors, and advanced labs glowing with soft light. Outside, the basketball courts stretched beside shimmering training fields, and further off stood a massive dome labeled Tournament Hall.There were football fields,volleyball fields,tennis courts.The weather was just perfect;the blazing sun warming him up while the cool summer wind cooled him off.
Everywhere he looked, students showed off their talents : some sparring, some drawing, others testing gadgets.A lot of them were equipped with weapons and armour of different sizes and types.He watched as a crowd cheered on two students battling each other;sparks flying as swords and shields of different levels clashed together.
Jack whistled. "I definitely didn't make a mistake coming here."
He saw a lot of students wielding weapons ; some clearly enhanced. Boots that enhanced speed,gloves and gauntlets that discharged blasts and increased the efficiency,speed and the strength of the attackers punches.Googles and glasses that either enhanced cognitive function or increased the users senses.The sight made him tense.
"I have to be careful here. One wrong fight and I'm dead in a minute."
Then Nora's eyes widened. "Let's go. Class must've started!" she said, suddenly nervous, pulling Jack along.
But Jack could tell she was lying , there was no bell yet.
A loud voice echoed behind them.
"Hey! Wait up!"
A group of four approached fast. The one in front clearly their leader wore a chest plate, fingerless gloves glowing faintly, and a dagger strapped to his belt.
Nora stiffened. "Please," she whispered, gripping Jack's hand, "pretend to be my boyfriend. I'll do anything."
Jack blinked. "What?"
"Please."
One suddenly raced towards them at an alarming speed blocking their path and stopping their advance.His speed clearly enhanced by the boots on his feet.
Jack figured that he could probably move faster than that at his current level.
The group reached them. The leader sneered. "Didn't even last a week before finding someone new, huh?"
"None of your business," Nora snapped.
Jack stared at a huge figure with blonde hair and a Brutish yet stupid expression on his face.
The air tightened. Jack instinctively slid his arm around her waist, keeping his tone calm.
"Look, man, I don't want trouble."
The boy laughed. "Troubles already here. Walk away before you get hurt."
"I don't want a fight."
"Yeah it won't be a fight,it's gonna be a bloody massacre.Walk away before I lose my temper and deal with you."The boy retorted.
Jack didn't move.Nora clung tightly to him.
The boy lunged. Jack dodged easily, pushing Nora behind him out of the way of harm. With a sharp shove, Jack sent the attacker stumbling back by five feet. Gasps erupted from nearby students.
The bully ran up to him again preparing his fist for another attack on Jack.Jack tensed up his posture taking up a defensive position
Before the fight could escalate.As his fist was about to connect with Jack's face, the attacker suddenly hugged Jack tightly.
Jack froze. "What the hell—?Jack started to panic his grip was like a vice and then different thoughts started to enter his head.what if he wrings my neck,what if he unleashes a blast on my back in this Position. Jack desperately tried to untangle himself from the boy but it was impossible.Jack suddenly made up his mind to use his teleportation to get himself out of these situation,no matter the cost.Just as he was about to warp into a new position.
He noticed the principal on the balcony above, watching.
Ah. A cover-up.
Jack awkwardly patted the boy's back. The principal narrowed her eyes, nodded once, and walked away.
The leader whispered, "You're strong without enhancements. But next time, you're dead." He pushed away and walked off.
Jack glared at Nora. "What was that about?"
She gave a sheepish smile. "That was my ex. Bad breakup. He's… possessive.I just couldn't take him anymore.He is a bully,arrogant,selfish,stupid and most of all:he doesn't even love me.He just dates me for my appearance.
Jack sighed and turned to leave.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to use you like that. Please forgive me.I'll do anything."
Jack hesitated.
System Quest: Kiss Nora Lirien and indicate mutual affection.
Reward: +20,000 credits,Instant level up.
Failure: -5 Luck.
Time Duration: 2 Minutes:00 Seconds.
Jack was beyond awed,this was the first quest he had ever gotten with a time Duration but the time Duration was so little and yet the quest rewards were so massive but still the cost of failure was not an option he was prepared to consider.
Jack smirked. "Anything, huh?"
She blinked. "Anything."
Jack leaned closer and then pushed her off into a dark corner her eyes widened,her head moving back and forth turning left and right.
Jack looked at the Timer.Only 10 seconds left."Better make this count."Jack grabbed her wildly bobbing head and crashed his lips against her soft succulent ones.He grabbed her closer feeling every inch of her.Her perfect,curvaceous figure,her massive boobs squirming against his chest.Then with a slow ,torturous movement,Jack slipped his hands under her skirt.Her moans reverberated loudly through the school walls. but just as his fingers were about to slip into her dripping,wet honeypot.the bell rang loudly through the corridor.
He chuckled and untangled himself from her tight embrace. "Guess it's off to class. I'll see you tomorrow."
Nora stood there, speechless, wide eyed,trembling and insanely horny as Jack walked off, hands in pockets, smirking.
His next class was Chemistry. Most students were half-asleep, but Jack listened carefully as the old boring teacher demonstrated reactions that fizzed and burst with light.Explaining the properties of different chemical compounds and writing different formulas on the board When the quiz came, almost everyone failed except Jack, who scored a perfect 100.
"You're a rare one," the teacher said, impressed.
He went through more and more classes with endless excitement and rapt attention.Jotting down notes,meeting different teachers.By the time the school Bell rang at 4:00pm.He was beyond exhausted and wanted to fall asleep at his desk. but forced himself to get up and go home.He came across a lot of hover cars and hover bikes,their owners starting the engines as they roared loudly.Jack was left speechless day dreaming about what it would be like to have a vehicle like that.
"No more trekking,all the respect.I would be able to date all the hot chicks on campus just by flashing my car keys.
He passed different students some playing a quick game of football,a bunch of couples making out and engaging in all sorts of amorous activities at different corners but Jack couldn't care less as he exited the school gate.
By the time the day ended, Jack was exhausted. He walked home quietly, surrounded by chatting students. But belonging to no group and walking on his own viewing the sunset as the day quickly descended into dusk passing different streets .Sales men and women closing shops for the day.Children and teens rushing back home to get back in time for curfew.Men of different ages settling down to drink,smoke and gamble way their life savings.Neon city again bustled with life as it's different occupants hurried about their evening routine.
Back in his apartment.He locked the door, dropped his bag, finished his assignments quickly,solving complex math questions in a few seconds.Constructing physics projects with relative ease.By the time he was done,he glanced at the wall clock.One in the morning and collapsed into bed.
As he drifted to sleep, his last thoughts were of glowing labs, physics formulas, and a pair of blue eyes .Nora's staring at him in the hallway.
.