"Hey! That's the guy who scored 100% on the math test!"
Jay turned lazily.
A group of four boys stormed toward him. Uniform jackets half-off, attitude fully on.
Front and center was Lance Grover, son of a city councilman, and proud owner of a jawline that screamed "privilege."
"You think we'd believe someone like you could beat me?" Lance growled, jabbing a finger at Jay's chest.
Jay glanced at the finger. Then at Lance. Then at the school gate behind him.
So close to freedom.
So close to home. To naps. To potato chips.
> [Host is being confronted.]
[Trigger: Fight or Flee Response. System boost available for either.]
• Option A: 999x Strength Boost (Punch him into next week)
• Option B: 999x Evasion Boost (Become the breeze)
• Option C: Do nothing (Very on-brand)
Jay sighed and muttered, "Option B, I guess."
The moment Lance's hand shot forward—Jay vanished.
Sort of.
He didn't teleport. He just casually stepped to the side, like he was avoiding a falling leaf.
But to the boys, it looked like he phased through time.
"Wha—?!"
Lance's hand hit nothing but air. He stumbled forward—and Jay gently nudged him with one finger.
Thud.
Lance tripped on his own feet and face-planted into the pavement.
The courtyard fell silent.
---
> [Action Completed: Counterattack multiplier engaged.]
[You've earned: +999 Agility XP | +Social Reputation +20]
[Title Unlocked: Phantom Slacker]
Jay scratched his head. "Social reputation? Is that like… popularity? Ew."
The other boys hesitated.
Then one muttered, "He dodged that like a ghost…"
Another whispered, "Maybe he's not lazy… maybe he's a secret martial arts master..."
Jay blinked. "Wait, what?"
Ping!
Someone nearby had recorded the scene.
Jay turned slowly as a girl with glasses, wide eyes, and a shaky phone whispered, "I... I got it all."
Ping. Ping. Ping.
Messages exploded across the school app.
> [Hidden genius caught on camera?]
[Jay Arkwell: Is He an Assassin?]
[Slacker of Class 2-C Humiliates Top Student]
Jay's eye twitched.
"…Can I sue for defamation if it's technically flattering?"
He picked up his bag and started walking away as if nothing had happened.
But just as he reached the gate—
"HALT."
A voice like thunder echoed across the courtyard.
Jay turned. Slowly. Painfully.
Because standing at the top of the school stairs was a girl in a silver-trimmed uniform, arms crossed, red armband glowing faintly in the sun.
Long black hair. Piercing gold eyes. That perfect elite student aura.
Alicia Renvale.
President of the Student Council. Top of the school.
Feared. Respected. Worshipped.
And she was looking directly at him.
"You. Jay Arkwell," she said, her voice calm and firm. "I request—no, require—your presence at the Student Council chamber. Immediately."
Jay opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Then he finally said what every protagonist probably shouldn't:
"…Can I say no?"