Riku Aoyama stood at the front of the class, his usual calm demeanor firmly in place. The soft hum of the school bell rang through the air, signaling the start of a new day. It had been a week since he returned from the Verdant Hollow, and although his mind was still preoccupied with the new territory he had claimed, there was an undeniable change in the way people looked at him now.
A few days ago, he had made an off-hand comment about his "system," which no one had fully understood at the time. But now, a subtle shift in the atmosphere was impossible to ignore. The students, mostly the women in his class, watched him with new eyes—eyes filled with curiosity, admiration, and perhaps something deeper.
Riku adjusted his uniform, casting a quick glance around the room. His eyes met those of several classmates, their gazes lingering longer than usual. Among them was Kira, who had been more quiet lately, observing Riku from a distance. Despite the attraction that had been growing, she had kept her composure, but Riku could tell—something had changed.
He didn't mind it. In fact, he had become aware of his own influence. His genius, facilitated by the ever-growing power of his system, had become an undeniable force. His grades were impeccable, his answers quick and precise. He had already used his vouchers and system rewards to enhance his physical and mental capabilities, and he could feel the difference. Every action, every decision seemed sharper than before.
"Riku, could you solve this one?" The teacher, Mr. Tatsuya, asked suddenly, pulling him from his thoughts. The classroom fell silent, all eyes on him. Even the usually detached students had turned their attention to him, waiting for his response.
Without hesitation, Riku approached the blackboard. He could already see the equation in his mind—a complicated physics problem that would have taken a normal student several minutes to calculate. But to Riku, it was almost effortless. His system had granted him not just knowledge, but a deeper understanding of everything he touched. With a swift motion, he began to write the solution, every step flowing naturally.
The room was still, save for the sound of chalk against the board. As Riku completed the equation, a sense of pride bubbled up inside him. But it wasn't pride for the equation itself—it was the realization that this was just the beginning. His potential was limitless. The system allowed him to constantly improve, to grow stronger, to learn more. And people were beginning to notice.
"Well done, Riku," Mr. Tatsuya commented, a note of genuine respect in his voice. "Not many can solve something like that so quickly. Impressive."
Riku nodded, taking his seat once more. He could feel the gazes on him, the admiration that radiated from his classmates. It was becoming more obvious by the day—Riku was no longer just another student. He was a force to be reckoned with.
As the class continued, Riku's attention wandered, his thoughts momentarily drifting back to the territory he had secured. Verdant Hollow was still fresh in his mind, and he knew there was much to be done. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder about the other potential rewards his system had in store for him. He had only scratched the surface.
But as he sat back in his chair, he was interrupted once again by a familiar voice—this time, from one of the girls who had been eyeing him from the moment he entered the classroom.
"Riku," Ayumi, a classmate with long dark hair and bright, inquisitive eyes, spoke up softly, her voice almost a whisper. "Could I ask you something after class?"
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Ayumi. What's on your mind?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I've been curious about how you... how you always know the answer so quickly. You're so smart. Do you... do you have some sort of secret?"
Riku's lips twitched into a slight smile. "You could say that."
Ayumi didn't press further, but her eyes lingered on him with a mix of admiration and curiosity. Riku could see the subtle attraction in her gaze, but he wasn't surprised. He had always been aware of how others viewed him—whether it was his genius, his mysterious demeanor, or the way he seemed to effortlessly outshine his peers. But now, with the power of the system, it was becoming even more pronounced.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, Ayumi stood up quickly, gathering her things. "I'll wait for you by the door," she said, her voice quiet but eager.
Riku nodded, watching as she walked away. He didn't know what she wanted, but something about her curiosity intrigued him. It wasn't just about the system—it was about how people were beginning to interact with him. His genius had drawn them in, and now, his life was beginning to shift in ways he hadn't fully anticipated.
---
Later that day, Riku met Ayumi in the hallway, just outside the classroom. She was standing nervously, wringing her hands. When she saw him approach, her eyes brightened, and she quickly spoke up.
"Riku, I wanted to ask if you could help me with something. I've been struggling with some of the material in our advanced chemistry class, and I don't know who else to turn to. I know you're always so on top of everything…"
Riku studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Of course. It's no trouble. I'll help you after school."
Ayumi's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you! I really appreciate it. I just don't want to fall behind."
"No problem," Riku replied, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'll make sure you catch up."
As the two of them walked to the school courtyard, Ayumi continued to ask him questions about the about his knowledge, though she was careful not to intimidate him. But the curiosity was there, hidden beneath her words. Riku could tell she wanted to know more,"when I was younger I love to read and study, it was my hobby to the point that my mother nag at me, because I've always spent my time studying" it is the only reassurance he gave, but he wasn't ready to share everything just yet. Not everyone was meant to know the full extent of his abilities. Some secrets were better left untouched.
As they parted ways after their tutoring session, Riku couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated from here. His system was changing not just his life, but the lives of those around him. And as much as he enjoyed the attention, he knew that power—like everything else—came with its own set of risks.
He glanced back at the school, the familiar sights suddenly feeling distant. There was much to do, and much to learn. The real challenges had only just begun.