After school hours.
Inside the empty classroom on the highest floor of the school, Sebastian was waiting for Alyssa to arrive.
In his hands was the vial that contained the serum that would improve his combat power. The liquid inside was a deep blue color, and the vial was small—around 30ml at most.
The door burst open and Alyssa rushed in with a huge grin on her face.
Sebastian tucked it carefully back into his jacket pocket, then turned to look at her.
"Sebastian!" She practically threw herself at him, jumping into his arms and hugging him tightly. Her chest pressed against him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Sebastian gently but firmly pushed her back after some time, creating some distance between them.
"Easy there," he said with a slight smile.
Alyssa pouted but stepped back obediently.
Sebastian reached out and stroked her hair gently, his touch affectionate but controlled. "You did unexpectedly well, Alyssa. Better than I could have hoped for. You deserve a reward."
"Really?! Hehe, thank you!" Alyssa's eyes lit up like stars. She bounced on her heels excitedly. "So... does that mean we can...?"
She bit her lip, looking up at him through her lashes suggestively.
Sebastian pulled out his phone instead. "First things first."
He opened his banking app and typed in her number, which she'd given him earlier. His fingers moved quickly across the screen.
Transfer: $5,000
He hit confirm.
A moment later, Alyssa's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and her eyes went absolutely wide.
"FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS?!" she shrieked, her hands flying to her mouth.
She stared at her phone, then at him, then back at her phone like she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Five thousand... that's more than I make in three months at my part-time job! I can finally get that designer bag I wanted! And those shoes! And—" Alyssa was practically vibrating with excitement now.
She threw herself at him again, this time with even more enthusiasm.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She peppered his cheek with kisses. "You're the best!"
Sebastian caught her by the shoulders again, steadying her.
"You earned it," he said simply. "That performance was perfect."
Alyssa beamed at him, her cheeks flushed with happiness and adrenaline. "It was kind of fun, actually. Did you see his face? He looked like he wanted to die!"
"I saw, now everyone at school thinks he's a violent liar who uses women," Sebastian's smile was cold.
"Exactly!" Alyssa giggled. "And the best part? Isabelle totally believed me. Did you see how disgusted she looked at him?"
"I did."
Alyssa tilted her head, studying his face. "You really don't like him, do you? Ethan, I mean."
"He's in my way," Sebastian said simply.
"Well, he's not anymore." Alyssa grinned wickedly. "After today, nobody's going to want to be seen with him. He's social poison now."
She leaned closer again, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "So... about my other reward...?"
Her hands moved to his chest, her fingers playing with his tie.
Sebastian caught her wrists gently. "Not today."
"What?" Alyssa's face fell. "But you said—"
"I said I'd make it worth your while. And I did." Sebastian gestured to her phone. "Five thousand dollars for a few minutes of acting. That's a pretty good deal, wouldn't you say?"
Alyssa bit her lip, clearly disappointed but unable to argue with that logic. "I... I guess..."
"Be patient," Sebastian said, releasing her wrists and stroking her cheek once. "Good things come to those who wait."
Alyssa shivered at his touch. "You're such a tease."
"Maybe." Sebastian stepped back, adjusting his jacket. "But I keep my promises. Just remember that."
He headed toward the door, then paused and looked back at her.
"Oh, and Alyssa? Stick to the story, Ethan used you and threw you away. Understood?"
"Of course!" Alyssa nodded eagerly. "I won't mess this up, I promise!"
"Good girl."
Sebastian left the classroom, leaving Alyssa standing there with her phone clutched to her chest, still staring at the $5,000 transfer with a dreamy expression.
As he walked down the hallway, Sebastian pulled out the blue vial again, staring at it with a smirk on his face.
♢♢♢♢
Arriving home, Sebastian didn't bother eating dinner, heading straight to his room. He couldn't wait to try out the vial, no matter how small the transformation was.
His parents were out at some business function, so the house was quiet except for the distant sounds of the staff working downstairs.
Sebastian locked his bedroom door and moved to his private bathroom.
He began taking off his clothes slowly, jacket, shirt, pants, folding them neatly on the counter. He'd read countless novels in his previous life, and usually these serums and body-strengthening items expelled toxins from the body. The protagonist would be covered in black sludge, impurities forced out through the skin.
He didn't want to deal with that aftermath while fully clothed or in his bedroom.
Prevention is better than cure.
Sebastian stepped into the large marble shower, closing the glass door behind him. He held the small blue vial up to the light, examining it one more time.
'Trash-tier,' he thought with slight annoyance. 'Even the system insulted it. But 15 combat power is 15 combat power.'
He took a deep breath and uncapped the vial.
The liquid inside had no smell, which he didn't expect considering the colour and effect.
Sebastian brought it to his lips and tilted his head back.
Gulp!
In a single swallow, the entire contents went down his throat. It was cool, slightly bitter, with an aftertaste like metal and herbs.
"Ugh, tastes disgusting."
Sebastian set the empty vial on the shower ledge and stood there, waiting.
[Your Combat Power has increased by 15!]
The notification appeared immediately, but Sebastian prepared himself anyway. He sat down in the bathtub, turning on the water slightly so it pooled around him. He closed his eyes and laid back, waiting for the burning sensation, the pain of transformation and the disgusting expulsion of toxins.
Minutes passed by quickly. Yet, there was still nothing happening to his body.
Sebastian opened his eyes, confused. He looked down at his body. There was no black sludge, pain or any dramatic transformation scene.
He felt... slightly better? Maybe? His muscles didn't ache as much but that was it.
"System? Why is my body not getting rid of toxins?" Sebastian called out.
There was a brief pause before the system responded, and Sebastian could swear he detected a hint of amusement in the mechanical voice.
[Host... The serum you consumed is considered one of the worst body-strengthening items in existence. It will not remove any toxins from your body. It merely provides a subtle baseline improvement—slightly enhanced strength, marginally better agility, and minor improvements to other physical functions. There is no dramatic purification process.]
"Oh..."
Sebastian sat in the bathtub, feeling somewhat deflated.
[I can assure you that the serum has already been fully absorbed.]
"Hm, thanks." He stood up from the tub and turned on the shower properly, washing off his body.