By the end of math class, my Intermediate Math skill had climbed up by 2 levels reaching Lvl 21.
For the first time in my life the chime signaling the end of class felt… disappointing.
I closed the textbook reluctantly and stood up with the rest of the students as they filed out into the hallway.
When I stepped into the Biology classroom the system didn't disappoint. Though it makes me curious why and how these buffs work, I'm not gonna complain.
[Buff Acquired]
[Biology Classroom]
Effect:+50% learning efficiency for biology-related contentDuration: While in classroom
Same structure. Different subject.
Biology had always been one of Ren's worst areas.
Memorization-heavy. Tedious. Still, with the buff active, the concepts didn't feel nearly as suffocating.
By the end of the period-
[Biology Lv 18]
Not great, but serviceable.
Physics followed. Then English.
Each classroom triggered a similar effect, and by the time lunch rolled around, something unsettling clicked into place.
I didn't feel tired.
I felt… disappointed.
The system had turned learning into progress I could see. Numbers going up. Skills forming. Knowledge solidifying.
"No wonder games are so addictive." I muttered
I grabbed my lunch tray and sat at my usual spot near the edge of the cafeteria back against the wall. Students around me chatted loudly about idol groups, upcoming exams, and a popular VR game I vaguely remembered Ren caring about.
I tuned it out.
Instead, I scrolled through my phone, reading about vocal warmups and breath control. I kept my mouth closed, humming softly, careful not to draw attention.
Then-
[Singing Lv 1]
Effect:• +1% efficiency when practicing singing• +1% chance listeners will enjoy your voice
I exhaled slowly through my nose.
Good.
Small boosts are stacked over time. I guess my system helps me in the long term.
As I practiced, my gaze drifted toward the far end of the building where a music room might be. Japanese schools usually had one. If there was a buff tied to it…
Not yet.
With my current body and reputation walking in there would just paint a target on my back.
Patience first. Power later.
Something struck my shoulder.
Soft. Light.
I looked down.
A crumpled paper ball rolled across the floor.
I didn't turn immediately.
Behind me, laughter.
"Oops," someone said lazily. "Missed the trash."
I stood.
The sound of chairs scraping against the floor caught their attention as I walked over, paper ball in hand. They were still laughing when I stopped in front of the boy who threw it.
I placed the paper back onto his tray.
"Trash goes in the bin," I said calmly.
No shouting. No threats.
Just eye contact.
The smile on his face faltered.
I straightened and walked away.
No one followed.
When I sat back down, my hands were steady. My heartbeat calm.
A moment later
[+1 CHA]
So that's how it worked.
Standing up for myself wasn't about violence. It was about presence.
The rest of the day passed quietly.
Too quietly.
Whispers followed me through the halls. Looks lingered longer than before.
Teachers said nothing.
When school ended, I headed straight home.
Aoi was already there, sitting by the window with a blanket draped over her shoulders. She looked up when I entered.
"You're back."
"Mm."
She watched me for a moment.
"…Did something happen at school?"
"Nothing important."
She didn't push.
Later, after dinner I pulled out Ren's old manga collection and stared at it for a long moment.
Memories that weren't mine.
Attachments I didn't need.
Selling it would give me enough to move forward.
Music required tools.
I packed everything into a bag.
Before leaving, I finished my homework. With my improved skills, it barely took any effort.
Math and physics ticked up another level without me even noticing.
Aoi struggled with one of her assignments, so I helped her.
Slowly. Clearly.
[Teaching Lv 1]
Effect:When teaching other people, as long as you know what you're teaching, they have a 1% higher chance of understanding what you're explaining
[Teaching Lv 2][Teaching Lv 3]
By the time I'd finished helping Aoi with her homework, almost an hour had passed. Fortunately, the higher the level of the skill, the faster Ethan learned what I was explaining, and the easier it was for him to do his homework.
Even though it was only a 4% buff, it was still a much bigger buff than 4% compared to the inefficient teaching method the others were using with him.
By the time we finished, she leaned back against the table.
"…That was easy."
I smiled faintly.
"Good."
When she went to rest, I picked up the bag and stepped out into the evening streets.
The sky over the apartment blocks was painted orange, cicadas buzzing loudly in the distance.
Tomorrow, I'd take the next step.