Chapter 14: An Active Morning

"Here you go, bro."

"'Preciate that, man!"

Nodding, I moved on to the last one, which was right behind him—two blonde dudes who stood out like sore thumbs. I'd already handed out most of the results, except for three: this last guy, and the ones for Kate and Ophi. Honestly, I really didn't want to be doing this shit, but it wasn't like it was that inconvenient—and it was worth not having the professor breathing down my neck.

"Kyle Fornee?"

The blonde with silver eyes looked up. His friend in front of him—the one with the violet eyes- sat in front of him. 

Kyle had short blonde hair while his friend had long blonde hair styled back. Kyle's was styled to the side but sadly I was not an expert in terminology so that was all I could really explain. 

"You got it, my man!"

I handed him his slip and turned toward Kate and Ophi's desks.

"Wait, wait, bro—can we ask you somethin'?"

"What's up?"

"Someone in our group chat was talking about you and Katelyn. What's up with that?"

"I'm guessing they saw us near the entrance?"

"Oh shit, dude—no way you already hit?"

"N-No. How'd you even get to that conclusion?"

"I mean, you made it sound so suspicious… right, Adam?"

"He ain't lying."

"To answer, Kate and I are..."

Thinking back to when I said 'friends' earlier and she jabbed me in the side...

"...Together, I think."

"Bhahaha~! You think?"

"Yeah, she's quite the strange one, but I'm sure if you asked her, she'd definitely say we were something."

Adam's mouth formed an "O" while Kyle—who had been the one asking—just lost himself in laughter. He garnered the attention of the whole class, which felt a bit weird, but not uncomfortable.

"Alright then! Thanks. I know that was kind of a weird one."

"Don't worry about it."

Turning back around, to my surprise, Ophi and Kate had finally decided to show up. They only had a minute before they'd be marked late, so… good on them. Walking over, Kate couldn't even look me in the eye, while Ophi just smiled like a damn demon.

Sighing, I shook my head. "Ophelia, what'd you do to her?"

She snickered back. "Nothing. Nothing, I promise."

I took another look at Kate and let me tell you—it did not look like nothing happened. Fortunately, I had a gift from Mom in my backpack. I gave them their results while heading back to my desk. Opening the basic backpack, I reached inside and grabbed a small bag of candy.

"Here, Kate."

I bent down a bit, so she'd at least look at me and handed her the gift. I really wanted to try this candy, but whatever. I could always buy another one later.

Speaking of which, I need to check Eiz's bank accounts. I need to know what I'm working with.I had completely forgotten to do it after eating with Mom.

Katelyn stared at the SweetFish in my hand, baffled. That only lasted a second though...

She snatched them before I could even think to ask her anything. Scratching the back of my head, I glanced over at Ophi, really wanting to know what she could've possibly done.

"Look at you, Eiz—already knowing how to bribe her."

"Shut it. Ah."

I just copied Kate on accident.

"Bhehehe~ Look at you! Already picking up some things from her."

"Shu—fuck off."

"Bhahahaha~!"

Ophi couldn't stop laughing, but fortunately—unlike Kyle—her laughter didn't grab the whole class's attention. That didn't mean no one was watching, though. Two beauties enjoying themselves was always a welcome sight. That, and I'm pretty sure Ophi is super popular or something—she just has that vibe.

I wonder...

Knowing Eiz had an acting career, and that mom is super famous, I couldn't help but think... what if people found out I was an actor too? Actually, I should probably figure out what I've done first before I start getting confident. Not to mention—I'm nowhere near Eiz's level. I need to start from scratch.

If someone were to call me out right now, I'd definitely make a fool of myself. And worse… I'd embarrass Mom.

[Quest: Practice Acting] 

-Accept: Acting Skill Level 0 

-Decline: Fresh Start 

'No need to think about it. I'll accept.'

Despite how random it was, the Record always seemed to show up at the perfect time. Just like when I got the Socializing skill, I felt that same subtle warmth—a quiet push, like encouragement more than power. But I never received knowledge or some kind of cheat buff. It didn't give me motivation. I already had that.

'So… does the Record just enhance what's already there? Amplify the drive I already carry?'

[Accurate enough.] 

'Dude, I forgot I could totally just ask.' 

[I'm not your "dude".]

'Whatever dude.' 

[Hah~] 

Record aside, class was starting—actually, had already started—but thankfully the professor didn't say anything. It was a strange feeling, but I didn't hate that she chose not to interrupt us.

"Now, since Mr. Eizkel has stopped flirting, we can begin the lesson."

"Professor... really?"

Her gaze sharpened. "What? Got a problem?"

Some students shifted slightly in their seats. The air thinned.

"Yeah."

That made her freeze just for a second. A few heads turned my way.

"Come again?" Her voice was quieter now. Sharper.

I didn't raise my voice, nor did I try adding anything to it. I was completely neutral. 

"Yeah, I said I do have a problem. If it was really that much of an issue, you could've interrupted—but you didn't. You let me keep going with my so-called flirting."

A pause. Her lips parted like she was about to snap but then she sighed and looked away.

"You know what? You're right. Forgive me, then. It's just been a bad morning."

"I can tell," I muttered, sliding into my seat. 

'If I hadn't accepted her request earlier, would she have snapped at me?'

[Could have. Could not have.]

'You are such a strange being.'

[How? I'm literally a "part" of you, so you just called yourself strange.]

'I know I'm strange—but you fucking reek. OH MY GOD.'

[W-What?]

'Don't you think calling you "Record" sounds weird?'

[Absolutely not. It's the correct form of add—]

'I'll call you by my name from Earth. Ezryn!'

[...Whatever, dude.]

'Oh? I thought I wasn't your "dude."'

[Correction. I'm not your dude, but I can call you whatever I want, idiot.]

'WOW.'

[Suck it.]

"Tch."

Clicking my tongue, I stopped messing around with Ezryn and turned my attention back to the envelope in my hand. It held my class ranking. I was hoping for at least Top 10—based on how confident I was with most of the questions, I figured I had a shot.

—Eizkel Rhyse—

Placement: 2ndStrengths: Math, Science, English, Composition, and Mindset (98% of exam)Weaknesses: History and Geography (2% of exam)

'Fuck.'

I know it's greedy, but I was really hoping for first.