44 School Maelstrom 1 (1/2)
Clea Luizon elegantly pressed the last key for the piece, ending her piano performance with a sound so beautiful and harmonious with the previous notes. A smile blossomed from her perfectly shaped cherry lips, her eyes twinkling with intelligence and charm turned to the crowd on her left side.
It was a good start to a peaceful Monday.
Inside the music room of the eleventh-grade building, students madly clapped to Clea's piano performance. The girl was really befitting of her goddess title. As she sat in front of the piano with her hands still resting on top of the keys, she looked so beautiful and ethereal. Even Wendy, who was leaning on the wall opposite the piano with her arms folded, gave a smile and a nod as to convey her awe to her friend.
”Clea is really good in piano. When she performs, be it casually like this, she exudes so much charm that I bet everyone listening is falling in love.”
Clea turned her head to the nerdy who spoke before she cheekily grinned. ”I heard that! Thanks! But does it mean you're falling for me now, Sofony?”
Wendy laughed at her blushing best friend and chimed in, ”Dear Clea, please don't tease this thin-faced lady of ours. And close your mouth again so that her beautiful impression of you will restore.”
Under every excited bystander's watch, the three girls started their chats as they killed time. The first subject period was still at least fifteen minutes away.
”Are you saying I'm not beautiful with my mouth open?” Clea suddenly pouted and directed a pitiful gaze to the crowd. A few of her fans started consoling and assuring her that she looked perfect no matter what she does. Sofony giggled, 'Beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder.'
The wavy-haired beauty annoyingly admitted Clea's fans' claim in her head but rolled her eyes outwardly. ”So early in the morning and you're acting like this.”
”What do you want me to do otherwise? It's Sofony who pestered me to play a piece. It's Chopin's Spring Waltz, aka Marriage D'Amour. How is it?”
”If you're asking me who Chopin is, I can still probably recite some stuff about his life and works. But since you're asking me about the music itself, all I can say is you played it beautifully and well. You're great. In-depth analysis, sorry I can't say much. You must know that my brain has little to do with music. Just like how your brain is much more receptive to gossips and nonsense.”
”You're saying I'm only good at gossiping? Are you sure you are in the position to advise me to close my mouth when yours is so stinky as well?”
”I'm afraid no honest mouth is stinky.”
”Wow, now you're implying I only know how to spread nonsense and lies. Wendy Gomez, I hate you!!!!!!!!”
Sofony whose hair was rarely tied up today laughed at the childish exchanges and interjected, ”Wendy also said you're great in music, Clea. You must know this Miss Number One of ours rarely complimented people.”
”Because she mostly criticizes people. But yeah, I remember her saying I played beautifully.” Clea made face at them and then went back to playing her piano. Wendy inwardly laughed at the woman. Obviously, Clea's feeling happy, but was shy to admit it.
As the piano goddess of the campus played, Sofony raised a voice in admiration, ”It's so fast! Her fingers are practically flying on the keyboard. What is the title of this piece?”
The girl next to her helplessly shrugged. Wendy's never into classical music so it was not a surprise that she didn't know. Sofony was also a classical music idiot so she was no better, if not worse.
Fortunately, a kind person from the Music Club kindly answered her question. ”It's Islamey: Oriental Fantasy. The original composer is Milij Balakirev.”
”Ah, okay.” Seeing how Sofony nodded and smiled at him, the kind music club student blushed and lowered his head.
”The sound is playful but still nice to the ears.” Wendy, who had little knowledge about music, smilingly and unprofessionally commented. The girl beside her started clapping her hands as the pianist closed her eyes but still perfectly nailed the keys to produce a piece of beautiful music.
Minutes passed that they were all engrossed with the sounds filling the music room. It strangely complemented the clear skies that could be seen outside the glass windows. As the happy music continued reverberating, a few birds cheerfully chirped as they danced around the trees and branches, the gentle wind swayed the thin twigs, leaves, and flowers outside. At that moment, everyone felt how beautiful and peaceful the world is. Even Sofony couldn't help but smile.
<System: You sure enjoy life now, huh? I'm quite pissed.>
'Hehe.' Sofony giggled and this was the first time that she did. Mostly, it was the other way around. The system was always laughing at her as it made her do stupid tasks.
<System: Your points are down to the hundreds again. But I'm glad at least you spent everything in the shop.>
'You getting senile? Where else can I spend my Points?'
<System: Tch. You upped the rest of your attributes to flat 20. That's a good choice.>
'Yup. Increasing Luck has been the most painful though. And I'm down to 783 Points after I upgraded Hypnotism so fervently. Anyways, you're strangely complimenting me huh. What have you eaten?to suddenly become like that?'
<System: You're slowly improving, but unfortunately, you're still dumb. Where have you seen an Artificial Intelligence eating? If you see one, I'll gladly try eating sh*t!>
'...You're the stupid one. When I asked what you have eaten to become like that, I'm pertaining to what has gotten into you to make you suddenly praise my distribution of points.'
<System: Tch. You think you're already smart just because you can play with words? Dream on!>
Sofony let out a 'hehe' in her head, making sure the system heard the gloating and sarcasm on it. After that, she summoned her user interface.
**********
Name: Sofony Mendez
Official Name: Host 137 (Immoral System)
Level: 1
Age: 17
Pleasure Points: 783
=ATTRIBUTES (Basic Human - 10)=
Strength: 20
Stamina: 20
Intelligence: 18 (20) -> 22
Dexterity: 20
Charm: 21
Luck: 20
=SKILLS=
* Studying - A
* Lovemaking - D
* Singing - E