44 School Maelstrom 1 (2/2)

* Dancing - F-

* Acting - D

* Cooking - B

* House Management - C+

* Hypnotizing - B+

* Makeup Application - D

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<System: You know you could have upgraded at least another skill to A if you didn't spend 3,500 Points on that Memory Erasing Device.>

'I'm aware. I don't regret it. And actually, I still feel iffy about having Hypnotism as my second highest graded skill. After using it to her, I felt like it's not much needed anymore. It's not like I can parade in school hypnotizing teachers to give me a very high grade, or in a supermarket to trick the salesladies that I already paid for a thousand worth of goods. It's immoral but stupid. Records can't be falsified.'

<System: I think you should start picking up an immoral philosophy. For example, the means don't matter as long as you can get to the ends.>

'I prefer to be as law-abiding as possible.'

The system sneered. <A person who practically brainwashed someone to death is law-abiding? Search google, please. Though it's a low-level search engine, it will at least give you ideas how 'law-abiding' brainwashing is.>

Sofony felt angry and refuted, 'It's hypnosis! It's different! She consented and is not against it! Brainwashing is different because it's done against somebody's will!'

<System: Oh, even though you have planted false memories in her brain, you still consider that hypnosis? Hehe, you're really the queen of hypocrites.I like that! Do you know that lying to yourself is also considered immoral? Hehe, now you know. Anyways, haven't you notice that some of the guys are giving you worried glances because you can't mask your emotions? Why are you even angry?>

When she heard this, her eyes roamed around and like what the system said, a few were looking at her oddly. It seemed like she had been too transparent about her feelings. Really not good. Fortunately, Wendy was engrossed with the piano sounds so she didn't notice.

With a sigh, she raised her Acting to D- as that was the only upgrade she could afford with her current points. Then she made sure to compose her expression.

She looked regretfully to her 383 Points. What could she even buy with this? Probably she should leave this as is as she feared there would be some unforeseen circumstances in the future.

'System, I realize a few things. It's making me hate you for not informing me about this. But I notice that you can really do everything. Be it selling information or anonymously spreading videos on the internet.'

<System: Do you blame me for your stupidity?>

Sofony shook her head inwardly. 'No, I don't deny I've been slow to everything. Anyways, how's my request to anonymously give Floyd's whereabouts to the police? And what about that record which I requested to be cut out? Is it already sent?'

She was referring to the audio captured around the time that bastard committed the crime against the dead teacher. A day after settling Felicity's issue, she reviewed the recordings her devices captured and heard some clues from it cementing the fact that Floyd Cruz killed Agatha Geere. Even though the latter part consisting of Floyd's conversation with his system got censored by the main system, at least the part featuring his voice and infuriating words were there. Actually, before Sofony let the system sent that clip, she long hesitated. The reason was not how so many female teachers, like Ms. Wayne and even the vice principal, were mentioned as his sexmates in school. When she heard that enumeration part in the audio, she only got stunned for a while but recovered a minute after. The real reason she hesitated was Agatha's last moments in her life. Sofony thought... that if the husband heard that, he would be very heartbroken.

<System: Done. Long ago. It's you who forgot to check after the points are deducted.>

Sofony secretly let out a sigh of relief. Finally, she had one less thing to worry about.

Hopefully, the police could arrest that scum immediately. She still remembered how gloomy the scene last Friday at the funeral of the deceased teacher was. Thinking of what Mrs. Geere suffered from the hands of that Floyd, she really wanted him to pay for his crimes as soon as possible. She was even hoping for him to get a death penalty.

Once this thought crossed over, she momentarily stilled then smiled wryly. The hypocrite her. Floyd and she were essentially the same.

When she realized this, she wondered how her punishments would be like in the future. Surely it would also be quite bad. Karma is a very frightening thing after all. She wouldn't be surprised if she also ends up jailed or dead in the streets. It was quite frightening. But for now, she would not think of it. The music she's hearing now is beautiful. She likened it to life and thought that since it doesn't last long, there should be no problem enjoying it to the fullest.

She closed her eyes and began to reflect. A gentle smile appeared from her lips. The others who saw were probably enchanted by that small gesture, but nobody realized the self-mockery from it. Only Sofony knew. With the system hastening her descent to the black area, she reckoned that in the near future, she would not be able to appreciate life this way anymore. With the case being like this, she learned to appreciate every beautiful thing she could encounter while she's still sane and grey.

”Sofie, correct me if I'm wrong. But last time you told me you now have a sister, right? And that today is her first day in fourth-year junior high?”

Sofony opened her eyes gently and blinked at Wendy's question. It only came upon her today. She was correct. Her sister Steffy, who she presented to people as a cousin and a mountain landslide survivor from a village in the Cotton Province, was now enrolled in their school. Since both of them no longer have any remaining relatives, they would be tending and caring for each other from now on. She enrolled this new sister of her to her school so that it would be easier for her to monitor her and help out when necessary.

She remembered when she was turning in all the documents needed for Steffy's transferring to the admin, the system laughingly taunted her for being so courageous. Sofony was aware of the reason, but she told herself it would be okay because she has faith in her newly gained abilities.

Recalling what took place a while ago, she exhaled then replied. ”I already toured Steffy around before escorting her to her new class adviser. It's surprisingly Mrs. Santiago.” Her eyes went to Wendy. ”Do you remember her? She's our Language teacher last year.”

”Yup, I do. Anyway, I'm hoping your sister won't find it hard to adapt.”

”Her adviser will surely take good care of her. I believe in her. I mean, Mrs. Santiago. She's a nice teacher. She's second only to Mrs. Geere in my list of favorite teachers,” Sofony said in laughter.

”Mrs. Santiago, huh? Actually, my greatest impression of her is that she's very good in fashion, and her looks are younger than her age. I admire her, and I hope that when I grow up and reach my thirties, I'll be like her, still looking ten years younger.”

Sofony gladly followed up.”Mrs. Santiago's husband is probably very proud to have a beautiful wife like her.”

”I bet. If I were a man, I'll shout to the world that I'm the luckiest.”

”That's exaggerated.” Sofony giggled. ”But really, the first time I saw her, I thought she's a celebrity.”

Wendy suddenly commented out of the blue. ”Their nights should be very hot, right. Mrs. and Mr. Santiago, I mean.”

”Wendy!”

”Oh? Haha, you get it? Oh my! I'm so happy for you! You're not slow today.”

”Y-you're speaking nonsense! Your mouth!”

Wendy stuck out her tongue as she laughed, ”My mouth is still a mouth. What?”

The two bickering friends were close to the piano. Clea, who finally could not stand being distracted by the two, hissed in annoyance and heavily pressed on the keys using her two hands. She did it so heavily that the notes produced sounded so violent and chilling. The gossip queen slash piano goddess suddenly turned her music murderous while glaring at Wendy and Sofony. Everyone could only watch in awe as the two shut up. They first looked confused, even quizzically staring at Clea, but once they got pinned by a murderous glare from the latter, they epically turned into scared mice afraid of a furious cat. Wendy looked away. Sofony hid behind the other.

Nobody had ever imagined that music could make this kind of scene. It was actually possible. Look, Miss Number One also wasn't able to say a word again.

Even though the other students had their jaws dropped to the ground, they still all felt amazed, their respects for Clea got elevated to a new height.

Remember to not distract the piano beauty when playing her music!

Everyone near or in the music room etched this to their hearts.

.........