Night had not finished rearranging the academy yet. It was still in the middle of its quiet work when Silas left his room with nowhere in particular in mind. He just felt like walking and gathering his thoughts. The system had given him a new chance at life, and he planned to make the most of it.

Looking at his stats, he would be lying if he wasn’t feeling happy and proud of what he’d achieved in such a short time, especially after the episode with Damien.

<Status Report!>

<User: Silas Cupid Ashard>

<Level: 1>

<EXP: 85 / 100>

<Core Functions: Active (Restricted to Basic Functions)>

<Strength: 15>

<Speed: 10>

<Stamina: 16>

<Agility: 12>

<Intelligence: 15>

<Endurance: 16>

<Cupid’s Traits:>

- Lust

- Mischief

"No wonder I was having boners..." He muttered as he finally left the dormitory grounds.

***

Near the school’s main entrance, where the gates rose tall, and the lights were brighter, a small vending kiosk hummed softly, tucked beside the security booth like an afterthought. Chloe Montreal stood in front of it with both of her hands clasped around a few coins, her shoulders slightly hunched as if she were apologizing to someone. She was small in presence, in the way people sometimes learned to fold themselves to remain hidden.

Her brown hair fell straight past her shoulders, half-hidden by a hoodie that was too big for her. Her eyes lingered on the glowing buttons longer than necessary, as if the machine might judge her choice. She chose slowly and waited.

The machine clunked, making her flinch, and relax when nothing else happened. Chloe crouched to retrieve it, tucking the snack into her pocket like contraband. She had chosen a chocolate bar... That was what she could afford without draining all her allowance. Her family wasn’t that rich. They were on the negative side of the world... Poor.

She paid the machine an unnecessary nod of thanks before stepping aside, just in case someone needed it. She then leaned against the metal railing near the entrance, unwrapped the chocolate halfway, and took a bite. She stared out past the open gates, watching the empty road beyond. Campus rules said students weren’t supposed to linger here after hours, but no one ever bothered her. People rarely noticed her at all, and she liked that.

She shifted her weight, the sleeves of the hoodie swallowing her hands, and let her thoughts drift. Strangely, her thoughts landed on her collision with the academy’s only pink-haired menace, Silas. That was the first day she really met him face-to-face. Her face reddened a bit as she recalled his face... He was beautiful! Despite how they collided, despite the embarrassment she felt as he ignored her, she still couldn’t help but...

"Why do people even hate him?" She couldn’t understand the hate people had for him. Maybe it was because he was too handsome, or something else entirely. She finished the chocolate, wrapped the paper neatly, and slipped it into her pocket. After a moment’s hesitation, she headed back with the wish of seeing Pinky again. She wanted to apologize properly for the collision, and maybe...

A girl has to dream, too.

***

Chloe kept to the edge of the walkway with quiet footsteps, her hoodie zipped up to her chin. She’d nearly reached the cross-path that led to male and female dormitories when she glanced down to check the time on her phone. That single second was all it took for her to walk straight into someone.

"Oof!"

The impact wasn’t hard, but it was sudden. Her phone slipped from her hand while she staggered back, falling onto the ground. She closed her eyes instinctively, already expecting a painful collision with the hard pavement, but it never came.

"Hmm... You look familiar?" a soft voice drifted into her ears, prompting her to open her eyes. She noticed that she was being held by the waist, preventing her from falling. Her eyes moved up slowly to see the face she had wished to see just a few minutes ago, Silas, or rather, Pinky.

"I-I’m sorry!" she blurted again, scrambling upright. "I didn’t see you, I swear, I wasn’t looking where I was going, I mean, I was, but not like-"

"Here," Silas cut her off and handed her phone to her. "I rather apologize for this and yesterday. I’ve got a really obsessed stalker... Jeez!"

"Huh?" Chloe was lost as to what he said at the end. Was he calling her a stalker? "I-I’m not a stalker..."

"Oh, I didn’t mean you. Haha," Silas said with a chuckle, now taking a good look at the girl in front of him. He had never seen her in the academy, but...

[New Mission!]

[Potential Partner Identified! Get her at all costs. But, don’t force it.]

[+100 EXP]

’You’ve got to be kidding me...’

Chloe was awestruck at what she was witnessing. She thought he would insult her or, worse, hit her. It was pretty common in the current world. The rules and morals of the old world no longer worked. It was a world of survival; there was nothing like morals. Even relationships were based on benefits, not love or trust.

And the way he smiled, she blushed instantly, hurriedly covering her head with her hoodie, but Silas noticed it instantly.

’System, what is the difficult rate for this?’

[Calculating...]

[Based on the emotions of the target...]

[Difficulty Rate: E (You can get her right here and right now!)]

"Damn!" Silas blurted out unconsciously, causing the girl to look at him in fear.

"Uh... I’m sorry. My name is Silas, by the way. Silas Ashard. It’s okay if you are scared or disgusted with me. It’s common around these parts."

"M-My n-name is Chloe Montreal. And I like you- Ahh! Sorry!"

[Mission Update!]

[Difficulty Rate: Null (You don’t even have to try)]

"What did you say, Chloe?"

"N-Nothing!"

"I heard it, alright."

"I-I..."

"You aren’t scared of me? Or even disgusted? Besides, this is essentially our first time meeting," Silas said with a teasing smile.

[Skill Acquisition Progression: Smooth Talker]

"No!"

"Which is which?"

"Y-you are very... handsome..." Chloe said in a meek tone. " And I don’t know why people hate you. It doesn’t make sense."

"You are the first person who has said this to me," Silas was genuinely surprised.

"F-forget I said that!"

"Which one?"

"The... l-like... part..."

"Not happening."

"P-please... If..."

"Nuh uh."

"You are mean..."

"You are cute."

[Target’s Interest: 100%]

’What the fuck?!’