That morning, Nic's alarm rang loudly in his room. Still half-asleep, he groped around the side table to turn off the alarm from his magical phone.
After a few seconds, he sat up and yawned widely. The house was eerily quiet.
"Kiara...?" Nic called out as he peeked out of his room.
No answer. He walked into the living room but found no one. Only a small note on the dining table caught his attention. He picked it up and read:
"I'm staying over at a friend's house. Don't look for me. Won't be home for a few days. Eat properly, okay! – Kiara"
Nic clicked his tongue. "Again? She left without telling me..." he muttered, rolling his eyes. "She always runs off. We're the only two at home, but she always disappears."
He sat down at the table, staring at the empty space. No breakfast, no music, no laughter—only silence.
His parents were still working overseas with no clear date of return. Kiara, his sister, often crashed at friends' houses, leaving him alone again.
Nic sighed deeply. "No wonder I prefer being at school... even if the only reason is Vivi," he mumbled as he got ready to leave, his heart feeling a little empty at home.
---
At School
Nic sat calmly at his desk, trying to ignore the stares and whispers from classmates still gossiping about his relationship with Vivi. Despite the chatter and pointed glances, Nic remained composed, twirling his pen and focusing on his notebook.
But his peace didn't last.
Jack—the arrogant student Nic had defeated in their basketball match—stormed toward him, anger boiling in his eyes. His footsteps thudded across the classroom floor.
"Nic," he snapped. "Break up with Vivi. Right now."
Heads turned. The atmosphere in the class turned tense.
Nic turned slowly to face him, his expression flat. He said nothing.
Jack grabbed Nic's collar and shoved him against the wall. The loud thud silenced the whole room.
"I said break up with her! You don't deserve her!" Jack hissed.
Nic didn't flinch, his gaze calm but serious. Before he could react, a sharp voice cut through the tension.
"Jack!"
It was Vivi. She stood at the doorway, her face stern. She marched into the room.
"Let him go. Now," she said coldly.
Jack turned, shocked. "Vivi, you—"
"You don't have the right to tell me who I can be with," she snapped. "Especially not about my boyfriend."
Jack scoffed. "You've changed. You're not the same Vivi. Why are you with this loser?"
Vivi stepped in front of Nic. "Because he's braver, more honest, and way better than someone who only knows how to get angry."
Jack looked at both of them, furious. He took a step back.
Vivi grabbed Nic's hand. "Let's go."
But before they could leave, several student council members entered the class.
"Excuse us," one of them said. "Is there a student named Nic here?"
Nic raised his hand. "That's me."
"The council President would like to speak with you. Please come with us."
Vivi looked at Nic, concern written on her face.
"It's fine," Nic said. "You go to the court first. I'll catch up later."
Vivi hesitated but eventually nodded and left. Nic followed the council members out.
---
Student Council Room
The student council room was neat and quiet. A large table sat at the center, surrounded by chairs. Folders were stacked neatly on side shelves. Sitting at the head chair was Nia, the council President.
The members who escorted Nic left as Nia motioned for them to go.
She pointed to the seat beside her, not across. "Sit here."
Nic raised an eyebrow but complied, sitting next to her. Nia looked nervous.
A moment of silence passed. Nia stared at the table, her fingers gripping the hem of her blazer.
"So... are you busy today?" she asked softly.
"Basketball practice," Nic replied.
"Basketball, huh..." Nia looked hesitant. She bit her lip for a moment. She had heard all the buzz about Vivi and Nic. And now here he was—right beside her.
"I... have something to say," she said, finally looking at Nic.
Nic turned to her, curious.
"I know you already have a girlfriend," she continued, taking a deep breath. "But for some reason... I think I like you."
Nic froze. He hadn't expected a confession—especially from the council President.
"I know it's weird. Maybe even stupid. But I just wanted to be honest. This feeling... it's been bothering me."
She let out a soft sigh and gave a wry smile. "Forget it. You can pretend I didn't say anything. It's okay."
But Nic looked at her seriously. "If you don't mind... I don't mind dating both of you."
Nia's eyes widened. "Huh?! You mean... that's polygamy!"
"Vivi will accept it," Nic said calmly. "If you're okay with it too."
Nia stared at him in disbelief. Then, slowly, a small, shy smile formed on her lips—half embarrassed, half confused.
"If Vivi won't be upset... I guess I'm okay trying it out."
---
Basketball Court
After the talk, Nic headed to the court. Since he was late, the coach asked him to fetch another ball rack.
"Grab another rack of balls for team B, Nic," the coach said.
Nic nodded and went to the storage room. He rolled out a squeaky-wheeled rack of basketballs. Some students watched him from the side of the court.
Jack was among them, still looking bitter.
"Ugh... I can't even stand the sight of him," Jack muttered.
"Dude, chill. The council President came with him," one friend said. "You'll get in trouble."
But Jack didn't care. He grabbed a basketball and hurled it hard in Nic's direction.
The throw missed.
The ball flew fast—not toward Nic, but toward the coach's bench, where Nia was seated, watching practice.
"Nia!" the coach shouted.
Nia turned but couldn't dodge in time.
Reacting instantly, Nic dashed forward and launched a sharp kick, sending the ball flying across the court.
Silence fell.
The coach rushed over. "Are you okay, Nia?"
Nia nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on Nic who had landed softly after the kick.
"Nic... you know martial arts too?" she asked.
Nic just shrugged with a smile.
As he returned to the storage room, his phone buzzed quietly.
[Congratulations! You've acquired the skill 'Basic Martial Arts' from Nia.]
[Skill has been added to your active abilities.]
Nic looked at the screen and grinned.
"This system is getting crazier and crazier..."
To Be Continued...