Jason Carter and his roommates had just stepped into the buzzing square when Mike dialed up his old high school buddy from the Art & Performance Academy downtown.
A few minutes later, a long-haired guy swaggered over, sporting designer streetwear and a chunky gold chain. He gave off the aura of someone who lived for attention.
"This is my friend, Luce," Mike introduced. "He's vice president of the Student Union over at the Academy of Fine Arts."
Normally, student council titles didn't mean much. But Luce had leveraged his position well—he cultivated ties with faculty, smoothed deals with outside businesses, and even managed to secure sponsorships for events like this showcase. He was, in fact, one of the key organizers of tonight's talent show.
"The party hasn't kicked off yet," Luce said with a smirk. "Come backstage with me for a bit. No need to stand around in the crowd."
Josh and Lily exchanged impressed glances. Even Adam, who had been prickly since spotting Jason, perked up at the offer.
"Sit wherever you want, don't be shy," Luce waved them in, dropping onto a folding chair with the attitude of someone settling into a luxury suite.
It wasn't glamorous—it was the staff prep area, not the performers' lounge—but it was closer to the stage than anything the public could buy. For Mike and the others, it felt like a backstage pass to a concert.
Jason, however, saw through the act immediately. Luce was puffing himself up, exaggerating his authority. But he didn't call him out. After all, the guy was hosting them for Mike's sake. A little harmless posturing never hurt anyone.
Still, Jason hoped Luce knew when to stop. Too much bragging could backfire once the truth came out.
Luce pointed at several sponsor banners hanging on the walls. "See those? Every single one of those brands coughed up at least a hundred grand to back this show. We pulled them in."
He tapped the one for New Vision Media, a company Jason himself controlled through Lweis. "That one alone dropped more than all the others. Without us, this event wouldn't be half as big—or half as rich."
He leaned back, clearly enjoying his own voice. "That's why we can offer massive cash prizes. That's why girls from every campus across the district—models, dancers, singers—are lining up to compete. And yeah, we skim a cut. That's how you actually make money in college."
"Don't wait until after graduation to hustle," Luce lectured. "If you think like that, someone else already took the money. I figured this out freshman year. Started networking right out of orientation, pulled my whole class together during training, became class rep in weeks. From there? Straight into the Student Union. Now I'm VP. And trust me—student council isn't useless. It gets you close to the deans, and that's how you get things approved. Like this showcase. No school blessing, no event. It's about connections. You get that, you get power. And sponsors."
Nobody had asked, but Luce went on like a motivational speaker.
Jason, meanwhile, tuned out. He had to admit, Luce was capable. The guy had real hustle, more drive than Jason had ever shown back before he awakened his system. But the bragging was laid on a bit thick.
With a sigh, Jason pulled out his phone and scrolled through it, ignoring the showmanship.
Luce noticed, frowned, and glanced at him. Jason's outfit—tailored by personal contacts—was subtle luxury, brandless but worth several thousand dollars. Luce, blind to its value, assumed Jason was just another ordinary student in plain clothes.
That assumption wouldn't last long.
Jason Carter sat relaxed in his chair, chatting idly with Holly and Grace. He wasn't paying much attention to the loudmouthed Lewis, who was once again trying to "educate" Mike and the others with his endless bragging.
Jason had no complaints—if Lewis wasn't mocking him, then peace was peace.
The conversation with Holly and Grace was lighthearted, but every so often Jason's ears caught Lewis's grand statements about life and destiny. To hear him speak, you'd think he was some weathered old sage rather than just another junior student.
Then came the sound of quick footsteps outside, mixed with laughter. The air shifted, as though a bright breeze had entered the room.
Several girls appeared at the door, their voices ringing like larks.
Mike and other immediately stopped listening to Lewis. Their gazes snapped to the newcomers, eyes bright.
Especially the one in the center. She drew every eye like a jewel among lesser stones.
She wore a crimson mermaid-cut dress that hugged her curves with elegant precision, long wavy hair spilling down her shoulders like a waterfall. Noble and refined, her presence seemed to silence the room.
The dress left her shoulders bare, the curve of her collarbone catching the light, her snow-pale skin gleaming. More than one pair of eyes froze on her neckline, unable to help themselves.
"Who… who is that? She's not losing to our department's top girls at all."
Mike rubbed his chin, whistling low. "Not losing? She's even got an edge. That aura, that poise—damn."
he slapped the table dramatically. "I'm in love."
Sun swallowed audibly, saying nothing, though the heat in his gaze said enough.
This beauty wasn't just pretty—she was lethal. Revealing, yes, but not vulgar. Mature, elegant, devastating.
Even Luce, for once, fell silent. Then he straightened, puffing his chest. "That's Jinyi , the beauty of our. Everyone knows she's among the very top. She's my goddess, boys. Forget about chasing swans when you're just mortals."
Jason Carter's eyebrows twitched at the name. Jinyi? Where have I… oh, right. his assitent told me before—she was one of the girls whose favorability I boosted indirectly.
Sure enough, as the group of girls scanned the room, Jinyi's eyes landed on him. They widened with recognition, surprise flashing across her face.
She remembered. She shown her Jason's photo before. The handsome face, the wild stories of him casually buying out luxury goods in bulk—it had left an impression.
And now he was right here, wearing the very outfit she had personally picked for him.
So it's him.
The picture hadn't lied. He looked even younger in person. Was he really a student? Or was he something rarer—a genius born under the stars?
Jinyi: Favorability +10.
Jinyi's heels clicked softly as she moved forward, every step graceful.
Lewis's heart thumped wildly. He'd imagined this moment countless times, Jinyi finally approaching him. He stepped forward instinctively, breath held—
—but she walked right past him.
Stopping in front of Jason Carter.
Her eyes sparkled. Her smile was sweet, carrying a hint of playfulness that could melt steel.
"Hello, Jason," she said gently. "I've admired your name for some time. Didn't expect to meet you here in person. That outfit—you're still satisfied, I hope? I helped olivia pick it for you."
The tone she used was almost deferential. Sweet, yet carrying respect.
Luce froze mid-step.
Mike's jaw dropped.
They exchanged stupefied looks.
Even Wang forgot to breathe.
Jinyi—the goddess of their Academy—was standing before Jason Carter with that tone.
Not only did she know him, she was practically leaning forward, her voice filled with charm.
The five of them sat in stunned silence. Their worldview was cracking at the seams.
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