Some people couldn't watch anymore as they looked away from the tragic scene before them. Others looked at Bryan with surprise and admiration. Meanwhile, Wayne recuperated a bit from the blow. His arrogant and tyrannic bearing crumbled away, his mouth gaped open, a disbelieving expression emerging from his face. It was only for a moment before it changed into a stern expression. Wayne realized Bryan's attacks were crude without any sort of form, but very efficient in killing, making him a difficult opponent.
“Do you practice something?” Wayne asked warily, guarding his vitals.
Wayne wanted to buy some more time to completely recover from his earlier injury, but how could Bryan not see through his tactics?
Bryan shrugged in response before dashing towards Wayne. Seeing this, Wayne crouched, making his figure as small as possible. Adrenaline was pumping through Bryan as he swiveled behind Wayne, dodging the uppercut at his jaw. Wayne couldn't see what was in front of him when he crouched, resulting in a complete miss. Perceiving he was behind him, he threw his leg, sweeping horizontally in a big arc behind him.
Out of his expectations, Bryan stood there swept up like a feather, an intense pain assaulting his legs. He landed flat on his back. He gritted his teeth, rolling away from the stomp of the colossal giant. They both backed away, scanning each other for any weak points. Suddenly, Wayne spoke, breaking the circle of people around them.
“We're even now, but this isn't over.” He said imposingly before disappearing behind the school gate.
Bryan cursed him and swore he would beat the shit out of him once he trained his body. Not even glancing at Aaron and Bennett, he scanned the crowd. Everyone looked down, not daring to look at the cold mechanical robot before them. He then walked towards one particular direction, more like one particular person. The crowd scurried away, leaving a beautiful girl isolated.
She was blonde with pigtails, her saucer round blue eyes staring at him absentminded. She wore a cute flowery shirt with a white skirt emphasizing her long soft legs. Emily didn't know what to think after Bryan's fight. She just stood there dumbfounded as he approached her. He grabbed her wrist and his backpack he threw at the beginning of the fight, heading towards the school gate. Emily. Realizing he was dragging her away, started to struggle. She shouted.
“Let go of me!”
“You're a demon!”
Bryan was getting annoyed listening to her whining. He shot a glare back at Emily, his eyes glinted with ferocity. Seeing his glare, Emily felt she stood in front of a wolf. She only protested with a pouting expression, since it was the only muscles she could move.
They were silent on the way back. Bryan let go of her wrist when he felt his hand grasped. He looked back to see Emily holding his hand. He didn't really care, letting it be. Thus, the two siblings walked back hand in hand under the golden sunset. Looking at the broad back of the person in front of her, Emily pouted as they arrived at their house.
I still hate you, jerk! I just can't move my legs.
In her thoughts, she didn't realize Bryan's stone gray eyes looking at her from time to time on their way back. He caught her pouting face, not knowing how to deal with his supposed 'step-sister'.
Whatever, I'm sure her opinion of me will change eventually.
Bryan admitted her feisty yet docile attitude started to grow on him a bit.
Only a bit.
He pushed this matter to the back of his mind as he entered, the both of them approaching a table full of food. Lily brought over a big pot of stew, the smell wafted to both of their noses, making their stomach growl loudly. Hearing their stomachs, Lily only responded with a motherly smile.
----------------------------------------
It was the next day. Bryan and Emily were walking to school together. After the incident yesterday, Emily thought her brother changed, for the better or for worse. She started acting a bit closer towards him, but still maintained her cold attitude. Bryan, who 'changed', was thinking about his plans for his perverted teacher. Emily, noticing him deep in thought, spoke up without reservation.
“What are you thinking about?” Showing an inquisitive look.
Bryan snapped his head towards her, looking at her gem like face.
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Why does she look like a lost puppy?
He thought internally as he responded with his usual bland, nonchalant intonation.
“I'm thinking about the grand show today.”
“Grand show?” Emily looked more confused than before as she waited for an answer.
However, what met her supposition was a cold devilish grin, sending chills down her spine.
“You'll see at school. It'll be great!”
Seeing him like this gave her an ominous feeling something bad was going to happen. However, she was still curious.
The trees showed a withered look devoid of leaves. In this lifeless environment, a pair of young teens increased and decreased the solemn air at the same time. A young man with black ruffled hair, translucent gray eyes, and an upright stature had a steady gait. His cold bearing made him unapproachable, which contrasted the girl beside him.
Unlike the dead gloom, the girl beside him had an air full of life. Her calm demeanor gave a warming aura. Her smile substituted the radiant sun covered by the dense clouds in the early morning. She wore a sky blue cropped hoodie and a black skirt which ended just halfway above her white slender thighs. They were, of course, Emily and Bryan.
Their awkward conversation ended as they reached the school gates. The school had a rectangular shape which divided into two parts on each side. Rows of windows could be seen on all four floors; classrooms could be seen through them. However, the grand building before them was almost deathly silent. The school resembled more like a church, with the pointed center building being the tallest of the three. Bryan didn't get a chance to take in his surroundings, being late on his 'first day'. Therefore, he didn't note these details as he walked in with Emily, who was still humming.
“So what's the show you were talking about?” she asked curiously.
Under her scrutinizing leer, Bryan was indifferent as he responded blandly.
“You'll see. Go to class or you'll be late.”
“We're too early for class! If you don't want to tell me, then say so!” Emily harrumphed as she watched him walk up the stairs, hearing an uncaring response which made her knit her eyebrows in anger.
“Whatever. See you later.”
Under her fuming gaze, Bryan walked up the stairs to the third floor, arriving at his classroom. He leisurely walked to his usual spot next to the window in the back row and sat down, staring at space itself.
> BRYAN HAYES
>
> LVL 1
>
> 25/100 EXP
>
> PRGMS: JAVA (BASIC)
>
> ITEMS: VPN STICK
Only this much? This is harder than I thought…
Bryan only got twenty-five experience accessing Amy's email and creating the keylogger. In addition to Mr. Roger's email, private messaging, and social media accounts. However, what bothered him more was something else.
Things won't be bad if I can get experience by creating programs like the keylogger. The system never said mentioned this, which confuses me. Maybe since I coded the keylogger to infiltrate his accounts, it counts as experience?
He could only reach this conclusion for now, knowing there was a lot more to uncover about the system.
Why was he given a second chance? Is this a parallel world? What does the system want from him? He would find the answers to these questions plaguing his mind eventually. Bryan delved deeper into his own thoughts when he heard a voice flow out of the speakers.
“Bryan Hayes, head to the principal's office as soon as possible.” it stated curtly before cutting off.
Sitting at his desk, he looked at the watch in the front of the classroom, ticking slowly without a care in the world.
It's a quarter to eight. Did they find something in the broadcasting room? No one should have gone in there, and I wiped all my traces. What could it be?
Bryan pondered over this but wasn't apprehensive whatsoever as he got up instantly, leaving for the principal's office.
School meant little to Bryan for where he wanted to end up. In actuality, he would have preferred to drop out, wiping away traces of his identity to enter the darkest part of society. He only stayed to prevent Lily's and Emily's complaints. He had to factor in this family of his, which annoyed him very much. After finishing the last of these thoughts, he arrived in front of the office with his trademark poker face and knocked three times heavily.
“Come in.” An elderly voice penetrated the doors.
After opening the door, what greeted him was a peculiar office. An owl with its wings spread wide open from the ceiling like it was actually flying. Two wide bookshelves were on each side wall filled with antique books, not a single gap for one more. The rug was cloud white with black marks covering it. Its unique shape signified it was from an animal. Judging by the unidentifiable patterns covering the skin, it could be deducted it was exotic or even extinct. The ceiling was black, with small dots dimly lighting up. There was an old office desk which held piles of papers and documents. A typewriter with a rusty metallic color sat in the middle of the desk.
“Please sit Bryan. I believe this is our first time meeting. You can call me Mr. Otters.” The elder said as he gestured to a spare seat, as the other had someone else.
Bryan took a seat and glanced at the person next to him, who, by chance, glanced back at the same time. A giant sat in a wooden chair creaked with every movement, crying out indignantly. His amber eyes dripping with pride were like a lion roaring over the Savannah. Looking at the familiar figure, he recognized him in a second. It was Wayne. Wayne stared threateningly for a couple of seconds before turning back to Mr. Otters. Bryan did the same and started to inspect the person in front of him.
He was wearing a brown crew cut sweater. His neatly cut brown hair had a few streaks of silver. His eyelids drooped down, as if he could fall asleep any minute. Despite his drowsy look, a flash of cunning intellect shone. Although he looked like a friendly senior, his attitude constituted to something entirely different which shattered his façade.
This old man is definitely not simple. I should watch myself around him.
Bryan could see troublesome people from a mile away. Although his senses forewarned him, he couldn't escape now. He could only see what Mr. Otters had to say.