2025-04-09 22:11:34My head shook as I looked as I looked at the message on my phone. Not because I was scared but because I had underestimated my opponent.
Underestimated, Jeremiah, Layla. To think that they would go that far was something I hadn't anticipated. ." Is that really true?" " Pontius would be rusticated." " I can't believe we are finally going to rid ourselves of that low life." " Well, it's a byebye to go riddance. To garbage." My hand shook slightly as I tried to grip onto my new phone. " You need to put that down and heal up." My mother's voice said gently. Her eyes darted towards me and I quickly hid my phone. Martha was a soft woman and she could turn a blind eye to most of the things I do. She was not a bad mother but she always gave me time to prepare my mind. I was going to tell her the source of the money but I need to prepare my mind, myself. No one would believe a gaming app that gave me that much money. Not even the most sane person. So, I had to find a way of letting her believe me. " You need to stop trying so hard to get noticed. I know you want a good life but isn't that meant for the rich?" Martha said looking at me as she placed the tray of morning coffee on my sick bed. She touched my forehead and looked at her time. " This is good. You are improving. You will soon be on your feet and be back to school in no time." She said with a smile. " I need to go, son. I am working the double shift today." I wanted to tell her to stop working so bad. I can now take care of the bills but how do I tell her that I was worth a million dollars? I had spent some money to get myself nice things and the house we were in but how do I tell her what was really going on. Moreover, I just got a message from the school authorities that I would be facing the panel for trying to defend myself against Jeremiah. " Pontius? Are you alright?" My mother asked staring at my face. " Is there something that I should know?" Martha asked. I looked at her very well. I knew my mother was not ready for the school stress. Work was taking it toil on her and having her to deal with my school life would be too much. " No,mum. I am good." I find the courage to speak. " Good, I am going to be back as soon as possible by tomorrow morning. You can take care of yourself right?" Martha said again. I nodded again and watched her walk out of my room. I closed my eyes to try and rest but it won't just come. I needed to fight back, I needed to show Jeremiah I was not scared of him. I need to go back to school. I groaned as I threw the dulve that was covering my bruise down to the cold floor as I walked towards the bathroom to take my bath. ****************************************************************** [ AT SCHOOL ] " Is that Pointus? What the hell is he doing here?" " He got the memo I think?" " Do you think he can win against someone like Jeremiah?" " He is a fool to think he can actually belong in this school. That he could belong in our world." " I even heard he has some cash to spend around." " Cash? Hard earned money from his mother's double shift at work. Who the hell is he trying to impress?" " Layla of course. Who will not give his best to have a go at that fit body of hers. I knew she was messing with him all along. Because how can someone so gorgeous date someone like him. A low life." The words hit me to the curb as I dragged myself through the school compound that was silent the moment I walked in. I could hear their whispers but I was not here for the students. I was here to let them know I was the victim and Jeremiah should pray the price for bullying me. I felt all eyes on me, like I was some kind of freak. As I walked through the hallways, the whispers of the students followed me like a bad stench. Almost, like I was the villain when they all should point at Jeremiah for being a bully. I walked towards the Dean office where most of the students dreaded entering. The door slammed shut as I came face to face with men and women who were old enough to be my grandparents. " I can see you get our message, Mr Pontius. Please have a seat." A middle aged man said without looking at him. It felt like he could smell my anger, rage even though I had applied one of the most expensive perfumes before coming down to school. I limped towards the chair in front of them before one of them came at me. " We heard you almost injured one of the prominent students on campus. Is that true,Mr Pointus?" A woman who had a pointy nose asked My face went pale. " What? I believe there are CCTV cameras right inside the school. Why don't we have that checked before I am accused." I said defending myself. The room went quiet. " Do you think you can win against big students like, Jeremiah? His father donated exclusively to their growth of this school and not only that, he gave you the scholarship you rely solely on. If you felt so wrong about what was done to you why don't you ask your double paying shift mother to pay your tuition fees? Then we might count you equal with some of the students here." The Dean said again adjusting this spectacle. I clenched my hands in anger. This was clearly about superiority. About who had the upper hands. Definitely about social status and I was at the rock bottom. The least on the ladder. " We are willing to look the other way for now if you could afford the tuition fees because the school council has decided to retrieve your scholarship." Mr Frank Hudson said staring at me. I looked at their faces, fearless for the first time in my life and the word slipped out of my mouth. " How much?"
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SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter five
The room went dead silent. My voice lingered in the air like smoke after a gunshot."How much?" I said with my eye locked on everyone in the seat. They all looked at me and wondered how a boy of my age could say that with boldness. Some of them actually think I was bluffing. They knew my mother worked a double shift and could not pay a cent. I had gotten in on scholarship so how could I have said that without attaching much to it. Mr. Hudson blinked slowly, like he wasn’t sure he’d heard me right.“Excuse me?” he said adjusting his big round glasses.“I said, how much?” I leaned forward, ignoring the way my bruised ribs protested. “You want money? Fine. Name your price.”The woman with the pointy nose shifted in her seat. The others exchanged glances. That wasn’t the reaction they expected. I wasn’t supposed to speak like this. I wasn’t supposed to sit upright in my broken state, or sound like I could afford anything more than pity.“I-I believe you should take time to think clearly
SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter six
I didn’t even flinch when the door swung open with a sharp creak. Layla stood there, a venomous smile on her face, and I could see it in her eyes—the same smug, superior look that had followed me my entire life. But this time, I wasn’t going to shrink back. She leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms over her chest, clearly savoring the moment. Her voice dripped with that same condescension. “Well, well, Pontius. I must say, I’m impressed. You actually managed to scrape together some cash. But tell me, how long do you think this façade will last? How long before you go back to being the pathetic little charity case you’ve always been?” I didn’t blink. I didn’t even bother with a smile. I simply tilted my head slightly, letting the silence stretch out between us. Her eyes flicked down to the designer jacket I’d just picked up this morning, and I could see the gears turning behind that perfect mask of hers. It was a mix of confusion and jealousy, and I wanted to drag it out f
SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter seven
My mind thud heavily with only one thing. I needed to find Cassie Kline before any word of me taking her to the prom gets to her.I clinched to the book in my hands, my eyes scanning the school garden, parking lots and even the girls gym just to find her. " Have you seen Cassie?" " Do you know where Cassie is?" " Please are you friends with Cassie?" I let rumbling like an idiot as I bumped into students. One after the other, they all claimed the didn't know her. It was like Cassie never exist in the school. I was about losing hope when I bumped into a girl coming from the cafe. The hot chocolate fell all over me and I yelled in pain. " I am sorry,I didn't see you there." I said immediately trying to help get the cup from the floor. I got up without looking and tried to dust my jackets. " That won't come off easily you know." She said finding my behaviour amusing. " I will probably go and wash it in the male's toilet. Can I get you another one?" I finally said lifting my g
SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter eight
" Yes. I would like you to officially be my prom date and also can you.." I saw her walking closer to me and before I could say another word, her lips brushed against mine slowly. At that moment, the world titled around it axis. I felt like I was on cloud nine. The students all began to murmur and the whispering got so loud that I couldn't concentrate anymore. The sound of camera shutters from different phone filled the air and i smile as she grabbed my hands. " You just got yourself a deal, Pointus. But first you need to be on the same level with me." Cassie said looking at my face. " Not exactly my level but the schools level." She added. " Here is my card. Call me when you want us to talk more about what I can do for you." Cassie said and walked away while some of her friends were had been staring at us wondering what as going on followed right behind her. Finally! I stood still and I coud see the anger on his face. Jeremiah looked at Cassie as she walked out and his g
SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter nine
Beep... Beep...The sound of the monitor echoed softly in the sterile white room. My eyelids fluttered open, squinting against the harsh fluorescent light. My head throbbed. I could taste dried blood in my mouth. Slowly, my vision adjusted—and that was when I saw her."Mom?" I rasped.Eva stood by the window, arms crossed over her chest, her nurse uniform as crisp as ever. Her face was unreadable, and something about the way she looked at me made the room grow colder.For a split second, I thought she was just worried about her only son. But then she turned to me fully, eyes sharp, voice clipped."Pontius... what have you gotten yourself into?"I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my ribs. "Jeremiah... He—""I know," she interrupted. "And that's not the worst of it."I blinked. "What do you mean?"She moved closer, her shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor. "This hospital... it's owned by Jeremiah's father. He found out what happened. And guess what? You're not the
SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter ten
I could barely believe what I was seeing. The system was giving me another chance. After weeks of waiting. Days of crying and agony. My mother could barely keep us alive from the change she made from the pharmacy shop. I could hear her groans from sleepless night but now that the system is back, I know I had to let her know. But then I needed to see what my first mission was going to be. [ SYSTEM INITIALISATION COMPLETE ] [ SYSTEM REWARD FOR REBOOTING; $20,000,000 ] [ SYSTEM TASK : RECLAIM YOUR HOUSE ] I looked at the holographic message and suddenly dropped the mop I was holding. " No way! This can't be real." I shouted with joy. Fucking twenty million dollars! Who the hell gives twenty million dollars for just some weird task? [ SYSTEM VOICE; I DO ] [ SYSTEM RULES; COMING RIGHT UP ] My face went pale as I kept my eyes fixed on the screen before me. For a few seconds, I forget where I was standing. I was supposed to be mopping the floor. But I was fixed to a sp
SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter eleven
I watched as colour slowly drained from Layla's face. I walked towards the podium and collected the mic right from her hands. The whole class was silent. Anticipating.Watching and eager to hear what I had to say. I looked around trying to gain their attention. Trying to let them know I had risen once more, and this time, I was not staying down. I could see the look on Cassie Kline. She was beginning to show interest in me. The same girl that has been icy and didn't care when I hit rock bottom was stylishly winking at me. But who cares? I was going to use her to make Layla's life a living hell. "This afternoon, free lunch on me!" I shouted into the mic, and the whole student body went into an uproar. "This is just mad!" "Did Pointus just say free lunch?" "I can't believe a student who we believe is not of worth?" "Do you think he is lying to us about who he really was?" "Who cares? Free food, free booze. Don't tell me you don't want it?" Another student said with joy. The
SYSTEM ; Rise of the Pauper heir Chapter twelve
There was a ripple of murmurs as many of them looked at me and wondered what I was doing. I could see Jeremiah's confidence faltering a bit. "That should be around seven million dollars, Mr Pontius." The voice said through the speaker, and the crowd gasped again. I could see the educators whispering, the workers talking, and even the deans were not left behind. But it was a free world. All of them were entitled to their own opinions about it. "Is that the final price?" I asked again, trying to be sure I heard correctly. "Do you think he can pay that amount of money?" "Don't make me laugh. Even the mighty Jeremiah Johnson cannot pay that. I know his father is rich, but he is nothing without him." Another said Jeremiah looked back, glancing toward the crowd almost like he could hear what was said about him. "Yes, Mr Pontius. The house was bought by Clark Johnson, and it is on the auction list. I think that is the asking price for it." The voice replied back. "Fine. I will be sen
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chapter twenty eight
"Huh." I said silently with my breath caught in my throat. The school erupted into a frenzy mode, with each of the students grabbing their phones to make a record of what just happened."Did she just kiss him?" "Omg! I can't believe Pontius just killed Precious!" "Is he going to see the president or something? He is gradually getting his future right."I could hear all their talks, but as I stood, everything faded into the background, and I wasn't sure what was going on anymore. One minute Precious and Jeremiah were arguing with Layla, claiming what was hers. And the next minute I was locking lips with Precious. I knew I was being used, but why does it feel damn good? The noise faded, and I saw the look on most of the kids' faces. They all were showing signs that they were squared off with me, but one person wasn't. He got mad with rage, and as he moved towards me, I didn't expect what he was going to do. Jeremiah sent a blow directly to my face, and I went backwards towards so
Chapter twenty seven
What is she doing?"" Is she going to ask him out?"" You are kidding right? How can the president's daughter ask Pontius out?"" No kidding. She must have shears about him. Saw what he did and decided to date him also. Pontius is like the hot girl every one wants to date." A boy said to his friend." Can you just keep your mouth shut and let's see how things will unfold."" One thousand dollars says the president is going to ask him out." The boy said feeling a bit offended." Two thousand." The other replied." Deal!"The atmosphere was eccentric for me. My legs were visibly shaking and god, I was sweating in my palms.I have always seen the president on TV's but coming close to his daughter was something I had never thought was going to be possible.I can see some of the students all gathering around to see what was happening. " Are you alright?" She asked staring at my face.But I was short of words.I just stood there like a zombie. My gaze bore into hers. Her smile was captivati
Chapter twenty six
My heart thudded and beat fast.I wasn't sure; maybe it was from the anticipation of the next mission, or maybe it was from the way Cassie had treated me coldly. I have a lot going on for me at the moment, and to think that she could leave me when it mattered the most made it even harder. She was the perfect plan to make sure my mother doesn't know about the mysterious system. I was even beginning to wonder if it might have been my real father trying to connect with me. The system has come to me at my weakest. The money, the power and the missions all were in alignment with my daily life and routine. I know by now that I had to keep the mysterious phone away from prying eyes. Especially Jeremiah, who would see that I crashed and burnt. I watched Cassie walk away, and my attention shifted back to my system. [ SYSTEM UPGRADE] [ Congratulations, you have passed the few missions given to you. Your account will be upgraded to the next tiers. I waited as the phone went blank. I kep
Chapter twenty five
I froze.I knew I was not supposed to but I felt like I was intruding. The words slipped into my ears like sharp knives, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.Slowly, I raised my head and turned to meet her gaze.I don't know why I had to feel jealous or sad over hearing her telling another guy that she loved him.Cassie was staring at me, her phone now resting lazily in her hand. Her once soft expression had hardened, her brows knitting together as if I had committed the gravest sin."I wasn't eavesdropping," I said, my voice low, almost uncertain. "I was just... passing by.""Passing by?" She tilted her head mockingly, the coldness in her eyes stabbing into me deeper than her words ever could. "You seem to be 'passing by' at all the wrong times lately, Pontius."Pontius.Not "Ponty," not the half-teasing, half-annoyed tone she always used with me.Just Pontius. Distant.Formal.Like I was some stranger she had stumbled across.I wonder if she had really meant the word she said to m
Chapter twenty four
My face went pale. I could hardly believe what was going on. The sound of the camera lights and the background whispering of the students was all I could hear. Felicia looked at me and smiled. "Was that your first kiss?" She asked, staring at me. I had always envisioned my first kiss to be special. But it was stolen by someone I had no feelings for. "Why did you do that?" I asked, staring at her. "Do you even care when you see Rykard throw me against the lockers'?" I asked, staring at her face. "I am sorry, but that was to make Rykard jealous. I don't want him anymore. I want you." Felicia said again, and the whole class giggled. I am having conflicted emotions right now. Cassie was playing a mind game with me, and I wasn't sure what she really wanted from me. Right now, I was the hot boy everyone wanted on campus. It was going to be a shame to let all of that go to waste. "Will you be my date to prom?" Felicia asked again, putting me even in a tighter position. My eyes da
Chapter twenty three
I crashed against the lockers. I could feel all my body aching with pain as I tried to get up. "Stay away from her, Pointus!" He shouted at me. "I told you to leave me the hell alone, Rykard. I will never be yours." Felicia said with anger and walked off. I got up to look at the student that shoved me against the lockers. "You should stay away from her. He is my girl, and don't you think you can have her too?" Rykard said with a glance sending me a serious warning. I watched as he walked away, leaving me seated on the floor in the hallway with some of the students rushing to help me to my feet. "I can't believe you would allow him to hurt you like that. Everyone knows Rykard is a bully." "You should have him reported." "Why don't you go to the sick bay? You need to get your wounds treated." I looked at my elbow, and I saw it was bruised. "Thanks." I said slowly getting up to my feet. I grabbed my backpack and walked, drawing my hoodie up. Many of the students gazes landed on
twenty two
" I told you not to call my phone any more!" Eva shouted at the mysterious caller while I had to wait right by the door. I heard everything.I heard it all.It was leaking longer than usual. My heart thud loudly as I waited by the door in anticipation for my mother's return. I heard her gentle sob and I knew this was not going to be easy.I wonder who was the man that had made my mother cry. I walked Stealthy back to where she left me.[ SYSTEM VOICE; COUNT DOWN WILL BEGING IN SOME MOMENT TIME. ]My breathing felt shallow as my gaze turned pale. I kept looking at the door wondering when she was going to open. Wondering if she was still crying but then the door pried open and she walked out with a smile on her face.What!Didn't I hear the gentle sob of my mother right now?Was she faking it all along?" I know you heard that." Eva said staring at me.I hated calling her Eva due to some weird reason. Martha sounded fine to me." No, I didn't." I said looking at my feet.She knows I was
twenty one
I looked at my phone and back at my mother, who was strolling into her room. To think I have finally rid myself of her lashing at me was enough for me, but then the system was asking for the impossible."What the hell is this madness?" I said to myself with my hand akimbo.With great power come great responsibilities.Yes!But this is getting out of hand. It was almost like the system was following my every move.[ DING!][ SYSTEM MISSION UPDATE: ASK YOUR MOTHER WHO YOUR REAL FATHER IS][ PENALTY FOR NOT FOLLOWING ORDERS ; MONEY WILL BE LIQUIDATED AND YOUR NEXT MISSION WILL BE UNCERTAIN][ SYSTEM REWARD ; $20,000 ]I looked at the reward, and I ran my hand through my hair. It was almost like the system wanted me to know who my father was. But not this time.Not when I just managed to get myself free from my mother's stern gaze and curiosity.I know asking her now was going to cause another ruckus between us. I remembered the last time I talked about who my father was; all hell was let
Chapter twenty
I felt relieved to see her standing right outside the door. " Looks like I came in the nick of time." She said with a smile on her face." Did you follow me down here?" I said staring at her." You bought your house back so I wanted to see the house you spent two million dollars to get back." Cassie said smiling" Can you keep your voice down?" I said immediately as I ushered her into the mansion." Who is that?" My mother shouted" A friend." I shouted back" A friend? Is that what you are going to tell her?" Cassie frowned a little.I stood still perplexed." What was I supposed to tell her? You said you didn't even want to be here." I said walking right in front of her. " Welcome to my humble abode."" Well, did you tell her about everything that happened at school?" Cassie asked taking a seat on one of the couches. " i don't have too. She found out even before I got home."" How?" Cassie asked." It is the internet Cassie. Everything and everyone is on it." I said walking towards
