System Of Infinite Charm

Chapter Seven: The Public Trial

Morning sunlight streamed into the classroom, but the atmosphere was heavy. Adrian could feel it the moment he walked in, every pair of eyes was on him. 

Whispers bounced off the walls like bullets. “Jason’s got something planned today.” 

“He’s gonna bury the worm for good.”

“I heard Adrian jumped him last night.”

Adrian clenched his jaw. The system hummed quietly in the back of his mind.

[Quest Active: Survive Jason’s retaliation. Stage Two begins]

Jason arrived late, swaggering into the classroom with a bandage across his nose. 

He ignored the teacher’s scolding and walked straight past Adrian’s desk, slamming a folded piece of paper onto it.

Adrian unfolded it slowly. “Auditorium. Lunch. Don’t chicken out.”

Jason’s smirk said it all: it was a setup.

By lunchtime, the auditorium was packed. Students filled the seats, buzzing with anticipation. Rumors had spread like wildfire: Jason was going to expose Adrian.

Adrian stepped onto the stage cautiously, every step heavy. Jason stood at center stage with his lackeys, grinning like a wolf.

Mr. Harris, the gym instructor, stood near the side, arms crossed. “This had better not be a waste of my time.”

Jason raised his voice theatrically. “Oh, it won’t be, sir. We’re here to expose a fraud.”

The crowd murmured. Adrian’s chest tightened, but he forced himself to stand tall.

Jason pulled out his phone, projecting a video onto the auditorium’s screen. Grainy footage appeared, last night’s ambush in the alley. 

The angle was poor, but it clearly showed Adrian kneeing Jason and breaking free.

Jason’s voice dripped venom. “Look at him. A coward who attacks when he’s outnumbered. This… worm pretends to be brave, but in truth, he’s nothing but a thug.”

Laughter rippled through the audience. Whispers turned sharp.

Adrian’s fists clenched. His heart pounded. He could feel the tide turning against him. The system chimed suddenly.

[New Task: Turn the tables publicly. Reward: +4 Charisma, +6 Reputation. Failure: Reputation -20]

Adrian’s lips curved into a slow smile. He stepped forward, his voice calm but loud enough to cut through the noise. “That’s funny, Jason. Because if I remember right, the video starts after you and your three dogs jumped me in the dark. Convenient angle, don’t you think?”

Gasps rippled. Jason’s smirk faltered. “Shut up. Everyone saw what you did.”

Adrian cut him off, his tone razor-sharp. “They saw me break free. They saw me fight back. And they saw you curl up like a baby after one knee. Tell me, Jason, how’s your stomach?”

The auditorium erupted in laughter. Jason’s face reddened. “You. ”

Adrian stepped closer, his voice louder now, carrying across the room. “You wanted to humiliate me? All you’ve done is prove I’m stronger than you. Three against one, and still… you bleed.”

The laughter grew. Even Mr. Harris’s lips twitched. Jason’s fists shook at his sides. “This isn’t over, Worm.”

Adrian tilted his head, smirking. “No, Jason. It’s just beginning. And the more you chase me, the more everyone sees the truth: you’re scared.”

The auditorium roared. Cheers and claps broke out. Adrian stood taller, the fire in his chest blazing. The system’s voice chimed sweetly.

[Task Complete: Public humiliation reversed. Reward: +4 Charisma, +6 Reputation]

[Reputation: 71. Charm upgrade: Presence enhanced. Your words carry more weight]

Jason’s face twisted with fury, but Mr. Harris stepped forward, silencing the crowd. “Enough. Both of you, back to class. And Jason, if I catch you pulling stunts like this again, it’ll be your suspension on the line.”

Jason froze, his glare burning holes into Adrian. But he didn’t argue. He stormed off, his lackeys scrambling after him.

The auditorium buzzed as students filed out, whispering Adrian’s name. The worm wasn’t just noticed now, he was remembered.

Emma appeared at his side, her eyes shining with disbelief. “I can’t believe you just.”

Adrian smirked. “Neither can I.”

The system’s voice chimed again.

[Quest Update: Admiration Gained. Current peers: 2 (Emma, general student body). Goal: 5]

Adrian’s chest swelled with pride, but he knew better than to relax. Jason wouldn’t stop. This was only fuel for his rage.

Still, as Adrian left the auditorium, students parting around him, he couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips.

For the first time, he wasn’t hiding in the shadows. He was standing in the light, and Jason was the one choking on the darkness.

The school hallways buzzed with talk after the auditorium scene. Everywhere Adrian walked, heads turned. 

Some smirked, some whispered, and for the first time, a few nodded at him with something close to respect, but it was short-lived.

By the next morning, the whispers had shifted. “Did you hear? Adrian’s been cheating on tests.”

“Yeah, apparently he blackmails teachers too.”

“I knew he wasn’t that smart.”

Adrian froze at his locker. His stomach dropped as he caught fragments of conversation. A group of girls walked by, giggling. “He threatened Mrs. Carter for grades, can you believe that?”

Emma appeared at his side, her brow furrowed. “Adrian… What's going on? People are saying”

“I didn’t do any of that.” His voice was tight. “Jason’s behind it.”

Emma’s eyes flashed with anger. “Of course he is.”

The system chimed.

[New Crisis Task: Clear your name within 24 hours. Reward: +5 Wisdom, +10 Reputation. Failure: Reputation reset to 0]

Adrian’s pulse quickened. If Jason’s lies stuck, everything he’d built would crumble.

At lunch, the cafeteria was louder than usual. Jason stood on a table in the center, his bandaged nose adding fuel to the drama.

“Listen up, everyone!” His voice boomed. “Our dear bookworm hero isn’t just a coward, he’s a cheat. I’ve got proof!”

Gasps filled the room as Jason waved a folded paper in the air. “A teacher’s report. Adrian forged his grades!”

The crowd erupted in shock. Eyes darted toward Adrian. Emma whispered urgently, “Do you think it’s real?”

Adrian shook his head, but his gut churned. “It’s fake. Has to be.”

Jason smirked, holding the paper high. “You thought you could outsmart me, Worm? Time to crawl back under your rock.”

The system chimed again.

[Temporary Skill Unlocked: Insight. Passive. Allows you to detect falsehoods and inconsistencies in presented evidence]

Adrian stood slowly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. The cafeteria quieted, waiting. He walked toward Jason, each step steady despite the fire raging inside him.

“Funny thing about liars,” Adrian said, his voice clear, carrying through the room. “They always leave cracks.”

Jason sneered. “What are you babbling about?”

Adrian pointed at the paper. “That so-called report. Let’s see it.”

Jason hesitated. A flicker of doubt crossed his face. Adrian pressed. “What’s wrong? Afraid the Worm will expose you again?”

The crowd stirred. “Yeah, let him see it!” someone shouted.

With a snarl, Jason shoved the paper at him. Adrian unfolded it carefully, scanning it. His new Insight skill glowed in his mind, highlighting details like neon signs.

“The header’s wrong,” Adrian said calmly. “Mrs. Carter’s reports are always typed, not handwritten. And funny, her signature at the bottom? Backwards. You forged this, Jason.”

Gasps. Students leaned forward, whispering furiously. Jason’s face paled. “You can’t prove.”

Adrian cut him off sharply. “Oh, but I can. Because Mrs. Carter is right there.”

Every head turned. At the cafeteria doors, Mrs. Carter stood with a tray, eyes wide, having just walked in. Adrian lifted the paper. “Care to confirm this is yours, ma’am?”

Her gaze hardened instantly. “That’s a forgery. I never wrote that.”

The cafeteria exploded. Laughter, cheers, shouts. Jason’s face twisted, his body rigid as the humiliation washed over him.

Adrian leaned in close enough for only Jason to hear. “You wanted me to crawl. But you’re the one choking now.”

Jason’s fists trembled, his fury barely contained. The system chimed.

[Task Complete: Name Cleared. Reward: +5 Wisdom, +10 Reputation]

[Reputation: 81. Wisdom upgrade: Analytical Thinking unlocked]

Mrs. Carter’s voice silenced the crowd. “Jason Reed, come with me. Now.”

Jason’s lackeys tried to melt away, but the damage was done. The cafeteria buzzed with Adrian’s name. 

Some clapped his shoulder as he walked back to his table. Others just stared in awe. Emma grinned at him, eyes sparkling. “That was incredible.”

Adrian exhaled slowly, his heart still pounding. “One battle down.”

The system chimed again.

[Quest Update: Admiration Gained. Current peers: 3 (Emma, student body, Mrs. Carter). Goal: 5]

But even as relief washed over him, Adrian caught Jason’s eyes as the teacher dragged him away.

They weren’t just angry. They were dark. Jason mouthed one word as he was pulled out of sight. “War.”

Adrian’s chest tightened. The fight wasn’t over. It had only just escalated.