Chapter 20: High-Priority Mission

"Is it safe to walk around in the open like that after yesterday?" Hiro asked Bella when they found an isolated outdoor table on the school's campus.

In the shade of the large tree, Bella leaned her upper body on the stone table in the utmost unladylike fashion ever, groaning the answer away.

"It's fine," she responded. "The conflicts in this society come threefold; one in the open, one in the shadow, and one between bosses. It's safe to say my father won both the boss battle and the battle in the shadows, leaving only the one in the open, which usually adheres to the laws of the country."

Oh wow, so these are the unwritten laws and unspoken rules of legends? Seems rather awesome. Hiro thought to himself as he opened up the food packaging.

[Notice: You've acquired a new mission!]

[Mission: Little Boss!]

[Mission Description: Your goal is to prepare for a future where your one word can change the lives of many; such a thing cannot be accomplished on your own. Join or create a functional society in the school, and establish your reputation and authority both in the open and in the dark.]

[Reward: ???]

…

Hiro touched his chin and started thinking, a smile on his lips. At last, the system prepared a high-priority life mission for him.

He also understood that this must be related to Bella's explanation of the three-way conflicts in the Paranormal Society.

"You don't have to think about it so much," Bella poked his forehead with her pair of wooden chopsticks. "Once that's settled, my dad will find an opportunity to thank you properly. You best be prepared."

"Haha, I'm not thinking about that stuff too deeply…"

I'm just wondering if these hidden rules apply in a place like a school… Hiro added in his heart. If that were the case, would those big families be planting their underlings on the border of directors? That would make sense.

After talking with Bella for a while, Hiro excused himself and left for the Administration Building, as he needed to apply for a club to join.

On the other hand, Bella had to leave to meet up with Rosaline so that she could join the student council later on.

Although she extended an invitation to Hiro, he politely declined the offer.

The high-priority mission mentioned that whichever society Hiro joined, He needed to make it to the top of the ladder.

Hiro wasn't delusional enough to think that mere grades and prestige were enough to become the Students Council President in this school.

If he thought deeper into it, this could only mean that Rosaline's family—the Rosch family—is considered to be the top Paranormal lineage in this area.

Unless he became the Rosch's son-in-law, he could forget about it.

As he walked towards the Administration Building, Hiro considered his options.

A club couldn't be considered an active society unless Hiro lumped all the clubs together as a whole.

The more Hiro thought about it, the more he realized how difficult it was to establish his influence in the school.

Thud!

"Eck… Hey! Are you motherfuckin' blind?!"

Hiro took two steps back and looked up, confused. Didn't I just bump into you by accident? What's the big deal?!

Hiro found himself confronted by a young boy who was taller than himself. He had a cool, spiked-up hairstyle with a split 7-3 on the side.

He had two other guys to his left and right, and they seemed prepared to pounce on Hiro, but that guy stopped them with a wave of his hand.

He clicked his tongue, spat on the floor, and dusted off his school uniform.

"Must be a freshman, so I'll let it slide on account of that," he said after scrutinizing Hiro's uniform. "Next time… Never mind, better not be a next time, got it?"

Hiro was still in a state of shock when the tall boy reached out, patted his head and ruffled his hair, then walked away with a cold look in his eyes.

The two lackeys snorted, and as they passed by, one of them leaned over to whisper in a soft voice, "You've messed up big time, boy! Now that you've offended Zyd, just wait for a miserable life!"

After the trio left, Hiro shook out from his daze and slapped his thigh in excitement.

"That's it! Brilliant! How come I didn't think about that?!" Hiro almost laughed out loud as he mumbled to himself in a crazed manner.

On the other side, the tall boy glanced back from the corner of his eye. Seeing that Hiro didn't chase after them, he heaved a sigh of relief.

Damn, that was close! He thought to himself as sweat covered his back. This must be the freshman with connections to the Princess, I almost messed up big time!

Zyd thanked his lucky stars and connections among the freshmen.

Although the second-year and third-year students didn't mingle with the freshmen that much, the school was only so big.

Of course, these big figures in the school had some chips and minions throughout the layers of the student body.

Something as big as the gossip about Hiro's relationship with Bella and Rosaline, although limited to a small number of people, was still something worth considering.

However, after he went about and acted tough, Zyd couldn't just back out in front of his subordinates.

Luckily, that freshman seemed too shocked to react. On the other hand, my reaction speed wasn't that bad—I found a way out for both of us! Damn, I'm a genius!

…

After Hiro calmed down, he was already standing by the entrance to the Administrative Building. Sёarᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

It wasn't very crowded, but there was still some traffic going on.

"Little brother, come get a brochure from here! It has all you need to know about the available clubs and the regulations process!"

A girl called out to Hiro from the side. After hesitating for a moment, he went over and greeted her a smile.

Hiro grabbed a colorful magazine from the counter as he spoke, "Hello, sister. Thanks for the trouble."

"Hm, the school's budget actually allowed you guys to print such high-quality brochure? I'm a little surprised."

"Hehe," the girl chuckled. "This is actually the Publishing Agency Club's contribution, and they've paid for it from their personal budget, not the school's! Sigh, I don't even know what they're thinking!"

"There's such a thing?" Hiro was more than surprised. As far as he knew, the school in his previous world wouldn't allow students to invest from their pocket money into school projects.

It's easy to imagine how this could break the student body into factions based on class standards.

No school would promote such counterproductive activities… If some rich second generation scum wanted to invest hundreds if not thousands of dollars into their own club, then what's the point?

The girl easily saw through Hiro's thoughts and laughed. "Don't think too much about it, little brother. Even if the school didn't place any restrictions on external sourcing, they still need the approval of the students council to promote such activities."

Hiro understood. In a sense, the students council is there to police those spoiled brats from acting up too much.

This could only confirm Hiro's earlier guesses about the societal structure in the school.

"Thank you a lot, pretty sister." Hiro complimented her since talking was cheap, and he wouldn't be losing out.

While the girl blushed with joy sparkling in her eyes, Hiro focused on the available clubs.

He easily found his way to the sports section of the brochure, and from the array of available clubs, his eyes settled on Football.

Although I don't know much about sports to begin with, since I'm a certified otaku with my reputation to back it up—I still have my system…