My Evil System

I turned and saw Thomas sitting on his bed. He looked concerned. "Are you okay? You look like you've eaten something rotten. Your face is so pale."

I nodded and forced a smile. At least I felt better when I finally saw the kid back in the dorms, safe and sound.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said and asked him, "I have been searching for you in school. Where did you go after your class was over?

It was only a whim, and I really wasn't really in the right mind to ask that question. I expected Thomas to answer with a whimsical, 'Just exploring around the school.'

But contrary to my expectation, the kid lowered his head and avoided eye contact. I felt worried all of a sudden, but then he smiled after a short silence.

"I-I . . . I just checked around the school," Thomas said.

I felt something was off with the slight trembling of his voice.

I didn't get the chance to question him, though, since he had already changed the topic.

"Why are you looking for me again?" Thomas asked.

"Agh . . . I was just going to ask you to have lunch together in town," I told him. "My treat, of course."

Thomas's eyes widened. "In town? You mean like in the stalls?"

I shook my head. "In a restaurant, of course."

I just met Thomas yesterday, but I felt like I had known the kid forever. He really reminded me of my little brother, and thus, I couldn't help but treat him like one.

<What happened to not associating with him and leaving him behind?>

Shush you!

Thomas gaped at me. "R-restaurant?!" his eyes stretched even wider.

"But . . . those things are expensive."

"I know," I said. "I told you already. I have enough gil with me."

"S-still . . ."

I saw on his face that he was hesitating, and I tried to ease his worries.

"Don't worry about it. I have plenty of gil with me," I assured him.

Thomas must have realized that I wouldn't budge, and so he curled his lips in protest instead.

"You . . ." Thomas released a breath, and then, like he had given up, he shook his head in a sad smile. "It's fine, Cross. You go on ahead. I'm not hungry anyway."

". . ." I didn't expect to hear that from him. I should have known that he would say no.

He was a good kid who didn't take advantage of me. He was nice and very considerate to booth.

I was about to open my mouth to convince him again when Thomas slumped on the bed, covered himself with a blanket, and turned his back on me.

"I'll just sleep for a while."

". . ." There was no talking to that, especially when he had already turned his back on me.

I didn't forced him anymore and let him be. It would only put a strain on our relationship if I asked him to do the things that he didn't want.

I'll just take out some food for him later.

At the thought, I felt a little better.

"Alright, then. I won't force you if you don't want to go," I said, but there was no response.

"I'll be going then."

I went to the door, and even after I closed it, Thomas remained on his bed while he didn't spare me the barest glance or even uttered a single word.

I didn't feel any anger or hostility from him, so I was baffled as to where his depressive mood stemmed from.

Maybe things didn't go well for him on his first day of class. Like me, maybe he was made fun of by his classmates.

I got mad at the thought, and I felt pity for Thomas.

But there was nothing I could do.

I was only one person, and there was a limit to how far I could help him. I couldn't always protect him, so Thomas had to learn to defend himself.

Besides, it didn't change my initial decision to stay away from him when this was all over, so I guess not getting too close to him was better at this point.

With that in mind, I was consumed with pity and worry for him.

<Host, you could always give him the Evil Accessory and turn him into one of your loyal subjects>

No. I firmly shook my head.

Thomas being near my other self was too risky. The kid was better off alone than being with me at this rate.

<So does that mean that Host would activate his other self in the future~>

". . ." I-I was just thinking about the big what ifs.

We didn't know what would happen in the future, and I might accidentally activate it.

<So there is a chance~>

I groaned. I wasn't saying that there wasn't. But if I could prevent that chance from happening, then I would.

As I traversed the usual route going towards the restaurant, I tried my best to hide my presence from other players.

Eating in this world was troublesome, and even just going to the restaurant was also troublesome.

I wonder why moving in this world was just so damn hard?

<Because Host is repressing your evil self. Unleash your evilness, and nothing could hinder you anymore!>

No. Thank you.

Fortunately, the restaurant I went to yesterday was in a private area in town located in the rich inhabitants' district. One that had little to no players around for the reason that most couldn't afford anything from the shops and restaurants in here.

After going into some series of corners and trying hard to avoid as many players as I could, I reached the restaurant without encountering any trouble.

When I went inside, Mr. Got immediately spotted me, and he went to my side.

"Hello, Mr. Cross. Do you want the same table as yesterday?"

I felt embarrassed when I was suddenly treated like a VIP. I scratched my nose and could only nod under his scrutinizing slit eyes.

"This way, then."

I was led to a private stair, and I was in a happy mood as I thought of the delicious food that I would soon consume.

However, my happy mood quickly disappeared when I saw Amara and her group together with Edward and his supporters.