8 Guess I'll have to trouble Sam again

Alice's face was graced with a faint smile.

"Alright, you can go home now. Remember to make an effort to fit in with your classmates, and if you have any problems, feel free to come and talk to the teacher."

"Okay, goodbye."

Sam turned around calmly and walked away from Alice, his steps steady and even.

Out of Sam's sight, Alice's smile slowly faded. She crossed her arms over her chest, accentuating her full bosom, a figure so enticing it could arouse desire in any man. 

However, her expression was serene yet dangerous, exuding a uniquely eerie charisma.

In the empty corridor, the enchanting Alice murmured to herself, "Sam didn't fully obey the teacher. Should I increase the pressure?"

Having left the school, Sam seemed to understand something. Just like Angel, who had the ability to pause time for five minutes, this woman named Alice, one of the female leads in the game, likely possessed a special power as well. 

It was her eyes. Those who met her gaze seemed to fall under a spell, hypnotized by her.

Even Madison, known for her brash personality, had become obedient to Alice's words. 

The text messages, written as if by Alice, criticized Sam for not being obedient enough. That momentary refusal had revealed something to Sam - his power, Absolute Lucidity, was immune to Alice's abilities.

However, it wasn't certain if Alice knew about his ability, as Sam had been compliant initially. She might attribute the anomaly to a fault in her own powers rather than their ineffectiveness on him. 

Regardless, Alice had noticed him, which was problematic.

The only consolation was that their conversation had been relatively normal, with no unusual behavior that stood out. 

Sam needed to be cautious. Future interactions could be tests, and it was crucial not to arouse further suspicion from Alice to eliminate her doubts and interest in him.

Since the system hadn't triggered any tasks, it indicated that Sam still had a chance.

Thankfully, Sam didn't encounter Zoe on his way back, nor did he "accidentally" bump into her in the morning. This brought a considerable sense of relief to him. 

Sam boarded the school bus and arrived at school without any unusual incidents. The classroom, still waiting for morning classes to begin, was filled with the usual bustle.

Students chattered about their latest obsessions, whether it was a new girl idol group or an exciting online game. 

To Sam, these conversations seemed distant; he could potentially befriend these peers, but that would mean inviting familiar dramas into his life. 

For Sam, survival was the priority.

Looking out the window, Sam smiled to himself, accepting his role as a solitary and rational handsome young man.

"Whack!"

"Hey, what the heck, Louis! You scared me!"

Louis had slapped Sam on the shoulder with a dramatic flair, striking a pose next to him. "What are you daydreaming about? The dark world awaits our salvation, and here you are, lost in thought?"

"And what 'world-saving' are you talking about now?" Sam, resting his cheek on his hand, showed no inclination to stand up.

Leaning in, Louis whispered, "Starlight Entertainment Inc is holding auditions for new actors. I could become the next big idol. Interested in trying out with me?"

Sam looked at Louis, slightly overweight and with a face marred by acne, and wondered how he could be so confident.

"If you even get an audition at Starlight Entertainment Inc, I'll eat my hat," Sam retorted.

"You're such a drag, Sam. You're decent-looking, just slightly less than me, but you always keep to yourself. Without me, you'd be a total outcast."

Sam lazily replied, "You don't get it, Louis. This is my energy conservation philosophy. I avoid meaningless socializing and focus my energy where it matters."

Louis squinted at Sam, "That's something a harem game protagonist would say. You don't actually think you're one, do you?"

Sam just blinked and remained silent.

Louis sighed, patting Sam's shoulder in a mock-mature manner, "Ah, growing up is all about realizing how ordinary we really are."

Sam, however, wished for a bit of ordinariness, so he wouldn't have to worry about his safety daily. But he was like a spring in a barren desert, a firefly in the dark night, an unexpected bloom in a wasteland – he simply couldn't fade into the background.

Class began, and Alice was there, teaching calmly, not paying any special attention to Sam, which eased his mind. She wasn't as alert and wary as he had feared. He continued to avoid direct eye contact with her.

During class, Sam received a text message. Since it was class time, he had set his phone to vibrate. 

Alice was lecturing smoothly at the front, seemingly not indicating any unusual events.

He sneakily checked his phone, which read:

[Just pictures are not enough, it seems. The real thing has a better effect. Guess I'll have to trouble Sam again.]

What the heck?

The strange content... could it be Angel?

No, such things can't happen again. Even if I starve to death or die holding in my pee, I'm not leaving this classroom today.

Just then, a pleasant voice rang in Sam's ear: "Sam, would you like to answer this question?"

Startled, Sam quickly put away his phone and looked towards the podium. Alice was gazing at him intently, her eyes as sharp and profound as ever behind her silver-framed glasses.

"I..."

Sam instinctively stood up, facing the blackboard covered in dense mathematical formulas. Unsure where to start his answer, his peripheral vision caught something else.

By the classroom door... there appeared a figure in a black pleated skirt and white over-the-knee stockings.

Angel?

What was she doing at the door of his class? Could it be...

Wait, the text message?!

By the time Sam realized what was happening, it was too late. 

He felt it again.The sounds around him suddenly vanished, and he was unable to move his limbs.

He couldn't even avert his gaze...

Was Angel, who appeared suddenly during class and even while he was answering a question, using her power to stop time?

What was she planning to do?