The System Glitch Chapter 2

Bella looked at him in surprise.

Julian turned his head, but his ears were turning red.

"Heard you like smart guys."

So that's it.

Bella smiled. "Yes."

"If I get first place in the grade, you date me."

"My sister is first place. You can't beat her."

Julian froze, then scoffed arrogantly. "Watch me."

That night, Bella told me about it, laughing. "I didn't know Julian could blush. He's kind of pure."

According to the System's data, the Sterling heir had a reputation as a playboy, but was actually inexperienced.

But reputations aren't baseless.

I whispered, "The System's recommendations are trash. Don't take it seriously. Focus on getting into a good college."

Suddenly, the System, missing for days, came online.

[Chloe Vance!!! Talking smack behind my back? That's it. Punishment time!]

It blocked my access to the System interface.

Coincidentally, I went away for a math Olympiad camp where phones were banned. I was blind to what was happening with Bella.

When I returned, monthly exams were over.

Julian Sterling had broken into the top 100. A massive improvement.

Bella said, "Wow, he actually has a brain."

I felt a twinge of unease. Things were going off-script.

I pulled out a piece of paper and started drawing diagrams to deprogram Bella.

"Julian looks okay, but compare him to who? Our school has 600 seniors. The city has 50,000. The country has millions. His rank is mediocre at best."

"Even if he's smart, the fact that he could do well but didn't until now shows a lack of discipline, goals, and self-management."

"He only tries for things he wants in the moment. He's impulsive, arrogant, and doesn't listen to advice."

"The saddest thing isn't lacking talent; it's wasting it. A person who doesn't cherish themselves won't cherish you."

"His family has immense resources. He could be leagues ahead, but he's just average. That shows low IQ and EQ in utilizing resources."

"And you, Bella... you're a solid 9/10 beauty nationwide. You worked hard for this. I want you to look long-term. Don't get distracted by roadside flowers."

"Even if you date, aim for someone as excellent as you. Being beautiful is an asset, but it also attracts predators. If you aren't strong enough, pick a safer path."

Bella started crying.

"Chloe, your brain is so sexy. I regret putting all my points into beauty."

Aw, a crying beauty is still beautiful.

I wiped her tears. I regretted not putting a few points into beauty myself.

Now, the only way to get points was to steal them from each other, which we wouldn't do.

Bella went back to treating Julian like air. She focused on her acting and cramming for exams.

After being ignored repeatedly, Julian got desperate.