The King's Mandate: Anomalous System

"Done!" Elena said in a cheerful voice as she stood up and showed her notepad to Das.

"Why did you stand up?"

"Because I solved the problem."

"I bet it will be wrong."

Elena puffed her cheeks and said, "What will you do if it's right?"

"I will be your slave."

Das was sure her solution would be wrong, so he said something he shouldn't have.

Das grabbed Elena's notepad and started checking the solution.

When he was halfway through her solution, he started sweating.

'What the hell?!'

He once again checked from the beginning and stopped half way.

'What the fuck?! It's correct.'

He gulped down and checked two more steps.

'They are correct too.'

Das slowly placed the notepad down and looked at Elena.

"Answer me honestly, Elena."

"What?"

"How did you cheat?" Das asked with a straight face as if he was sure Elena cheated.

Elena's face twitched as she swung her hand to slap Das.

Das instinctively dodged it.

"Did… did you try to slap me?" Das asked as he leaned back on the chair.

"I did."

Das furrowed his eyebrows, "Can I ask why?"

"Because you said something I didn't like."

"What did I say?"

"You asked me how I cheated"

"That is… truth."

"It's not"

"And truths are always bitter," Das added.

"I didn't cheat!"

"It's very hard to believe."

Elena smirked and said, "Just admit you regret betting your life to me."

Das rubbed his nose as he said, "When did I bet my life."

"You said you would be my slave if the solution is correct."

Das cleared his throat and said, "Did you seriously believe that?"

"Was that a lie?"

"..."

"Was it?"

"..."

'What should I do now? I said that in the heat, but the solution really looks correct.'

"Elena," Das took a deep breath and said, "You should be aware that slavery is illegal."

'Nice one, Das! This will scare her a little.'

"It's fine."

'Got her!'

"Right? So--"

"My parents are lawyers, so it's fine."

"..."

'Dammit!'

"How about to check the remaining steps."

'Dammit! I let my guard down.'

Elena smirked as she said, "Or do you admit defeat?"

'This girl is dangerous. And I just gave her the thread of my life.'

'Dammit! Curse you three-minute-old me! Why did you bet something like this.'

Das took a deep breath to calm himself down.

'But fret not, Das. There are still four steps left. It can be wrong too. Yes, keep thinking that. Don't give in just yet. After all, she is an idiot.'

Das continued checking the further steps.

'Dammit! This step is also correct.'

He immediately checked the next step.

'This one was also correct!'

'What the hell?! When did she get this smart.'

He smirked inwardly and thought, 'Must be because of me.'

Das glanced at Elena, who was staring at Das intensely.

He checked one more step.

He then closed his eyes as he placed the notepad on the desk and said, "Tell me, Elena. How the hell did you cheat."

Elena swung her hand, but this time, she stood up as she tried to hit Das.

Das leaned back, but as Elena stood up this time, It wasn't enough to dodge her attack.

"Touch me, and I will never tutor you again."

Elan's hand stopped right before Das' cheek as his hair moved because of the impact.

'If that had hit me, I would have fallen down from the chair and hit the wall next to me.'

Das gulped down as he thought, 'Does she not realize how strong she is?'

'I still can't believe it's the same girl who cried every time I yelled at her. But now, she looks strong.'

'She has changed a little… no, not a little. She has changed too much. I kind of miss the old one.'

"Alright, one last step left," Das said as he picked up the notepad.

Elena was still standing in front of Das.

"Sit down."

"I won't sit until you confirm it's correct."

"I won't check unless you sit down."

She shot a glare at Das as she sat down and continued glaring at him.

Das checked the last step and regretted betting.

'It's correct. Dammit!'

'DAmmit. Dammit! Dammit, all!'

Das placed down the notepad and said, "It's about time you confess how you…"

When Das gleaned at Elena, she was showing him her fist. 

Das stopped as he cleared his throat and said, "How you got the answer."

"Is it correct?"

'She doesn't know?!'

'Wait! I can just say her answer was wrong, and I will be saved. But… lying would hurt my pride.'

'What should I do? It's like footing an idiot. I can do it, but… what is this new feeling I am experiencing?'

'It's different from all other new feelings I have experienced. It's like a feeling of… defeat?'

Das was continuously glancing at Elena.

'Even if that's true, I won't be defeated unless I admit defeat myself.'

"You answer is---"

'What is this? Why do I want to tell her the truth?'

'Her answer is correct. There is no doubt about it. But why is it that I don't want her to know that?'

'I want to tell her the truth that her answer is correct, but the part of me doesn't want her to know her answer is correct.'

'How can I tell her that her answer is correct, but at the same time, she shouldn't release her answer is correct.'

'That's impossible!'

"So? Is it correct or not?" asked Elena.

"Elena, answer me one thing."

"I didn't cheat," Elena said with a straight face.

"I am not asking that. I want to ask something else."

She showed her fists and said, "Choose your words carefully."

"How will you know if what I said is true or not."

"What do you mean?"

"If I just tell you that your answer was wrong, even though it was correct. How would you know?"

"Well," Elena smiled and said, "I will believe you whatever you say."