The King's Mandate: Anomalous System

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

Das stared blankly at Elena as she smiled.

'Don't say something like that. It would just make it hard for me to lie.'

'You are an innocent girl who has no idea how nasty this world is.'

'If you step into the adult world, you will easily get corrupted. It is dangerous for you.'

'Someone like you should be treasured properly, far from this cruel world.'

'Why is it that I don't want her to know how psychotic I am?'

'She has no idea I am a killer who kills for fun. Who loves the color of blood.'

'I had never thought of killing someone who is not harmful to me. But for her, for Elena, I would kill anyone who dares to harm her.'

'Why is that I am so attracted to her?'

'What's so special about her?'

'If I recall my first meeting, she looked so plain and boring. She was nowhere near Lier, but why is my impression changed now?'

'She is the same girl. The same plain face, messing hair, and the same annoying wide smile.'

'What has changed? Have I changed? Or has she changed? Or maybe both of us have changed?'

'I threw aside all the humanly emotions. I didn't want them. They were just for weak, but what about now?'

'Do I still think the same?'

'I don't know.'

'Do I want her to know who I truly am?'

'I don't know.'

"How would she react if she knows the true me? How would she react if I took off a fake mask I am wearing?'

'Would she still give me the same smile?'

'Would she still greet me in her annoying way?'

'Would she still tease me?'

'Would she still make fun of me?

'Would she talk to me?'

'Would she… even look at me?'

'I think I know the answer.'

'No one would like to hang out with someone like me.'

'It's the same as my middle school. Though I wasn't at fault at that time.'

'But isn't it the same?'

'If you can't climb up, then bring the topper down-- That was their mentality.'

'Isn't that how everyone thinks?'

'Isn't that how the world works?'

'Am I wrong here?'

'If there is someone better than me, what would I do?'

'Would I try to bring them down?'

'I probably will. I will test them and see if they are worthy of being on the top or not.'

'If they are, I will let them be. And if they aren't, I will crush them down.'

'What about Elena?'

'How is she?'

'What do I even know about her?'

'Nothing. I know nothing about her'

'I want to know more about her, but why?'

'I don't know.'

'Do I need a reason?'

'I don't know.'

'Do I need the answer?'

'No need for that.'

'Alright, I have decided what I am going to do with her.'

'I can't do anything.'

'If Elena decides to do something, if she makes some choice in the near future, I won't stop her.'

'It's her life, and I have no right to interfere in her life.'

Elena flicked her finger at Das' forehead and said, "Don't ignore me."

"It's rude to hit people, you know?"

"You are the one who started this physical relationship."

"..."

'Does she even realize what she is saying? Probably no. An idiot like her would never think before speaking.'

"Your answer is correct."

Elena smiled as she stood up and said, "Really?!"

"Yeah"

"So you are my slave now?!"

'Here it comes.'

Das took a deep breath and said, "No."

"Why?!"

Das grabbed her notepad and showed the last step to Elena.

"You see the answer?" questioned Das.

"I do."

"Answers should always be underlined."

Das was saying it like it was something obvious.

Elena made a disgusted face and said, "You are so lame."

Das face twitched and said, "You lose scores for these lame points."

Elena puffed her cheeks and said, "I don't get it. Why is underlining the answer is mandatory?"

"Ask that to higher-ups."

"I bet they are just lazy and only check the answers."

'She is right. That's the case in most cases. But...'

"The steps are important too."

She folded her arms under her breasts and said, "No one cheks the steps."

"That's not true. If it were me checking the answer sheets, I would give scores for steps even if the main answer is wrong."

Elena smirked and said, "That means you will give me points for correct steps and correct answers, right?"

'Dammit!'

"DOn't tell me… you were planning to make me say it by all these…"

Elena's smirk got wider.

"Unbelievable"

'I can't believe it. She knew exactly what I would say. She planned everything. She has comebacks for everything I do.'

"I had these doubts, but you are not actually an idiot, right?"

"I was never an idiot."

"What a blatant lie."

"Enough. You said you would give me points for correct steps and answers. Now become my slave."

"..."

'I can't tell if she is serious or kidding.'

"What if the answer was wrong? Would you have become my slave?" Das asked.

"WIth no hesitation."

"..."

'I can tell she is being serious his time.'

'I don't get it. What's so unique about her?'

'Everything she says, everything she does, makes me smile.'

"Okay, my slave. I order you to--"

"Hold it right there! I didn't agree on your being your slave."

"But you promised"

"But your answer wasn't actually correct."

"But you said you would give me points for steps and correct answer."

"That was just a hypothetical statement."

Elena squinted her eyes and said, "You are lame and boring."

"You…!"

'How dare she call me lame. I may be boring, but lame? Never'

Das took a deep breath and said, "Your answer was correct but invalid. Topic closed"

"Then…" Elena's face flushed a little as he started fidgeting.

"..."

She averted her face to the side and said, "How about half-slave since the answer was half correct?"

'What the hell do half-slave means?'

"Uhh… what do you mean by half-slave."

"I don't know."

"You don't know?!"