The King's Mandate: Anomalous System

"Das. Das, wake up. You will be late for exams!"

"Good morning, mom."

"Good morning. Get up and---why are your eyes red?"

"Huh?"

She gave me a mirror. My eyes are as red as blood.

"Did you eat something weird yesterday?"

"I didn't."

What happened last night? I can't remember...wait, I remember. My body was aching as usual, and I barely made it to bed and passed out. It's getting worse day by day.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. What's the time?"

"It's 9. Your exams are on 10."

"I will go to take a bath. Make something for me to eat...just give me lemon juice."

What's going on? This all began when I started playing that game. Maybe I shouldn't play that game for some days...but I have to level up.

"Okay. I am going."

"Wait up, Das."

"What's wrong, dad?"

"I will drop you off."

"But your office is the other way."

"Let me drop you off."

"Fine."

He took the car out of the garage.

"You want to drive?"

"No, thanks."

"Man, you are n.."

"I am fine with that."

"Don't you want to go on a drive with your girlfriend?"

"I will go when I want to."

"I am still wondering how a boring guy like you got a girlfriend."

"Don't call your son boring."

"So..."

"Hmm?"

"What will you do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"After university."

"I haven't thought of that yet."

"You can continue to live like a normal boy."

"I would love to if I can."

"Do you want to work for my company?"

"I don't want to work?"

"So my son wants to be a NEET?"

"I will do what Elena wants."

"That's okay with me, and I am sure your mom will be too but..."

"What?"

"Isn't there something you want to do?"

"I have never thought about it.",

Before I met Elena all, I was thinking about studying but...not anymore.

"If you don't work, then your grandfather will make you his successor."

"Aren't I?"

"You are, but he says that he will let you decide what you want to do."

"Well, for now, I will go to high school. Then university with Elena, and then I will think about what I want to do."

"I see."

"You can drop me here. I will cross the road from here."

"Okay."

I got out of the car.

"Hey!"

"What?"

"Best of luck."

"Thanks."

I crossed the street. I entered the college gate. Now I just have to go to the---

"Excuse me." the gatekeeper stopped me.

"Huh? Me?"

"Yes. Can you show your ID card?"

"I don't have one."

"I am sorry you can't enter."

"What?"

"I can't let you enter without an ID card."

I don't have one because I don't study here!

"Can you call the head? I will talk to him."

"He is busy with exams. He doesn't have time for that."

"I will call him then. Give me the number."

"I am sorry, but I can't."

I understand that it's his job, but he is pissing me off.

"I am here to give an exam. You can ask any faculty."

"They don't have time for something like that. If you don't have an ID card, then please get out of here."

Sigh...

What should I do now? I don't have anything in my bag. Should I call dad? Wait, I think I have the university's advisor number. I checked if I have his number or not...there is. Good. I rang the number.

"Hello, this is Das Ryle speaking. I have an exam today, but the guard is asking for ID which I---hah? What? Okay."

I gave the phone to the guard.

"Yes. Okay. Okay. I understand."

He gave me the phone back.

"So, can I go now?"

"Yes, you can."

"Good."

I walked some steps, and I heard the guard saying 'Rich bastards', but I decided to ignore him.

"Typical adults."

I entered the building. I can't see anyone. Last year students had their exams, so I guess others have a reading vacation or something?

"Hey, Das Ryle!"

Someone called me. I looked back to see an older man with white hair and a beard wearing a suit. This person is the head of this university.

"Hey. Am I late?"

"No, no. You are on time. I heard you had trouble on your way."

"It's nothing."

"Hmm."

"So, where is the exam?"

"The exam hall is on the right."

"Okay, thanks."

"Hey, wait up."

"What?"

"You don't have to go there. You are giving your exams in my office."

"Why?"

"Because you are an exception."

"What?"

"What do you think other students will think if you go in there?"

"...."

"Let's go."

We went to his office. He gave me five papers on different subjects. I started writing the answers.

Hours passed by. The older man is doing his work on his desk. I have already finished four papers.

"Do you need something to drink?" he asked.

"I brought some lemon juice."

"Oh? Lemon juice is nice. It's my favorite."

"My favorite is mango.",

"Mango juice is nice too."

This older man is very kind. He kind of reminds me of my grandfather. He is just like him, but my grandfather looks scary, and he looks some sort.

"I am done."

"5 papers in 4 hours! You are amazing."

"Where is the 6th paper?"

"You can take a break."

"Huh?"

"Aren't you hungry?"

"I am, but I can finish the exams."

"Please think about this old man. I am hungry."

"Oh. My bad."

"What?", said the old man with shock.

"What?"

"I never thought you would apologize!"

"...."

"You sure have changed since the first time we met."

"What do you mean?"

"The first time I met you, you looked lifeless, but now you look lively."

It's all thanks to Elena.

"It's thanks to a certain person."

"I heard you have a girlfriend too."

"How do you know that?"

"Elena Huer."

"How do you know her name?"

"You never bothered to look at my nameplate."

I looked at the nameplate on his desk...what?

"Caleb Huer?"

"That's right. I am your girlfriend's grandfather."