They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 644: ... With a Little Sacrifice

"From what I have seen so far, you are already defeated. I don’t even like working with losers like you, but I’ll give you one chance. Don’t make me ask twice." The person let the words hang, and the air around Linda felt suffocating.

By now Linda knew something was very wrong. She tried to speak, to force the stranger to show their face, but the pressure rolled over her like a tide. "I will never help you," she said, voice thin.

"You don’t have a choice." The answer was cold. "You already know too much. Either you work with me, or you be silenced. Permanently." The voice warped for a second, distorted and low, and a chill crawled down Linda’s spine.

"I—I—" Linda stammered.

"Sweetheart." The voice flipped back to normal, soft and cruel. "You’re already missing two exams. You’ll probably repeat this year. And her, Nnenna, she’s only getting brighter. The boy you love, George, will never look your way again. He’ll become her admirer. He’ll move on, and you’ll be left watching him fall for someone else while you keep failing, year after year, until you give up."

Linda’s mouth opened. "H-how do you know that?"

"Because I can see the past, the present, and the future," the person said plainly. "That’s why I brought you this golden chance to rewrite your fate."

Linda felt something shift. Her resistance wavered; the stranger’s certainty made the future suddenly feel fragile. If this person could make the room bend and the locked door hold no barrier, maybe, just maybe, they really knew what they claimed.

"Opportunity comes only once, Linda." the person said, watching Linda’s doubt turn to something softer. "I can make all your pain go away. I can make sure you pass every exam, perfectly."

"My first major?" Linda asked, doubtful.

"Already done, once you agree." The voice was confident, final. "I can make you stand on the pinnacle of the world and rule." The tone grew domineering. "All you have to do is bow to me, dear, and everything you’ve ever wanted will be yours. Who’s more important, Nnenna, or your fate, your life, your bright future with George?" the person asked. "And who knows, George might become irrelevant once I lift you to where you were always meant to be." They teased.

"So... what’s it going to be, little girl? Do we have a deal?" The person released the pressure that had been pressing Linda down, making sure she was willing.

Linda wiped sweat from her face and stood up straight. Her voice was quiet at first. "All I’ve ever wanted is to help others. To be my best self so I can help others be theirs. To make this world better." She paused, thinking.

"And it will be... with a little sacrifice," she added, eyes hard and wet with anger.

"We have a deal," she said, staring the person dead in the eye.

"Very good." The voice softened. "I’ll tell you what to do when the time is right. Do not fail me." The person’s form faded, leaving the warning hanging in the air.

---------

went on. The last few candidates before Linda had finished their presentations,

MC called out,

Silence.

glancing around. The murmurs began

is she?"

not here?" another voice

down at his list. "If she’s

"I’m here!"

noise. Heads turned. Linda came

here," she repeated, climbing up the steps. "I’m

whispered, others rolled their eyes. The judges

been here on time, Student Linda," she said evenly. "But since you

her chair. "This is an examination, not a casual meeting," she said sharply. "You were given enough time to prepare. This kind of lateness shows a

lightly. "Let’s not make a scene," he said. "She’s here now. We’ll judge her

still feel the weight of their stares. Her heart pounded as she faced

or not, she had to prove she still

dimmed slightly as Linda stepped forward for her third major exam, Adaptability. A hush fell over the crowd, the kind of silence that carried both tension

thudding hard in her ears. This was her moment, the one she had to

"Your third major

eyes flicking briefly toward the judges’ table. Chinyere, Hannah, and Clifford all watched her intently. Chinyere’s expression was calm and professional. Hannah’s eyes carried mild curiosity,

screen behind her flickered to life, projecting a series of rapid situational changes, environmental shifts, emotional triggers, unexpected challenges,

sharp precision. Her answers were confident, quick, and logical. She adjusted to every twist like someone used to thinking on her feet. Even the virtual simulation on the

through, her voice faltered. Her mind went blank. The words she needed... just wouldn’t

he muttered. "Seems she’s

as she clenched a part of her dress

when

in her mind, same voice... from the locker room

you don’t know it. Then again, a deal’s a deal. Listen, adaptation