章 3: Aura Of Zen!

Hugo, still haunted by the earlier food poisoning fiasco, entered the bustling cafeteria with a grim determination.

He kept staring at the hologram screen that was displaying his welcome package with a shocked expression.

'This is really real...'

The hologram screen before his eyes was proof that the system truly existed.

It still felt like a dream to him. Systems existed? And he now had one?

As he stepped through the door, the sheer chaos of lunchtime hit him: students chatting loudly, trays clattering, and the delicious smell of cafeteria food wafting through the air.

He took a deep breath and glanced at the hologram screen of the system.

[Ding! Bestowing Welcome Package!

Host has received 'Aura of Zen'!

Host has received 'Aura Radiation' skill!

Host has received One bottle of 'Plate Unlock pills'!

Host has received 50 UHS Credits!

Store feature is now available!]

Hugo was clueless about all the items in the welcome package except for the store feature. But he at least knew one thing: In any system novel, the best cheats always came first!

Readers were too impatient, it was best to put the best for first!

No matter how trash it sounded, it was guaranteed to be something good.

So he made up his mind on the spot to test out the Aura of Zen.

And he was going to do it now!

He was about to test whether this system was real or not!

'Aura of zen... activate!'

With a thought, Hugo activated his Aura of Zen, determined to make this meal less disastrous.

Whoosh!

The moment the aura was activated, it was like time came to a crawl.

The world grew quiet and his thoughts became clear, his thoughts flowed with such clarity he could almost see them.

His emotion grew stable and solid. He was at peace with himself and the world. He was unfazed!

Feeling the effects of the aura of zen, there was only one way for Hugo to describe it;

Ice in my veins, baby!

He drifted through the crowd with the grace of a drifting feather. The chaotic hustle seemed to flow around him in a perfectly orchestrated dance.

The aura surrounded him like a calming bubble, his pace unhurried and his expression relaxed.

It was invisible and formless, yet everyone he passed by couldn't help but look at him twice.

The amount of calm he was exuding was astonishing!

He was like a monk that had just descended from the mountains!

Just as he approached the serving area, he noticed a stunning lady, probably a senior—beautiful, poised, and carrying a tray piled high with an impressive selection of food.

She looked like she'd walked straight off a magazine cover, balancing her tray with an elegance that seemed almost defiant of the surrounding chaos.

For the briefest of moments, as they passed by each other, they exchanged eye contact.

Everything seemed to slow down as if he were moving in a dream. In a dramatic turn of events, the senior's heel caught on the edge of a stray backpack, and she stumbled, her tray tipping precariously.

Hugo's zen-like reflexes kicked in.

With the agility of a cat and the precision of a circus performer, he lunged forward, catching the tray with one hand and grabbing the senior's waist with the other, steadying her before the food could hit the ground.

The cafeteria went silent, the room's attention now focused on the scene unfolding.

They all had one thought; why did this scene feel so familiar?

Their spidey senses were tingling...

Hugo's face flushed a faint pink as he held her steady. He could smell her wonderful scent and feel her soft body.

For a virgin like himself, he could only say...

It felt wonderful!

The tray was perfectly balanced, and the senior's eyes met his with a mixture of shock and gratitude.

Hugo, striving for a blend of charm and casualness, couldn't help but blurt out, "Looks like I've got a lot on my plate... and you're not a side dish!"

The moment froze, the senior's eyes widened in surprise, then squinted slightly as she tried to process the strange compliment.

The joke, delivered in a deadpan tone, hung awkwardly in the air.

Hugo, despite his best efforts to be smooth, had unintentionally made the situation feel more bizarre than charming.

He realized at that moment, the aura of zen might have made him exceptionally calm, but it did nothing to help his terrible communication skills!

"Er, sorry," Hugo said, his cheeks turning an even deeper shade of crimson. "I just... you know, had to balance everything out."

Although he was embarrassed, under the influence of the aura of zen, his words still came out sounding nonchalant.

It was his tomato coloured cheeks that betrayed his embarrassment.

The senior, trying to regain her composure, laughed lightly and said in a splendid British accent, "Thanks for saving me. I'm Jessica."

They slowly disentangled. Hugo watched her create distance with bitterness in his heart.

The warmness of her body in close contact with his had felt amazing!

The cafeteria also became busy as usual once more. It was like a mysterious entity had pressed the play button...

Now that they were both standing straight, Hugo realized one deadly fact.

She was taller than him!

Her legs were so long his head barely reached her shoulders. And she wasn't even wearing heels!

"Hugo," he managed, still maintaining his calm. "Nice to meet you."

He returned her tray coolly and tried to strike conversation.

"Move! Dragon!"

Suddenly, a vociferous bark disrupted Hugo's flow and caused him to jolt. Then he realized he had been standing on the line without moving and the people behind were getting impatient.

Why was this bloke calling him dragon?

Unfazed, he sauntered out of the line and moved towards his target.

Hugo was determined to get this senior's number! He was a man with a death mission and was as desperate as they got.

Nothing could make him lose this heaven sent opportunity!

Just as he opened his mouth, disaster struck once again.

[Ding! Aura Duration expended. Entering cool down in 5... 4... 3... 2...]

Hugo's eyes widened and a sense of panic overcame him!

Shit! He couldn't afford to lose his aura of zen now!

[1!]

Hugo watched helplessly as the aura of zen left his body. The ice in his veins melted and the emotional calm was lifted.

F*ck! F*ck! F*ck! F*ck!

Like a helpless duckling, he watched Jessica stare at him with a curious look and felt his heart leap in his chest.

What was he going to say? What should he do? How should he get her number?

He really didn't want to lose this target!

"I'll be seeing you around, right?"

Jessica ended up making the decision for him and ending the conversation. She had felt him to be a bit cool previously, but why was he suddenly acting like a nervous virgin all of a sudden?!

Her time was tight and she couldn't wait any longer, so she said those parting words and left.

Hugo watched her leave and felt like his heart had stopped.

There was only one thought in his mind...

'How do I raise the aura duration!'

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