Chapter 14: Competence Requires Cooperation
Authors Note: Changed my mind about the break lol
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I found myself lying in my bed with an annoyed expression plastered across my face.
My guitar, which had once been a source of comfort and escape, now rested beside me on the bed.
Something about this new life I was living didn't sit right with me.
I was now musician, a dreamer, someone who had carved out a small corner in a vast world. Now, I was nothing more than a 16-year-old student in Paris, stuck in a body that wasn't mine. Sure, I had all the memories, all the knowledge I had gained, but it didn't matter much if I didn't have the power to use it. And right now, that was the problem.
I was broke.
The original Luka had worked a job as a pizza delivery guy. That job had provided him with enough to save and buy instruments, but I hadn't bothered to show up once since I'd woken up in this body.
His savings had dried up faster than I'd expected, spending most of it on exercise equipment.
I'd been somewhat content with this life, eventually having control over every powerful person in the series, you know, just another student in a bustling school. But that wasn't going to be me. I had a chance to start over, I would be more strategic, more competent.
I wasn't just going to rely on the luck of this new body. I had my mind, my intelligence, and my ability to understand people. Those were the tools that had made me successful in my past life. In this new life, they were even more important.
I needed a way to get ahead, to climb the social ladder, and for that, I needed influence. I couldn't just be another student. I needed connections, leverage—something or someone who could provide me with power.
The first obvious choices that came to mind were Chloe or Kagami.
Chloe had wealth and status, but she was unpredictable and manipulative. She was a constant drama, and I didn't have the patience for it. She could easily turn on me if she saw me as an annoyance. Kagami, on the other hand, was loyal, composed, and far more predictable. She had the strength I admired, and unlike Chloe, her personality was more "open". It wouldn't take much to get close to her, I thought. And once I did, I could use her to further my own goals.
I decided on Kagami who just so happened to know Adrien as well.
The next day, after school, I made my way to the fencing dojo with a sense of purpose.
This was my opportunity to get closer to Kagami. I knew she was an expert fencer, and if I joined the class, I could not only impress her but also form a bond. And who knows? Adrien often showed up to play. I'd always been good at reading people, and Adrien, with his charm and status, would be an excellent person to have on my side, if I could figure out how to influence the situation properly.
I walked into the dojo. Kagami was already there, practicing by herself, her fencing sword slicing through the air with precision. Adrien stood off to the side, talking to the coach about something. His blonde hair looked like it had been tussled by the wind, and his usual carefree smile was nowhere to be seen. He was focused, his eyes intent on Kagami's movements.
The instructor, a no-nonsense man with a stern face, nodded as I approached. "You're here to join the class?" he asked, sizing me up.
"Yes," I replied, my voice steady. "I've always wanted to learn."
His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't argue. He motioned for me to follow him. I was immediately suited up, my gear clinking as I fastened it in place. I wasn't a stranger to physical activities, but fencing was new to me.
Still, I knew that my strategy and quick thinking would give me a slight edge.
I stepped onto the mats, the adrenaline starting to kick in. I could feel the eyes of both Kagami and Adrien on me as I took my place across from the instructor. I was a quick learner, and my mind already started analyzing the movements, positioning myself strategically on the mat to take advantage of the openings I knew would appear.
"Are you ready for your unit and functional testing?" The man questioned me.
"Yes." I responded quickly, ready to finally spar with a mentor figure and test my abilities.
The match began, and I could feel the tension in the room as I lunged toward the instructor. I could sense Adrien's curiosity, and I knew that Kagami's sharp eyes were already sizing me up.
Although I leaped into the battle I was careful, precise in my movements. Every parry, every thrust, every step was calculated. I made sure to appear like I was learning the ropes, letting my inexperience show on purpose. But under the surface, I was calculating, analyzing their every move, figuring out how to adapt.
The fight was over quickly, and I had managed to land a few touches. The instructor's face was one of surprise, though he hid it well. Kagami stepped forward, clearly impressed. "You've been practicing before, haven't you?" she asked, her voice calm but with an edge of curiosity.
I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to play it cool. "Not exactly. But I learn quickly when I see something done well." I turned to Adrien, giving him a quick smile. "Actually, I owe some of that to you both. Watching you two fence has given me a lot of insight."
Adrien blinked, clearly surprised. "You're picking it up fast," he said, smiling. "I didn't expect that from a new student."
Kagami gave me a nod of approval. "You're not bad," she said, her voice softening slightly. "Maybe you'll even catch up to me someday."
I smiled, inwardly pleased. "I'll do my best," I replied. "What I've learned, most of it from watching you two. It's your form and technique that helped me understand the strategy behind it."
Both of them looked at each other, and I could see a hint of appreciation in their eyes. This was just the beginning. I wasn't here just to learn fencing. I was here to form connections, to influence, to manipulate the pieces on the board. Kagami was a strong ally to have, and Adrien's approval was a useful tool.
As I finished the class, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I was getting closer to my goal, one step at a time. Kagami would be the first, but soon, I'd have a network of influence, and with it, the power to shape my new life.
I wasn't just a student anymore. I was a player in a game that I intended to win.