The woman blinked twice, and Alex immediately realized that he had been rude.

"Sorry, I got a bit lost in thought. Back to your question, yes, I'm the one who composed the song," he said calmly, forcing himself to steady his emotions.

She smiled softly. "You have real talent in composing, and your guitar skills are good as well. I'm genuinely impressed." Her tone shifted slightly as she continued, "But I have to be honest with you. You're not very good at singing." Her words were direct and unfiltered.

Alex frowned.

"It might sound brutal, but it's the truth," she added. "I'm not trying to discourage you. If you work hard on your voice, maybe you'll get there someday. Who knows?"

She paused for a moment before continuing, "But if you ever give up on being an artist and decide to focus on composing, contact me." She handed him a card.

At first, Alex felt irritated by her blunt criticism and thought she had only approached him to tear him down. However, when she encouraged him to improve and even offered him an opportunity, he realized that she genuinely meant well.

At the very least, she had not told him to stop making music altogether. Even Alex had to admit that his voice still needed work.

"I'll be going now," she said, turning and walking away. I wonder if he hates me now? she thought, unaware that her old habit had taken over.

All the celebrities under her knew this side of her personality. She was brutally honest, sometimes to the point of being irritating.

But Alex was a stranger, and she should not have spoken to him that way. It was an old habit resurfacing, and she regretted it.

Alex watched her leave. He slipped the card into his pocket without looking at it, then packed up his things and left Newar square.

When he finished performing earlier, he had received a notification from the system, but he had suppressed it. He was still in public and did not want to look strange by staring into empty air.

After walking for a few minutes, he arrived home. As usual, his landlady was outside, smoking. She wore small, loose clothing, as she always did, accentuating her curvaceous body.

She narrowed her eyes when she saw Alex approaching with a guitar slung across his back.

"Brat, don't tell me you still have those wishful dreams of yours," she scoffed. "With that croaked voice of yours, I really wonder what kind of shitty label would ever accept you."

After a brief pause, she continued mockingly, "You know what, I own a restaurant. Why don't you come over and play that guitar of yours for the customers? You're very skilled at it. Just don't sing, and I'll pay you well." The moment she opened her mouth, her words were as vicious as ever.

Alex thought that her remarks alone might have caused him serious emotional damage if he did not have the system supporting him.

"Don't worry about me, landlady. I'm never giving up on my dream," he said firmly.

"Oh, good luck with that. I hope you succeed," she replied sarcastically. "But before that, remember you still have rent to pay. Wait... where are you going? Come here this instant, brat!"

While she was still ranting, Alex had already walked away, hurrying toward his apartment. She could only curse loudly behind him.

Inside his small one-room apartment, Alex locked the door and collapsed onto the bed.

Immediately, he willed the system to display the notification.

(Ding! Mission completed: Compose a song, then go to a public place and perform it.

Reward: Special skill, Resonance level one.

Resonance enhances the emotional impact of the host's voice, allowing it to naturally draw attention on a deeper level and subtly influence the audience's mood. The effect depends on skill level.)

"Finally. I hope this skill is worth it. System, show me my stats."

A new window appeared before him, displaying his information.

Host level:

Entertainment skills:

Star points: 0

Singing: level 5

Dancing: level 3

Composing and songwriting: level 7

Acting: level 3

Music production: level 5

Instruments:

Guitar: level 7

Charisma: 6

Special skills: Resonance level 1

Intelligence: 9

Handsomeness: 8

Physical points: 9 (This includes all physical attributes such as speed and strength. An average adult male has 10 points.)

Fighting skills: none

Weapon skills: none

Special technique: none

Other skills: none

He nodded, satisfied with his progress. However, his dancing and acting levels were pitifully low. For now, he had no intention of pursuing anything related to acting.

****

Today, Alex finally decided to go back to school. The moment he arrived at the gates of saints high, a strong sense of déjà vu washed over him.

It had been many years since he last attended high school. Exactly how many, he could no longer recall.

With a sigh, he walked through the school gate.

"Hello, Alex."

Someone suddenly called out, startling him. He turned around and saw a chubby beauty standing behind him.

She wore a white school uniform paired with a short pink, flowery skirt. The fabric hugged her curvy, chubby figure, highlighting her full body and making her shape impossible to ignore.

Her face was soft and full, with two cute dimples resting naturally on her cheeks. She was very beautiful, probably on the same level as Alex's ex girlfriend.

If some of the fat on her face were gone, she might even be more beautiful than his ex.

She was a transfer student who sat beside Alex in class, so they often exchanged notes.

She was a kind girl and always spoke gently to him. This had caused many of her pursuers to feel jealous. You already have a beauty as a girlfriend, and now you want to take this one too?

They secretly loathed him. One could imagine how happy they were when Billy and Christina started showing public affection at school a week ago.

"Amber!" Alex smiled, pleasantly surprised to see her.

"What happened to you? You haven't been at school for a whole week," she asked worriedly.

"Oh, nothing serious. I was in a small accident, but I'm fine now," he replied casually.

"Are you sure you're really okay?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He nodded firmly.

"Alright then. I think we should exchange contacts so I can check on you next time," she said. "No one in class seems to have your contact information, and even your girlfriend... ehm, I mean your ex, refused to give it to me." She said it without the slightest hint of awkwardness.

Most girls found it difficult to ask a guy for his number, and even when they did, they were often nervous. But Amber was different. She was straightforward and never the type to follow conventions.

Alex nodded and took her phone. Their hands brushed lightly, the touch soft and cool. Since she had only been in school for a week, they had not yet found the time to exchange numbers.

Several boys and girls noticed them sharing contacts, and muttering began almost immediately.

"That Alex is a legend. It hasn't even been a week since he broke up with his beautiful girlfriend, and he's already hooking up with another," one of the boys said. He stared at them intensely, wishing he could switch places with Alex.

"Yes, and this one is just as pretty, maybe even more shapely than the last," his friend agreed.

As for the girls, they started wondering what was so special about Alex. He was pleasing to the eyes, yes, but he was also dirt poor. Deep down, they felt a sting of jealousy, though their pride would never allow them to admit it.

Alex and Amber soon headed to their classes.

On the way, they ran into Billy and Christina. It seemed Billy was escorting her to her classroom. He belonged to class C, and his grades were so poor that if not for his wealthy parents, he would have ended up in class F.

When he saw Samuel, Billy quickly leaned in and planted a peck on Christina's cheek.

"Stop it, naughty boy," she said, pushing him away playfully, while Billy flashed a grin at Alex. Alex ignored him completely.

He would have his revenge someday, but not now. At the moment, he was nothing and could not even begin to think about proper revenge.

Seeing them together caused a faint ache in his chest, but he knew it was only a lingering feeling from the past Alex, not his true emotions. In reality, he did not care at all about the two people, who were little more than strangers to him.

Billy did not think much about the fact that Alex had healed. After all, it had already been a week, and with proper treatment, healing was to be expected. That was exactly what Alex had wanted as well.

Alex and Amber entered the classroom and sat in their usual seats. Amber took the seat to Alex's left. On his right sat a fat boy wearing spectacles, with an earbud tucked into one ear.

When he noticed Alex, he removed the earbud and greeted him. "What's up, Alex? I haven't seen you for a week now. What's wrong?" he asked. His name was Jude, and he used to be Alex's friend.

That was before Billy. They had argued after Jude warned him about Billy, and Alex had accused Jude of being jealous. Jude deleted his number, and they never spoke again.

But things were different now. It had been a week since Jude last saw Alex, and he had also witnessed how Billy betrayed him. He was genuinely worried, which was why he broke his self-imposed silence and spoke to him.

"I'm alright. I'm sorry about what I said, Jude. I know it might sound strange now, especially since what you said about Billy turned out to be true. I'm sorry for how I treated you back then."

He apologized sincerely.

"Oh, that's nothing. I'm sorry too for scolding you that day and calling you small-brained. Maybe that's why you flared up back then," Jude said, apologizing as well as he stretched out his hand.

Alex took it gratefully. This fatty was genuinely a good person. The previous Alex had simply been too naive.

"Let's be friends again," Jude said, and Alex nodded.

After that, Alex noticed the earbud Jude was wearing. He always seemed to have it on every morning. The previous Alex had never paid attention to it, or cared enough to ask.

"You must really love music. What do you usually listen to?" Alex asked with a smile, trying to start a friendly conversation before the teacher arrived for the morning lesson.

"Oh, this?" Jude pointed at the earbud, looking embarrassed.

"The truth is, I don't listen to any known songs. It's just beats I made myself. Want to listen?" He looked at Alex hopefully.

Alex stared at him in surprise.

"You make beats? That's amazing. I'd really like to hear them," he said, nodding.

"Hehehe, it's nothing special, so don't be disappointed," Jude chuckled as he handed over the earbud.

Alex put it in his ear and listened. After only a few seconds, his eyes widened in disbelief. What he heard was completely unexpected.

He had been prepared for mediocre beats, which was common among wannabe producers and sound engineers. They were often unrefined, full of flaws, yet still passable.

But Jude's work was different. The beat was fire, polished and well structured, something that could already be compared to works by top producers, of course with a bit more refinement.

He was not a professional yet, but his talent was undeniable.

"You really made this? Did you do it in a studio?" Alex asked, genuinely shocked.

Jude removed his glasses, wiped them carefully, then put them back on before replying.

"Yes, I made it. How is it? Is it really that bad?" he asked nervously.

"Bad? This is really good. It could already be compared to top producers, of course with a little more refinement," Alex replied.

Jude blushed deeply, his fat body turning red.

"Thank you. You're the only one who has ever appreciated it," he said with a shy smile.

"Wait, how? This is too good for no one to appreciate," Alex said.

"Well, that's because you're the only person who has listened to it," Jude replied softly.

"Oh, I see. Now I understand," Alex said. "I'll be honest with you, Jude. If you keep this up, you're going to become a great producer or sound engineer in the future."

"Really? I have a small studio at home. Maybe you could come over one day," Jude said happily.

"Really? Do you also record?" Alex asked.

"No, not yet, but I hope to someday. I already have all the equipment at home," Jude replied.

Alex felt an unexpected urge to cry. Apologizing to Jude was something he truly did not regret. Missing this chance would have haunted him forever. Jude was real talent, and maybe he had just found a free studio as well.

"I want to visit too," someone said suddenly, startling both of them.

They turned and saw Amber.

"Really? You actually want to visit my studio?" Jude asked, finding it hard to believe. He had never had friends before, save for Alex, nor anyone interested in his studio. Now, two people wanted to visit at once, and he was overwhelmed with happiness.

"Can you guys sing?" he asked nervously, hoping he could record as well.

"Yes, I can sing very well," Amber said confidently.

"Well, I'm not that great, but I can compose and sing a bit," Alex said, feeling slightly embarrassed. He could not exactly claim to be amazing at singing.

"Great!" Jude pumped his fist excitedly, startling the entire class as his fat body jiggled with enthusiasm.

"What's wrong with that fatty and those two? And when did the three of them become so close?" the class wondered.

At that moment, Samuel received a text message. He checked his phone. It was a message from the talent show.