THE ILLUSION

02. Please help!

The major of Game Development looks to fill the special hall. It’s the day for the first trial proposals game in the final year of education.

A girl with a beautiful smile still gets attention. She looked simple in cardigan a pastel colored jeans. Shoulder-length brown hair with thin bangs adds a youthful and fresh. Many boys from all over the world take turns wanting to chat with her. Apart from her gentle aura, her intelligence also makes all students curious.

“Isabella, your proposal will definitely not disappoint! The council won't stand your charm, hahaha." She is teased by one of the tan-skinned men who is familiarly called Jacky. Isabella just smiled faintly with red cheeks.

Until the girl's attention was then distracted by the children who slowly pulled over. Paved the way and was stunned at the beauty of the girl in red shoes. While walking like a model, Merin Noella came with her flagship chain jacket. Lips as red as a pomegranate, perfecting smoky eyes.

Denada Chloe, Isabella's best friend, squinted. "She is beautiful and smart, but she acts like a demon."

"Don't talk like that." Isabella scolded.

“I will never forget how she tore my dress in the first year!” Denada snorted.

However, Denada immediately fell silent as soon as she realized Merin was standing in front of her.

"Still holding a grudge about your dress?" laughed Merin, “even though you were the first to attack me just because our dresses are the same. What a childish."

Denada growled. “YOU—”

Denada almost gave a hard slap, but Isabella held her hand.

"Merin, never mind. Do not disturb us. We are here for the trial." Isabella said.

“Right! You always act like the smartest but wait. Isabella will win the best proposal!” interrupted Jacky.

Merin bit her lower lip. Her chest heaved up and down. With a wild look, she tugged at Jacky's collar. Making the young man widen instantly and almost suffocate.

“Listen, I'm going to be the best graduate. So, I have to win this proposal trial!” Merin said while pushing Jacky hard.

Isabella smiled faintly. "Jacky is right, Merin. Better not get your hopes up. The councils will know clearly who the winner is."

Amid that tension, the speaker gave an announcement that made everyone complain. 

Attention!

The trial was postponed for two hours due to technological advancements.

We anticipate patience from every student. 

***

Due to the trial's postponement, some students chose to wait outside.

Merin scanned the courtyard of the hall, her eye darting around every corner.

She wasn't able to find what she was looking for.

It was just a bunch of kids gossiping.

"Where did Isabella go?" Merin wondered.

Merin was looking for the girl for a reason. She purposefully made Jacky's argument while watching Isabella's reaction. Merin didn't let the fact that Isabella appeared to be certain she would win bother her.

"Argh, I don't like the girl's petty appearance," Merin grumbled.

Lucky.

Isabella's silhouette was seen walking to the back of the hall, holding the hand of a man.

Merin quickly followed the two.

Merin was escorted down the halls of the campus building by an emergency stairwell

She took great care not to make a sound with her movements.

Meanwhile, Isabella and the other man eventually came to a halt in the middle.

Merin can see the man's identity. Her brow furrowed, indicating that she was trying hard to think.

Isn't that one of the professors on campus?

What is his given name?

Professor Eldric Lee Peterson!

Merin pondered with dilated pupils. She quickly took out her phone and began filming them.

"Are you sure you can do well?"

Eldric was asked seriously.

Merin tucked her hair behind her ear to improve her hearing.

"Of course, Professor. I don't mean El—"

"I will never let my little best friend down."

Merin rolled her eyes. The playwright, she mocked inwardly.

Eldric's hand gently pushed Isabella's shoulder, then reached into a gold flash drive. Merin's hands clenched into fists. Inwardly, she felt her suspicions were confirmed.

Isabella cheats.

Merin gasped when Eldric was about to rush out. Suddenly, Merin turned and jogged ahead of the young lecturer. The emergency staircase door opened. Blowing silent wind down the long hallway. Merin peeked from the room that happened to be open. Waiting for the man's back to disappear from his sight.

“File must contain leaked questions from the board. I won't let you have it!"

With burning eyes, Merin re-entered the emergency stairs. Her determination to confront Isabella was unanimous. However, all the curses caught in her throat when she heard Isabella's conversation with someone on the phone.

“The file is in my hands. I'm on the emergency staircase of the main building. Get over here, honey!”

"You snake woman!" Merin said, crossing her arms across her chest.

Isabella was taken aback. She hastily turned off the phone with a shaking body. Her arms hid behind her back. Merin casually descended the stairs, while Isabella pressed herself against the wall.

Merin held out one hand. “While I ask nicely, give me the file.”

“For what? What does that have to do with you?” asked Isabella in surprise.

Merin started to feel annoyed. She leaned closer to Isabella and prepared to take the girl's hand. But on reflex, Isabella dodged and tried to run away. Unfortunately, Merin's grip landed faster than expected.

BUKKK! Merin grabbed the girl and banged her back against the edge of the stairs.

“We have to do everything fairly, right? How dare you—” 

Merin took a deep breath before continuing. "Never mind, quickly give the file!" demanded Merin.

Isabella clenched her fists and pushed Merin. It's useless Merin did not waver. Her fingers firmly penetrated the girl's fist.

"Let me go!" shrieked Isabella.

The two of them pushed each other. Finally, Merin mustered up her full strength. One hand managed to grab the flash drive, but the other hand even let go of pushing Isabella. So, her body bounced over the edge of the stairs.

Fortunately, Isabella's hands were still gripping the edges. Merin widened her eyes as she took a few steps back. She just stared blankly at Isabella who was crying in panic.

"Merin, help me. Help lift me," Isabella whispered with sweat dripping down her forehead.

Merin flinched. She glanced at a flash drive in her palm, then squeezed it hard.

"I don't want to interfere with your life and death matters," Merin snapped, "try to survive, your boyfriend will come after all."

“No, please… don't go!” Isabella sobbed as she watched Merin go back up the stairs to get out.

Even if Isabella's vocal cords were severed, Merin would never turn around. In her 20-year odyssey in the world, the girl grew so cold. No compassion, no care, and will only think of herself. The principle is not to owe and owe anything to humans.

In the middle of the hall, Merin's eyes were slightly watery. Maybe because she forgot to blink or because something crossed her mind. The sound of splashing water, screams for help, and a rising feeling of suffocation.

Merin paused for a moment. She bent slightly, resting on her knees. 

"Right, that's how it feels," Merin muttered as she swallowed hard.

Just as Merin was about to lift herself back up, someone bumped into her pretty hard.

The flash drive that was in her hand fell. Merin's hands were forced to intertwine with the jacket of the crasher.

Merin tilted her head. "Professor?" she asked as he immediately pulled away.

Eldric's brow furrowed still with a downward gaze. He crouched down, grabbed the flash drive and looked at Merin suspiciously.

Eldric frowned. "Who are you? Why is this thing in your hands?”

"I'm Merin Noella Amyra. You have cheated, Prof! As a council, how can

you leak trial questions to Isabella Liu!” Merin growled.

Suddenly Eldric grabbed Merin's shoulder. "What do you mean? The flash drive contains the

Fantasia project guide! Isabella Liu will be my model tomorrow!”

Merin's eyelids widened. Her lips parted slightly at the tall lecturer's statement.

“W-wh-at? So Isabella isn't cheating?”

"Where is she now?"

Merin's feelings of regret and anxiety welled up in her heart. The girl closed her eyes for a moment, then turned around.

"SHIT!"

Eldric's grip loosened in one fell swoop.

Merin ran back to the emergency stairs, followed by

Eldric and his black coat flapping in the wind.

Out of breath, Merin opened the door. Her retinas widened when she realized that no hand was

gripping the edge of the stairs. As soon as she checked down, Merin tried her best to hold back

her screams with both hands. She took a few steps back with a trembling body, while it was Eldric's turn to check.

"Isabella!" Eldric shouted to find the girl's body lying stiff on the ground floor. The girl’s brain exploded with blood pouring down his body.

Merin's gaze was blank. Afraid. Regret. “My fault—”

Eldric immediately gave Merin a sharp glance. His hands gripped the edges tightly. Trying

to hold back as much as possible. Refrain from attacking Merin. Overcome all the confusion.

"I'll report you," growled Eldric.

Merin gasped. She gripped Eldric's shoulder hard. A look of worry and anger flashed in her pupils. “No, I won't let anyone imprison me. My parents ... they will kill me if I damage their reputation!”

Merin stopped as soon as Eldric gave him a disgusted look.

"Are you aware of what you did? Someone's dead!"

“I DON'T PUSH HER OR ANYTHING!”

The two of them competed to raise their voices. Merin swallowed again. This time, her throat ached even more. Slowly, her grip loosened. Merin’s hand then reached into the cell phone and held it up in front of Eldric.

“Professor, this tape shows you were the last person with Isabella on the scene. You get what I mean, right?” Merin said.

Eldric pursed his lips. He chuckled for a moment, then growled again.

"You think you can set me up?" challenged Eldric.

“You don't want to mess up the Fantasia project either, do you?” Merin said with a smirk.

A warm touch landed on Merin's neck as Eldric wrapped his arms around her. The girl's hair tingled. Blood was rushing fast as Eldric caressed her cheek gently. A whisper wafted into her ear.

“Merin Noella, do you know what kind of project I am working on?”

"Don't mess around," Merin threatened.

Suddenly, Eldric's hand grabbed Merin's shoulder and locked her tightly.

“Project Fantasia was created to punish people like you. Bad people who don't want to take responsibility for their mistakes!”

“Are you planning to make a new law using technology?”

“If you don't want to be imprisoned, then let your days that I make like a prison! A sentence that you will not be able to pass for life,” explained Eldric.

“What if I can get through it?” challenged Merin, "does that mean I have paid for this sin?"

Eldric turned Merin over. It made the girl shake a little. Their gazes met. Eldric was still guessing what Merin meant. Meanwhile, the girl still kept her grin.

"Then make me your first suspect, Professor Eldric. I will guarantee this video will not leak. Your project will continue and I am safe from bars.”

Eldric's gaze dropped as he stepped back. Dropping his back against the wall gasping for air. He realized that everything Merin said made sense. The Fantasia project should run without a hitch. Otherwise, he will disappoint many parties. His family, his seniors, his team, and his late twin brother... Aldric.

Can I trust this crazy girl? Eldric thought.

However, he knows very well that Merin's presence will bring luck to his project. If successful, Fantasia can immediately obtain an official license from the ministry

“Why think so long? Don't waste time!” Merin protest.

Eldric's one hand brushed his hair. For a moment he squeezed it, then threw it. His shoulders were raised. Blazing Merin with a sharp gaze.

"I will call the police. You come with me to headquarters,” Eldric's instructions aroused Merin's conviction.