The applause still echoed faintly in Jason's mind the next morning. Not because he was proud, but because he knew what came after applause.
Pushback.
HEX64 delivered the confirmation before first period.
"Hostile node activity: +11%. Chase-linked cluster: Mobilizing. Preemptive social disruption likely."
Jason closed his locker and adjusted his sleeves.
Let them come.
Homeroom – Announcements
Mr. Brighton adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "Reminder: The upcoming Student Voice Forum will be held in two days. Nominees for speaker include… Chase Rourke."
Predictable applause.
"...and, surprisingly, a student-nominated candidate. Jason Carter."
The room blinked.
Someone actually choked on a sip of water.
Jason didn't look up. He didn't need to.
Paul grinned across the aisle. "Guess they like watching you talk."
Jason muttered, "They'll like it more when they hear what I say."
HEX64's prompt glimmered.
[睽卦:火泽睽.舆论对立,试探性对冲即将开启.建议:以静制动,借势拉拢中立人群.]
"Hexagram of Opposition: Public friction detected. Counter-force brewing. Suggest silent strength and alignment of neutral parties."
Jason exhaled slowly. He could already feel the currents shifting.
Hallway – Between Classes
The trap came quickly.
Jason turned the corner into the science wing and stopped.
Three upperclassmen—debate club jackets, smug looks. Not Chase, but his pawns.
"Carter," one said. "Heard you're giving a speech."
Jason kept walking. "You heard right."
Another stepped to block him. "Just don't forget how easy it is to choke in front of a crowd."
Jason met his eyes, calm as ice.
HEX64 flashed:
"Threat level: Social sabotage. Persuasion rating low. Response module: Psychological inversion."
Jason tilted his head. "That's funny. You ever notice how people who talk about choking are usually the ones who've done it?"
The boy's smirk wavered.
Jason walked past him. "Thanks for the reminder."
After School – Library Presentation Hall
The stage wasn't large—makeshift lights, foldable chairs—but the room was full.
Chase stood at one end of the podium, confidently chatting with a small circle of teachers. He wore the smile of someone who expected to win before speaking.
Jason stood alone.
Paul gave him a thumbs-up from the second row. Emily was three rows back, pretending not to look.
HEX64 activated.
"Speech metrics aligning. Emotional energy: High. Audience fragmentation: 42%. Recommend anchoring narrative with precision paradox."
Jason walked onstage. The murmurs dimmed.
He didn't hold notes.
He didn't look nervous.
He began:
"You all know Chase. He's loud, tall, talented. His name's probably in your inbox twice a week."
Polite laughter.
Jason's eyes swept the room.
"I'm not here to be louder. Or flashier. I'm here because I've seen how this school works when no one's watching. I've seen how voices go unheard, how systems favor legacy, not logic."
"And I believe systems—should be rewritten."
Murmurs. Attention clicked in.
Jason told a short story about a student who solved three scheduling issues but never got credit. About teachers who misused their authority without challenge. About silence being treated as weakness.
He ended with:
"This isn't a campaign. It's an audit."
Pause.
"This school isn't broken. It's just never been optimized."
Silence. Then applause. It grew louder than anyone expected.
Even Emily clapped.
HEX64 INTERFACE – POST-EVENT STATUS
• Influence: 21%
• EXP: 79 / 100
• Chase Rourke: Confidence fluctuation detected – Mild destabilization
[反馈:中立节点向好感方向偏移.伏线已埋,建议静观其变.]
"Feedback: Neutral nodes shifting positively. Foothold secured. Recommend observant positioning."
Jason stepped down from the podium.
He didn't smile.
He didn't need to.
Because the game board just got bigger.