"Insolent! You've enraged me! Drag her out!" Sindi's command growls.

Sindi and her two friends pulled Grizelda into the restroom and shoved her forcefully, causing Grizelda to crash to the floor.

Splash!

Sindi doused Grizelda with toilet water mixed with refuse, soaking her entire body.

"How dare you approach Hendra! How dare you, with your fat and grotesque self, have the audacity to like Hendra, the one I fancy! Are you completely lacking self-awareness?" Sindi screamed furiously, gripping Grizelda's hair, forcing her head to jut upwards.

"I … I don't like him, that was just …." Grizelda started to explain, but Sindi yanked her hair fiercely, causing tears to stream down Grizelda's face as she clutched at her hair gripped tightly by Sindi. Yes, earlier Grizelda had bumped into Hendra by accident, and even received scorn from him.

"No excuses!" Sindi snapped, pulling Grizelda to her feet by her hair and forcing her to face the restroom mirror, causing her great pain.

"Look at yourself! Just look! What makes you think you have the right to fancy him! Get a clue! You're pathetic! No one could like someone as ugly as you! And yet you dare pursue the man I admire? You truly infuriate me!" Sindi raged, slamming Grizelda's head against the mirror, causing her glasses to fall off.

Seeing those glasses, Sindi grew incensed. She stomped on Grizelda's spectacles with force.

"Please, don't do that!" Grizelda tried to save her glasses, but they were already shattered into fragments.

"Take this!" Sindi kicked Grizelda, sending her sprawling backward. Her hefty body made it difficult for her to rise.

"Let's finish her off," said Sindi to Rita and Maya.

"Is this really okay, Sindi?" asked Rita.

"Just do it, I'll take responsibility. My father is the principal of this school, he will resolve my problems," Sindi declared, glaring at Grizelda with animosity.

Together, they beat Grizelda relentlessly.

"It hurts! Please stop," Grizelda whimpered, shielding her head with her arms, sobbing in pain. Their attack was merciless, ignoring Grizelda's groans as they continued their pounding until satisfied, leaving her body bruised and battered.

"Then die already!" Sindi shouted furiously.

Disgusted by the sight of Grizelda's face, Sindi pulled her hair and smashed her head against the concrete wall with great force.

Thud!

The hard blow resonated from both the wall and Grizelda's head, making them pause momentarily.

Fresh blood flowed from Grizelda's head, pooling on the floor, causing a chaotic panic. The excruciating pain left Grizelda powerless, her body limp without strength. Her vision blurred, turning the sight of the three girls before her hazy.

"Sindi, what should we do now?" Rita asked, shaking, pulling at Sindi's sleeve. Sindi stood frozen, noticing the blood nearing the tip of her shoe.

"Sindi, let's get out of here!" Maya snapped Sindi out of her shock. They exited the restroom, leaving Grizelda behind, and locked the door from the outside.

"Help me," Grizelda pleaded weakly, attempting to raise her arm, but they had already hurried away, abandoning her.

"God … if I am granted another chance, I don't want to be weak. I wish to be brave. Please, give me another chance to change this miserable life."

After saying this, Grizelda lost consciousness.

Grizelda had been frequently bullied by Sindi and her friends. Not just by Sindi, but many other students also harassed her, both covertly and overtly. And today, because she accidentally bumped into Sindi's crush, she was subjected to atrocious treatment by Sindi and her followers, nearly costing her life.

Grizelda herself was a plump, weak, non-confrontational, and submissive girl. She was kind-hearted and helpful, but her goodwill went unnoticed. Others even saw her assistance as an obligation.

She lived with an indifferent biological father and an evil stepmother and stepsister. Not only at school, but she was also treated as a servant at her own home, often facing harsh treatment and physical abuse, and sadly, no one seemed to care.

***

In that moment, her spirit hovered in darkness. She slowly opened her eyes, finding herself engulfed by an infinite void.

"Where am I?" Grizelda asked in confusion.

Suddenly, a light approached her, taking the form of a database.

"What's this?" she inquired, puzzled.

[Ding Ding]

Loading...

System owner identified...

Scanning...

Recognising system owner...

Processing...

Complete...

Scanning owner's body...

Complete.

Name: Grizelda Amira

Age: 17 years.

Occupation: Student

Gender: Female

Status: Student

Awakening owner...

Processing...

Complete.

In her subconscious mind, Grizelda awoke, and saw a database enter her thoughts. She felt an intense headache and held her aching head. It wasn't until the database fully integrated that the pain subsided.

"What was that? Why is everything in my head?" Grizelda pondered, confused.

WELCOME

[Welcome to the advanced Strong Girl System. You have been selected as the owner of this extraordinary system. The system will fulfill your dreams.]

"Eh? What’s all this in my head?" Grizelda murmured, closing her eyes and shaking her head, hoping the sensation would vanish.

[This is a sophisticated artificial intelligence system. In line with the modern era's continuous advancements, you have been chosen by the system due to your matching data, age, and DNA.]

"No! No! No! I must be dreaming! Oh God, please wake me up quickly," Grizelda implored.

***

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and she was greeted by white walls. Her head was bandaged and her arm attached to an IV drip.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, feeling pain in her head. "Am I in the hospital?" she asked, confused.

"Wasn't I just in the restroom and then remember being in a dark space, with something entering my head? But what was it? Was it all a dream?" she continued, still unsure.

[This is the reality and the truth, owner.]

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa! This is real!" Grizelda shrieked in fear.

[Correct, owner. The system will assist you in transforming into a respected, wealthy, powerful, and of course, beautiful person, so you're no longer subjected to ridicule.]

"But how are you going to fulfill my wishes?" Grizelda inquired, still curious.

[You must complete missions programmed by the system. By completing these missions, you will receive random rewards and increase in levels, experience, and appearance. Each level up grants you rewards, and the higher your level, the greater the rewards. However, if you fail a mission, you will face system-imposed punishments.]

"Why me, though?" Grizelda frowned.

[The system selected you due to your good karma. You have consistently helped others without expecting reciprocity, even when unnoticed. Therefore, the system has arrived as a reward for your good deeds.]

"I see, so how do I use this system?" Grizelda asked hesitantly.

[Just click on your profile, and you'll be able to use it.]

Grizelda clicked on her profile picture and found many features resembling computer databases but in the form of holograms that only she could see.

[Introduction Reward]

[Balance: 100,000]

[Appearance: 1]

[Charm: 1]

[Strength: 1]

[Speed: 1]

[Agility: 1]

[Defense: 1]

[Intelligence: 1]

[Courage: 1]

[Points: 10]

"This is truly extraordinary," Grizelda marveled.

"You're awake?" asked the principal suddenly entering the room.

"Eh, Mr. Principal," said Grizelda, surprised.

He seemed to smile thinly. "I apologize for Sindi's behaviour. I hope you won't spread this matter," he insinuated.

Grizelda remained silent, feeling the situation unjust. She looked at the principal blandly.

"If you dare talk about this, not only will you be expelled from school, but you will also face consequences far worse!" the principal threatened with a broad smile.

Sindi also smiled maliciously in the background.

A doctor entered to check on Grizelda's condition.

"Hmm… This is odd. She was severely wounded earlier, but now she seems to have recovered?" the doctor said, puzzled.

"Hmm, maybe the doctor made a mistake, since you've just dealt with a severe accident case," said the principal.

"Perhaps that's it. Since she's well, she can be discharged," said the doctor.

"Thank you, doctor," said the principal.

Grizelda then got off the hospital stretcher and hurried away. She didn't want to linger around the father and daughter pair, knowing they could silence her about the incident.

"Just you wait, now that I've been given an opportunity, I won’t waste it. I won't let you off. I'll get back at you, each one of you!" Grizelda resolved.

She quickly left the hospital, intent on leaving her painful past behind.

[Chime Chime]

[New Mission]

[Run 200 meters towards home]

[Reward: Lose 10 kilograms]

[Mission Status: In Progress]

"Wait, has the mission already begun?" Grizelda asked in surprise.

[Indeed, you must complete the mission to claim the reward.]

Grizelda began to run, her overweight body not used to such exertion. Nevertheless, the tantalizing reward spurred her on; she had long harbored dreams of slimming down but had never been able to shed the pounds. Whenever sad, she found comfort in overeating.

Grizelda kept running despite pain and fatigue clawing at her legs.

"Oh, right, the system didn’t mention a time limit, just the distance of 200 meters. Maybe I can take a break, my legs are so stiff," Grizzla said, sitting on the roadside to massage her aching limbs.

A few minutes later, she resumed her run.

"I am so... tired."

Thud!

Grizelda collapsed by the roadside from exhaustion. Onlookers turned to gaze, but none stepped forward to help.

[Chime Chime]

[Mission Complete]

[10 kilogram weight loss reward]

[Balance: 200,000]

[Appearance:2]

[Charm:2]

[Strength:2]

[Speed:2]

[Agility:2]

[Defense:2]

[Intelligence:2]

[Courage:2]

[Weight loss commencing]

Processing…

Loading…

Initiating…

10%…

20%…

30%…

40%…

50%…

60%…

70%…

80%…

90%…

100%…

Complete.

Gradually, a change came over Grizelda's form, her body slightly shrinking. She rose, feeling lighter than before, having weighed around 90 kilograms initially.

"Could it really have happened?" Grizelda wondered, eyeing her slightly diminished figure.

She felt different, striding confidently home with a smile of contentment.

Upon arrival, she found the house in chaos. Predictably, after her stepmother's friends had revelled in a raucous party, leaving behind a murky pool in their wake, the house was a pit of disorder.

"Oh, you're back already, clean up this mess!" Eve commanded.

"Why should I? It was your party," Grizelda retorted with a frown.

Feeling emboldened in a way foreign to her, Grizelda clapped a hand to her mouth in confusion.

"You dare talk back! Clean it up!" Eve shouted at the top of her lungs.

"No, I won't! I'm tired! Do it yourself!" Grizelda retorted, leaving Eve behind.

"You insolent child! How dare you defy me! You infuriate me!" Eve cried, striding swiftly toward Grizelda, reaching out to yank her hair.

Grizelda dodged. "Hey, Old Bat! You cause the mess, you clean it. What if I reversed the roles?" Grizelda taunted with a smirk.

She ran to her room.

"You clean up after yourself; I'm not your maid to command," Grizelda declared, slamming her door.

Bang!

"You... you infuriate me!" Eve yelled, hammering on Grizelda's door.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Don't blame the door, you naughty child! Clean this house before your father comes back! Otherwise, I'll claim it was your doing!" Eve screamed.

"Who cares, I'm exhausted, I'm going to sleep, you sort it out!" Grizelda responded, grabbing her pillow and lying down, eyes closed.

"Grizelda! Clean up now!" Eve was out of options and clearly incensed.

But from Grizelda's room, there was silence.

"That girl! She truly vexes me!" Eve raged. "But since when has she had the courage to be so defiant? Has she gone mad?" she huffed angrily.

"Ah! Such a mess, and old Joni will be back any minute."

Just then, Joni, Grizelda’s father, returned home, his briefcase in hand.

"What is this mess?" Joni bellowed, surveying the disarray.

"Dear, you're back! Sorry, the house is a shambles. This is all Grizelda's doings; she threw a party and refuses to clean up. Such a lazy child," Eve lied with vehemence.

"Where is she?" Joni inquired.

"In her room," replied Eve, feigning exhaustion as she slouched onto the couch as if Grizelda was truly to blame.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Grizelda! Come out immediately! Address this havoc you've caused!" Joni bellowed, pounding on her door.

Grizelda emerged from her sanctuary.

"Father, why not ask Aunt directly what happened here? I just got back from school. Look at this, my ankle's sprained because of the chaos Aunt has caused. Her friends even urged her to leave you for someone younger. If you don't believe me, just ask her circle of friends. Now, I must go to the hospital to check on my injured foot," said Grizelda, feigning a limp as she walked past Joni with a sly smile directed at Eve.

'This child? When did she learn to lie and play-act so convincingly? What’s gotten into her?' Eve wondered, taken aback.

Eve rushed to cling to Joni. "He's lying, my love; they said no such thing. They are good friends," she said through crocodile tears.

"Oh, let it be. Clean this place up; I'm tired and need rest," Joni said, shrugging off Eve's embrace and heading for the bedroom.

"That impudent brat. Just you wait; I’ll teach her a lesson once the old man's out!" Eve fumed, frustrated.

The following morning arrived, and today Grizelda purposefully set off extremely early because she was planning to marathon. She walked to school, while her stepsisters traveled by car.

Upon reaching the school, she spotted Sindi, Rita, and Maya sashaying in a group with Hendra.

Sindi frowned at the sight of Grizelda appearing perfectly fine. Silently signaling her friends, Sindi prepared for mischief.

"Hendra, why don't you head off, we'll catch up later during the break," Sindi sweetly smiled at Hendra.

"Sure," nodded Hendra before entering the classroom.

Sindi and her friends approached Grizelda to confront her.

"Oh, it appears you are quite alright?" Sindi asked with a mockingly sweet grin, arms folded.

"What's it to you? Are you going to try to finish me off again? Hit me? Drag me off to the bathroom again?" Grizelda replied with a raised eyebrow.

Sindi's frown deepened. Just the previous day, Grizelda had been whimpering in pain, begging pitifully. Now, she was boldly returning Sindi's gaze.

"You…?" Sindi looked at Grizelda, confused.

'Since when did this girl learn to talk back?' she thought.

"Seems like you've gotten brave, where's this newfound courage from?" Sindi asked, eyes wide in surprise.

"It came from the constant bullying. Did you think I'd just sit back and let you harass me forever? I won't be weak anymore," Grizelda retorted, staring straight back at Sindi.

"Oh, so you've gotten the nerve to stand up to me, have you? Take this!" Sindi raised her hand, aiming to hit Grizelda.

Grizelda caught Sindi's hand, held her gaze, then forcefully pushed it down.

"Tsk, just wait until we leave today. Pray for your safety," Sindi glared sharply at Grizelda. They left as the class teacher appeared, ready to enter the classroom.

The girls took their seats for the morning lessons.

"Alright, everyone, open your math books to page 145. There's a problem set I explained last week," Mrs. Linda instructed.

[Ding Ding]

[New Mission]

[Solve all mathematics problems correctly]

[Reward: Slimmer cheeks]

[Mission status: In progress]

"Great, math is my worst subject. How am I supposed to get all these right? Just try, better than not trying at all," Grizelda said, determined to give it her best shot.

She began working meticulously: the first problem was easy, the second manageable, the third no big deal, but the fourth grew harder. The fifth was quite complex, the sixth was a real brain-twister, the seventh was head-splitting.

"Alright, it is break time. Please hand in your work, ready or not," the class teacher announced.

"Ughhhh! I only managed to solve seven problems, what now?" Grizelda worried.

"Hurry up! If you don't submit now, you won't get a grade," the teacher urged.

Grizelda reluctantly took her work to the front.

[Ding Ding]

[Mission incomplete]

[You have been penalized by the system]

[Your punishment is to endure leg cramps for 10 minutes]

"What!" Grizelda's eyes widened.

[Penalty countdown starts]

Suddenly, Grizelda's legs cramped, rendering her unable to stand.

"I need to be serious from now on; I don't want to face a punishment like this again," she said massaging her legs.

"What's wrong Grizelda; you seem to be in pain?" Sindi asked with a smirk.

Grizelda gave her an indifferent look, feeling nauseated by the sight of the girl in front of her. Especially in this moment, she needed to be cautious not to let Sindi hurt her while she was serving her penalty.

"Oh, Miss Sindi doesn't fancy a snack? Coming to check on me, are you concerned about me? Perhaps you want to know my food preference?" Grizelda countered with a grimacing smile.

"What! I would never care for you!" Sindi huffed, annoyed.

"Then what brings Miss to this spot? To help me massage my leg?" Grizelda prodded further.

"No way! Fatso! Let's go," Sindi said, turning away in a huff.

Whispering to Rita and Maya, they seemed to be hatching a new scheme as they glanced at Grizelda with a smile full of intent.

Ten minutes passed, and finally, the punitive period was over.

[Punishment period ends]

Grizelda stood up unhindered by cramps anymore. With rest time limited to 15 minutes, she hurried to the cafeteria for something to eat.

As she ate, the school bell rang, prompting her to quickly finish her meal.

Always in this rushed state, Grizelda amassed fat, which contributed to her gaining weight.

***

After school, Sindi stood in front of the class before everyone departed.

"Classmates, please hold on from leaving," Sindi announced.

Her classmates stopped and took their seats again.

"Today, I want you to witness me giving a gift to Grizelda. A token for the times I've bothered you. Come on, take it," Sindi said, offering a seemingly genuine smile.

Suspicious of Sindi's intentions but curious, Grizelda opened the gift to find a frog leaping out.

"Aaaaaaaa!" Grizelda screamed in surprise while Sindi and the others laughed.

Fuming, Grizelda caught the frog and flung it towards Sindi where it landed on her chest.

Sindi's face morphed into disgust and she shrieked, "Get this frog off me!" She hopped about to the amusement of the whole class.

"Hehehe, thought you'd play a prank on me? Should have checked if I'm grossed out by such creatures," Grizelda sneered.

What began as Sindi's trick ended with her as the butt of the joke.