Utopian System

Lila's heart raced, her golden salamander trembling on her shoulder.

She was caught between a rock and a hard place. Cassandra expected useful information. If she didn't provide it, her family's debt interest would be collected immediately.

Worse still, her sister would be handed over to one of Fathoran's former harem selectors as payment, to become one of his numerous 'wives'.

The image of her sister, not yet an adult, in that man's hands made Lila physically ill. But the alternative... betraying Elio...

Lila swallowed hard, guilt crushing her. "I... I don't have much to report today."

Cassandra's eyes narrowed dangerously, her frog croaking ominously. "No? How disappointing. And here I thought you valued your family's safety."

"Please," Lila pleaded, panic rising in her voice. Her salamander chirped anxiously, sensing her distress. "I've been trying, but Von Elio is... he's difficult to read."

Cassandra stepped closer, her presence intimidating. "Difficult to read, or have you allied yourself with him?"

Lila felt her face heat up. "No, I... it's not that."

"Lying won't get you anywhere, dear," Cassandra said, her voice soft but threatening. Her frog's eyes seemed to bore into Lila. "Remember what's at stake. Your sister, your family... Do you really want to see them suffer for your incompetence?"

Tears began to form in Lila's eyes. "No, please. I'll do anything."

"Then give me something useful," Cassandra demanded. "Now."

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Lila struggled internally, love for her family warring with her growing affection for Elio. Her salamander nuzzled her cheek, offering what little comfort it could. "He... he mentioned something about problems with the barrier," she finally said, hating herself with every word.

"Problems? What kind of problems?"

"I'm not sure," Lila lied, unable to completely betray Elio. "Just that they're worried about it."

Cassandra studied her for a long moment, her frog mimicking her scrutiny. "That's not enough, Lila. I need more."

"I don't know anything else," Lila insisted, tears now flowing freely down her cheeks.

"Very well," Cassandra said, her voice laden with disappointment. "I suppose I'll have to collect that interest immediately. And as for your sister..."

"I... I have information," Lila began, her voice trembling slightly. Her salamander seemed to deflate, sensing her inner conflict. "Von Elio... he plans to enter the sea of monsters sooner than expected."

Cassandra arched an eyebrow, her interest clearly piqued. Her frog leaned forward, as if eager to hear more. "Oh? And when will that be?"

"I don't know exactly," Lila admitted. "But he said it would be in the next few days. Before a week passes."

"Interesting," Cassandra murmured. "Anything else?"

Lila hesitated. Part of her wanted to stop there, but she knew it wouldn't be enough. "The irregular alarm... it's because of the population limit. We're closer to reaching it."

Cassandra's eyes gleamed with a mixture of triumph and concern. "So it's time."

Lila nodded, feeling increasingly miserable. Each word she spoke felt like a betrayal to Elio, to the trust he had placed in her.

"You've done well, Lila," Cassandra said, her voice softening slightly. "This information is... valuable. Your family will be safe for now."

Lila felt momentary relief, but it was quickly replaced by a wave of guilt. "Lady Cassandra, I... I don't know if I can keep doing this."

Cassandra looked at her sharply. "Excuse me?"

"It's just that..." Lila struggled to find the words. "Elio is... he's good. He's trying to help everyone. It doesn't feel right to spy on him like this."

"Oh, dear," Cassandra said, her voice a mix of condescension and threat. Her frog croaked, as if laughing at Lila's naivety. "Have you grown fond of our young leader? How adorable. And how dangerous."

She moved closer to Lila, her presence overwhelming. "Let me remind you of something, Lila. Your family depends on you. Your sister depends on you. Are you really going to sacrifice them for a teenage crush?"

Lila felt tears threatening to fall. "No, but..."

"There are no buts," Cassandra interrupted. "You'll do as you're told, or the consequences will be... unpleasant. Understood?"

Lila nodded miserably. "Yes, Lady Cassandra."

"Good," Cassandra said, reverting to her softer tone. "Now go," Cassandra ordered. "And remember, Lila. I'm watching."

Lila turned to leave, feeling utterly defeated. Just as she was about to open the door, Cassandra's voice stopped her once more.

"Oh, and Lila," she said, her tone casual but laden with threat. "If you even think about betraying us, or warning Elio... well, let's just say your sister will pay the price. And believe me, what awaits her with the former harem selector will seem like a walk in the park in comparison."

Lila felt a chill run down her spine. Without another word, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

She leaned against the hallway wall, trying to control her breathing and the tears threatening to spill. Her salamander curled tightly around her neck, offering what little comfort it could.

'What have I done?' she thought, guilt and fear battling inside her. 'Elio... I'm so sorry. What am I going to do now?'

Lila walked slowly, her body trembling.

She had barely turned the corner in the hallway when a strong hand grabbed her by the throat, pushing her against the wall.

With a fluid motion, Zara lifted Lila off the ground, slamming her against the wall with such force that the air escaped the younger girl's lungs in a choked gasp.

Lila's feet flailed uselessly, seeking support that didn't exist.

Zara, her eyes burning with fury, held her aloft. "What do you think you're doing?" she hissed. Her salamander, Flare, perched on her shoulder, its scales blazing with an intense heat that kept Lila's own salamander cowering and unable to control its own fire to intervene.

Lila struggled to breathe, her hands desperately clutching at Zara's wrists. It felt as if a ring of fire encircled her throat, tightening, burning. Black spots began to dance at the edges of her vision.

"Za-Zara," Lila managed to articulate, the name coming out as a strangled whisper. "I..."

But Zara wasn't willing to listen to explanations. Her grip tightened even more, and Lila felt the world beginning to fade around her. Her salamander chirped weakly, unable to help against Flare's intimidating presence.

"What were you doing in the rooms of the families that are against Elio?" Zara demanded, bringing her face close to Lila's. She could feel the girl's faint breath on her cheek, ragged and desperate. "What are you up to?"

Lila felt her lungs burning, begging for air. Fresh tears sprang from her eyes, mixing with the cold sweat that covered her face. With superhuman effort, she managed to articulate:

"Please... I can... explain."

Lila's voice was barely audible, a hoarse whisper that seemed to tear at her throat as it came out. Zara felt a twinge of doubt, but quickly crushed it under the weight of her anger.

"Explain what?" she growled, her voice trembling with rage. "How you're betraying Elio? What are you planning to do to him?"

Zara's fury was a living, pulsating thing. She could feel the power coursing through her veins, the level 3 strength that allowed her to hold Lila against the wall as if she weighed nothing. A distant part of her mind marveled at how easy it would be to just... squeeze a little harder.