Chapter 13

That evening, in the quiet academy corridor, Aliff stood in front of a vending machine that levitated a few centimeters above the floor. The machine glimmered with holographic panels displaying various drink options - from regular juice to magical energy potions with special effects.

"Being in class was really boring," Aliff muttered as he took a gold coin from his pocket. "At least I've ensured Ina helps manage the situation."

He recalled his conversation with Ina the night before entering the dorm.

--- Flashback ---

"Ina, please make sure Ren doesn't talk to me," said Aliff seriously, standing under a tree.

"Huh?" Ina turned, surprised. Her black cloth moved gently in the night breeze. "How do you know Ren's name? I haven't even introduced him."

"That's... not important," Aliff diverted the conversation, avoiding Ina's questioning gaze. "What's important is, can you do it?"

"Alright..." Ina replied hesitantly, but she didn't ask further. There was something in Aliff's tone that made her understand this was serious.

--- Back to the present ---

Aliff inserted the gold coin into the machine's slot. The coin shimmered with intricate magical motifs - ancient symbols that glowed when exposed to light, very similar to the currency in his world, only with the added element of magic. After considering for a moment, he chose an energy drink with crystal dragon fruit flavor - a rare fruit that only grows in floating forests.

"Huh?!" Aliff was surprised when he checked his wallet made of synthetic dragon skin. "I only have two coins left. Seems like I need to start looking for a job."

He examined the gold coins given by Ina's grandfather - who was also his teacher - carefully. On one side of the coin was the emblem of the magic kingdom, and on the other was an engraving of a dragon that could move. "The currency system here is very similar to Earth's. Gold coins as the main currency, even their value is almost the same."

[ System: Warning! Focus on job search that does not involve the main character ]

"Yeah, I know," Aliff sighed, leaning his head against the cool vending machine. "I'll look for work in the outer city, far from the academy."

He started walking toward the nearest magnetic train station, intending to explore the city for job openings. The city below spread out with buildings gleaming in various colors, streets filled with flying vehicles, and floating gardens filled with magical plants.

"*Maybe I can work in a café or potion shop,*" he thought while sipping his drink, which emitted sparks of light with every sip. "*The important thing is to stay away from the main plot of this novel. I don't want to risk changing the story.*"

Holographic advertisement panels along the way displayed various job vacancies:

"WANTED! BARISTA FOR A MAGIC CAFÉ - EXPERIENCE IN BREWING POTIONS PREFERRED"

"VACANCY FOR MAGIC COURIER - TELEPORTATION SKILLS A PLUS"

"POTION SHOP LOOKING FOR APPRENTICE - BEGINNERS WELCOME"

[ System: Warning! Unexpected event approaching ]

"Ah, damn..." Aliff grumbled, sensing a bad omen. "What now?"

Just then, a large explosion was heard from the direction of the nearby magic market. People began to run in panic, and amidst the chaos, Aliff saw a figure, appearing human with a monster's head, chasing someone.

"*No, no, no... This isn't my business,*" Aliff turned, intending to leave. "*I mustn't get involved...*"

In the chaos, Aliff saw the person being chased was a child holding a glowing crystal.

[ System: Warning! Do not interfere with the main plot! ]

"Aaargh!" The pain in his chest intensified. "But I can't let that child..."

A second explosion sounded, closer this time. The figure used fire magic to destroy stalls blocking his path.

"Give me that crystal, kid!" the figure shouted, eyes gleaming dangerously.

"No way!" the child continued running in fear.

"*Where's the MC? Shouldn't he have appeared by now to save that child!*" Aliff panicked, his eyes darting wildly across the chaotic battle area. "*Don't tell me... because I asked Ina to keep Ren away from me, the main plot got messed up?*"

Regret began to gnaw at his heart. Aliff, not understanding the storyline of the novel he was in, began to realize his actions might have changed something fundamental.

[ System: Critical Warning! Plot deviation detected! ]

[ Chest pain level 2 activated ]

"AAARRGH!" Aliff fell to his knees, the excruciating pain felt like a thousand burning needles piercing his chest. Cold sweat drenched his entire body.

The child tripped and fell not far from him. The crystal in his hand rolled towards Aliff, emitting a mysterious bluish light.

[ System: Final Warning! Do not interfere! ]

"Huh?!" Suddenly, amidst his pain, a memory of a conversation with his mother from his past life flashed in his mind...

--- Flashback ---

"Aliff," his mother's gentle voice echoed clearly in his memory. "With what I'm about to say..."

"Yes, Mom?" Young Aliff looked at his mother attentively.

"If one day, you meet someone who needs your help and your life is also in danger, what will you do? Leave that person or save them at the risk of your life?"

Young Aliff paused for a moment. "I don't know... If it's you, what would you do?"

A gentle smile adorned his mother's face. "If it were me, I would help them even if it meant my life would end in a coffin."

"Hmm... then I'll do what you would do!"

"Hah?! You're truly my child, Aliff."

"Hehehe, Aliff smiled…

--- Back to the present ---

"Hahaha, I guess I'm too kind," Aliff smiled wryly, his eyes sharply focused on the mysterious figure before him. "But a promise is a promise."

With burning determination, ignoring the pain that nearly made him faint, he grabbed the crystal and ran towards the child.

"Are you alright?" he asked while helping the child stand, ensuring there were no serious injuries.

"Wow, wow..." The figure stood before them, black flames dancing on his hands like venomous snakes. "Look who decided to interfere."

"Run," Aliff whispered to the child, pushing him towards safety. "I'll hold him off."

"But the crystal..." the child hesitated.

"Take this," Aliff handed over his last gold coin. The child looked at Aliff's face and thanked him, Aliff just smiled, and then the child left.

After the child left, Aliff stood tall, facing the figure, ignoring the increasing pain in his chest. The cold wind blew around them,

"*Sorry, system. But I can't let this happen. I made a promise to my mom, and that promise is more important than my life. Besides...*" Aliff smiled faintly. "*I don't feel like I'm going to die here.*"

[ System: Connection lost... Plot seriously damaged... Initiating emergency protocol... ]

"Oh? Want to be a hero, huh?" The figure laughed mockingly, his voice echoing in the air.

"This figure speaks in human language, Aliff looked at the figure with a strange gaze," Aliff took a stance, dark energy enveloping his body. "I won't kill you. I'll just fight you until the MC arrives. The one who will end your life is him."

"MC? What's that?" the figure tilted his head, confusion visible in his glowing red eyes.

"You don't need to know," Aliff said coldly, preparing for the battle.

[ System: Error... Error... Plot reconstruction required... ]

The pain in Aliff's chest intensified, but he endured it. His resolve was firm - he would protect the child no matter what.

"DAMN HUMAN!" the figure suddenly roared, his voice turning heavier and more terrifying. "TODAY I WILL KILL YOU!!!"

In an instant, the figure transformed into a giant monster three stories tall. His black skin gleamed in the afternoon light, his sharp claws glinting dangerously. His red eyes radiated deep hatred.

"*Mother,*" Aliff thought as he prepared his power. "*I'll make you proud.*"

[ System: Warning! Power level exceeding safe limits! ]

"DIE YOU!" The monster swung its claw towards Aliff.

[ System: Fatal Error... Plot cannot be reconstructed... New story path detected... ]

"*To hell with the plot,*" Aliff clenched his fists, angry energy gathering in his entire body.