021. Future
«SYSTEM WARNING»
[Plot Deviation Detected: Unstable]
You changed a key event, and now the storyline is no longer stable.
→ The upcoming academy field exam has been altered.
→ A new, unexpected threat will appear to balance the changes.
«Be ready, Kael. The System will not fix this for you.»
He stared at the system notification, utterly dumbfounded by the flood of new information it threw at him. For a moment, he just stood there, blinking rapidly, unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Was he really seeing this? Had the system suddenly turned its attention—or perhaps its wrath—directly toward him, almost as if it was daring him to step forward, to fight?
It certainly felt that way. The timing, the tone of the message—it all seemed intentional, like the system itself had grown tired of watching him play it safe and was now pushing him toward something far more dangerous.
But even as the weight of it settled in, a strange thrill buzzed in his chest. After all, wasn't this the perfect moment? A rare chance to finally put his new skills to the test—the ones the system had granted him—without holding back, without worrying about wasting free trial sessions or playing the part of the weakling. No more second-guessing, no more restraint.
A quiet chuckle slipped from his lips as he continued to stare at the glowing system screen, the corners of his mouth curling with something between amusement and anticipation.
Then, with a slight shake of his head, he turned on his heel and began walking back toward the dormitory—his mind already racing with possibilities.
As he made his way toward the dormitory, his path took him past the classroom—and just as he had expected, it stood empty. The seats were abandoned, the chatter gone, and not a single soul lingered.
Everyone had already scattered off to enjoy their chosen leisure activities. It was, after all, still the first week, when rules remained relaxed and the pressure of real training had yet to begin in full.
The school was still toying with them—treating them like delicate newcomers, the youngest and greenest among the student ranks. But he knew better than to be lulled by this false sense of calm.
While others wasted their hours chasing amusement, this was the opening he'd been waiting for—the perfect window to quietly sharpen himself, to grow stronger in the shadows while no one was watching.
He lingered for a moment, standing just outside the doorway, his gaze fixed on the empty classroom. The silence inside felt strange—almost too peaceful, like the calm before a storm.
After a few heartbeats, he finally turned away, pulling his thoughts back to the present, and resumed his walk toward the dormitory, his footsteps quiet but steady.
"I wonder what the threat is about, it didn't specify. Maybe I should check properly," he murmured as he pulled up the system message again.
«SYSTEM WARNING»
[Plot Deviation Detected: Unstable]
You changed a key event, and now the storyline is no longer stable.
→ The upcoming academy field exam has been altered.
→ A new, unexpected threat will appear to balance the changes.
«Be ready, Kael. The System will not fix this for you.»
He tried tapping on the [Threat] button, hoping to get a glimpse of what they were about to face—maybe even a hint at its strength or nature.
But the interface remained frustratingly uncooperative. No details, no categories, no glowing danger levels—just a single, unwavering response pulsing back at him.
«All hints are offline and cannot be used currently until after threat has been vanquished.»
A second line appeared beneath it, starker in tone.
«Be ready, Kael. The System will not fix this for you.»
He stared at the message, a faint chill running down his spine. For the first time since awakening the system, it felt… distant. Not like an all-knowing guide, but like a silent observer.
"Talk about stingy," he sighed and pulled away the system interface.
He arrived at his dormitory and reached for the handle, pausing for a breath before slowly turning it. The door creaked open, and he leaned in, peering through the narrow gap to check if Joe was inside—and it was empty. That quiet stillness hit him like a wave, and a small breath of relief escaped his chest.
But it wasn't full relief. Just to be sure, he walked over to the bathroom door and gave it a couple of firm knocks, waiting in case Joe was just inside like the last time, lingering a little too long as he often did.
"Hey Joe, you in there?"
There was no response. He hesitated for a second, then slowly pushed the door open, half-expecting—half-dreading—what he might find. The last thing he needed right now was something awkward to ruin his already fragile mood—like a bare-skinned Joe humming in the shower or, worse, hunched over and shaving body hair with the focus of a monk.
But the bathroom, too, was empty and quiet. No steam, no dripping sounds, nothing out of place—just silence. Finally, he exhaled fully, the last of the tension easing from his shoulders.
"Phew! That takes the load off my back."
He stepped out of the bathroom, letting the door click shut behind him, and made his way across the room. The moment his body hit the bed, the mattress let out a soft sigh beneath his weight—welcoming him. He closed his eyes for half a second, barely letting himself unwind.
That was when the dressing room door creaked open.
Joe stepped out, tugging at the collar of his standard-issue school outfit—the more relaxed one they were allowed to wear on weekends like Saturday and Sunday.
No formal robes, no stiff linings—just the simple uniform with its loose sleeves and lightweight fabric. He seemed preoccupied, fingers adjusting a button near his neck, not even noticing Kael on the bed at first.
"You've seriously got to be kidding me," he yelled into his pillow in a fit of rage.