Chapter 7

The price is something I don't really want to ask about.

The name value of being a Guardian in this world is enormous.

If it's number 7, it's already a lucky number, and if I post it on the internet right now, it will sell for a high price.

I'm not at all envious, but I pretended to be incredibly envious and accepted her boasting, and Yoon Hee-jin became a talkative chatterbox, excitedly talking away.

"Yoon Hee-jin, you're always talking about things only you know."

"Seol-a, Da-yong also admires Guardian as his hero? Now it's not just something I know!"

While I was training in the capsule, Baek Seol, who joined later, shook her head with a look of disgust.

Then, as if she still didn't like me, she glared at me with narrowed eyes and turned her head away.

Choi Yu-sung, who had been watching this from the side, said to me with a kind expression.

"You've gotten close to the kids."

"...Thanks to you. They seem quite interesting."

"That's good."

A faint smile spread across Choi Yu-sung's face.

To others, it might look like a gentle smile, but to me, it doesn't look that way at all.

His pitch-black eyes reminded me of the unfathomable depths of the ocean.

What kind of thoughts does this regressed person, who has lived 11 lives and is now living his 12th, have?

Even I, one of the few readers, can only guess, 'He might be thinking this,' but I can't know the true meaning.

While thinking about this, we soon arrived at the building's cafeteria.

Choi Yu-sung and the others all ordered the 5000 won set meal, and I ordered the same.

Hwang Jae-bin, who had been watching this with his arms crossed, said sarcastically.

"Kang Dae-yong. Do you think anything will change just because you eat the same thing as us?"

"Jae-bin, Dae-yong can eat what he wants, can't he?"

I got a bit angry at Hwang Jae-bin's diss.

But I soon calmed down, thinking it was a childish quarrel, and said calmly.

"I'm going to eat another bowl after this."

***

March 4th, the second day at SHA.

Tuesdays and Thursdays usually only have theory classes, while Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have three simulation sparring or outdoor practice sessions.

So today is a day filled with boring theory classes.

Because Da-yong Wiki talks so much, I don't need to listen to the class content; it's typed directly into my brain, so I'm deeply reflecting on my future life.

Spending the whole day in deep, worry-filled reflection, it was soon the last period, Monster Studies.

The middle-aged female professor in charge of the class asked the temporary class president, Choi Yu-sung.

"Class president, today is the 4th, right?"

"Yes, teacher."

"Then it's the first class, so number 1, solve this problem."

The Monster Studies professor sent the problem to my desk through her smartwatch.

The smart desk has a large screen like a tablet PC, and I could check the problem the professor sent on that screen.

Still, why did she ask about the date?

Without even asking Da-yong Wiki, I knew what this monster was just from the description in the problem.

I lightly touched the desk, and a keyboard appeared.

I typed in what I thought was the correct answer.

"Correct, number 1 student. The Du-yeokshini is..."

The answer I typed appeared on the screen behind the professor, and she clapped and said to the students.

The students clearly looked at me with surprise.

After that, a detailed explanation of the Du-yeokshini followed, and soon the bell signaling the end of class rang.

"Alright! Tomorrow, we'll have a practice to catch a powerful puppet with strength equal to a monster. For that, we'll form groups of three, and I've made the groups as evenly as possible considering the entrance exam rankings. Check the groups sent to your desks. That's all for today's class. Good job."

As the Monster Studies professor said, a list from group 1 to group 10 was soon sent to my desk.

When I saw it, I initially doubted my eyes.

Why is that girl in my group?

- Group 2 -

While I was surprised by the names, a shadow fell over my desk.

I raised my head and confirmed the owner of the shadow.

Silver hair, which I would never see in the reality I lived in, and sharp, beautiful features.

Her alluring purple eyes, like amethysts, looked down at me.

"Hello."

She is the third heroine candidate in this novel and the one who solidified her role as the main heroine just before the year's end, the girl I need to stay far away from.

Alisa von Greifen, the promising member of the German guild Immortalis.

***

Today's classes ended as quickly as a wink, and I came to the 'Devil Runner' cafe with the members of my group.

Alisa, under the pretext of 'having a strategy meeting to prepare for tomorrow's practice,' led me and Shim Deok-hee here.

"Wow, what an honor. Coming to a cafe with Miss Alisa..."

Shim Deok-hee, a short-haired female student with glasses similar to Im Mansu's, didn't look bad, apparently pleased to be in the same group as the famous Alisa.

"Welcome!"

As soon as we entered the cafe, a cheerful voice greeted us.

The woman, whether an employee or the manager, had a look that matched her voice.

Her long, wavy hair dyed red exuded a rose scent, and her mature eyes and straight nose were charming.

To put it mildly, she could easily be a model or an actress.

Other employees in uniforms were working hard, and she was taking orders in casual clothes, so she was probably the manager.

"Would you like to order?"

"I'll have an iced Americano. ...What about the two of you?"

"I'll have an espresso."

"I'll have an... no, a cappuccino."

The manager entered our orders one by one and asked if we wanted to eat there, to which we naturally replied affirmatively.

The manager scanned us and said with a slight smile.

"Hehe. Cute students have come this year too."

"Thank you."

"Huh?"

"Ah, Miss Alisa is cute indeed!"

Strange. Of all people, Alisa, who thanks for a compliment on her appearance?

Is she that kind of character?

"Iced Americano is 4000 won, espresso is 3500 won, and cappuccino is 4400 won. How would you like to pay?"

"Separately, please."

I paid with my card, and Shim Deok-hee and Alisa paid with their smartphones on the manager's scanner.

The payment was quick, and the manager handed me a round vibrating bell.

"It will vibrate when your drinks are ready."

After receiving the vibrating bell, we went to an empty table and sat down.

As soon as we sat down, Alisa took out a notebook from her bag, opened it, and started asking us questions one by one.

She carefully checked what weapons we used, what types of skills and talents we had, and so on.

"Mr. Kang Dae-yong, please protect Ms. Shim Deok-hee from behind. I'll break through the front. Ms. Shim Deok-hee..."

After confirming that I was a paladin and Shim Deok-hee was a specialized buffing mage, Alisa showed us her notebook and enthusiastically explained the strategy she had planned.

Rumble, rumble.

At that moment, the vibration signaling the completion of the drinks sounded.

"Excuse me."

I got up from my seat and headed to the counter.

The red-haired manager smiled and handed me a tray with three drinks, then asked me.

"Hehe. Did you order the iced Americano?"

"Me?"

"Oh, who else? I can tell, and I predict that things will go very well for you! Students who buy iced Americanos the day after the opening ceremony always end up in good guilds."

...What kind of superstition is that?

Moreover, I already have a red light in my school life because of the Black Flame Dragon.

Ignoring this, the cafe manager encouraged me, waved, and I gave a slight smile, then took the coffee to the table where my group members were sitting.

However, Alisa's eyes looked a bit uneasy.

She made a face that clearly didn't please her and said in a cold voice.

"Mr. Kang Dae-yong."

"Yes?"

"Could you bring us straws too?"

"Ah, sorry. I didn't think of that."

...What is it? That look.

Moreover... Alisa usually doesn't ask for favors from others.

Feeling a bit uneasy, I eventually turned around and headed back to the counter.

After getting straws for the two of them, I quickly returned to my seat and gave the straw to Shim Deok-hee first, then tried to give it to Alisa.

But at that moment.

『ㄴㄱ ㅎ ㅁ ㅁㄹㅇ ㅈ ㅅㄱㄷ.』

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, an unexpected headache hit me.

As a result, I dropped the straw on the floor.

Alisa, who had extended her hand to take the straw, alternated her gaze between the straw and me, then glared at me with a frown.

"..."

"Sorry, my head hurts a bit..."

"...Okay. That can happen."

Seeing her expression, I was sure.

The Alisa in front of me is different from the 'original Alisa' I know.

Alisa is not a character who expresses emotions vividly.

Feeling a strong sense of unease, I was massaging my head when it happened.

Damn.

Why does this damn setting appear here?

To be continued in the next episode.

Episode 3: Variables and Accidents (2)

Damn.

I was worried that Choi Yu-sung was on his 12th cycle, not his 11th.

But why does the adjustment of causality happen here?

『My regression consumes the world's 'causality.'』

『When I influence the predetermined 'outcome' of an event or person, it affects the 'causality' of the next world's events, people, or objects, causing their nature to change slightly from the world before my regression.』

Choi Yu-sung's voice echoed in my head.

The tone was very low and cold, unlike the recent one, perfectly recreating the original Choi Yu-sung from the novel.

『At first, it wasn't that common, but as I regressed, the frequency increased. For example, if I prevented an event, the enemy in the next life became stronger, or if I saved someone, someone else died in the next life. Such things became frequent.』

『It seems this adjustment of causality occurs when I interfere with events or people that can change the 'flow of the world.' So, I decided not to interfere with such events or people unless they hinder my 'goal.'』

It's a truly complex and capricious setting.

It's also a factor that hinders my survival in this world.

I never dreamed it would happen to this main character...

"Mr. Kang Dae-yong."

"..."

"Mr. Kang Dae-yong?"

Actually, it's not that out of the blue.

In the 11th life, the person closest to Choi Yu-sung was none other than Alisa.

Some existence that adjusts causality must see that Alisa has a reason to be affected.

"Mr. Kang Dae-yong!"

"Ah, yeah."

"Are you feeling very unwell? Should we go to the infirmary...?"

"No."

I headed back to the counter to get Alisa's straw.

I could clearly feel that her tone and behavior had changed a lot.

The original her wouldn't have worried like this or called me multiple times.

Rumble.

While lost in these thoughts, the sound of the door opening caught my attention, and I turned my head toward the entrance.

Choi Yu-sung and two other students from our class entered the cafe in a friendly atmosphere.

Seeing me, Choi Yu-sung subtly waved and greeted me, and I nodded in return.

"Welcome!"

The manager greeted Choi Yu-sung and the group with a lively voice.

The two male students smiled and greeted her, and Choi Yu-sung...

"Huh?"

Did not greet.

His expression, upon seeing the manager's face, was as if he had seen something he didn't want to see, stiffening.

***

Choi Yu-sung's group finished their orders and gradually took their seats at the cafe tables.

In contrast, Choi Yu-sung stood still, staring intently at the manager's face.

"Yu-sung. Aren't you coming?"

"...Go ahead and sit. I'm just surprised to see a familiar face."

"Ah... You know the manager? Okay, take your time."

With that, Choi Yu-sung flicked his finger.

A skill to temporarily erase his presence and existence, Perception Interference.

He seemed to have a lot to talk about with the brazen woman standing in front of him.

"So, you're now the manager of the cafe I frequent."

"It's all because of you, isn't it? You should have done better in your 'previous life.'"

"...Shut up."

"Ha-ha! Why so serious? It's just a joke. You must have had a tough time, right? How about a big hug from this big sister?"

Choi Yu-sung glared at her with a sharp, hostile gaze.

But the manager, undeterred, smiled as if finding him cute and ridiculous.

"What kind of mischief have you played with the characters this time? I already see some I can't see."

"Oh my. You still think it's my mischief?"

"Who else could it be? The power I use is... "

Choi Yu-sung tried to continue, but the manager stopped him by placing a finger on his lips.

She smiled and said to him slyly.

"Shh! There are many customers, so don't reveal too much important information. Hehe."

"..."

"Even if they can't hear, the student over there might get suspicious looking at you."

Choi Yu-sung followed her gaze.

At the end of it, he saw Kang Dae-yong, who was already suspicious, quickly turn his head away after glancing at him.

"I can tell you one thing. I really don't have much 'authority.' And no matter how this world changes, it's... "

The manager's eyes curved.

She leaned in close to Choi Yu-sung's ear and whispered to him.