"Did I arrive late?"
"No, you can just sit here."
Hari observed as Matt and I exchanged words before speaking. "When did you two become so close?"
Glancing at Matt, then back at Hari, I responded. "We're in the same class, and he mentioned he plays games."
Hari tilted her head, confusion etched across her face. "Is that so?"
"Excuse me." Matt raised his hands as if requesting permission to speak. "But how do you even know each other?"
After a moment, he added, "As far as I remember, Kai is an orphan with no background, whereas your father was the guild master of one of the top guilds."
It didn't come off as strange that Matt would ask such a question—in fact, it might have been more unusual if he hadn't.
"Let's just say we got acquainted rather easily," I replied, taking the seat nearest to the window.
"So why did you call me? From your tone, it sounded important."
The reason I called Matt was because, regardless of everything, he was still the protagonist.
Unlike me, who had no influence among my classmates, being seen as nothing more than a smart kid who couldn't fight—Matt carried real influence.
"I believe something bad is about to happen," I said calmly, my voice even.
Matt's expression darkened, his sword trembling slightly—it was clear he sensed it too.
"So you noticed as well... I'm relieved. For a moment, I thought I was losing my mind." Despite the grave expression he wore, Matt seemed genuinely relieved.
'He must have gone through a lot—thinking he was insane for sensing demonic energy from Deerheart.'
The only reason I was able to sense Deerheart's mana was due to my enhanced senses, but I doubted they would have detected it had I not already been aware of its presence in Deerheart.
But unlike me, Matt possessed natural talent across all abilities.
He might seem naïve at times, but he was destined to become the greatest swordsman and strongest awakened, growing increasingly ruthless as he loses comrades. It was precisely that purity of heart that allowed him to move forward no matter what.
'Maybe one day, Matt. I'll learn to care for others the way you do.' I thought, gripping the edge of the table tightly.
"So do you have any plans concerning the professor? We can't just confront him, can we?"
I paused for a moment, glancing at Hari, who seemed to be thinking the same. "No, we can't. What we need to do is uncover what he's planning while gathering as many allies as possible."
Matt nodded. "Yes, you're right." A smile of realization curved his lips as his voice lifted slightly. "Tomorrow, we're having a first-year representatives' meeting. If you attend, Kai, we can stop other students from falling for anything suspicious—that way, no one will die."
My eyes narrowed, it wasn't that I opposed saving everyone. But it was precisely because of this mindset that so many students died—his tendency to value others more than himself.
Before I could respond, a sharp voice tinged with subtle anger muttered, "I don't think that's a good idea. You seem to forget that Kai is still a commoner... if you're trying to set him up, you'll regret it."
Matt recoiled slightly, his chest tightening under the pressure of Hari's mana. But even I couldn't disagree with her statement.
Yes, I was friends with Matt, Amelia, Hari, and Anica—but that didn't entitle me to attend the first-year meeting, especially since I was a commoner.
"Don't worry, Kai. As long as I'm there, nothing will happen." Matt pounded his chest with a wide smile.
His words were reassuring, but I couldn't allow myself to grow complacent or believe he could truly sway the students—though it remained the safest option if I wanted to complete the sub-act quickly.
"So... what do you think?" Matt probed.
After some hesitation, I finally gave in. "Okay, I'll go."
Hari's voice rang out immediately at my response. "Oppa..." She addressed me unconsciously.
Snapping back to her senses, she retracted her words. "If you're that determined to go, then suit yourself."
It was only natural she'd be upset, but as the author of this story, I understood better than anyone the cruelty of Deerheart and his resolve to achieve his goals.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine," I reassured her.
My thoughts spiraled as Hari and Matt exited the classroom. 'I said that, but... can I really face them?'
Aside from the main cast, there were other notable characters, some even more powerful than the main cast—like Derick Hillman or the third princess of the empire.
But the one who unnerved me the most now was Matt's rival and the main deuteragonist of the novel—Edo Ikenna, who at this point was still a total brat.
The walk back to the dorms was short. As first-years, we didn't have many classes yet, nor many chances to meet upperclassmen or guild scouts—who typically focused on higher years anyway.
But that would soon change after the red dungeon incident set to occur a month from now.
'I really was reckless stacking so many events back-to-back.'
Still, I had to follow through—I had already adapted my fighting style to suit this world. But that still left me wondering if I had made the right choice.
Unlike Hari who now inhabited the body of Cordelia Blackwood—I and the former Kaiser were anomalies within the academy. So why was I forcing myself to fight through conventional means?
I didn't know. Maybe it was confusion or something else, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I lacked a clear path forward.
I pushed open my room door using my designated student card, dropped the grocery bags on the kitchen island, and headed for a shower.
Anica had already mentioned she'd be visiting today, and I still had an appointment with Neko-sensei, which meant time wasn't on my side.
To make matters worse, it seemed most of the first-years had already formed cliques and even started dating. Matt and Hari had a group of their own. It oddly reminded me of the loneliness I used to feel back on Earth—having only one friend.
Two hours passed quickly before the doorbell rang in my room.
The space looked tidy, and the chocolates were already prepared.
Opening the door and looking down, I saw no one. "I thought someone rang the bell."
Turning back toward the room, I found Anica lounging on my bed in a nightgown, snacking away.
"I didn't give you permission to come in, you know?" I said, closing the door.
"Mas...ter... Choco." Her words were muffled, making them difficult to understand.
"Don't bother talking. Do you want anything to eat?"
Swallowing her bite of chocolate, she replied, "Maybe steak."
'Steak, huh? Quite the greedy one, she is.'
In my previous life, I could've been called a chef, for what it's worth, I actually went to culinary school.
As if cursed, no one in my family could cook.
Maybe that was one thing I shared with protagonists. My mom, dad, sister, aunt, uncle even Hari—none could cook to save their lives.
So, to spare them the cost of constant takeout, I enrolled in cooking classes and unlike my relatives, I actually learned something.
"It's good," Anica exclaimed, putting another spoonful in her mouth. "The contract has been extended for another two years."
I smiled. Perhaps it was because I was her creator, but Anica's food preferences aligned with mine.
"Eat as much as you want, there's plenty." I paused, sitting beside Anica, who stared blankly at the meal. "Don't do anything reckless. We don't know what could happen if you do."
"I know, but even Isa is acting strange." Anica's childlike voice sounded unusually somber.
For Anica, the worst possible outcome was being unable to use her strength to protect those she loved.
'Even I would find that frustrating.'
I gently ruffled her hair, trying to comfort her. "The day after tomorrow, we can look into it more."
She nodded in agreement and returned to eating.
'If everything goes as planned tomorrow, I might be able to wrap this up quickly. And on top of that...' I glanced at the floating window beside me.
---
REBORN AS AN EXTRA IN MY OWN NOVEL
ACT ONE: DEERHEART INCIDENT
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MISSION:
COMPLETE ACT WITH NO CASUALTIES ON YOUR SIDE
REWARD: 1 VESTIGE
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COMPLETE IN ALLOCATED TIME: 5 DAYS
REWARD: A TECHNIQUE BOOK TIED TO YOUR SOUL
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KILL DEERHEART YOURSELF
REWARD: ADVANCEMENT TO C-RANK AND DEMONIC PRIEST DEERHEART'S SAINT
'I can't afford to miss these rewards.'