Chapter 11: Why are you here?

The Incarnation Academy.

Occupying the entire area where Gumi city used to be.

The students there are categorized into three groups:

One: Those like Kang Arin, who have been chosen by a Constellation and are undergoing basic training.

Two: Those like Cheok Chaerin, who are training and waiting to be chosen.

Three: Those who come to learn from the instructors.

And among them, like Kang Arin…

In the first case, Constellations are prohibited from intervening for three weeks to prevent them from ruining their Incarnations’ development.

It’s a period for growth and direction-setting based solely on the instructors’ guidance and the individual’s capabilities.

Every day starts at 6 AM with a morning run.

7 AM: After a bland, health-focused breakfast, training begins. They try various weapons, engage in combat and sparring, and discover their aptitudes.

1 PM: After training, they take a quick shower and classes begin. They attend theoretical lessons on dungeons and monsters.

9 PM: An hour of basic physical training, like weightlifting.

10 PM: After another quick shower, they have an hour of free time. They can train, study, or chat, completely unsupervised.

And during these three weeks of spartan training, Kang Arin truly put in the effort.

A grueling training schedule that would make even most men give up.

Naturally, she was able to endure thanks to Ham Yui, who came with her.

“You okay?”

“Ugh… water…”

Ham Yui handed Kang Arin some water.

Then, crossing her arms, she grumbled:

“Sigh, if you’re that weak, just rest… you’ll only hurt yourself if you keep training.”

Slightly blunt, but sincere advice.

Kang Arin gulped down the water and threw the empty bottle on the ground.

Her lungs burned, struggling to catch her breath, and her large breasts felt heavy.

With a pained expression, she prepared to run again.

“My Constellation believes in me.”

“Hey, hey….”

“Our newbie Constellation will be worried sick while I’m gone! So I’ll show him my best.”

Kang Arin started running again, slowly and unsteadily.

But she spoke with a smile:

“I’ll repay his faith in me.”

“Honestly…”

Ham Yui sighed, exasperated.

Her assessment, having observed Kang Arin from up close: Kang Arin had surprisingly little talent.

If she were a Constellation, she wouldn’t understand why anyone would choose her.

But Kang Arin herself, who must have been most aware of this, worked tirelessly.

Basic physical abilities lacking, making it hard to keep up with training?

Then she pushed herself to the brink of collapse.

No talent for swords, maces, shields, or anything?

Then she participated in sparring using just her fists.

“Stubborn girl… Let’s go!”

Whether it was her personality… or her desire to repay her Constellation….

Ham Yui couldn’t tell, but she ran alongside Kang Arin.

She had to be there to support her if Kang Arin collapsed again.

And so, one week passed.

‘Huh, she’s holding up quite well?’

“Gasp… wheeze…”

This time, she finished the training without collapsing.

Two weeks.

“Whoa… you’re getting the hang of it now?”

“Thanks to Yui!”

She not only kept up with the training… she excelled.

She even started winning spars against other trainees.

Ham Yui was surprised by her rapid growth.

Third week.

“Yui, you’re so strong….”

“…….”

Near the end of the training.

Kang Arin had grown enough to spar with Ham Yui.

To the point where she could spar with Ham Yui, who was ranked first among the Incarnation trainees….

Kang Arin, who couldn’t even keep up with basic training just three weeks ago?

It was a growth rate so astonishing that it made Ham Yui question her own perceptions.

“I guess I still can’t beat you… hehe.”

Kang Arin smiled brightly despite losing.

She opened her status window.

Kang Arin (21)

Strength 8 → 21/∞ (+0)
Agility 9 → 23/∞ (+0)
Stamina 7 → 18/∞ (+0)
Energy 10 → 25/∞ (+0)
Magic 9 → 20/∞ (+0)
Dexterity 12 → 17/∞ (+0)

Her stats, except for dexterity, had more than doubled.

Even though she lacked talent, her persistence, her only strength…

Through consistent training, her efforts were rewarded.

And the reason for this growth spurt was none other than….

• [SS] Cain’s Potential
  Can grow endlessly depending on effort.

The ability bestowed by her Constellation.

Kang Arin happily trained every day.

Her beloved Constellation, who bestowed upon her the perfect ability.

And….

“That must be his true name… right? To tell me something like this… he must…”

It was proof that her Constellation cherished her.

Except for Constellations who are extremely famous and whose true names are already known, revealing one’s true name is a sign of affection and cherishment.

“Constellation-nim… Cain…”

Muttering his true name in a low voice, lest anyone hear….

Tonight, as usual, after everyone had fallen asleep, she stealthily moved her hand.

Secretly squeezing out pleasure, Kang Arin thought.

There’s only one reason why she’s becoming this strong.

“He’s mine…. My Constellation is mine….”

She would become strong so that he wouldn’t need any other Incarnations.

Her wish was to be happy together, just the two of them.

The next day, at the graduation ceremony, Kang Arin achieved a miraculous fourth place among the trainees.

But more importantly, as soon as she shed her trainee title, she ran to the shamaness.

She had something more urgent.

“…Why… aren’t there any messages?”

She had calculated every second since graduation, but there were no messages from her Constellation.

Could he be sleeping? Or maybe, like his usual goofy self, he mistook the date.

“No, that can’t be….”

Kang Arin rushed to the shamaness.

She immediately requested a conversation with her Constellation.

“My Constellation is new to this, I’m his first Incarnation! So please be careful…!”

“Understood. It might take some time to connect.”

“I know it will!”

Our small, precious, lovable, and faithful newbie Constellation.

He would be flustered and hurriedly answer the call.

And as usual, he would apologize.

With his real voice, not just a message…!

“Sweet dreams.”

When she closed her eyes, all she saw was darkness.

But it felt like making a call to someone.

It was a strange, new sensation, but that wasn’t important to Kang Arin.

Why didn’t her Constellation send her a message?

That was more important.

He must have been sleeping.

The moment they connected, he would speak in a sleepy voice, just waking up.

Just as she was filled with anticipation, she felt a connection in her mind….

“C… Constellation-niiiim…?”

Why did it connect so quickly?

No, it’s just that our Constellation has great abilities.

And then, her Constellation said something that felt like a nail driven into her heart.

[Kang Arin? Arin?]

…….

Then who else could it be?

Trying to calm her anxious heart, she complimented his sweet voice.

“Oh my! Your voice is so nice!”

Then she heard her Constellation’s voice.

Calm and composed, overflowing with confidence, as if he was used to this.

A deep, resonant voice that she wanted to listen to even in her sleep.

But there was a touch of boyishness to it, making it sound innocent….

[How have you been?]

She asked her Constellation in a cheerful voice:

“I’ve been well! I have so much to tell you… but can I ask a question?”

[Of course! Ask anything.]

“Well…”

Her Constellation would never do that.

Yes, never….

“You seem very used to talking with Incarnations?”

He wouldn’t cheat on her without saying anything, right?

****

Why did they become so predatory…?

Could the three weeks of training at the academy have been that hellish?

As I was flustered by these thoughts, Kang Arin’s voice echoed, still kind but with a cold edge.

[Constellation?]

“Uh… uh-huh?”

I was so flustered that I stuttered.

I had never been like this, not even when fighting gods.

I’d never been like this with my girlfriends, except when being interrogated by my sister.

Calm down….

“Well… of course…”

[Of course?]

“That is…”

[That is?]

Wait, why am I acting like this?

Is adding a new Incarnation without telling the other one a grave sin?

I don’t think so.

My mind was a chaotic mess.

I wanted to run to Artemis and ask her.

But right now, Kang Arin was on the call with me.

I had a strong feeling that if I just hung up and said, “lol sorry,” there would be no turning back.

As my hands trembled, the words tumbled out of my mouth.

“Of… of course, there’s only you, Arin!!”

A lie I couldn’t take back.

I’m sorry, Chaerin.

I apologized in my heart to Cheok Chaerin, who must be smiling brightly like a puppy.

And whether it was a lie or not, as if my words were the right answer….

[Right?! Ehehe… I’m sorry!]

Kang Arin giggled as usual.

I let out a sigh of relief and continued the conversation as usual.

I have a lot of experience with Cheok Chaerin, so I handled it skillfully….

Anyway!

The conversation was mostly a report on how difficult the three weeks of training were for Kang Arin.

And, thankfully, Arin had achieved fourth place among the trainees.

“You’re so amazing…”

[Ehehe… I want to repay your faith, Constellation!]

After that, Kang Arin prepared to end the call, saying time was up.

I thought she had nothing more to say after all the small talk and catching up, but Kang Arin smiled brightly and gave me one last report.

[I got a really good grade, so they’re sending me to a dungeon for a trial run!]

“Really? Will it be dangerous?”

[There are others who are better than me, and they said it’s an easy dungeon with a veteran! Yui is going too!]

That’s good to hear, Yui will take good care of her.

I cheered Kang Arin on enthusiastically and ended the call.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

“…What should I do now?”

I lied to Kang Arin.

But it’s an unavoidable fate.

As a Constellation, it’s natural to increase the number of Incarnations.

“Sigh… I’ll need some time.”

The good news is that Kang Arin and Cheok Chaerin won’t meet for a long time.

Kang Arin still has eleven months of training at the academy.

If she maintains top grades and graduates early, it will take about five months.

On the other hand, Cheok Chaerin has to leave the academy now.

They’re in different areas, so they won’t even cross paths.

And even if they did meet, how would they know I’m their Constellation?

Yeah!

Arin will understand in time.

I relieved some of my worries and lay down on the bed.

Trusting that my future self will figure it out.

And about three days later?

People gathered on the monitor for the dungeon trial run.

About five people.

First, Kang Arin, who ranked fourth among the trainees.

Ham Yui, the top-ranked talent and Kang Arin’s caretaker.

And Baek Taeyang, the trainee who ranked second and had picked a fight on the bus.

A middle-aged man with a kind face and a large shield looked like a veteran.

And the last person….

[…I apologize for being late.]

A woman with crossed arms, equipped with a long sword.

About 175cm tall, with a curvaceous figure and a beautiful face.

Red hair and a cold, queen-like impression… huh?

[My name is Cheok Chaerin.]

[Nice to meet you! I’m Kang Arin!]

[I haven’t been an Incarnation for long, but I’m confident in my abilities.]

[Me too! Please take care of me, unni!]

[…Likewise.]

Why are you here?

I seriously considered turning back time.