episode_0012

The professors were visibly startled by Aileen’s words.

Her first remark since the meeting began—after not speaking a single word until now.

It was a request to place Park Jeong-hyun in her class.

“…Professor Aileen. Someone of your stature wouldn’t make such a demand without reason. May I ask why?”

“There is no reason. It’s purely a personal desire of mine.”

Bale’s philtrum twitched slightly.

Not because Aileen’s words were rude.

But because her current behavior was entirely inconsistent with her usual conduct.

Aileen, renowned for her fairness and ruthlessness toward everyone—why was she suddenly acting so out of character?

This wasn’t like her.

“Without a rational justification, Professor Aileen’s request cannot be accepted.”

Bale shook his head lightly and rejected her demand.

Yet Aileen continued, her expression unchanging.

“I’ll use my Petition Right.”

“…Professor Aileen, are you serious?”

The Petition Right.

A privilege Bale had promised Aileen when appointing her as a professor at Providence.

Twice—only twice—could she make an unconditional demand of Providence’s chancellor.

No matter what she asked, the chancellor was obligated to grant it without question.

A right that, if she so wished, could secure her a lifetime of wealth without lifting a finger.

“I’m serious.”

To use such an absolute power—just to assign a single student to her class?

‘…As far as I know, Professor Aileen has no family.’

Aileen was an orphan from Legacium, the land of beasts and dwarves.

Had she not awakened the power of a dragon during her childhood, she would have either died long ago or been living a life too cruel to witness.

‘What is that student to you?’

Bale wanted to question her immediately, but he simply nodded.

That was the proper response as chancellor to one who invoked the Petition Right.

“…Student #27, Park Jeong-hyun, will be assigned to Professor Aileen’s Class A. Any objections?”

Naturally, there were none.

Though our team ultimately secured victory against Serena, unfortunately, no achievement was unlocked.

How strange.

Winning a mock combat test didn’t trigger any reaction, yet finishing first in the written exam did?

‘I don’t get the criteria.’

Tilting my head in confusion, I headed toward the apartment that would become my new home.

“Hmm, spacious and nice.”

I couldn’t stay in the hotel Sandra Gus had arranged forever.

So, I rented a newly built apartment near Providence’s main building.

‘The rent’s a bit steep since it’s prime real estate… but it’s worth it.’

About 1,300 square feet, furnished with essentials like a TV, fridge, and AC, a 10-minute walk to the main building, and a convenience store on the first floor.

What more could a student ask for?

Money wasn’t an issue for me.

My stocks would rise eventually, and if needed, I could always perform a few more holographic shows.

“Seriously, how do people survive here without money?”

Providence didn’t operate dorms.

Something about stimulating the local economy.

So, students had to arrange their own lodgings—whether in studios or, like me, renting an apartment.

‘There are motels that offer discounts to Providence students, but…’

From what I recalled, their facilities weren’t exactly top-notch.

“If I weren’t an actor… Ugh, I don’t even want to imagine.”

Shaking my head, I muttered to myself.

-Grrroowl!

Just then, a faint growl echoed from my stomach.

Dinnertime already.

Stretching, I opened the fridge door.

It was completely empty.

‘Ah, right. I forgot to go grocery shopping.’

With no plans for the evening, a quick trip to the nearby supermarket wouldn’t hurt.

“Let’s make it quick.”

What should I have for dinner?

The trivial dilemma lifted my mood.

Stepping into the bustling supermarket, I scanned the vegetable section and muttered.

“Hmm… What goes into curry again?”

In my past life, I never cooked.

Work was overwhelming, my appetite nonexistent, and there was no one precious to cook for.

It would’ve been weirder if someone like me had diligently prepared meals.

So, I made a resolution.

Since I’d been given a new life, I wouldn’t survive on delivery and instant food like before.

Might as well pick up cooking as a hobby.

I settled on curry for my first dish.

The reason was simple.

I liked it.

‘Potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, garlic… Huh, fewer ingredients than I thought?’

After checking online, I wandered around the vegetable section.

But then, a problem arose.

“I don’t know which onions are good.”

Since it was my first time grocery shopping, I had no idea what to pick.

‘Any on sale?’

I couldn’t find any discounted items.

Not that I was in a position to worry about money, but who doesn’t prefer a good deal?

Leaving the vegetable section, I narrowed my eyes and scanned the area thoroughly.

Ah, there it is.

Soon, I spotted a sign that read “Ugly Vegetables – 30% Off” and headed straight for it.

Well, tried to.

“Huh? That’s…”

My eyes landed on a girl loitering near the ugly vegetable section.

Long pink hair cascading down to her waist.

Sharp eyes.

And above all, the one trait that made her stand out.

She was human.

One of the few at Providence.

And the protagonist of Infinite Eclipse.

Karen.

In Infinite Eclipse, players could choose their protagonist at the start.

The male lead, “Rage,” or the female lead, “Karen.”

Whichever they picked, the story’s progression remained largely unchanged.

So, this world’s protagonist is Karen.

Seeing the character who drove the entire story with my own eyes sent a surge of familiarity through me.

I wanted to talk to her immediately.

But barging in out of nowhere would just make me seem weird.

I didn’t want to ruin my first impression.

Searching for an excuse to approach, I observed her behavior.

Karen stood stiffly, meticulously examining the ugly vegetables.

As if taking an exam.

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, Karen was a master of household chores.

Well, more accurately, a master of frugality.

Her financial situation forced her to become adept at saving.

How poor was she? Deep enough in debt to make your head spin.

Probably borrowed from everywhere to pay Providence’s enrollment fees.

At least, that’s how I remembered it.

Why would someone so impoverished go into debt just to enroll?

‘Poor kid.’

Karen was like me.

Her family, friends, and villagers had all perished due to the Erosion.

No one remained by her side.

Only her blind hatred for Eclipsers fueled her daily existence.

Karen had lost everything and dedicated her life to slaughtering Eclipsers—just like my past self.

So, she enrolled at Providence to eradicate Eclipsers from the world.

Their deaths were all she desired.

‘Kinda bitter.’

Back when I played the game, I’d felt a kinship with her. But now, the emotion was different.

Pity.

Having lived a life consumed by vengeance, I knew firsthand how painful and hollow it was.

I could see the suffering awaiting her.

As someone who’d ruined his own life, watching a junior walk the same path was heartbreaking.

I wanted to advise her…

But blurting out, “Hey, you’ll regret living like that,” would earn me a slap.

Karen had grown up hardened by the world, and her temper matched.

First, I needed to get close.

I’d already thought of a way.

The “Help a Noob” strategy.

As a household veteran, Karen would obviously know how to pick fresh produce.

I’d approach her, admit I didn’t know how to choose good onions, and ask for help.

No veteran turns down a noob in need.

This couldn’t fail.

With that in mind, I strode confidently toward the ugly vegetable section where Karen stood.

“Hmm…”

Holding green onions in both hands, she scrutinized them intently.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I cautiously spoke up.

“Excuse me, I wanted to ask—

[ You have officially enrolled at Providence! ]

Holy shit, what the hell?!”

Gah, nearly gave me a heart attack!

The sudden appearance of a translucent message startled me into swearing.

“…Tch.”

Karen slowly turned her head, her sharp eyes locking onto me.

“Why is everyone so desperate to pick a fight with me?”

Uh-oh.

Misunderstanding.