episode_0021

“…No talent?”

The murmurs around me rise at my careless remark.

The occasional sneers and jeers should bother me, but whether it’s because I’m too dazed or simply relieved, none of it properly registers in my head.

No matter how insignificant or weak a being is, even the tiniest speck of talent exists within them.

And yet—I have none?

No.

To be precise, it’s not me but this body that lacks what could be called talent.

No matter how much my mind refuses to accept it, the aptitude test boasts near 100% accuracy, so I’ll have to take its word for it.

Right.

Hard to believe, but this body has zero talent.

The fact that I even managed to possess it is nothing short of a miracle, and of all things, it just had to be a body with no talent?

Calling it a coincidence feels off.

Possession, personality borrowing, and a talentless body.

Could there be some hidden connection between these three?

The questions multiply endlessly, tangling into an unbroken chain.

Then—

“Wow~ That’s amazing.”

Ume’s awed voice cuts through my thoughts.

At his bold remark, the few voices mocking me gradually fade.

Though, honestly, it’s probably just because they’re intimidated by Ume’s appearance.

“Uh… Ume. Isn’t that a bit rude to say in front of the person in question?”

Xiaolin fidgets, glancing repeatedly between me and Ume.

She must think I’m upset by his words.

But, well—

Not really.

I don’t feel any anger bubbling up at his comment.

From our earlier classroom conversation, I got the vague sense that he isn’t the type to carelessly hurt others.

Maybe there’s another meaning behind it.

“Perfect balance, unswayed by any extreme. Doesn’t it mean you’re a vessel capable of embracing anything?”

Ume continues, unfazed, a faint smile still on his lips.

“No matter what Jeonghyeon pursues, you’ll be able to accept it all. I actually think you’re blessed. You’re free to shape your future however you want, aren’t you?”

The lingering unease in me seems to slowly fade.

“What’s taken for granted by some might be something others endlessly yearn for, you know.”

I can’t tell if he genuinely believes that or if he’s just saying it to comfort me.

But more importantly, his brief assessment is enough to unravel the knots in my heart.

“Yeah, that’s one hell of a spin. Thanks.”

I let out a small chuckle and thanked Ume.

Right, what does it matter whether I have an aptitude or not?

I’ve got the experience and ability to chew up and spit out something like that anyway.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, wondering, Why don’t I have any talent?

It’d be far more productive to spend that time honing myself.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I finally regain my usual composure.

“…Next, Meremi Ilias.”

Eirin, who had been quietly observing my reaction, slowly calls the next student.

The aptitude test continues.

“Now, with the discovery of this formula, many useful formulas were derived in rapid succession. Among them, let’s first examine one in particular…”

A thoroughly unenjoyable lecture on magical dynamics.

From day one, the entire Class A, myself included, is clutching their heads at the professor who’s already racing through the material at full speed.

Especially me.

How am I supposed to follow when I don’t even know the basics?

The professor casually continues, “Now, this is something everyone already knows, right?”—how infuriating.

Then—

-♩ ♪ ♫ ♬~

Perfect timing—the chime signaling the end of the lecture rings out.

“Hmm… Time’s already up. That’s all for today. Since it’s the first day, no assignments.”

““Thank you for your hard work!””

Maybe it’s because there’s no homework, but the students’ response is more spirited than usual.

One by one, they start getting up from their seats.

I stretch by slowly twisting my upper body to the side.

Naturally, my gaze lands on the back of the classroom.

There, Serena is striding toward the rear door at a speed faster than anyone else.

A movement unimaginable for someone who usually drags along like a sloth.

Just moments ago, she was shamelessly napping, using her half-lidded eyes as cover.

“Wow~ I think this is the first time I’ve seen her move that fast?”

Apparently, I’m not the only one who noticed—Ume, sitting next to me, lets out an impressed murmur.

At a glance, it sounds more like sarcasm than admiration, but surely not.

“Guess she’s really hungry.”

I know exactly why Serena suddenly became so swift.

There’s only one thing Serene is genuinely passionate about—

Food.

She’s what you’d call a foodie.

You’d think someone from a wealthy family would only visit high-end restaurants, right?

Nope.

From Korean stews to pizza, pasta, cake, kimbap—

Even humble street food—if it’s tasty, she’ll eat it without hesitation.

There was even an event story where the protagonist ran into her waiting in line at a famous bakery at the crack of dawn.

Her only hobby must be food hunting.

That’s why most of her fan art depicts her happily stuffing her face.

Right now, she’s probably sprinting toward some hidden gem she’s been eyeing.

“Oh, right—it’s lunchtime!”

“Ughhh… I swear I learned this before, but none of it’s sticking…”

Just as Ume realizes it’s lunch, Xiaolin, half-melted, slumps over our desk.

Well, not literally.

Just a figure of speech.

“Listening to the lecture so hard made me hungry… So let’s eat! It’s our first lunch at Providence!”

“Sure.”

At Xiaolin’s lively suggestion, Ume nods and rummages through his bag before pulling out a neatly packed lunchbox.

Ah, he brought his own lunch.

“Whoa. You even packed lunch? Ume, you’re seriously diligent! Let me see!”

Ume unhesitatingly opens the lid.

It’s not a jaw-droppingly extravagant lunch, but you can tell it’s made with care.

How’d he even make that heart-shaped tamagoyaki?

“So pretty!”

“My circumstances aren’t the best, so I usually pack my own lunch.”

“You could sell this. Xiaolin, what about you?”

At my question, Xiaolin hums for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, before speaking up.

“Since it’s the first day, I wanna eat with friends! So I’ll grab some stuff from the convenience store and eat with Ume!”

“Yeah? Then let’s hurry and go.”

“Sure. I’ll read a book or something while you two are gone.”

“Be right back. Let’s go, Xiaolin.”

“Okay!”

Once we’re on the same page, Xiaolin and I quickly get up and leave the classroom.

Maybe it’s because this is my first time heading to the convenience store with peers, but—

My chest feels a little ticklish.

“The closest convenience store is… that way, right?”

Xiaolin tilts her head, looking down the right side of the hallway.

According to my Infinite End playthrough memories, the nearest convenience store for first-years is down the left stairs to the first floor.

“No, not that way—”

Just as I’m about to correct her, I spot a familiar figure.

Karen, her pink hair fluttering as she glances around furtively.

Her movements are almost like she’s trying to hide.

Where’s she sneaking off to?

“Huh? What’d you say?”

“Ah, I said not that way. This way’s faster.”

“Ooh~ You already memorized it? Guess that’s your actor memory at work!”

With Xiaolin marveling, eyes sparkling, we head to the convenience store first.

The hallway leading there is lined with posters—mostly club advertisements.

“Oh, seeing those reminds me—Jeonghyeon, have you thought about joining any clubs?”

“Hmm, no. Not yet.”

Surprisingly, Infinite End barely has any stories centered around clubs.

The protagonist, Karen, doesn’t have the time—or the personality—for club activities anyway.

Clubs only really come up in sub-stories from other characters’ perspectives.

So, there’s no club you have to join for the main story.

“I’m thinking of joining the travel club! We’ll get busy with Purifier duties later, so if not now, when else can we see the world?”

“Travel club…”

That does sound interesting.

In my past life, I never had the time to travel.

My only experience was a trip to the beach with my parents when I was around nine.

It felt so new back then.

The sensation of stepping into a place I’d never been before, unlike the neighborhood I walked every day.

It’d be nice to feel that again—something hard to put into words.

“Wanna apply together? It’ll be fun!”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Great!”

As we chat about clubs, we eventually reach the convenience store.

Since there are stores scattered around the main building, it’s not too crowded.

“Ugh… What should I get? I want this and that…”

Xiaolin mutters as she browses, clearly struggling to decide.

Looks like she’s got a bit of choice paralysis.

I grab a pizza bun and a 200ml milk carton.

“W-Wait! I’m almost done! Just… um…”

“Take your time. I’ll go ahead and pay.”

Calming Xiaolin down, I head to the counter.

Then, Karen’s figure from earlier flashes in my mind.

Where was she sneaking off to?

It’s lunchtime now, so…

Ah, don’t tell me—

“…Xiaolin.”

“Yeah?”

“Something just came up. I’ll wait outside the store. I’ll head back to class after, so don’t worry.”

“Got it! See you in class!”

She nods brightly before resuming her slow browsing.

Must’ve been really antsy earlier.

After watching her for a moment, I grab an extra pizza bun and milk carton and check out.

Leaving the store, I head toward where I suspect Karen is, walking briskly.

If it’s her, she’d be—ah, right.

I arrive at the water dispenser tucked in a corner of the main building.

A place no one ever visits.

There, Karen is—

“……”

Quietly filling her stomach with water.

A sight that makes my eyes sting on their own.

She must be starving, yet she’s skipping lunch to save money, resorting to water instead.

This is exactly why I bought extra.

I want to give her something to eat.

It’s too pitiful to see someone her age, who should be growing, like this.

And, well—I’d like to close the distance between us a little, if possible.

I approach her slowly so as not to startle her.

Maybe she’s too focused on drinking—she doesn’t seem to notice me.

I was going to wait until she finished, but then it hits me—

If she keeps filling up on water, she won’t be able to eat the bun and milk I brought.

I change my mind.

I tap her shoulder and say:

“What’re you doing he—”

Then—

“…! Gack, cough!”

She chokes, suddenly breaking into a coughing fit.

Tears start streaming down her face as she coughs.

Uh…

Should I pat her back?

As I hesitate over how to handle the situation—

“Y-You… bastard…!”

Karen, her face bright red from coughing, glares at me while gasping for air.

“Really sorry.”

It wasn’t intentional.