Kai groaned in pure frustration as he flopped onto his bed.
"What the hell is this? Expelled from the Academy? What kind of cracked system is this—I never asked for it in the first place!"
He arched his back dramatically, forming a bridge like a dying insect before rolling back and forth across the mattress.
"Arrgh—arrghhhhhh—ARRHHHH I can't take it anymore! I just want to live peacefully!"
He spun even faster, like a mentally unstable ceiling fan.
"And what's with the Forbidden Forest? Huh?" Kai yelled at the translucent red screen hovering above him. "Don't you know why it's forbidden?! Because nobody returns from there! NOBODY! Why would you send me there?!"
The interface flickered, and suddenly a cold female voice echoed in his skull:
[What's the point of shouting like a pig?]
Kai paused mid-spin.
"Oh… you can talk."
His curiosity lasted precisely one second before he snapped back to irritation.
"Wait—then tell me why I even HAVE this system! I never asked for it!"
[Well, I never asked to be paired with you either. I don't know which idiot approved you, because you're clearly a lazy, useless pig.]
The pig comment hit him directly in the soul.
This morning he was called a monkey. Now a pig.
What next, donkey?
"Hey! Don't call me a pig!"
[Pig. Pig. PIG pig pig pig—]
Kai punched the screen.
His fist went right through it—but the interface glitched violently before flashing a single bold word:
[P.I.G]
"…I hate this world," Kai muttered, face blank.
He straightened his posture, sat up seriously, and sighed.
"Anyway… why do I need you if I already have powers?"
The system fell silent.
Mockingly silent.
Offended silent.
Finally, a sigh echoed:
[Oh yes. Talking to grass. Such an amazing ability ┐ (˘ _ ˘) ┌]
Kai's face twisted like he personally wanted to uproot every plant in existence.
"JUST TELL ME how you're going to help me—or get lost!"
The system cleared its throat like an arrogant queen preparing a speech:
[Well, let's see. Your ability—Plant Whisper—is basically useless.
Upgrading your rank is nearly impossible for someone with your motivation level, which is, in simple words, ZERO.
So I will give you progress points that help you evolve and grow stronger. You're welcome.]
Kai blinked.
When he didn't respond immediately, the system continued proudly—only to stop when she realized he had already crawled under his blanket like a depressed burrito.
A deafening shriek exploded in his ears.
"AAAAH—FINE!" Kai sat up, clutching his head.
"I don't want powers! I don't want responsibilities! I just want to live a chill, drama-free life!"
The system's voice dropped to a chilling whisper:
[Even after knowing this little kingdom will be destroyed?
That everyone here becomes fodder for the novel's plot?
And for you… that would be the end of everything.]
Kai froze.
[Do you want to die like you did in your last life?
A life worse than a stray dog?
Didn't you want to help your friend today?]
The system's knowledge dug into every corner of his past.
His skin crawled.
His chest tightened.
It felt like his free will was an illusion—like he was a puppet and the strings were already tied.
After a moment, he whispered:
"…Fine. Let's do it. But I'm not getting involved with the main novel. I'm going to live peacefully. That's my only goal."
The system's tone suddenly became sweet and bright, like a fairy with a criminal record.
[Oh don't worry. My only purpose is to make you powerful.]
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight slapped Kai in the face.
Literally.
"WAKE UP, LAZY-ASS MONKEY!"
His body rolled off the bed and smacked the floor face-first.
Standing on the mattress was his fourteen-year-old sister, Vivian—nicknamed Vivi—holding a pillow like a weapon of mass destruction.
She clicked her tongue in disappointment.
"Oh, monkey… I'm surprised you managed to survive in the Academy for two whole years. If I were there, I would've beaten you to death."
The murderous grin on her face said she wasn't exaggerating.
Kai peeled his cheek off the floor.
"Argh—seriously, Vivi… where do you get all this energy?"
He'd learned her name at dinner the night before.
Vivian, shortened to Vivi.
Cute name—terrifying owner.
Vivi jumped on his bed like an excited rabbit, waving a letter in her hand.
"Look! I got the Academy admission letter! I'm joining from today!"
Kai lunged and snatched it.
"HEY! How come I didn't know about this?!"
"Eh? Didn't you tell me a week ago about the entrance ceremony happening today?"
A week ago?
Oh.
Right.
The novel never gave a date—only that the ceremony happened when the Dolon flower bloomed.
If it's today… then she will arrive today too.
The female lead.
Victoria Falken.
The angelic, sweet, innocent heroine who won everyone's heart.
---
Back at the Academy
Kai sat stiffly as the instructor droned on about proper etiquette for today's event.
How to behave around high-ranking students:
Don't look into their eyes.
Don't speak unless spoken to.
Lower your head.
Lower your tone.
Lower your existence.
It felt less like teaching and more like training obedient dogs.
Kai's attention drifted outside the window.
He wasn't interested in meeting the high ranks.
He was planning to avoid all of them like they carried the plague.
He yawned—
And froze.
A group of boys was dragging someone toward the forest.
Vivi.
His brows knitted together.
Kai slipped out the back door, ignoring Thomas's desperate calls.
What the hell. What the hell—
He sprinted through the corridor, lungs burning, mind blank.
He reached the forest edge, scanning quickly.
A glint of red and blue caught his eye.
Vivi's butterfly hair clip.
He shoved it into his pocket and bolted deeper into the forest.
A weak groan echoed nearby.
That's Vivi.
He dashed toward the sound.
"VIVI!"
The cry came from behind a tree.
Kai burst into the clearing—
And froze.
The three boys—each easily a head taller than Vivi—were lying on the ground clutching their stomachs and legs, moaning like dying goats.
Meanwhile, Vivi was casually dusting her hands off like she had done a routine chore.
She blinked.
"Monkey? What are you doing here?"
Kai opened his mouth… then shut it.
His pride refused to admit he came to save her.
"Oh, I was just… wandering around," he lied, voice flat.
That uselessness feeling tugged at his gut before he pushed it away.
"Anyway," Kai huffed, crossing his arms, "go back to class! And stop wandering around until you get your powers!"
"hy I am strong okay"
Kai sighed helplessly and patted her head.
"Yeah, yeah… you're very strong."
Vivi went bright red instantly.
She wasn't expecting that one bit.
She shook her head violently, trying to hide her smile.
"A-Anyway! Where are you going?"
"Oh, me? I need to go… take care of something."
"Then I'll go with you!" Vivi declared, eyes shining with dangerous excitement.
"WHAT?! No, no, no—you can't!"
She narrowed her eyes like a mafia boss.
"If you don't take me…"
Her voice dropped menacingly.
"…I'll tell the teachers."
Kai felt his soul leave his body.