Kael forced himself to breathe normally as the regressor student—Ryn—took his seat. Outwardly harmless. Inwardly experienced; the system whispered:
[Ryn Varos — 47 regressions]
[Past Timelines: Mass murderer, kingdom founder, cult leader]
Kael muttered, "So they really hid among us."
The bell rang. Students shuffled. Kael didn't move. He was trying to understand the new power.
If he touched a regressor…
He could see every timeline they lived.
That was an advantage no one else had.
Ryn approached during break, flipping a pen between his fingers.
"You're acting unusual, Kael Ardyn."
Kael kept his face neutral. "Do I know you?"
"You will."
Ryn leaned close. "The Final Timeline has started. Only one of us gets to survive the ending. I'd prefer it be me."
Kael's grip tightened. "You knew about the limit?"
Ryn smirked. "Did you think you were the only genius who regressed?"
Before Kael could respond, Ryn tapped his desk playfully.
"I'll kill you after school. Nothing personal."
He walked away.
Kael's heartbeat was steady—not with fear, but with familiarity.
He had fought demons, gods, the apocalypse.
A school assassin was nothing.
Yet the system chimed again.
[Warning: Three regressors present within school grounds]
Kael froze.
Three?
He scanned the room. A timid girl reading quietly. A boy listening to music. A cheerful blond girl chatting.
None registered as regressors.
Except—
A soft wind brushed his cheek.
He turned.
A girl with pale gold hair smiled warmly at him. "Hi!"
Kael blinked.
The system stayed silent.
No data.
No past lives.
No regression signatures.
Nothing.
She didn't exist in any timeline.
"Um," she tilted her head, "Are you okay?"
Kael stared.
Who was she?