When we reached the university gate, Suzy quickened her pace and left me behind without a word. This was apparently our usual routine—friends at home, strangers at school. I walked onto campus alone, relying on fragmented memories and the hints Suzy had dropped during her rambling on the subway to navigate to my classes.
We shared the same courses and lectures, so I made my way to the main lecture hall. After the first class ended—something about advanced algorithms that I found laughably simple—I headed to the restroom for a break, taking in everything around me. University life in this era seemed vibrant, everyone living by their own rules. Some chose rebellion, others dedicated themselves to rigorous study. I didn't need much studying since I already possessed extensive knowledge, and psychology came naturally after years of reading people in life-or-death situations.
As I washed my hands, I heard suspicious sounds from one of the stalls. I could tell exactly what was happening.
"Why not find a real person instead of jerking off in a toilet?" I called out loudly, more for my own amusement than anything else.
The sounds stopped abruptly. Clearly, I'd hit the mark.
Kaelen's life had been monotonously boring, with no friends except Suzy. But I wasn't content with that isolation. On my first day, I joined the football club and made new connections. Everyone stared at me in surprise whenever I walked past, especially those who knew me—probably because of my new hair color and the sudden confidence in my stride.
After connecting with the football team, one member approached me as I was leaving practice.
"Hey, Kaelen!"
I turned to see a young man with dark hair and an attractive face, nearly my height. He was 6'1" to my 6'2", stopping in front of me breathless but grinning widely.
"Hi," he said again, like he couldn't quite believe he was talking to me.
"Hi," I replied with a slight smile.
"I'm Sam. Your hair looks really cool, almost natural. I'm sure no one else could pull it off like you do."
"Thank you," I responded. He was right—no one else could, since my hair color was actually natural now, though everyone assumed it was dyed.
"It's great that you joined the football club," Sam continued as we walked toward our next class. "Coach was impressed with your performance today. Where'd you learn to move like that?"
"Just picked it up," I said, not mentioning that enhanced physical capabilities and combat reflexes made college-level sports feel like child's play.
"Absolutely incredible," Sam replied, seeming more excited about my joining than I was.
Sam was apparently in my class, but we'd never spoken before. Kaelen had been so introverted that he rarely talked to anyone and couldn't maintain conversations when approached. While I wouldn't claim to be a social butterfly, at least I was interested in making connections.
"We're having a party this Friday at Jae's place," Sam mentioned as we entered the classroom. "Would love to see you there. Should be a good time."
I spotted Suzy already seated in the middle row. Our eyes met, and she looked genuinely surprised—probably shocked to see me with a friend, walking confidently instead of slouching in the back corner. She quickly looked away, but I caught the curious expression on her face.
Sam and I sat together, and at the end of the day, we walked partway home since his house wasn't far from mine. Sam was genuinely good company—easygoing, funny, and apparently popular enough that several people greeted him as we passed.
Later that evening, I lay on my bed contemplating what to do next. My first day in this body and at school had gone better than expected. People were starting to notice me, I'd made a friend, and even Suzy seemed intrigued by the changes. For the first time in either of my lives, I felt like I might actually enjoy being social.
I decided to check my status window. Even though I was enjoying this world, I figured I'd eventually need some kind of purpose to keep me occupied. I'd grown accustomed to constant missions as an S-Rank Hunter in my past life.
"Status window," I called out.
The familiar translucent interface materialized before me, displaying my current information. I scanned through the various tabs and notifications, but found nothing particularly urgent or demanding. No red alerts flashing, no special updates about forming bonds with goddesses, no time-sensitive missions requiring immediate attention.
The system seemed remarkably patient, not pushing me to hurry through objectives or rush into relationships with divine beings. It appeared I could take my time, enjoy this new life, and tackle challenges whenever I felt ready.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. It wasn't Mrs. Park or Suzy—the presence felt different but strangely familiar. I opened the door to find someone I almost recognized but couldn't quite place.
"Kaelen?" she asked, looking confused as she examined me from head to toe.
Her voice triggered recognition. "Aunt Gin?"
"It's you!" she exclaimed, smiling broadly and reaching for a hug. I returned it awkwardly, my memories of her weren't particularly pleasant. She had a remorseful expression as she studied my face.
"Can I come in?" she asked. I nodded and stepped aside, closing the door behind her.
She surveyed the tidy room, I'd cleaned everything when I returned from college, unlike the messy Kaelen of before.
"Everything is so organized," she observed, then turned back to me. "You look so different." She settled into examination mode. "It's been five years since I last saw you—since you ran away."
I nodded in acknowledgment. She looked more beautiful than before, despite being older. Her long brown hair framed a face that seemed surgically enhanced, more defined and striking. Her hourglass figure was accentuated by a form-fitting dress that was quite revealing at the top.
"Can I sit?" she asked politely. I nodded again, wondering why she was being so courteous when I could see the remorse in her eyes, like she carried the burden of past mistakes that needed addressing.
She hadn't always been the best guardian. I had moved in with her after my parents died when I was twelve, largely because of how well my mother—her godmother—had cared for and mentored her over the years. She was only nineteen and still in college when I came to live with her, unprepared for the responsibility of raising a grieving child.
What started as innocent comfort gradually became something darker. She would sneak into my room at night, touching me inappropriately while I slept. Over time, her behavior escalated, she insisted we share the same room, claiming it was for companionship, but using the opportunity for inappropriate contact. When I turned fourteen, she became even bolder, no longer waiting for me to be asleep, and eventually crossing lines that should never have been crossed.
"Look, Kaelen," she said, noticing I was simply staring at her without speaking. "I've done some really terrible things in the past."
'Here comes the speech,' I thought to myself. Strangely, I wasn't feeling the pain and conflict that these memories should have triggered. Maybe it was because I was essentially a different soul in this body.