The sky was clear for once.
No monster alarms. No thunder threats. No dramatic training duels happening in the courtyard.
Just sunshine, chirping birds, and the occasional weird cloud shaped like a sword.
Shunya lay on the grass behind the dorm building, hands behind his head, eyes half-closed.
He had survived another round of training. Barely.
"I can't tell if this world is trying to help me or kill me," he muttered.
"Both," said a soft voice.
He looked up to see Vikoria sitting beside him, wearing her usual quiet expression. She had brought a small basket filled with wrapped rice balls and two cups of cool barley tea.
"Hey, thanks again," Shunya said, grabbing a rice ball without shame. "You've fed me more than the system ever has."
She gave a small nod, then sat down with her hands resting neatly on her lap.
They chewed in silence for a while.
Then Shunya blurted out, "Okay seriously though… what's the deal with this world?"
Vikoria blinked. "The deal?"
