Suddenly—
Eren felt a sharp soreness spread through his muscles.
He winced slightly.
Caine noticed immediately.
Then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha—looks like you pushed yourself too far."
Eren exhaled slowly, trying to relax his body.
"…Yeah. Feels like it."
"It seems you'll need some recovery."
Caine crouched slightly—
Then lifted him onto his shoulder again.
"Let's head back first."
Before Eren could respond—
Caine activated his student device.
A portal opened.
This time, Eren observed it more carefully.
…It's like folding space.
Like folding a piece of paper—
Connecting two points directly.
They stepped through.
"First rule for sore muscles," Caine said casually,
"a hearty and nutritious meal."
Eren let out a small breath.
"…So, the cafeteria?"
"Exactly."
Caine nodded.
"For now, it's the best option."
"I haven't explored much either, but the seniors say it's the cheapest place for high-energy food—especially for new students like us."
A brief pause.
"While we're heading there…"
Caine glanced at him.
"Explain what you did back there."
Eren thought for a moment.
"…I controlled the flow of my energy outward."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling the sensation.
"To be more precise…"
"I made it vibrate."
"Instead of dispersing on impact…"
"I forced it to ripple through your body."
-----
They took a seat at a table meant for four.
"…So how do we order?" Eren asked.
Caine blinked—then chuckled.
"It seems you've been too focused on those books to notice your bracelet."
He tapped his own wrist.
"This thing connects you to most of the school's facilities."
"It was made by someone from the Technology Department."
Eren let out a small sigh.
"…I just figured out how to make a fireball."
"Playing around with this wasn't exactly my priority."
Caine laughed softly.
"That's fair."
"Even if I said you're rare… every year, there are still a few students from low-level worlds."
"Maybe five or so."
…So I'm not that special.
Still… I'd like to meet someone in the same situation.
Following Caine's advice, Eren focused his mind.
A familiar interface appeared.
He began browsing.
Food options.
The difference in price was obvious.
A normal balanced meal—
Around 2 CP.
Recovery-focused meals—
Around 5 CP.
Eren paused slightly.
…I need to be careful with my spending.
After making his choice, he closed the panel.
"…Anyway," he continued,
"about earlier."
"Even though I managed to send my energy into your body…"
"It's probably because mine is more fluid than yours."
Caine listened quietly.
Eren narrowed his eyes slightly.
"But if you try the same concept with plana…"
"…it might not ripple."
A brief pause.
"It might sharpen instead."
"Like a blade."
"Well… that's probably as far as we can go for now."
Eren shook his head slightly.
"We'll need someone more experienced."
"A senior… or a teacher."
Caine let out a low hum.
"That won't be easy, my friend."
"In this place—"
A brief pause.
"Knowledge itself is a kind of currency."
Eren glanced down at the table.
…This will drive competition among students.
----
While they were talking, their meals arrived.
After eating, the soreness in Eren's body began to fade.
Warmth spread through him.
…It's more effective than I thought.
"…Oh."
Suddenly, Eren remembered he hadn't added Caine yet.
He sent him an invitation.
Caine accepted it.
A moment later, Eren received a message.
It was from Li Shen—along with an attached location.
"Caine, I need to get going. I have to meet someone."
Eren stood up.
"Sure. Let's meet again tomorrow."
Caine grinned.
"Want to hit the training field? You're pretty scrawny, after all."
His tone was clearly joking.
"Sure."
Eren nodded.
"How about we meet here again?"
"Sounds good."
----
Following the guide, Eren made his way to the location.
He soon arrived at a public transport station.
The vehicle moved without any visible driver.
And it was free.
That caught his interest.
'…Is it a technological creation, a magical artifact… or a combination of both?'
Before long, he arrived near the school gate.
Eren relaxed slightly.
It didn't seem like traveling between the dorm and the school would take much time.
Since he was walking at a normal pace, the surroundings felt more vivid. More complete compared to when he had walked with Li Shen before.
Entering the staff building, he returned to the grand hall.
This time, he moved through corridors—
Passing countless doors.
Turning again and again.
Only then did he realize just how massive this place was.
…Finding a single office here is a nightmare.
'…I hope I won't have to come here too often.'
"Come in."
Hearing the response, he pushed the door open.
The room inside was simple—just a desk and a chair. The walls were mostly bare, with only a few sofas placed to the side, likely for guests.
"It seems you've been reading before coming here."
Li Shen's gaze fell on the book in Eren's hand.
"Yes. I have a few questions I want to ask," Eren replied.
"Go ahead," Li Shen said calmly.
"Ask what you wish to know."
…Where should I even begin?