Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Early Bird Morning and QnA
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Morning, early bird wake-up.
The morning sunlight, symbolizing a new beginning, streamed through the window.
Basking in that warm glow, I opened my eyes.
And then I thought.
Acamedy Academy.
A third-rate novel that had been serialized without any titles, just drifting along.
But not anymore. Now it's the story I'm writing, my story.
Acamedy Academy will transform from a third-rate novel into a first-rate masterpiece. Today, the great author Anis Harper has picked up her pen and thrown down her manifesto.
'From today, I'll write subtitles.'
It was a solid manifesto, on par with my personal famous line ranking at number 14: 'From now on, I'll live for myself.'
Diaries always have titles. After wrapping up a hard day's work, I jot down the day's events, and at the top, I add a title summarizing it all.
The subtitles I've decided to start writing today are much the same. Except I'll pen them not at the end of the day, but at the beginning.
Acamedy Academy isn't some diary scribbling down my days. It's a blank page where I've become the author, ready to write the story ahead.
"Oh, that was fucking cool just now."
I felt like a bold hip-hop artist. Throw in some profanity, a bit of dissing, and self-hype like 'I'm fucking lit'—boom, that's hip-hop.
"Betty, wake up, you bitch."
I gave Betty a nudge to wake her. She was plastered to me in sleep. Sharing this cramped bed left no room to roll over—it was seriously uncomfortable. Sitting up and stretching out, my stiff muscles cracked satisfyingly.
"Umm..."
Betty rubbed her eyes as she sat up, tilting her head blankly before muttering under her breath.
Gurgle...
"...I'm hungry."
Her stomach was complaining.
Betty and I got out of bed and washed up quick. Good thing we weren't at water rations yet, but soon enough... Where the hell would we get more? Steal from the mart with Betty's power again?
We finished up and headed outside for breakfast. Thought about hitting a central eatery via Betty's ability, but no cash meant dine-and-dash inevitable.
Pity the poor owner left high and dry. As a self-proclaimed model citizen, starting the day with that stung my conscience a bit.
Canned breakfast it is. With that in mind, Betty and I made for Karthel's place.
By the way, what to make today's subtitle?
A contemplative morning.
Maybe today we'd score a decent meal. Fingers crossed for some good ingredients.
Slight hope, but nope—Camilla's haul was canned goods as usual. Expectations crushed flat.
"This is all there was today~"
Camilla dumped them on the table with a shrug. The other four nodded in resignation, eyeing her.
Unspoken rule at these meals: Hardworking forager Camilla picks first.
"Been craving meat lately~"
She snagged the meatballs.
Four cans left, eyed in silence by the rest of us.
Beef braised
Mild tuna
Tomato soup
Mung beans and peas
"Let's see, then I'll..."
Karthel reached slow for the beef.
My hand beat him there.
I snatched it first.
"...Hm?"
Unspoken rule gave second pick to boss Karthel. He knew it, that's why he waited post-Camilla. Han and Betty held back too.
"......"
Karthel shot me a look of utter disbelief.
"What? Why stare?"
I blinked back wide-eyed.
Unspoken rules? Just vibes—no announcements, no memos. Self-defense.
My sheer gall made his cheek twitch.
"...Hey, Anis Harper. Can't yield? Arm got chopped recently—I'm drained. Patient here, need those meaty nutrients bad."
Take this mild tuna instead, he proposed, playing the sympathy card with his stump. Pretty pathetic ploy.
"Oh, a patient? Coincidence! I'm dealing with serious mental shit too. Persistent depression, panic attacks, separation anxiety, GAD, OCD, PTSD, anger issues, destructive impulses, you name it. Skip this beef and it'll all explode."
Sure you wanna see me cleave this table again mid-peaceful breakfast? I fired back.
"...Fine. Eat it."
"Thanks."
He recoiled from my steel, backing down.
Deal dead, beef mine. Camilla and Han eyed me like a psycho.
Ignoring them, cracked it open for a forkful. Sweet-salty perfection flooded my mouth.
Braised beef this good? Tasted better after clawing it from bloody negotiations.
"Han, beans for you. Good for recovery. Gotta get strong."
"...Yes."
Betty—bean-hater—shoved the can at Han, who took it with obvious distaste.
"Here, chin up. One piece for you."
"...Thanks."
Camilla took pity, slipping him a meatball chunk.
"Summon as many magic beasts as you can. Then I'm crashing till full strength. No trouble, keep quiet."
Karthel slurped oily tuna broth, then spoke.
"Wouldn't need rest normally, but unsealing someone's engraving drained me."
He side-eyed me.
Beef grudge already? Petty fuck. I scowled.
"Hey, if someone hadn't yanked my body here, Yeriel never calls my soul."
"...Never drop it, huh. Where'd you and Betty sneak off yesterday?"
"Secret."
"Without my say..."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Hehe."
Camilla stifled laughs at our spat. Wonder what her deal is.
Knew basics on Betty, Han, Karthel. Camilla? Zilch.
Meal done, Betty and I stepped out. Karthel pissed me off inside, but outside? Boredom hit.
"Nothing on today. Corpses gone."
Camilla tagged along outside. How'd she land here? Forced like us?
"Gonna rest up. You too~"
She bounced.
Betty really doesn't vibe with her. Why? Seems decent enough.
Mid-thought, subtitle inspo struck.
Yes! Perfect!
Authoring ahead means sizing up surroundings, characters. Obvious.
Today: Dig into my overlooked world.
Subtitle: 'QnA'.