Daniel walked across the campus courtyard feeling like a lost tourist pretending to be a local. The chilly March air nipped at his face as he pulled out his phone, determined to find his class schedule before the system scolded him again.
He logged into the Hunter student portal — miraculously, it worked without asking for a password.
"Thank you, past-me," Daniel whispered. "At least you remembered something."
He tapped "Class Schedule."
The loading icon spun twice.
Then—.
ERROR: Schedule Not Found. Contact Academic Advising.
Daniel stared blankly.
"…Why does my life hate me?"
DING.
A blue window expanded in front of him.
[STORY MISSION UPDATE]
MISSION 005: Locate Your Academic Advisor
Reward: Minor Intelligence Boost
Penalty: Academic Warning Sent to Family
Daniel stiffened.
"Nope. No way. My mom cannot get that warning. She'll make me attend class through video call every day just to watch me study."
He immediately speed-walked toward what he hoped was the advising building. Three wrong turns, one unnecessary flight of stairs, and a fight with a locked door later, he finally found it.
Inside the Advising Center
The office looked like a waiting room at the DMV — socially distanced chairs, plexiglass everywhere, and a staff member who looked five minutes away from quitting.
"Next?" she asked without enthusiasm.
Daniel stepped up to the glass barrier. "Hi, um… my class schedule isn't showing up."
She typed quickly.
"Name?"
"Daniel Park."
After a moment, she squinted at the screen.
"Oh. You never declared a major."
Daniel blinked.
"Huh?"
"You're listed as 'Undecided.' If you don't pick a major, your schedule won't generate."
DING.
Another system window appeared.
[NEW MISSION AVAILABLE]
MISSION 006: Choose a Temporary Major
Options:
Business Administration
Psychology
Computer Science
Nursing
Undeclared (Not recommended)
Reward: Stat bonus
Penalty: Locked class schedule
Daniel stared at the options.
He weighed his future knowledge.
He weighed his fear of hospital environments.
He weighed the fact that business always seemed to spiral into scams in his old Earth.
Computer Science felt like the safest bet.
He looked up.
"I'd like to declare Computer Science."
The advisor nodded and typed. "Done. Your schedule should be available now."
DING.
MISSION COMPLETE
Reward: +1 Intelligence
Class Schedule Unlocked
Daniel exhaled in relief.
She printed a page and slid it under the plexiglass.
"Your classes start soon. Good luck, Mr. Park."
Daniel stepped outside and checked the sheet.
Intro to Programming
Discrete Mathematics
Digital Logic Fundamentals
Psychology 101 (elective)
He froze.
"…Psychology 101?"
Emily's class.
His heart did a silent somersault.
"Oh no. I'm actually in her class."
He desperately hoped he wouldn't embarrass himself.
New Mission Incoming
As if on cue—
DING.
[NEW MISSION]
MISSION 007: Attend Your First Class Without Embarrassing Yourself
Reward: Random Skill
Penalty: –10 Fame (peers think you're weird)
Daniel sighed into his mask.
"How does my system always know?"
His stomach growled loudly.
He realized he hadn't eaten since… well… dying.
He stopped at a vending machine and bought a bag of chips.
The machine took his money, dropped the chips halfway, and got them stuck.
Daniel stared, betrayed.
"Why? Why is this always happening to me?"
He hit the machine.
Nothing.
He hit it again.
KACHUNK.
The chips dropped.
He grabbed them triumphantly.
"Victory."
Then he heard it:
"Daniel!"
He turned to see Emily approaching carefully, still limping a little, clutching her books to her chest.
Her glasses were slightly fogged, her mask was neatly fitted, and she had that "I'm trying my best today" energy.
"You're taking Psych too?" she asked, her eyes lighting up.
Daniel cleared his throat. "Uh… yeah. Looks like it."
She gave a small sigh of relief. "That's great. I don't really know anyone in that class yet…"
Daniel nodded reflexively.
"Me neither."
Emily looked down briefly, then back up at him.
"Do you… want to walk together?"
His heart jumped.
"Sure."
They started toward the building.
Emily visibly tried not to limp too much — even though her ankle clearly still hurt.
"You sure you're okay?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah," she said softly. "It's a little sore, but it's much better thanks to you."
Daniel felt warmth creep up his neck.
He wasn't used to being praised.
"I just… did what I could."
Emily smiled faintly behind the mask.
"That's more than most people would've done."
They walked side by side — Daniel awkwardly adjusting his pace to match her slower steps, Emily occasionally glancing at him then quickly looking away.
It felt nice.
Unexpectedly nice.
And the system stayed quiet — letting the moment unfold naturally.
Inside the Classroom
They entered the classroom and found seats near the middle.
The room smelled like disinfectant and old carpet.
Students spread out in awkwardly distant clusters.
The professor walked in — a tall man with messy hair and a coffee cup that looked like emotional support.
"Welcome to Psychology 101," he began. "Please don't fall asleep. Or do. It's your tuition."
The class chuckled.
Emily settled into her seat.
Daniel pretended to pay attention, but his mind kept drifting.
This is my second life.
This is a new timeline.
And I'm sitting in class next to a girl who knows my name.
It was surreal.
And then — halfway through the lecture — a student near the back slumped sideways and collapsed.
The room erupted in startled gasps.
The professor nearly dropped his coffee. "Oh—! Someone call the nurse!"
Without thinking, Daniel stood from his chair.
His First Aid (Lv. 2) skill activated instantly, guiding his movements like muscle memory.
He moved toward the student, checking their breathing, turning them on their side, restoring airflow.
People whispered around him.
"Does he know what he's doing?"
"Wow…"
"Is he pre-med or something?"
Emily watched with wide eyes, hands clasped tightly.
A moment later, the student slowly regained consciousness.
The professor let out a breath of relief. "Good work, young man."
DING.
MISSION COMPLETE
Reward: First Aid (Lv. 3)
+40 Fame Points
Daniel felt heat rise under his mask.
Great.
More attention.
As he returned to his seat, Emily whispered, "You handled that really well…"
Daniel waved his hands awkwardly. "I—I just did what the system— uh—what I learned."
She laughed quietly.
"Still impressive."
After class ended, they walked out together again.
Emily hugged her notebook to her chest.
"I'm really glad we're in the same class," she said softly.
Daniel looked at her — saw the small nervous smile she hid behind her mask — and felt something gentle in his chest.
"…Yeah," he said. "Me too."
2020 was chaotic.
This new Earth was strange.
The system was annoying.
But this moment?
It felt right.
And for the first time since reopening his eyes in this world…
Daniel was actually looking forward to tomorrow.