"Auntie, breakfast is ready."

"Huh? Instant steamed buns again? We’ve eaten these for a whole week. Shouldn’t we switch things up for a change?"

"Just be grateful we have buns at all. I’ll cook noodles tomorrow morning."

"Then I want an extra egg!"

"Alright, alright."

Ever since Mom left, I’ve taken on the homemaker role. Lunch is covered at school, but breakfast and dinner fall to me. It’s not that Auntie can’t cook—her teaching job is just too demanding. She gets home past eight every night, then preps lessons for the next day. Burdening her with cooking would be cruel.

But after a week of this, I’m starting to crack. Heavy schoolwork plus a 9-to-5 routine has me napping in class, after class, even in the afternoons. Carrying over bad habits from my past life is such a hassle (back then, I once slept for an entire century). It feels like all I do is sleep, study, and chores.

"This can’t go on. Maybe we should hire a maid to handle housework?"

A maid? But in this era, maids cost a fortune. I’d agree in a heartbeat—if our budget allowed.

"Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ll handle it. Just focus on your classes."

"Sorry… You’re the one who should be cared for, yet I’m the one troubling you."

"It’s normal among family."

I finally said it. After millennia of solitude, I—Mordred—finally have companions and family.

"Ugh… So sleepy."

"Hey, buddy. Rough night again? Lately you’re either sleeping or sleeping. Yeah, you napped through middle school too, but this is next-level reckless—even dozing off in homeroom. Sick or something?"

"You’re the sick one! I’m just tired. I’ll adjust soon."

"Hope you don’t snooze till the end of the century."

"How’d you know I slept a century once?"

"Whatever. If you’re gonna sleep, swap seats with me. I need to ‘bond’ with Xia Bing."

"You like her?"

"Don’t be so blunt! Subtle, man. Subtle."

"You wanna ‘mate’ with her?"

"Damn it! I said subtle, not vulgar! I just have a crush. No wonder you’ll die single."

Says the guy starving for dog food. You’re single too, you idiot. But… sleeping by the window is comfy, and teachers won’t care. Fine, swap.

When’s lunch? I can nap in the nurse’s office then… Wait, why is everything about sleeping? Has my rosy high school life rotted this much?

The teacher lectures earnestly. Most classmates listen intently—except me, staring out the window. Is this really the life I wanted? Human existence feels like plain tea: sweet at first sip, then fading to blandness.

People here fly through skies, yet I sense no freedom—only constraint. I’ve met humans before: short-lived, often foolish, but burning with a spirit this world lacks. I saw a sixteen-year-old draw his sword in a dingy bar, rallying adventurers for a quest. They all perished in a dragon’s lair… but that fiery drive is etched in my mind.

"Shouldn’t I do something too?"

"What you should do is open your textbook and pay attention."

The teacher stood beside me, snapping me out of sage mode. I forced a smile and flipped open my book. She just shook her head.

"Next topic: biological evolution. Qiuyuchen, answer this—what’s the basic unit of life?"

The basic unit? I was zoning out! This is a trap to humiliate me into detention. I shot a pleading look at my buddy—but he was still ogling Xia Bing. My best friend ignores me while I suffer? Unbelievable.

"Can’t answer? Such a simple question… Then you’ll just have to—"

"Wait! The answer’s too obvious. I’ll let my desk partner handle it. Rise and shine, Shen Yufeng—you’re up."

"What?! What’s happening?"

Shen Yufeng looked utterly clueless, probably lost in chat with Xia Bing. She wasn’t even listening to him. Pathetic.

The teacher chuckled, tapping his desk with her book. "Well? Answer quickly, or you’ll both get after-school tutoring."

I nudged Shen Yufeng. "Teacher’s waiting. Stop playing dead."

"What the hell?! Qiuyuchen, since when do you sell out teammates?!"

"Never! Best friends share everything. I know you’ve got this."

"Ugh… Fine. A little showtime then."

The teacher tapped impatiently. "The question was?"

"HAHAHAHA—"

The class erupted. He didn’t even know the question! Looks like Class 4’s new comedy duo is official.

Predictably, Shen Yufeng failed. We—Class 4’s troublemakers—got hauled to the teacher’s office again. What happened during detention? I won’t relive that nightmare.

"Phew… That biology teacher’s a tough cookie. I barely survived those forty minutes."

"Don’t! Don’t remind me… Crap! It’s this late already? I gotta run!"

Almost 6 PM. If I don’t cook dinner, Auntie will starve. Egg rice it is.

"Hey! Where are you sprinting off to?"

"Sorry! Catch up tomorrow—I’ve got an emergency!"

"Seriously? You’re busy every night. People might think you’re a househusband with a wife and kids!"

Shen Yufeng, are you spying on me? That comparison’s uncannily accurate.

I biked to the nearest supermarket, grabbed ingredients, and raced home. Lights were on—Auntie was back.

"Sorry I’m late! Special circumstances. I’ll cook right now!"

"Qiuyuchen? You’re home. Wash up—it’s ready."

Huh? She cooked? I’ll fridge these ingredients for tomorrow.

As I entered the kitchen to open the fridge, a dark figure stood by the stove.

"Qiuyuchen!"

"You’re… Xia Bing?!"