When Luke heard that he was flabbergasted. "Kyle Pearson? That guy is indeed a noble, but he never became a mage in any of the previous loops." Luke's mind was racing. "So was he hiding the fact that he was already a mage earlier? Butterfly effect at work? I wonder what changed this time around."
Every time Luke came across a drastic change, he felt vulnerable and immediately reminded himself to be more cautious. No matter what, he couldn't risk his life and a crucial part of that plan is to ensure no one realized his time looping trait.
"Looks like I have to keep an eye on Kyle. I have too many things in motion, I need time to unravel everything." Kyle continued hypothesizing.
For now, Luke acted the same as before, barely interacting in class. His mind was already showing signs of damage from practice and he made his way to Melinda's office. Luckily she handed him pills, but she seemed preoccupied, presumably trying to deal with the Evil Sect.
This time around, once again there was no sign of Norman in the train or anywhere on campus. This once again changed Melinda's behavior, though Luke figured out that she still hadn't discovered the link to the Celestial Equinox apocalypse yet.
Often Luke had the urge to try to investigate deeper into these mysteries, but he would pull himself back. He wasn't in a hurry. For one, he was too weak. For two, with each loop, by making very small changes, he had been able to slowly dig deeper into the hidden mysteries by weaponizing the butterfly effect.
"The fundamental principle of causality..." Luke thought to himself.
After healing his mind, Luke made his way to the Doom Society. On the face this was society that studied how to neutralize curses, hence the weird name, but underneath was a more sinister organization.
For a few more loops, Luke was planning to observe the dynamics of the group so he could lay the seeds for the plan that was forming in his mind.
At the meeting Luke was asked to introduce himself. He continued to explain how his old ancestral relative had actually come across "Him". As well as hints of the mysterious inheritance.
Hearing Luke's words, everyone began salivating in expectations. People were eager. Many of them had similar experiences that brought them into contact with 'Him', but they barely knew anything compared to the basic introduction Luke provided.
At this moment, the president of the Doom Society, an energetic man named Dion stepped onto the podium and clapped.
"We welcome our new member with open arms. Not only does he have an intrinsic link to 'Him', he has also brought in more information about 'Him' and his inheritance than anyone else before!
Let us now raise our glasses to celebrate getting one step closer to an incredible power! Javier Bardoom!"
"Javier Bardoom!" The others chanted back.
The next few weeks went by as usual. Luke did try to contact the girl Narin, asking her if she wanted to go on a date, to which she agreed.
"I didn't expect you to accept my invitation, miss Narin." Luke smiled as he said as the two were sitting in a restaurant on campus.
"I didn't expect to either. But I found your flattery to my liking." Narin laughed.
The two talked for a couple of hours and Luke managed to establish a new foothold by becoming friendly with this member of the mysterious Challenge Group. He hadn't forgotten that terrifying glare he had received for simply stumbling onto the desk, and wanted to dig deeper behind this organization. He already suspected them of being a part of Evil sect, but he made no mention of it.
From Narin, he learnt that she was a poison element rank 2 mage. Both her magick sequences were of the poison element and she wanted to learn more about using poison as a healing tool.
Luke himself talked about his own struggles with the control exercises and bitched about his forever absent guide.
"I've heard Professor Alok is very mysterious and studies extremely esoteric magic." Narin helpfully explained. "It may not be a bad thing to become his apprentice."
"If only he showed up." Luke replied with a bitter smile.
At that moment, Narin changed the topic. "I didn't expect you to join the Doom Society. They are invite only, just like us."
"Well, I would've joined the Challenge Group if you invited me." Luke laughed.
"So how exactly is doom society?" She asked him.
"I am.bound by rules not to speak anything about it at all." Luke said apologetically.
"Haha, don't worry. Actually, I have some idea about the society. I know that it isn't really about curses but to do with some particular individual's inheritance search." Narin said with a grin.
Luke coughed, looking around to make sure no one heard it. Narin laughed at his panic. "Don't worry, our challenge group has some dealings with the Doom Society. We have some knowledge about your community's goals."
Luke sighed and nodded. "What does the Challenge Group do?"
"We are essentially a mercenary group. A community for hire by other communities for help. We tried to help the Doom Society once in search of clues about an inheritance trial, however, it ended in some serious losses for our members." Narin said.
Luke raised an eye in surprise and shock. The two continued talking for a good while before parting ways after dinner.
Time passed and Luke was in the Abyss Dungeon cell.
"No! Bastard! How come you know all this about me! How? You tricked me to lose the bet!" A gravelly voice screamed in dismay.
"Enough Javier Bardoom. We bet under a principled oath. Now you must answer all my questions!"
The gravelly voice snorted in displeasure, but the pressure from the oath forced him to agree to previously agreed upon conditions with much reluctance.
---
The time had arrived, the celestial equinox was upon the world and even the Abyss Dungeon was beginning to disintegrate into particulate matter. The disintegration was just about to reach Luke, when time froze over.