The sky stretched wide and clear, bathed in brilliant sunlight, while the rhythmic pulse of city life carried on without pause. The hum of engines, the click of high heels against pavement, the murmur of countless conversations—each sound blended into a familiar symphony of urban routine. Well-dressed professionals bustled about—women clad in tailored pantsuits, men in crisp, fitted attire, exuding refinement and purpose.
And then there was Percy.
Dressed in a plain green T-shirt and worn brown khaki shorts, he stuck out like a sore thumb. It wasn't just his casual appearance that set him apart—it was the way he observed the world around him, a traveler in unfamiliar territory. He had expected something different, something otherworldly. Yet, the longer he stood amidst the city's controlled chaos, the more unsettling the realization became.
It's the same.
The towering buildings, the flashing streetlights, the honking cars—it all mirrored the world he once knew.
"Where am I?" Percy muttered under his breath, though he wasn't expecting an answer.
He refused to remain idle, so instead of standing in a daze, he allowed himself to be swept into the current of the moving crowd. He walked—no particular direction in mind—until, after about fifteen minutes, he stumbled across a small café nestled between two larger buildings.
He stepped inside, half-hoping for something that would finally remind him that he wasn't in his old world anymore. But disappointment struck almost immediately.
It was just a café.
A quaint, charming little shop with warm brown furniture and a black chalkboard menu scribbled with the day's specials. The scent of roasted coffee beans and sweet pastries lingered in the air, comforting and familiar. Too familiar.
Percy let out a quiet sigh but didn't complain. At the very least, he could get a drink.
He claimed an empty table in the corner, away from the larger clusters of customers, and absentmindedly picked up the menu. His eyes scanned over the options, and for the first time, a small sense of relief trickled through him.
(Coffee. Chocolate mousse cake. Some things really don't change.)
Just as he settled into the brief moment of peace, a voice cut through his thoughts.
"Hi! Welcome to Suranto's Café Room! Would you like to hear the specials?"
Percy didn't bother looking up. "Can I get a medium triple half café mocha whipped latte with a small chocolate mousse cake?" he said lazily, still reading the menu.
"Sure! Is there anything else you'd like?"
Before he could reply, something strange happened.
(Ass! Can't even give proper eye contact!)
Percy blinked.
Slowly, his gaze lifted to the waitress standing in front of him—a young woman in a simple white dress shirt, blue denim jeans, and a brown apron tied neatly at her waist. Her expression was neutral, professional, but her thoughts—
"Did you just call me an ass?" Percy asked, his brows furrowing.
The girl visibly tensed, her professionalism cracking for just a moment. "W-what? Sir, I didn't say that," she denied quickly, forcing an innocent smile.
Percy was about to let it go when it happened again.
(Shit! Was it that obvious? I wonder how he guessed that was what I thought. Did my body language give it away? Oh, whatever. He doesn't even look like he has any money—he better not try to run off without paying.)
Percy's expression darkened.
At first, he thought he was imagining it. Maybe exhaustion was making his mind play tricks on him. But no—the words were clear. Crisp. Hers.
His fingers twitched on the table, tempted to call her out again, but he held back.
(She's not worth it.)
Rolling his eyes, he deliberately turned his attention back to the menu with an air of indifference. The girl bristled at the blatant dismissal, her strained smile faltering as a visible vein pulsed at her forehead.
"Okay, I'll go put your order in. Your drink will be out shortly," she muttered before storming off.
As she walked away, Percy exhaled sharply and shook his head. "What a freak."
From the other side of the café, he heard her hiss under her breath, "What a freak."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but he let it go, turning his gaze to the large window beside him. Outside, the sun slowly climbed higher, casting long shadows across the streets below. He watched absentmindedly, the passage of time feeling distant, irrelevant.
(Bored.)
(So damn bored.)
(System?)
{Yes, Master!}
(Pull up my status screen.)
{…}
{Infinite Omega System...
~Name: Percy Atlas Magus,
~Bloodline: Human
~Potential: Level 4
~Abilities: Eternal Lucky Charm, Life/Death Benefits, Absolute Immunity.
~Stamina: 5
~Strength: 5
~Intelligence: 10
~Mana: 0}
(Hmmm... Nothing's changed so far? Well, I didn't expect it to. Though, I thought my strength and stamina would've recovered a bit more by now.)
{Your current stats are accurate. You've only regained a fraction of your original strength. Your body is still healing.}
(I see... Wait. Wasn't one of the system functions called the "Body Rejuvenation System"? Why didn't it restore me to my full state?)
{That wasn't its purpose. The BRS was designed to bring your body back to life, not to instantly restore all of its former capabilities.}
Percy frowned as he read the response.
{Like you already know, you technically died in your old world. The only reason you're even here now is because when the system activated, your perception of time froze. In reality, you were clinically dead for two months before I used the "Infinite Omega System Relocator" (IOSR) to transfer you here. From your perspective, it felt instantaneous. But time still flowed naturally in this world.}
{Since you and the system are bound together, I had to use the BRS to reconstruct your body—except, of course, not without a price.}
That last part sent an unpleasant chill down Percy's spine. His fingers tensed around the table's edge.
(What price?) he asked, his tone taking a dangerous edge.
{Nothing drastic. Just... using another person's death in this world as an anchor.}
Percy's stomach twisted. (What?!)
{Relax, Master. They were already dying in a hospital. I merely scanned their body, found they had just enough residual mana to serve as a catalyst, and made the switch. The "Dimensional Death Synchronization" (DDS) linked your death to theirs, allowing the system to exchange your fate for theirs. The IOSR then completed the process and placed you here. Time resumed as if nothing had happened.}
(So... they were already dying when you did it?)
{That's correct.}
Percy exhaled slowly, tension still humming through his body. At least it wasn't an innocent life taken just for his sake, but still—it didn't sit right with him. He wasn't naïve enough to think power came without a cost, but hearing it put so bluntly made the weight of his existence here feel heavier.
His thoughts spiraled, his expression darkening. Unintentionally, he had started to draw attention to himself.
A ray of sunlight pierced through the café window, bouncing off the polished hood of a parked car just outside. The reflection caught the contours of Percy's face and body, making him glow with an ethereal brilliance. His tan skin shimmered under the golden light, his obsidian-black hair catching soft highlights, and his blue-gold eyes radiated with an almost hypnotic depth.
Customers who had previously been engaged in casual conversation found their gazes magnetically drawn to him. Even those who had never paid him any mind before were suddenly unable to look away. It wasn't just attractiveness—it was presence, something otherworldly that commanded attention without effort.
Abigail, the café worker, was no exception. She had been walking toward Percy's table, balancing a tray carrying his drink and dessert, but the moment she laid eyes on him, her steps faltered.
Her breath hitched.
Her heartbeat quickened.
A strange warmth flooded through her, an involuntary reaction she couldn't suppress.
She shook her head, forcing herself back into focus. (Get it together, Abby!)
Clearing her throat, she approached his table with the most professional smile she could muster.
"Excuse me, here is your order, sir," she said, placing the tray down gently.
Percy, lost in thought, barely reacted at first. But when he finally lifted his gaze and met hers, time seemed to slow for a fraction of a second.
His expression was calm, yet something about those sharp eyes, their unnatural glow under the café lights, made Abigail's stomach flutter against her will.
Percy's gaze flickered to her name tag. "Thank you, Abigail," he said, offering a slight but undeniably dangerous smile.
The effect was immediate.
Abigail's cheeks burned. She felt her breath hitch for the second time that day. She turned on her heel, eager to escape before she made a fool of herself—
Only to freeze when she felt a gentle grip on her wrist.
"Ah—"
She turned back, barely suppressing a shiver when she saw those same piercing eyes looking at her, but this time... with something different. Not flirtation, not amusement—something softer, something imploring.
"Yes?" she asked, barely managing to keep her voice steady.
Percy tilted his head slightly, still studying her before speaking.
"Do you have a map of the city?" he asked. "If not, can you point me in the direction of Billingsley All-Girls Academy?"
Abigail reached into her apron and pulled out a neatly folded pamphlet, its edges slightly worn from frequent use. Going the extra mile, she even circled their current location and traced a clear path to his destination.
Percy nodded in appreciation. "Thanks, Abigail," he said, offering a slight smile before returning to his meal.
After finishing, he made his way to the counter, handing over his receipt. The cashier, a young man with sandy blond hair and a name tag that read Sam, accepted the slip without much thought—until Percy presented his diamond-encrusted debit card.
Sam blinked. He had seen countless cards in his time working here, but never one like this. The sheer weight of it, the way it glimmered under the café lights—it screamed wealth. Swallowing his skepticism, he swiped the card, fully expecting it to decline.
Approved.
Sam's brows shot up as the register printed the receipt. He handed the card back to Percy, still processing what just happened. "Uh… Have a good day, sir."
Percy accepted the card with a nod but lingered for a moment. "Actually, I had a question."
Sam snapped out of his daze. "Oh, sure. What can I help you with?"
Percy glanced at his name tag before chuckling lightly. "Sam, do you guys have a way to call an escort?"
For a brief second, Sam's mind short-circuited. His gaze flicked toward the glass refrigerator beside him, catching his reflection. (Damn… I didn't think this guy would be so upfront about it. Wait—does he think I do that kind of work?)
Feeling a surge of misplaced confidence, Sam smoothed his hair and adjusted his uniform. "Uh, excuse me?"
Percy sighed. "A ride. I'm looking for a ride, not… whatever you're thinking."
Realization hit Sam like a freight train. His face turned crimson. "O-oh! Right. Um, yeah, there's a green button outside on the left. Press it, and a private driver will pick you up within five minutes."
Percy muttered a quiet 'Thanks' before heading out, leaving Sam staring after him, utterly mortified.
True to Sam's word, within five minutes, a sleek black SUV pulled up to the curb, its windows tinted just enough to scream VIP transport.
The driver, clad in a tailored black-and-white suit with dark sunglasses, stepped out and opened the door with professional ease. "Good morning, sir. Where can I take you on this fine day?"
Percy settled into the plush leather seat, handed over the pamphlet, and tapped his destination. "Here."
The driver glanced at the marked location—Billingsley All-Girls Academy. His brow quirked slightly, but he merely nodded. "Understood, sir. Will you need transport to any additional locations?"
Percy pondered for a moment before pointing to another address on the map.
The driver stiffened momentarily but quickly masked his reaction. That particular estate was one of the most exclusive properties in the city. He glanced at Percy, reevaluating him, then gave a respectful nod.
"Very well, sir," he said before smoothly merging into traffic.
As they cruised through the city, a small screen flickered to life in front of Percy, displaying a woman with long, wavy brown hair and a practiced, inviting smile.
"Hello, and welcome, superb customers," she announced in a sultry yet professional tone. "My name is Kayla, and first, I want to thank you for choosing Caito's Luxury Escort Service, a proud partner of Suranto's Café Room. As a first-time rider, you'll receive discounted rates on all service fees and exclusive amenities."
Percy raised an eyebrow, only half-listening as Kayla continued.
"We at Caito's are committed to making every passenger feel like a VIP. To your right, you'll find premier imported water from the Northern Continent, along with an assortment of fine chocolates and gourmet peanuts."
Glancing to the side, Percy did indeed find the refreshments. He ignored them, having just eaten, and returned his attention to the screen.
"We hope you enjoy your ride, and thank you for choosing Caito's Luxury Escort Service. Have a wonderful day!"
The screen blinked off.
Percy leaned back, his mind wandering. (Cami… what's wrong?)
For the next twenty minutes, the vehicle weaved through the city, passing towering buildings, charming gardens, and residential districts. The scenery gradually changed as they neared a more secluded part of town, where sprawling estates stretched far and wide.
As they approached their destination, Percy caught sight of a grand structure in the distance—a massive estate resembling a castle. A long, tree-lined driveway led up to its towering gates, which parted automatically as their vehicle neared.
Pulling into the designated parking area, the driver smoothly stepped out and walked around to open the door for Percy.
"Please wait here, sir," he instructed before turning toward the grand entrance.
Percy took in the sight of the massive double doors looming before him, exhaling slowly. (This place… feels different.)
Before he could step forward, the doors swung open, and a figure emerged.
Percy's gaze sharpened the moment he recognized the man standing at the threshold.
An older gentleman, dressed in crisp butler attire, with sharp features and an expression as impassive as stone.
Percy's lips curled slightly. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Butler. Always a pleasure."
The butler remained silent, merely offering a subtle bow before gesturing toward the entrance. "Good afternoon, Mr. Magus. The Headmistress is expecting you."
Percy's smirk faltered. (Expecting me?)
(That was unexpected.)
He followed the butler inside, already bracing himself for whatever awaited him.
As he followed the butler through the corridors, Percy couldn't ignore the shift in atmosphere. The moment they entered, whispers spread like wildfire, traveling through the crowd of uniformed girls. Some were discreet, their curious glances fleeting, while others openly gawked, their expressions ranging from intrigue to irritation.
(Who is he?)
(Whoa… he's hot!)
(Damn, I wonder whose brother that is!)
While some admired him, others were far less kind in their thoughts.
(Ugh, why did the butler let him in?)
(Wow, he looks like a peasant!)
(Oh my god, whose trash does he belong to?!)
Percy exhaled slowly, already feeling a headache forming from the sheer number of judgmental stares drilling into him. He knew their type all too well—privileged, pampered, and eager to assert their superiority over anyone who didn't fit their gilded world. He ignored them, keeping his focus on the butler leading him forward.
Eventually, they arrived at a grand door, carved with intricate designs that spoke of authority and prestige.
The butler rapped his knuckles against the wood. "Ma'am, I have brought Mr. Magus."
Silence.
A murmur rippled through the gathered students, their amusement barely concealed.
(Hmph, serves that peasant right. Trying to see our esteemed Headmistress when countless others have tried? Not a chance!)
(I didn't think he had a shot anyway!)
(How humiliating. If that were me, I'd rather die than be ignored like that.)
Percy clenched his jaw, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. He could feel their silent gloating like an oppressive wave pressing against his skin.
The butler, too, seemed unfazed. He turned back with an air of finality, eyes cold. "It appears the Headmistress is occupied. You may return another day."
Percy remained still, his expression unreadable.
(Yeah… this is exactly how I remember things.)
Then, much to the onlookers' confusion, his lips curved into a smirk. A low chuckle escaped him—soft at first, but growing in amusement.
The girls exchanged uneasy glances. (What's so funny?)
Percy stepped forward, past the butler, his voice dripping with confidence. "Looks like I'll have to do this my way."
The butler's face remained neutral, but there was a flicker of something behind his eyes—recognition. As if he had seen this before. As if he knew exactly what was about to happen.
Percy inhaled deeply, drawing in as much air as his lungs could hold, and then—
"HEADMISTRESS! IF YOU DON'T SPEAK TO ME, THEN I'LL GO AND TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE TIME YOU—"
The massive double doors slammed open before he could finish.
The girls gasped, their judgmental attitudes shifting instantly to stunned silence.
Standing in the doorway was a woman with striking scarlet hair, her presence exuding pure authority. She held the doors open with an air of controlled fury, her cat-like eyes locking onto Percy's with lethal precision.
The moment he saw her, a visceral reaction surged through him—one he hadn't felt in years. A tight coil of emotions, tangled and heavy, twisted inside his chest.
Rage.
Resentment.
The weight of old wounds that had never fully healed.
His expression darkened, and in response, her glare only grew icier.
Despite the two-foot height difference, Percy met her stare without hesitation, undaunted by the sheer force of her presence. There was no fear in his posture, only simmering defiance. The air between them was suffocating, thick with history—years of unspoken words, unresolved conflicts, and buried betrayals.
Memories crashed into him like an unforgiving tide.
Everything she had done. Everything she had failed to do.
The emotions she had long discarded, and the ones he had buried deep.
The whispers from the students had ceased. Every pair of eyes was locked onto them, sensing the tension that hung in the air like a blade about to drop.
Then, breaking the silence, Percy finally spoke.
His voice was low, controlled, but the bite behind it was unmistakable.
"Hello… Auntie."
The words sent a ripple through the crowd.
The students, who had been so eager to mock him, now stared in shock, realization dawning on them.
The butler, still as ever, merely observed.
And the woman before him—the infamous, untouchable Headmistress—stood rigid, her expression unreadable, yet something shifted behind those sharp eyes.