'I'm back.'
At this point, Chrome was no longer surprised to see that the exchange had taken place for the third time in a row. Even he himself felt that he strangely adapted to this fantasy too quickly.
Ding. Ding. Ding! Ding. Ding. Ding!
The alarm that he had set before sleeping sounded out, confirming that the accurate awakening schedule hadn't changed. It was unknown whether it would be different if he stayed up till after midnight, but for now, his body and mind automatically woke at 8 AM no matter how long his prior dream was.
There was still no telling if even that would also change over time, or if what he experienced was just a string of random coincidences, but the third time is usually considered the cue to recognizing a pattern.
"No time for thoughts, I can't afford to be late this time!" With no fatigue weighing down his body, Chrome easily got out of bed. He had to show up to school now if he still wanted to participate in the admission test!
Having been denied the choice to wake up earlier thanks to the fixed schedule, Chrome could only rush to the bathroom to lightly wash up and hurriedly change into his only clean set of clothing. Unlike other aspiring Extras who received an admission card from the Assessment Center for achieving high results, their situation was a little different.
The only reason students like them had this chance was that they were part of the Special Class. After all, Extras required brains just as they required great Exos ratings and abilities. Just like they went as far as to provide the whole class with Awakening Pills at one point, schools practically picked the highest performing students as seeded participants for the admission test.
While he had finally awakened an ability, Chrome's ability was still like a sapling that had barely popped out of the soil. Let alone heading to the Assessment Center to get a chance at participating in the test at any time he wanted during the Summer Break, he wasn't even sure if he could get in through the school route…
Thankfully, the seeded participation provided by the school entailed lowered admission requirements, giving someone like him a chance that was more than worth being there of time. Of course, that was only provided the designated bus hadn't already left without anyone expecting his arrival anyway.
'But before that…'
'Self Reliance!' Chrome loudly exclaimed in his head, he still had one more thing to do before leaving for the test!
Although he was already tight on time, Chrome knew that he had to do this in case his ability disappeared with the exchange of realities, otherwise, he would be in a bad spot if he goes there only to show nothing in the end. Besides, he also needed to claim his 'Candy' in preparation for the test itself.
[ Entering The Self Reliance Palace. Welcome back, Palace Master. ]
'Phew…' Hearing the cold mechanical voice in his head once again, Chrome let out a sigh of relief, his paranoid fear of being reduced to an 'Ordinary' once more was proven wrong.
The way the voice spoke was identical to the floating quill's writing style, so it was likely that the ego supervising his ability was the same as his so-called assistant, but it wasn't the time to verify that now.
Just like the first time he entered the Palace, the scenery around Chrome changed into visible darkness before he found himself in the familiar throne room. Only, this time, he was seated on the throne instead of standing in the middle of the room.
With no time to waste, Chrome only spared a single glance to the floating scroll that maintained its position from the last time he was here before walking to the Energy Processing Candy Machine.
Turning the machine's key after confirming that there was an additional piece of candy inside, Chrome received the transparent capsule, clicking the red button before speaking up, "This candy can be brought outside without any problems, right?"
[ Affirmative. You can bring them outside, but consumption will only be effective for the Palace Master. It will be nothing more than a normal raisin-flavored candy for others. That would be the case under the current limitation of your ability. ]
'I knew I missed something important last time…' Chrome's wealth accumulation plan ended before he even started giving it any thought.
However, just like it stated before, the floating quill's words hinted at restriction removal. With enough time, a lot more things that remained out of the scope of his ability might become possible…
"Well then, I will be heading out. See you later."
Announcing his departure in a hurry, Chrome stuffed the capsule into his pocket before returning to the throne.
[ See you soon, Palace Master. Departing from the Self Reliance Palace. ]
The change of the 'goodbye' message pointed at the fact that the quill and the voice were one sentient being if not just two similar ones.
Hurrying towards the door, Chrome remembered to check out the scroll in his mind to check how many energy points he had left. After all, he was still unsure of how time moved inside the Self Reliance Palace.
If it covered all the time he was conscious as Chrome, then that would mean getting 32 hours' worth of time, which would be about 19 points. However, if it only counted from the perspective of Alter Chrome's body, he would get no more than 14 points.
_____________________
Name: Chrome Blue
Age: 18
Energy Points (EP): 4/12
_____________________
'That's also confirmed then.'
Just like Chrome could only use his ability on this side, his experience on the other side didn't seem to affect his ability in the same manner. So far, both realities acted completely independent of the other.
Taking the candy out of the capsule with these thoughts in mind, Chrome wrapped it up in the closest piece of wrapping that he could get his hand on to avoid suspicion. He could just directly consume it now, but it would cause the loss of the 2 excess energy points.
Considering that he knew nothing about the examination details, Chrome couldn't afford to waste a single point, not to mention two at once. That was just how much luck he needed to pass.
Creeeeak… slam.
'Onwards to a new future!' Rejuvenated by the warm rays of sunlight, Chrome envisioned them as the rays of hope being presented to him. Perhaps, it was time to feel optimistic for a change…