Alaric frowned as he looked Perry up and down, making Perry feel a bit tense. Then Alaric just chuckled and teased with a hint of mischief, "Wow, Henry, why so plain? You're even bringing in some dirt?"
Perry laughed awkwardly and explained briefly, "I was looking for Mushcat—it was a real hassle getting there, so I ended up like this."
Alaric raised an eyebrow and gave a half-annoyed, half-exasperated expression, smirking. "Seriously! While you were gone, I was stuck taking care of the professor's precious plants. Do you know how exhausting it is, tending to those delicate things every day? It's a good thing you're back in time—Professor Edward returns tomorrow. I don't want him to find anything wrong with these plants. Otherwise, I will be punished by him!" Alaric shrugged, looking helpless.
Seeing an opportunity, Perry quickly followed up, "Let's hope Edward doesn't notice anything out of place. I really don't want to be turned into a mushroom!"
Alaric laughed softly, half-joking, "Oh, that's just a rumor, you know. But, honestly, he is unusually obsessed with plants, especially rare herbs. I heard one student damaged one, and, well, let's just say they ended up writing a hundred-thousand-word apology." Alaric yawned and glanced over at the clock by his bed, rubbing his eyes as he said, "Ugh, tomorrow I have Magician Jasmine's class in the morning. Better get to sleep soon. And please don't do anything to get Edward's attention again. Oh, and remember to turn the light off. I'd rather not have to get up in the middle of the night for that."
Perry wanted to probe a bit more about Professor Edward, so he casually continued, "What else do you know about him? Does he have any favorite plants? Maybe if I know, it'll save me from his scolding if I help take care of them."
Alaric, already looking half-asleep, waved a hand lazily. "What's with you? You're supposed to be his assistant, aren't you? Ask him yourself tomorrow, alright? Just don't keep me up. If you wake me again, I'll be late tomorrow." With that, Alaric pulled the blanket up, rolled over, and shut his eyes.
Seeing Alaric nearly asleep, Perry decided to let it go for now, even though he had hoped to gather more information.
Perry moved over to the wardrobe and pulled the door open, revealing rows of neatly arranged clothes. Most were dark-colored robes, crisp white shirts, and black trousers, projecting a sense of professionalism and restraint. A few casual outfits were tucked away in the corner, standing out slightly but hinting at a bit of personal comfort. Perry smiled to himself wryly, Henry seemed quite particular about his wardrobe, meticulously organized but lacking in laid-back options.
After searching for a bit, he finally picked out a set of sleepwear. Feeling the fine, smooth fabric, he couldn't help but murmur, "This fabric is top-notch. Henry must have a taste for quality." The material was soft and luxurious, clearly selected with care——he felt a slight pang of envy.
The dorm room was well-equipped, with its own bathroom. Perry carried his clothes inside, switching on the light. In the mirror, he saw an unfamiliar face staring back at him. He gazed at it for a while, still feeling a bit unaccustomed to the reflection. His eyes revealed a hint of conflicted emotion. It was Henry's face, yet the soul within was still him, Perry. Shaking his head, he silently reminded himself to get used to this new guise, he'd have to keep pretending to be Henry for the foreseeable future.
He swiftly finished washing up, dried his hair, and changed into the comfortable pajamas, dimming the lights before heading back to his bed. He carefully turned on the bedside lamp, casting a soft glow that made the dorm feel warm and peaceful. Alaric was already lying on the other bed, breathing steadily, clearly fast asleep. Perry glanced at him, quietly turned off the main dorm lights, and prepared to settle down.
He knew he had to adapt quickly to Henry's lifestyle; any misstep could easily expose him. Adjusting the bedside lamp to make it dimmer, Perry quietly began searching through Henry's drawers, hoping to find some clues in his belongings.
Although he didn't find the diary he'd imagined, he noticed a thick planner sticking out from the shelf, neatly placed among the books. Perry carefully pulled it out and flipped through a few pages. The notes were meticulously organized, with each day's schedule detailed precisely. Henry's planner was filled with appointments for the coming weeks, and even the month ahead.
As Perry browsed, he noted that the next few days were focused on Professor Edward's research. With Edward returning soon, it seemed that Henry would be assisting him with some kind of plant study, with several complex plant names specifically highlighted. Perry felt a headache coming on; these terms were entirely foreign to him, but he knew he'd have to familiarize himself with them fast.
The schedule also included swordsmanship training, magic classes, and even a short trip at the end of the month with friends—among them, unsurprisingly, Alaric and the girl he meet before—— Teresa. The packed itinerary left barely any room to breathe, which made Perry's head throb a bit. In the few days he had, he'd need to convincingly play Henry's role, interacting with his mentor, friends, and classmates without slipping up. This rigorous schedule also meant putting aside his own plans to study cooking.
He sighed softly as he closed the planner, carefully placing it back in its spot. After a moment to collect his thoughts, Perry picked up the application form Fido had given him, deciding to complete it in the quiet of the night and prepare it for submission. This was only the beginning; he had to keep his spirits up. Since he'd stepped into this unknown world, all he could do was take things one step at a time.
Just as Perry put the planner back and sat down with a sigh, a voice from the system echoed softly in his mind, offering a hint of reassurance: [Perry, don't worry. I believe you have what it takes to adapt to this world, and you'll eventually become the greatest chef here. I'll stay with you until that day arrives.]
Perry blinked, touched, and smiled slightly. He knew that while the system was always logical and composed, it had been a constant companion, like an invisible friend. Just as he was about to respond, the system continued: [Besides, once I've upgraded, if you don't enjoy life here, you'll have the option to leave this world. Though I can't promise you'll return to Earth, you'll at least be able to leave.]
A shadow of sadness crossed Perry's face. While he constantly missed his family and friends on Earth, worrying about the grief his death must have caused them, he knew he had to focus on the present. The system was still in a low-level state, restricting his actions in many ways. Without advanced analysis capabilities, even simple judgments and decisions could be challenging.
"I understand," Perry murmured, his voice resolute. "Upgrading the system is my priority. Without your support, it's hard to make a place for myself here or even ensure my own safety."
The system seemed to sense his determination, its tone warm with encouragement: [That's a wise choice, Perry. Once I'm upgraded, I'll be able to offer more functions and support. Then, your plans and actions will be much smoother. When the time comes, whether you choose to stay and find a new path here or to leave, you'll have more freedom.]
Perry nodded, a calm resolve settling over him. He knew there was no way back, and the only thing he could do was grow stronger, adapt to this world, and find a way to advance alongside the system. Only then could he regain his freedom. Whether for the sake of his future or the faint hope of returning to Earth one day, he had to get stronger.
Under the deep night, he finished filling out the application, quietly placing it back into the bag. The moonlight streamed gently into the dorm, casting a soft glow across his face. Taking a deep breath, Perry made a silent promise to himself—not only for those he missed on Earth but also for the fresh start he sought in this strange world.
Perry turned off the bedside lamp and closed his eyes, though his thoughts continued to swirl. Starting tomorrow, he would have to fully disguise himself as Henry and live out Henry's life. Fortunately, Henry's itinerary notebook gave him some reassurance. At least, his first class didn't start until noon. With only five hours left until dawn, he wouldn't be rushed and could afford a bit more rest to face a day of pretending.
Just as Perry tried to relax and drift into sleep, the system's voice sounded again in his mind, as if intentionally lowered to sound gentle: [Perry, tomorrow you'll have a chance to meet Professor Edward. According to Henry's notes, he's one of your primary mentors. This is a good opportunity to gather information on Henry's background; you might get some useful insights from him.]
Perry forced his eyes open and responded softly, his voice tinged with fatigue. "Mm, I understand. I'll try to act naturally when I meet him and slowly gather information without rushing it to avoid suspicion." As he spoke, his eyelids grew heavier, his consciousness slipping, and his voice softened, "You're right, system. With the professor's clues... it won't be too difficult…"
As Perry's breathing gradually became steady, the system fell silent, reluctant to disturb him further. It hovered over his bed, transforming into a warm little sphere that emitted a faint glow, like a silent nightlight guarding his sleep. It watched over Perry silently, like a loyal guardian waiting for him to wake up.
The room was tranquil and cozy, the night outside slowly fading as the first rays of dawn hinted at a new day. The system remained quietly by Perry's side, waiting for him to awaken.