Infinite Cube: Extra's Life in Another World

"Neko-sensei." Kai muttered.

"I told you not to call me that," Neko-sensei replied.

Kai stepped closer to the railing before speaking. "You never told me what to call you."

She paused for a moment before responding. "I suppose you're right."

After that, the two stood in silence, gazing at the moonlight.

[What's with you guys and silence today? It's making me want to fall asleep.]

'She's never this quiet.'

[Maybe she had her heart broken?]

'Ha, I doubt that.' Kai's expression darkened. 'Let's just hope that's not the case.'

"Kai, do you think there's a way for a mage to take on missions inside the dome? Or an elixir capable of maxing out a mage's stats, or even boosting them slightly?"

[Someone who can do both is standing right here.]

Ignoring Alpha's remark, he replied, "Why do you ask?"

"Through my (or rather, our) research on the outer world, I developed a theory," she explained. "I tried testing it, but as you can see, it wasn't entirely successful."

"I'm sor—"

Neko-sensei cut him off mid-sentence. "No, don't apologize. It wasn't a complete failure... I still managed to create something close. I call it Dianabol." She chuckled softly. "I know, weird name... If I had been given the choice to name it myself."

'How could I forget.'

That brief scene from ICUWSA suddenly flashed in Kai's mind.

It had been an odd Chapter, to say the least. Many thought it was written that way due to reader complaints about the slow release schedule, even though the author was doing their best.

It took place after Neko-sensei joined the Asuras and was recounting her story, before she shifted to the darker (or more accurately, antihero) side.

According to her, she had once been demoted to an assistant under Eleanor Zero, the daughter of a high-ranking official and heir to the Zero county.

During that time, she had paused her quests to investigate the origins of the cube and the outer world, a place no human mage had yet ventured into.

Gradually, she rebuilt her alchemy skills to the level they had been during the war against the demons at Heavens Grove and began experimenting with the creation of a stat-enhancing potion.

But before she could complete her work, it was stolen.

'Even I forgot that Neko-sensei was the original creator of the Dianabol system of mana accumulation. It was later stolen by Eleanor and further developed by another dwarf alchemist.'

[Don't be too hard on yourself, Kai. You're only human. Your memory isn't going to be flawless.]

Kai relaxed at Alpha's words. "Professor Eleanor stole it, didn't she?"

Neko-sensei turned to him, surprised by the question. "How did you know?"

"That's not important. Are you okay with this?" Kai asked, locking his gaze on Neko-sensei's profile. "You're also from a noble family, and your brother is a high ranker. Why not retaliate?"

Facing him, Neko-sensei pulled out a cigarette. "... I promised myself not to rely on my family name. If I'm going to do something, it will be on my own." She paused. "Besides, I don't want the Reinhart family caught up in my research."

Kai understood where Neko-sensei was coming from, but that didn't mean he was going to let her efforts go to waste.

[Kai, don't do anything reckless.]

'...'

[Even though this concerns Neko-sensei, and I know how much she's helped you with training and adapting to mana, this could shift the entire plot... Are you ready for that kind of consequence?]

'Honestly, no... But I always found it foolish when a main character limits their life just to preserve the plot or conceal their abilities. I'll do whatever I must, even if it alters the storyline.'

[... Look who has grown.]

Kai smiled slightly. "Then I'll help you... That's why you called me here, right?" He paused, removing one hand from the railing. "You needed someone to know, even if it was just one person—that you were the original creator."

Neko-sensei turned away as Kai continued. "I won't lie. I'm not a fan of chain villains, but..."

After a brief thought he continued. "I'll make an exception for you, just this once. But you still owe me. I happen to know quite a bit about alchemy. You could say I'm the best in the entire Academy, no, in all of Meltonia."

'Literally,' He thought

Tears slid down Neko-sensei's cheeks as she offered a slight smile. "You know you're an idiot, right?"

"What?"

She lifted her leg and kicked the back of his knee. "Who do you think you're worrying about? Of course I was planning revenge."

Kai answered with a straight face. "Nah, I seriously doubt that."

"But thank you." She lit another cigarette. "Maybe I'll repay you... someday."

"Really now? I'll be looking forward to that."

"And why are you so comfortable around cigars?" she asked, exhaling smoke.

"I had a friend who smoked," Kai replied casually.

[That was in your past life.]

'Oh, that's right.'

Neko-sensei raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me Matthew smokes."

Kai quickly denied it. "No... And who said Matthew and I are friends?"

"He's been shouting it around the staff office."

'Damn bastard.'

"And what about your girlfriend? What's her name again?" She snapped her fingers. "Ah yes, Anica."

Kai shot her a glare. "Give me a break. Talking to a girl doesn't mean you're dating her. That kind of thinking gives boys false hope."

"But you're quite handsome. I doubt any girl your age wouldn't be into you."

"So, even you?"

"Maybe. And I said your age, you brat," she replied, flicking her cigarette into the lake.

'But I'm older than you.'

[If only she knew she was talking to a UNC.]

'I was in my late twenties, I wasn't a UNC.'

[You definitely were... NOOOOOOOO!]

'I'm muting you.'

[Fine... Call me back when you finally lose your virginity.]

'Must you rub it in?'

[Maybe things will go better in your ninth life.]

'Joke's on you. I plan to have kids in this life.'

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[Let's hope everything goes according to plan.]

Neko-sensei tapped Kai's shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. He looked down at the feminine figure standing in front of him, then quickly averted his gaze.

"Kid, look me in the eye."

'Nope. I'm definitely looking elsewhere.'

[Why are her buttons always loose...]

"Oh ho, is that where your eyes wandered?" she said in a teasing tone. "Why don't boys your age like girls their own age?"

She smiled softly. "Just be careful on your journey to the Silver Duchy."

'She's just leaving like that?' Kai thought, tilting his head.

Neko-sensei paused and turned back. "And... maybe, if you stay a good student..." She smiled, waving goodbye.

Kai's face flushed deep red.

[Kai, what was that about?]

'Nothing.'

[What do you mean nothing? What did she mean by that?]

Alpha kept pestering Kai with questions as they walked away.

And soon, the day of the expedition had arrived.

SATURDAY, 27 APRIL 2459