"Well, I need to inform the principal about the globe malfunction. Oh, and your talent has been evaluated—mid-grade. Here's your ID card."
Zara, who had been deep in conversation with her system, snapped back to reality.
"Oh, thanks, Teach," she said casually.
The teacher blinked, momentarily stunned. Most nobles responded with poised formality, but Zara was already strolling toward the dorms, waving over her shoulder as if it were no big deal.
As Zara headed toward the dorms, she began thinking about the future.I need to become stronger quickly, and I also have to avoid dying. Hush...
Meanwhile...
As Zara walked, the afternoon sun casting long shadows behind her, a familiar voice echoed in her mind—tinged with desperation.
"[Host, can we come to a deal, please?]"
Zara didn't even break her stride. "Oh? What kind of deal?" she replied coolly, eyes still on the path ahead. "You still haven't explained the glitch. And let's not gloss over the whole mid-grade talent thing."
The cat in space began thinking about how to answer.
"[Host, you know... I forgot to turn on Hide Mode for the system. So the 'glitch'—that was the globe checking your talents. But it sensed me instead and started scanning for my talent.]"
Zara stopped in her tracks, eyes wide in disbelief. "So... you live in my body?"
"[No, no! I don't live in your body, Host. The system lives in your body.]"
Zara gave him a look—somewhere between confusion and suspicion. "If the system lives in my body... then who the hell are you? Aren't you my system?"
The cat, floating in space, froze. Then, with wide eyes, he slapped both paws over his mouth.
He began whispering to himself in a panic, tail twitching behind him.
"I'm dead. Why can't I just stay silent? Just once... stay silent. I can't even pretend to be an AI-type system like my system-brothers... ughhh."
He let out a tiny, frustrated yowl, curling into a floating ball of regret.
The cat sighed dramatically, as if accepting his fate.
"[Host... the system inside your body? It's just the bones of the system. I'm the one who actually controls it.]"
Before Zara could process what that meant, a flash of light shimmered beside her—and suddenly, the space-cat appeared in mid-air and gracefully landed on her shoulder.
Zara, not emotionally prepared for a literal talking space-cat to get that close, reacted instantly.
"NOPE!" she shouted—and swung a solid punch.
The cat yelped, shot into the air with a barrel roll, and ducked her fist just in time.
"[Ehh—Host! It's me! Your system! Don't punch me!]" he cried, hovering upside down with his fur puffed out in panic.
Zara blinked. Then blinked again. She stared at the floating creature in front of her, eyes wide in disbelief. Slowly, she began rubbing her eyes with both hands, as if that would somehow reset reality.
"What kind of beast are you…?"
The cat, now stable in the air with his little paws crossed and cheeks puffed out in irritation, let out a disgruntled sigh.
"[Haven't you ever seen a cat before?]" he grumbled, his tail flicking in annoyance.
Zara tilted her head, brows furrowed. "Cat? What's a cat? Is that what this weird beast is called?"
The cat stared at her, deadpan. "[You… you don't even know what a cat is? I swear I got assigned to a backwater world...]"
Zara stared at the cat one more time, her disbelief giving way to an odd fascination. Without warning, she reached out and grabbed the cat gently, her hands moving to his chin.
She started stretching it, pulling his chin in and out, like she was testing the elasticity of some strange new toy.
"Wow... so cute and soft!" she marveled, completely oblivious to his discomfort.
The cat's eyes widened in horror. "[Hey! What are you—stop!]" he yelped, his tail swishing furiously.
But Zara was too busy cooing at him, completely entertained by the softness of his fur.
The cat squirmed, his voice tinged with annoyance. "[You have to go to your dorm, stop pinching my chin, you tomboy!]" he huffed, trying to squirm out of her grip.
Zara blinked, still holding him with a grin on her face. "Tomboy? Who are you calling tomboy, huh?" she teased, continuing to gently stretch his chin in and out.
The cat let out a frustrated growl. "[Seriously, I'm gonna end up with chin trauma if you don't let go soon!]"
After a few more moments of playing with the cat, Zara finally let go of his chin and resumed walking toward the dorm. She glanced over at him, her curiosity piqued.
"So, what's your name, cat beast?" Zara asked casually. "And let me tell you something—you can't live with me. The academy only lets beasts live with students, and students whose fathers are dukes or above. Although I hate this rule, there's nothing I can do about it."
The cat, still rubbing his face from the chin-pulling session, let out an exasperated sigh before replying.
"[Huh, do you think I'm a low-level system?]" He flicked his tail dismissively. "[I can become invisible, and nobody can see me except you. Got it?]"
Zara raised an eyebrow. "Alright, invisible. But what about your name? You got one, or am I just supposed to call you cat for the rest of eternity?"
The cat hesitated, almost as if considering it. "[I don't have a name... hum, guess you'll just have to come up with one.]"
Zara smirked, glancing over at the cat. "Oh, you want me to come up with your name, huh?" she said in a teasing voice, raising an eyebrow as she walked.
The cat, now visibly annoyed, puffed out his cheeks again. "[Don't get any funny ideas.]"
Zara grinned wider, clearly enjoying the power dynamic. "Well, guess I'll call you... Fluff for now. Seems fitting for a soft, squishy beast like you."
The cat let out a low growl. "[Fluff? Really?]"
As Zara entered her dorm, the door to the neighboring room opened, and a girl with sky-blue hair stepped out, her eyes lighting up as she saw Zara.
"Oh, you're the one assigned to this room, huh?" she said, her voice casual but warm.
Zara froze for a moment, her face twitching in surprise. She stared at the girl, her mind racing.
Isn't this the heroine from the game in my memories? she thought. She's a commoner, but with the potential to become a saint...
Zara quickly masked her expression, her thoughts spinning. She had to be careful with this one.