"This is real. I'm not joking. I've truly started to love her. And I… I don't know how to deal with love."
—From Kain's Thoughts
Dawn had only just begun to whisper across the horizon when Kain opened his eyes.
The pale light slipped timidly through the curtains, faint, as though embarrassed to fall upon a body drenched in sweat.
He rose from his bed without hesitation. His body had grown accustomed to pain—craved it, even, the way the thirsty crave water.
He opened his window, inhaled the cold air, then closed his eyes.
"Let's begin."
Today's daily mission was harsher than any before:
[Daily Missions]
Run 50 km
350 push-ups
350 squats
1000 sword swings
Deadline: 24 hours
Reward: 30 FP
Completing it took him long, grueling hours. It wasn't physically exhausting in a crushing way, but the sheer volume made it mentally taxing.
When he finished the final swing, the familiar notification appeared:
✅ Daily Mission Completed.
+30 FP
He sat down, breathing evenly, then opened his status window to see the fruit of his labor:
✦ Host's Base Status
Name: Kain Swan
Race: Human
Level: 13
[Strength]: 47
[Agility]: 57
[Intelligence]: 67
[Vitality]: 53
[Defense]: 45
[Endurance]: 59 / 50
Available FP: 30
Available SP: 10,000
Current XP: 40 / 130
He had already saved 30 points for emergencies earlier, but today's points he distributed immediately—five to each stat, as always. Keeping balance between body and mind, between offense and defense.
He looked at his window with satisfaction. Despite the effort, only 9 points of Endurance had been consumed.
The mission wasn't exhausting… but it was undeniably long.
A short honk broke his thoughts.
Kain turned to the window and spotted a yellow Porsche parked in front of the house.
At the wheel: Alice, waving energetically.
Beside her: Edward, brooding as usual.
Kain sighed lightly.
"I should have expected this."
In his past life, he had always loved that car. Money was never an issue for him back then—success had been his currency, thirty years of his life spent to earn it.
But now…
He had to start from zero.
Again.
He dressed, grabbed his bag, and left the house in quiet steps.
He slid into the backseat beside Bella, while Edward sat next to Alice.
Soft music played as the golden rays of morning poured over the leather seats.
Alice, laughing as she steered:
"Finally, Kain looks human. Did you sleep more than four hours? Or did the air finally give in?"
Kain, with a wink:
"The air? It fled with the first swing. Never stood a chance."
Bella smiled faintly, though her eyes lingered silently on both of them.
Edward, with a sharp remark:
"With that much confidence, strange how you don't use it when speaking to Bella."
Kain, calm but deadly:
"And since when is speaking to my sister under your supervision?"
Alice, cutting the tension:
"Oh, please… this is a car, not a fiery debate hall."
She glanced through the mirror:
"Kain, blue makes you… unfairly attractive."
Kain chuckled:
"Oh, Alice! If I had known your gaze was this powerful, I'd have worn blue ages ago."
Alice leaned slightly closer, smirking:
"Let's see what happens if you wear black."
Edward, lips pressed:
"Is this even legal? You flirt with my sister this openly, then turn away if I so much as speak to yours?"
Kain, feigning innocence:
"Me? Flirt with Alice? Don't insult my neutrality."
Silence. Everyone stared. Even Bella raised an eyebrow.
Kain, inwardly:
"Did I? Or did I just… like the way she smiled?"
They arrived at school with the morning breeze, Alice's yellow Porsche—as always—stealing every glance.
But this time, it wasn't just the car.
Kain beside Bella, Alice and Edward ahead—a rare, strange, unexpected combination.
The whispers had already started, curiosity no longer hidden.
Kain smiled lightly as he stepped into the school.
The Next Day
The school day passed as always… dull on the surface, ordinary, yet Kain never forgot his daily mission, which he completed in silence.
His body was too disciplined to slack, and the system too unforgiving to allow delay—even as tasks grew harder and rewards dwindled.
At the end of the day, just as he was about to leave, Alice struck with her usual suddenness:
"Kain, Bella—what do you think about visiting us today?"
Bella looked at her in surprise:
"Do you mean… you and Edward?"
Alice laughed:
"He wanted to invite Bella. I added you, Kain, so the gathering doesn't turn into a battle. I know you both too well."
There was no refusing—the place, the hosts… neither could be declined.
They rode with Alice and Edward, heading to the Cullens' home, where more than sunlight hid within its walls…
Arriving at the Cullen residence, the black car glided quietly along the paved stone path, surrounded by towering trees standing like silent sentinels.
The house itself looked torn from a luxury design magazine—a masterpiece of glass and polished wood. Nearly transparent walls let natural light spill in unhindered, as if the sun whispered the secrets of day directly to them.
Its open-plan design stretched wide, huge windows unveiling endless green forest. The furniture was modern yet warm, earthy tones blending with muted grays for an elegant balance. A sleek wooden staircase curved gracefully to the upper floor, beneath which spread a spacious living area drenched in daylight.
Inside, the welcome from Carlisle and Esme was warm, genuine, free of pretense. Pleasantries were exchanged, laughter sprinkled in—especially from Emmett, whose sarcastic remarks were quickly cut by Rosalie's blade-sharp glares.
Edward took Bella for a tour, while Alice drew near Kain with a smile that felt like a secret promise.
"Come on, Kain. Let me show you the house… from my view."
No explanation needed—he followed silently, eyes noting the grace in her walk, how her steps barely made a sound on the wooden floors.
They wandered through rooms, each with a unique artistic touch, until Alice stopped before a white door edged in soft pink.
"And this is my room."
She opened it, revealing a place pulled straight from a dream.
Walls covered with abstract art posters and vintage fashion sketches, tiny mirrors scattered among framed moments of laughter and odd nature shots. Soft golden lights hung like dew drops from above. A warm pink rug spread across the floor, shelves twisting whimsically with books and CDs that seemed to dance in place.
Kain, smiling as he looked around:
"A room that doesn't just suit you—it sings your name."
Alice, tilting her head:
"Is that praise… or flirtation?"
Kain, sitting on the edge of a small sofa:
"Maybe both. Lately I can't seem to separate them."
Alice, with playful mischief:
"Mixing them can be dangerous. You might not be able to stop."
Kain laughed lightly:
"Stop? I think that train left the moment you walked into my life."
Their gazes locked, words falling silent. Then Kain spoke again, tone steady but hesitant:
"Alice… I don't know how to say this, but… It's only been a few days since we met. Why does it feel like I've known you forever?"
He lowered his eyes, voice quieter:
"Maybe it sounds strange… but I've never felt anything like this before. I don't know if it's admiration, or just some fleeting illusion. But it unsettles me. Relationships were never a part of my life. I wasn't the kind of person who thought about them… or even about myself, really."
He frowned slightly, thinking inwardly:
"That damned Edward fell for my sister in the original story after three minutes. So why am I hesitating after all this?"
When he looked up, Alice was still watching him, patient, smiling, as if waiting for this moment.
"I want to know. What I feel… and what you feel. Would you go out with me? A real date… two days from now?"
Alice's face lit up at his words, her eyes glowing so brightly he understood her answer without a sound.
"Yes, Kain."
She whispered it with a soft smile, then teased:
"But make sure you look handsome enough to make up for asking late."
They both laughed, the room warmer than ever.
Two Days Later
Evening fell gently, the sky a blend of deep blue and fading orange dusk. Kain stood before his mirror, fixing his collar.
He wore a deep blue shirt that hugged his athletic frame, a charcoal-gray jacket, and sleek dark trousers threaded with faint silver shine. His hair was neatly styled, his cologne filling the air with a warm, woody scent.
At the agreed spot—a refined café framed by trees, glowing with soft amber lights—Alice awaited, wearing a short black dress with sheer sleeves, her hair cascading, her gaze radiant.
Alice, smiling:
"Oh… it seems I'll be forgiving you a lot tonight."
Kain, offering his arm:
"That was the wager."
The date flowed effortlessly.
They laughed, spoke of trivial things and profound ones alike—music, stars, dreams unspoken to anyone else. No tension, only warmth. As if the universe had been waiting for this night to restore its balance.
Dinner was light and Italian—Alice chose spinach-stuffed ravioli, Kain went for fettuccine alfredo. Every remark about flavor carried with it honest laughter.
Later, Alice suggested a short walk along the wooden path beside the café, where small lanterns lined the trees.
The air was a little cold. Without hesitation, Kain slipped off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
Alice gave him a sidelong glance, lips curling into a small smile, her whisper playful:
"You know I don't feel cold, right? My body… froze long ago."
Kain, fastening the top button at her collar:
"I know. But in classic romance, logic doesn't matter."
She said nothing—only pulled the jacket closer, smiling quietly, as if cherishing the gesture despite her jest.
At the end of the path, they stood before a small stream reflecting the moonlight.
Kain pulled a coin from his pocket, joking:
"Make a wish?"
Alice, smiling softly:
"No need… I think my wish has already come true."
At the night's close, before the car door shut, their eyes met for a long moment. Silence, broken only by a faint breeze.
Alice leaned forward slightly, whispering so faintly it was almost lost:
"Kain…"
He didn't answer. He only stepped closer.
And softly, without thought, pressed a brief kiss to the corner of her lips.
A short moment, but real.
Alice's cheeks seemed to flush—or at least, beneath the dim car lights, Kain wanted to believe they did. He knew her blood had stopped flowing long ago, but somehow she mimicked humanity's reflexes. Or maybe he simply chose to see it that way.
She stepped into the car lightly, while Kain remained outside, staring into the night, heart pounding at a rhythm he'd never known.
He smiled in silence.
"Well… I think I'm in trouble."
Then he turned, walking into the evening shadows as the car lights drifted away…
🌀 End of Chapter Eleven.
✦ Next Chapter: "A Celestial Flash… and the Dragon's Fall"