Infinite Cube: Extra's Life in Another World-Chapter 31: Anica’s Meeting

Kai opened the door into Aiko's store. To him, he didn't quite understand why her café wasn't more well-known.

Perhaps the will of the author had a way of interfering with the world—otherwise, it simply didn't make sense.

The white café was adorned with expensive paintings on the walls and had windows installed on every side except for the entrance and the wall directly opposite it.

Soft, melodic music played from an unseen source. Sofas and armchairs were arranged in a notably progressive layout.

The warm lighting, combined with sunlight gently filtering through, gave the store a cozy ambiance.

Kai's eyes scanned the space before spotting Anica, seated in her uniform with a soda clenched between her palms.

She had draped her coat over her legs, stopping just before her tall boots, probably due to discomfort with revealing too much skin while sitting.

Kai gave a small wave as he settled into the reserved seat.

"You're late," she said, removing the straw from her lips.

"Yeah... sorry, classes ran longer than expected," Kai replied, placing his order with Aiko and offering a slight bow.

Setting down the soda, Anica spoke in her usual emotionless tone. "So..." she paused. "Can we have the training match?"

Kai stayed silent for a moment before replying. "No, not this week at least."

Anica met his gaze. "You have plans?"

He nodded. "A classmate invited me on a dungeon raid."

"Hmm... it's Matthew, isn't it?"

'She's really sharp.'

"How did you know?" Kai asked quietly.

"There are few people who can get permission to not only leave school but also enter a dungeon," she said. "Speaking of dungeons, the three tasks you asked for in exchange for our spar..."

She took another sip.

"I've completed two of them." Anica's expression shifted slightly. "But why do you need a pass into the beast glands? You're not planning on taking a mission, are you? That would be dangerous."

"I appreciate the concern, but I'm not the one going. I know how risky it is for those who aren't assassin types."

Aiko came around with a tray of ramen and rice balls, which Anica had ordered.

The two sat in silence for a long while, eating, and even afterward, neither spoke.

This mirrored their previous two meetings. Even online, they could remain in the same chat for over thirty minutes without saying a single word.

Normally, Kai might have found such a dynamic strange, but Anica was different. Though he couldn't always read her expressions, he still had a decent idea of what she was thinking.

At first, he believed it was because of his meta-knowledge, but after witnessing the awkward tension between Anica and Elia, he realized otherwise.

Time spent with Anica were peaceful and Kai had slowly come to appreciate it. Constant chaos wasn't always a good thing.

"So, which dungeon are you going to?" Anica eventually broke the silence.

"Hmm..." Kai glanced at his phone lying beside him. "Raizer... I think it's a dungeon near the Silver Duchy."

Anica answered almost immediately. "The Silver Duchy lies close to the front line."

'The front line, huh?'

Just as Anica had said, the domes weren't all sunshine and serenity. If they were, every mage would've been stationed in the outside world.

But there were three reasons why mages still played crucial roles within the domes.

The first, obviously, was training the next generation of mages.

Most professors, examiners, and other non-academic staff were either retired mages or unassigned ones.

The difference between the two was like night and day.

Retired mages usually held high ranks, having completed numerous missions and side tasks that increased their stats.

Unassigned mages, on the other hand, retained the same rank as students, since they had never completed missions.

Though some professors were still active mages who came to rest a while before returning to the field; like Lisa, Neko-sensei, and Leone.

The second reason for remaining in the dome...

"The other information?" Kai asked.

Anica didn't respond with words; she simply slid her phone across the table to him.

Kai noticed the pink case that didn't match her image and smiled.

'That's Anica for you.'

She shot him a sharp look. Kai immediately scanned the message.

Seeing the first lines, he could barely contain his frustration. 'Damn demons, they always have a reason to fight... Evading other races political and social structure isn't enough for them.'

Just as he suspected, the elves and demons were mobilizing their troops.

Yes, elves and demons.

In ICUWSA, there were multiple races, mostly centered around the main five: Humans, Demons, Dragons, Elves, and Dwarves.

Just as the Cube had transformed much of humanity into creatures called Drifters, it had also caused mutations that scattered the remnants of humanity, giving rise to new races.

And, true to human nature, those from the Third Genesis feared these changes in their fellow men labeling them monsters and worse.

These unfortunate individuals were exploited for experiments and biological advancements.

But once the new races found a way to escape and rebuild, they retaliated against humanity.

From elven assaults in the east, to dragon raids from the north, and worst of all demonic invasions from the south.

The dwarves, however, were relatively peaceful and traded fairly with others, being masters of alchemy.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

As a result, the four Dukedoms were positioned at the cardinal points to guard against external threats.

"Why fight so much when we would still have to unite beyond the dome?" Kai asked, returning the phone.

Anica shook her head slightly. "I'd like to understand that too. I'd get it if the demons attacked they're practically Drifters.

She continued. "But even if our ancestors wronged the elves and dragons, I don't think it justifies the endless conflict. We're just killing each other."

[You know the real reason for the war, don't you?]

'Yeah. The Divine-ranked Saints, the highest pinnacle humanity ever reached.'

[I don't know why the Saints want to destroy Meltonia, but it can't be for anything noble.]

'And I got transmigrated before the truth even came out.'

Kai sighed deeply and looked at Anica. "Don't worry. We'll use a state portal, there's little chance we'll encounter a demon."

Anica visibly relaxed. "Just make sure you return safely." Seeing Kai's slight smile, she added, "We can have our spar after your trip."

"I think you should worry about your match first."

Anica flinched slightly. "That's right..." she stammered. "My match is coming up..."

"Don't worry," Kai said, winking. "One of your teammates is also planning to slack off this weekend."

"Is that so."

------

Kai walked for a while, then looked up at Alpha's projected time and sighed.

He had spent so much time talking and sometimes sitting quietly with Anica that he'd lost track.

"4:30, huh?"

[Your class ended ten minutes ago...]

"Neko-sensei must be mad. We were supposed to discuss her alchemy theory."

[She probably is, but you can make it up to her next time.]

Kai stood there for a moment before accepting his fate. He could still help her with the theory later.

'This actually works out better. I can use Monday to study more alchemy.'

Suddenly, he felt a tingle in his body. 'Hopefully nothing goes wrong like I told Anica.'

He crossed his fingers as he passed the cherry blossom trees and flickering streetlights.

This particular courtyard was called the Moonlit Garden, known for its stunning view and reputation as a lovers' retreat.

Kai had to cut through the area to get home quickly and complete his daily tasks.

But to his surprise, Neko-sensei stood at the railing, facing the lake that circled the school and served for marine training.

Bathed in moonlight, she looked beautiful, almost ethereal.

An angel cast in moonlight, gazing upon the water as if pondering the weight of the world.

She turned to him, a cigarette in her mouth as her emerald eyes flickered slightly.

"You're late, Kai," she said, exhaling a wisp of smoke. "Again."