The Academy's Time Looper

Gripping the stick tightly in his hand to mimic the imprint of a magic wand, Athen carefully wandered around the outside area of the upper deck, looking for a target.

The outside area of the upper deck was much smaller than the lower, as you could see the lower deck stretching out far below from the railing.

However, it was much more decorated, with tables and seats, and some vendors were even present.

There were even patio heaters set up almost every ten steps to combat the coldness of the wind.

Seeing a group of students his age with collared shirts and trousers sitting nearby, Athen halted mid-step.

Scanning the group, he immediately heard an obnoxious and arrogant voice, much more than the girl from earlier, sounding.

"Don't you know? I've already been ranked in the top ten applicants of the school. It's only a matter of time before the school is in the palm of my hands. I've already learned how to cast combat spells!"

"...I'll pass."

Attempting to steal a suit from a top-ranked school student did not seem like a good idea in any world for Athen.

Passing by the group of students excitedly crowding around the top-ranked student, Athen attempted to find a weaker target.

Sighing, Athen looked around, realizing that his task was practically impossible unless he used some form of violence.

And considering every other person on the deck was at least ten times bigger than his malnourished self, violence would only lead to his harm.

How was he supposed to steal the clothes off someone!?

He couldn't just run up to someone and take off their clothes in front of everyone!

"..."

Coming to a realization, Athen halted mid-walk and stared down at his hands before quietly muttering.

"I've already used it twice...what's another one added!?"

Would the pain be intensified if he used it three times without waiting for the two-day cooldown instead of two?

Considering his options, Athen decided that...it would be a problem for his future self.

He had already gotten this far, so there was no point in stopping now.

Athen had realized it long ago, but for someone from his terrible and poor hometown, he was far too cautious.

If others in his town received his power, they would go berserk, using it any chance they got without any care for the consequences.

Shaking his head, Athen headed inside the upper deck, noting how it completely resembled the inside of the lower deck, except there was no bar.

Sitting down on an empty seat a couple of feet away from a sleeping student, Athen took a couple of deep breaths before slowly raising his hands and covering his ears.

Feeling the distractions and noises from the outside disappear, Athen concentrated on the sound of his heartbeat.

As his heartbeat began to speed up, to the point where it felt like it was going to burst out of his check, Athen had second thoughts; however, he persevered, simply telling himself that it would all be worth it in the end.

*WHOOSH*

The next moment, as a cold breeze rushed against Athen's face, he slowly opened his eyes, immediately looking down at his body.

Seeing his body outlined in a spiritual light-blue hue, Athen didn't waste a second as he jumped out of his seat.

Glancing backward, Athen sighed in relief upon seeing his invitation diamond and single bronze coin floating above the chair he was sitting on.

Arriving at the sleeping student, Athen phased right through him and his chair before ducking.

As the light blue surrounding Athen began to flicker, Athen could be seen crouching in the small space between the chair with the sleeping student and the chair on the opposite of it.

Finally, as time resumed to normal and the sound of people snoring entered Athen's ears, he reached out from under the chair before carefully starting to unbutton the sleeping figure's collared shirt.

At the same time, Athen took off the black cloth covering himself before spreading it on the sleeping student, covering the student's now exposed stomach.

Staring at the student's blue jeans, Athen took one breath, ready to sacrifice all his dignity if he even had any left at this point.

Taking off his own pants, Athen rapidly swapped them with the student's jeans before also putting on the student's collared shirt and tie.

Not knowing to put the tie on correctly, Athen just allowed it to hang loosely around his neck as he crawled under the chair.

Emerging from beneath the chairs, Athen casually stood back up, not even looking around to see if anyone had spotted him, and walked through the upper deck, picking up his belongings on the way.

Opening the glass doors, Athen entered the outside area of the upper deck before heading back down the stairs to the lower deck.

To his surprise, the black-haired girl from earlier was still standing in the same exact spot he had left her in.

Uncrumpling his collared shirt, Athen entered the outside area of the lower deck, immediately waving at the expressionless girl.

"How do I look now!?"

Snapping out of her trance, the black-haired girl glanced upward at Athen, assuming a confused expression upon seeing his new clothes.

However, instead of applauding like Athen thought she would, the girl simply shook her head before answering in a cold tone.

"You look like you just stole some person's clothes and put them on."

"...? Look, I know I seem and look homeless, but are you really accusing me of stealing? That's too far."

Staying silent, the girls simply pointed at Athen's collared shirt, prompting him to look down.

And there on Athen's collared shirt lay a nametag stitched into the shirt and said, "Kai."

"..."

Sighing, Athen stared at the girl's dress, now noticing a nametag that read, "Alice."

Pointing to the nametag on his shirt, Athen calmly said.

"...? My name is Kai. Didn't I introduce myse-"

"A THIEF IS HERE, HELP ME! ATTENDANTS, PLEASE HELP!"

Looking at the snickering girl in front of him who was screaming so innocently with a smile on her face, Athen snarled.

As the attendants on duty swung open the glass doors and entered the lower deck, Athen stood there with a composed expression

Sure, the girl might know his name isn't Kai for whatever reason, but the security guards wouldn't...not yet, at least.

However, as Athen desperately waved at the guards, ready to explain the situation so it looked like he was in the right, they simply ignored him.

Without asking any questions, they glanced at the black-haired girl, who pointed at me, and then rushed toward me.

"son of a b-"

Backing up from the incoming guards, Athen realized that there was no way out of this situation as his back touched the cold and hard railing of the deck.

Unless...?

"Fourth time's the charm!"