Loop>Live: Death Loop System In Another World

"So, this is your room?" Morino said, stepping inside.

His eyes scanned every corner of the small space, from the neat table in the corner to the beds pushed up against the walls.

Ms. Pillow followed, her gaze lingering on the details of the room, then on Lune, who was curled up asleep under a blanket.

His breathing was steady. Lucjan felt a slight relief seeing him unharmed.

Luc nodded stiffly. He stood by the door on his back.

Morino and Ms. Pillow moved to sit on the edge of Luc's bed. The room felt smaller with them inside.

Morino looked up at him. "Now, I want you, Luc, to keep your eyes and ears open. Anyone who shows interest in those missing items, you tell us immediately. Anyone suspicious around the castle, you report. You understand?"

Luc hesitated, then nodded. Do I really have a choice? He felt a cold weight settle in his chest.

Ms. Pillow spoke softly but with an edge that made Luc shiver. "If you fail to do this, or if we find you hiding something, there will be consequences. Remember, this is bigger than just you."

Luc swallowed hard. "I understand," he said quietly. His eyes flicked to Lune, who shifted slightly in his sleep but didn't wake. I have to protect him. I don't care what happens to me, but he can't get involved in this.

Morino stood up, adjusting his coat. "Good. The Academy will resume classes in a few days. Until then, stay alert."

Ms. Pillow rose as well, her eyes meeting Luc's. "We'll be watching," she said like a knife sliding into his mind.

They walked past him and out the door.

Luc stood frozen, listening to their fading footsteps in the hall. When the silence finally settled, he let out a shaky breath and turned to look at Lune.

He sat down on the bed.

---

As Lucjan flipped through the pages of his manual, his focus was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching the door. Guinevere appeared in the entrance, her face tense.

"Lucjan, what happened? Did something happen to you? Did they do anything to you?" she asked quickly, her eyes darting around the room as if checking for threats.

Lucjan shook his head. "No, it's alright," he said calmly, closing his manual. "They just asked questions about Jabberwocky Falamichi's death since it happened in our old estate."

Guinevere frowned but relaxed slightly. "Oh, sure… But, be careful, Lucjan. Things are getting dangerous."

"I will," he said, giving her a small nod.

She glanced at him one more time before slipping back out, the door closing softly behind her.

The afternoon sun was starting to sink lower. Lucjan stood up. I should get some air. There's still time before evening.

He walked the corridors of the royal castle, taking in details he hadn't noticed before: the carvings on the pillars, the ancient tapestries lining the halls, the subtle differences between the guest and royal wings.

Servants moved quickly from one room to another, guards stood tall at every corner, and the atmosphere was busy but quiet.

After a while, he ended up in a quieter hallway lined with portraits. That was where he met him—Fingereen Von Meranne. The second eldest of the Von Meranne siblings stood at the end of the hall.

As Lucjan tried to slip past Fingereen, the older boy's hand shot out, landing firmly on his shoulder.

The grip was tight, uncomfortably so, and Lucjan froze.

"Leaving so soon?" Fingereen's voice was calm but carried an unsettling edge.

"You know, I heard something interesting about you."

Lucjan swallowed, forcing himself to meet the man's eyes. "What… what do you mean?"

Fingereen's lips curled in a thin smile. "About Jabberwocky Falamichi. They found his corpse in your old guesthouse, didn't they?"

He leaned forward until Lucjan could feel his breath on his cheek. "A man like him doesn't just die quietly. And everyone's wondering—who was really behind it?"

Lucjan's pulse raced. "I wasn't there. I didn't do anything."

"Oh, I know," Fingereen said, almost gently.

But the look in his eyes was anything but kind. "But you're a piece of the puzzle, aren't you? And puzzles are so easy to break apart."

He lifted his other hand and tapped Lucjan's chest with one long finger, right over his heart. "If I were you, I'd be very careful about what I say and who I trust."

He tilted his head. "There are people in this castle who want what you have—or what they think you have. And they won't mind stepping over your corpse to get it."

Lucjan forced himself to nod. "I… I understand."

Fingereen's smile widened, but it never reached his eyes. "Good. I'd hate to see something unfortunate happen to you… or your little brother."

He let go of Lucjan's shoulder abruptly. Fingereen turned and walked away down the hall without another word.

Lucjan stood frozen. He knows something… or he's trying to scare me. Either way, he's dangerous.

Lucjan backed away from the corridor.

---

The morning light streamed into Lucjan's room.

He blinked a few times, letting his eyes adjust before pushing himself up from the bed.

His body felt heavy, but his heart was lighter than it had been in weeks. I've survived… and I haven't died for a while now.

The thought almost felt strange, but it gave him a small sense of relief.

Guinevere's words came back to him, echoing in his mind. Fixing everything isn't always the answer.

He drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he nodded to himself. She was right. He didn't have to solve every problem alone.

He took a quick bath, letting the warm water wash away the last traces of yesterday's stress. He dried off and got dressed, feeling refreshed for the first time in days.

As the evening settled in, Lucjan found himself in his little training room once more.

Guinevere joined him. She looked at him with a confident smile as she began speaking.

"Lucjan," she started. "I've arranged something for you and Lune. You'll each have your own personal butler starting this week."

Lucjan's brow furrowed slightly. "A butler? For both of us?"

"Yes. It's standard for those who stay in the royal castle long-term, especially guests of importance."

He hesitated, thoughts swirling. A personal butler… or maybe a spy? I need to watch what I say. His pulse steadied as he took a silent breath. But panicking won't help. I just need to stay careful and observant.

"Thank you for letting me know," he said aloud.

Guinevere studied him for a moment.

"You've changed a lot, Lucjan. I'm glad."

As she left, he turned his attention back to his manual.

He took his stance, focusing on his breathing as he practiced. His mind was clear, sharper than before.

He repeated the movements until the room grew dark.

I'll keep moving forward.

Lucjan stood in the center of his training room, the manual open beside him.

The pages described not just the stances he had been practicing, but something new—the Sequences.

According to the manual, sequences were flowing patterns of movements, like katas, designed to build on each stance.

Each sequence taught timing, rhythm, and control, pushing a practitioner beyond the basics.

So it's like a form I have to repeat until it becomes natural, he thought, straightening his posture.

His eyes flicked over the passage about his specific arc mode: the Hollow Iron Doctrine. Unlike other arc modes focused on brute force or agility, the Hollow Iron Doctrine relied on measured, precise movements.

Its sequences aimed to create openings by forcing opponents to overcommit.

He started the special kata listed in the manual—Iron Flow Sequence One.

It began with slow, deliberate sweeps of his arms, shifting weight between his feet to keep his center grounded.

Each motion transitioned into the next with no pause. He could feel his muscles resisting, unused to moving like this, but he kept going.

The manual says this kata trains how to stay calm under pressure… so even if someone strikes first, I'll see it clearly.

His breathing grew steady as he repeated the sequence, each step, turn, and pivot linking together until he could feel his body working in unison.

He stumbled a few times, misplacing his foot or hesitating, but he forced himself to continue.

The Hollow Iron Doctrine didn't aim for instant power; it was built to outlast, to let the user control the tempo of a fight until the enemy broke.

Sequences were the key to mastering that control. Without them, stances alone would crumble under real combat.

He finished the kata once more, standing still at the final pose.

Sweat dripped from his hair, but his mind was clear. I have to master it. If I can perfect the first sequence, I'll have a foundation stronger than before.

He caught his breath, reset his stance, and started again, determined to ingrain Iron Flow Sequence One into every fiber of his being.

---

For weeks, Lucjan kept at his training. He drilled his stance until it felt natural, then repeated his sequences until his body ached.

The practice was exhausting, but each day he felt his movements getting sharper.

He still struggled sometimes, but he was determined not to stop.

Then, one afternoon, a knock came at the door of his training room.

Guinevere stepped inside first, her expression calm as always.

Someone followed behind her: a young man wearing a neat suit. He carried himself confidently, his short hair tidy, glasses perched perfectly on his nose.

Despite the glasses, he didn't look weak or bookish—he had a polished, handsome presence that made him seem reliable.

Lucjan wiped sweat from his brow.

Guinevere gestured to the man. "Lucjan, this is Luciano Highmoor. He'll be your personal butler starting today."

Luciano… That name… The memory hit him instantly: on Earth, that was the nickname he used when pretending to be a hero for his little sister, Clementine.

Is this a coincidence? No… This feels too deliberate. With everything that's happened lately, someone's pulling strings.

He kept his face calm, but his mind spun with possibilities. If this was planned, then this man might not just be a servant. He could be a spy… or worse.

Luciano stepped forward, bowing lightly before straightening with an easy smile. "It's an honor to serve you, Lord Lucjan. I've studied etiquette, history, and swordsmanship to assist you in any way you need."

Lucjan forced a polite nod. "That's… impressive."

Guinevere moved to sit down on a nearby chair, and Lucjan followed.

The new butler began sharing details about his background: he came from a family of professional attendants who had served nobility for generations, had studied at one of the kingdom's finest academies for service, and was fluent in several languages. His tone was smooth, friendly, and completely professional.

Lucjan kept his posture straight but inside, his mind was alert. This man might be genuine… or he might be watching my every move. Either way, I have to be careful.

As Luciano continued talking about his life and training, Lucjan listened closely. He would need to know everything he could about this new player in his life.