1.12. Distracted From Studying

I made a drink and sat down on the living room floor, the warm milk in front of me.

You know, the human body wasn't initially designed to digest cow milk. For babies, it would be alright as the level of lactase in their body was high. As we grow older, lactase concentration in our digestive system becomes scarce.

Though said, some humans have evolved to drink milk. I think I might be one of them, since I have no recollection of Avner ever becoming sick or bloated after a glass of plain cow juice.

"Big bro, big bro. Want to play?" Lia came messing up my hair. There was a floating window display of some 3rd person building game.

"I'll be studying now. I'll decline so no thank you."

Lia looked disappointed for a moment, and at a point, decided that it was best to respect my time.

"Thank you."

I pulled up the file, and took out the past year papers for History.

TBH, I can only rely on whatever meager knowledge I have of my own world. The history in the <Cookie Cult> universe is similar to the one in my previous life. The main difference being the change in geography of and names of nations. Past year papers would inform me of what to look out for.

Hopefully.

A few minutes passed as I browsed through the questions. I made marks on some. Slowly, the milk emptied itself from the cup.

I felt drowsy, and soon I came to realise that I normally don't drink or eat anything during my study sessions. Enjoying food or drinks while reading boring material would only disturb my focus.

I messed up.

I rubbed my nose and forced myself to focus. If I can't take it, I'll stop. For now, I can still cope with the drowsiness.

The Influence of Christianity.

The Black Plague that struck Ronchester Front.

The death of the Monarchical ruling.

The Industrial Revolution.

The Second World War.

The Information Age.

It's funny how things that I used back as Shin like the smartphone and computers are considered old technology. Can you imagine the absurdity I'm feeling? Realizing that pandas had gone extinct?

My attention snapped when I heard the sound of a basket being placed on the floor. Smartphones have become obsolete, but not baskets. That is the logic of <Cookie Cult>.

I watched my aether drop the clothes into a specially designed rack. Fall in one end, pulled out from the other. Just like that the clothes become folded.

"How does that work?"

"Hm? How long have you been living in this house?" Aether asked in a stingy, bubbly voice. It sounded like xe had both good and bad intentions hidden behind her words.

"Since my birth."

Aether looked at me, hirs ears flinched. Xe didn't reply, and continued to run the clothes through the rack.

I meant that as a joke right? What's up with that reaction jeez.

I decided to put off that decision and went back to studying. If it weren't for the fact that-that machine could only fold clothes one at a time, I would've decided to help my aether.

"Avner. How are you feeling these days."

My aether spoke in the moments after. Xe's ignored me intentionally, apparently.

"Me? I'm feeling alright. You're concerned about my sudden change in character, right?"

"Yes. Did something happen?"

Maybe they aren't used to the way I speak? Should I consider telling them the truth? That I'm both Shin and Avner?

"Something did happen. I'm not contracted with NtBM, that's for sure. It's something else."

"What do you mean? Your Randell has been telling us to bring you to the hospital."

"Oh."

I shut off that lil' guy because it's one, too distracting, and two, I'm not used to having an AI blare unnecessary information. I'm prone to over stimulation. Quiet time is something of importance to me.

"Don't you think it's best to tell your mother and father about this?"

"My change? Even If I told you what caused it, you won't believe me."

"Since when have we ever doubted your words?"

"Since the day I was born."

There was tension in the air.

"I'm no longer just Avner."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that," Aether gave an irrelevant answer in a regretful tone.

"It's alright. Things happen."

I looked at the screen once more. The mood for studying has left me entirely.

What should I do?