"Maggie, can you get me a can of coffee from the vending machine?" Kassidy asked without looking up, thumbs rapidly tapping away on her phone.

Maggie didn't even glance at her. "Get it yourself."

"Maggie, please! You know those things are out to get me—they always steal my coins."

"Please stop saying nonsense. Vending machines don't have feelings. They're not out to get you."

They were at school. Most of the seniors had either gone to review centers, retreated into the library, or headed home for self-study. Kassidy had somehow convinced Maggie to stay and study in the empty classroom—but unsurprisingly, Kassidy wasn't doing any studying.

"I thought you loved me!" Kassidy said, still focused on her game.

"Go use that emotional manipulation on your boyfriend," Maggie snapped, trying to keep her focus on her notes.

"But I don't have one."

Maggie interlocked her fingers, stared at her friend, and said flatly, "But you do have two legs, though. Use them."

"I can't go now. I'm on a quest." Kassidy leaned forward, eyes narrowing at the HD screen.

Maggie sighed. "Why are you playing that thing? You told me we were exchanging notes. Finals are next week."

"I'm decompressing before I study, okay?"

"More like procrastinating." Maggie crossed her arms, staring at Kassidy like a disappointed older sister—even though they were the same age.

"I only have two quests left, okay?" Kassidy said, furiously mashing the A button. "Two! I clear this, and I can retire with honor!"

"Retire from what? Your imaginary fantasy life?"

Kassidy gasped. "That's slander. I'm building resilience. Strategic thinking. Grit."

Maggie rolled her eyes. "If you want coffee, get it yourself. I'm heading to the library to join the others. Come with me or stay here and die of caffeine withdrawal."

"I'll take my chances," Kassidy muttered, focused entirely on her screen.

Maggie grabbed her bag but paused, giving Kassidy a look. "You know, I don't get how you survive day to day. Seriously. Don't you ever worry about money?"

Kassidy snorted. "Worry? Maggie, I eat expired canned tuna and rice three times a week. My worry has evolved into acceptance."

Maggie blinked. "That's not inspiring. That's tragic."

"No, no. It's character building. Like those sad anime protagonists. Except I don't have a tragic backstory. I'm just... tragically broke."

"You once got soaked wet trying to retrieve a 5-peso coin from the river."

"In my family, where financial stability is a social construct, I say: if you take care of the pennies, the pennies will rise up and unionize into a paper bill."

Maggie shook her head. "I honestly don't know if I should cry or applaud."

Kassidy grinned. "Applaud. Preferably with snacks as tribute, please."

"You're ridiculous," Maggie huffed. "Use your legs. I'm off to do some actual studying." She rummaged in her bag, dropped a handful of coins beside Kassidy with a clink, and turned to leave.

"Come with me or stay here and waste away—your choice," Maggie called over her shoulder, muttering under her breath.

Kassidy didn't catch what she said—she was too focused on her screen. She was deep into battle, dodging fireballs from a digital hydra with the intensity of someone applying for sainthood.

Twenty minutes and three boss fights later, her brain fried from the intense combat.

"Ugh. I finally did it! I can't believe that was average mode. I wonder if I should try Diablo mode... or maybe easy mode." She stretched.

She looked up and saw the classroom was empty—and felt her need for caffeine. "Maggie? Are you there? Can you get me coffee, please?"

After hearing no response, she stood up, feeling a little sullen. "Guess I'll get it myself."

She stuffed the device in her pocket, not bothering to properly shut it down.

She dragged herself to the vending machine down the hall. Her shoes squeaked on the tiled floor as she fumbled in her pocket for change.

The vending machine blinked ominously. Its glass panel glowed under the fluorescent light like some ancient treasure chest sealed by a mischievous power.

"All right, Mr. Vending Machine, you better play nicely and give me my exact change!" she warned.

She shoved in her paper bill.

The machine groaned.

She pressed the button for her usual canned iced coffee.

Nothing happened.

She hit it again.

Still nothing.

Kassidy frowned. "Don't play with me, you overpriced refrigerator."

She hit it harder.

Clunk.

The can rolled forward slightly... then stopped.

"Oh, I don't think so," she growled.

She crouched, reached her arm into the vending slot, and gave it a good shake.

Nothing.

She shook it harder.

The machine wobbled.

"...Wait."

It tilted.

"...No."

It leaned.

"...No—No! NO!—"

THUD.

The vending machine toppled forward.

A loud crash echoed down the empty hallway.

The last thing Kassidy saw was her can of coffee finally tumbling out—free at last—just before the machine's cold metal edge caught her head.

Kassidy's last thought: "Give me my change, you stupid machine!"

Then everything went black.

Inside her crushed school bag beneath the machine's weight, her phone flickered to life. The screen glowed eerily through the mesh fabric.

SELECT PLAY MODE:
▷ EASY
▷ AVERAGE
▷ DIABLO

The cursor blinked between the three modes—then stopped.

MODE SELECTED: DIABLO
Now loading...

The screen cracked. Static buzzed.

Welcome Back, Kassidy: You've Been Assigned the "Lucky Mage" Class.