Trials of the Multiverse

--- Akira ---

The rest of the entrance exam went off without a hitch, even if the details weren't quite what I remembered.

I couldn't help but wonder—was this the first sign of a butterfly effect? Things had...shifted.

Just a little?

...

As I settled into my seat, the murmur of whispers from my fellow students buzzed around me.

"Can you believe it? Siblings in the same class!"

"Yeah, the Nakamura siblings. Both of them have amazing talent, so it's only natural they've both made it to class 1-A..."

'You do realize I can hear you, right?'

I sighed.

Now, you might be wondering how they already know our family name or our relations when we haven't even introduced ourselves yet. Well, that's a tale for another time.

For now, I'd just like to make it through this day.

Though, that seems like it's going to be easier said than done.

"Incredible, right? I really want to approach him, but..."

There's a reason they're whispering from a distance instead of crowding around me.

A lioness is currently prowling at my desk. Dark hair framing her furious face, her bright blue eyes blazing as she leaned in close, her grip on my necktie so tight I almost wondered if she planned to strangle me with it.

"You... have you been hiding your talent from me? Why?" Her voice was a low, dangerous growl.

I looked at her—really looked at her—and knew that trying to explain myself would be...exhausting.

With everything I already have to think about, I've got no energy left to deal with this.

Just telling her to calm her tits wouldn't really do it, though.

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Who knows? Maybe reading that book seven times did the trick?"

Her eyes narrowed, and I could tell my attempt at humor was only digging me deeper into the hole.

Sorry? I guess.

She yanked me forward by my tie, her grip tightening. "This isn't the time for jokes! If you'd just been honest about your abilities, then..."

If I were in the mood, I might've pointed out that even if I had, things wouldn't have changed much. The dysfunctional family we belong to only cares about our worth. If this identity had shown talent earlier, the only difference would've been the pretenses they'd use to maintain the status quo.

But right now? My plate's already full.

"I really did learn from that book. It was also my first time using proper Magic. Didn't you see how long it took me just to create my Magic formula? Sure, I managed to pull off a win in the Exam, but if we'd been tested in any other way, things would've gone very differently."

The best way to shut someone up is with cold, hard facts.

Of course, if the entrance exam had been different, I would've just found another way to achieve my goal.

But she didn't need to know that.

Because I had to put those bullies in their place, I ended up showing off more than I planned, but aside from that, I only did what was necessary to secure a spot in Course 1. Nothing more, nothing less.

She stared at me, her grip loosening as she processed what I was saying. After what felt like an eternity, she let go of my tie, muttering, "Fine, I'll let that explanation slide... for now." She snorted softly before turning on her heel and returning to her seat.

'She really does look like a thug.'

It's not the worst thing, though.

At least she's not pretending to be someone she's not, only to be liked.

Just like her...

...How troublesome.

Well, at least now that I was alone, I could finally concentrate on—

"Nakamura Hikari, I couldn't help but overhear what you just said. Is that true?"

Of course, I had to be interrupted once again.

I swear there's not a moment of rest in this place.

'Morisaki Shun, huh. The prideful idiot with a superiority complex as massive as the school itself'

In the original, Morisaki Shun was notorious for his arrogance, a guy who couldn't stand the idea of anyone outshining him.

His words dripped with condescension, as if he couldn't believe someone like me had made it into this class. He sneered, his tone thick with disdain.

It seems like his personality is the same.

I nodded, knowing my words were true, though not the whole truth.

"So, you're telling me you got into this class not because of skill, but pure luck?" Shun's voice dripped with sarcasm as he leaned in, his eyes narrowing.

"You barely managed to pull off that Magic on your way to the Entrance Exam, didn't you? What a joke. It's an insult to everyone here who's spent years honing their craft. And to think you're in the same class as me—Class 1-A's ace. Do you really think you have what it takes to lead us? Because I, Morisaki Shun, highly doubt it!"

He wasn't just talking to me; his words were a challenge to the whole class. Shun made sure to meet the eyes of each student, rallying them to his side.

Some well known faces completely ignored him, but the others, whose face I didn't recognize from the original novel, were clearly swept in.

He wanted everyone to see me as a fluke, a mistake that had somehow slipped through the cracks. A few of his followers nodded along, their eyes reflecting the same disdain.

I couldn't help but smirk.

'This is going to be a pain in the ass, but it's also hilarious.'

This situation handed me the perfect excuse to deal with the other two bullies present in the class.

I had a quest to complete, after all.

And wouldn't you know it? They just so happened to be part of his little faction.

"I see," I replied, keeping my tone calm. "But what can you do about it right now? I've already been admitted to this class."

Morisaki's eyes narrowed. He was clearly itching for a confrontation.

"Then let's settle it with a duel. If I win, you leave First High School. You don't deserve to be here."

'Oh god, such clichè lines!'

I shook my head, feeling that second hand embarrassment "Alright, but if I win, then you're the one who leaves the school."

Honestly, keeping you here is just for the plot.

But I don't need it.

You can just scram after your short moment of humiliation.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room. Morisaki's supporters were clearly taken aback, not expecting me to clap back so easily.

I shrugged, completely unbothered by their reaction. "What's the deal? When he challenges me, it's fine, but when I flip the stakes, suddenly I'm the bad guy? Are you all really that clueless, or are your brains just short-circuiting?"

Seriously, these kids…

The situation had spiraled far beyond what anyone expected, and I could see the concern in my sister's eyes. She looked like she was about to step in, but I caught her gaze and subtly shook my head. 'Relax. I've got this.'

If I couldn't even handle some random kid, how would I ever manage to deal with you?

...She hissed at me, for some reason.

Can she somehow tell what I'm thinking?

Before anyone could escalate the situation further, the professor finally walked into the room.

"Alright, everyone, settle down. Whatever this is, resolve it after class. Now, let's start with introductions. I am Mozuya, your homeroom professor for class 1-A. I'll be teaching you..."

And with that, we were half-forced to introduce ourselves, though with the commotion we'd just caused, it wasn't like anyone needed an introduction.

Everyone already knew who we were.

---

Author's Note:

I'm such a bad author, I apologize.

Either way, the plot will thicken from next chapter with the introduction of the new Class 1-A, the introduction to Magic in a proper way... etc.

Many things are coming! Stay tuned :)