The grand gates of the Hero Academy stood tall, adorned with carvings of wings and swords.
New students gathered crowded, noisy, and full of energy.
But in the middle of the crowd…
A young man in a black hoodie walked with a blank expression.
His messy black hair fell loosely, and his eyes were red, though now covered by a "filter" to look ordinary.
Reiji.
Or, the name the world must never know: ZARABIS.
Beside him was a girl with black hair and red eyes like her brother's beautiful, like a character from another world.
Her gaze was calm, her steps gentle.
Mijarun.
In front of them, a cheerful, energetic girl pointed at the building with excessive enthusiasm.
Yuka:
"Yooosh! This is the Hero Academy! Where we'll all become super cooool!! Let's go sign up!"
Reiji nodded.
But in his mind…
Reiji (thoughts):
…A place where humans argue over who's the strongest.
This should be very interesting...
Mijarun (thoughts):
I guess I should use Brother's human surname "Ren". Hmm, doesn't really fit, but oh well...
Registration Process
The registration desk was filled with students.
Staff: "Name?"
Yuka: "Yuka Naichi!"
Mijarun: "Ren Mijarun."
Reiji lifted his face slightly.
Reiji: "…Ren Reiji."
The staff member wrote it down.
Unbeknownst to them, the pen trembled slightly.
Not out of fear, but because of his mere presence.
Class Announcement
All new students were divided based on ability level:
- Class G = Beginner
- Class F = Basic
- Class E = Awakening
- Class D = Intermediate
- Class C = Advanced
- Class B = Elite
- Class A = Super Elite
- Class S = Monster / National Hero
And of course…
Reiji and Mijarun = Class G.
Beginners.
The lowest rank.
Reiji (thoughts):
…Very well. I'll play along for a while.
Reiji's Class
Class G was filled with students who looked nervous, awkward, and unfamiliar with their surroundings.
A boy with light brown hair, exuding a confident but kind aura, greeted Reiji.
Teiga:
"Yo! You're a new student too, right? I'm Teiga! Nice to meet you!"
Reiji put on a fake friendly smile.
Reiji: "Ah… yes. Ren. Nice to meet you."
Teiga immediately wrapped an arm around his shoulder warmly.
Teiga:
"Let me help you out! If you're confused about training or which room is which, just ask!"
Reiji (thoughts):
Why does it feel like he's teaching me…
When, if I wanted, I could understand this entire academy with just one glance.
…Whatever. I'll just pretend to understand.
Reiji: "Oh… right. Thanks. I get it."
Teiga smiled proudly.
Teiga:
"Wow! You catch on fast! You're pretty cool!"
Reiji (thoughts):
Sigh… Humans.
Meanwhile… Mijarun's Class
The moment Mijarun entered the classroom, the entire room went instantly silent.
Boys:
"W-WOW… who is she… she's so beautiful…"
Girls: "I want to sit next to her…"
But Mijarun simply walked slowly and sat down, calm as the night breeze.
Two girls immediately approached:
Sana:
"H-hey! What's your name?"
Mijarun:
"Mijarun. Nice to meet you."
Lira:
"So cooool!! Aaaa I like her!! Let's be friends!"
Mijarun smiled gently.
She wasn't interested in flirtation or drama.
She was simply being friendly.
Sibling Telepathy
Reiji rested his head on his desk, pretending to be tired.
Reiji (telepathically):
Mijarun. How are things there?
Mijarun:
I'm fine. They're really nice, you know.
Reiji glanced at Teiga, who was giving a long lecture on "how to wear training gloves."
Reiji:
Oh? Here I'm… not sure.
Mijarun laughed softly in her mind.
Mijarun:
Do you have a friend there?
Reiji stopped.
Wait.
Silence.
Then his answer…
Reiji:
How could a being like me… have a human friend?
And the connection cut.
Mijarun just sighed softly, a warm feeling in her chest. She knew her brother felt lonely, not arrogant.
Reiji's Awareness
Reiji remembered something.
Oh right… I'm in human mode.
He smiled faintly without realizing it.
Teiga immediately leaned in.
Teiga:
"Huh!? Ren, why are you smiling all of a sudden? Is something funny??"
Reiji: "Nothing at all."
Teiga: "You have such… a cool style like that!!"
Reiji: "Huh? Really?"
Teiga: "By the way, I forgot to introduce myself! My name is-"
Reiji cut him off instantly: "Teiga, right?"
Teiga froze.
Shocked.
Teiga:
"Y-yes… that's right…! How did you know…?"
Reiji (thoughts): PANIC PANIC PANIC
Reiji (completely flat expression but thinking fast): "I just guessed. I was right, wasn't I?"
Teiga: "…Y-yeah. I guess you were…"
Reiji: "Oh."
Yuka's Scene
In a different class, Yuka was fidgeting anxiously.
Yuka (panicking internally): What if Reiji and Mijarun get bullied by the upperclassmen!?
The bell rang...
Yuka immediately ran off to look for both of them.
End of Chapter
In the sky, far away
reality trembled faintly.
Reiji might be smiling as a human…
But the world remembers who just sat in Class G.
Zarabis has entered the Academy's narrative.
And time will begin to flow in a new direction.
And there is one Entity from afar, floating and guarding his Multiverse, muttering in annoyance:
"…Got you, you foolish Nihil creature."
After that, two Entities spoke from a distance....
Entity 1: So he's disappeared, huh?
Entity 2: Good. This is the perfect chance to attack his place and seize all his Guardians' power..... Let's get ready..