As the car headed toward Zenith Academy, I decided to start a conversation with Lucy. She was fun to talk to, and as her older brother, I figured I should try being a good one for once. Our relationship was already good. Lucy was a positive person. Actually, the whole Marrow family was positive. Except me. Or at least, I used to be.
I glanced at her and spoke up.
"Lucy, is there something you want to talk about?"
Lucy looked at me, tilted her head, and smiled. She touched her chin while thinking.
"Pretty much nothing. How about you, Brother?" she said cheerfully.
"Oh, same," I replied. "So we really have nothing to talk about, huh."
"Yeah, pretty much."
I let out a small laugh. "Then what do you think about Zenith Academy?"
Lucy thought for a moment.
"I don't really know. Father only told me the academy would make me stronger. But reaching Tier 4 sounds really hard," she said, her tone both happy and slightly worried.
"For me, reaching Tier 3 will be hard," I replied casually.
Lucy blinked, clearly confused. "Aren't you Tier 1?"
"Oh. I recently reached Tier 2," I said. "I completed the trial. It was really hard."
That was a lie.
From the moment of reincarnation, the souls had already merged. Because of the combined memories of June and Evan, I had naturally ascended to Tier 2.
Lucy's eyes widened in shock.
"Wow, Brother. I'm so proud of you!"
She hugged my arm tightly. Her chest pressed against me, but it had no effect. I was immune to charm. I simply smiled and gently patted her head.
Lucy happily accepted it. She really loved the way I had changed.
Not long after, the car stopped.
The driver stepped out of the black luxurious vehicle and opened the door for us. Lucy and I got out and looked ahead.
Zenith Academy stood before us.
It was massive, elegant, and breathtaking. The academy looked like a grand castle, straight out of a fantasy world. Students were walking through the enormous gates, filling the area with excitement.
Lucy and I headed toward the entrance. A welcoming ceremony for new students was about to begin, so we followed the crowd inside.
The interior was even more impressive. The structure looked like a castle, but the design was futuristic, like something from a movie. Cool air flowed through the halls, making the place feel comfortable despite the crowd.
"Let's go to the gym," I said. "That's where the ceremony is held."
Lucy nodded.
I asked a staff member for directions and followed them. Lucy stayed close behind me. When we entered the gym, I was stunned.
It was huge.
There were countless seats, all filled with students. Calling it a gym felt wrong. It was more like a mansion.
I scanned the area and spotted two vacant seats. I sat down, and Lucy took the seat to my right.
Then the gym doors opened.
The first person I noticed was Lilith Furstenberg. Her long white hair and ruby eyes immediately drew attention. She wore formal clothing and effortlessly stole the spotlight.
Next was Mia Farrow. She had long blue hair and blue eyes, also dressed formally. She attracted just as many gazes.
Then came Amy Brightveil, the Saint. Her long white hair and golden eyes gave her a sacred and majestic presence. There was a reason she was ranked among the top beautiful girls.
Carmilla Evernight followed. Her long red hair and red eyes were captivating.
Delilah Oakwood appeared next. Long brown hair and green eyes. Simple, but still beautiful.
Then I saw him.
Arthur Blackthorne.
Blond hair. Golden eyes. Ridiculously handsome. Girls were already fawning over him without restraint.
Beside him was Alexander Ironheart. Silver hair and purple eyes. He was handsome too, but standing next to Arthur made the difference obvious. Still, they were best friends and rivals.
Then my expression stiffened.
Victor Bloodbane.
The third-rate villain.
He was supposed to arrive early.
But he was late.
That alone made no sense. In the original Zenith Academy story, Victor arrived early and acted arrogant, almost almighty. But now, he appeared calm and mature.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
I stared at him, my thoughts racing.
He was late. His attitude was different. His presence alone felt off.
After thinking it through, I reached a conclusion.
Victor Bloodbane was a reincarnator.
I was certain.
He knew the story. That was why he had altered his timing. That was why he was already involving himself with important characters. The plot was changing, and Victor was the cause.
The gym doors opened again.
Prince Leander Valemont entered, instantly stealing attention. Girls swooned at the sight of him, though Arthur was still more handsome.
Then I saw her.
Yuria Aishi.
The villainess.
She was unbelievably beautiful. More than I had ever imagined. I thought I was immune to charm, yet my heart skipped for a moment.
Top 7? That ranking had to be a joke.
She should have been Top 1.
Finally, Princess Seraphine Valemont entered. Her long golden hair and golden eyes made her look truly majestic.
Once everyone had gathered, I already knew what was coming next.
An evaluation test.
Mana, Tier, and class placement.
Victor was the problem here. He was already interfering with the plot. The original ending was a happy one, so why change anything at all? My curiosity about him only grew.
The headmaster stepped forward.
"Welcome, newcomers," he said. "This is Zenith Academy. This is no joke. We are here to make you stronger and prepare you for a better future. That is all."
He stepped aside.
A professor took his place and gestured toward a glowing sphere beside him.
"This is a mana ball. Touch it, and it will display your mana and Tier. A rank will place you in Class A. B rank in Class B. C rank in Class C. D rank in Class D."
Students lined up one by one.
Some received D.
Some received C.
Some received B.
Some received A.
Eventually, only fourteen people remained.
Prince Leander Valemont.
Yuria Aishi.
Lilith Furstenberg.
Mia Farrow.
Amy Brightveil.
Princess Seraphine Valemont.
Arthur Blackthorne.
Alexander Ironheart.
Carmilla Evernight.
Delilah Oakwood.
Victor Bloodbane.
Lucy Marrow.
And me.
All of us received Class A.
The reason I got Class A was simple. I was no longer Tier 1. If I were, I would have been placed in Class B.
What surprised me was Victor.
In the original story, he was supposed to be Class B.
Now he was Class A.
That sealed it. He was a reincarnator, just like me.
After the evaluation, we received our dorm assignments.
Zenith Academy had 200 floors and over 1000 dorms. There were multiple elevators capable of reaching any floor in under a minute. Each elevator was massive enough to carry hundreds of people.
Lucy and I were assigned as roommates.
A staff member handed us our key. I asked where the elevator was, and they pointed it out.
Our dorm was on the 100th floor, Room 28.
We entered the elevator. It was surprisingly empty. Lucky.
I pressed the button.
The elevator shot upward at an absurd speed. Calling it fast was an understatement. It felt closer to Mach 10.
In twenty seconds, the doors opened.
100th floor.
We stepped out and found our room. I unlocked the door and entered.
The dorm was spacious and luxurious. Two large beds, modern furniture, and plenty of space. Lucy's eyes sparkled in amazement.
I locked the door behind us.
"I'll take the bed on the left," I said. "You take the right one."
"Okay," Lucy replied obediently.
She trusted me more now. In the past, I was jealous and bitter. Everything changed after Evan Williams' memories merged with mine.
I lay down on the bed.
Victor definitely had a system too.
And this academy was already far different from the original story.
With that thought, I closed my eyes and slowly fell asleep.