By the time the classroom filled up, Rina-sensei walked back in.
Ren had been watching the door the entire time, mentally cataloguing each arrival. So far, only Yukino had registered as familiar.
It's a big multiverse. I can't expect to recognize everyone by sight. He'd probably have to wait for roll call.
Rina-sensei swept the room with a practiced eye. "Everyone's here. From today, you are all students of this class. Some of you have transferred from neighboring schools, some of you are from here. I expect you to get along."
This prompted the question several students had clearly been sitting on: Why were students from other schools suddenly here?
She answered without drama. The Director had used his considerable authority to gather the region's most talented students into a single cohort. The other school administrators hadn't exactly been given a choice in the matter.
"That's why we're here. Any other questions?"
None came — mostly because the next thing she said overrode them all.
"You'll have access to the best teachers this school can offer, and the best resources it can provide."
That landed well. The quiet that followed wasn't confusion; it was calculation. Everyone in this room knew exactly what being singled out by a school meant for their future.
Rina-sensei let the words settle before moving on. "Let's start with introductions. First row, go ahead."
Standard enough — but the energy behind it was different. These students had been pulled from different schools, different social circles. They were strangers operating under the unspoken assumption that several of their new classmates were probably remarkable.
One by one, students stood and gave their names. Brief, a little guarded, a lot curious. The classroom filled with the particular tension of people deciding who was worth paying attention to.
When it reached Yukino Yukinoshita's row, the room's attention sharpened noticeably. Every eye in the place tracked her as she rose, unruffled by the stares.
"I'm Yukino Yukinoshita, from the Sakura District. Pleased to meet you all."
She sat back down without acknowledging the attention, and Ren noticed a wave of silent commentary pass through the room. Several guys made a point of memorizing that name.
Ren was next. "I'm Ren Isana." He sat down.
No particular reaction — which was fine. He wasn't a beautiful girl, after all. Though a few of the female students did take a second look. He was handsome, in the sharp, understated way that tended to register a moment later.
Then the student behind him stood up.
"My name is Megumi Kato. I'm from the Sakura District."
Ren turned around, expecting nothing in particular.
He froze.
Saint Megumi is actually here.
He stared at the short-haired girl sitting directly behind him. She was completely average-looking in the best possible way — the kind of person who somehow made average feel curated.
But what really stopped him cold was something else entirely.
After she finished her introduction and sat back down, Ren realized nobody else in the room had even looked at her. Not a single person. Their homeroom teacher had continued with the roster as though the introduction hadn't happened, and the students around her were chatting as if the seat behind Ren was empty.
What kind of talent is this? Is everyone in this class just going to ignore her?
He looked more carefully. There — barely perceptible, more a sense than a sight — a faint, almost invisible aura clung to Megumi Kato like a second skin. It was pushing her out of everyone's awareness. Not hiding her exactly, but making her… unimportant to notice.
Megumi glanced up.
Their eyes met. For a fraction of a second, something flickered across her face — surprise, followed immediately by a very controlled attempt not to show that it was surprise.
"Alright, introductions are done," Rina-sensei said, setting down the roster. "Get to know each other. Official classes start this afternoon."
She left.
The room erupted.
Ren turned back in his seat, then turned around again deliberately. He looked straight at Megumi Kato.
"That's a remarkable talent," he said. "People close to your level can't notice you at all. Even someone stronger would probably overlook you unless they were specifically looking."
He kept his voice level, like he was noting the weather.
Megumi blinked at him — genuinely startled, this time making no effort to hide it.