The Author's POV

Epilogue — Effort's never betray you [1]

"The Multiverse Theory, can anyone explain it to me?"

The classroom overflowed with students, their eyes fixated on the front, captivated by the mesmerizing pair of amethyst-colored eyes that met their gaze.

Today's class subject was [Phyolosophy of Quantum Mechanics]. One of the many theoretical subjects presented to the students at the Lock.

In today's class, they were branching out on a new topic.

The Multiverse Theory.

"Does anyone here have a clue?"

Donna's eyes scanned the silent classroom, sensing numerous gazes fixed upon her. To her disappointment, none displayed a willingness to answer the question.

'Looks like this year is going to be a rough one...'

This wasn't a good start.

Year after year, it remained the same... regardless of which academic year she taught, the emphasis was always on practical lessons while theory took a backseat. She could easily count on one hand the number of students who managed to stay awake throughout her years of teaching theoretical concepts.

"Hmmm."

Scanning the classroom one more time, Donna's gaze paused in a particular direction, and her eyes sharpened.

Meeting a pair of eyes, Donna sensed her intended target flinch visibly, attempting to hide their face by burying their head in their arms.

Unfortunately for them, it was already too late.

Donna had already set her gaze on them.

'That's right... I forgot that you're here as well.'

With the sudden curl of her lips, Donna's mouth parted open.

"Rank 1, Nola Dover. Do you perhaps have any insights on this matter?"

A familiar surname.

One that she had the pleasure of knowing a few years back.

And that was all it took for the entire class to turn their heads and tear their gazes away from Donna. A feat that was once deemed impossible.

"Ugh."

Donna heard Nola's groan loud and clear. It wasn't loud, but with her senses, she had no trouble hearing it.

Her brow raised.

"Oh? Is something the matter?"

"Ah... Ugh... No..."

Nola's face underwent a series of changes before she eventually lowered her head in resignation.

Donna smiled.

'She really does resemble him in more ways than others... Not sure if that's a good thing.'

"Good. So..." she pursed her lips, "care to explain to the class what you know about the multiverse theory?"

Nola gently tousled her hair as she gradually stood up from her seat. She sensed the numerous eyes fixed upon her in the classroom and silently muttered to herself in frustration.

'It's all his fault...'

The person in question was none other than her brother. Ren.

After single-handedly rescuing the world and triumphing over the Demon King, he ascended to the pinnacle of humanity's hierarchy, earning the esteemed title of the ultimate ranker and revered hero.

Names that made both him and her cringe. Nonetheless, the real problem lay in the fact that he had signed her up for the Lock without letting her have a disguise. Not only that, he also made sure to let everyone know she was his sister.

Just recalling the day when he dropped her off at the academy...

She shuddered.

"Nola, we don't have all day."

"Ah, yes."

Flinching, Nola recovered herself and quickly started to speak.

"The multiverse theory proposes that there are countless other universes out there, each with its own set of physical laws, constants, and conditions. These universes may have different histories, different versions of ourselves, and even different laws of physics governing them."

This was a topic she wasn't all too familiar with, but she wasn't ranked first because of her connection with her brother.

She was actually smart and talented at that. That... perhaps may have been due to him, but she still put a lot of effort into getting to where she was.

The thought of people thinking of her as a kept sister irritated her.

"Naturally, it is possible that they share an identical history, engage in the same actions, and abide by the same laws of physics as our reality..."

She wanted to prove that she was just as talented as her brother and that she didn't pull strings to get to her current position.

Jealousy was a feeling all too common from those that ranked beneath her.

In any case, regarding those stares, all she had to do was prove that she didn't get here with help and that this was all due to her hard work.

Her reciting what she knew about the Multiverse Theory was proof that her efforts weren't in vain. Her sleepless nights weren't for nothing.

"However, they may exist within an alternative timeline, progressing at a different pace from our own. This divergence could range from mere minutes, hours, or days to more substantial gaps such as weeks, months, years, or even decades ahead of our current state."

'Yeah... this is how it should be...'

Seeing the fervent gazes of her own classmates as she recited what she had learned the day prior, Nola felt her ego boost.

'That's right, keep looking at me like that.'

The subtle blushes coming from the boys, the envious gazes from the girls in the class... Nola took it all. She deeply imprinted the sight in her mind.

This view confirmed to her that she was flawless... that she was the embodiment of envy for everyone. That all her efforts weren't for nothing... and that... she was perfect.

Only that...

'Status.'

Nola started to secretly clench her fist as a holographic image appeared right before her very eyes, and her gaze fell on a certain section. Slowly, her speech started to slur, and her voice weakened.

"Various... haaa...versions of the multiverse theory exist, including the inflationary multiverse, the string theory landscape, and... and... the quantum multiverse..."

===Status===

Name : Nola Dover

Rank : D

Strength : D

Agility : D+

Stamina : D-

Intelligence : D

Mana capacity : D-

Luck : B

Charm : G-

:

mechanisms for the existence of multiple universes within the overarching multiverse

BANG―!

it anymore, she smashed her fist against the table

this

was looking at her, there was no way this was true! This was the cause of her inferiority complex, and it had been eating away at her for

hell was her

swear... Someone must've

"Nola Dover!"

"Hiii!?"

Nola flinched and looked straight ahead. That was when her gaze met with Donna's, and

she turned her head to see her classmate's

'Oh, fuck...'

"W... would you believe me if I told you I had a good reason for my

*

"Aigh..."

she rubbed her ear with her pinky. Turning around and staring at the wooden

she was angry, but she didn't need to

been previously informed by her brother about Donna's uptight nature, but she never anticipated it would be this severe. Her previous impression of her—that of a pretty and friendly older sister—completely crumbled apart

not really my fault

again. Her

her forehead as she felt

is it not increasing at

all. All her stats increased at an exceptional rate. Be it strength, agility, or whatever other stat she had... it rose at a frightening speed. She stood atop her entire year with her strength even surpassing some

So...

it that all her stats,

no sense

swear, there must be a conspiracy behind this. There's no way my charm is actually that low...

her gaze to stare at a student

"Hey, you."

out

"Me?"

in his tracks and stared at her. Immediately after their gazes met, his eyes darted away from her, and he started

"Y... yes?"

"Hmm."

eyes, carefully studying the student

like he's

sure, but the way he was avoiding her eyes and looked to be nervous said otherwise.

'He's peeking at me...'

take sneaky glimpses

was charmed

"You can go."

her way out of the building. As she stepped outside,

during daylight hours, the area was bustling with numerous students who couldn't help but steal glances whenever she

the war, Earth underwent profound changes. The division that had once segregated the four races was no more, and everyone could now enroll

expected the demons to be exterminated or banished because of what they had done,

demons had caused the deaths of loved ones and inflicted profound pain upon many families, creating a comprehensible

migrate to Earth and Immorra while others were sent away. In the end, the road to full integration was still

was beside

Nola muttered, tucking her hand under her

she was indeed not seeing wrong. Was it perhaps because she was 'his' sister? Could that be the reason why they were all

Possibly, but...

the boys

squinted. "It can't be a coincidence, right? Is someone actually

was

They'd have to be

be

"Nah, pfft."

almost. Why would

just runs with

several times in the past. In fact, whenever Amanda had the chance, she'd tease

Amanda, and her brother couldn't stay in

well... I guess it truly

handsome. In

But still...

she had an inkling that there was something at play on the matter. For some reason, she felt that her charm was purposely set at

couldn't be

sudden thought

"There's no way."

quickly shook it

no way he'd be able to change her status window. He'd have to be a god to do that. Plus, for what reason would he even have to

because he doesn't want to be the one with the lowest

Nola laughed.

no way

Right?

***

certain important event was taking place in

"Are you guys ready?"

isn't it a bit of

"From what?"

to be

at war. What's the point

words cut

"..."

his lips, his tone carrying obvious

"I guess you're right."

invasions led to the gradual closure of the once-abundant dungeons scattered across the planet. Additionally, with the disappearance of

no dungeons and demons to fight, there was no longer a point. The Union still existed,

a lot of the big guilds had shut down, it didn't mean that

the guilds, which had

part of his nose, looking up at the sign that hung atop the building in front of him. He squinted, "Do we really have to do

"Shut up."

cut his words, and when he turned his head, Ryan's

He pointed at Smallsnake, "That's now how things

"Huh?"

looked at Ryan

"Then how do th―"

"Shut up."

Seeing the shocked

That's how

of satisfaction whenever he managed to utter those words to Smallsnake. Was this why Ren was addicted to saying them

"Wait, wh―"

"Shut up."

was Angelica's turn this time, and Smallsnake's mouth instantly shut

"Not you too..."

what wrong did

seem as though she was just trying to stop the two