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-

: [Magician

mechanisms for the existence of multiple universes within

BANG―!

smashed her fist against the table

is this

everyone 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 the longest time.

was her charm so

Someone must've

"Nola Dover!"

"Hiii!?"

powerful voice coming from the front, Nola flinched and looked straight ahead. That was when her gaze met with Donna's, and her entire body went

gaze alone told a thousand words, and when she turned her head to see her classmate's shocked reactions, she knew that she

'Oh, fuck...'

said, "W... would you

*

"Aigh..."

with her pinky. Turning around and staring at the wooden door behind her, she

she didn't need to lecture me

this severe. Her previous impression of her—that of a pretty and friendly older sister—completely crumbled apart in just one

really

bringing out her status window once again. Her eyes

forehead as she felt it

though... why is it not increasing

sense to her 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

So...

her stats, apart from

absolutely no sense to

hair in frustration, heading toward the exit of the building. "I swear, there must

her gaze to

"Hey, you."

called out for

"Me?"

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

"Y... yes?"

"Hmm."

carefully studying the student

seems like

he was avoiding her eyes and looked to be nervous said otherwise. Perhaps he was scared,

'He's peeking at me...'

way he'd take sneaky glimpses

he was

"You can go."

turned away and made her way out of the building. As she stepped outside, she was met with a rush of

the area was bustling with numerous students who couldn't help but steal glances whenever she passed by. Be

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

the demons to be exterminated or banished because of what they had done, but under her brother's commands, they were spared

the demons and other races. The demons had caused the deaths of loved ones and inflicted profound

some were allowed to migrate to Earth and Immorra while others were sent away. In the end, the road to full

was

is strange," Nola muttered, tucking her hand under her

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

Possibly, but...

way the boys

Nola's eyes squinted. "It can't be a coincidence, right? Is someone actually messing with

was

have to be

be

"Nah, pfft."

her head, laughing almost. Why would her brother

it just runs

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

couldn't stay in the same

it truly runs with

In fact, he was pretty handsome. In a way, it seemed like they

But still...

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

be

thought captured

"There's no way."

quickly shook it

he'd be able to change her status window. He'd have to be a god to do that. Plus, for what reason

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

laughed. "As

way he'd be that

Right?

***

a certain important event was taking place in another part of Ashton

"Are you guys ready?"

a bit

"From what?"

to be a

at war. What's the point of the mercenary

cut

"..."

pursed his lips, his

"I guess you're right."

numerous transformations. The absence of demon invasions led to the gradual closure of the once-abundant dungeons scattered across the planet. Additionally, with the disappearance of the Monolith, guilds and mercenary organizations began to

no longer a point. The Union still existed, and they were in charge of keeping

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

and the guilds, which had once dominated

rubbed the bottom 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 this? You know... why don't

"Shut up."

voice cut his words, and when he turned

Smallsnake, "That's now how

"Huh?"

at Ryan with a dubious

"Then how do th―"

"Shut up."

Smallsnake's. Seeing the shocked expression on

much better. That's how

found a weird sense of satisfaction whenever he managed to utter those words to Smallsnake. Was this

"Wait, wh―"

"Shut up."

time, and Smallsnake's mouth instantly

"Not you too..."

Just what

herself made it seem as though she was just trying to stop the two of them from quarreling.