Komoe-sensei stood on her tiptoes at the lectern, beaming.
"And that concludes the announcement! Takahashi-chan has officially awakened his Personal Reality! Although it's currently assessed at Level 2, it's a huge step forward! Let's all congratulate him!"
The classroom erupted in chatter.
"Huh? Takahashi gained a Personal Reality?"
"I'm so envious... I still don't even understand the theory behind it."
"Yeah. His grades are among the worst in the class. How did he manage it?"
"Idiot, Personal Reality has nothing to do with grades. It's about mindset. You can gain powers as long as you grasp your own unique worldview."
"Tch. Easy for you to say. I haven't seen you bending spoons."
"So Takahashi is rich now? The stipend for Level 2s is way higher than for Level 0s."
"I'm so jealous... I have to work odd jobs every weekend just to barely make ends meet."
"You only do that because you want to buy that new game console, right?"
Everyone cast envious glances at Yuuya. Even though he was a known slacker, he had crossed the line from "powerless" to "powered." Even a Level 2 was a status symbol.
Yuuya felt a little creeped out by the stares.
'If they're this jealous of a fake Level 2... what would happen if I revealed I beat a Level 5 yesterday?'
'People would distance themselves. They'd treat me like a monster.'
Academy City claimed to be a meritocracy, but the divide was deep. High-Level Espers looked down on Low-Levels. And everyone looked down on Level 0s. Conversely, Level 0s often resented those with power.
'Level 2 is the sweet spot. Strong enough to get a decent stipend, weak enough to be ignored.'
"I never expected you—the guy who copies my homework daily—to awaken an ability. Congratulations," Fukiyose said, looking down at him.
She stood with her arms crossed, exuding her usual aura of strict discipline. But there was a hint of genuine happiness in her voice.
"It was an unexpected surprise," Yuuya smiled. "Maybe the Goddess of Fate just thought I was cool."
"If anyone deserves an ability, it's you, Fukiyose. After all, if a slacker like me can get one, a model student like you should be a Level 4 easily."
In this class, only three people treated him normally: Fukiyose, Touma, and Tsuchimikado.
Fukiyose was a natural "Class Mom." Strict, organized, responsible. She nagged because she cared.
"I don't have any expectations," Fukiyose sighed, uncrossing her arms. "My life is fine as it is. Besides, abilities don't make life easier. They just complicate things."
"Is that so?" Yuuya nodded. "For someone with your personality, maybe being powerless is safer."
(Though, privately, he knew that in this city, being powerless just made you a victim.)
"But... what if?" Yuuya pressed with a smile. "What if you suddenly woke up with powers tomorrow?"
"What kind of question is that?" Fukiyose rolled her eyes. "Well... the benefits are better. Higher chances of getting into a good university. More scholarship money."
She rubbed her stiff shoulders.
"And maybe I could afford better health products. My shoulders are always sore."
'Shoulder soreness... well, looking at those, it's no surprise,' Yuuya thought.
"Fukiyose really is born to be a virtuous wife," he teased.
"Are you calling me old?!"
"Not at all. Just responsible."
Yuuya shrugged. Under the desk, he tapped his finger.
[System: Use Item "Level 2 Telekinesis Scroll"?]
[Target: Fukiyose Seiri.]
'Confirm.'
It was a useless item he got from a Bronze Chest yesterday. Level 2 Telekinesis was weak—barely enough to lift an apple. But for a civilian like Fukiyose, it might be a fun party trick. Or at least help her carry groceries.
'Consider it a thank you gift for all the homework.'
"Takahashi-san~"
A mournful voice groaned from his left.
Kamijou Touma looked at him with the face of a man who had just lost everything.
"What's wrong, Touma? Need to borrow money?"
"Yuuya... my best friend... my brother..." Touma clasped his hands together in prayer. "I realized I was in such a hurry this morning that I lost my wallet. I have no lunch money. I have no dinner money. I have to wait three days for a replacement bank card."
"Please! Lend me some yen! I'll starve!"
"Sure thing~ I can lend you up to ten thousand." Yuuya waved his hand casually.
"One thousand is enough! Thank you so much! I will never forget your kindness!" Touma cried, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.
"You sound like you're in a period drama," Yuuya laughed. He handed over a 1,000 yen note.
...
After School. 4:00 PM.
The school day ended quickly. Yuuya stretched his arms as he walked out of the gate.
He opened his virtual map.
"Chests below Silver rank refresh daily... but I'm tired of trash loot."
"There's another easy-to-get Silver Chest nearby. It's on Nunotaba Shinobu again."
He checked the icon. She was moving toward the Seventh Pharmaceutical Research Center.
'Silver Chests give Level 4 equivalent powers. That's worth the trip.'
Level 4s were the elites of the city. Out of 2.3 million students, less than two thousand were Level 4. Even the prestigious Tokiwadai Middle School only had forty-seven Level 4s.
"Found him!"
Across the street, a petite girl stopped walking.
She wore a gothic lolita dress that looked completely out of place for a school day. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled.
She looked at Yuuya from across the road and flashed a relaxing, cute smile.
Kaibi Gokusai. The "Girl in the Dress" from SCHOOL.
'Takahashi Yuuya...' she thought, checking the profile on her phone.
'Applied for an ability test yesterday. Result: Level 2 Pyrokinesis. Yet... reports say he defeated Accelerator.'
'A mystery wrapped in a white shirt.'
She put her phone away, clasped her hands behind her back, and skipped across the street toward her target.
"Excuse me! Onii-san?"
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