Chapter 28: God Orien

  The first week at kindergarten, everything went as I expected.

  For me, this is like being sent back to the basics of elementary school. So naturally, I always finish first.

  Day one: learning letters A through E. When I could already read books a long time ago. Day two: counting one to ten. Very easy.

  Then, day three. We learned about religion?

  Ms. Ida stood at the front of css. She held a rge picture of a man surrounded by golden light, holding the world in one hand and scales in the other.

  "Children, today we're meeting God Orien. The Guardian of Bance who gives blessings to every life born in our world."

  I furrowed my brow. God?

  Wait a minute. How am I only finding out now? During five years I've lived in this world, I've never once heard my parents mention the name 'Orien'.

  Are they atheists? Or maybe hardcore pragmatism followers?

  I'd concluded this world had completely 'recovered' from the concept of divinity and repced it with worship of advanced technology or super powers.

  Turns out I was wrong. Religion still exists, at least in kindergarten curriculum.

  I took a long breath and looked back at that picture of God Orien with a gentler gaze. Well, if I think about it, I don't have the right to be skeptical.

  I'm here, after dying in my previous life. What I experienced is far more illogical than the existence of a god.

  Besides, in the reincarnation novels I've read, there's usually always a god figure behind the scenes moving souls. So, since in my old life I was a fairly religious person, I didn't need long to accept it.

  Maybe Orien is the one who moved me here. Maybe this is his way of giving me a second chance. If that's true, then Orien is a pretty cool god.

  Thank you, Orien. At least ter I'll know who to punch or worship.

  I might accept his existence faster than anyone in this css. Not because I'm faithful.

  But yeah, it's hard to really be angry at someone who already gave me fun parents. Though he's also the one who decided to change my gender without permission. A decision I still want to compin about until now, but don't know where to report to.

  ? ? ?

  Long story short, every assignment, small quiz, and exercise I completed while fshing a thin smile. My eyes challenging anyone who dared stare too long. They might say I'm cute, but I know they can feel sparks of my arrogance behind this innocent face.

  Ms. Ida always smiled widely every time I finished first. She'd pat my head.

  "So smart, Sera!"

  The other friends? Whatever. I just smiled slightly while muttering in my heart: This isn't smart, Ms. Ida. This is because I worked hard.

  But the most exhausting thing isn't the lessons.

  The most exhausting thing is Julian.

  Since day one, Julian stuck like super glue. The kind of glue that won't come off even if you soak it in thinner for three days.

  Every recess, he'd immediately approach me with his signature wide smile. But strangely, he wasn't alone. Every time the recess bell rang, I could hear a shrill voice from the outer corridor.

  "SERAAA! JULIAAAAN!"

  That's Annie. She ran out from Balloon Css. As usual, Bombom tailed behind her from Peanut Css with a mouth still full of food remnants.

  "Let's go to the garden! I wanna py on the swing!" Annie would pull my hand, while Julian usually huffed quietly at her.

  "Sera! Let's py at the slide park!"

  "Sera! Look, I brought chocote! Want some!"

  "Sera! Earlier the teacher praised me because my voice was beautiful when told to sing. Can you sing?"

  Question after question. Invitation after invitation. Non-stop.

  My ears started ringing every time I heard the letter 'S'. Oh god, please, don't call me now!

  Sorry. Not angry, but I'm trying to be patient. Really. I know he's just an enthusiastic little kid. It's just, if I'm being honest, this drains energy. My stamina is limited, and half of it's used up just holding back from shutting his mouth.

  But why is it, when Annie does it, it feels different?

  I feel like I have double standards. Annie being chatty I can still tolerate. Meanwhile if Julian does the same thing. Uh, no need to ask.

  So, better to read books.

  One day during recess, I sat alone in the corner of css. I read a picture storybook I got from the teacher. A book about a rabbit lost in the forest.

  Page after page. Only the sound of paper whispering. However, that calm didn't st long.

  Until.

  "Sera! What are you reading?" Julian suddenly appeared beside me, his breath panting like he'd just run.

  He's like he has a sixth sense. And the only thing it detects is my peace. What a useless ability.

  Without a word, I shifted the book so the cover was visible.

  "Hehe, fun! I also wanna read! Read it to me!"

  I looked at him. "Julian, you can read yourself."

  "I'm not great at reading." His expression changed, slightly pleading. "If Sera reads it, it's more fun!"

  Without waiting for an answer, he'd already sat beside me before I could refuse. His body leaned too close, his eyes looking at the book in my hands with anticipation.

  I let out a long sigh. Then opened the first page and started reading in a quiet voice.

  Julian listened seriously. Something he rarely does. His eyes followed the pictures in the book, occasionally he mumbled admiringly when there's an interesting part.

  Somehow, seeing his expression so focused, I didn't feel too annoyed anymore.

  Just a bit annoyed. Not very annoyed anymore.

  However, that peace had to be disturbed. Problems emerged in the second week.

  Ms. Ida gave a simple assignment: write your own name on paper.

  For kindergarten kids, this is quite a challenging task. Several kids still struggled holding a pencil correctly. Some wrote backwards. Some cried because they didn't know how to write. A kid in the front row even tried writing using his chin.

  I only needed a few seconds. Neat writing. The letters all the same size. I even added a small decoration in the corner of the paper. A simple flower.

  Ms. Ida walked around the css, checking her students' work one by one. When she reached my desk, she stopped. Long.

  So long, she picked up my paper, looking at it with an expression I found hard to read.

  "Sera... did you write this yourself?"

  I nodded. "Yes, Ms. Ida."

  "No one helped?"

  I furrowed my brow. Help? The task is just writing a name. Why would I need help?

  "No, Ms. Ida. I wrote it myself."

  Silence. Then that smile appeared. A smile like a mix between amazed and confused.

  "Very good, Sera. Your writing is very neat."

  She put my paper back down, but her eyes still looked at me with a gaze that made me slightly uncomfortable. Unintentionally, her eyes shifted to the desk next door. Without realizing it, I also looked.

  I just realized something when I saw my cssmates' work.

  Their writing was messy. The letters big and small irregurly. Some snted. Some actually went out of the lines. Even worse, they couldn't write their own names.

  Whereas mine? Too perfect for a kindergarten kid's standard.

  I bit my lower lip. Stupid.

  What if they think I'm a genius? I don't want that!

  Not because of low self-esteem. But I know my limits. Maybe I'm superior now. But what about ter? In elementary? Middle school? High school? Will I still be able to maintain this?

  What's scarier: people will put big expectations. And if not fulfilled, gradually their views will change. From admiration to disappointment. From pride to questions.

  When I'm not a genius. I just remember. And it doesn't feel fair if I'm praised just because of that.

  I should've been more careful. I should've made my writing a bit messy on purpose. A bit imperfect.

  But it's too te.

  No. Not yet. Not really too te yet.

  Next time, I'll try writing with my left hand while closing my eyes. I have to be careful to keep my life peaceful.

  Until finally, the third week arrived.

  Ms. Ida gave a counting assignment. A worksheet with apple pictures. Count how many apples, write the number.

  I finished in five minutes. All correct. Actually I could finish it faster. But I held back. I deliberately daydreamed briefly while counting cracks in the ceiling to look like a normal kid who's thinking.

  As usual, I raised my hand. "Ms. Ida, I'm done."

  Ms. Ida approached, checked my work, then smiled.

  "Good, Sera. All correct. You can help the other friends, okay."

  I nodded and turned to the side. Julian was still bent over his paper. His brow furrowed, his lips pouting. He counted with his fingers. One, two, three. Then wrote numbers slowly.

  "Julian, need help?"

  He looked up. His eyes widened slightly seeing I was already done.

  "Sera... you're done already? So fast!"

  I shrugged, trying to look as natural as possible. "Normal. Want me to help?"

  Instead of answering, Julian stared at my paper. All answers correct, without a single hesitant mark. Then he looked at me with an expression hard to expin.

  "Sera... are you a genius?"

  I jolted when that word was spoken, my heart pounding hard. The word I'd been hoping wouldn't appear since st week, since I realized my handwriting was too neat.

  "No," I answered quickly, maybe too quickly. "I just study more at home."

  "No way! You must be a genius! My grandma never lies!" Julian insisted, his eyes sparkling full of admiration.

  I stayed silent, words as if stuck at the tip of my tongue.

  I wanted to deny it again, but a thought suddenly crossed my mind. If I keep refusing, this stubborn Julian might keep wondering. And that's far more annoying.

  Fine then. Better he thinks I just have natural talent than keep asking questions. Besides, let "Genius" become the bel that covers the fact I'm a "Reincarnator".

  So I just smiled thinly. A smile that could mean anything.

  "Maybe. But you can definitely do it too, Julian. Just keep trying. My mom says hard work can beat geniuses!"

  "Really! Then I'll work hard to study!" he excimed full of spirit.

  Oh, Julian. You don't know. To become like me, you have to die first.

  Since that day, I made boundaries in my head. In front of Julian, I'm the rival he considers a genius. But in front of Ms. Ida and the outside world, I have to keep acting as a 'smart diligent kid'.

  Because to me, being smart is praise for effort. But being a genius? That's a burden of expectations that could destroy my peace anytime.

  ? ? ?

  Time passed.

  Before, Julian was a kid who liked to show off.

  "Look I'm the coolest!" though it felt funny seeing him. "I can jump the highest!" though only five centimeters high. "My drawing's good, right?!" though the shape wasn't clear.

  But now? He changed.

  "Julian's boring!" Annie compined one afternoon while pouting when we gathered in the garden. "Asked to py hide and seek but he says 'I want to read'. He's become like my grandpa!"

  Bombom nodded in agreement while chewing a donut. "Yeah, usually he's the most enthusiastic fighting over the slide. Now he's practicing writing under trees. Sera, is Julian tired of pying with us?"

  I could only smile stiffly.

  They don't know I'm the reason Julian became 'grandpa-like'. His obsession chasing me has destroyed his pytime, and I feel a bit guilty about it.

  Every time Ms. Ida gives an assignment, Julian immediately focuses. No pying around. Not noisy as usual bothering me. The world seems to stop turning for him, there's only him, paper, and burning motivation to chase me.

  And most striking: he keeps gncing toward me. Checking how fast I finish. Comparing his progress with mine. I feel like a racer constantly tailed by an ambitious go-kart.

  At first I thought it was funny. A little kid motivated because of a misunderstanding.

  No problem. Because he can't possibly beat me. I am the peak of intellectual evolution in this css. Or so I thought, until reality spped me.

  Yeah, when I started realizing something was wrong.

  First, in the first month.

  Counting assignment again. This time up to twenty. I finished in five minutes. As usual, all correct.

  But when I raised my head, Julian was already done too.

  I blinked, looking at him in disbelief. Did he secretly drink a brain enhancement potion or something? Meanwhile, he smiled widely at me, then raised his hand.

  "Ms. Ida, I'm done!"

  Ms. Ida approached him, checked, and nodded. "Good, Julian. All correct."

  Julian turned toward me with a proud smile. Like saying: See! I can do it! I felt lightning strike my ego right in the middle. I didn't know how to react.

  Next, the following assignment writing letters. A to Z. I finished in five minutes. Julian finished in six minutes.

  The gap getting thinner. Though I'm still holding back, I started panicking. If this continues, I have to start bringing out all the abilities I have.

  Then, in the second month.

  Coloring assignment neatly. Can't go outside the lines. I finished in fifteen minutes. Because I wanted to make sure of something, Julian finished in fifteen minutes. Simultaneously.

  It seems like this kid is really trying to match how many minutes I take to finish something.

  Hearing that, Ms. Ida commented, "Sera and Julian are so in sync!"

  In sync how? This is a cold war!

  But I didn't ugh. I looked at Julian who smiled widely, not realizing what's happening in my head. He's chasing me. And he's chasing fast. Too fast. Even to the point I'm afraid to look back and realize he's surpassed me.

  Moreover, he actually could finish coloring faster. He deliberately waited to finish at the same time as me? Really a cunning little devil.

  What does he want?

  ? ? ?

  At home, I was still thinking about it.

  I y on the bed, staring at the ceiling with thoughts spinning. I ignored the TV that was on in front of me, letting its sound become meaningless murmurs in my ears.

  "Do you want to hurt me with that rusty sword?" A voice from the TV speaker sounded almost bored. "If that's your best weapon, I can give you a better one. Free."

  I didn't even turn. My thoughts filled with one thing: Julian is developing too fast.

  First week, he was still far behind. Second week, he started approaching. Third week, the gap thin. Fifth week, he was already level.

  If this continues... how much longer until he surpasses me? Will I be defeated by a kid who might still struggle distinguishing socks from gloves?

  Impossible!

  I clenched my fists under the bnket. This doesn't make sense. I have advantages Julian doesn't have. Experience. Knowledge. Years I've already gone through once before.

  But Julian? He's purely a kindergarten kid.

  Why can he develop this fast?

  I pulled the pillow up to my chin, uncomfortable feelings gnawing at my chest. For the first time since reincarnation, I felt threatened.

  Ironically, I feel pathetic for feeling threatened by a little kid.

  "Aaron the white crow! Why are you helping him?!" The frightened scream of a character from the TV broke through my daydreaming again.

  I let out a long sigh, deciding to stop torturing myself with visions of Julian. I changed sitting position, focusing on the animation I watch consistently every day.

  This is the episode I've been waiting for. Where my favorite character is shown again. Aaron! The Weapon genius!

  On screen, a white-haired golden-eyed man stood calmly in front of his opponent. In contrast, the man facing him looked nervous. His legs trembling, his hands also shaking. His face showing an expression too familiar. Like the type of vilin who usually only appears briefly before being defeated.

  "My wife said he's a good young man when he helped her the other day from criminals," Aaron answered casually while swinging his weapon. That movement made the man in front of him thrown more than a hundred meters though it was just a simple swing. "And I don't like owing favors."

  "Ahem, ahem. Aaron, are you crazy? We're both criminals, why kill each other?" The man's voice sounded disbelieving. "Moreover, shouldn't you help me kill that person? He's from the Talent Division!"

  Aaron just walked while shrugging, indifferent. "You have a problem with that?"

  I hugged the pillow, chin resting on it. The corner of my lips lifted slightly seeing the two of them. Even though that man was a strong character who got the title Death's Scythe, but in front of Aaron that man was like a kid just holding a weapon.

  Weapon genius. A fitting title.

  That man gritted his teeth. Then raised his bck scythe. The bde tip pointing straight at Aaron's neck.

  "Damn it!"

  His scream nearly cut off in his throat, but he still charged forward. His scythe swung wildly, every strike like cutting the air itself, bringing unstoppable anger and power, creating a sharp whistle that pierced ears.

  Aaron turned his body, avoiding the attack agilely. His white robe fluttered following the movement, floating like wings swept by wind. In one flowing motion, his sword danced, sshing air with stunning precision and elegance.

  The air in front of him split. A blue light arc shot out from that sword bde, extending like a giant scythe sweeping the horizon. That ssh penetrated more than a kilometer before finally fading. The ground in its path split, dust and stone fragments lifted by that pressure.

  The fight ended almost before it truly began.

  Easy victory!