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✦ -- Revised & Polished Version ✦
Vesper Jese, a sixteen-year-old red-haired high school student, sat slouched on the couch, eyes glued to the television as he played a video game.
"Sigh… Hey, Vesper, go to sleep. Remember, we're writing the competition exam tomorrow."
His younger sister, Nyx Jese, said this as she entered the living room. She was thirteen years old and, like her brother, had striking red hair.
"Who cares? I'm only good at math anyway. I don't feel like studying," Vesper replied irritably, sighing again.
"What a frustrating game…" he muttered to himself.
"That's enough. It's already bedtime," Nyx said firmly as she suddenly snatched the gamepad from his hands and ran around the living room, dodging him playfully.
"Do as you like," Vesper said quietly as he stood up and walked toward his room, leaving Nyx frozen in surprise.
"Did something happen?" she asked, sensing something was wrong.
Vesper didn't answer. He simply entered his room and shut the door behind him.
Nyx frowned. She knew something was off.
Three years ago, they had lost their mother. At the time, Vesper was only twelve. They had no other relatives—only a kind neighbor who occasionally checked in on them.
Though orphaned, they were far from poor. Their mother had been a high-ranking executive in a phone manufacturing company, earning a monthly salary equivalent to what most people made in two years. She had also left behind a substantial life insurance payout.
Since their mother's death, Vesper had always been the strong one, constantly cheering Nyx up and protecting her. He never allowed anyone to bully her. His overprotective nature was well known at his school.
But now… it felt like all the grief he had been suppressing was finally surfacing.
Nyx shook her head and forced a small smile.
"I'm sure he'll be fine soon."
---
*********
A dark cave.
Seven figures surrounded a red-haired boy. One of them held a dagger, its blade buried deep in his heart.
Blood spilled from his mouth as he stared intently at one person among them.
"Luxen… since when did you plan this?" he managed to whisper.
"Hah! Did you really think I'd let a lowly melee fighter like you obtain something as precious as Eidolon's Grace—the most powerful relic?" sneered a pink-haired girl wearing a dark blue cloak.
Her gaze shifted to the black box on the ground, its surface scratched as though someone had tried to force it open.
She nodded to the person beside her. He stepped forward and stretched his hand toward the box.
"Heh…"
The red-haired boy suddenly smirked.
"Got you."
A brilliant green light burst forth from the box, enveloping him entirely.
Their expressions changed instantly.
"W-What?! How did you activate it?!" the girl shouted, her face twisting in disbelief.
She knew the truth—Eidolon's Grace was a one-time relic. Once activated, it could never be used again.
"Goodbye," the boy said calmly. "See you… in my next life."
The light expanded, swallowing the world whole.
---
*********
Vesper's eyes slowly opened.
He stared at the familiar ceiling above him as memories rushed back.
"What… happened?"
He sat up abruptly, only for a torrent of information to flood his mind. He clutched his head, groaning as pain surged through him.
After several minutes, it faded.
"…The relic worked."
Vesper smiled as he climbed out of bed.
That betrayed red-haired boy… was his future self.
Earlier that year, governments worldwide had announced a massive competition. Science schools were to send ten students from each class to participate in a written examination covering five compulsory subjects:
Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.
Every participant had to write all five. Anyone who scored above 90 in any subject—regardless of the rest—would pass.
Today was the exam day.
Just like in his previous life.
He sighed.
Suddenly, the door flew open.
"Brother! What are you still doing here?!"
Nyx rushed in, already dressed in her school uniform.
"You haven't even started getting ready!" she exclaimed.
Vesper froze.
His chest tightened as joy, sorrow, anger, and regret crashed into him all at once.
In his previous life, Nyx had been killed by his own companions. They had framed a rival group for it.
At that time, his world had collapsed.
He had gone into seclusion for months, driven by hatred—but forced himself to endure. He needed them. Only by fulfilling the relic's activation conditions could he reclaim what he had lost.
They thought they were using him.
But in truth, he had been using them.
"Nyx…"
He pulled her into a tight embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry… I couldn't protect you," he whispered.
Nyx stiffened in shock. She tried to speak, but no words came out.
Then she smiled softly and hugged him back.
"It's alright," she whispered