Chapter 3: Creation – 3

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the days when GM made the earth and the heavens, and no rain had yet fallen on the earth. (abridged)

GM established a garden in Rudera and placed what he had made there.

GM saw that it was beautiful.

Rudera Genesis 2:4, 8

Clank, clank.

The violently shaking carriage gradually began to move smoothly.

It had left the unpaved road and entered a clean, paved one.

“We must be close to the academy now.”

Adelina felt that they were not far from the academy.

This was her third year at the academy, and this time, unlike before, her one and only younger brother was with her.

Nodding off.

She gazed at her younger brother, who was sound asleep, leaning against the window.

‘A genius beyond compare.’

She herself was talented enough to be well-known at the academy, but in her eyes, compared to her younger brother, she was merely a firefly before the sun.

‘The one who created a magic that shook the entire continent, no, it was beyond that. He created an entire world.’

The divine power of creation, a level so high it was unfathomable for mere mortals.

The one who had achieved such a feat at the tender age of just about ten was her younger brother.

When Rudera emerged, people across the continent became desperate to claim something within it.

At first, it was merely a virtual world, a ridiculous illusion with no real impact on reality, so people didn’t pay much attention.

Only a few mages studied it, hoping to learn something from the magic.

However, as time passed, people began to realize the absurd value of this world called Rudera.

Even if one died in it, they wouldn’t lose their life in reality, allowing for training or experiments they couldn’t perform in the real world.

They could safely enjoy thrilling adventures and easily taste a variety of delicacies.

Once the true value of Rudera was recognized, the continent’s power players began to pour all their resources into seizing control of this world.

The lands and resources of this other world, almost like unclaimed land, were there for the taking.

The one who claimed them first would own them.

Countless factions got entangled within, prolonging the conflict, but as a result, real-world military clashes ceased.

Moreover, another unbelievable phenomenon was discovered.

The special powers called “Classes” obtained within Rudera could be used in reality as well.

People who had no magic awakened magical abilities, and those who had never held a sword wielded superior swordsmanship than knights who had trained for decades.

Furthermore, the elixirs consumed within Rudera had effects in reality, causing the continent to become even more fervent about Rudera.

Various noble families of the empire also invested their power into Rudera, striving to extend their influence even a little more.

On the other hand, our family was late to the game.

“Geez. The other families have already claimed all the prime lands. There’s no land left around our entry point.”

During a family dinner, Father held his head in frustration.

Due to late information, other families had already occupied the starting points and claimed the lands.

Our family, entering late, had a small foothold in Rudera.

Of course, considering the power of our family, it wasn’t a major issue, but it was still troublesome.

“Then I’ll clear those lands and make them ours.”

The youngest, Albus, said so.

“…What?”

“It’s okay. I’ll transfer the ownership of those lands and relocate the current owners elsewhere.”

We could only listen in stunned silence to his words.

“Transfer ownership…? What do you mean?”

“…Oh? Ah! I forgot to mention.”

With dark circles under his eyes, possibly from staying up late, he said,

“That world. I created it. I can change it however I want.”

“?”

At the time, we thought he was just talking nonsense because he was tired.

After all, it was hard to believe a ten-year-old could create an entire world.

However, the next day, countless lands had indeed become the property of our Vernier family.

“It… it was true.”

“Our youngest… What in the world did he do?”

When he called the mage from the magic tower to learn magic, I thought he was going to follow a similar path as me.

But to think that the world that shook the continent was created by my little brother.

And he did it at just ten years old.

When I was his age, I had barely reached the level of Sword Expert, but he had created an entire world.

Rudera, the focus of attention from the Empire and the Republic alike.

The creator and god of that world, ‘GM’, must not be known to be a powerless child in reality.

Who knows what could happen if he was kidnapped?

Our family decided to keep this a secret.

Albus, being shut in his room and unaware of the world’s happenings, probably didn’t realize how extraordinary his feat was.

He asked if he should hand over Rudera’s resources to our family, but Father told him not to use that power for our family’s benefit.

Even though using that power could elevate us far beyond a mere duke’s family, Father didn’t want to put his child in danger, and besides, we were already powerful enough without it.

“Hmm…”

Albus squirmed in his seat by the carriage window, seemingly uncomfortable.

Drool trickled down his mouth.

He looked so cute that I almost reached out to touch him.

In that world, he is the omnipotent god, ‘GM’, but in reality, he is my frail little brother.

So…

‘I’ll protect him in the real world.’

I will ensure that nothing at the Academy threatens him.

“Albus, Albus. Wake up.”

“Mm…”

I woke to my sister Adelina calling my name.

“Oh… Sister?”

“We’ve arrived.”

“Oh. Sss.”

I wiped the drool from my mouth as I sat up.

“Here, take my hand.”

Adelina got off the carriage first and then helped me down, like a knight escorting a noble lady.

I heard she was quite popular.

Of course, a beautiful woman who reached the highest level of Sword Expert at such a young age was bound to be popular.

“This is… the Academy.”

With my sister’s help, I stepped onto the ground and looked around.

Massive, splendid buildings that couldn’t be compared to any school in my past life filled my view.

This was Lichten Academy, a neutral educational facility attended by people from all over the continent, not just the Empire.

Located at the borders of various nations, it was a vast academic city.

Although I had created numerous grand structures and natural environments in Rudera, even I was impressed by the beauty and grandeur of Lichten Academy.

…This is worth referencing.

I was considering new designs for buildings in Rudera’s next update, and these could be great models.

No matter how much I can create anything in my world, it would become a closed world without external inspirations.

“Shall we go to the dormitory first? I’ll help you unpack and then show you around the Academy.”

Adelina and I unpacked at the dormitory and then started exploring the Academy.

“This is the research and lecture building.”

“This is the training hall.”

“This is the Mirror Lake.”

Thanks to my sister, I learned about various places in the Academy, but…

“By the way, sister.”

“Yes?”

“Why are there so few people? The entrance ceremony is tomorrow, but I hardly see anyone.”

It seemed strange for there to be so few people with only one day left before the term started.

“Oh! That’s because…”

Would they all arrive tonight?

“Everyone is in Rudera. They’re probably lying in their dorm beds with the connectors on their heads right now.”

Oh.

Game addiction.

Was it because of me?

Normally, these youths would be busy chatting away, but they were so engrossed in the game that they couldn’t leave their rooms.

I might feel a little guilty about this.