The Hero

  The new student... or students, have certainly made an impression on the rest of the school. “Hey Claude!” a student greets me.

  “Greetings random citizens,” I joke. Hahh, they’ll all be my people soon. After all, I’m going to be the hero -- that’s what everyone’s said. A hero is who everyone looks up to, a person who will do what is best for humanity. Once I’m selected, I’ll make sure to exterminate monsterkind for good this time -- I failed last time, and I won’t fail again.

  I don’t understand why I reincarnated -- I had a beautiful life with Pony, having two kids: a wonderful son and daughter. I had everything I ever wanted, there was no reason for me to go to a new world. However, this must not be a coincidence, this must be the results of Those that Be. They still need me to serve a purpose, and so I will live gloriously. It’s kinda weird that there’s someone named Pony in this world as well; what a coincidence. From what I gather, this is the future, taking place after my own adventure. It’s funny that this is the second time I’ve transmigrated though: the first was when I was hit by a truck in modern society. It’s a common backstory, but whatever -- even legendary heroes have a common start.

  Though it’s not like things are going perfectly -- there’s that antisocial girl Wynette. When I was curious about her last name of ‘Ameno’, for being a Japanese name, she told me to ‘fuck off.’ I looked into further and it turns out her original adoptees were Japanese, who then died in a car accident one week after adopting her. She still kept the surname, as well as gaining a reputation for being ‘cursed’, hence why she remained an orphan. I wish I could help her, but she refuses help at every turn. Why is it so hard for her to understand that she needs to try harder?

  I look over to her, smiling and laughing along with the black girl next to her, what was her name... Karma Kutsuki? Or was it Aliza Margrave? Actually, after ‘Aliza’ introduced herself, that girl asked for everyone to refer to her as ‘Remnant Calamity’ if things got confusing. I don’t understand why: can’t she keep it simple and go by only one name to make it easier for the rest of us?

  They’re all also dangerous in their own right: I only heard about it later, but apparently Aliza broke a girl’s hand. (I guess I was in the bathroom when it happened.) I don’t understand why she got so emotional, but it’s not right. She shouldn’t hurt people for just existing. Besides, Wynette should have been the one to fight back: Wynette should have reported her abuse to the principal. Aliza was also flirting with a lot of the girls earlier, which was weird. I’m not homophobic, but I think she should keep her PDAs in private.

  Then there’s Raibu -- ‘he’ says that he’s a boy, but I’m not convinced. He decides to wear a skirt all the time and constantly flirts with the boys, which is enough evidence for me to believe otherwise. Still, me being confused doesn’t invalidate his identity. Though there was a creepy letter in my locker once, talking about taking me to bed, which I’m pretty sure came from him. He’s also dangerous -- he beat up a student with his hammer, then just called it ‘slapstick comedy.’

  Velvet’s also brutal. They’re easy to anger and provoke, often retaliating with a gun and firing point blank. They haven’t injured anyone yet, but it’s only a matter of time. They also associate herself with the wrong crowds, like talking to those criminals right outside of school. That, and there was that incident where an officer of the law came to school. He and Velvet seemed to recognize each other, and the two were immediately hostile with Velvet glaring daggers; I just wish they would follow the rules.

  Then there’s Karma -- Karma’s one of the weird ones. They haven’t done anything yet, but it’s only a matter of time if the other personalities are so aggressive. In fact, it might be the case that Karma is the only innocent one. They also seem to hate me specifically, often avoiding me or hiding behind Wynette. It’s certainly suspicious, but I’ve never had the chance to ask Karma -- Raibu always deflects the question when talking to me and Wynette is constantly getting in my face, surprisingly more energetic. Well, energetic isn’t the right word -- more like vitriolic? Though at the very least, if I get these bad influences out of Karma’s life, then maybe they can find redemption.

  Nonetheless, it’s time for the prophecy to be revealed. We all gather in the assembly like last time -- Wynette and Karma remain above us all, much to the annoyance of the rest of us. They’re not special. ... Come on Claude, this isn’t like you.

  “And so,” Grandmaster Hedwin announces, “We shall reveal our new hero.” The orb shimmers with an ethereal light, going from aquamarine to a clear white, revealing one face. “It shall be... Claude Salema!” Of course, I would be the hero. I stand proud as the honored one, ready for my new mission. The stage beckons me, and so I step forward.

  “No,” a familiar voice states. I turn behind, seeing Karma floating on the ground. “You won’t,” they add, pointing a spear at me, their aura smelling of salt and the ocean. “You don’t get to be the hero.”

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  “What?” I question. “But it’s the prophecy, it can’t be wrong.”

  “Then I’ll correct it.” A storm figuratively gathers around Karma, their eyes staring into my soul, judging me for my every action, and every action I haven’t taken. “I’ll fight you for the right to be the Savior.”

  “Then so be it.” I pull out my sword -- my magic talent seems to carry over from the last life, where I have mastery over fire. I dash forward and slash, hitting the shaft of the spear as Karma blocks. I’m then kicked in the face from the tip of a boot, then hit on the head by a falling beam. Where did that come from? I look up, seeing Karma just standing there, glaring at me.

  “GET UP,” they command, looking down at me. How dare they... I roll forward and dash, aiming for the legs -- only for the floorboard under my foot to break and cause me to trip. “That’s it?” they taunt.

  “No... it isn’t over. Not yet.” I engulf my sword in flames and make a wide swipe forward, only for Karma to lazily bat the weapon away with the spear. I go to grab my sword, only for them to grab the back of my neck and throw me down. I then feel the cold steel of a boot’s sole on my back, starting to crush my spine. “What is your issue?!” I demand, unable to force their boot off of me.

  “I just hate you,” they say coldly, shrugging as they continue to press down on me. Dammit... Looks like I have to do this. I don’t normally maim kids, but this is an exception. I slap the side of Karma’s arm, causing their body to become engulfed in flames. They scream and let go, giving me enough time to back away. This flame, it’s been enough to injure even high-level Demons, so that should be enough to defeat them. The monster king at least stumbled at the face of such danger, so-

  “KARMA?!” I hear Wynette yell out, soon dropping right beside me to check on the kid. Only, she’s shoved away by Karma, tripping over herself. That’s smart of Karma -- Had the two remained in contact, the fire would have stuck onto her.

  “You...” Karma starts, seeming to look at me. Yet there’s no pain in their eyes -- just pure, unadulterated fury. “You.” they add, getting up with those hauntingly ebony eyes. “You dirty family killer.” they quietly state, my red flames turning into a white aura that then burns around Karma, who lunges at me. I attempt to block with my sword, only for Karma to grab it with their hands and punch me in the chest. I fly backwards into the wall, feeling a pit inside. I look down, seeing ice right around my center. Dammit, they- when did they have ice powers? People can only ever use two types of magic. I look up, seeing Karma just walking towards me. “You aren’t running away,” they huff, looking more like a specter than a human now. It may be my eyesight, but the lower half of their body starts to flicker, like they’re nothing but an illusion. And with that, they grab my sword and break it in two. “You don’t get to fight back.” They throw the hilt to the stage, drawing screams from the crowd as they worry about my own safety.

  I’m not worried -- I’m the hero, I can’t die. I just need to use my final gambit. They’re not human, so they don’t deserve the same mercy. A monster like them will regret facing me. Karma just pauses, tilting their head. I manifest the Bow of flames, a fiery yellow construct that preemptively loads an arrow. I nock one with magical prowess, then fire the bolt of energy. It strikes Karma right through the heart, who pauses.

  They stop in their place, still holding the blade of my sword. They should be dead. They should fall to the ground now. Yet, they look on at me, the hatred building, the scent of the ocean now replaced by burning oil, suffocating the very air. “You think will be enough to kill me?” They then continue walking forward. How?! That shot was enough to one-shot all monsters I faced! How could a nobody like them take it without consequences?! I keep firing, arrow after arrow making holes in Karma’s clothing, yet none of it is enough to damage them meaningfully. I back away, only to be met with the wall. With nowhere left to run, I swing the bow in Karma’s face, only for the magical string to snap and whip my face. I rub my cheek, a meager amount of blood getting on my finger tip -- except that it’s blood. Karma caused me to bleed. They can’t do that. I’m the hero.

  “I’ll let you in on a secret,” they add. “Whenever I desire, I can manifest any element.”

  “But what?” I ask. “Aren’t you just a monster?” I taunt.

  Karma just tilts their head.

  “You’re not human -- you’re just a cold-blooded heartless monster who wants to interfere with the prophecy.”

  A bell resounds -- it’s a small bicycle bell, held right in Karma’s hand. When did they grab it?

  “Correct!” They cheer on. “I’m not human. What a surprise, I know, I’m just a monster,” they add callously, sighing. “But then again, I never cared about being a human.”

  “Then reveal your true form,” I demand, getting back up. I still manage to loom over them while standing up, but they refuse to even budge.

  “You aren’t anything more than a bug.” they add, grimacing. A pain surges in my chest -- the broken blade is thrust into my sternum, and all I can do is feel the blood pour down my lip. What... what did I do for them to hate me like this? “So die like one,” they finish, pulling the blade out and ready to strike again.

  And so they do. I’m repeatedly stabbed in the chest as I can’t do anything about it. The pain starts to subside as darkness takes hold of me. Pony... Halea... even you Visma... I’m sorry...

  “STOP!” I hear Wynette yell, taking Karma off of me. “That’s enough, we-”

  “I know,” Karma says, as I slump over. “You’re the hero, I made sure of it.”

  “Made sure of - ” Before I pass out, I see her, Wynette, look at me. I see her fear of me. Why... is she scared? She’s always been annoyed, but never scared.

  So why...?

  “Oh yeah,” I hear Karma add. “With all other candidates out of the picture, I’d like for Miss Ameno to be my travelling companion.” Dammit... don’t drag her down, you sadist...