Monday proceeded as usual.

The dark sky slowly took on an orange hue as the morning sun rose. Roosters cried out at the break of dawn, and Roan Peregrine woke up with a groan. No matter how diligent he may be or how much he trained his discipline, going to school was always a chore.

And I have to walk today. He let out another groan, flipped over his bed, and did his morning routine: Fix his bed, freshen himself up, eat some food, and put on his school uniform.

He studied in the quiet town of Elmwood and lived as a good student in the lackluster country known as Novara. His mother, Ava Peregrine, worked as a software engineer from home, while his father worked as an accountant for a rather large and well-known company originating from the country.

Roan fixed his hair and flashed a smile to the mirror. Perfect.

While he didn’t care much about fair maidens and wooing them, the boy still took great care of his looks. That’s even one of the major reasons why he picked up physically exerting hobbies so that he could maintain a slim body.

Inspecting the plain black and white design of Elmwood High’s uniform, he nodded his head and prepared to go to school. He went down the stairs, kissed his mother on the cheek, put on his shoes, and opened the door.

It’s still early, so I don’t have to walk too fast. Roan took in a big deep breath, enjoying the fresh morning air. He went down the same route he always took whenever he had to walk to school, passing by familiar houses, streets, cars, and people…

“Wait.” He paused in his tracks as he remembered something. “I can teleport!”

He sighed helplessly upon realizing his stupidity, but he couldn’t blame himself too much. Last night still felt so surreal that he even forgot he had mystical superpowers. He couldn’t just change his usual habits and go from ‘Ugh, I gotta walk’ to ‘Just gotta teleport’; that stuff took time to develop.

Looking around and finding an empty area near him, Roan took a deep breath and prepared for one big leap.

He regulated his power, with white sparks coalescing around his figure. He toned down the intensity of the sparks, reducing their strength so he wouldn’t go full astral mode as he did previously to travel to and fro from Earth to Dungeon World. He just needed to jump through space, not through universes.

Bwizip!

A dim burst of white light exploded and Roan landed in another area entirely. Trees and shrubs surrounded him, and a street lay beyond the greeneries.

Beyond the street stood a large school, with a parking lot at the front where cars had already parked, a giant building with the words Elmwood High School carved at its entrance, and students bustling in and out of the vicinity.

It worked! Roan grinned and silently gave his thanks to his god. While he may not be religious, he still felt the need to thank the higher beings for blessing him with one hell of a useful power.

He then took out his phone and checked the time. “It’s still seven in the morning…”

Placing it back in his pocket and glancing around the area, he took a deep breath and couldn’t hold back his curiosity anymore. Just how far could he teleport in the first place?

…

“OH FUCK!” Roan screamed at the top of his lungs as he abruptly appeared high in the air, where howling winds cried and birds screeching in surprise. He flailed his arms, his eyes wide from fear and shock as the endless blue ocean rapidly grew closer and closer from below.

Crap, crap, crap! White sparks coalesced around his body, and just as he was about to hit the surface of the sea, he zapped out of reality once more.

The next moment, he landed face-first on soft grassy soil. He moaned in pain and turned himself over, pushing himself up so he could take a clear look at where he was.

Where the heck am I?

A field of rolling grass and strong winds greeted his eyes. Cows and sheep roamed the hills grassy green hills. Taking out his trusty phone, Roan was surprised to find that he didn’t have any signal at all.

I’m already way outside Novara, aren’t I?

He patted the dirt and grass on his pants before standing up, preparing for another jump.

“OI!” A booming voice echoed from behind him and the boy froze.

He turned to look around and saw an angry man slowly walking up towards him, with a goddamn pitchfork at hand. He appeared old and his skin was wrinkly, wearing a blue shirt and brown pants, along with a strange leather hat.

The man spoke in an unknown language that Roan could barely pick out. He assumed it belonged to some northwestern part of the world, which was quite shocking because Novara was well near the northeastern part of Earth.

Just how far did I go? Roan wondered curiously while his legs already started moving.

Cows and sheep let out strange sounds as they avoided the running man, with white sparks crackling out of his skin as he moved.

“What in tarnation?” The farmer watched with dumbfounded eyes as more and more sparks gathered around the unknown boy that just appeared out of nowhere. Then, just like how he appeared, the young boy burst out of existence with a flash of white light. “D-Demon… It’s a demon!”

With more experience this time, Roan attempted to direct his random, unclear jumps toward the general spatial coordinates of Norava. Just like before when he traveled back to Earth, Roan detected that familiar pull and let his instincts guide him.

Fwoosh!

He opened his eyes, landing in an alley with crowded streets.

Oh good, human civilization.

The young man cautiously walked out after making sure no one had seen him teleport, and the moment he saw the tall buildings, the packed streets full of cars, and the smell of smoke and luxury in the air, he knew where he had arrived.

I’m in Cassara? Roan was surprised by his destination, but not by much. He had visited the capital of Novara many times in his life already, so it wasn’t that outlandish for him to arrive here by chance. Isn’t Dad here?

He glanced around the streets, wondering what he should do before returning to school. Might as well buy some food.

…

Eamon Peregrine was well into his forties and he wasn’t getting any younger.

As he walked along the streets of Cassara with a tired gaze, he yawned and fixed his parted hair to the side. He appeared fine for his age, but had a rather plain face; he had black hair, dark brown eyes, thin lips, and wore a pair of glasses similar to the ones Roan has.

Like any other office worker, he wore a simple black suit with a white shirt tucked underneath, and a plain black necktie to finish the look. He didn’t bother wearing watches and such as he considered them as needless jewelry, though his son begs to differ.

Ugh, I remember that boy wearing a ring for each of his fingers back then. Eamon rolled his eyes at the thought. Now he’s even pleading for us to get his ear pierced.

Eamon didn’t care if Roan pierced his ears, but if he did do that, then he would appear more like a delinquent than a normal student at that point. If not for Elmwood High making Monday a mandatory day to wear the school’s uniforms, Roan would have worn all black already and appeared like an emo.

And the graphic design of his shirts… Eamon shook his head helplessly. They’re hopelessly cringe.

Skulls, meaningless abstract drawings, anime girls, even a goddamn trap!

It’s a tactical move, Dad! He still remembered what Roan argued with him back then so he could wear those ridiculous shirts, especially that shirt, to school. If… If they get the hint, then I’d have a much wider net to cast with!

Roan may not actively seek out romance, but he keeps his gates open for any potential development. While he had never explicitly revealed anything, Eamon was pretty sure his son had gone on dates and such before already.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Who would even want to date that boy? Eamon laughed. He doesn’t even know how to cook anything besides eggs, ramen, and more eggs!

Just as he belittled his son in his mind, he inexplicably saw someone walking out of a bakery who appeared strangely familiar. They had unruly black hair, dark brown eyes, a rather handsome face, a pair of glasses that was similar to his, wearing a school uniform that was eerily similar to Elmwood High’s uniform.

“Roan?” Eamon was beyond confused to see his son out in Cassara of all places.

This place was tens of kilometers away from Elmwood and would take a person hours to reach on a bus. Moreover, today was Monday, so why would someone who should be at school be in a whole other city?

Eamon subconsciously walked faster as he tried to chase after the mysterious person who walked into a nearby alley as soon as they got out of the store. The man hastened his pace, afraid that he would lose the boy’s trail, and arrived at the alley.

Just as he turned around the corner, dim white light illuminated the alley for a moment, and winds gusted outwards, causing Eamon’s hair and clothes to flutter.

“Huh?” Eamon stared into the empty alley that led to a dead end, confused to see no trail of that boy. “Where did he go?”

He scratched his head, befuddled by the situation. “Am I… Am I growing way too old?”

…

Biting into fresh bread that let out a satisfying crunch, Roan laughed with a pleased face as he walked into his classroom. Others gave a cursory glance since he was one of the very few blatantly eating in the hallways, but Roan didn’t give a damn. He felt like a king right now, someone who stood above these mere mortals confined by the limits of space.

He could travel from Elmwood to Cassara with a mere thought! He could go to the vast ocean, to the endless skies, to an island on the other side of the world with just a single step!

He… he was the ultimate tourist!

Bwahahahah! Roan laughed maniacally in his head. Thank god I have this power.

Roan almost cried out in joy as he stepped into the classroom. The amount of times I wished I had teleportation powers is uncountable, and now… Now! I have that power!

“Roan?” A tall young man with blond hair, olive green eyes, and tanned white skin, wearing the same black and white school uniform of Elmwood High, murmured upon seeing Roan walk in.

“Yo, Daniel.” Roan placed his bag on the chair right beside the tall man.

“Woah, you’re already here?” Another boy who sat right beside the tall man was surprised to see Roan pop out of nowhere. He was of a short build, with dark skin, plain brown eyes, and curly black hair. “I thought you were going to be late.”

“Me, late?” Roan snorted. “I’ll never be late.”

“Says the guy who was constantly back in 7th Grade,” he retorted.

“Shut up, Ethan.” Roan sat on his chair, munching on his bread. “At least I was never late because of a stupid reason like playing games all night.”

“Woahhhhhh, you’re striking for that spot?” Ethan scoffed. “At least I was never late because of a stupid reason like ‘I tried to do a handstand just before school and accidentally dislocated my shoulder.’”

“Woahhhhh, you’re really going that low?” Roan rolled his eyes, before chuckling. “So, did you finally reach Diamond yesterday?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me of it.” Ethan sighed. “All of my teammates were trash, and it’s all because you two weren’t online the whole day yesterday! It’s a fricking Sunday, what could have kept you two busy all day?”

“We actually had to train yesterday,” answered Daniel.

“I studied,” said Roan.

Ethan wasn’t surprised with Daniel’s answer, but he wore a shocked look when he heard Roan’s answer. Daniel acted the same way as if the two had just heard some utter bullshit.

“What?” Roan stared at them, confused.

“You…” Ethan struggled to spit the word out. “You studied?”

“I… wow.” Daniel wore a look of disbelief.

“Hey, I told you guys I’d be an academic weapon this year,” Roan smirked. “You guys seriously doubted that?”

“Well, you do tend to achieve things you set out for… but this is different, you know?” Ethan could barely believe that Roan actually studied. “I mean, yes, you managed to lock in and pursued your strange self-defense obsession, but studying?”

“Yeah,” Daniel agreed with Ethan’s sentiments. “This is so unlike you. I barely even saw you study last school year, and now you’re studying during weekends?”

“Well.” Roan shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just built different.”

“Built like a psychopath that is,” Ethan joked.

“Hey, I’m not a psychopath.” Roan rolled his eyes.

“Bitch, don’t deny it.” Ethan snorted. “Remember that poor girl back then?”

Daniel winced as he remembered that past event. “You didn’t even try and hold back.”

“Hey, is it my fault that I’m a feminist?” Roan cackled without guilt. “I treat everyone equally, whether they be men, women, or… or goblins.”

“You, a feminist?” Daniel rolled his eyes. “More like a scumbag.”

“Woah, you’re attacking me too?” Roan appeared offended, clutching his pained heart. “What did I do to you? I’m such a nice friend!”

“Yeah, you are a good friend.” Daniel didn’t disagree with that part. “But you are a bad lover.”

Ethan laughed. “A bad lover? Come on, he’s worse than that.”

“Hey!” Roan lowered his voice. “Is it my fault they liked me in the first place? What could I have possibly done to make them not like me? Can you really blame my natural actions?”

“Shut up. You can hit a woman, you can hit a man; you can hurt a woman, you can also hurt a man,” Ethan scoffed.

“What the hell does that have to do with anything?” Roan rolled his eyes. “A winner gotta do what a winner gotta do.”

“It has got to do with everything, Roan,” said Daniel. Though I don’t know where the hell this conversation is going as well.

“According to an in-depth analysis by a psychologist I saw online, those who are capable of hurting others without remorse or grief, like you, are more likely to be nutjobs. Not to mention the actions you’ve done in the past with others… From leading them on, sending out mixed signals, and getting them to buy you food for free! You scumbag! Why did they treat you to free food!” Ethan sounded more angered by the idea of Roan getting free food.

“It was a date, okay, and I was the one getting courted back then.” Roan shrugged his shoulders. “Isn’t it normal for the guy courting me to pay for dinner?”

“Courting my ass. I remember what you said back then. You guys were just ‘hanging out’.” Ethan saw through Roan’s bullshit.

“You even vehemently denied the fact that they liked you, acted so surprised when they finally confessed to you, and dropped your usual ‘I didn’t know; I only saw you as a friend’ and skedaddled out of there,” added Daniel.

“You know what that psychologist said to behaviors like that? You’re a narcissist! You like it when others have a crush on you! You revel in the fact that they had developed feelings for you!” Ethan pointed his finger at Roan.

“…”

The three went quiet for a moment, but Roan finally spoke, his face clouded with confusion. “And? What’s that got to do with anything?”

“…”

“Nothing.” Ethan smacked his lips. “I’m just venting out my anger because you didn’t play with me yesterday… Damn it, I’d have already reached diamond by this point!”

“I’m just doing it for the exposition. I gotta let the others know you’re a narcissist so you don’t have more victims.” Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “I’m also preventing you from ‘falling into depravity’ as you’d like to say it.”

“Aww, you care about me so much, Daniel?” Roan wore a sly smile and pulled out a piece of newly baked bread from his paper bag. “Here, since you care about me so much.”

“Oh, thanks.” Daniel grabbed the bread.

“Hey!” Ethan leaned forward and stared at Roan with his eyes bulging out. “What about me?! Your dearest friend?!”

“Beg for it.” Roan smiled conceitedly. “I’m a narcissist, right? Feed my ego and I’ll give you some—

“Hey, Roan.” Someone tapped Roan on the shoulder.

The three stopped talking as they all focused on the newcomer that arrived.

She was a rather pretty girl, with wavy brown hair, blue eyes, and a charming smile. She was above-average in height and was just a little shorter than Roan, reaching his nose when the two stood side by side.

“Ella?” Roan stared at her with a confused look.

“Oh, uh, sorry for the intrusion.” She chuckled wryly. “I just noticed that.” She pointed at Roan’s bag full of bread. “Isn’t that the famous chocolate-filled croissants from Golden Bakery? I’ve seen so many reviews about them online! How did you even get hold of them in the first place?”

Huh? Are they really that famous? Roan flashed her a familiar grin. “A magician never reveals his secret, but…” he took one of the croissants from his bag and placed it on her hand. As he did so, he made sure to touch her hand briefly and felt the warm touch of her skin. “You can have one if you want to.”

“R-Really?” Ella was surprised by the gesture. She just wanted to ask where Roan got the bread from so she could try and buy one herself if it was in town, not to receive one from Roan. “I… You don’t have to…”

“Hmm, maybe you’re right.” A playful grin danced on Roan’s lips as he abruptly grabbed her hand. “I can’t give you one fully for free.”

Ella was surprised by Roan grabbing her hand, and moreso when he teasingly bit into the croissant, with a tiny trail of saliva left on his lips as he pulled back his face.

“So I’m taking a bite.”

To deal the final blow, he teasingly smiled at her and winked while staring deep into her eyes. People just don’t know how effective maintaining intense eye contact with someone else is.

“I…” Ella’s face flushed red as Roan let go of her hand. “I… I guess that would work.”

As she walked away, her ears a shade of red, Roan turned to look back at his friends who gave him the look.

“What?” Roan asked them.

“You’re really shameless, you know?” Ethan rolled his eyes. “I may like women too, but this is just a whole ‘nother level.”

“I remember back then in 7th Grade, you were so innocent, so genuine, so kind…” Daniel sighed. “Now look at you, you’re a flirtatious playboy. You weren’t this bad before summer. Heck, you barely even flirted with people…”

“Damn, guys.” Roan wore an incredulous look on his face. “I just did a joke and you two are acting like I was trying to woo her.”

“You were trying to woo her,” accused Ethan.

“Uh-huh.” Roan rolled his eyes, ignoring them. “Sure, believe what you want.”

Because you two are right. Roan added in his mind silently.

Roan would never admit it, but he suspected himself to be a little narcissistic or something with a similar root since months ago. It wasn’t that he had a particular need for love, it was just fun to see others become infatuated with him; it’s like a game trying to charm them, to pick the right actions to raise their affection meter.

It’s not fun when they confess though. I have to tiptoe around them like eggshells, to act intimate enough that they’d keep liking me, but not too intimate that they could accuse me of playing them. Roan sighed.

He didn’t know where this all started if Roan had to be honest with himself.

Roan was a pretty popular guy at school, even if he only had two close friends. He constantly won gold medals in competitions for his club, was a handsome guy, had good grades, and was a pretty friendly guy overall. Very few in school, and in his batch, felt anything negative towards him.

Eventually, one of them did confess to him, and things might have spiraled from there. He got a taste of a forbidden fruit and opened his eyes to the game called romance.

However. Roan clenched his fists as he barely listened to class. There’s a whole new exciting game waiting for me.

Romance may have been fun, it may have been exciting, but there was something infinitely more enjoyable than that—the multiverse. If not for him keeping his logical mind intact, he may have just abandoned this reality already and wandered the multiverse with no thoughts of turning back.

Unfortunately, he had a family, he had friends, he had school, and he had responsibilities. Maybe one day, he’ll leave them, but for now, he just has to be patient and explore the multiverse whenever he has time.

But how the hell am I getting a gun in the first place? Is there a parallel universe where guns are legal to own in Novara?