The System’s Mockery

"Sh*t."

Zar stared down at his chest, eyes widening as the shimmering phantom badge pulsed faintly against his skin.

Why the hell do I know what this is?

It wasn't just any badge—it was the Nexus Academy Entrance Badge. The same one he'd written into his novel. The same one that was given only to those who qualified to enter the most overpowered institution in the entire Nexus Verse.

And now, it was attached to him.

His mind raced. This doesn't make sense. I never applied for any damn entrance exam. He was the author of this world, not one of its characters. And yet, the badge was there, glowing with an ethereal light, as real as the air he breathed.

Before he could even start cursing the absurdity of the situation, something hit him—hard.

THUNK.

A sharp impact struck the back of his head, nearly knocking him off balance.

"Ow, what the—" Zar spun around, rubbing the sore spot as he glared into the empty void surrounding him.

Then it happened.

A voice—ancient, boundless, and resonating with unfathomable power—echoed in Zar's mind.

[At long last… Welcome, my sole and rightful wielder.]

For a moment, Zar stood frozen, his thoughts a chaotic mess. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a grin.

"Yes… finally! I have something to pass through this overpowered verse!"

His heart pounded in excitement. If he had something guiding him—something strong—then maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't end up as cannon fodder in his own absurdly broken world.

Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Are you my system?"

A moment of silence.

Then, the voice responded. Firm. Authoritative. Almost… irritated.

[Yes?]

Zar blinked. He hadn't expected it to sound so… condescending. Like he was an idiot for even asking.

Clearing his throat, he hesitated before speaking again. "Uh… can you show me information about this world?"

The system complied instantly.

[System Interface Activated]

A golden screen materialized before Zar's eyes, filled with radiant, mystical text that exuded an undeniable, majestic aura.

---

[User Information]

Name: Zar

Title: None (Yet)

Bloodline: Bloodline of Zar (?) (Majestic and Undefined)

Physique: Physique of Zar (?) (Beyond Mortal Comprehension)

Current Number of Multiverses: 9009

System Authority: Restricted (Unlock through progression)

Unique Abilities: ??? (Sealed)

Innate Talent: ??? (To be determined through awakening process)

---

"...What."

Zar's mouth went dry. His eyes locked onto the last line as his brain short-circuited.

9009 multiverses.

9009 multiverses.

His fingers twitched as he tried to process what he was seeing.

"Hey, System, are you sure you didn't make a typo? I only thought of 666 multiverses in my story. Where the f*ck did the rest come from?!"

The system remained unfazed.

[This knowledge is not yet available to you. If you wish to understand the true nature of the Nexus Verse, you may find answers within the Nexus Academy.]

Zar groaned, gripping his head. "I am so screwed."

More multiverses meant more danger. More absurdly powerful beings. And—most importantly—

A far more impossible entrance exam.

Taking a shaky breath, he scrolled through the system's information again, this time clicking on the (?) next to his Bloodline and Physique.

[Bloodline of Zar (?) → Information Restricted]

[Physique of Zar (?) → Information Restricted]

"Of course it's restricted. Why wouldn't it be?" Zar muttered sarcastically.

Frustrated, he turned back to the system. "Alright, fine. Why do I even have to take this damn exam in the first place?"

The system's voice rumbled through his soul.

[Where else would you go?]

Zar froze.

The realization hit him like a crashing star.

This wasn't just some dream. This wasn't a game.

He was here. In the Nexus Verse. And if he didn't get strong fast—

He was fucked.

Taking a shaky breath, he asked, "When is the exam?"

[The entrance exam is in two months.]

Zar clenched his fists. Two months.

Two months to prepare. Two months to figure out what the hell was going on. Two months to make sure he wasn't erased from existence by the first overpowered monster he encountered.

"Alright then," he muttered, staring at the sky above the Nexus Academy.

"Let's do this."

...

...

Silence.

Zar frowned. "...Hello?"

The system stayed quiet.

His eye twitched. "Why the fuck aren't you giving me any sort of mission for growing stronger?"

A heavy sigh echoed in his mind.

[Why the f*ck did you think you were chosen as an entrance exam candidate?]

Zar flinched. "Huh?"

[Just go to a mirror to see how you look—or should I just give it to you? And while we're at it, why the hell didn't you check more system features? Do you even know how powerful you are right now?]

Zar hesitated, feeling uneasy. "...A mirror?"

Before he could react, a glowing mirror appeared in front of him.

Zar took one glance at his reflection and froze.

His height—6'2.

His body—lean yet perfectly sculpted like some divine celestial warlord.

But that wasn't what shocked him.

His face—

He was fucking handsome.

Too handsome.

So ridiculously godly, that if he were on Earth, modeling agencies would probably get into a civil war just to hire him.

Zar gawked, touching his face, his arms, running his fingers through his hair. "Holy sh*t… I'm f*cking gorgeous!"

Without thinking, he happily jumped, completely forgetting the insane situation he was in.

[...Sigh.]

The system's exasperated voice snapped him back.

Clearing his throat, Zar quickly navigated through the system and clicked on the [More Options] tab.

A new interface appeared.

---

[Additional User Information]

Realm: Multiverse God (Minor) [Sealed]

Authority Level: Restricted (More Authority will be unlocked upon progression)

Current Control Over Energy: Nonexistent

---

Zar's face darkened. "Hey, System... why the hell is my realm sealed?"

[Are you an idiot?]

Zar gritted his teeth. "...Excuse me?"

[Come on, it's obvious. You can't control your power. Imagine holding a stone… and crushing it instantly.]

Zar narrowed his eyes. "...So I'd basically shatter everything I touch?"

[Yes. Congratulations, you understood basic logic.]

Zar clenched his fists. "Wait a second..."

His eyes darted back to the interface, and something caught his attention.

"...Why is 'Realm' under More Options?"

Silence.

Then—

[Oh. You finally noticed.]

Zar's pupils shrank. "...You pranked me?!"

[Did I? Huh, weird.]

"...System."

[Yes?]

"You're a fucking troll."

[And you're just now figuring that out? Wow, truly, your intelligence is immeasurable.]

Zar exhaled sharply, suppressing the urge to punch something. But just as he was about to move on, another detail nagged at him.

He pointed at the screen. "...Why does it say 'Current Number of Multiverses'? Are there going to be more?"

A beat of silence.

Then—

[Oh, that? The answer is yes. And don't ask too much, as you see here—yes, right here—you don't have much authority for this. Okay?]

Zar's jaw clenched.

Not because he had low authority—

But because of how the system said it.

"...I'm going to lose my mind."

[You already have, my dear Smart A**.]

Zar groaned.

He was so doomed.

---

Welcome to my very first novel! I'm thrilled to share this story with you, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Since this is my first attempt at writing a novel, you might find some mistakes in my grammar or phrasing. I apologize for any errors and appreciate your patience and understanding as I improve.

I'm excited to announce that there will be many more chapters to come, so stay tuned! Your feedback and support mean a lot to me, and I'll do my best to incorporate your suggestions in future chapters. Thank you for joining me on this journey!