wish part 1
"So this is Lazarus… He really does seem like an incredible person. But now that I think about it, not sharing his power with others doesn't exactly seem fair."
Odd wondered as he absentmindedly tossed the Synchro Network Star up and down in his hand. He wasn't the only one who thought so—there were people who found some of Lazarus's decisions a little strange.
As he pondered, the star slipped from his grip and fell onto the cabinet beside his bed.
"That went too far."
Odd got up from his circular bed and tried reaching for the star, but the cabinet was too tall for him. He could barely reach it. He tried jumping a few times, but his vertical leap wasn't exactly impressive.
He sighed slowly.
As he struggled with his fruitless attempts, his mind wandered to the events of the last few days.
He never wanted any of this—to live in a world where danger lurked everywhere. And now, after learning about the Nine Emperors, he realized that this world was even more dangerous than he had initially thought. He still didn't fully understand everything yet.
If cowardice was left and bravery was right, Odd leaned more to the left. He wasn't completely spineless, but he wasn't exactly fearless either. Odd didn't like that about himself, but what could he do?
Anyone in his situation would be scared.
He tried to shake off his deep thoughts about the uncertain future and went back to trying to grab the star.
"If only I were just a little taller..."
It was a small fleeting wish, born out of a moment of frustration—a tiny desire from a desperate boy.
And then, suddenly...
Without warning...
He caught the star.
"Wait... what?"
Odd froze, staring at the star in his hand, which he had just effortlessly grabbed from the top of the cabinet.
That wasn't all.
When he looked at the cabinet, he noticed something else.
He was now almost the same height as it.
"What the... Agh!"
A sharp headache struck him out of nowhere. His vision blurred as his consciousness started to fade.
Odd sat on the bed, trying to steady himself.
"I... can't see... What's... happening to me...?"
His body went limp, and he blacked out.
Luckily, he was already sitting on the bed, so his head rested against the wall as he lost consciousness.
---
Year 2,3022 – March, 07:00 AM
"Odd, Odd… Wake up, Odd."
A familiar voice called out to him.
Slowly, Odd opened his eyes, blinking in confusion as he saw his aunt standing over him.
Aunt Tia sighed in relief.
"Finally, you're awake. You really sleep like a rock. I found you leaning against the wall last night, so I fixed your sleeping position. You should sleep properly, or else you'll wake up in a bad mood."
"Huh? Ah… Yeah, I'll be careful," Odd muttered, still trying to piece together everything that had happened the night before.
"Now get up, you're going to be late for school."
"…Alright…"
Aunt Tia left the room.
Odd realized he was covered in a blue blanket, which his aunt must have placed over him last night. He felt a little embarrassed, like a small child being tucked in. But he quickly brushed it off and got out of bed.
He checked his body.
Walking over to one of the walls in his room, he looked at the height measurements he had been keeping since he was a child.
He grabbed a colored marker and measured himself.
And then—
"180 centimeters?!"
It was impossible for him to have grown 3 centimeters overnight—unless…
There was only one explanation.
The realization shocked him even more.
"My wish… actually came true."
"Odd, are you getting up or not?" Aunt Tia's voice rang from the kitchen.
"Alright, alright!"
Odd rushed out of his room and went straight to the shower. As the water droplets fell on him, he looked down, lost in deep thought.
"Could it be... that I gained some kind of power when I was transported to this world? If that's true, then this is straight-up cheating. But why did I lose consciousness? Does it have something to do with activating the wish ability?"
He turned off the water and headed to the kitchen.
---
"Ah, there you are. I made breakfast—hurry up and eat. I even made your favorite cinnamon pancakes."
Aunt Tia glanced at him strangely.
"Hmm… Odd, did you get taller?"
"She noticed... Well, I guess it's only natural. Someone who lives with me every day is bound to pick up on small details like that."
"Yeah, you could say it was a sudden growth spurt."
Odd sat down and started eating the pancakes.
"Mmm, these are amazing. You're really good at making cinnamon pancakes."
He quickly tried to change the subject.
"I know, you always tell me that," Aunt Tia said proudly. "If you study hard, I'll make them for you every day."
"Alright, Auntie," Odd replied with a smile.
---
March 2, 3022 – 8:40 AM
Silo Academy – Third-Year Students, Class B-3
Hundreds of students sat in a high-tech learning environment. The lecture hall had a tiered seating design, ensuring a clear view for everyone.
At the front of the hall, a massive smart board spanned the wall. It had the same features as the Synchro Network, allowing it to display presentations, videos, and interactive digital writing.
The lighting was precisely distributed, powered by Claudio Energy, creating an advanced educational atmosphere—a place to train future Synchro Soldiers who would one day protect humanity.
---
"...Alright, now that we've gone over the fundamental rules of this theory, it's time to review them clearly."
At the front of the class stood a man with a strong, muscular build and smooth, dark blue hair. He wore a formal suit, and his piercing gaze radiated unwavering determination.
John Carter.
He was the homeroom teacher of Class B-3 and a high-ranking Synchro Soldier—one of the strongest in Silo Academy.
The students sat attentively, absorbing his every word with focus and discipline.
…Well, except for one person.
---
"Odd. Odd! Wake up, man!"
David, the student sitting next to Odd, whispered frantically, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Odd was fast asleep, his face buried in his arms on the desk. He looked like a baby taking a nap.
John Carter, with his razor-sharp instincts, immediately noticed the sleeping student in the back row. His eyes darkened.
And then, in a voice that shook the entire lecture hall—
"YOU! STUDENT!"
The entire class shuddered at his booming voice, and the first to flinch was Odd himself.
His body jerked awake, and he felt his soul nearly leave his body.
"Crap… I actually dozed off. I must still be exhausted from yesterday."
He slowly lifted his head, only to meet John Carter's terrifying glare.
"I'm dead."
---
"What's your name?"
"H-Huh? O-Odd! Odd Verity, sir!"
Odd answered quickly, his voice unnaturally respectful.
"Odd Verity… It seems my class is boring to you. If this material is so easy, why don't you enlighten the rest of the students on the 'Path of Destruction' theory I was about to summarize?"
John Carter's voice was sharp as steel.
"Wha—No, that's not—!"
Odd froze.
He had just landed himself in deep trouble.