It was early morning.
Johan was practically buried in the worn-out armchair in the corner of his room, holding the light novel so close to his face it was almost touching his nose.
He was completely lost in the pages.
“Classroom of the Elite…” he muttered to himself.
“How can this Ayanokoji guy be so emotionless, so cold?
It’s honestly unreal.” Excitedly, he flipped another page.
His eyes sparkled as they scanned the lines at breakneck speed.
“Actually, Horikita isn’t bad either.
She looks like an iceberg on the outside, but deep down…” He paused.
Swallowing hard, he shook his head.
“No, no.
Focus, Johan.
It’s just a novel.
None of these characters are real.” Still, he couldn’t stop the goofy grin spreading across his face.
He slowly closed the book, left it on the desk, and stood up.
He had been cooped up in his room for too long; it was time to head out and get some fresh air.
The moment he stepped outside, the morning sun blinded him.
Shielding his eyes with his hand, Johan started walking.
His mind was still wrapped around the pages he had just read.
*Man, that was such an intense chapter,* he thought.
*Ayanokoji’s last move, that genius plan he cooked up—* His train of thought shattered.
The words caught in his throat.
The moment he looked up, time seemed to slow down.
Right in front of him, as if tearing through the space-time continuum, a massive blue truck materialized.
The most absurd part?
The driver behind the wheel was fast asleep with his mouth wide open.
Johan’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, his jaw dropping.
“…Truck-kun?
Are you freaking kidding me?” *BOOM.* A sudden, absolute, and white silence.
Johan blinked his eyes open.
He felt no pain, nor any heaviness in his body.
He looked around; everything was a flawless, stark whiteness.
There was no ground to step on, no ceiling to look up at.
Just an endless, infinite void.
“Am I dead?” he asked the empty space.
His voice echoed through the white void but quickly faded into nothingness.
“You are,” a deep, resonant voice answered from behind.
Johan whipped around.
Standing before him was a colossal figure whose mere presence filled the entire void.
The being was incredibly tall, with hair of pure white and eyes that glowed a mystical purple.
He wore a robe that seemed woven out of pure light rather than fabric, constantly shifting its form.
Gulping, Johan asked, “Are you…
God?” “Yes,” the figure replied, keeping his serene composure.
“And you just passed away after being run over by a truck driven by a reckless driver.” Johan lowered his head.
He spent a few seconds processing the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Then, the realization hit him like a lightning bolt.
He snapped his head up.
“So…” he said, his voice trembling with excitement.
“This is an Isekai?!” God raised a single eyebrow.
“Technically, yes.
You could say that.” Fireworks practically exploded in Johan’s eyes.
“Hell yeah!” he roared, pumping his fist into the air.
His voice echoed through the white room.
“A new world!
All those anime girls, my waifus, just waiting for me!
Finally, my time has come!” God said nothing.
He just watched Johan’s outburst with a completely expressionless face.
Johan started jumping in place.
“Okay, okay, I need to calm down.
Where am I going?
What’s going to happen?
Am I being sent to some fantasy world?
Do I get cheat powers?
Is there magic?
Giant swords?
Dragons?” “Stop,” God said, his authoritative voice instantly freezing Johan in his tracks.
“Quit shouting.
It is highly irritating.” “My bad,” Johan said immediately, looking embarrassed.
But unable to control his curiosity, he quickly added, “But please tell me, which world am I going to?” God took a slow step forward and folded his hands in front of him.
“Do you remember the book you were holding just moments ago?” he asked.
Johan froze for a second.
His brain worked rapidly.
“Classroom of the Elite?” “Yes,” God said.
“You will be sent to that world.
You will be reborn there.
New body, new life.
However, all memories of your past life will be fully preserved.” Johan’s mouth fell open in shock.
Then it slowly closed.
Then, as the full weight of what he just heard registered, it flew open again.
“So…” he said, his voice shaking.
“Horikita is going to be real?” “Yes.” “What about Ichinose?” “Yes.” “What about…
Kushida?” God paused for a moment, then let out a sigh.
“Her too…
unfortunately, yes.” Johan’s knees went weak.
“What about Kei?
Karuizawa Kei?” “Johan—” “And Shiro?” God paused, appearing to scan the records in his mind.
“Who?” “Ayanokoji’s old friend from the White Room!” “Right, right, I remember,” God interrupted.
“Yes, she exists in that world too.” Johan couldn’t hold it in anymore; he dropped to his knees.
His eyes welled up, and he looked like he was about to cry tears of pure joy.
“What more could a man ever ask for?
This has to be a dream…” God groaned, rubbing his temples.
“Stand up.
I haven’t explained everything yet.” Johan quickly wiped his eyes, brushed himself off as if fixing his clothes, and stood up.
“I’m listening, Almighty Being.
What’s next?” “Before you begin your new life, I am granting you three wishes,” God said.
Johan frowned in confusion.
“Three?
Why three?” “Because that is the traditional rule,” God said flatly.
“And ultimately, I am God; I make the rules.
Don’t ask too many questions.” “Fair enough,” Johan said.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to focus.
“Three wishes…” “Yes.” “Can I wish for absolutely anything?
No limits?” God’s purple eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze turning serious.
“Of course there are limits.
As long as your requests are not excessive, I can grant them.
However, if you ask for something utterly ridiculous that breaks the balance of the universe, I will straight up say ‘no.’ And when I say no, the discussion is completely closed.” “Understood, makes sense,” Johan said.
He paused.
Placing a finger on his chin, he narrowed his eyes and began to think.
Schemes and strategies were flying through his mind.
After all, an opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime.
“Are you ready?” Johan finally asked, a mischievous smirk creeping onto his face.
“I am,” God said, a hint of exhaustion already creeping into his voice.
Johan took a deep breath.
His smirk slowly widened, growing into a massive, borderline sinister grin that stretched from ear to ear.
Seeing the expression on Johan’s face, God instinctively recoiled a bit.
Drawing from his eons of experience, he knew that when mortals grinned like that, it usually didn’t bode well.
“For my first wish,” Johan said, making no effort to hide the excitement in his tone, “I want to make some…
minor structural changes to the COTE world.” God raised an eyebrow.
“What kind of changes?” Johan’s grin was completely off the charts now.
“I want Shiro to be a girl in the new world,” he said clearly.
Silence.
A deep, uncomfortable silence filled the air.
God stared at Johan without even blinking.
“And…” Johan continued, riding the momentum.
“I want Kiyotaka Ayanokoji to be a girl too!” The silence in the white void grew even heavier.
God’s eyebrow shot up so high it almost reached his hairline.
“And finally, within this same wish…” Johan was practically vibrating with excitement.
“I want both Yuki and Shiro’s capabilities boosted to the point where they can endure the hellish training of the White Room to the very end.
Physically, mentally, in every single aspect—let them compete on even ground with Ayanokoji.” By the time he finished speaking, Johan was out of breath.
He waited for God’s reaction with massive anticipation.
But God said nothing.
He just kept staring at Johan.
He stared for a long, long time…
It was a very bizarre look.
Johan had been subjected to many looks throughout his life: his mother’s affectionate gazes, his teachers’ tired and fed-up looks when he didn’t do his homework, his friends’ mocking expressions…
But the look from the entity before him was like nothing else.
It was as if God was peering into the depths of Johan’s soul, trying to comprehend exactly what kind of mental damage existed in his psychological makeup.
And the more he understood, the weirder and more uncomfortable his expression became.
“Why…
why are you looking at me like that?” Johan asked, unnerved by the tense atmosphere.
God slowly let out a deep sigh, as if expelling all the air from his lungs.
“Johan,” he said.
“Yes?” “Ayanokoji is already a monster in his own right, a genius male protagonist carrying the entire story.” “I know.” “And you want me to alter the entire course of the story just to turn him into a girl.” “Yes.” “And Shiro too.” “Absolutely, yes.” God bowed his head and rubbed his temples hard with both hands.
“And you want me to elevate all these girls to the peak level of the White Room.” “Yuki and Shiro,” Johan politely corrected.
“Ayanokoji is already way above that level.
I just don’t want the other two to get disqualified.
I want a peak-level rivalry among the girls.” God raised his head again.
That unidentifiable, bizarre look was still fixed on Johan.
Johan finally figured out what that look meant.
> God was looking at him the exact way one would look at a pervert or a psycho who suddenly started tearing his clothes off and acting crazy in the middle of the street.
“I…” Johan immediately raised his hands defensively.
“I’m just trying to make the plot progression more interesting—” “No,” God said, raising a hand to cut him off.
“Do not explain yourself.” “But—” “I said don’t,” God repeated.
His voice was calm, yet absolute.
“Because the more you explain, the worse and weirder this situation is going to get in my eyes.” Defeated, Johan shut his mouth.
God spent a good while longer analyzing this extraordinary mortal.
Then, dropping his shoulders, he gave one of the most reluctant approvals he had ever granted in his divine existence.
“Granted,” he said.
Johan jumped up in joy.
“Really?!
You approved it?!” “I did,” God said, a hint of immediate regret lacing his voice.
“According to my rules, this request doesn’t qualify as an ‘excessive’ power or a demand that would destroy the universe.
It is just…
an incredibly bizarre and fetishistic request.
But technically, it stays within the realm of logic.” Curious, Johan asked, “What would count as excessive then?” “If it were excessive, you would be asking to rewind time completely, kill everyone in that world with a single word, or make yourself the absolute ruler of the universe.
I would have rejected those instantly,” God said.
“You, on the other hand, are just…
switching the characters’ genders and giving them potential.
The story will still flow within its own boundaries somehow.
But still…” He paused.
“But still?” Johan prompted.
“But still, I am going to keep looking at you like you’re one of the weirdest lunatics I’ve ever encountered in my entire existence.” Johan didn’t care in the slightest; he shrugged cheerfully.
“No problem at all, I’m used to it.” God shook his head text-book style.
“You still have two more wishes left.
I hope they won’t be quite as…
exhausting.” That massive, plotting grin returned to Johan’s face.
The new world was already shaping up exactly according to his desires.
God watched the dangerous shift in Johan’s expression.
A gut feeling told him that the second wish was going to be far more draining than the first.
“Yes,” God said, his voice weary.
“State your second wish.” Johan took a step forward.
He narrowed his eyes.
His grin widened even further.
“My second wish…” Johan said.
He paused, waiting for the tension in the atmosphere to build.
“And?” God said.
“Get to the point.” “I want to be born in the White Room.” God frowned.
“In that living hell?” “Yes,” Johan said.
“Right there.
In the same generation as Ayanokoji and the others.” “That doesn’t really count as a wish,” God said.
“I already told you I am sending you to that world.
I can easily place you there.
That’s a simple matter.” “Hold on, I’m not finished yet,” Johan said, raising a finger.
“I’m listening.” “I don’t want to go there as an ordinary person.” “What do you want?” “Adaptability,” Johan said, his voice brimming with ambition.
“Ayanokoji’s level of adaptability…
I want to be born with his absolute maximum ceiling limit.” God fell silent for a moment.
Even though there was no wind in the white void, his robe fluttered gently.
His purple eyes glowed as if he were running calculations in mid-air.
“The absolute maximum ceiling limit?” God asked.
“Exactly.” “Look, Johan,” God said, his tone turning grave.
“I can grant you the absolute limit that the universe can handle.
The upper bound for Ayanokoji’s adaptability can be, at most, two and a half times his original capacity.” Johan’s eyes widened like saucers.
“Two and a half times?” “Yes,” God said.
“That is the maximum threshold that world can sustain.
Two and a half times is the absolute ceiling.” “Deal!” Johan shouted.
“That’s perfect!
A two-and-a-half times adaptation speed…” “Which means you won’t just be equal to his genius, his learning speed, and his capacity to adapt,” God noted.
“You will be born with the potential to very clearly surpass him, pushing and shattering his limits.” “Precisely,” Johan said, his eyes glittering.
“While those girls are suffering in the White Room, I need to be right there.
I have to take the same training.
I need to watch them.” God took a deep breath.
He looked at Johan.
*That* look returned.
“You…” God said.
“Me?” “You really are beyond saving.” “Why though?” Johan asked defensively.
“Doesn’t it make sense?” “No,” God said.
“Ayanokoji’s level is not something a normal human mind can handle.
He is a laboratory product.
A genius.” “And I want to be at the ceiling limit of two and a half times that genius.” “You could go insane during that training,” God warned.
“I said your memories will remain.
You will endure those tortures with an adult mind trapped in a child’s body.” “I’ll endure it,” Johan said.
“In the end, I’ll get to go to the same high school as those girls.
It’s totally worth it.” God shook his head sideways.
“For the sake of girls…
you are willingly walking into the hell of the White Room.” “My motivation is high,” Johan said with a smirk.
“That is not motivation,” God countered.
“That is downright insanity.” “Do you accept it though?” God contemplated.
He swept his fingers through the air.
Golden lines materialized in the white void.
Codes, data, and threads of fate drifted through the space.
“You are pushing the limits,” God said.
“But since you want the absolute ceiling of that universe—the two and a half times factor…
so be it.
Professor Ayanokoji is going to obsess over you.” Johan’s eyes widened even further.
“Wait a minute.
Did Professor Ayanokoji become a woman too?!” God paused.
“Didn’t you ask me to make Ayanokoji a girl in your first wish?” “I wanted Kiyotaka!” Johan exclaimed.
“Not his old man!” “Due to bloodlines and genetic rules, the system automatically affected the parents,” God explained flatly.
“There is now a ‘Mother Ayanokoji.’ A strict, ruthless, and genius female leader.” Johan stood frozen in shock.
“Wow…” he breathed.
“This…
this actually turned out even better.” God facepalmed.
*Smack.* The sound resonated through the void.
“You are truly repulsive,” God muttered.
“Hey!
I’m just thinking about the plot dynamics!” “Sure, let’s go with that,” God said sarcastically.
“Anyway.
I approve your second wish as well.” “Awesome!” “I grant you that absolute limit: two and a half times Ayanokoji’s adaptability.
You will learn everything in that room far quicker than him.
Your body and mind will adapt to that training like a monster.” “Hell yeah!” Johan pumped his fist.
Another silence fell over the white void.
Only one final step remained.
“Yes,” God said, intertwining his hands back inside his sleeves.
“We have arrived at the final wish.
I hope you won’t ask for something that throws the entire world off its axis this time.” Johan smirked.
“We’ve already created a world where I am the epicenter.
My final wish is much more…
personal.” “Let’s hear it,” God said, sounding exhausted.
“What is it?” “I want a system,” Johan said.
God’s eyebrows knitted instantly.
“A system?” “Yes.” “What kind of system?” “A small one,” Johan said.
“A very basic system.” “Elaborate,” God demanded.
“I’m highly suspicious.” “Just a single feature,” Johan said, his face suddenly flushing red.
He clapped his hands together.
“Uh…
the girls’…” God raised an eyebrow.
“The girls’ what?” “T-The girls’ affection levels toward me…” Johan stammered, his voice dropping.
He continued nervously, “I-I mean, I want a system that displays their affection level in numbers!
Points!” God froze.
“Only the girls’?” “Yes!” Johan snapped back loudly, his face burning like a tomato.
“What would I do with guy’s affection points?!
I just want it to see how much the girls like me!
It doesn’t need to have any other abilities!” God took a deep breath and shook his head.
That familiar look settled onto his face once more.
“You really are a pervert,” God said flatly.
“Hey!” Johan barked back, his face still crimson.
“It’s just a safety measure!
That world is dangerous!” “Save it,” God said.
“Your intentions are crystal clear.” Johan averted his gaze.
“B-But at least I was honest about it.” A faint smile finally broke across God’s lips.
“True.
At least you are honest.” “So?” Johan asked hopefully.
“But I like you,” God said.
“You’re straightforward.
You don’t hide behind lies like ‘I’m going to save the world’ like the others.
You know what you want.” “So it’s a yes?” “Granted,” God said.
“A minor interface that only displays the girls’ affection points.
This won’t disrupt the balance of the universe.” “Fantastic!” Johan let out a sigh of relief.
“But those points can change,” God noted.
“They will drop or rise depending on your actions.” “That’s exactly what makes it fun,” Johan replied.
“All three of your wishes are complete,” God declared.
The white void began to vibrate gently.
Beams of light started rising from the ground.
“Is it time?” Johan asked.
“It is,” God said.
“Your new life begins now.” “The White Room…” Johan murmured.
“Remember,” God added.
“You have two and a half times the adaptability.
But pain is still pain.” “I’m ready.” “And those girls…” God said.
“They are waiting for you.” The light began to envelop Johan’s feet.
His body was slowly turning luminous.
“Wait!” Johan yelled suddenly.
“Hold on!” God frowned.
“What is it now?” “One last thing,” Johan said.
“A tiny request.” “No,” God said firmly.
“Your wishes are spent.
Absolutely not.” “Please,” Johan begged, clasping his hands together.
“It’s honestly a very minor request.” “Rules are rules,” God insisted.
“I said three wishes.” “But this doesn’t even count as a wish,” Johan argued.
“It’s not that big of a deal.” “Johan,” God warned, his voice deep with irritation.
“Time is running out.” “Just a minor tweak,” Johan pleaded.
“Please.” God let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping.
“Faced with utter exhaustion,” God sighed, “what do you want this time?” Johan grinned, his eyes gleaming.
“My appearance,” Johan said.
“My look in the new world.” “And?” God asked.
“What about your appearance?” “I want to look like James Lee,” Johan said.
God paused.
“James Lee?” “Yeah,” Johan said.
“James Lee from *Lookism*.” God said nothing.
He just gave him that look yet again.
He examined him for a prolonged moment.
It was that exact same *’you are a perverted creep and a lunatic’* kind of look.
Johan shrugged.
“What?
Is it a crime to want to be handsome?” God sighed, shaking his head.
“I am saying absolutely nothing,” God muttered.
“Granted.” “Seriously?” Johan smiled brightly with joy.
“Yes,” God said.
“Only because you are so unapologetically true to yourself.” “Thank you, God!” Johan cheered.
“Anyone else would have asked for justice,” God mused.
“You, on the other hand, just want girls, power, and good looks.
You are an entertaining one.” “I am just an honest man,” Johan stated.
“Just go already,” God said.
With a casual flick of his wrist, God made a simple gesture.
Whoosh.
The light exploded instantaneously, swallowing Johan’s entire body.
“See ya!” Johan shouted, his voice echoing out.
God turned his back.
“I hope we never meet again.” Everything turned blindingly white, followed by an absolute, pitch-black darkness.
Johan was no longer floating in an empty void.
He was in a tightly confined space.
He couldn’t breathe.
Suddenly, he forced his eyes open.
A massive wailing noise filled his ears—a loud crying sound.
It was his own voice.
Did I just become a baby?
Johan thought.
He tried to look around, but his vision was completely blurry.
He could only make out figu res dressed in white lab coats.