The Butterfly Effect.
It was a fairly well-known concept in recent times, essentially a metaphor for how a small change in one state of a system could result in vastly large differences in a later state. A butterfly flapped its wings, and several weeks later, a tornado spawned on the other side of the planet.
Unbelievable as it might sound, I, Yukina Lancaster, experienced this phenomenon firsthand. Because I had carelessly accepted the mysterious words' challenge, I was abruptly reincarnated into this unfamiliar world. Worse, the whole continent was plunged into a global war right before I was reborn. Even worse, it appeared the heartless person who tossed me here didn't even give me a home for refuge.
If I, as a baby, hadn't been lucky enough to be picked up by a kind-hearted priest, I would have surely perished. Despite everything, however, I was alive and doing well. I had just celebrated my twentieth birthday in this body, about to move to the empire's flourishing capital city.
The Augustus Empire was the instigator in the war, yet also the ultimate winner. After all, she had achieved an unthinkable feat—uniting nearly every nation on this continent under her rule. Though she still had to maintain a fragile balance, it was undeniable that the Augustus Empire was on top.
So, naturally, its beautiful capital city, Pelagion, was also considered the best metropolis in the whole world. Settling there was anyone's dream... but not mine, clearly.
''Books, clothes, books, toiletries, books... am I forgetting something?'' I muttered, scanning inside the suitcase. ''Any idea, Eugene?''
''...Aren't there too many books? You trying to work out with those weights or something?'' A steady, somewhat lazy male voice came from the side.
''No amount of books is enough.'' I firmly replied.
My gaze gradually left the pile of stuff. I took a moment to admire the simple room—my room—that had been my abode for no less than fifteen years. A sense of emptiness swelled in me as I noticed how desolate the place had become without my personal belongings. Though since our church wasn't exactly well-off, this room would probably have a new owner soon. Hopefully, they would take care of it well.
''Ah.''
Suddenly remembering an important bit, I strode to the full-length mirror and examined my appearance—somewhat tall, slender, good proportions, quite beautiful. I would describe myself objectively in this way. Still, the most striking of my features was, undoubtedly, the near-bleach-white hair and a pair of jewel-like white eyes.
Zooming closer, they seemed exquisite, but from afar, not so much. I had been called 'eerie' many times in this world. Like a ghost or an ice spirit.
''Should I get it dyed, after all...?'' I pondered, twirling a lock of my hair.
It was a sensitive time. With these features, I was bound to stand out among the crowds. Who knows what kind of trouble would find its way to me then?
''Trust this old man for once, will you? I've been to the capital before. Chicks like you aren't that rare.''
''Really?'' I turned around at the 'experienced gentleman,' raising a brow. ''Given your track record...''
''A-Ahem!''
This middle-aged man who had been coughing awkwardly was Eugene Lancaster, the very priest who took care of and adopted me twenty years ago—my dad. He was a young, naive apprentice then, but through diligent work, he had become quite a big shot in our church. It was also thanks to him that I was able to secure a spot as a nun and have a stable life until now.
Eugene slowly calmed, yet his expression could only dim as time went on, ''Rather, do you really need to go? The capital is still dangerous...'' he said, fine wrinkles drawing on the tails of his eyes.
Looking at him worrying for me like that, I couldn't help but feel grateful.
Nonetheless, I shook my head at his persuasion, ''I have to, Eugene. I wouldn't want this either, but everything was out of my control.''
''...I suppose we cannot go against divine will. I just wish no bad omen would follow.'' The priest sighed.
Yes—the force that led me to the capital was probably real divine will. A voice sounding in my head, as if resonating with my whole soul? If it wasn't a hallucination, it could only be a divine being.
I explained it like that to Eugene, but as a reincarnator, I knew who was speaking to me the moment I heard the voice. I could feel the resemblance, the playful tone, the careless words—that it was of the same person who brought me into this world.
[If you want to survive, go to the academy and steal the protagonist's spot!]
I would be a real idiot if I didn't know what was going on. But that was basically it. Going anywhere in this boiling world of violent politics and wars was a terrible idea, though I had no choice.
The opponent was someone who could manipulate a puny life like mine at will. I didn't have the strength to retaliate.
The only semblance of reassurance I had was that the world was technically at peace. The war technically ended, so at the very surface level, it should be safe enough. At least, they wouldn't attack one another based on appearance or ranks alone, right...?
Perhaps seeing my insistence, Eugene smiled helplessly and patted my head, ''Be careful out there. Come back safely, okay?''
''Okay.'' I nodded.
''Now, go. Matt is waiting for you.''
''...Mhm.''
Holding an inexplicable feeling, I packed the suitcase tightly, put on my head veil, and left the church. Eugene followed me to the entrance, handed my heavy luggage to Matt, then stood still, perhaps wanting to see us off.
''...Let's go, Yuki.'' The blond man, who was at least a head taller than me, called, already several steps ahead.
''Coming.''
Waving to the kind priest and the church, both of whom had been my family for two decades, I turned around. Something tugged at my heart as I saw Eugene's melancholic look, but there was no time for longing.
I soon caught up to Matt, who deliberately waited for me.
Matt—Matthias Lancaster, my younger brother. Taller than most men, blond, blue-eyed, handsome, courteous—he was quite a lady killer in this rural town, although I was immune to his 'knighty' charms since I grew up with him, just as he was immune to mine.
With his looks, plus having trained in swordsmanship—and we were quite good at it, too—Matt naturally became a knight under our church. In any case, he was a year younger than me, also adopted by Eugene.
I always thought Matt was impressive. I didn't know much about swords, but the way he carried my suitcase in one hand while I struggled with my whole body... definitely a monster.
As I glanced at his modest luggage—compared to mine—and felt somewhat embarrassed, Matt suddenly stopped.
''Matt?'' I tilted my head.
The blonde turned around, his expression serious, ''Yuki.''
''What?''
''I want to eat sweet pretzels.''
''...Me, too.''
Thus, we turned our synchronized steps toward the bakery.
We were a pair of odd siblings.
After stuffing our luggage with several bags of local food, we obediently went to the train station. Upon encountering the only booking clerk in this town—an elderly gentleman with a friendly face, we were immediately recognized.
''Well, well, isn't this the Lancaster siblings. Leaving already?'' He asked with a smile.
''Ah... yes,'' I replied. ''I wonder why everyone we met today seemed to know about this.''
''It's hard not to notice.'' The man chuckled as he handed us our tickets. ''Our town is rather small. Rumors spread fast, you know?''
''I see.''
''Either way, be careful out there. Don't trust people easily, okay?''
After thanking the kind elder, we found a spot and sat down to wait. The train that connected this rural town of Avernalis to the capital only came twice a day, so we had some idle time.
It wasn't like the trains had a fixed schedule either. At least, not here. This wasn't Japan.
So, we had bread for lunch. Both Matt and I were quiet during meals, so there was a long silence between us. But he finished his first and uncharacteristically spoke, ''The locals... they seemed sad that we're going away.''
''...Mhm.'' I could only nod ambiguously, munching on the pretzel.
There was a period when only the slight breeze passing by us could be heard. I kept on eating, and Matt gazed at the tall, blue sky.
''I feel like we're about to enter something big, Yuki.'' Matt sighed. ''Something possibly beyond our grasp. I've never felt this sensation before.''
''...''
As a kind older sister, I was not one to call out on her younger brother's emo spurts. Still... how should I say this? I agreed with him. Our destination wasn't just a city, but potentially the story's stage.
If we were to apply the common web novel developments to our scenario—the academy, the young geniuses, the politics, the undercurrents, the world's hidden lore...
''Hah...''
I could already imagine the trouble.