Being a genius is both a blessing and a curse.

To stand above the masses, to comprehend what others could not, to wield knowledge as a sword and shield—such was the fate of those gifted with brilliance.

Yet, intelligence often led to isolation.

Self-proclaimed geniuses lived in their own world, detached from the mediocrity of common thought. Others see confidence as arrogance and insight as condescension. It was a burden, but one they bore with pride.

Arisugawa Hikari, a high school girl from Japan, knew this well. At the age of sixteen, she had already established herself as a prodigy in multiple fields—mathematics, science, philosophy, and even computer technology. 

From basic calculus to quantum mechanics, from classical literature to modern programming languages, there is no subject was beyond her reach.

As a student at one of Japan's top academies, she never compromised for anything less than absolute excellence. Her achievements are plenty, yet they mattered little to those too naive to comprehend her vision.

And so, she wandered these sacred halls alone—aloof, untouchable, and unbothered.

----------------------------------------------

That is, until they came.

"Hey dweeb, where are you heading at?"

A group of self-important brats strutted down the hallway as if they owned the place, their designer uniforms barely disguising their sheer arrogance. They were the kind of people who believed money and status put them above the rest, mistaking privilege for actual worth.

"Somewhere that doesn't concern you entitled bunch," Hikari retorted dismissively.

One of the bullies sneered, her arms crossed with mock superiority. "Listen to her. Acting all high and mighty just because she's a so-called genius."

"Right? another one huffed, placing a hand on her hip. "What's the point of being so smart if all you do is read stupid books and solve ridiculous equations."

The third bully twirled a perfectly styled lock of hair, smirking. "That's why no one likes you. No charm, no fun, no future. Just a walking piece of meaningless trash."

Hikari glanced at the three brats and exhaled with the fatigue of someone forced to entertain fools. "And yet, here you all are, talking to me. If I didn't know any better, I'd guess you have a fetish for garbage cans."

Her response caused their collective smirks to falter. 

"If you three had the cognitive capacity to match your egos, you'd realize that the things I do weren't mere pastimes, but ways to sharpen one's mind," she continued, her voice as smooth as a scalpel cutting through vanity.

The bullies looked at each other in doubt, and one snorted defiantly. "So what? Do you think you're better than us?"

"Naturally," Hikari declared with absolute confidence. "Because unlike you three, I don't need to cheat to pass every exam."

The air became tense. The truth was undeniable. None of them could retort, but their glares sharpened in irritation.

"Must be tough," Hikari continued with a smirk, "knowing that no matter how much cash your parents throw around, you'll always be second-rate."

Hearing her taunt, one of them stepped forward. "Why you!"

"Careful now, I'm good friends with the principal's son," Hikari declared. "So, If you lay a hand on me, I'll have you suspended before you can whine to Daddy."

"..."

They became silent, dumbfounded by her threat.

Then, their leader clenched their fists, their face red with humiliation. "Tch, whatever, you're not worth our time."

With that, the bullies turned and walked away, but not before throwing one last glare. Hikari paid it no mind, heading in the opposite direction with her usual stride.

"What a bunch of weak-minded fools," she remarked while walking towards the staircase.

But then—

"Report this, dweeb!"

A sudden shove hit her from behind, catching her off guard.

"Waah?!"

The world spun around as she fell down the stairs, her limbs flailing, gravity unrelenting. Pain erupted in her body as several bones cracked, her vision blurring from the impact. She came to a halt at the bottom—broken and breathless, the air left her lungs in a strangled gasp.

"Hahahaha!"

At the top of the staircase, laughter erupted—sharp and mocking.

"Haha! Not so high and mighty now, huh?"

"Oh my god, you actually did it! Hahaha!"

"Crap, what if someone finds her?"

"Let's hide her before anyone sees us!"

As the three bullies approached Hikari's mangled lifeless body, darkness crept at the edge of her fading vision.

----------------------------------------------------

[Hikari POV]

It hurts. Everything hurts.

Pain spread through my entire body as those fools dragged me across the floor. Heat seared my wounds as the polished ground scraped my skin.

[Confirmed. Heat resistance and pain nullification acquisition successful.]

The heat and pain subsided, replaced by a chilling numbness. So much so that I couldn't feel my limbs anymore.

[Confirmed. Cold resistance acquisition successful.]

My senses numbed even further, the world around me clouding into a distant haze. Yet, amid the creeping darkness, I heard it—a voice, mechanical and devoid of emotion.

[Acquisition of heat resistance and cold resistance results in a new skill, thermal resistance.]

There it goes again. That voice sounded so familiar, but it wasn't one of those weak-minded fools. Who was it again? My thoughts felt sluggish. I needed to think—

[Confirmed. Thought Acceleration acquisition successful.]

Woah, my mind felt better all of a sudden. And not only that, the realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.

I remember now.

It was the "Voice of the World" from Tensura, an anime my siblings used to watch.

And if I wasn't mistaken, it was the same voice that granted the main character their wishes before reincarnation.

Wait, does that mean I'm dying?

Damn it!

All the achievements I've earned, the knowledge I've learned, and the experience I've gained have all gone to waste, meaning I have to start over from scratch again.

No. It's alright. If I must begin anew, I'll do it properly.

This time, I will achieve everything with ease.

[Confirm. Unique Skill Achiever acquisition successful.]

Fascinating. This, I can work with.

Since I will be reincarnated in another world, it is bound to have many mysteries and puzzles to be solved. To handle challenges like these effortlessly, I would require a highly intellectual mind befitting of a genius.

[Confirm. Unique Skill High Intelligence acquisition successful.]

Excellent. There's more where that came from.

This whole predicament was due to the unexpected actions of those fools. If only I had been able to anticipate their cowardly treachery, I could have avoided this outcome entirely.

In my next life, I will not be caught off guard again.

[Confirm. Extra Skill Precognition acquisition successful.]

Stupendous. I need to wish more—

"Blech!"

Blood flowed from my lips, the metallic taste coating my tongue. Darkness gradually engulfed my consciousness, slowly shutting down my vision.

No—my time was already running out.

Yet, I still had so many things left to wish for.

For my final effort, I must make one last request—an act of defiance against this cruel fate.

I refuse to be surrounded by fools in my next life. Let me be reborn among those who would truly appreciate my intelligence and talents.

[Confirm. Establishing requested setting for reincarnation. Successful.]

The voice spoke its final decree, and with that, the world faded into darkness.

----------------------------------------------

It was silent once I was dragged into an endless sea of black abyss.

Not a single sound could be heard other than my thoughts.

But then, a shift. Warmth engulfed me, a strange, constricting feeling wrapping tightly around my entire being—as if the world itself was embracing me in an unrelenting hold.

Am I... inside a womb?

No matter. So long as this life is the one I wished for, I have no complaints.

A sudden force gripped me, a persistent pull dragging me downward through a tight, squishy tunnel. The passage narrowed, yet I could not resist the inevitable journey ahead.

Moments later, a cool sensation replaced the previous warmth. Soft light brushed against my face, and delicate fabric wrapped around my tiny frame.

Instinct demanded that I open my eyes—to see this new life I had been granted.

Before me, everything was blurry. Shapes and colors swirled together—indistinct and hazy.

As I glanced around, I caught sight of two towering figures standing before me, their obscure appearances piquing my interest.

Are they supposed to be my new parents?

As I pondered, one of them noticed my awakening and reached out, lifting my tiny body into the air.

"She has your eyes, honey."

A deep, steady voice—warm yet firm—remarked on my gaze. I guess this was my father.

"I know, dear. She's so beautiful."

A softer voice followed, breathless but filled with relief. Undoubtedly, this was my mother.

"I have completed my task of delivering your healthy baby. Congratulations, Milord."

Judging by their statement, I assumed it was the midwife.

As I identified these three individuals, I felt myself being cradled in different, gentler arms. A warmth, unlike anything I had experienced in a long time, enveloped me, bringing a peaceful and familiar comfort.

"What should we call her?" my mother asked, her voice a peaceful murmur.

"..."

There was a long thoughtful pause.

Eventually, my father spoke, his voice steady and certain.

"Herta."