It has been two weeks since the Divergence, the name they gave to the global event that marked the definitive break between the Old and New worlds. In Yggdrasil, people are gradually resuming their routines as if the only thing that had changed was where they live.
"Ivar!! Sigi!! You're going to be late!" shouted their father.
"Darling, your pancakes are delicious," said Jocelyne, the mother of Ivar and Sigi.
"I have no choice, I must spoil my wife since she's the only one with a stable job in this house," replied Jack.
"Hello Dad, hello Mom," said Ivar.
"Where is your brother?" asked Jocelyne.
"I'm here, Mom. Come on, Ivar, we don't have time for breakfast, we're going to be late," said Sigi.
"Relax bro, it's opening day and I don't want to participate in the speech of the person who will be president of the university," replied Ivar.
"That's no reason to be late, there are pancakes to take away and I've already called a taxi, so take them and get out of here," said their father.
In the taxi: "Bro, I know you're eager to see your girl but that's no reason to make me eat my breakfast in the taxi," said Ivar.
"I'm not impatient," replied Sigi.
"Ah yeah, no kidding, every time we went out and saw a couple or something you'd immediately say her name, man, her full name," Ivar said.
"Not even bro," replied Sigi.
"Oh, go ahead, Maria Lucinda Brooks, I love youuuuu"Hahaha," said Ivar, laughing.
"And then you'll say you're an adult," said Sigi.
"Yeah, and at the ripe old age of 18 hahaha," replied Ivar.
"Well, let's hope there will be some new babies," said Sigi.
"Hell, you're in a relationship, man! But you're right, I need a girlfriend," Ivar replied.
"I wasn't saying that for myself, but for you. The last time you were in a relationship was three years ago, bro. I feel sorry for you, man." said Sigi.
"I don't think I'll have time to get into a relationship, but if the opportunity arises, I'm not going to miss it," Ivar replied.
During those two weeks, Yggdrasil was recognized as a country in its own right, with its seven cities located in its trunk. There were now three universities, two high schools, a college, and a vast primary school situated in the seven largest branches of the tree. At the university, all students were required to live on campus. The university was autonomous and depended on the cities only for basic necessities. Both students and faculty resided at the university except for holidays, days off, and vacations.
"Bro, I imagine you know that we're going to the University of the Transcendent and that Lucy will be going to the University of Laws and Spirits," said Ivar.
"Yeah, so what?" replied Sigi.
"You created Yggdrasil and you don't even know that the universities are on different and very distant branches, especially the transcendental branch and the law school," Ivar said.
"First, for your information, when we restricted our abilities, I lost my connection with Yggdrasil, and second, we are no longer at Yggdrasil, so I can no longer pretend as if these bracelets work, and I can only use my powers and fly to her campus," replied Sigi.
"Ah yeah, you're forgetting that we're only allowed to leave campus if it's a holiday or during vacation, I think you've just entered into a long-distance relationship, my friend," said Ivar.
"Hell no, I can't be in a long-distance relationship," Sigi whispered.
"Then you can just break up , I never loved that girl anyway," Ivar suggested.
"Neither does she, but that's no reason to break up," replied Sigi.
"I know, you can see it in her eyes that she doesn't love me, but come on, can you imagine going out with a girl who will be miles away from you? I know you and you're not made for that, you're too suspicious," said Ivar.
"Yeah I know, wait I'll call her," said Sigi.
"What! We're literally on the train to university, dude, what are you doing here, it's too late." protested Ivar.
"Hey girl, how's it going?" Sigi said on the call.
"Shit," Ivar whispered, turning towards the window.
"Hey babe, I'm fine, and you?" replied Lucy.
"Not really, I just found out we won't be going to the same university and our relationship is headed for a long-distance relationship," Sigi sighed.
"Oh, well, I wanted to surprise you, but it's okay if you find out this way," Lucy said.
"Find what?" asked Sigi.
"I'm going to the branch of the transcendents too!!" Lucy shouted, bursting into the cabin.
"Shit," replied Ivar, raising his eyebrows.
"But that's great, we're going to the same university ha ha!!" exclaimed Sigi, taking Lucy in his arms.
"Okay, I'm going to give you some privacy, I don't want to be caught in the middle," Ivar said.
"No need Ivar, I'm in the next cabin with a friend, I have to go back," Lucy said, rolling her eyes.
"Why don't you come to our cabin instead of each staying in your own corner?" suggested Sigi.
"Yeah, good idea, wait, I'll go call her," replied Lucy, leaving the booth all smiles.
Sigi turned to Ivar and burst out laughing: "Sorry Bro but you'll have to put up with our display of affection and her new friend for an hour, maybe you'll like her?" suggested Sigi.
"You forget that the friends of hot girls are never beautiful," replied Ivar.
"We'll be able to verify that," Sigi sneered.
"Let's go in; Sigi, Ivar, this is my friend Raven; Raven, this is Sigi, my boyfriend, and Ivar, his horrible older brother," Lucy declared.
"Hello, my name is Raven," she said with a smile.
"And I'm Ivar, don't pay any attention to what that idiot Lucy said about me," replied Ivar, also with a warm smile, something his brother wasn't used to seeing.
"So, you're a friend of Lucy's and pretty enough to make my brother smile in public," Sigi said.
"Dude, you're making too much of it, you're going to make her uncomfortable. Don't listen to him, he's an asshole," Ivar replied.
"No, it doesn't bother me," Raven whispered, looking embarrassed.
"So, what field are you going to specialize in?" asked Sigi.
"In magic, I've already been classified as class A, but if I improve my basics and knowledge, I could reach class S or even higher." Raven replied coldly.
"Okay, I'm going to focus on mental types, I can use telekinesis but it has to be an object that isn't too heavy," Lucy said.
"Oh, and what class are you in, my dear Lucy?" asked Ivar with a wide smile on his lips.
"Ah bro, are you serious? You look like a jerk in front of Raven." Sigi replied.
"Oh no, I want to know too," Raven murmured.
"You heard her, she's curious too," added Ivar.
"I'm a Class C, are you happy Ivar? You wanted to hear that I'm one of the weak ones."Lucy sighed, raising an eyebrow.
"Hell yeah, I wanted to hear it, to see how far you were going to stay arrogant but I have my answer," replied Ivar.
"Dude, you can't talk to her like that, she's my girl," Sigi said calmly.
"AND THAT'S ALL!!!" Lucy is shouted.
"Calm down. We're going to the other cabin," replied Sigi even more calmly.
"Well, it looks like there are more than just the two of us," Ivar declared.
"It certainly seems so," replied Raven.
"Tell me, how did you meet Lucy? You don't seem to like her very much," Ivar asked.
"The first time we spoke, she and I, was on the day of the Divergence, but after entering Yggdrasil, we didn't see each other again until today. And you're wrong, it's not that I don't like her, it's just that I don't know her yet," Raven replied defensively.
"Ah, that's why you were curious about her rank, you were trying to get to know her better. And damn it, now I really look like a bastard," Ivar sighed.
"Yeah, I can confirm that, that's no way to treat a woman," Raven said with a small smile.
"At least it made you smile."
"Not really, it was you who had a strange expression on your face when you asked her her rank."
"It's because I don't love her, and she…"
"Yeah, I've understood that since…"
"So, like that…"
"We'll see…"