"I didn't ask for this arc."
Ray had been in Lunestra for less than twelve hours and already regretted every life decision—past, present, and probable future.
He stood inside the High Hall of the Lunar Council, a vast marble chamber filled with banners, officials, advisors, knights, mages, nobles, and one man who had absolutely no idea why he was there.
Ray.
A councilwoman pounded a staff on the floor.
"Order! ORDER! We are here to discuss the pressing matter of Ray, the newly arrived male—"
"That sounds like a rare exotic pet introduction," Ray muttered.
Sophie, standing beside him, whispered, "It's honestly not far from the truth."
Maria stood on his other side, arms crossed, glaring at the council like she was evaluating how many of them she could punch before the guards stopped her. "Just keep your mouth closed, Ray. They'll complicate anything you say."
"I didn't even say anything yet."
"That's the problem."
And then, naturally, everything got worse.
A courier burst through the doors shouting:
"Emergency message from the Lunar Gate! Two outsiders are demanding immediate entry! They claim to be the biological creators of the male named Ray!"
Everyone in the hall froze.
Sophie slowly turned toward Ray.Maria blinked twice.Lira smirked like she had been waiting for this chaos.
Ray felt a cold wave of dread.
"No…" he whispered. "No no no no. They can't be here. They CAN'T be—"
But fate had already decided to ruin him.
Because the doors slammed open again.
And in marched his mother.
A middle-aged woman with the energy of a nuclear warhead and the voice of a foghorn.
"RAYMOND ALEXANDER SMITH, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DIE AND REINCARNATE WITHOUT TELLING ME?!"
Ray's soul left his body.
Behind her came his little sister, Lily, recording everything on a glowing crystal like she was livestreaming his suffering to the multiverse.
"Mom, this is a political chamber…" Ray said weakly.
"I DON'T CARE IF IT'S THE GALACTIC SENATE!" she yelled, stomping up to him. "You disappear from Earth, and suddenly a magical portal appears in the living room, and now I find out you're in a world where women are NINETY percent of the population?!"
The entire council leaned forward.
"Yes, ma'am," Sophie said politely. "That statistic is correct."
Ray's mom turned to her. "And who are you?"
Sophie stood straighter. "Sophie Lunestra, Knight-Captain and member of Ray's party."
"Party?" Lily gasped. "Is that like a—"
Maria cut in, "We're not dating him."
Sophie turned pink.Lira raised an eyebrow.Ray's mom narrowed her eyes like she knew exactly what was going on.
"Oh, so that's why you didn't want to come home," she said.
"I physically can't go home!" Ray protested. "I literally died!"
"EXCUSE," a councilwoman interrupted loudly, "but who are these non-Arelian women? They have not passed through diplomatic quarantine nor magical verification."
Ray's mom rolled up her sleeves.
"Oh, so WE'RE doing politics now? Fine. Let's talk."
Ray grabbed his head. "No please don't talk—"
But she marched right up to the speaking podium, shoving a court mage aside, and slammed both hands down.
"My son died trying to recover a sandwich from train tracks. A sandwich. THAT is the human you are trying to put into politics. Are you people insane?"
Half the council nodded.The other half looked deeply offended.
"Also," she continued, "why is my son in danger of being married off like some kind of fancy chicken?! He's barely responsible enough to boil pasta!"
"That's slander," Ray muttered. "I can totally boil pasta."
"No, you can't," Lily said. "Remember when you burned water?"
"WATER CAN BE TRICKY!" Ray shouted.
A noblewoman raised her hand."Respected Earth-Mother, we do not intend harm. Simply treaties. Alliances. Joint magical research. Perhaps an arranged political engagement—"
Ray's mother turned red.
"ANOTHER ONE OF YOU TRYING TO MARRY MY SON?!"
Maria whispered, "She's scarier than your sister."
"No she isn't," Sophie whispered back.
And they both looked at Lily.
Lily was staring directly at Ray, camera still recording, tone disturbingly calm:
"So… are you planning to give me nieces or nephews soon?"
Ray nearly fainted.
"NO!" he shouted. "Why is everyone asking that?!"
"Because this world is ninety percent women," Lily replied. "Basic math."
The council murmured in agreement.
Ray wanted to die. Again.
A high-ranking mage stepped forward.
"While this… family reunion is enlightening, the council must address a political matter. Lunestra seeks Ray's support on an inter-kingdom treaty. His presence alone would strengthen our position."
Ray blinked. "What do you mean my presence?"
The mage coughed.
"Statistically, a meeting that includes a man has a forty percent higher chance of forming peaceful alliances. And with your… aura…"
Sophie whispered, "They want to use your Comedic Attraction Aura for diplomacy."
Ray stared at her.
"So I'm a political buff?"
"Yes."
"That's horrible."
"Yes."
Lira added cheerfully, "You would actually be very useful. Like a mascot. A pretty mascot."
Ray's mom snapped, "My son is not a magical emotional support man!"
But the council was already whispering plans, strategies, proposals. Treaties. International appearances. Speeches. Tours.
"Ray," Maria whispered, patting his back, "you're becoming a politician."
Ray's heart broke.He hadn't even kissed anyone yet, and now he was being drafted into government.
Lily spoke again, "So… does this world have health insurance? Because he's going to need it."
"HEY!"
Then—The doors opened for the third time.
A royal herald entered, out of breath.
"BREAKING NEWS! A delegation from the Sunfire Dominion is approaching the city. Their princess wishes to meet the new male immediately!"
Everyone looked at Ray.
His mother took a deep breath.
"Son."
"Yeah?"
"If a princess from a fire kingdom tries to date you—"
Ray swallowed.
"—run."