Kenjiro Satoshi lay on his futon, the fluorescent light of his lamp casting an eerie glow on the pages of his manga. The clock on his nightstand read 3:00 AM, the digits glowing bright red in the darkness. He had lost track of time, engrossed in the latest chapter of his favorite series. With a sigh, he decided to finish the chapter and then sleep, the approaching dawn a gentle reminder that the night was wearing thin.
As he turned the page, his eyelids began to droop, the words blurring together on the page. He read on, his breathing slowing, until finally, he succumbed to the weight of his exhaustion. His body relaxed, his mind drifting into the realm of dreams.
But this was no ordinary dream.
Kenjiro found himself standing in a vast, white void. There was nothingness all around him, no horizon, no features, just an endless expanse of white. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized he was alone, with no sense of direction or time.
Suddenly, a shadowy entity materialized before him. Kenjiro's heart skipped a beat as he froze, his muscles petrified with fear. The entity, a dark, formless mass, began to move towards him, its presence filling the void with an unsettling energy.
Kenjiro tried to scream, but his voice was trapped in his throat. The entity drew closer, its darkness spreading like a stain, until it enveloped him completely. Kenjiro felt himself being pulled into the void, his consciousness merging with the entity's.
And then, everything went black.
But his mind had other plans.
Fragments of unknown memories began to surface, like bubbles rising to the surface of a pond. He saw glimpses of strange places, faces he didn't recognize, and events that made no sense to him. The images were disjointed and unclear, but they left him with a growing sense of unease.
Voices, distant and muffled, started to echo in his mind. They were cries for help, pleas for rescue, and whispers of desperation. Kenjiro's eyes snapped open again, and he sat up with a start. The voices were overwhelming, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Despite his growing anxiety, Kenjiro eventually drifted off into a fitful sleep. The morning light streaming through his window finally chased away the remnants of his restless night.
As he got out of bed, Kenjiro pushed the strange dreams and memories to the back of his mind. "It's just a weird night," he told himself. He decided to focus on his morning routine, hoping to clear his head.
He began his calisthenics workout, the familiar movements and rhythms helping to calm his mind. The exercises were a comforting ritual, one that he had done countless times before. As he moved through the routine, he felt his focus shift away from the strange occurrences of the night.
After his workout, Kenjiro showered and got dressed, preparing for another day at school. He tried to shake off the lingering sense of unease, telling himself that it was just a weird dream. But the memories and voices lingered, refusing to be completely dismissed.
Kenjiro's eyes glazed over as he stared blankly at the sensei, trying to focus on the lesson. But his mind was elsewhere, and his body began to betray him. A sharp pain coursed through his veins, like a thousand needles pricking his skin. His heart pounded in his chest, threatening to burst free.
The unknown memories flooded his mind once more, like a dam breaking. Faces, places, and events swirled together in a jumbled mess. The voices, too, returned, their cries for help growing louder and more urgent.
[Kenjiro]: STOPP!
Kenjiro's vision began to blur, and he felt himself slipping away. He gripped his desk tightly, trying to anchor himself to reality. But it was no use. The pain and the memories overwhelmed him, and he felt himself being pulled under.
Hours passed, and Kenjiro finally made his way to school. He felt exhausted, drained of all energy. His legs carried him on autopilot, his mind numb and unfocused.
As he boarded the subway, he was grateful to find an empty train. He collapsed onto a seat, his eyes drooping shut. The motion of the train was soothing, and he let his eyelids close, intending to rest for just a moment.
But as he drifted off, a bright light enveloped him. The train, the subway, everything disappeared, replaced by an intense radiance. Kenjiro's eyes snapped open, and he found himself in a completely different world.
He found himself laying on a cold, stone floor, his head spinning. As he sat up, he realized he was inside a bell tower. The room was small, with stone walls and a vaulted ceiling. A large bell hung from the center of the room, its metal surface gleaming in the soft light.
Kenjiro stumbled to his feet, his mind reeling. How did he get here? Where was he? He looked around, trying to take in every detail. But there were no answers, only more questions.
Kenjiro's mind was a jumble of questions. Was this real? Was it just a dream? He pinched his face, wincing in pain. The sting was all too real. He punched the wall, hoping to wake himself up, but the pain only intensified. He stumbled back, cradling his sore hand.
[Kenjiro]: "What the...? How did I get here? What's going on?"
As he stood there, he began to talk to himself, asking questions that seemed to have no answers.
After a few moments of confusion, Kenjiro decided to venture outside. He pushed open the creaky door and stepped into a world unlike anything he had ever seen.
The city sprawled out before him, a medieval-fantasy landscape of turrets, towers, and bustling streets. Humans and demi-humans went about their daily lives, seemingly unaware of his presence. Kenjiro's eyes widened as he took in the sights and sounds.
But his wonder was short-lived. A citizen noticed him, and his gaze lingered on Kenjiro's school uniform.
[Citizen]: "Look at that traveler's outfit! What kind of fashion is that?"
The crowd began to gather, their faces filled with curiosity and mockery. Some people chuckled, while others whispered to each other.
[Kenjiro]: "What's going on? Why are they staring at me?"
The crowd's reaction was a mix of fascination and ridicule. Some people pointed at Kenjiro's clothes, while others asked him questions in a language he didn't understand.
[Elderly Woman]: "Traveler, are you lost? Do you need assistance?"
But before Kenjiro could respond, a group of rough-looking men pushed their way to the front.
[Rough-Looking Man]: "Hey, what's all the commotion about? Got a new plaything for us to toy with?"
Kenjiro ignored the crowd's teasing and continued walking, determined to explore this strange new world. As he strolled through the streets, he couldn't help but wonder if this was all just a dream.
[Kenjiro]: "Is this really real? Am I just dreaming? I don't understand what's happening."
Just as he was lost in thought, a group of children ran up to him, their faces filled with mischief.
[Child 1]: "Hey, look at the funny clothes! What's with the weird outfit?"
The children started to make fun of Kenjiro's school uniform, and he felt his face grow hot with embarrassment. He tried to ignore them and keep walking, but they followed him, laughing and teasing.
Kenjiro attempted to run away, but his feet got tangled, and he stumbled. The children burst out laughing, and their teasing became even more intense.
[Child 2]: "Ha! Look at him trip! He's so clumsy!"
[Child 3]: "Yeah, he's like a baby learning to walk!"
Kenjiro's face turned bright red as he struggled to regain his balance. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, but he tried to keep a straight face.
The children continued to tease Kenjiro, their laughter and jokes filling the air. One of them even started to mimic Kenjiro's stumbling, making the others laugh even harder.
[Child 1]: "Hey, look at me! I'm the clumsy traveler!"
The children ran around Kenjiro, their antics causing a scene in the middle of the street. Kenjiro's embarrassment turned to amusement, and he couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.
Kenjiro finally managed to lose the children and found a quiet alleyway where he could collect his thoughts. He leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.
[Kenjiro]: "Okay, let's think this through. I'm in a different world. Someone might be looking for me back home, but I need to focus on surviving here."
Kenjiro's mind started to wander, thinking about his original world and the people he left behind. But he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on his current situation.
[Kenjiro]: "I need to find a way to survive in this world. First things first, I need to find food and shelter."
Kenjiro made a mental plan to start his journey in this new world. He would explore the city, gather information, and find ways to survive.
[Kenjiro]: "I'll start by finding a marketplace. Maybe I can trade something for food or find a way to earn some money."
Just as Kenjiro was about to set off, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he was hungry. He realized he needed to find food quickly.
[Kenjiro]: "Ugh, I'm starving. Time to find some food."
Kenjiro set off to find a marketplace, his eyes scanning the streets for any signs of food vendors or traders. He was determined to find a way to survive in this new world, even if it meant stealing food or trading for it.
Kenjiro walked for a few kilometers, his eyes scanning the streets for any signs of a marketplace. Finally, he spotted a bustling area filled with stalls and vendors. He quickened his pace, his stomach growling with anticipation.
Before entering the marketplace, Kenjiro rummaged through his bag, checking its contents. He found a wallet filled with Japanese pennies, an energy bar, and other useful items that could potentially be used for trade.
[Kenjiro]: "Let's see what I've got here. Maybe I can trade some of this stuff for food or other essentials."
Kenjiro decided to proceed with caution, starting with the food area. He weaved through the crowds, his eyes scanning the stalls for any opportunity to snatch some food. He spotted a few apples and loaves of bread that looked unattended and quickly snatched them.
[Kenjiro]: "Sorry, not sorry. I'm starving over here."
With his hunger slightly satiated, Kenjiro moved on to the merchant stalls. He started browsing through the goods, looking for something that might be of interest to trade.
[Merchant]: "Welcome, traveler! What brings you to our market today?"
[Kenjiro]: "Just looking around. I'm interested in trading some of my items for food or other essentials. What do you think I could get for this energy bar?"
The merchant examined the energy bar, his eyes narrowing in thought.
[Merchant]: "Hmm, this looks like some sort of exotic snack. I think I can give you a few coppers for it."
Kenjiro nodded, accepting the offer. He continued to browse through the stalls, trading his items for food and other goods. As he walked through the marketplace, he noticed a group of people gathered around a nearby stage. They seemed to be watching a performance, and Kenjiro's curiosity got the better of him.
Kenjiro continued to roam around the marketplace, his eyes scanning the ground for any interesting items. That's when he spotted a crumpled map lying on the ground. He picked it up, dusting it off, and his eyes widened in shock.
The map depicted a vast empire, with sprawling territories and unfamiliar landmarks. Kenjiro's mind reeled as he realized that this was no ordinary map. But what really caught his attention was that he could read the map, despite the alphabets being completely unfamiliar to him.
[Kenjiro]: "Wait, what's going on? Why can I read this? This doesn't make any sense."
The kingdom name "AESTHERIA" was emblazoned on the map, and Kenjiro's eyes lingered on it for a moment. He shook his head, deciding to ignore the strange phenomenon and tucked the map into his bag.
As he continued walking, Kenjiro stumbled upon a blacksmith area. He realized that having a weapon might be a good idea, especially in a foreign world. He approached a blacksmith, eyeing the various swords and armor on display.
[Kenjiro]: "Ah, a blacksmith. I might be able to scrounge up something useful here."
Kenjiro approached the blacksmith, eyeing the various swords and armor on display. He rummaged through his bag, pulling out his music iPod.
[Kenjiro]: "Yo, check this out. I've got something that'll blow your mind."
He turned on the iPod and started playing music. The blacksmith's eyes widened in amazement as the sound filled the air.
[Blacksmith]: "What sorcery is this? How does it produce such sounds?"
[Kenjiro]: "Uh, it's just... technology, man. From my homeland."
The blacksmith looked puzzled, and his eyes narrowed.
[Blacksmith]: "Your words are strange, traveler. Where are you from? Your accent and speech are unlike anything I've ever heard."
[Kenjiro]: "Oh, I'm from... uh... a far-off land. Yeah, that's it."
The blacksmith's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked Kenjiro to demonstrate the iPod's capabilities again. Kenjiro obliged, and the blacksmith was convinced that the iPod was a magical artifact.
[Blacksmith]: "Magic is indeed a powerful force. I must have this technology for myself. What do you want in exchange?"
[Kenjiro]: "I'll trade it for a decent sword. Something that'll keep me safe on my travels."
The blacksmith agreed, and Kenjiro handed over the iPod. As the blacksmith took it, Kenjiro realized that magic was a real thing in this world. He felt a spark of curiosity ignite within him.
[Kenjiro]: "Magic, huh? I think I've got a lot to learn about this world."
With his new sword in hand, Kenjiro left the marketplace, determined to explore the city and learn more about magic and other abilities that existed in this world. He wandered through the streets, taking in the sights and sounds, and wondering what other secrets this world held.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city, Kenjiro found himself in a part of town that seemed to have a life of its own. The streets were narrow and winding, with crumbling buildings that seemed to lean in, as if sharing secrets. He had no idea that this was a notorious area, plagued by crime and corruption.
As he walked, the streets grew darker and more ominous. Kenjiro spotted an abandoned mansion looming before him, its grandeur and beauty slowly being consumed by the passing of time. He approached the mansion, thinking it might provide a safe haven for the night.
As he stepped inside, he was immediately struck by the eerie silence. The air was thick with dust, and cobwebs clung to the chandeliers. But his attention was soon drawn to a group of men huddled in the corner, their voices hushed as they spoke in urgent tones.
Kenjiro's curiosity got the better of him, and he crept closer, trying to make out what they were saying. They were discussing something in hushed tones, mentioning "forbidden knowledge" and "dark arts." The men were surrounded by stacks of old books, their covers adorned with strange symbols and markings.
Just as Kenjiro was about to reveal himself, a hand clamped over his mouth, pulling him back into the shadows. He struggled, but the grip was firm. A figure in a dark cloak stood behind him, her face partially hidden.
Kenjiro's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the mysterious girl. Even with her face partially covered, he could see that she was stunningly beautiful. He felt a surge of surprise and curiosity.
The girl leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her breath tickling Kenjiro's ear.
Kenjiro tried to respond, but her hand was still covering his mouth. She slowly released her grip, and he asked, "What's going on? What's happening in there?"
The girl's eyes narrowed. "A valuable item has been stolen from me, and I need to get it back. But you... you're not supposed to be here. This is no place for someone like you."
Kenjiro's confusion deepened. "What do you mean? And what's going on with those men?"
The girl's gaze flicked toward the group, her expression cold and calculating. "They're involved in something... illicit. Something that could bring harm to many people. I need to stop them, but I could use your help."
As Kenjiro and the girl watched, the men continued their illicit dealings, exchanging forbidden books and speaking in hushed tones. But their conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a tall, imposing figure. He was dressed in dark attire, and his eyes seemed to bore into the souls of the men.
The mysterious man began to negotiate with the men, his voice low and menacing. Kenjiro couldn't quite make out what was being discussed, but the tension in the air was palpable.
Without warning, the man's demeanor shifted, and he unsheathed a pair of twinblade hooks from his sleeves. The men were caught off guard, and they tried to react, but it was too late. The man began to slaughter them one by one, his movements swift and deadly.
One of the men tried to escape, but the mysterious man gave chase. Kenjiro watched in horror as the man tried to kill the fleeing figure. But just as all hope seemed lost, the girl intervened, conjuring a shimmering magic barrier that protected the man from the attacker's deadly hook.
The girl turned to Kenjiro, her eyes flashing with determination. "Secure the wounded man," she said, her voice firm. "I'll handle this opponent."
With that, she charged forward, her movements swift and agile. Kenjiro watched in awe as she clashed with the mysterious man, their movements a blur of steel and magic. He quickly turned his attention to the wounded man, trying to assess the extent of his injuries.
As he worked to secure the man's wounds, Kenjiro couldn't help but wonder what he had gotten himself into. The girl's magic, the mysterious man's deadly skills, and the forbidden books all hinted at a world far more complex and sinister than he had ever imagined.
As Kenjiro worked to secure the man's wounds, the girl began to chant in a low, melodic voice. "Zephis," she whispered, and the air around her seemed to ripple with energy.
Suddenly, a flurry of windblades erupted from her outstretched hand, hurtling towards the mysterious man. But he was incredibly fast, dodging each blade with ease. He charged forward, his twinblade hooks glinting in the dim light.
The girl reacted quickly, her eyes flashing with determination. "Ignis," she chanted, and a burst of scarlet flames erupted from her hand, taking the shape of delicate flowers.
The flames danced towards the man, but he was too agile. He vanished from in front of the girl and reappeared behind her, his foot flying towards her in a powerful kick.
The girl tried to react, but the man's attack was too swift. She stumbled forward, her cloak fluttering behind her. Kenjiro's heart skipped a beat as he watched, his instincts screaming at him to intervene.
But before he could move, the girl quickly regained her footing, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination. She spun around, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she prepared to counterattack.
The mysterious man, however, was not finished yet. He charged forward once more, his twinblade hooks flashing in the dim light. The girl stood her ground, her eyes locked on her opponent as she prepared to face whatever attack came next.
As the man charged forward, the girl conjured a pair of twin swords made of shimmering ice. She stood her ground, her eyes locked on her opponent as she prepared to face his attack.
The man's movements were a blur as he struck, his twinblade hooks flashing in the dim light. The girl parried and riposted, her ice swords clashing with the man's hooks. But despite her skill, the man was too fast and too strong.
He landed a devastating blow, striking the girl's side and sending her stumbling back. She gasped in pain, her eyes flashing with determination as she reacted quickly.
With a swift jump, she created some distance between herself and the man. "Glacialis," she chanted, her voice barely above a whisper.
A barrage of razor-sharp ice spikes erupted from the ground, hurtling towards the man. But he dodged the attack with ease, his movements almost supernatural.
The girl's eyes narrowed as she watched him. She was thinking furiously, her mind racing with questions. This opponent was unlike any she had ever faced.
"He's not an ordinary human being," she thought to herself. "He has no mana, but he possesses superhuman speed and strength. What is he?"
The girl's eyes locked on the man, her determination renewed. She would uncover the secrets of her opponent, no matter what it took. With a fierce cry, she charged forward, her ice swords flashing in the dim light.
As the fight raged on, the girl's eyes flicked towards Kenjiro, who was still tending to the wounded man. "You, leave now and save him," she shouted above the din of battle. "I'll handle this."
But Kenjiro refused, his jaw set in determination. He unsheathed the sword he had traded from the blacksmith earlier, its blade glinting in the dim light. "I won't let someone die on my watch," he said, his voice firm.
The man appeared behind Kenjiro, his twinblade hooks flashing in the dim light. But the girl was quick to react, conjuring a magic barrier behind Kenjiro that protected him from the attack.
"I'm running out of mana," she gasped, her eyes wide with concern. "We need to do something before it's too late."
With a burst of determination, she used her remaining mana to unleash one of her ultimate magic abilities. Kenjiro and the girl fought together, their movements a blur as they clashed with the opponent.
Kenjiro parried and riposted, his sword flashing in the dim light. Despite his lack of strength, he fought valiantly, buying time for the girl to use her magic ability.
The girl's eyes locked on her opponent, her voice barely above a whisper as she chanted the words of her magic. "Glacialis," she whispered, her voice full of conviction.
A burst of icy energy erupted from the ground, encasing the opponent's body in a trap of frozen crystal. The man's eyes widened in shock as he realized he was frozen in place, unable to move.
The girl's eyes locked on her opponent, her chest heaving with exertion. She had used up almost all her mana, but it had been worth it. For now, the opponent was stunned, and they had a brief respite from the battle.
Kenjiro and the girl exchanged a brief, relieved glance, thinking that the battle was finally over. But their respite was short-lived.
The ice trap suddenly shattered, and the man burst free, his eyes blazing with fury. He slashed at Kenjiro, catching him off guard, and Kenjiro crumpled to the ground, clutching his stomach.
The opponent turned to the girl, his foot raised to deliver the finishing blow. But Kenjiro, despite his injuries, summoned the strength to grab the opponent's foot.
The opponent kicked Kenjiro's face, sending him crashing to the ground. As Kenjiro's vision began to blur, he thought to himself, "This is how I'll die."
The opponent turned back to the girl, his twinblade hooks raised to strike. But just as all hope seemed lost, a sword flashed in the dim light, blocking the opponent's attack.
The sword's owner was a tall, imposing figure with piercing blue eyes and striking blonde hair. He was one of the elite royal knights, a famous swordsman and magic user: Arthur Wynnguard.
Arthur's sword gleamed with a soft, ethereal light as he stood tall, his eyes fixed intently on the opponent. The air seemed to vibrate with his presence, and Kenjiro felt a surge of hope despite his dire circumstances.
The opponent snarled, his eyes flashing with anger, as he prepared to clash with the new challenger. Arthur stood ready, his sword at the ready, as the battle raged on.
Arthur Wynnguard's piercing blue eyes scanned the scene, his gaze lingering on Kenjiro and the girl. "Are you both alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Kenjiro struggled to sit up, wincing in pain as he clutched his stomach. The girl, too, was shaken, but she nodded bravely.
Arthur's expression turned apologetic. "I'm sorry I'm late. As I approached this location, I saw a massive explosion of fire and activated my superhearing ability. I heard that something was amiss, but I didn't arrive soon enough."
He looked at Kenjiro and the girl with newfound respect. "You're both incredibly tough and strong. I didn't expect you to hold out this long against such a formidable opponent."
With a gentle gesture, he urged them to step aside. "Please, set aside for now. I'll take care of the rest."
Arthur's sword gleamed with an otherworldly light as he prepared to face the opponent. His confidence and authority were palpable, and Kenjiro and the girl exchanged a look before slowly backing away.
As they retreated, Arthur took center stage, his eyes locked on the opponent. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, and the battle was far from over.
The opponent's gaze locked onto Arthur, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "You're not an ordinary opponent," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
With a swift motion, he attached a chain to his twinblade hooks, the metal clinking ominously. "I've used this style before, ten years ago," he continued, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Arthur's eyes never left the opponent's face, his expression unreadable. The opponent's words hung in the air, heavy with implication.
The opponent's voice took on a sinister tone. "I killed a royal knight back then, using this very style. And now, I think it's time to use it again."
The chain rattled ominously as the opponent cracked his knuckles, his eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity. Arthur stood tall, his sword at the ready, his eyes flashing with a fierce determination.
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the two opponents faced off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. The battle was about to escalate, and only one could emerge victorious.
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he took in the opponent's new weapon. He could sense the dark magic coating the twinblade hooks, a power that could negate even the strongest barriers.
With a swift nod, Arthur prepared himself for the battle ahead. The opponent charged forward, and in a flash, the two fighters vanished into a blur of motion.
Their movements were lightning-fast, their blades clashing in a flurry of steel and magic. Arthur's eyes widened in surprise as he parried the opponent's attacks, his sword flashing with a soft, ethereal light.
"You're incredibly skilled," Arthur praised, his voice barely audible over the din of battle. "I've never seen anyone wield magic and steel with such precision."
Kenjiro and the girl watched in awe, their eyes struggling to keep up with the fighters' movements. To them, it was like watching lightning clash with itself – fast, fierce, and mesmerizing.
The sound of clashing steel echoed through the air, the two fighters exchanging blows in a dance of death. Arthur's sword flashed with light, while the opponent's twinblade hooks seemed to drink in the very light around them, their dark magic pulsing with an otherworldly power.
The battle raged on, with neither side giving an inch. The outcome hung in the balance, as Arthur and the opponent clashed in a fight that would decide who would emerge victorious.
As the battle raged on, Arthur saw an opportunity to use his magic ability. He raised his sword towards the sky, gathering all the mana in the surroundings. His sword began to glow with an intense, pulsating light.
With a voice that echoed through the night air, Arthur declared, "As the Royal Knight of AESTHERIA, I, Arthur Wynnguard, will finish this battle and bring justice!"
As he spoke, he pointed his sword at his opponent, and a bursting laser-like beam of energy shot forth, illuminating the dark sky. The beam was so powerful that it destroyed the entire mansion and the surrounding houses, leaving a trail of rubble and debris in its wake.
The opponent vanished without a trace, as if consumed by the sheer force of Arthur's magic. The battle was finally over, and an eerie silence fell over the devastated landscape.
Kenjiro and the girl stumbled back, their eyes wide with awe as they gazed upon the destruction. They had never seen anything like it before – the sheer power of Arthur's magic was breathtaking.
Arthur stood tall, his sword still glowing with residual energy. His chest heaved with exertion, but his eyes shone with a sense of satisfaction. Justice had been served, and the battle was won.
Arthur approached Kenjiro and the girl, his eyes scanning the younger man's injuries. Kenjiro's wound was critical, and he was slowly passing out.
Before Arthur could react, Kenjiro's eyes fluttered closed, and he slumped to the ground. Arthur's expression turned concerned.
"We need to get him to a healer, now," Arthur suggested, his voice firm.
But the girl shook her head. "No, I'll take him to my manor," she said, her voice determined. "I have a skilled healer there who can tend to his wounds. I'll take care of him for a while."
Arthur hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Very well," he said. "I'll leave him in your care. But make sure he receives the best treatment possible."
The girl nodded, her eyes filled with a fierce determination. She gently lifted Kenjiro into her arms, cradling him as if he were a child.
Arthur watched as she turned to leave, his eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn't sure what to make of this mysterious girl, but he had a feeling that she was more than just a simple noblewoman.
Kenjiro's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself in a dreamlike state once again. He was surrounded by a white void, with nothingness stretching out in every direction.
But as he looked down, he saw a black smoke creeping up his legs, wrapping around his body like a shroud. Kenjiro's eyes widened in alarm as the smoke enveloped him, and suddenly, he was jolted awake.
He sat up with a start, his heart racing, and took in his surroundings. He was in a beautiful room, with intricately carved furniture and lavish tapestries adorning the walls. The room was so opulent that it felt like a palace.
As he looked around, he saw a figure sitting beside him. It was the girl who had fought alongside him earlier. She smiled softly as she saw him wake up.
"Don't try to get up yet," she said gently. "Your wounds are still healing."
Kenjiro's eyes narrowed, trying to remember what had happened. "What...what's your name?" he asked, his voice still hoarse.
The girl's smile widened. "My name is Lucia, Lucia Marquands," she replied.
Kenjiro's eyes locked onto hers, searching for answers. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice a little stronger now.
Lucia's smile never wavered. "You're in my manor" she said. "You're safe now."
Then, she asked, "And you are...?"
Kenjiro hesitated for a moment before answering, "I'm Kenjiro Satoshi."
Lucia's eyes widened in surprise. "Kenjiro...Satoshi?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's a unique name. I've never heard of it before."
Kenjiro smiled slightly, intrigued by her reaction. "Yeah, it's not a common name where I'm from," he said, his eyes locked onto Lucia's.
—TO BE CONTINUED