I'm going to be so far behind in school when I get out of here.

Not the first thing that should pop into someone's mind once they've been trapped, but it was a concern for Katsuta, real name Katsu Kita.

The sorcerer took a moment to look at his surroundings and confirmed that this was in fact, Elder Tale, the game which held his fascination throughout most of high school. He pushed his rectangular glasses up and brushed his hand through his short dark hair.

On second thought, maybe this isn't so bad. I won't have my parents around to bother me about school. Then again, it'll be a living hell if I ever do get out of here.

Here and there, several people were wandering about like Katsuta, in shock that they were in Elder Tale.

Hmm, I wonder.

He tried to replicate a motion he read about in a manga about a group of friends who played a new Virtual Reality game, hoping to call up a menu. No such menu appeared.

However, as he kept thinking about it, the familiar status menu of Elder Tale popped up.

Activated by thought, huh?

Katsuta hesitantly touched the menu and experimented with different things before getting used to it.

As he continued to walk around, he frequently felt weird, as if not in his own skin.

Well, duh, I'm not in my own skin.

He looked down at his body and noticed some minor differences. He went over to a nearby puddle and examined his face.

Some minor changes, but I look basically the same as if in real life.

While enjoying experimenting and learning about his new world, the confused cry of nearby adventurers reminded him of how grave his current situation is.

Why am I so happy with this? I should be sad that there's a possibility that I can't go back to my own world. Yet, I'm glad.

After investigating further, he found that the inter-city transport gates were offline, so that meant that players would be isolated within each town they were in unless they made a trek to a different one.

Katsuta mentally called up his menu again.

For now I should get with people I know. Sticking in groups would be a wise idea.

He briefly regretted not joining a guild. In this new world, a guild would be a good place to call home.

Katsuta pulled up his Friends List, and without having a better way to decide who to contact first, he picked the first lit-up name on the list.

"Akatsuki?"

After hearing no answer, he was afraid that he did something wrong when making the call, but then remembered the assassin never talked when this was a game either.

"Still silent as ever, huh? Listen, how about we meet up somewhere? We should stick together until we figure out what's going on. I'll call some other friends and we can make a party."

After describing where he wanted to meet, he ended the call and pulled up his Friends List once more.

To his dismay, all of his remaining friends were either offline or too far away to meet up.

Just a Sorcerer and an Assassin, huh? Not bad so far, but we'll need a tank of some sort if we're going to get used to combat here.

The thought of combat startled him. Barely used to his own body yet, he wanted to start practicing combat in this strange new world.

I need to calm down and be serious about this. Though we will need to practice combat if we'll be stuck here.

"Ah, the classic dark alley. Perfect place to meet an Assassin."

Akatsuki did not look amused with Katsuta's statement.

"Okay, look. I know you like role-playing as the silent assassin character, but we don't have a regular text chat. We need to be able to communicate like actual human beings if we're going to survive in this world."

After a moment of hesitation, Akatsuki finally spoke in a surprisingly feminine voice.

"I...I have a favor to ask. Do you have any appearance-changing potions you could sell me? You are an Alchemist, right?"

"Wait, Akatsuki, you're a girl?"

She merely nodded and blushed.

"Uhh…"

Katsuta rummaged through his menu and found the potion she requested.

"You're lucky I'm an Alchemist, otherwise I would've had no interest in this potion."

When Elder Tale was a game, you'd get certain bonuses based on the number of potions you discovered as an Alchemist.

The sorcerer/alchemist handed the potion over to her. She went around the corner and downed the drought.

"It's a good thing I used one of my male accounts when the expansion hit, otherwise I would've been stuck in the opposite gender's body, like you. Yeah, that would've be-"

He was cut off as a bright light flashed around the corner, where Akatsuki drank the potion.

That was a lot more dramatic than when it was in the game.

When Akatsuki revealed her new form, Katsuta was speechless. What was before him appeared to be a little girl.

"Whew. Thank you. You really saved me. I appreciate it."

"N-no problem."

So short. No wonder she was so uncomfortable in her male body. In addition with being the opposite gender, the large difference in height would make it difficult to move. She'd have to go through heavy training to get used to it. Even then, if she ever went back to the real world, she'd have to readjust to her old body again. I really am lucky I made this account similar to my real body.

"So how much do I owe you?"

Lost in thought, Katsuta almost didn't hear her.

"Wha? Oh, you don't owe me anything. Wasn't that interested in the potion to begin with."

Then again, I could've probably made a lot of money selling one of these to a player who had the body of the opposite gender. No, Akatsuki is a friend. I don't care about making a quick buck.

"I have to give you something. I don't want to be known as unwilling to repay a favor."

"No, it's fine, really. Anything for a friend."

"Speaking of which, where's all your other friends?"

"Oh, no one else was online or near here. The transport gates were offline, so we couldn't all gather. Anyway, for now we should stick together. Even if it's just a party of 2, it's better than being alone."

"Are you really okay with that, Katsuta?"

"Of course, friends stick together right?"

"Friends, huh?"

She thought about it for a moment, then kneeled.

"Eh?"

"In that case, I shall name you as my lord and revere you as such."

"Eh?"

"You've saved me from a fate of being stuck as a man. I must work to repay your kindness. From this point on, I shall protect you as your ninja and bodyguard."

"Ehhh?!"

Akatsuki waited patiently for Katsuta's reply as he gathered his thoughts.

Well, this is unexpected. I knew Akatsuki was into roleplay, but me, a lord? I might as well take advantage of the offer given to me.

"I accept, Akatsuki."

AN: The AkatsukiXShiroe shippers are going to be so mad. Tell me what you guys think about this fic so far by leaving a review. And about the Alchemist having bonuses for knowing more potions, I have no idea if that's an actual thing or not, just seemed like a good reason for Katsuta to have an appearance changing potion. See you in the next chapter.