Chapter 2 A Normal Loner Once Again?
A young man was lying on a cement pathway, wearing clothes a few sizes too large for him consisting of a blue shirt on its chest is a lion head facing the right paired with cargo shorts covering his legs finished off with leather boots on his feet. The slow and rhythmic rising and falling of his chest show he is part of the living.
black hair flutters with the wind as his eyes slowly twitches and blinks open, closing as it tries to adjust to the summer sunset. The loner groans as he sits up slowly from his position, rubbing the sleep away from his eyes as he does so.
"Why do I feel so sore?" Hikigaya says throat being dry and coarse, as he finally gets his bearings.
Stein did mention our bodies will go back to being teenagers, but there was no mention of being sore after the process was complete. It can only be a consequence of de-aging the body. He would need to investigate it later if the much sought-after return further affected his body.
Pushing himself off the ground to stand Hikigaya looks around to figure out where he is. Recognizing it as the road he usually takes to get to the convenient store he faces the direction towards his home and begins his track back home.
How much time had passed from his departure? A day? A week? Checking how baggy his clothes feel, it seems he is back to his teens. It couldn't have been over a year. Are his family looking for him? Komachi must be so worried.
Seeing his home in sight he stops, reciting in his head the excuse he thought of while at Amarein.
"I got lost while in the road of life" hopefully not much times had passed from his departure, it so he would have to think of a better excuse. He walks up the front door and opens it.
"I'm Home," the returnee says after entering the door. Hearing no reply and feeling his throat dry, he heads to the kitchen to get some water. Komachi will likely interrogate him once he arrives home.
Just as he reached the door frame his head exploded with searing pain, like an ogre hammering your head to the ground. Collapsing to his knees he grabs his head trying to ease the pain and failing. He lays down avoiding hitting his head on anything. Just as consciousness couldn't take it anymore he hears the front door opening. Then footsteps heading toward his location started slowly getting louder.
"Onii-chan?!" Komachi shouted as she sees his brother collapsed on the kitchen floor. Running towards him with a face mixed with happiness and worry he check his condition.
"Let me call an ambulance" Was the last thing Hikigaya heard before he fainted from the excruciating pain.
"So, you say you saw a light and was knocked out?" A detective wearing a large overcoat asks, staring down on his notepad as he is writing down notes. The question directed toward a teenager with black hair and fish like eyes "And you don't remember anything besides that?" looking up from his notepad he looks at the teen with doubtfully. "nothing for the whole week?"
"Yes, officer, that just about sums up what I've been telling you for the last 2 hours." The teen wasn't lying since he spent years in Amarein learning magic and slaying monsters. Thou his memories had become disorganized since he collapsed from the pain. But it's still the truth he doesn't remember what happened this week on earth.
The detective stares at him a long time before sighing and standing up from the chair "Seem like this will all I get from you today Mr. Hikigaya, I will inform you any finding on the case. Please get some rest it may help with your memory."
"Sure, maybe I'll tell you if I do"
Giving a slight bow the detective exits the room leaving Hachiman to his own. The loner then let out a sigh from exhaustion, as he then lays back down to his hospital bed to get some rest.
He's been in the hospital a few days now after he fainted his sister called an ambulance to take him there. He was examined to find out the cause of a headache that sent him there in the first place, but no complications were found.
But knowing what he's been through, its likely aftereffects of the transfer back to earth. After some time, the headaches will fade, and his memories will fix itself up. It doesn't stop Komachi from worrying about him, the most he can't do is reassure her that he's fine.
Speaking of Komachi as soon as he woke up she hugged him and cried on his shoulder about how worried she was during my disappearance blaming herself since it happened when he was out doing an errand for her. He was in the middle of comforting her to reassure her that wasn't her fault that she disappeared for a week when the detective arrives to ask him questions of his whereabouts during the past week.
This is the second time the detective came to visit him so with no results, third time is not likely to happen unless he will be the one to contact him first. Which he won't do if he didn't want to appear crazy spouting about another world and magic to the detective.
The meeting with the detective helped him get more information on what happened the past week during him and his party's "disappearance". It wasn't surprising that the others were questioned on their whereabouts as well, also stating that they don't remember what happened during the past week. An agreement they had before their return to just act like they have amnesia to avoid further questioning, for now, it is working with the detective only being mildly suspicious.
Which is of no concern to them, it is unlikely for him to find any sigh of our location from the past week, let alone any signs of magic that he won't believe. The case will likely be dropped after a few months of not producing any results since the victim don't seem to have any physical or mental trauma excluding an excruciating headache.
For now, he should get some sleep since it was already well into the evening when the detective left. It was time to catch up on some rest.
Hachiman yawned as he walked down the hallway. It was the morning after his release from the hospital, being given a clean bill of health three days ago he was released after a few days of surveillance on the request of the police.
He, unfortunately, woke up after eight hours of sleep. he planned on sleeping longer, but the habit of waking up early he developed when during his time in Amarein was hard to break. Speron kingdoms intense training has been ingrained into his being and will take time for it to fade away if it ever will.
The schedule they usually have was composed of waking up at dawn to get some light training and sparing before breakfast, after that its either more training or they go hunting magical beast to gain experience on the field, more of that after lunch then lessons on magic in the evening. That doesn't include times that they were deployed on the battlefield at the forefront of the war, where their party members would barely get a good night's rest, having to keep watch of any possible ambushes.
They did get vacations during the slower times of the war when skirmishes with the demons where few and far between. These 'vacations' mostly consist of them going to a different location with a variety of climates doing an array of missions to train the party of otherworlders on how to survive and fight in such climates.
The Broken Isles, of Menagerie a country composed of thousands of islands ranging various sizes ranging from a few hundred meters in diameter to 10 kilometers in diameter. Known for its beautiful beaches as much as the various sea monsters underneath the more isolated deeps of its unexplored sea.
United Snow Alliance, the cold north's strongest nation a militaristic organization composed of the North's strongest tribes. In charge of fighting off the stronger magical monsters from higher up north to the frozen tundra where they say ice giants are said to be located. The southern part of the nation has many tourist destinations to help fund their military.
These are some of the places they have been sent to, harsh and dangerous areas perfect for turning fresh and soft recruits like their party to hardened and deadly fighters. The countries do reward them handsomely for their exploits after each mission, allowing us to spend days to a few weeks in their most lavish accommodations only second to their nation's leader.
But for Hachiman nothing beats lounging around in your living room, playing with Vita-chan or watching a show on TV with your little sister, especially is said imouto is attentively looking after you since you 've been missing for a week. No one told her to do that, but he might as well take advantage of it while he can, she will be the one being spoiled after a few days of normalcy.
" Onii-chan your up already? Well, no matter breakfast is ready!"
Komachi was initially surprising to see him awake so early in the morning but didn't think too much of it and offered her brother breakfast. Walking sluggishly toward the dining table he found a simple omelet with rice on the table with a heart drawn on top of the egg. Hachiman gave a slight smile at the sight and proceeded to sit down on the chair.
"Hehe, do you like the heart? I sure gained a lot of points for that! Anyway, why are you up so early, are you having trouble sleeping?" Her voice starting off sunny but turned into a worried tone on the last sentence.
"No, I slept fine don't be so worried I am in perfect health, remember? And is it bad for me to wake up early? Just because its summer doesn't mean I will sleep in all the time." The loner reassures her, not bothered by his sisters' question. He would use to sleep till noon when there's no school, it's not surprising she would find it odd.
What he will say next will be met with resistance.
"Anyway, I planned on going out to meet with the detective about what happened. No need to be worried I will be back by 5' o clock." A lie, he plans on spending his day on something else rather than with the detective. Better to avoid that guy he suspects he's so-called memory loss.
"EH! But you just came back from the hospital, you should be resting. And what if you disappear again, those guys that took you might still be out there? Just stay home for a few days, you can do that some other time" Komachi immediately protest and tried to change his mind to hold Hachiman's plans for a few days.
He would love to do what she suggested there wasn't any need for the rush of the test, but he needed to see what was left of his powers from Amarein if he still has them even. Better have this out of the way so he can spend the summer leisurely, playing games and reading light novels.
Sounds like a great idea!
"It's fine the only reason I stayed there for so long was that of the police being worried for my safety, it's easier for them to put me under surveillance under a public place rather than my own home. Don't worry about my so-called kidnappers they wouldn't try anything with the police investigating our case. They probably have people tail me for safety, I will be perfectly fine" after saying all that he resumes enjoying his meal.
Komachi seems to quiet down after his statement, but she doesn't seem completely pleased with his plans. She will likely place some tomatoes in her brother's meal later, besides all the things he said were on point no need to be worried about police tailing her brother. He can't be so unlucky to be kidnapped a second time within a month, right? They return to silently eating their meal engaging in sibling like banters and exchanges.
After eating their meal, the older Hikigaya sibling headed off to the bathroom to get a quick shower before heading out, his sister following him to the front door they say their farewells as he heads out.
"Be careful ok!" his sister shouts out to him as she closes the front door, not without giving one last look to make sure he's still fine.
" Now I need to find a place that's deserted, hard to find in a city like Chiba. I may need to take a train or bus to get outside the city. Where do I do that again?" Hachiman thought, memories of the public transport hazy, not surprising. he spent years over at Amarein, a few none essential things would have been forgotten.
Picking a random direction, he heads out hoping to find the right place to test things out. First, he will need to get rid of the cops.
"Those policemen are quite good." Hachiman exhaled after arriving at an adequate location for his needs.
He found himself inside an abandoned industrial warehouse complex. The outer area was walled off with a stone wall made of cement topped off with barbed wires. While the inside is made up of open warehouses located in the middle and some office buildings to the side. Besides a few metal shelves, old storage containers and piles of rusty machine parts the area was bare.
To lose his would-be protectors he passed through a few crowded places in Chiba and back alleys that one would normally avoid going through. He was able to find this place right after.
The complex was in the news a few years ago, with a report of an explosion happening in one of its warehouses were they store some more valuable goods resulting in their bankruptcy, thus it was abandoned.
Starting with light stretches he prepares to test out if he was able to keep any of his magical skills. Once he finished his stretches he raises his arm in front of him with his palm facing up. Feeling a familiar pool of powers, he draws a tiny amount to invoke his spell.
"Flare" The teen chants his voice slightly deepened in tone as if another person's voice mixed with his.
A small ball of fire burst in existence, exuding a faint light even in the middle of the day. The ball of flames gave off warmth, that even if it was touched it would not be able to burn you.
This was one of the beginners spells called Flare usually used to test out one's affinity with the element of fire. Normally its heat can start a fire, but Hachiman having a low affinity for the element cannot produce enough heat with this spell needing to provide more mana if he wants to do so. Thus, he normally uses it as a cheap source of light.
"Its larger than before, but it's not really hotter" He inspects the small fireball with scrutinizing eyes. The spell is larger than his hand now before it was the size of a tennis ball. He pulls his arms back preparing to throw the spell toward a pile of scrap steel.
Rating his right side forward releasing the spell as he does so, it flies towards a pile of steel making a slight scorch mark but otherwise untouched
"Wahhh, that's a beginner spell for you, can't depend on it to be useful without dumping a large amount of mana in it" this time he points his finger to the scorched pile of scrap.
" Flame Point" without warning, a small flash of heat enveloped his hands before shooting off toward the pile of scrape melting through a small part of it while making some loose part fly off.
This time the black-haired returnee uses a novice battle spell usually used against lesser beast, its power similar to that of a bullet traveling out of a rifle. The spell actually uses less mana from the user than Flare, since it fires a small burst of fire instead of a steady stream of light.
Spells have a ranking system to them determining their worth. It isn't based on destructive ability alone, it usually depends on the efficiency of the spell, the complexity behind its mysteries and finally the ability one need to be in order to learn such a spell.
The ranking consists of:
Beginner Spells or Tier 1 spells. used to begin a person's training in magic each magic art in this level was created to enhance the person's magical aptitude. Such a spell that use a continuous flow of mana to increase mana stores and spell that requires a high amount of control. Generally, spells of these level are useless in anything other than training.
Novice Spells or Tier 2 spell. The majority of the population of Amarein are able to cast spells of this level. This tier has spells that are useful for daily activities and chores. Note Hikigaya Hachiman's favorite spells are located in this rank.
Intermediate Spells or Tier 3 spells. A minimum requirement for soldiers to be able to cast a spell of this level, in order to be efficient in a fight. When entering the army, you need to be at least that skilled.
Expert Spells or Tier 4 spells. A person needs to be able to cast a spell of this level to be called a Mage a special title given to those who have begun to forge their craft. Magic becomes less of a tool for war and more of a way to learn more about the mysteries of the world at this rank.
Master Spells or Tier 5 spells. People able to cast these kinds of spell belong to a council of mages. Spells that can destroy an army are ranked here.
Grandmaster Spells or Tier 6 spells. Mostly head mages of kingdoms are able to invoke these spells. No common human can understand the mysteries of these spell without a year of study. Spells that can destroy a large city are ranked here.
Sage Spells or Tier 7 spells. Stein the head mage of Speron kingdom can cast some spell in these levels. Spells can destroy a Nation are ranked here.
Not all magical arts are for battle some are used for advancement in transport, healthcare, crafting, and many other uses.
" I should avoid any flashy spells for now in case I get spotted" thinking of that the loner starts sorting through his memories for the sufficient spell to try out.
"Reinforcement" he spoke but only a faint glow only appeared as quickly as it went.
Walking toward an old engine one of the least rusty ones, normally he would n't be able to carry it with his current body. After placing both his hands it sufficient anchor points he gives a heave and quickly lifts it off the ground.
"Woah!" slightly losing balance he decides to throw the engine block away, making it fly a few meters before landing with a pile of dust.
Inspecting his handy work, he nods in approval.
Now that he has given time for time for his teenage body to once again familiarize itself with mana. He noticed that the surrounding density of mana was actually higher than that of Amarein. Completely opposite to what Stein said about their world being low on mana.
Although there wasn't any news of magic from anywhere on Earth, he knew from his experience in Amarein that nothing was set in stone. There are a thousand spells that could control the media and prevent any sight of the mystic world from being heard from.
Theories at most right now so he doesn't give it too much though. But it would still be wise to train his body once again, shouldn't be too hard since he has already done this before. Still, he can't channel too much mana through his body, he could risk damaging it from the build up. So many of the more powerful spell out of the question, not like he needed them anyway.
"Well better get to training, eww never knew I would say that"
A small glow appeared around his body as he begging to run around the complex.
"I wasn't able to test out my Gift to see if it still works now that I think of it… I'll do that later."
A yawn was heard from the middle of the street, Hikigaya can be spotted stretching his arm up high and wide open with eyes closed.
" Man I'm beaten. I remember why I hated this in the first place"
It has been a tiring afternoon for the eldest Hikigaya sibling, having the need to test his bodies physical limit to create a proper training schedule. His time in another world has taught him to be prepared just in case of thing turning sour, is better than not being too.
For now, he plans to train every other day to avoid drawing attention from his sister. Although he wants to get his abilities back there was no need to rush in a quite nation like Japan.
As the walk toward his home, he spots a familiar figure walking in the same direction.
With wavy blonde hair cascading on her back slowly waving in the afternoon breeze. Her clothes consisting of a white shirt sleeve shirt made of light fabric due to the heat, with a black skirt that shows her tones legs finishing off with heels that seem comfortable enough to walk in.
"Miura?" gazing at the figure he barely recognized her, gone was her usual equipment made for hardened warriors. Now replaced with clothes a teenage girl would wear, she was a teenager at least in appearance. But memories of years with her in a party during their time in Amarein says otherwise.
-Flashback-
A large fire was crackling late into the night surrounding it are two individuals, both clad in black protective but light armor clothing with heavy coat protecting them from the chilly night air. Heavier equipment has been stored away for comfort.
One of them, a young woman with wavy blond hair and green eyes with curls in the front laying just in front of her bountiful chest, with a thin yet toned figure hugged by her black armor leaving none for the imagination.
Seating in front of her is a with black hair and slightly rotten eyes, is a young man wearing the same armor but adjusted to his body build making it slightly more robust compared to the young woman's
The two are otherworlders summoned the Speron kingdom. Sobu highs Fire Queen Miura Yumiko and Hikigaya Hachiman the King of Loners. Both of them have been transported to this world and are now working at a party together.
They were both put in night watch duty since the forest they were in was known for its nocturnal magical beast. Ward has been placed to warn them of any approach, they are keeping watch for extra measure.
Both of them could only awkwardly gaze into the fire, unable to start a conversation. The two of them didn't really interact with each other back on earth, unable to think of any topic they sat in silence.
Hikigaya the man that he is was fine with the arrangement, not really keen on engaging any small talk settling, reading a small book in the meantime. on poking the fire with a stick.
Miura not really keen on making any sound that might attract any magical beast decided to keep silent, poking the fire with a stick while her mind deep in thought
They've spent a year already in Amarein, most of it spent on training their individual skills and magic that suit their ever-growing battle styles. They ever only met each other during break periods or their lessons about the theories of magic during the evening. The kingdom wanted them to grow as individuals before placing them into a party.
A week ago, they were finally given a training assignment as a team. Currently, they were doing a simple one consisting of hunting a select few magical beasts in a forest, not from one of Sperons many cities. It was a good training spot for beginners like them.
This was the first time they were alone together, thus resulting in their current predicament.
Finally having enough of the silence Miura stands up and head over to Hikigayas spot, intent on starting a conversation with him.
"What Miura?" startled by Miura's sudden movement he looks at her from his position and asks.
"Hikio, move other a bit" She orders having given a shooing gesture as the does so.
Hikigaya slightly moves to the right giving enough space for the blond fire queen to sit on the same log without making contact. Making herself comfortable she once again gazes at the fire and ask.
"Do you think we'll ever return to Earth?" her voice showing no emotion she asks him.
Knowing any chances of reading were over he shut his book close and thinks about her question.
" That's a hard question to answer, do you really want to hear what I think?" he asks her while placing his book away.
" Hard? How is it hard, it's a yes or no answer!?" she gives him a glare from the side, scaring him enough to answer.
" Did you ever thought you would be transferred to another world? You thought it was impossible, right? But what about now, were in said world full of magic and mysteries. Do you still think its impossible? I don't waste time thinking if it's possible to go back to earth, I spend it trying to find ways to make it possible. Is that a good enough answer for you, your Highness?"
"Yeah" she spoke softly thinking about Hikigaya's words, seemingly finding what she wanted from them. "I'll depend on you then" the last part being a whisper.
"What was that?" the loner asks her not hearing the last part.
" Nothing, just thanks for answering me Hikio." She smiles at him. Her grin glowing with the light from the campfire.
"Why did you call me 'Your Highness'?" she smiles more teasingly to our black-haired protagonist.
-Flashback End-
Quickly walking forward to catch up with her figure, just as he was a few meters behind her he calls out.
"Miura, is that you?" said girl jumped at her name and turn around to face him, honey green eyes laced with confusion as she faces him.
"Oh? Hikio don't surprise me like that! What are you doing behind me, stalking? Creepy."
Surprised with the tone of her voice, he studies her body language further. She seems uncomfortable with him, it only been a few days since they last met. Is she having issues with her body or magic?
"Stop with the jokes. Do I need to ask if you tested your magic yet? I tried mine earlier they seem fine, but I'm not sure about you and the others" he told her. He notices her eye further showing confusion.
"Magic? You're kidding, right? I didn't know your where the type to still have his eighth grader syndrome." She tells him mockingly.
Hikigaya was surprised by her action, it was like she was back to a normal teenager. An idea popping up in his mind he decided to ask her a different question.
"Did you faint from a headache recently? And then lost your memories."
After the initial surprise of Miura's memory loss over, Hikigaya was able to convince her to meet tomorrow making it look like he was doing a request for the service club. Strangely enough, the blond teenager agreed to it immediately, seemingly wanting to talk to him about something that has been on her mind for the past few days.
They arranged the time of their meeting tomorrow then said there farewells awkwardly, not sure how to interact with each other. Especially Hikigaya with his view of Miura being a calmer and more mature woman, from their time in Amarein.
He needs to find a way to help her regain her memories.
Bringing her to the warehouse complex was an option, but he doubts that she would follow him there. Two teenagers of the opposite sex entering an abandoned complex. How suspicious does that sound to you? Very. There's also the fact that we are both under police observation for our 'safety' as the police called it.
Firing off a magic spell in public doesn't seem all that wise if it fails to make Miura remember anything she would likely start panicking and draw more attention than necessary. But if there is a is a speck of any memories of Amarein he won't hesitate to do it.
"Hopefully the others aren't like that" Hikigaya sighs ay lays down on his being. Gazing at the ceiling contemplating what he should do next.
Should he even be doing this? Amarein wasn't the sunniest of places with all the fights and battles we've gone through it might be better if she doesn't remember any of that. Letting her live like a normal teenager would probably be better than remembering some of the more harrowing experiences from there.
Was he only doing this so that he won't be the only one that remembers? No, he wasn't that week to the thought of being alone. True their time at Amarein was full of hardships, but there was more to it than just fighting every day. Their party discovered so many places full of wonder and beauty, met so many different people mentors, allies, a comrade in arms.
Friends.
He wouldn't deny her of those memories. Those experiences let her…no, allowed them all to grow into amazing people. Did they fight through a war just to go back home? Yes! They left Amarein not because they wanted to abandon and forget their time there. But because they wanted to move forward in their own world, to show it what they have become.
They would never regret their adventure in another world
Note:
First of all, I would like to thanks everyone reviews and follows in the last chapter I appreciate it very much.
I also changed from the first person to the third person, since I didn't feel comfortable with it.
That is all for now, thank you for reading
Terms:
Amarein: The world they were transported to
Speron: One of the more powerful countries in Amarein, is known for its advance magical technology and Crafts.
