Okay, I'm way out of his depth here. He quickly realized this as he lay on his side, feeling his life force draining away. He had gotten too confident, thinking he was ready to charge into a situation blind. That assassin that just attacked him…

Ah, does it even matter anymore?

Ikazuchi Subaru felt regret and sorrow in his last moments as he tried to hold on in vain. Was he really going to die without apologizing for his mom and dad?

Dad could have handled this situation and saved this world easily. Probably would be a casual Tuesday morning for him too. Subaru weakly smiled at that thought as his vision blurred. I just… wish I was more like him.

"Subaru?"

No, you should have stayed behind… Don't come in here.

His hopes and thoughts were all for naught as he heard the yelp of a girl and the subsequent sound of someone falling to the floor in a heap. He forced his eyes open, staring at the silver-haired girl laying limp before him and slowly stretching out his hand. No, I can't… I refuse to let this be the end…

"I'm going to save you!"

His words expressed one part of his thinking process but betrayed the rest of his thoughts. And I will… be a better hero than dad!


A Father's Guidance (Prologue): For Want of A Soul

A minor change in history causes Natsuki Subaru's parents to change somewhat. Instead of being born to a man seen as the most well-liked in town, Natsuki Kenichi, he ends up being the son of someone who he feels even more overshadowed by.

A charismatic man with supernatural abilities, who hides said abilities in public; and tells Subaru tales of far-off fantasy worlds and universes that his father had explored.

For want of a soul, a son was lost. For want of a son, a family shattered. For want a family, a God wept. This is the tale of Ikazuchi Subaru, son of Ikazuchi Naoko and Ikazuchi Ryutensei.


Well, this was annoying.

Ikazuchi Subaru stared down at his phone, having opened his funds and realizing that he was finally running out. He could last maybe a week or two, including his apartment's rent, if he was lucky. Beyond that… "I guess I really will have to get a job earlier than I thought," Subaru sighed tiredly.

But even still, Subaru's stomach wanted some junk food, and he was determined to get some. Coffee would be nice too. "I blame dad for introducing me to it." At this point, Subaru grew irritable quickly without a nice cup of coffee every once in a while. Most preferably everyday…

Having set his goals, Subaru walked into a local corner store in search of some chips and… okay coffee. He had enough sense to know he couldn't splurge himself on the high-quality stuff… not without denting his budget further.

"Is this really the best manga they've got here?" Subaru muttered, unimpressed as he skimmed the pages of the manga available to him at this store. Compared to those stories his dad used to tell him…

His fists clenched up at the thought, but Subaru forced himself to take a deep breath, calm down, and put the manga down. No need to get angry at a book… or at his father. Neither of them deserved his anger. Especially… Just stop thinking about it, Subaru, and get your coffee. He instructed himself, skimming the aisles for the best deal available to him.

In the end, he got some Barbeque Rays and a Starbooks-brand coffee packaging, deciding to plan around that. "That'll be 1226.56 Yen." The man at the front desk said tiredly, bagging his stuff for him as he quickly paid using his card. Once he had acquired his goods, Subaru walked out of the store and sighed, rubbing at his eyes as he noticed his vision blur.

"Gods, I should tone down the gaming," Subaru muttered, pondering if his mother's advice was something he should have taken to heart. He didn't really want to lose his eyesight or whatever because of excessive gaming… and he kind of needed his eyesight. Not only to live but to make sure others didn't get hurt from his… instability.

"Well, that's new! Bravery magic's supposed to be the volatile and explosive one! Not Perseverance!" He heard his father's boisterous laughter in the back of his mind, causing him to wince. He didn't want to think about that more than necessary…

He eventually opened his eyes again after rubbing at them for a while, finding him standing in the middle of a strange… medieval… looking town…

...With a bunch of non-human people walking around…

"..." Subaru's arms went limp by his sides as excitement simmered in his heart and soul. This was it, this was his chance! "ALRIGHT, NEW WORLD! HERE I COME!"

Ikazuchi Subaru was determined to make the best out of this situation.


A Father's Guidance Arc 1 (Patience), PROLOGUE - COMPLETE