Chapter 1: Brave New World

"Agh! I've been summoned to a parallel world without powers! What even is the point of being here if I don't get to be a hero!?"

Natsuki Subaru lamented his situation.

Little over two hours ago (in EST, Earthen Standard Time), he had been summoned to a completely different world after spending an entire day holed up in his room gaming. For him, this presented an amazing opportunity: the chance to become a hero! Whatever he had been summoned for, be it saving a girl from a desert tower guarded by a dragon or slaying an evil wizard who could bend reality, he was ready!

Contrary to his expectations, all he got was a complete let-down.

After stumbling into a women's bathroom because he cannot read this new language, being kicked into a river by a thug, and almost seeing a child be ran over by an overgrown lizard because he thought he could use his magic, Subaru began to wonder if this world was as amazing as he thought.

There was still a chance this was just a rocky start, though! If he could find an adventurer's guild or stumble across a mysterious yet well-meaning stranger who offered to take him into his party, he would be on the right path! Maybe the cute girl who summoned him to this world was coming right now to explain why his powers had not manifested!

All he could do, then, was sit in this alley with his chips, instant ramen, phone, and wet clothes.

Oh, well, at least it was warm today.

Could he maybe change the weather if he learned magic? That was an intriguing thought, one he should save for later.

"Man, this better be just a bad beginning to my great adventure," he mumbled, mostly to himself since there was no one else in the alley.

Or so he thought.

Soon after, he felt a cold blade position itself against the right side of his neck, and a male voice uttered, "Now, now, boy, if ya don't want trouble, you oughta get out of my way."

It seemed as if time had slowed to crawl. Great, his first day and he was already being mugged! What could he even give the man, his ramen?

"Boy, are ya stupid or deaf?"

"Ah, I, ah, I don't have anything to give you…if you're mugging me that is…"

For a second, there was silence. "Aight, then ya pay with your life."

As the metal blade separated from his neck, no doubt preparing to cut it off, Subaru reacted by swinging his grocery bag at the attacker. With all the strength he could muster, he struck the foul mugger in the head!

And it did nothing!

Because, standing behind him, were two people. One of them, the presumed "mugger," was dressed in the clothes of a knight, although they appeared less well-kept than the shining suits of armor he saw in movies. The knight, if he even was one, had an eyepatch on his left eye, matted bluish hair, and was probably nearing his mid-life crisis. He was probably just a city guard obsessed with his power who liked to abuse the weak!

The other person was a girl of about 15 years old.

With light green garments that just screamed "I'm rich and my dad owns a medieval castle in Romania," short blond hair with a single long strand, and blood-red eyes (they seemed to be natural), she stood a couple of steps behind the knight and appeared to be the very definition of either "princess in distress" or "spoiled rich brat."

Once he saw her smirk, Subaru decided on the latter.

"That's enough, Niko," she said to the knight. "You scared him pretty well, so feel happy you were of some service, but this lovely lady does not need to see a corpse today."

"Niko" bowed to the woman and sheathed his sword. "As you wish, my lady. Forgive me for getting carried away."

She just huffed and waved her hand at him.

For the first time since turning around and slapping a guard with a plastic bag, Subaru spoke, "Hey! You can't go around terrifying people like that! What if someone gets hurt, lady!?"

Before Niko could respond, the woman cut him off. "Why should this lovely lady explain herself to a lowly rat such as yourself? Even if that malformed chunk of meat in your head that you call your brain could comprehend my divine actions, what would I get out of it?"

What?

Was her thinking seriously so twisted?

As Subaru's brain struggled to comprehend the woman's absolutely insane response, she nodded to her companion, who moved Subaru out of the way and escorted her out of the alley.

Only when they were out of sight did he utter, "Man! So this place has snotty nobles too! Why I should've taught her a lesson!"

Picking up his grocery bag, he stepped out of the alley.

Time to find an adventurer's guild!

Walking through the capital's streets, Niko could feel the crowds' eyes on him and his lady.

Not a good sign.

When most other nobles graced the common masses with their presence, everyone bowed and fought with each other to get on their good graces, so why was his lady, a princess of the kingdom, treated like human trash?

It made him want to teach them all some respect!

Whatever the crowds spat at him and the princess, he could take, and he was sure she had even better self-control than him, so insults barely had an effect.

Of course, sometimes things got physical.

More than once, he had to end lives in service to the princess.

Some would wonder: in service to the princess or the monarchy?

Niko just responded to such questions with a chuckle.

"Niko," the princess called to him. "Did that filth from earlier catch your attention?"

He pondered for a minute. "Who? Do you mean the one who tried to scam us for that hat, my lady?"

"Not that one, although this lovely lady admits that the hat was fashionable. No, I was referring to the one in the alley."

"Ah. Well, he had some nice clothes on, so he was probably a noble, and black hair means he's either Vollachian or Gustekan, so…I believe I may have threatened a foreign noble, my lady."

"Indeed. Well, they know they stand no chance against our kingdom, so expect only a slight fuss over it."

"My lady, if that boy was more influential than expected…"

"What if he was? Would Gusteko send an army to kill us? I know you'd die defending this lovely lady, so I've nothing to worry about."

Niko bowed to her, affirming her belief.

The two continued their walk toward the royal palace in silence, not knowing that the boy would, indeed, be more influential than expected.

Within an abandoned building in the slums, a man with a red and green attire stood with his back against one of the walls.

His customer had called an emergency meeting a short while ago, and he had no choice but to attend, lest he lose his greatest employer.

As well as that man paid, he sure was a weird one.

Nonetheless, the pay was what mattered.

Finally, he heard the door to the room on the other side of the wall open, and footsteps made their way to the wall.

"My, I expected you to arrive later," came the employer's voice, still holding the usual giddiness.

The employee retorted, "I expected you to arrive on time."

"Yes, there was a slight detour I had to take. Find it in your heart to forgive me."

"I don't need to forgive you, jester, I need to get paid, or else I'll starve. Isn't that clear enough?"

"So eager for another job, are we?"

His groan was the response.

This little hideout was one his employer had designated for meetings.

With each of them on different sides of the wall, they could speak without revealing themselves.

For seven years, the man had been employed by this particular eccentric, and not once had they met face-to-face.

That was not to say he harbored suspicions about who his employer was.

Only nobles and royals had access to the amount of money he paid, and no foreigner would risk coming to the Lugnican capital for a single employee.

"If you're here to chat, then I suppose I should take my leave," the man said.

His employer replied, "Ah, don't get fussy now, my friend. Please try to understand this is just who I am."

Silence.

"Well then, I have an important job for you, my star agent: there is a person I would be pleased if you spied on."

"Weird that you don't want me to blow them up."

"On the contrary, if you harm this particular target, I would be inclined to harm you in return."

"Scary…"

"Mhm. Now, the target is quite easy to spot. He is around 17 years old, has black hair, and his clothes are sure to look strange, possibly even like those of a noble."

"Spying on nobles isn't my strong suit."

The employer chuckled. "You won't be spying on a noble. He's just a normal boy."

"Noted."

"His name is Natsuki Subaru, and I implore you to keep me updated on his progress."

"Why are there no adventurer's guilds!? This place sucks!"

For hours, Subaru had wandered the city, looking for anything that would point him in the direction of his new quest. Until now, all he managed was to embarrass himself further, and he found no holy sword, great mage, or secret meeting that would aid him on his world-changing mission.

A couple of times, he even bumped into fancy-looking individuals and questioned them about any possible hints that would lead to his heroic path. As expected, they all shoved him away.

Now, seeing the sun begin to set, he wondered where he would even sleep. Without any money or friends, he was practically stuck out in the open, and if there were more nobles like that girl from earlier…

"Hey, pal, you alright?"

In front of Subaru stood a man in the most elegant armor he'd ever seen. The man had fiery red hair and a kind face, which – paired with the fact that he appeared to be near 40 – made him look like the popular uncle everyone likes but shows up only on family reunions.

"Yeah, I'm mostly alright," Subaru responded.

"Well, if you tell me why you're only 'mostly' alright, then maybe I can help!"

"Well, see, I'm kinda…broke and homeless…heh."

The man's smile did not falter for a second as he answered, "Well then! I'd be glad to give you a temporary residence! My family would be thrilled to have you."

"Hey! Thanks! Ah, I forgot to introduce myself: I'm Natsuki Subaru, and not only am I clueless, but I'm broke beyond compare!"

He struck a pose while saying this.

The man smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Subaru. My name's Fribal. Fribal van Astrea, though most call me the 'Sword Saint.'"

"Hey, uh, that nickname's not a euphemism for…is it…is it referring to an actual sword or…?"

Fribal's face grew as red as his hair, and he quickly removed an ornate sword from his back and displayed it, trying his best to put an end to the thought that his name implied certain unwanted ideas.

Subaru sighed in relief that the name referred to a weapon and not…not something else…

As both of them looked for words, Fribal spoke first. "Say, Subaru, how about we get going? It'll be night soon, and I've a patrol to complete today, but the house's not far from here."

"Oh! That'd be great, thanks!"

Maybe this was how his adventure started!

"Fribal," a familiar voice came in. "Still picking up strays, I see."

Great.

Joining the conversation were a blond woman in a green dress and a dirty knight with dark blue hair.

Fribal bowed. "Lady Emerada. You've graced me with your presence. May I be of assistance?"

"Yes, you may," Emerada responded with a conceited grin. "You could tell this lovely lady why you're inviting a rabid mutt into your home."

"Lady Emerada, forgive my speaking, but he hardly looks like a rabid mutt," the Sword Saint retorted.

"That wild dog attacked my knight with that…thing…he's holding."

Fribal's face changed into an expression that most accurately conveyed the thought "I have to treat you well because you're royalty but if you weren't I'd put a crab in your shoe."

"Indeed," the blond narcissist continued. "Viciously, and without provocation, that…that meatbag assaulted a knight of the kingdom."

"I see, your highness. Then, allow me to escort him to the Astrea estate for further questioning and observation. It is renowned for its capable fighters, after all."

Emerada huffed, clearly displeased with those words, and waved her hand as if to say "Keep talking but I'll only be paying attention to myself because I'm the best and there is none greater."

Subaru hated her, but given that he barely knew her, he was not stupid enough to insult her and give her the excuse necessary to jail him or worse.

"Take care then, lady Emerada, Niko," Fribal said as he grabbed Subaru by the arm as if arresting him and led him away, while the noble and her knight walked in the opposite direction.

Turning to his new redhead acquaintance, Subaru whispered, "I hate that woman! She's so stuck-up and such a snob!"

"I am afraid I don't understand those words, but you would do well to treat lady Emerada with due respect."

"'Due respect?' The respect she's owed is a slap to the face!"

Fribal halted, and Subaru could tell he had crossed a line. "I'll only say this once, Subaru: you would do well to respect the lady. Especially since she's one of the king's heirs."

"SHE'S A PRINCESS!?"

"Indeed. Have you not heard of her?"

"I don't even know how to read!"

With a sigh, Fribal resolved to at least help this boy get started on a better path in life.

It was going to be a long night.

But this was the calm before the tempest.

AN: Man, do you guys know the author of Believer in Love? He sucks. Can't believe people actually like him smh.

Ok, jokes aside, this is the start of the fic I promised as a surprise for BiL's 50k words. Enjoy!

AN 2: This fic will contain spoilers! I strongly recommend you read the EX novels (1-4), the Battle Ballad side story, and Arc 5 of the WN. Not only will they contextualize a massive amount of information in this fic, but they are also amazing reads. If you do not want to read them (you're missing out) or just cannot, I will provide some context next chapter.