Ethox's Journal, Entry #1:

I've decided to start a little journal, so I can share my adventures with my brother if and when we meet and become friends. Well, I've officially decided to join the Cycle of the Stars, and I've even gotten one of the ten Isekai Heroes to join my new team (name pending). However, right now, the others are still wondering what our next move is. However, I think I have an idea.

During Seiya's training with Mitis, I was walking around the Divine Realm when I overheard two gods talking about a goddess named 'Aqua'. Must be a water goddess or something. Anyway, they said that she had been taken to an A-Class world due to some incident with her hero and, since she apparently never learned how to make a portal back here like Rista can, she's stuck there.

Maybe this hero is one of the ten? If they can get a goddess on their side, they must be pretty special. I'll tell the others about this and tomorrow, we'll go and see if the hero is the real deal. I can't wait to meet them! I bet they're super cool like Seiya!


The Kingdom of Belzerg, the city of Axel…

Ethox, Mirror Match, Seiya and Ristarte arrived in the streets from a gateway created by Ethox. Ristarte herself could only travel to Gaeabrande from the divine realm. So, Ethox had to cover for her.

They also Decided to leave Mash and Elulu in Ariadoa's care in the Divine Realm. Despite them being with them for a while, Ethox didn't really want the young dragonkin to be involved with a serious battle between Light and Darkness with him caught in the middle.

"Well, this is the place." Ethox said, looking around. "Looks rather peaceful here, doesn't it?" he asked the others.

"So did Edona," Seiya remarked, "and we all know what happened there. We can't let our guard down for a second."

"Will you get the stick outta your butt and relax, Seiya?" Ristarte asked. "Axel is a peaceful starting town in an A-Class world. These kinda worlds are still tough, but not nearly as dangerous as S-Class worlds."

"Not only that, but this world also has a sense of irony to it." Mirror Match said. "Belzerg also has a Demon King threatening it."

"So what? Demon Kings can't just leave their fortresses and attack the starting town." Rista said.

"One of his generals attacked us in the town we started in, if you forgot already." Seiya replied.

"Knock it off, you two." Ethox said. "Anyway, let's see if we can get any information on this goddess and her heroes' whereabouts."

"Where exactly do you suggest we do that?" Seiya asked.

"By going to this town's local Guild of course." Ethox replied. "All Adventure Universe worlds have a Guild in them, where adventurers go to get jobs and collect rewards. If they're anywhere, they'll be there."

The group then headed to Axel's Local Guild Hall and spoke with the receptionist.

"Were looking for a girl named Aqua." Ethox asked the guild's receptionist, a beautiful woman named Luna. "Long light blue hair, wears blue clothes, bit of a drinker…?"

"Oh yes, she goes to this guild. But I'm afraid she and her partner are off on a quest right now." Luna answered. "Would you like me to tell them you're looking for her when they get back?"

"No, that's fine, we can find them. What quest did they take on the board?" Ethox asked.

"They're currently taking the task of killing five Giant Toads in 3 days." Luna explained. "They should be out in the plains near the city. You'll probably find them there."

"Thank you!" Ethox thanked the receptionist, before he turned to the rest of the group. "She's with her hero out battling some Giant Toads on the outskirts of the city."

"Alright! Let's go and find them!" Ristarte said as they turned to leave.

"Forget it." Seiya piped in bluntly which made them stop.

"Oh, come on! Really?!" Ristarte said. "You're not going to do this now!"

"Seiya, with all due respect, you're basically a human nuke." Ethox said. "Do you really think a few giant frogs are going to be dangerous for you?"

"For all we know, they could have poisonous attributes." Seiya said. "Also, I've heard plenty of stories about those toads. They swallow goats whole during their mating season, and plenty of farmers and kids go missing during those times. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that these frogs have a taste for humans."

"Dangit, this always happens with you, I swear!" Rista yelled.

"Let it go, Rista," Mirror Match said. "There's no changing Seiya's point of view on anything he deems dangerous."

"So what can we do?" Rista said.

"We can get ready to tackle those toads." Ethox asked. "But not training. It's pretty obvious it's the last day of that toad killing quest. So we'll wait until an even bigger toad kill quest comes along. And while we do that, we'll…"

"Get swole." Seiya answered.

"Search for allies!" Ethox corrected. "...but you can do that too, if you want."

"Having new allies is a good call… without Mash and Ellu, we don't have a lot of backup." Ristarte said.

"Yeah. I'm sure there's gotta be a few adventurers in this guild looking for a party to hook up with." Ethox said. "We'll post up a party request ad and see if anybody shows up at the guild tomorrow."

With that, the group created a party request ad and posted it on the mission board.

Adventurers Needed for Up-and Coming Party in Axel!

Small-time nobody with big role and group needs adventures for out of this world opportunities. All welcome, especially those from out of town.

Exceptionally stellar Stats are very welcomed! (Rista's bit)

No stupid idiots who rush into battles without preparing. (Seiya's bit)

Please apply with grey cloaked boy if interested!


The next day….

"I'm not sure our sales pitch worked very well." Ethox said as they were in the guild with no one coming to them.

"I told you to let me handle the writing." Mirror Match pointed out.

"And I told you I was writing in code." Ethox answered. "Anybody from another world would definitely notice the 'out of town' part!"

"And how would they know to look for a code?" Mirror Match asked.

"If you ask me, Rista's pitch on high stats are driving people away." Seiya piped in.

"Oh that's rich coming from you, Mr. 'call people stupid idiots'." Rista argued.

"Perhaps we should face the fact. No one in Axel would ever accept that kind of offer, even if they looked at it…" Mirror match said as someone was approaching.

"I saw your notice, calling for Adventurers." a young female voice spoke up.

Ethox perked up. "We got a taker!" he cheered, turning around and seeing a young girl with dark brown hair and one crimson eye, the other one covered by an eyepatch. Her head was adorned with a wizard's hat, and her clothes were red with yellow highlights, with a black cloak with gold borders on her back. In her hands, she held a black staff.

"Heh. That we should meet is a fate chosen by this world." the young girl said. "At last, my search for suitable companions to quest with is at an end!"

"And you are?" Mirror Match asked.

In response to this, the girl puffed her cape up and struck a pose. "My name is Megumin! I am an Arch Wizard who wields Explosion, the most powerful, most feared, most deadly spell in all the land!"

"Whoa, seriously?!" Ethox asked in shock. "I've heard of that spell a few times, but I've never seen it used! That's so cool!"

"I see you're marveled by my amazing power. Does that mean you wish to align yourself with a power so fearsome, its user has been shunned?" Megumin asked, holding her hand over her face in a mysteriously cool manner.

"Sure thing!" Ethox said. "You're in!"

"Hold your enthusiasm, my friend." Mirror spoke up. "Perhaps we should get to know her frist before we induct her into the party."

"Whoops, heh.. Sorry. I got a little excited there. But how can I, this girl knows a spell that can level a mountain!" Ethox marvelled.

"I believe I've also heard of this spell." Mirror said. "I believe it was on a list… 'Spells that Look Cool, but are Impractical in most Situations'."

"So in other words, this girl's hyping herself up to lure us into a trap." Seiya said. "If that's the case… you're pulling our legs, aren't you?"

"N-No, of course I'm not!" Megumin protested, losing her edge.

RIstarte noticed her eyepatch. "Hey, that eye patch… I've heard about a group of mages who bear that symbol. You're one of the Crimson Demons, right?"

"Indeed!" Megumin declared, regaining her traction. "I am Megumin, the greatest mage of the Crimson Demons! My lethal powers can demolish the tallest mountains, smash… hardest… stone…" she started wobbling before she collapsed to the ground.

"H-Hey, are you okay?!" Ethox asked… before the group heard her stomach grumble. "Uh… you need something to eat?"

Megumin sighed. "I haven't had anything to eat in 3 whole days…. I'd appreciate the gesture of some food."

Ethox smiled. "Alright, let's get you some food, champ."

And so, the young Arch Wizard got some fried toad, courtesy of the group.

"So, Megumin," Ethox said as the girl chomped down on her food, "I can't help but notice that eyepatch you have there. If you want, Rista here can probably heal that for you. Right Rista?" he asked the goddess of healing, only for Megumin to laugh.

"This is no eyepatch, but a magic item that suppresses my powers." the girl explained dramatically. "I dare not remove it, for if I did, a great catastrophe would befall this world!"

"Whoa… seriously?" Ethox asked.

"Don't be fooled." Mirror Match shook his head. "It's just a regular cosmetic."

"Yeah, she probably wears it to look cool." Seiya said.

"...Truely, your skills of perception are unmatched!" Megumin said. "You are more than worthy to have me in your party and-"

Megumin was interrupted when Seiya grabbed the girl's eyepatch and started pulling on it.

"Ack! I'm sorry! Please don't pull on it!" Megumin cried out.

"Is this short stack really the real deal?" Seiya asked.

"Well, those of the Crimson Demon clan are born with high intelligence and are amazing spellcasters." Ristarte explained. "And they are also given really weird names."

"Hm. She's probably not lying then." Seiya replied, snapping the eye patch back on Megumin's eye.

"Ah, my eye!" Megumin yelled as she grasped her face.

"Congratulations, you've gotten the closest thing Seiya can get to an approval." Mirror said. "If there aren't any objections, Megumin is welcome to join us."

"No objections here. We seriously need an Attack Mage in this party." Ethox said. "And if this Explosion spell is so powerful, we'll definitely need her to blast a big chunk out of Ethos dark army."

"Guess it's settled. Megumin, you're on the team." Ristarte said.

"You won't regret this, I promise!" Megumin assured.

"Alright, now let's go croak some toads!" Ethox said. "Unless you think we aren't ready yet, Seiya."

"Nope. I've studied over their weaknesses and I'm good to go." Seiya said. "I'm perfectly prepared. I am one hundred percent ready for this."

"What kind of oath is that?" Megumin asked.

"The kind best suited for him." Mirror said. "This is the Cautious Hero. Prepare to face insanity, for he is caution personified."


In the fields outside Axel…

"Okay team, here we are!" Ethox said, as the group stood on a grassy plain, a Giant Toad standing in the distance. "These Giant Toads are going down! Megumin, that one looks far away enough, would you like to handle it?"

"It would be my pleasure!" Megumin said as she pointed her staff at the monster. "Explosion is the strongest spell. The stronger the spell, the more time it takes to charge." she told the group.

"Makes sense. We'll buy you some time." Ethox said summoning his Keyblade.

"Try not to kill this foe in one blow before our new comrade gets even a chance, Seiya." Mirror Match said.

"You don't have to snap at me." Seiya said. "Because there's another one heading our way." he pointed to another toad hopping their way. "I'll get that one."

"Okay. We got our targets. So let's get crazy!" Ethox said as they were about to fight before…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! SOMEBODY HELP ME!" a girl's voice screamed.

A third toad appeared, and it appeared to be chasing someone. Or rather, two people running from it.

The first was a girl with light blue hair, some of it in a ring. She wore a blue vest with a green ribbon on her chest, with a blue sphere around that. She also had blue heeled boots, a dark blue miniskirt covering a translucent purple underskirt.

Meanwhile, the second was a young man with chestnut-brown hair wearing a green, black and white tracksuit and holding sword.

"YOU JUST HAD TO TICK IT OFF, DIDN'T YOU?!" the boy yelled as the girl. "'GOD REQUIEM' MY ASS!"

"HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THESE FROGS ARE RESISTANT TO MY ATTACKS?!" the girl yelled back. "IF ANYTHING, YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE KILLING THESE MONSTERS! A GODDESS SHOULDN'T DO ALL THE WORK!"

"YOU'RE THE ONE THAT CHARGED IT!"

Everyone stared at the pair running their way.

"Well, looks like we found Aqua." Ethox said. "Right, change of plans. Mirror, get Megumin's target, I'll take the chaser."

"Sounds good to me." Mirror nodded. "Good luck."

Ethox then ran towards the frog chasing the two adventurers.

"Ah! Kazuma look! Another adventurer! We're saved!" the girl said.

"Finally, someone who can actually hold their own!" the boy named Kazuma said. "Hey buddy! Mind helping a fellow adventurer out?"

"No problem!" Ethox said as he passed them and towards the frog, Keyblade raised. "Tiger Tree!"

Suddenly, a projection of a tiger manifested from the Keyblade and charged the frog, dealing massive scratches all across as it climbed the frog. With a yell, Ethox jumped up and slashed the weakened frog across the face. As he landed on the ground, the frog fell over dead.

"Whoa, he beat it!" Kazuma said. "That guy ain't no rookie!"

Ethox ran back to the others as the group met up.

"Nicely done, Ethox." Mirror Match complemented.

"Thanks." the Nobody said. "Knowing Seiya, he's probably done with his already, but is making sure there's no trace of it left."

As if those words were a trigger, a pillar of flame rose across from them.

"He should be done in ten minutes or so." Mirror commented. "Meanwhile, I boxed Megumin's target in so it couldn't move. Megumin, how's it coming-"

They were suddenly caught in a swirling windstorm of magic, gathering in her staff.

"Whoa, that's a lotta magic power she's gathering!" Ethox said.

"Darkness blacker than black, darker than dark! Merge with my deep crimson, I beseech thee! The time of awakening hath come!" Megumin chanted. "From the boundaries of righteousness, come oh justice, as an intangible distortion! Dance. Dance. Dance! Transform my torrent of power into a torrent of force, one without equal!"

During the proclamations, the sky started to darken as blue swirling light surrounded the trapped frog, making an opening in the sky where three magic circles appeared.

"Burn all of creation to cinders and rise from the abyss! Grant your humble servant the most powerful attack ever known! Grant your humble servant the most powerful attack spell! EXPLOSION!"

The lights started sparkling with color as they converged on the doomed frog. Then, a massive column of flame erupted from the target area, one even larger than Seiya's. The present company dug their heels in the ground to avoid being blown away by the attack, Megumin chuckling at the display.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the attack faded, the blue sky shining again… and all that remained of the toad was a massive glowing crater.

Ethox kneeled on the ground after bracing so hard from the recoil. "...That was awesome." he breathed, his eyes sparkling in awe.

"That was a big boom… even Seiya's blasts can't match that." Ristarte said in a mixture of shock and a touch of horror. "I never want to be near something like that…"

"Well, Megumin, you certainly know how to blow both body and mind away." Mirror laughed. "Quite a show you put-"

Mirror stopped in his tracks as he noticed the Arch Wizard flop to the ground.

"Megumin!" Ethox called in worry as he ran to the girl and turned her over to face him. "Are you okay?! What's wrong?"

Megumin moaned tiredly. "Even though Explosion is very powerful… using it takes a lot of energy. I overexerted myself conjuring it so… well… I can't move a muscle." she explained.

"...Oh. Well, not to worry." Ethox said as he took his Keyblade and pointed it at Megumin.

"Hang on turbo, the battle's over. No need to use Inspiration now when all the toads are dead." Ristaete said.

"Oh, right. Sorry." Ethox said. "Well, since we've already completed the quest, I guess we should head back to the guild."


Later in town…

The group was walking back with Kazuma and Aqua, with Megumin slung over Kazuma's back.

"Wait, seriously?! He's the guy?" Aqua asked as she and Ristarte were talking. "And you coincidentally bumped into him?"

"I know, I was shocked when I first heard it." Ristarte said. "He was a little bummed about it first, but now he's getting ready to be an actual force in the cycle."

"Well, what I really can't believe is that you got an S-Class world to save." Aqua said. "I mean, you're kinda new as far as gods go. Compared to me, who's summoned heroes here lots of times."

"Oh don't give me that. I hear you were so arrogant with that boy over there, he dragged you here with him." Ristarte mentioned.

"It's true. She was a total jerk." Kazuma spoke up, getting in on the conversation. "All she does is complain, get drunk, and gets covered in toad slime because she runs straight at the toads and can't do squat to them."

"Hey! You can't talk about a goddess like that!" Aqua shouted.

"He's right. You're even more useless than Rista." Seiya said.

"What?! Rista, your heroes' got an even more worse attitude than Kazuma!" Aqua cried.

As she rambled on, Ethox approached Kazuma.

"Say, you're from Japan in the Standard Universe, right?" Ethox asked.

"That's right. How'd you guess?" Kazuma asked.

"Your name. And the fact that you're wearing a tracksuit suggests you were either summoned or reincarnated here." Ethox said.

"Reincarnated." Kazuma said. "It was either this or be stuck in heaven with nothing to do. I figured I could have an awesome adventure… but so far, it's been a hassle!"

"I get the sense you've been through the wringer here." Ethox said.

"That's not even the half of it! I'm stuck here with a useless lush of a goddess who first spent all her time learning party tricks, and to top it all off, we're sleeping in a freakin' stable!" Kazuma said. "And now you bring me into this with a mage that can only use one spell a day?"

"Wait, you can only use the one spell Megumin?" Ethox asked. "Why don't you wanna learn any other magic?"

"Because I am an Arch Wizard who loves Explosion more than anything!" Megumin said. "Those other spells suck, even if they'd be more useful! The whole reason I walk the path of the Arch Wizard is so I can cast that one glorious spell!"

"..." Ethox was silent for a moment, before he simply sighed and smiled. "Well, you know what they say: if you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life. We're gonna need to find a way to get you back on your feet quickly after you use it; Inspiration comes to mind, but I can't use it whenever I want. Something to look into I guess."

"Wait, you're just accepting this?!" Kazuma said. "This girl is borderline useless! She can't use Explosion in dungeons at all, she'll kill everyone!"

"Maybe… but she's still part of the team." Ethox said. "That's what teammates do, right? Help cover each other's weaknesses and build on their strengths?"

"You know what? Sure, whatever, it's your party." Kazuma said.

"Actually, that reminds me." Ethox perked up. "Do you two wanna join my team?"

"Huh? What's with that all the sudden?" Kazuma asked.

"Well, to tell the truth… we came here looking for you and Aqua because Ethox thought you would be one of the Ten Iseikai Heroes." Ristarte explained.

"Wait, seriously? Me, some bigshot in a group of likely OP heroes?" Kazuma asked.

"Well, we don't really know for sure if you are one of them. But it doesn't hurt to check." Ethox said.


Back at the guild, the group collected the reward for slaying the giant toads and sat down for dinner.

"...so I decided to get into the cycle so I could save Theo from having to reincarnate all the time." Ethox finished the explanation.

"Damn, and I thought I had it rough." Kazuma said. "I still think you're after the wrong guy here. There's no way a guy like me, a shut in who died in the most ridiculous way possible and reincarnated into a fantasy world with a useless goddess is a big time hero."

"Well, guess we'll just have to see." Ethox said. "But even if not, I'm sure that the offer for party members I put up will attract another one. I even put in a stupid code for anyone whod get it. But I guess I'm outta luck for anyone who can crack my stupid ideas…"

"Yeah, I know, right? "Out of this world'?" A voice spoke up, getting Ethox's attention.

"No way… that voice!" Ethox said, turning his head towards the job board.

(Cue: Hero A- My Hero Academia Soundtrack)

"But, what could I expect from someone like you, Ethox?" the voice said as a face familiar to both him and Mirror Match. A young man in a space-pattern bodysuit veiled in a ragged hat patterned after a sort of jellyfish creature, numerous Ultra Balls clipped to his belt.

"You've always been like that…" the boy said, taking off his hat. "A little naive, but with lots of heart. It's one of the things I admired about you. Something it took trying to save a little girl to help me find in myself."

Ethox and Mirror Match were stunned before their faces grew into grins of utter joy. "...Ultraman!"