The sky remained stagnant for the time being.
Nothing disturbed this serenity due to the higher atmosphere. No clouds touched here, no birds flew, and no contraptions made stayed there long enough to form any form of presence. It was a rather uneventful part of the world
Until a most peculiar moment happened.
A tear appeared, starting as a simple line before stretching out from a top and bottom point, creating an oval-shaped hole, where swirls and whirls of gray and white tumbled over each other. For a moment, nothing happened, literally, as if the universe had suddenly been frozen in place for that short time
During that freeze, a humanoid figure appeared, darkened and murky as if seen from within deep water.
As the figure closed in on the opening of the hole, its outstretched hand hit a translucent barrier that stretched like a bubble at its touch. A few seconds later, as the hands stretched the barrier slightly farther, the barrier burst suddenly and the flow of time resumed as the now-revealed, teenaged boy tumbled out of the barrier head first and fell to the planet below.
"Oh shit!" He exclaimed as he stopped mid-air spread-eagle, body parallel to the ground, with his eyes closed and his dirty-blonde bangs hung in front of him, seemingly awaiting an event to transpire. After a moment where his patience went unrewarded, he opened his eyes to show chocolate-brown irises and noted the sea of gray clouds below him.
Straightening himself out, he surveyed his surroundings to find anything flying towards him. When none appeared, he patted his jet-black jacket and jeans down to make sure anything he brought with him was still on his person.
However, this process was halted when a tenor voice rang out from within his head. "I suggest you get down to planet soon. Unlike other places we've been to, this one has eyes in space."
The boy's eyes narrowed and pulled himself up to appear standing in the air. Directing his attention to above him and focusing, he perceived two man-made satellites orbiting the planet. While they seemed oblivious to his location, he didn't believe that they actually were.
Thus, he quickly began his descent down, though not fast enough to cause any great disturbances that would call attention to himself. As he grew closer to the surface, he noted the closest landforms and slowly flew out from over the ocean to be between the two. It was then that he realized that the places were mirror images of China and Japan from his world.
A-Am I back? Is it over now?
"Unfortunately, not yet, Phillip. But, soon. I promise you that"
Phillip nodded at this, setting aside his disappointment for the time being. While he wished for the end of this arduous and near eternal adventure, the being inside him had long since stated that more adventures were awaiting him.
It was as he neared the landmasses that the voice spoke again. "I'll guide you to the starting point of your journey. From there, I'll explain the context of your journey in this dimension."
Phillip followed the directions and found himself instructed to fly towards the eastern side of Japan. With an applied transparency jutsu applied, he flew past port town after port town, his blue sneakers glancing against the seawater until the voice picked out the right one.
It was a massive city, where a multitude of towering skyscrapers stood to greet his coming, with the only other structures being an expansive wall cutting in the middle of it all and a similarly-sized barrier going around the perimeter. While he couldn't get a decent look at the place, the sheer width of it indicated that millions of people lived there. The only downside from the place that he could identify was the low elevation, which he deemed was the reason for the barrier.
As he was about to dive into the city with the jutsu still active, the voice stopped him. "Don't. Head to the western side and go out a couple of miles. I'll explain the situation from there."
Phillip was perplexed by this. He didn't see any reason why they couldn't simply enter the city from above, land discretely, and stay under the radar if all they needed to do was talk. Though, from the time he spent with the voice, he knew that it never did anything without good reasons behind it.
Thus, he followed the instructions, keeping his distance from the outer wall to prevent detection as he passed the inner middle wall for the western side of the city. Once he reached the farthest point of the barrier, he noticed a cement road piercing through a thick jungle to reach the city. He continued to fly past, intent to reach the area the voice described quickly to continue into his adventure.
Once Phillip reached those couple of miles, he dropped to the right of the road and hid in the dark green canopy of the trees. He then increased his senses out to determine if anyone was close by. When it was clear there wasn't, he dropped his transparency and got down to business.
Alright, Gabriel. Lay it on me.
"First, hold out your right hand." Phillip did so, and a flash of blinding light engulfed his hand. When he opened his eyes, a small blue book sat in it, with the word "Passport" sitting at the top of the front in golden letters. Opening it up, he noticed that most of his info was in it, along with a picture of his current appearance. "These will get you into the city, along with any other security details."
That sounds good and all, but it won't work if they, say, bring it up on virtual records.
"I already did that. Nothing should be able to stop you from entering."
Phillip shook his head with a smile as he stuffed the book into his pocket. He dropped from the canopy down to the street side and turned to face the city, the skyscrapers still seen from there.
Shall we?
"Yes. I'll explain the situation as you go."
Fine by me.
With that, Phillip started down the street, the grey clouds opening for the noon sun to blaze down upon him.
Okay. So, to recap, management decided to nerf me for this dimension due to both my overreliance on just a couple of powers and so this dimension would still provide some kind of challenge as part of my trials.
"Correct."
"Thus, I'll be expected to utilize only a single power of my choice within a certain limit and, depending on the power, could lead to more nerfs."
"Right."
… Then why give me the powers, to begin with?
Phillip heard the voice sigh before he explained. "You were given powers, yes, but you singled out a few of them exclusively for use over these years. While these powers simplified battles, you shouldn't allow the rest of your arsenal to deteriorate away."
There are good reasons for not using them.
"Right, the main reason being that they lacked the strength for the dimension. However, a smart man uses everything to his advantage, not just some things."
Phillip simply grumbled at this. He knew Gabriel had a point, so he wasn't going to make a complete fuss over it. Lucky him that his last adventure didn't lead to a new power, so that wasn't something that would take up time.
However, for the power he was going to use for this journey, choosing would be difficult. While the necessary limit could be considered lenient, too many of his powers fell to the wayside simply because of lack of consistent utility or power. Once he had eliminated the rest, only one remained.
This power wasn't completely neglected in his honest opinion, simply used in ways that were probably not intended. Phillip mostly used it by mixing it with his Ki for his signature attacks. Outside of that, however, it was definitely one of his less relied-upon skills. This time, though, it might be his best bet to survive whatever nightmares are in this dimension.
Though, it's always a good idea to get a second opinion.
What's your recommendation?
"I feel you're thinking about it, but I'll humor you. Chakra would be the best bet, even if most of its capabilities will be temporarily sealed. It provides many utilities out of and in battle."
Then that's what I'm using. Phillip replied as he stretched his arms into the air, receiving a series of pops for his efforts before he rested them behind his head while blankly staring out into the sky. At least it's something I haven't lost track of too much. What do I lose in the process and for how long?
"You'd lose bloodlines and similar capabilities. By all accounts, your strength would be that of a standard jonin, if said jonin had access to every available element."
...So, the Third?
"Oh, you wish you were that strong with these restrictions."
Phillip snickered at Gabriel's flat tone as he continued his leisurely walk toward the city. While it may take a while to reach his objective, he was more concerned with his predicament and what it meant for him. While he was slightly peeved from the nerfs, he also understood that he was probably too powerful for most dimensions at this point. So, it made sense in some ways.
Anything else I need to be updated on?
"Just one thing really: you'll have enough money for a few months' rent and food but you must acquire a job and shelter."
… Crap.
Phillip pinched the bridge of his nose at this. With his life being as chaotic as it was, he never stopped to consider marketable skills would be required for his journey. Whether it was because the best jobs simply needed you to be strong or the money situation was taken care of due to... "companions" he had but separated from, it was deemed inconsequential.
Until now, at least.
Can't you toss me a bone on this one? He pleaded, hoping there would an easy way of fixing the situation.
"I'll help you rule out suspicious places for settlement and aid you in finding a job, but, beyond that, you're on your own."
Phillip slumped slightly at this. Fine, I guess I'll just have to make use of what I can. He pulled himself together to look forward and found himself closer to the wall than he thought, the concrete construction towering before him. Two guards, outfitted in blue and black SWAT armor, stood on either side of the road, which ended with a collision course straight in the wall. He was confused at first until a car came screaming down the road and stopped before the guards.
One of the guards walked up to the driver's side, the driver flashed something to them, and the guard backed up as he waved up to the top of the wall, where a small observation deck sat embedded in the wall. After a moment, a part of the wall in front of the road rose to allow the car through. Once the car got through, the wall closed up, sealing the city from the outside.
Phillip rose an eyebrow at this. That's one way to keep security. What kind of place needs this kind of protection?
"A port town called Nagazora," Gabriel explained. "Just make sure you keep the passport on hand."
He did so as he walked towards the guards and was flagged down by the one closest to him. When Phillip got close, he opened the book and showed off the content, though still had to hand it over when it was asked. As the guard scanned over the passport wordlessly, Phillip turned his sights to the observation deck, where he noticed some personnel stood looking down at him. After a couple of seconds of sharing stares, Phillip turned his attention to the rest of his surroundings.
After a couple more minutes, where Phillip's patience slowly started to grinded away, the guard handed the passport back. Phillip took it and watched as the guard waved down the observation deck. However, instead of the same entrance appearing, a doorway suddenly appeared to the guard's left.
Said guard gestured towards the doorway. "Enter through here and await the scanning process." The demand made him a little nervous, as he wasn't sure if the data Gabriel implemented applied here.
"It will be fine, just keep your cool and move forward."
Phillip gave a deep breath, though it did little in calming him, and stepped through. When he was completely within the wall, whatever technology was used to conceal the room reactivated. Not too far from was a small, completely metal room with a curved, metal rod in the middle of the room and a steel door at the other end. He stood before it and it whirled into action, spinning around him while spitting out a green light to scan his body. Once one full rotation was complete, it came to a stop in front of him.
A minute passed before he received a message via intercom that allowed him through. Sidestepping the rod, he made his way to the door and pushed it open. With that single action, he was finally inside the city.
That scan didn't pick anything up, right? Phillip asked, a frown marring his face
"I quickly changed your body to an average human it was brought up. Nothing to worry about there."
Phillip let out a sigh of relief as he unzipped his jacket, revealing a bright blue shirt beneath it. Lucky me, then.
He then looked over the city, noting that gray skyscrapers made the majority of the buildings. Many vehicles zoomed through the streets but very little tried leaving the city, while the human activity crowded the sidewalks while leaving enough room for passersby to weave through.
Well, this is definitely a big city.
"You should head to the center of this section of the city," Gabriel gave the directions candidly as if reading them off a piece of paper. "From there, go north. We need to address something now rather than later."
Phillip tilted his head in confusion, wondering what exactly was necessary to take priority over shelter and monetary goals. What exactly is the plan here?
The answer he received from Gabriel sent shivers down his spine.
"Why, high school of course, and the best one in town from what I've gathered."
Senba High.
I don't need this, Phillip grumpily stated, seated in one of the four wooden chairs with puffy blue cushions stationed outside of the principal's office.
He had managed to get to the school with little to no difficulties. However, in spite of several Japan trips in other dimensions, his Japanese was rusty from lack of use. A few conversations with the faculty rectified it enough for a level conversation, with some minor aid from the few English-speaking ones. After these conversations, he was directed to the principal's office, and there he sat.
"I'm pretty sure that a 15-year-old pacing the streets will warrant some nasty attention. Better to be safe than sorry."
Phillip simply sighed to relieve his ill-temper and closed his eyes to contemplate the information. While the last part could convince people to agree to the idea, he deemed it more of a hassle than it's worth. Students tend to be uptight pricks at best and complete assholes at worst, and that didn't go into the fact that, if you get on the wrong side of the wrong teacher, your experience could easily head straight to hell in an instant.
Though, Gabriel didn't seem get that point.
I really don't feel comfortable with this.
"Then let's call this a 'comfort zone push'." Phillip simply grumbled at Gabriel's little taunt, before concealing it and sitting straight as the doors of the office opened.
A tall, slim, black-haired lady walked out, wearing a completely blue suit with a matching knee-length skirt. She was preoccupied with her phone for a moment after her exit before transitioning her piercing gaze over to him. The grimace was ever-present on her face, pushing the ruby red lips at the corner of her mouth up to show pristine white teeth.
However, her charcoal black eyes continued to stare at him as she waved her hand at the door. "Get in."
Phillip bit down a sarcastic retort, opting to instead listen to the pale-skinned woman, and walked into her office.
Inside was a glossy wooden desk at the other end of the room, accompanied with a black leather swivel chair. In front of the desk sat a glass table with a black frame and a red-cushioned chair placed before it. A rectangular, royal-red laid below these objects, coating the white tiled floor.
The room was decorated in the manner of highly ranked intellectual would stereotypically have. Two bookcases were embedded in the corners of the wall opposite of the door, filled to the brim with books and small potted plants. In the middle of them was where rewards were hung, shining sensational silver or glorious gold but never bronze. The other walls were covered in paintings of, supposedly, influential persons with larger plants set at the remaining corners. The final decoration was a bust of someone Phillip didn't recognize set in the middle of the wall to his left.
Phillip crossed over to the closer chair and planted his behind into it, his earlier annoyance appearing on his face. He turned slightly to note the woman didn't follow him, nails colored the same as her lips tapping away at the phone as the door closed, before he let out a grumble under his breath while slumping forward, chin propped up by his right hand.
"Arrogant bitch."
"Play nice for now. The record I placed into the system should warrant your enrollment here but your attitude will seal the deal."
Phillip released a sigh through his nose, before straightening his back just before the door opened once more. Black high heels clacked down on the white tiles for a second before softening to light ruffles on the carpet as the woman crossed the room. Once she was in the leather chair, her stare increased three-fold, as if trying to convince him to give up whatever he hoped to accomplished, while folding her fingers together under her nose.
Phillip responded with eyes completely devoid of his emotions and a blank face. His body betrayed nothing; his stance became rigid while his hands were clasped together firmly. The atmosphere became frigid as the two exchanged glares, waiting for the other to break.
After a moment, it became apparent which of the two broke two.
"We've dug up your records," the woman said in her rigid, nasally voice. "They're rather mediocre at best, though. What made you think you should receive the honor of being taught in this school?"
Phillip kept his brow from raising at this to maintain stoicism before he presented his case. "My records should prove this, but I'm not nearly as 'mediocre' as you seem to perceive. I've received the highest ranking in my sciences and arts, with only minor setbacks established in languages. I came to the conclusion that, with the discipline and equipment this school provides, I could flourish beyond my regular capacity. Thus, I seek the care and education of this establishment."
The woman's frown deepened and deepened at each word that flowed from his mouth. By the end of his tirade, she sported a complete scowl and seemed set to send him out without question.
"Do you realize how many times someone with similar records said something similar?" she snarled.
"I'm sure they were more eloquent in their presentation."
Her glare increased once more, if that was even possible, though Phillip showed no physical reaction from it. "If this is all you can provide to try and convince me to allow you to enroll in this school, then I believe it's time you should leave." At this, she began pulling herself from the desk and out of the chair, only to pause when Phillip continued.
"Allow me to propose an alternative, then."
She looked back at him and his still stone face, one of her brows rose in speculation. "Depends on the alternative."
"First, I congratulate you on not taking reports completely serious. Most other schools would have been salivating at the mouth for someone with that level of accomplishment." Her eyes flashed an eerie danger, something Phillip sensed and retaliated quickly. "With compliments out of the way, the proposal is simple: allow me to take a simple test, one that the regular students of this school would consider elementary. Should I prove to be superior, you will allow my admission. If I prove otherwise, you may prevent it for the rest of eternity."
She snorted at the suggestion, before leaning back forward into her former pose. "And what, pray tell, will this school gain with your enrollment?"
"An exception," Phillip explained coldly, before lifting his hand to prevent the woman from talking. "Your school has gained a reputation of rich, exemplary students chosen from the best of best. By undertaking one from a lower class with a 'mediocre' education, this school will gain recognition for rewards beyond your current standing." At this, Phillip broke eye contact with the principal as he tilted to his left to stare at the wall of medals behind her.
The flinch in her eyes alerted him that he struck a nerve.
He straightened himself out to match the stare. "So, do you accept?"
Both sat in tense silence, Phillip's stonelike stance impervious to the principal's eyes. As the time dragged on, Phillip unclasped his hands and stood up before circling to the back of the chair and began a slow walk for the door. By the time he reached the door, she spoke up.
"When do you want the test?"
"One week from now, if that can fit into your schedule."
"Very well," the principal said, pressing a hidden button on her desk that opened a compartment and a monitor with mouse and keyboard was lifted for her use. Before she started typing, however, she sent one last nasty glare to the back of his head. "You are dismissed."
Not wasting the precious time given, he exited the room and began the trek to the entrance of the school.
It was during the walk down the purely white hallway, away from the office and beside unnecessarily large windows, that he paused, raising his right to press three fingers to the side of his forehead as a sudden headache appeared. A couple of seconds passed and it subsided, causing Phillip to straighten himself out and blink a few times.
What just happened?
"Oh, good: you're back," Gabriel responded before clearing his voice. "Alright, we have good news and bad news. Which would you prefer?"
Phillip groaned before continuing his pace. Bad, preferably.
"Okay then. It seems the previous adventure still effects your psyche, but only minimally. Give me a night and it should be fixed."
That... doesn't sound good.
"It'll be fine. Though, you should thank that sudden shift in character because it got you the chance to get enrolled in Senba High. All you have to do is take a test."
Phillip let out a sigh at this. Well, thank God for the ultimate cheat-sheet.
"He appreciates it," Gabriel stated before Phillip heard a clap from inside his head. "Anyways, we have time to kill before the day ends. So, let's find a nice apartment for now, get some groceries for the coming years, and plan tomorrow for job searching."
Phillip simply groaned in response.
Some Time Later
"Got everything you need?"
Should be. I don't think I'll need much else.
They found a decent safe haven for Phillip's current situation: a sky-high apartment complex that was somewhat lacking in terms of occupants. It was cheap, at least compared to the other places he found, while having necessities in the form of refrigerators and coverings for nights along with a few luxuries.
Right now, he had returned with three bags that he placed on the low aspen-wood table in the middle of the main room. From there, he traversed the completely white apartment for the bedroom, found across from the entrance of the place. Instead of a bed, though, was simply a futon, laid strewn about on the floor, with a small closet next to it.
Sitting down on the futon, he started thinking about the rest of the challenges awaiting him. Obviously, the test coming next week was one, though not really a challenge, considering there was a decisive answer to it within his restrictions.
The next was getting a job which was going to be predicament. With Gabriel aiding him, it should be easy but it won't be a complete brush off. There was still the fact that he lacked market-based skills, so he had to be certain that his job would be easy to get and easy to handle, until he could fix his problem.
Another would be-
"Are you absolutely sure you can live off that?"
Phillip sighed in exasperation before responding. Peanut butter gives enough proteins to keep me alive, bread provides the energy, and the only drink I need is water.
"You bought two loaves of bread, one jar of peanut butter, and two jugs of spring water, both of which could go stagnant in the course of two days."
I'm not going to open both of them today.
"Doesn't stop them from going stagnant."
Phillip shook his head at this. I'll worry about it later. I've got to address a few other concerns.
"Right," Gabriel resigned. "Let's get those newspapers and see what we can find."
Phillip stood up and walked back into the main room. Once he was on the low leveled couch next to the table, he pulled the newspapers out from under the loaves of bread and peanut butter. He then spread them onto the middle cushion of the three cushioned couch before bringing his hands close to his face, both having the index and middle fingers extended while the rest were curled up. He crossed the extended fingers over each other and began channeling an energy that resonated and pulled at his very essence. In an instant, his surrounding was clouded by a plume of smoke.
Once the smoke dissipated, a complete copy of him sat on the other end of the couch with its eyes closed. Down to the toes, this clone mimicked him in every possible way. However, once the clone opened its eyes, one difference became apparent: the eyes of the clone were silver instead of Phillip's brown.
The clone rolled its shoulders a couple times. "Been a while since I inhabited a vessel in this means." When it saw the papers, it reached down to snatch one and opened it. "Now then, let's see what we can find."
"Gabriel," the clone looked over the newspaper at Phillip's call, who pulled in his feet to sit cross-legged to look directly at the clone. "What's the honest-to-God reason for this trip?"
"Something you'll have to learn as you go." With that, Gabriel focused down on the paper in front of him.
"Why?"
Gabriel sighed before folding the paper in half horizontally, placing it on the table, and putting his attention back on Phillip while resting his head into the palm of his left hand. "Why? Because if I told you, you would try to rush it. Like every trip you've taken that involved a lesson. Any other questions?"
Phillip wanted to refute the idea but knew he couldn't, as it was far too common an occurrence to be overlooked. An awkward silence fell between the two, as Gabriel's face converted into a smug expression while Phillip looked down to avoid locking eyes.
A moment passed before Phillip picked up his own paper and opened it.
"Let's just... focus on getting me a job."
"Fine by me," Gabriel said, the smirk never leaving his face until he straightened himself out. Pulling the newspaper from the table, he opened it. "Now, I do believe I've found a couple that don't require too many skills."
That Night
Phillip woke with a start. Groaning, he pulled himself to sitting position off the arm of the couch and examined his surroundings. The newspapers, once tossed about the place, were now in one pile on the table while the bags were gone. The bread and peanut butter laid on top of the fridge while, Phillip assumed, the jugs were placed inside of it for now.
Stretching his arms into the air for a second, Phillip stood and made way towards the bedroom. Once there, he looked out through the windows of the slide door that led out onto the balcony.
The moon sat high in the sky with star shimmering in the infinite darkness of the midnight sky accompanying it. The city, though, refused to be outshined by the distant yet ethereal lights, as each building let off its own dazzling glow as if to hold a contest to those above them. Below the festival of lights, the thin fog layered the ground, cloaking the movement of the creatures that prowled the night, but not of the vehicles that roamed the streets.
The night felt peaceful to Phillip.
Turning his eyes to the moon, he smiled, as if expecting the image displayed before him would smile back. In the silence, and with no one either awake or close enough to hear, sound slipped past his lips to release the light song in his head barely higher than a whisper.
"Fly me to the moon~"
?
In a realm beyond understanding.
On a tiny island in the middle of an immeasurable sea.
Beneath a tree of infinite possibilities.
Sat a man. A simple man but not all that simple.
This man let a soft sigh as he gazed down on his black-gloved hand as a glowing lime-green leaf decayed and disappeared with an audible "hiss" as if caught on fire by an invisible flame. He stared up at the tree above him, letting his blue-gray bangs fall away from his closed eyes and the large golden rings on his earlobes lightly hit the sides of his neck. He opened his eyes to show his magenta irises and light green pupils as he studied the jade-colored leaves of the tree.
Closing his eyes once his examination was complete, he stood and walked out from under the shade. Other withered leaves fell from his jet-black pants while he patted down his matching button-up shirt. The only things he didn't brush off were his white boots and the gray pelisse on his left shoulder.
The man stepped forward towards the expansive sea and sat once more, peering into the depths in search of something. He soon found it and kept his closed eyes glues onto it for as long as possible, watching the image of a white-haired man weave in and out, to and fro with ripples of the water.
This was his repentance: locked away in this bubble, constantly observing the infinite universes, the ineffable leaves, for the perfect solution to defeat humanity's greatest enemy. His best friend told him to continue his project and he will do so, until the end of this life.
Though, truth be told, it was lonely being trapped here. He thought of his other comrade and wondered of her wellbeing. Maybe, after so many years having passed, the Ark had finally relayed a message and the twins had found someplace hospitable. Would she still answer it or-?
The man shook his head. He needed to focus on saving this universe, not contemplating hypotheticals. Pulling himself from his seated position, he looked back towards the tree...
...and saw something beyond even the impossibility of the trees.
Nothing could come into this place without his knowledge. Nothing could leave without his permission. It was his bubble universe, this Seed of Sumeru, and, thus, it was impossible for trespassers to appear. Or, at least, that's how he believed it to be.
So, how? How did this being, this creature, manage sneak in without either his knowledge or consent? It looked human, but the six white wings sprouting from its back suggested otherwise. It stared up at the top of the tree with ever-changing eyes and an unimpressed gaze. Slowly, the gaze shifted over to him and the Man stood still, frozen stiff from the impassive expression.
The being began to smile coyishly.
"Hello, Su. My name is Gabriel. I'd like to chat for a second."
Alright! Time for the remake to begin!
Hopefully, this is a good starting ground for the remake and I utilize the criticism from the older version for this beginning. Then again, with my current writing capability, I doubt it. Also, I've realized where Nagazora was located and I'm just a dumbass for missing it. So, there's that.
Besides that, should I keep the original up or should I simply delete it? I've seen other authors leave theirs up, but I don't want to leave a story when it's not going to be updated.
Okay, enough elongating the disclosure. Thanks for reading and constructive criticism is appreciated. I'll see you in the next chapter.