Damn, I didn't think some of you would like some basic Isekai premise like this one. If I am being honest. I hated the anime in another world of my smartphone.
The manga was fine just like the novels but my passionate hate for anime Touya and his harem is over the roof. I know it's a slice of life and it wasn't meant to be like raildex but he feels so mediocre like everyone else.
I find it frustrating that Touya is gifted with everything without trying. While Touma is out there struggling just to make a living while dealing with magicians, espers and gods on a daily basis. Come on Kamachi. When does our boy get some rest?
Anyways that was me ranting for no reason. Even though I despise the anime in another world with my smartphone. I'll try to respect the series as best as I can.
Also I'll loosely follow canon materials before taking a complete different route.
So back to the actual chapter and see how different the world is if Touma was the main character.
Would be a piece of cake…..right?
A fateful encounter
The_start_of_something_new
"you're a fashion designer?"
"That's right, Zanac Zenfield is the name! Expert in quality fabric of any kind of clothing!"
"Good for you to be passionate about your job but this Kamijou-san would rather not have you smother his face in his jacket…"
The small man named Zanac offered a shy smile as he returned Kamijou's jacket after carefully inspecting the materials it was made from. While conducting his research, Kamijou received medical attention from the carriage driver Mark.
Kamijou had a bandage tied around his left shoulder, and Mark warned that a lone-horned wolf could transmit diseases, possibly leading to Kamijou foaming at the mouth.
Kamijou just hoped that it only counted for natural canines… not magical ones.
The boy let out a sigh and relaxed as he listened to the rhythmic clicking of the carriage wheels, finding it somewhat comforting in a peculiar manner. The way it moves along the rhythm gives a slight piece of comfort. However, a persistent feeling was developing in the boy's heart. He needed to find an answer before he lost his sense of self. Where in the world could Kamijou Touma be at this moment?
Mark's words indicated he was unfamiliar with the City of Science. Similarly, Kamijou was puzzled by the mentions of Reflet and the kingdom of Belfast, as these were unfamiliar to him as well. There were some things that didn't line up.
Kamijou first chased the magician known as Rachel across the City with Stiyl, then was able to corner her on top of one of the many skyscrapers. And lastly destroyed da Vinci's notebook causing a blinding light to appear leading to where the highschool boy was now.
He looked at his right hand lying in his lap and then proceeded to move his fingers slightly, causing some air bubbles to burst.
…It didn't make any sense.
Imagine Breaker has the ability to annihilate anything supernatural, regardless of its nature, size, or intent, be it a curse or a blessing. Kamijou's right arm possessed this indiscriminate power, capable of erasing anything deemed unnatural in his world. Hence, it was impossible for Kamijou to be flung to an unknown location, as Imagine Breaker would nullify such attempts.
Despite the obvious proof… It happened.
The boy was transported somewhere completely unbeknown to him. Now that he thought about it. Da Vinci's notebook brought everything drawn to reality. Kamijou didn't remember the exact details but from what Stiyl told him.
The user links their thoughts and imagination to the physical world in order to manifest their creations. Stiyl likened this process to the way the word of God brought creation into existence with just a few words, such as "let there be light." However, in this case, the notebook acts as a bridge between reality and imagination instead of spoken words.
In scientific terms, when the medium is destroyed, it creates a short circuit between the two, potentially causing a disruption in the fabric of time and space, which could result in Kamijou or Rachel being pulled into the explosion.
The question was then. If the rift between space and time sented the boy to a new reality….
Kamijou shivered suddenly as a wave of coldness ran down his spine. The comforting sound of the carriage wheels no longer seemed as pleasant as it had been moments before.
"...Zenfield-san, If you don't mind me asking, can you tell me where we're headed?" Kamijou asked.
"San? You're from Eashen I presume?"
'Eashen? Was that supposed to sound like Asia?'
"As for the question, we're heading to the town of Reflet. South from the capital. You may not know but Reflet is quite a well known place across the kingdom."
"Right….. But can you tell me how many countries there are?"
Zanac puzzled over why he was being asked such a basic question, finding it somewhat ridiculous. Despite this, he decided to respond to the boy with spiky hair. "Well there are a lot of Kingdoms and empires across the world. The closest ones are the kingdom of Mismede on the south, the refreese imperium on our west and the Regulus empire on the east side of Belfast . These are all neighboring countries of Belfast." Zanac said as he finished explaining.
Kamijou nodded quietly, indicating that this information was unfamiliar to him. The names of these entities, resembling kingdoms or empires, were completely new to him.
The simple end result was…
That the misfortunate boy found himself in an unknown world. A different phase like the billions of worlds Othinus has put him through.
"...hehehe…" Kamijou chuckled without humor as he found himself transported to a new world after shattering Rachel's illusion. It was a twist of fate that his own existence was altered by disrupting someone else's perception of reality. How is he going to return home now?
Zanac talks about kingdoms and empires. Meaning technology in this unfamiliar place is not as advanced as it is back home, so there is no option to communicate with anyone he knows. Even if there was a spell that could transport him back safely, magic would not be of any help. Imagine breaker would get in the way. Kamijou with no other options was stuck in medieval times!
What about Othinus and index? They were probably already worried sick, wondering why the highschool boy had been gone for so long. Kamijou didn't want to believe it. He didn't want to accept the reality that was In Front of him now.
He was able to handle venturing into unknown territory a few times, but did he really have to go through it again? Was this new world as harsh as the one Othinus had exposed him to? How much longer would he be trapped until a miracle occurred?
Days?
Months?
Years?
Decades?
"...Boy are you alright?"
Kamijou was brought back from his thoughts by Zanac-san's worried expression, which was like watching a shaky tower on the verge of collapsing. What was he so concerned about?
Kamijou took a deep breath and pushed himself to put on a smile, reminding himself it wasn't the moment to feel upset. Othinus wouldn't want him to panic, so he needed to focus on moving forward. Sorting out the specifics could come later.
For now the boy decided to learn as much as he can about this new world. Better prepare for any dangers lurking, his misfortunate ass will stumble upon. Finding a way home can wait. For now, Kamijou would focus on the present.
An awkward smile graced the teen's lips as he scratched his head. "Sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment. Have a lot on my plate ever since arriving here. Can you tell me more if you don't mind? Kinda lost at the moment."
Zanac's face brightened a bit. "It's perfectly fine, a young man like you traveling all the way from Eashen into a new kingdom can be overwhelming. I'll happily explain some more about the kingdom of Belfast if you want? You may not know but the kingdom of Belfast is the most prosperous kingdom you'll ever see."
Kamijou blinked. "Prosperous?"
"hehe, what I mean by that, is that The Kingdom of Belfast isn't lacking in necessaries or resources. Belfast is known for its high quality silk and sewing. Monsters aren't a big threat either as the guild had everything under strict surveillance."
Kamijou nodded. Initially, it seemed less severe than he anticipated. He had doubts about the monsters, but if they turned out to be less threatening than he expected, then Kamijou shouldn't be concerned.
Though it was clinché that a guild exists in this world. What's next? Defeating the demon lord? A harem of girls flocking around you to gain your love and attention? A busty guild receptionist onee-chan that scolds you when you're on a dangerous mission!?
"Are you sure you're alright boy?" Zanac sounded even more concerned now. "You're turning a bit red. If it's hot then take off that jacket."
"You're only saying that so that you can study my jacked like some mad scientist!"
"J-just saying! If it's hot, you can take it off and I will hold it for you in the meantime."
"Do you even hear yourself speaking!? You sound like a creep for saying that!" Kamijou pointed his finger in an accusing manner. Even if Zanac's a fashion designer and is very passionate about his job. The misfortunate boy isn't gonna tolerate such bullshit.
"Anyways," Kamijou decided to change topic. "The kingdom of Belfast is a sort of utopia then?"
"I'm afraid not," Zanac sighed as he gazed outside the carriage window, into the fast Greenland that stretches over the horizon. "While it is indeed in its most prosperous times… things have been quite rough under the surface."
… Of course they are. What did he expect? A slice of life route? Hah! Kamijou knew better than to think he was lucky enough to get a slow life kind of lifestyle. He wasn't some sort of light novel protagonist with op ability. He was a simple boy with a right arm that brought him nothing but bad luck.
"Such misfortune…what's under the whole surface thing then?"
"Tensions have been high recently… The relationship between the Regulus empire and the kingdom of Belfast has been hanging on thin threads. Combine that with the kingdom of Mismede, a new war could break out if one decides to attack. Though no need to worry. With word that the Ambassador of Mismede is visiting for a diplomatic business. I'm certain a war wouldn't break out."
Kamijou breathed out an air of relief. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
"But enough about that." Zanac's eyes held a glint of sparkles as he leaned forward. A bead of sweat rolled off Kamijou's chin. "Let's talk about business boy. How about 10 gold pieces for that jacket and under shirt you're wearing?"
Scratch that this would be a long ride after all.
The town of Reflet. Lying five days away south from the capital Alephis. While small in size Reflet was a well known town for a couple of reasons.
One would be the infamous clothing store Fashion King Zanac, despite its questionable name. The store is renowned for its premium clothing and fabrics. Another notable feature about Reflet is its prime location near the eastern forest, known for its rare medicinal herbs and lurking of dangerous beasts.
However, its primary reputation was due to the guild located in the heart of Reflet. Wolf Horn was renowned for its skilled adventurers and impressive completion rate of guild tasks, which was only surpassed by the capital's guild.
In other words. Reflet was a town that radiates positive energy.
"those fucking bastards!"
"E-Elze!"
For most part then.
Amidst a crowd of people going about their daily routines, two gorgeous girls caught the attention of onlookers as they navigated through the bustling streets of Reflet.
The young lady at the front had silver hair down to her waist, styled with two neat bangs secured in a sleeve. She was dressed in culotte shorts embellished with a green bow at the back, paired with a violet, long-sleeved shirt featuring a white panel.
The girl behind was wearing a similar outfit, with the only difference being that her hair was down her neck instead of waist and she had a bow on top. She also wore a skirt instead of shorts. If not for this slight clothing difference, it would be difficult to distinguish them as the two girls are twins.
Onlookers, predominantly men, couldn't resist stealing glances, not just due to the person's attractiveness or appearance.
Oh no…
The bystanders were terrified by the chilling aura emitted by the girl leading the way, as her bloodthirsty demeanor caused them to shudder in fear.
"When I get my hands on them… I'll make sure I'll strangle them! I'll Choke them! I'll Choke them so hard that they wished they were fucked in the-"
"E-Elze! Language!" The one with short hair stuttered at her sister violent behavior. "Also I told you those guys look shady! Yet you didn't listen to a word I say sis!"
Elze Silhoueska shot her sister with a stern look that made her sister flinch. The younger girl lowered her eyes and toyed with her small staff nervously. Elze sighed irritably and ran her fingers through her silvery hair.
"Honestly Linze, how can you stay so calm. Those bastards ripped us off. The agreement was supposed to be 1 gold coin. Not some stupid silver!" The dismay and anger in her voice was as apparent as a thunder cloud on a summer day.
This was not the expected turn of events. The Silhoueska twins had arrived in the town of Reflet just a day or two ago with aspirations of becoming adventurers. Reflet appeared to be an ideal place to begin their journey towards thrilling adventures and wealth.
How that illusion was shattered like fragile glass.
For a town filled with adventurers, it wasn't the most friendly town to begin with. The twins found out the hard way.
"B-but we could report it to the town guards right? Won't we get our antler back?" Linze suggested it to her older twin.
Elze shook her head. "If we do that we are gonna be in trouble as well. Hunting monsters without being registered to a guild is illegal. To top it all off, a more severe punishment if it was a rare monster. They had us cornered when they threatened us to report to the guild! Shit!"
Linze nervously chewed her lip as she observed Elze angrily ruffling her hair. Adding to the situation was the fact that passersby actively avoided the agitated young girl, choosing to take a wide berth around her to steer clear of any potential confrontation wasn't helping.
Whispers had started amongst the group, but Elze's sharp glare made them quickly quiet down and scatter. She let out a grunt and started walking towards the inn.
Linze quickly followed her identical sister, eager to keep up with her pace. They walked in silence, but Linze could sense Elze's frustration as her long silver hair swayed vigorously with each step. The sound of Elze's footsteps made Linze think the cobblestone path was cracking beneath her. That's how angry she was. That was not a good sign.
Linze couldn't fault her sister for the mistake, as they were tricked. It was purely accidental, in Linze's opinion. On their journey, Elze had stumbled upon a rare crystal deer with antlers the length of an arm. The crystal deer antlers were extremely rare and would fetch a high price, despite the fact that the twins were not part of a guild. It would be foolish to miss out on such a lucrative opportunity.
Even after Linze cautioned Elze about the dangers of hunting monsters without proper registration, Elze chose to disregard the warning and pursue it anyway, believing that rules were meant to be broken much to her younger sister's dismay
With a unique item that they couldn't sell through lawful channels, their only option for making money was to locate a sketchy individual who would buy it for the same amount a guild would offer. Sadly, they discovered someone who was willing to purchase it for just one gold coin if it was in pristine condition.
Spoiler alert. it was, aside from a tiny scratch barely visible to the naked eye. The individual they were attempting to sell suddenly devalued the item, leading to Elze expressing frustration. The man's smug expression only intensified as the deal went from one gold to literally nothing.
Elze exploded. Almost in a literal sense.
The girl with short hair exerted all her strength to prevent her sister from attacking as the two guys walked away without paying anything, not even a single coin. Now, facing the consequences of their actions, the sisters experienced karma.
Not all hope was lost though.
"At least we can register now right?"
Elze scoffed. "Yeah but we lost a big source of income! We could have spended that on some equipment or extra nights for the inn."
"Haha, don't make it sound like we're running out of money." Linze jokes, trying to lighten up the mood.
"..."
"...Sis…"
"..."
"Elze…. Please look me in the eyes. Did we run out of money?"
"I wouldn't say run out…" Elze spoke in a careful slow voice. "Rather our travel expenses were somewhat larger than anticipated."
Linze wasn't convinced the slightest.
"...we don't have a penny to our name, have we Elze."
"Aside from a couple of pieces of copper that could last us a day lodging. We're totally broke."
Linze's expression was devoid of emotion as she looked at her sister. Her mind kept replaying the same thoughts over and over. Although joining a guild was without charge, entry-level tasks offered very little pay. It might cover a night in a bed, but soon enough it would be back to sleeping outdoors. In order to make any profit at all, they had to spend a few nights sleeping outdoors, possibly even a few weeks if they needed new equipment.
Linze paused and took a deep breath, momentarily absorbing the information. While normally not one to curse like Elze, she felt that in this instance, it was an appropriate reaction.
"We're fucked aren't we?"
Now it was Elze's turn to flinch as she heard Linze swear in a casual manner. "L-look at the bright side, Linze. We may be broke now but if we take back our glass antler and sell it to some rich merchants we'll be all good!"
"But how are you planning to achieve that!? Reflet is too big for the two of us. Even if we somehow cover the whole area with just the two of us. Those jerks might as well be outside of Reflet as we speak!"
"Eughh! Can you for once not overthink at all!" Elze complained with her hands on her hips. "I'm sure you have some magic spell that can help to search faster. Don't you have that spell book? There has to be something."
"That is not how it works! Something as specific as that is null magic! something that you have! Not me!"
"Whoah! no need to shout! Just use that brain of yours! You'll figure something out. Your my sister so you'll come up with some grand spell or whatever!"
"How many times do I have to tell you that I can't!" Linze screeched at how oblivious her sister can be or maybe she simply didn't care. Meanwhile Elze however, was already formulating a plan to find those bastards and make them feel pain that even their kids would feel.
"We'll meet up at Silver moon inn! See ya later Linze!"
"Haven't you listened to a word I said! Don't run off! H-h-hey! Elze! Wait…." It was too Late. In all of her enthusiasm. The older sister has blended with the crowd in search of their stolen item. Rubbing her hands over her face, Linze gave a desperate breath of frustration.
"Damn it. Elze! Why can't you listen for once!"
Now standing alone in the middle of the road. The girl with silver hair till her neck had now idea on what to do. Should she just wait at the inn since it was pointless anyways? Or was it worth giving it a shot? The odds were practically against them. It would take an extreme amount of luck to find them in a town as big as this. Linze looked where her sister had been standing, sighed, and then turned in the opposite direction.
"Guess I'll cover this side of town then."
Linze just hoped that lady luck was on their side from now on…
"Welcome back master Zenfield." Two young women greeted Zanac together as he returned to the clothing store. Kamijou tilted his head and glanced around at the cozy interior, noticing the well-distributed lighting and mannequins dressed in the latest fashions. The variety of garments in different sizes and colors gave the store the feel of a small, boutique clothing shop.
"Yes, yes." Zanac waved them off in a simple manner. "Now can one of you get something fitting to wear for this young man next to me?"
Intrigued looks were directed at Kamijou, causing him to become a bit self-aware. Their stares stayed fixed on him for a while before they all simultaneously lowered their heads and vanished into the back.
"No need to worry, these two girls know what they are doing Mr Kamijou. It may not be the same quality as the previous one but I can promise it will be just as comfortable. Zanac gave a reassuring smile.
"no need to go so far for me. You already helped me tons on the way here, Zanac-san I really can't thank you enough."
The merchant gave a hearty laugh. "No need to be so polite, thanks to you, a whole new possibilities of clothing styles has been brought to the kingdom of Belfast. Such unique taste will surely gain the attention of nobles and other rich merchants. Thanks to you I have a head start."
Kamijou chuckles as he imagines a noble wearing a high school jacket as a fashion statement, which he considers to be the first major change brought about by Imagine Breaker. Who knew Kamijou would start a worldwide trend?
"But remember what we agreed on. I rented you my clothes and that only for research purposes. Nothing else."
"My, boy you make it sound like I would commit some grave crime!"
"Sorry but after seeing how excited you can be? This Kamijou-san wouldn't want to take any chances."
Zanac stands quietly, scratching his head in embarrassment. They had made an agreement earlier during the journey, which felt incredibly long due to various mishaps. The carriage's wheel broke, and later it got stuck in the mud, requiring both the boy and the driver to work together to free it.
Afterwards, they encountered a guard at the gate who found Zanac and Kamijou too suspicious to let them through. It took the intervention of two other officials for the guard to finally allow them to pass and reach Zanac's clothing shop by the time the sun was setting.
The agreement was simple. Zanac would rent Kamijou's clothes and as compensation Kamijou would get paid.
Kamijou wasn't ready to leave his clothes behind when he found a way back home. It wasn't like he couldn't buy a new pair back home (he actually couldn't) it was more of the fact that they still held a importants.
Kamijou wasn't even sure how long he was going to be stuck here. It could be days, weeks or even months till he found a way back home. It was a win-win situation for both parties.
Still there were quite a few problems the teen has yet to tackle. Three problems to be exact.
The first thing to address was language. Kamijou was grateful that everyone spoke Japanese, although he was initially doubtful. He decided not to question it further in fear of tempting fate. The main issue was that Kamijou was now unable to read and is in fact, now officially illiterate.
Upon entering the gates, the boy was unable to decipher any of the signs as they appeared to be written in unfamiliar characters that were not Latin letters or kanji. He struggled to make out any of the words displayed. It was a completely new writing system Kamijou was forced to adapt to. English was already hard enough. Now he had to start over in the meantime!?
There was also a problem with Finances. Kamijou had no money. Not yet anyway but living off rented money wouldn't do much, also it didn't sit well with him to live off on someone else's earnings. He wasn't Index! So Kamijou had to find a job somehow. It would be an understatement if he himself believes he could even get a stable job in the first place.
Working for Zanac-san was an option, but Kamijou wasn't so heartless to harm the man's business with his presence. He knew he could bankrupt the merchant in no time. So, Kamijou had to seek an alternative means of making a living for a while.
Then there was also the plan to find a way back home. For now the spiky haired boy was clueless on what his next step would be. Even if the first two problems were covered. The teen still had no idea how to get back home. His best bet of course was magic.
Kamijou just needed to find a way to have it bypass imagine breaker. It was easier said than done as Kamijou needed to find some old sage or even a god who was even willing to help Kamijou. With that in mind, his situation was as hopeless as a fish on dry land.
"...just my luck…."
The two girls who disappeared behind the storage room, came back with a pair of clothes for Kamijou to try on.
"Excellent work you two! Why not give it a try Mr Kamijou? There is a little room at the side where you can change." Zanac beamed as he led the way.
In the changing room, there was a curtain that Kamijou went behind. As he removed his school jacket and hoodie, the boy sensed that someone was watching him from behind. To his surprise (or better yet unsurprise) the petite rounded merchant was staring at Kamijou. Peeking through the curtains with a look that made Kamijou question if he did this to all of his customers.
"..."
"Something the matter boy?"
"Oh nothing much. Just wondering…WHY ARE YOU EVEN PEEKING!"
"My…that shirt looks exquisite! Sell me those too!"
"Are trying to rob all of my clothes! What kind of route did I unlock now!?" Kamijou moaned as he removed his shirt.
Zanac made a noise of joy when he noticed the boy had given up, but soon after, his expression turned into a quiet frown. The boy, Kamijou, who was shirtless, couldn't understand why the merchant was so quiet as he continued to gaze at his back. His eyes drilled right into him. Kamijou had no idea why he wore a serious expression. Where was he even staring at in the first place?
"Zanac-san?"
That seems to snap him out of his thoughts. Blinking a few times. The merchant gave Kamijou a polite smile. "my apologies Mr Kamijou. Tell me when you're ready." With that said, Zenfield left Kamijou on his own devices.
Kamijou tried to look at his own back to see what was wrong. Only to find a glimpse of his own scar that he supposedly had since childhood. It was an old scar Kamijou or rather the Kamijou before him had gained from what was supposed to be a knife.
The teen didn't have much info on how he got it. It was simply bad luck. That was all he got out of it anyway. Did Zanac think he intruded into something personal?
Kamijou pushed that aside for now as he changed into the new outfit. After a short while he came out of the changing room with his old clothes neatly folded in a stack. The boy with spiky hair was dressed in brown sandals, black pants, and a dark blue tunic with a light fabric wrapped around his waist. There were visible stitches on the tunic running from the collar bone to the bottom, which reminded Kamijou of a typical video game character's attire.
Zanac Zenfield scrutinized Kamijou Touma's new outfit, examining it closely and casting a few glances at the girls who had chosen it for him.
"Hmmmm…."
Kamijou gulped as the merchant's eyes turned to slits. "Does it look that bad?"
Zanac shook his head. "No, it looks good. It's fine for casual wear but not really suited for travel. Wait here for a moment, I think I got just the thing that suits you."
Shortly after, Zanac returned with a new set of attire for Kamijou which included brown boots, sturdier pants, a shirt, and a long-sleeved jacket. While Kamijou wasn't well-versed in fashion, he could still recognize that the clothing had a modern style thrown into it.
"This should be more fitting for traveling far distances. Put this on instead and the other can be kept in a bag." With Kamijou changing for the second time. He and Zanac stood outside the store to say their goodbyes and part ways.
"Thanks again for the help, Zanac-san. Without your help, this Kamijou-san would have been lost on what to do." The boy bowed, showing his gratitude for all the merchant has done for him.
"Nonsense boy, as I said before, you may start a new revolution of clothing style!" Ah yes in the end it was all about business. "Ehem. As promised, the agreement was 5 gold pieces but added one extra for doing us a big favor, Mr Kamijou." He said as he handed the boy a pouch. "Since it's also your first time here, I recommend staying at an inn for the meantime. Just follow this road all the way down till you see a sign with a Crescent moon called Silver Moon Inn. You can't miss it."
'Silver moon inn huh…. Can't be that hard to find right?'
With one last bow, Kamijou went on his way. All the boy had to do was look out for a sign with a moon engraved on it. A simple task even a poor highschool student like Him can achieve. Kamijou took a glimpse in the money pouch that was gifted to him and took out a single gold coin.
"...It really is made of gold…" he mumbled to no one in particular. How much Yen would one coin be worth? Having some back home would be a big help for his finances. He would finally have enough money to feed Index a full course meal and have some leftovers for himself!
Possibly even renovate his dormitory to finally sleep on a proper bed! Anime tears flowed down his cheeks as he imagined having a normal sleeping experience for once, with no more nights spent in bathtubs and no more waking up with back pain like a grumpy old man. He was at the height of his youth damn it! Not some elderly person! He was supposed to have fun with friends, go on dates! Lose his virginity to a cute but strict onee-chan!
Instead his bad luck lumped him with perverts and world ending threats on a daily basis! But hey, that was the life of a normal highschool boy. Although the occurrences were strange and confusing to Kamijou, they were a regular part of his daily routine that he wouldn't give up for anything else. He wouldn't want to take that for granted. Not after what Othinus has shown him.
With his head above the clouds, Kamijou was too far in his thoughts to notice the person running towards his direction.
The inevitable happened.
They collided with great force, resulting in a spectacular yet painful impact. Kamijou staggered, struggling to regain his balance. Panic set in as he frantically reached for something to break his fall or soften the impact.
"EEEEH!"
His arm was able to catch onto a protrusion, although it was not easy to grasp. With a stroke of luck, Kamijou ended up landing on something cushiony with a gentle sound. He couldn't see what it was as he had shut his eyes in preparation for the impact. Feeling relieved, Kamijou took a breath now that it was all over. Take that misfortune!
"woah, did you see that?"
"Damn, the boy got some guts to pull that off. In public no less!"
"Ew… gross!"
"Children, look the other way! Shame on you young man!"
Kamijou was confused as to why a crowd had gathered around him and started criticizing him as if he had committed a crime. All he had done was accidentally bump into someone, a situation that anyone could find themselves in.
"Hey…."
Kamijou came to a sudden stop. A soft, feminine voice from below caught his attention, barely audible. Looking down, he saw a girl with long silver hair splayed on the ground, her emerald eyes meeting his storm blue ones.
Kamijou had to do a double take as he noticed the resemblance between this girl and Index. Hell, give her a white nun outfit to wear and from a far distance Kamijou would think it was the gluttonous nun that lived with him.
Nevertheless, Kamijou could easily distinguish the stark contrast between the two girls. Index had rounder eyes and a face that resembled an innocent doll, while the other girl had a sharper glint in her eyes, was taller than Index with a more tomboyish expression. Despite these differences, the resemblance between them was surprisingly close.
"Hey….Could you not touch my tits and get off of me?"
"Huh?" Kamijou gave without thought a light squeeze.
"Hhmgh!"
…So the bulge he had tried to hold on to was her boobs all along…. Wait. What did he just do!? From what could be considered light speed. Kamijou quickly pulled away his hand and quickly got up from the ground. The girl had a slight pink color on her cheeks as she brushed the dirt off her shorts.
Kamijou felt bullets of sweat rain down his face. What the hell was that! Why did he even do that! Was his mind so sex depraved that he couldn't help himself?
"I-I'm so sorry! It was an a-accident!"
"Uh-huh."
"I seriously didn't- wait. You believe me?"
The girl with silver hair remained silent while she extended her arms. After one final stretch, she released a contented sigh, feeling all of her muscles relaxed.
"Believe you? Of course I do. It happens all the time that boys grope girls for no apparent reason other than accidents." Her voice was incredibly flat, almost cold. However, Kamijou ignored it as he was busy mentally repeating the sentence repeatedly.
Kamijou's eyes regained some light. Was he dreaming? Was there really a girl that tried to understand the boy and not bite, kick, burn, punch, slash, electrocute or throw objects as their first reaction? He was almost moved to tears! Has Kamijou finally found a normal person with a neutral understanding?
"Thank god, I thought you would-"
"ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID! DO YOU REALLY THINK I'M RETARDED ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THIS AS A ACCIDENT? PERVERT!"
Just like that, Kamijou Touma's illusions were shattered.
The boy with spiky hair jumped at the loud voice, attracting an even larger crowd to witness the commotion.
'shit! If I let this escalate any further…'
Kamijou did not want to think about what the consequences would be.
"H-hey now.. no need to be so upset. We can talk this over and solve this like adults."
The girl snorted. "yeah right, as if I let you get away with sexual assault!"
"How many times do I have to say that it was an accident! Also you were the one that ran into me! How is this my fault!"
Murmurs and whispers went through the bystanders.
"The boy does have a point."
"It's not like we guys want to."
"Accidents happen."
The commentary was unhelpful as the girl's desire for violence became evident. "...Accidents happen huh… then you being turned to a bloody paste could also be considered as an accident right?"
Kamijou didn't like the sound of that.
Not one bit.
Kamijou maintained eye contact as he moved backward, while the crazy girl advanced towards him. She pursued him, like a wild animal, until he was pinned against the wall.
Noticing that there was no escape for the boy with spiky hair other than attempting to get past the girl, Kamijou made a final effort to calm the situation.
"Look I know you're mad and all but is there some other way we could solve this!?" Kamijou sounded desperate.
"Try to imagine being in my shoes!" The girl in green culotte shorts yelled in audible anger. "If I was a guy that groped you as a woman by your well developed chest. You wouldn't hesitate to beat the shit out of me either!"
"When you put it like that, it does sound somehow logical. Though if I were to grope you, I would find nothing interesting. I could barely even hang on when I fell."
"..."
Kamijou eyes turn to dinner plates. His brain didn't filter some words that were better left unsaid. "I mean there is nothing wrong with being flat! Some guys prefer it that way even if I don't see the appeal in it. Hehe…"
The spectators watching the two individuals turned their gaze disapprovingly towards the boy with spiky hair. They believed it was the end for him, so they each moved away and joined their hands together in a gesture of prayer for his demise.
"...You're so dead."
This was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
The girl bends down to her knees in a fighting stance. Her gaze never left the misfortunate boy that didn't wish to fight. Kamijou's brain went on full drive mode. Barely half a day has passed and he found himself already in trouble!
"There is no talking you out of this huh, such misfortune…" Kamijou resigned to his fate as he went into a fighting stance himself. "Fine, if it's a fight you want! Come and get it!"
The sudden shift in Kamijou's behavior caught the girl off guard. Good. He wasn't intending to engage in a fight, but rather to intimidate her into backing off. If she did decide to attack first, Kamijou would only need to immobilize her before fleeing.
"What? Getting cold feet? You wanted to throw hands right? Come and get them." Kamijou kept on taunting.
The girl's lips displayed a menacing grin, adding to her intimidating presence. "Oh? Putting up a brave face I see? Perfect. I needed to blow off some steam anyways… Now let's see how long that smug face of yours will last, bastard!"
She clenched her hand into a fist and drew in a deep breath before uttering just one word.
[Boost]
"!"
The girl dashed forward at an incredible velocity, her fist poised to strike Kamijou's head in a direct line. However, just before impact, Kamijou swiftly moved his head to the side. A loud crack reverberated through the streets, causing onlookers to stare in astonishment. The chilling sound sent shivers down their spines as it lingered in their memories.
Kamijou wouldn't hold them responsible. He, too, paled at the sight. Just inches from his head, a sizable crack formed from the force of her punch, even causing half of the girl's arm to get wedged in the wall.
Kamijou understood the best course of action and, with her hand trapped, he swiftly bypassed her and sprinted away as fast as he could. To where? Who cares! As long as he was far away from that crazy bitch!
"Fuck! I missed!" the girl growled as she tried freeing herself. "Hey! Come back here you coward! Fight me like the man you are!"
"As if! You were planning to crack my skull open! Weren't you! This Kamijou-san had enough crazy bitches bothering him! Go bother someone else!"
Who are you calling a crazy bitch! Damn it! How are you even that fast!"
With a final tug Elze managed to free herself. Searching for her glass antler could wait, no way she let that bastard get away for what he had done!
"Don't think I let you go that easilyyyyyyyy!"
"WAAAAAAH! SUUUUUUUUUUUUCH MIIIISSSSSFOOOORRTUUUUUNNEEEEE!"
And thus Kamijou ran for his life with a crazy girl on his hot heels.
"..."
"...that was….quite the show…" The world god mumbled to break the silence. The other members of the pantheon aside from one remained silent.
A roaring laughter was heard from one end of the hall as the goddess of love couldn't contain her laughter.
"Wow. just wow! Did you see that! Did you guys see that! The collision was hilarious! The way how gravity seems to lose his sense of meaning would even make that guy Newton cry! A-and that squeeze! Hahahahaha! He- hold on… Haah.. He unconsciously squeezed to make sure that girl even had boobs to begin with!"
Safe to say. It is clear that she was struggling to breathe and wheezing. The other gods gazed at her as if she had completely lost her mind.
"Can you shut up pinky! Some of us are trying to drink here." The young girl, appearing to be in her preteen years, quickly finished the last sips of alcohol from the bottle, then tossed it aside into a hidden space before it disappeared. "Aaargh! Just great! I ran out of sake now!"
"And it's better that way!" The elderly woman scolds as she pinches her nose shut. "You drank far too much for today."
"EEEEH!? But Tokie I need to have some alcohol in my system! I can't go without it!"
"You have to for now. Now, Shinnosuke, what is your first impression of this boy named Kamijou Touma?"
The world god quirks his brows as he watches Kamijou trying to lose the girl who ran after him. The adolescent boy appeared typical in appearance, with average looks and slightly above average body build and height. He had a bit of a foul mouth, but nothing about him really stood out except for the intensity of his expression when he questioned if he was in a different world and the noticeable scar on his back.
Aside from that there wasn't much else to discuss.
"Aside from a few things… The young man is still a highschool teen. But let's get some things out of the way first. Namely the way he cancels out my blessings."
The hall fell into silence as even the salmon haired woman stopped her giggles and went back into business. What the boy had done was beyond natural. No. It went even further. The boy instinctively rejected blessings like luck, fortune, or protection as if they were a contagious disease that he quickly dismissed. It gave the world god almost a heart attack to know that one boy was left out of the hundreds of billions of mortals across the worlds he looked after.
What kind of god was he even? How in the name of Asgard has he missed a boy like that? Even more unfortunate was that the boy refused blessings from the other gods as well.
He did not accept the god of combat's gift of instant mastery of martial arts, nor did he embrace the god of architecture's offer of increased food production. Even a resistance to alcohol could not break through the unseen barrier. Kamijou Touma was left with nothing except what could be considered a string of bad luck.
"That kid is definitely strange." The goddess of swords spoke. Her hands folded as she leaned backwards. "Nothing we throw at him seems to work, hell we even tried curses."
"You did what!" The world god exclaimed in fury. "How could you be so irresponsible!"
She shrugged as she pulled out a dagger and played with it. "It was actually Pinky's idea."
"Hey don't snitch on me! I thought we were in this together!"
"Don't remember making such a promise."
"You wanna go, airhead!"
"The short blue haired goddess paused the blade from dancing further as her face showed utter confusion. "Are….you challenging me to a fight? Like an actual one? If so then no thanks. I'd rather have a drinking contest against Miss Drunkard over there."
"Eeeh! Are you an idiot? No way! I'm not going against those scary swords! I'll lose!"
"I don't know pinky…" The god of combat butted in the conversation. "Last time we fought…I lost."
"What do you mean? From what I remember it was a tie."
He gave a grunt of dissatisfaction. "I wasn't even close. If it wasn't for Tokie… I would have been a goner…"
The attention of everyone is directed towards the goddess of love, who flashes one of her trademark smiles, leaving all present with a spine-tingling sensation. "Come on, you guys are still scared for little ol' me? What happened back then was a long time ago. I have changed since then. Right Tokie? Shinnosuke?"
The elderly gods exchanged looks before both nodding, albeit with some hesitation. Are they really convinced that she has changed since that time? Both elderly deities weren't so sure….Some things were better forgotten. The goddess of love's previous stunt was one of them.
"Anyways back to the Kamijou Touma!" The pink haired beamed in a cheerful manner.
"Meh, the name sounds so scary. The little drunkard replied. "I mean *hic* Kamijou and Touma *hic* mixed together? Doesn't that say something about his ability to negate our blessings?"
The god of architecture frowned at the apparent falsehoods. Did a brief moment without alcohol and a terrible memory from the past cause her to become so paranoid that she started concocting a conspiracy theory? "Give it a rest. Just because the boy's name roughly translates to invisible demon doesn't mean he is one. It's not like some weird forbidden force is locked inside him. That would be absurd."
The drunkard clicked her tongue. "Don't rule out the idea just yet! I bet you *hic* He's dangerous! Consider this: It's apparent that divine intervention does not influence him. Shinnosuke has minimal knowledge of him, and what we do know comes from our own observations. If that doesn't make you suspicious, take another look at the name Kamijou. He seems to surpass even our understanding of divinity!"
"Stop being paranoid and sober up."
"I am sober!"
"Eh? You are? Still reek of Booze though."
"quiet, pinky!" They spoke at the same time, uniting against a danger that was even more bothersome than they were individually.
"How rude! Can a god even have some respect in this day and age?"
"That's what I've been wondering about for quite a few centuries now." Tokie spoke in a monotone voice as she directed her gaze at the fluffy pink hair.
Instead of making eye contact with the elderly woman, the goddess of love directed her attention towards the world god instead.
"So what's the plan, Shinnosuke? Do we let him be? Bless him indirectly or maybe…"
"No."
"Ah c'mon! You haven't even listened to what I have to say!"
"And I don't need to" Shinnosuke spoke firmly without even batting an eye on the sulking goddess. "I won't allow you to visit the lower world. Do you understand?" The hall trembled slightly as the world god spoke with confidence and authority.
Sweat was dripping from the current pantheon members as the world god spoke. The goddess of love's mischievous nature did not amuse him. The goddess of love nonchalantly stuck out her tongue in response but surrendered nonetheless.
"Fine….. No going to the lower world. Then how am I supposed to cause death flags!"
"Sometimes I wonder why I even made you a goddess of love." Shinnosuke relaxed. The world god relaxed demeanor was a relief to the other deities as his intense aura dissipated, allowing them to feel at ease.
"because you care, old man!"
" I suppose so… Then- hmm? Seems like the boy has lost the girl."
"It's a lost cause…" Linze grumbles quietly while perched on a weathered box in a dim alley.
The whole day has been nothing but scouting for the ruffians that had stolen their antler. Linze had searched back alleys, bars, the marketplace, the back alleys… wait didn't she already mention that one. To put it in another way. Linze Silhoueska has searched but haven't found anything.
"...aaah! Why is Elze so repulsive!" Linze let out a tired moan as her shoulder drooped with despair. With limited funds for just one night's accommodation, it wouldn't be long before they had to spend the night outdoors. Where was the adventure her sister was so fond of? Where was the thrill of discovering hidden mysteries of this vast world? Where the hell was good fortune when you need one!
A rumbling noise came from her stomach. Great she was hungry too, can her day get any worse then this? Linze prayed to whoever was overseeing things above, hoping that the situation wasn't as bad as it seemed and that there was a chance for improvement.
Linze glanced at the dark sky, illuminated only by the lampposts. She imagined Elze must have reached the inn by now. Linze can already see it in front of her. Elze seething on the bed, as she made a makeshift punching bag. Hitting the pillow and muttering death threats to whoever that guy's name was."
Good grief, the girl can be such a hassle sometimes. But that is what makes Elze Elze. Her tomboyish nature is cute to look at and she's much more outgoing. Definitely a hundred times better than what Linze has to offer. Makes her wonder if they're even twins in the first place.
"Haah…. Better get going. Elze must be worried sick. Can't have her scold me can she."
Removing herself from the crate the silver short hair was about to leave when-
"I'm telling you man! If you had seen that face of her, you would laugh your ass off! The way she shouted she'll fuck our faces over! Hilarious!"
"That girl reminds me of a puppy tied on a leash! The way her sister held her was exactly the same thing!"
In response four voices of laughter followed suit.
Linzen recognized those two voices….
The two were the same ones that stole their glass Antler!
Linze smiled. Were her prayers answered? Did the gods from above finally smile upon her by giving her this opportunity? With her short staff untied from her waist. Linze decided it was time to take back what was theirs.
"S-STOP!" She managed to spit out. The group of four halted in surprise as they encountered the silver haired girl in a skirt. Good. Though Linze was nervous, she managed to gain their attention. All she need to do now was ask them to give back-
"Eh? Where is our antler?" Linze looks confused as none of them appear to be holding anything. Could it be hidden in a secret spot?
"Oh it's you girlie. About that antler? We sold it for two gold coins at the guild. A guy put up a request on how desperate he was to get one. Man you two are idiots." The man didn't even spare a glance at Linze. He was far too busy talking to his buddies then focusing on her.
"..."
Crap.
Linze had not considered the consequences of her actions. Now that she had found the person, it was of little use if the item had already been sold. Asking for the money back was not an option either, as these individuals had the guild backing them up. It would be considered theft if she took the money from them.
All her hope crumbled. It was all for not. Linze just made a fool of herself from standing in front of them.
With a beet red face, Linze made a quick bow. "A-ah. S-sorry for bothering! I'll be on my way!" Why did she always fumble with her words in front of strangers! So embarrassing!
With that said Linze took her que to leave.
"Not so fast, missy." The man blocked her way. Acting as a barricade to prevent her from leaving. "From the looks of it. That other girl isn't with you. Tell me girl, are you alone?"
"W-what's that supposed to mean?"
The man shrugged. "Me and the boys have been bored lately. You look like the girl that wouldn't say no to some fun, correct? Why not hang out with us? I know some bars where they serve some nice alcohol."
Linze flinched at the sudden request. She was being flirted with! By a guy no less! The situation took a rather unexpected turn. Linze never thought of herself as attractive. Elze was the beautiful one! Not her!
As she was overwhelmed with thoughts, the four men couldn't help but notice the short-haired girl blushing. They wondered if she was inexperienced in dating or if she even grasped the concept of their idea of fun.
"I appreciate the g-gesture but I have to decline. My sister is waiting and-"
"Nonsense." He wrapped his arm around Linze's shoulder. It was beginning to feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"That sister of yours can wait till next morning. What is your name sweetheart?"
"Yeah we would love to know you better."
"C'mon just a pin or two is enough."
Linze found herself cornered by a group of people approaching her from all sides, causing her to look around in panic. It was clear to her that they were not flirting, but rather trying to swindle her. The ringleader of the group smirked as he watched Linze grow more frantic.
"You know girl, come with us and I might give you those two gold pieces back as thanks. That is what you came for, right."
She did. She bit her lip. What now? Linze couldn't go with them. What would happen if she went with those men she didn't know personally? After all, stranger danger was a concept taught from a young age.
Yet…
What about Elze? Elze was in desperate need of the antler to fix the situation, and Linze saw this as a chance to help. She wanted to prevent Elze from being upset and sulking, so deciding to accompany them in order to bring a smile back to her older sister's face was Linze only option.
Elze deserves better after all. Besides, one drink can't really hurt. Right?
"I…."
"There you were!"
Huh? Did someone say something?
Linze emerald eyes peaked between the man to see a new person join the frame.
It was a boy who was a little older than she was, wearing a navy blue jacket and matching pants. His clothes were wrinkled and had some dirt on them. The older boy was tattered through and through. Did he escape from a demon? A lone horn wolf perhaps? If he did, Linze felt sorry for him. It was clear that the boy had been through a lot of trauma. What caught Linze's attention the most was his messy spiky hair, which reminded her of a hedgehog.
"I was looking all over for you." The boy let out a sigh as he slowly navigated through the group of four people, finally taking Linze's hand.
"You were?" Linzen couldn't help but ask. Did she know the boy from somewhere?
"Of course I was! He hissed as the boy dragged her away from the alleyway. "Thanks for looking out for her! She can be such an airhead sometimes. Haha."
"I-I'm not!"
The group of four simply stood there as the boy took the girl away without even trying. What the hell was that?
The ring leader was the first to recover. "Hold on! We found her first! Finders keepers man!"
"Yeah!"
"You can't take her just yet!"
"Get your own girl!"
The group of four became increasingly aggressive, and it was clear that if the two of them didn't leave quickly, the situation could turn ugly.
Acting swiftly, Linze raised her staff and started reciting a chant.
"Come forth, light! Departing darkness [Flash!]"
A dazzling light emitted from the end of her staff, temporarily blinding the thugs as she quickly took the hand of the boy with spiky hair and fled from the scene.
"T-this way!" the boy gave Linze a look of confusion as he fell also under the same affect.
"Don't worry, you won't get turn blind," she reassured as she kept running albeit somewhat slow. "It's only for a few seconds to buy us some time-"
"I found them the went that way!"
Linzen gulped as she glanced behind her. She admits she wasn't the fastest person but surely she thought she made some distance!
"Hang on tied okay?"
"What? What do mean by- eeeh!?"
The boy wearing a navy blue jacket made the decision to hold her in a bridal-style carry for some unknown reasons. W-wait! It was too soon! She met the boy just moments ago! She wasn't ready for marriage yet!
The boy disregarded her complaints and began to run. Linze's eyes widened as he picked up speed suddenly. The gap between them and their pursuers. increased with each stride he made.
Linze's emerald eyes remained fixed on the boy's fearful expression as the breeze gently tousled her hair...The girl could tell he was used to running away.
After what felt like a lifetime the two of them managed to lose the ringleader and his gang. The boy let out a breath of relief. "Can't believe I managed to out run them! Don't tell me that all those time running away somehow added some stats points to my agility…" The spiky haired boy talked to no one in particular.
"Stats…points?" Linze tilted her head. Seeing this the boy gave a sheepish smile as he gently placed Linze back on her own two feet. "Sorry, are you okay? They didn't hurt you did they?
"N-no, I'm fine, thanks for saving me…"
"Kamijou, Kamijou Touma."
"Kamijou Touma?" Now that Linze thought about it. He didn't seem like he came from the kingdom of Belfast. "Are you from Eashen?"
He sighed. The silver short hair couldn't exactly hear what the boy was saying. A couple of words she could make out were "japan" and "knock off"
"Something like that." He sighed. "Well if you're fine and all… see ya."
"Eh!? You're leaving just like that!?"
"Yeah? What of it? You're not in trouble anymore. So what good does it do if I stay? Also I would rather move along before she catches me?"
Was he being chased before he saved her? At this hour?
"Uhm, can I ask what this person looks like?"
"Hmmm, well she was about this tall, has silver hair and green…eyes…" The boy's eyes grew wide with recognition as he stared at Linze, causing her to feel a wave of unease when he let out a dark chuckle.
"hehe… You wouldn't happen to know a girl that looks like you but has longer hair…"
Linze could already tell where this is going.
"...If you mean my twin sister then yes?"
The boy turned pale as all the color left his face. Linze wasn't shocked to see the dirt on his clothes and suspected Elze was responsible. She only wonders how the boy survived for so long without his skull being cracked open.
"It's gonna be okay!" Linze lied. "I can talk to my sister and she'll calm down…. Eventually."
"Eventually!"
"Hehehehehehe…"
Both of them felt a shiver as a maniacal laugh rang out in the deserted streets. Linze swallowed hard, glancing at her sister Elze, who looked worse than she had ever seen her before, with her silver hair all disheveled.
Her face was covered in something sticky, with some rotten fruits peeking out. Her shirt was also not in great condition, with unknown stains all over it. If Linze didn't know any better, she might have suspected that Elze had just come from a murder spree.
"I have finally caught on to you….Bastard…" her voice sounds even like a lunatic.
"Elze! What happened to you!"
"Linze? What are you doing here? Don't tell me that guy tried to flirt with you! He is a pervert!"
What?
"You got it all wrong! And what the hell is wrong with you! Even Biri-Biri would have given up after a while!" Touma yelled, sounding very annoyed and tired. Just what happened between those?
"H-hey now! I'm sure we can talk it over, right Elze?"
Elze cracked her knuckles. Ignoring the mediator Linze. "Oh we can talk this over….After Beat the shit out of him."
The boy Touma narrowed his eyes as he dropped into a fighting stance. Ready for what seems to Linze as round two.
"You really don't know went to quit do you."
Is this boy suicidal! No way is even considering taking on Elze! She got to stop Elze before the boy really dies!
"Elze please! We can-"
[Boost]
Two fist collided with each other.
Phew. Another chapter done. Well what do you guys think? A lot more different than canon. I figured that Kamijou would arrive later in Reflet then Touya simply because of bad luck causing The twins to lose their glass antler.
The twins' personalities are also somewhat different from canon. Elze is more hotheaded and repulsive while Linze acts as the voice of reason.
Found it more fun that way. In the anime there wasn't much of a difference between the two other than the shy, and noisy type. Hope you like them better that way.
Now the gods that keep a close eye on Touma. It can be annoying to read the god of this or that all the time but I don't want to reveal some names yet, aside from the world god Shinnosuke and the goddess of space-time Tokie. Anyway, I want some of them to play a major role, especially pinky. A talk between the goddess of love and Touma would be gold!
I think I already said it but I'll say it again. I Kamijou is going to have a hard time in this new world he's in. He won't have an easy time like Touya had. Not while Touma is gonna be the source of 90% of all the problems.
So yeah thanks for reading! Love to hear some of your thoughts and ideas.
See ya next time!