Light streamed through the small gaps in the window, casting slivers of brightness across the dimly lit room. One in particular landed directly on a young girl's face, causing her to stir from her slumber. She groaned softly, her eyelids fluttering open, only to be momentarily blinded by the sudden brightness. Blinking a few times, she allowed her vision to adjust before attempting to rise, but the lingering weight of exhaustion kept her rooted in place.
With slow, weak movements, she peeled the blanket away from her body, stretching her arms above her head. As she turned her head to the side, her gaze landed on a golden weapon resting on the floor beside her bed. The weapon resembled the emblem of her guild's proudest accomplishment.
"Let's go Satoru," she murmured to herself. "There's more to do than just lying around. I have to find the others and make sure the Guardians are fine."
The memories of yesterday's events flashed through her mind as she felt like her body defied her. She had traveled across two districts, faced off against a towering mechanical war machine, and fought until the massive construct finally collapsed to the ground. And yet, after all that, she still had the energy to celebrate alongside her comrades, Sensei and the other students.
'Sensei… What a strange man,' Satoru thought to herself as she remembered the sole adult man she had met or ever heard about.
She was exhausted, but more than that, she was happy. Even in this situation with so many unknowns she felt happy because she knew the others might be out there too.
Hugging a small pillow against her chest, she mustered what little strength she had and pushed herself upright.
"Let's see what I need to prepare for today," she muttered, walking through the cramped space of her apartment.
The room was modest, the kind given to new students who had no other place to stay. Provided by the school as temporary housing, it was a simple communal apartment. One that she would eventually have to leave. But despite its limitations, she found it far more comfortable than the cold, lonely apartment she had once called home back on Earth.
The walls were plain and slightly worn, their paint fading in places where time had taken its toll. A small desk sat in the corner that only had old dust that Satoru had forgotten to clean. A single wardrobe stood against the opposite wall, its doors slightly ajar, revealing a sparse collection of clothes. The wooden floor creaked softly under her feet as she moved.
She made her way to the small bathroom, flicking on the dim yellow light before staring into the mirror. Her reflection greeted her with a chaotic mess of hair, unruly strands sticking out in every possible direction. Some clung stubbornly to her face, while others jutted skyward in defiance of any attempt at control. She sighed, running her fingers through the tangles, only for them to spring right back into place.
It was a lost cause.
Satoru back on Earth had way smaller hair that was way easier to deal with instead of this monster she has now to accept.
'If I could still access my old inventory, I'd have so many outfits to choose from…' Satoru mused, recalling the countless dresses and elegant women's clothing she had amassed over her years in Yggdrasil. She had collected them out of curiosity, other times admiration over their quality, and also because of their functions. 'I wonder if there's anything in this world worth collecting…'
With a small sigh, she turned her attention to the neatly folded clothes on her bed, standard-issue attire provided by the school. The uniform of Gehenna Academy was simple yet formal: a dark gray button-up shirt and a black pleated skirt. As she slipped into the outfit, adjusting the collar and smoothing out the fabric, she couldn't help but feel how unfamiliar yet oddly fitting it was.
Just as she was finishing, a sudden knock echoed from the door, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Her brow furrowed slightly. She wasn't expecting anyone.
Walking toward the door, she hesitated for a brief moment before slowly pulling it open.
Standing before her was a girl clad in military attire, her large red horns and crimson halo casting an imposing yet elegant look. Behind her, several other students stood in formation, armed and all dressed in similar uniforms.
The horned girl's sharp gaze met hers as she spoke with a voice filled with smugness.
"Hello. My name is Kyougoku Satsuki, and I need you to follow me."
"Huh. Who are you, again?" Satoru asked, her brow furrowing in confusion as she studied Satsuki's face.
"You don't know who I am?" Satsuki replied, tilting her head slightly, almost offended by the question.
"I'm sorry. I'm new around here," Satoru admitted, keeping her expression neutral.
Satsuki sighed but quickly regained her composure. "I see. My name is Kyougoku Satsuki, a member of the Pandemonium Society. By order of Chairwoman Hanuma Makoto, you are to be escorted to our base."
Her tone was calm and composed, just as Iroha had instructed. If Makoto had taken an interest in this girl, then a peaceful approach was preferable. However, if persuasion failed, Satsuki had no qualms about using other methods to ensure compliance. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she entertained the idea of using her knowledge on the NK Ultra Project.
Satoru blinked, still struggling to make sense of the situation. "Did I… do something wrong?"
"No, nothing of the sort. Chairwoman Makoto simply wishes to speak with you. She has taken an interest in you it seems," Satsuki explained, watching for any signs of resistance. 'I almost hope she refuses.'
Satoru's gaze flicked past Satsuki to the group of uniformed soldiers standing behind her. Their presence only made her more suspicious. 'This feels off. What exactly is she planning?' She glanced toward the corner of the room where her gun lay—too far away to grab in time. 'And there are too many of them. Even if I fought, I'd be overwhelmed before I could escape. Ah I wanted to just be able to teleport away. I need to find a way to at least manage to get back some of my magic.'
She let out a quiet sigh, resigning herself to the situation. I don't have much of a choice.
"Alright. I'll go with you," she said at last.
Satsuki's smirk widened into a devilish grin. "Good. Now, please follow me."
Satoru fell into step beside Satsuki as they made their way toward the Gehenna Pandemonium Society's headquarters.
'This is going to be trouble…'
Deep within the Gehenna Academy's sprawling school building, there existed a room reserved for only the most "important" and "influential" figures in the entire district. It was an exclusive chamber where power and ambition of a small group of students converged - a space belonging to the Pandemonium Society, the democratically elected party that had seized control over Gehenna's political arm.
At its helm stood Hanuma Makoto, the self-proclaimed great leader of the Pandemonium Society and, in her own mind, the ruler of all Gehenna.
"Kihehehehe! Iroha, how is the plan proceeding?" Makoto's laughter echoed through the chamber, her manic grin stretching from ear to ear as she fixed her gaze on the girl standing beside her.
"Yes. We've sent soldiers along with Satsuki to retrieve the girl," she answered, her tone composed yet tinged with mild exasperation.
"Good, good. And you made sure they're treating her well?" Makoto asked as she almost coudn't hold her excitement.
"Yes, yes, 'but not too kind either because we have to show our strength', or something like that," Iroha added, mimicking Makoto's voice with a deadpan expression.
Makoto let out another giddy laugh, clasping her hands together. "Good, very good. Kyehehehe! Finally, I will have a weapon to surpass that damned Head Prefect! And with it, all of Gehenna will be mine! After that, I only need Sensei, and soon, the entirety of Kivotos will fall in line! Kyehehehehe."
Iroha let out a weary sigh. She had been here long enough to recognize when one of Makoto's grandiose plans would spiral into absolute chaos. And this one? This one had trouble written all over it.
"How do you feel so certain this student will just decide to help you, Makoto?"
Makoto waved a dismissive hand, her confidence unwavering. "Oh, you don't need to worry, Iroha. I have everything under control."
"...That is never good to hear," Iroha muttered under her breath.
Just then, the door creaked open, and a girl with black hair, small horns, and a pair of sleek wings stepped inside. She held a camera in one hand, the lens gleaming under the dim lighting.
"Hey, Makoto," Chiaki called out. "Satsuki just arrived with your guest."
Makoto's smile widened. "Perfect. Chiaki, take position. We need to make a strong first impression."
Chiaki arched an eyebrow, smirking. "You sure sound confident about all this. Couldn't be anyone else other than our Makoto."
Makoto leaned back in her chair, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "You'll see soon enough what my great plans can truly look like, Chiaki." She wanted to look as cool and imposing as possible when their guest arrived. It was important for her mind that she made a good impression at the start.
As the heavy doors began to swing open once more, anticipation filled the air. Makoto was convinced that nothing could possibly go wrong.
"Makoto, I'm back," Satsuki announced, stepping into the room with a tired expression. Like most members of the Pandemonium Society, she wasn't particularly athletic, and having to walk all the way to the communal building and back had drained her.
"Satsuki, you're finally back! Where's our guest?" Makoto asked as she wasn't able to see Satoru in her view.
Satoru stepped inside from behind Satsuki, her hair an absolute mess, wild strands sticking out in every direction. Despite her disheveled appearance, her uniform was noticeably well-kept in comparison.
'So these are the ones leading Gehenna?' Satoru thought, carefully assessing the room. Better to keep a low profile and avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Oh, so you're Suzuki Satoru. Kyehehehe~ My name is Hanuma Makoto, the great leader of Gehenna, and I welcome you to the Pandemonium Society!" Makoto declared with a confident grin, fully convinced she had just secured an important piece in her grand plan. 'The way she's staring at me… she must be overwhelmed by my presence. Kihehehe~'
Satoru, however, had a completely different thought running through her mind. 'Oh no… why is she dressed like that?'
She forced a neutral expression, though her brain was already conjuring up an intrusive image of one of her past creations. She fought the urge to cringe.
"Y-yes, I'm Satoru. It's a pleasure to meet you," she managed, keeping her voice steady as she gave a polite bow.
"Please, feel free to take a seat. I, the Great Makoto, wouldn't want my guest to remain standing after coming from so far away. We have a lot to discuss," Makoto said, reclining in her chair before gesturing toward the seat across from her desk.
Satoru complied, her thoughts briefly drifting to her past. The atmosphere reminded her of the meetings she once had with her boss back on Earth. Fortunately, those were always positive, she had been a diligent worker, after all.
"Satoru, I called you here today because I wanted to speak with you about this." She said as she raised a tablet and turned it toward Satoru.
Satoru remained silent, her eyes widening slightly as a video started playing. 'I'm doing it Kihehehe.'
"Makoto, the tablet is upside down!" A voice suddenly remarked from behind the couch.
Satoru nearly flinched. She turned her head to find a black-haired girl in a military coat, standing there with a camera in hand.
"Huh? Chiaki, you should've told me sooner!" Makoto huffed, quickly flipping the tablet the right way up.
"Well, anyway," she continued, regaining her composure, "Satoru, is this person right here you?" She said as she pointed to the girl in the video of the attack in the Abydos District.
Satoru hesitated, her mind racing. "Y-yes… that's me."
"You should be proud of yourself! That was an incredible performance! Kihehehe." Makoto exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Incredible?" Satoru echoed, confusion overtaking her tone. The way Makoto was reacting was so strange, yet oddly familiar. A small pang of nostalgia stirred within her.
"Yes! Indeed! Your skills in battle were simply incredible! This is exactly why I wanted to speak with you!" Makoto declared excitedly.
Satoru blinked. 'Don't… don't tell me she went through all this effort just because she thought I was cool there?'
Makoto leaned forward dramatically, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I offer you a position within the Pandemonium Society! A place among the greatest minds in all of Kivotos!" She beamed with pride, confident in her genius offer.
"Eh?" A unanimous reaction to Makoto's words overtook the room as everyone looked at Makoto surprised.
Makoto smirked, leaning back in her chair with a triumphant expression. "Kihehehe~ They're all completely taken off guard by my proposal! Kihehehe~ No one could have foreseen my ingenious plan!"
A sigh escaped from the red-haired girl standing beside her. "Makoto, you're saying your thoughts out loud again."
Makoto's eyes widened in horror. Her mouth stood agap as she scanned the room, only to be met with either disappointment or barely restrained laughter.
"You didn't hear anything!" she hastily added, attempting to salvage her dignity.
Satoru, meanwhile, silently observed the entire exchange. 'I see… I guess I know what is going on here. She is without a doubt a chuunibyou.' The realization made her chuckle internally. 'She wants to look cool and surround herself with 'cool' people. Oh, this brings back memories…'
Makoto cleared her throat, trying to regain composure. "S-So, what's your answer?" she asked, though her nervousness was evident. It was clear she feared she had just ruined everything with her slip-up.
Satoru thought for a moment. Initially, she had been concerned that she was in trouble or facing some kind of punishment, but now it felt like the situation was much simpler. 'Now with a bit more understanding I guess my initial paranoia was unfounded. Besides,' Satoru looked around and saw all the fancy decorations inside the room. 'If I can gain access to the resources this position offers, I'll be able to help the others… and it'll make finding Tanya and Subaru much easier.'
She finally nodded. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer, isn't it? I suppose there's no way I can refuse."
'I just pray that the Guardians don't misunderstand this…'
Makoto's face lit up with pure excitement. "That's great to hear! Chiaki! Satsuki! Help our new friend freshen up. I want a photo of her, and I want it in the next issue of the Pandemonium Paper, right after Ibuki's daily!"
"Huh?" Satoru barely had time to react before Chiaki and Satsuki stepped forward, each grabbing one of her arms.
"Okay, I'll see if your hairdresser can fix this mess. If she can save your hair after an explosion, she can fix anything," Chiaki said with a bright smile as she teased Makoto.
"Wait, hold on!"
Before Satoru could protest any longer, she was swiftly picked up from both her arms and escorted out of the room.
As the door shut behind them, Makoto erupted into laughter. "KIHEHEHEHE! Sorasaki Hina, your days are numbered! Once my new weapon undergoes proper training, the Prefect Team will have no choice but to surrender, and the entirety of Gehenna will be—"
The door suddenly burst open.
"Makoto, I want uppies." A small blond girl entered the room with a captivating smile. She has a pair of bat wings and a heart-tipped tail that sways behind her. On her head there was a small set of black horns, partially concealed beneath her hat.
Makoto's entire demeanor shifted in an instant as she heard the little girl's words. "YES, IBUKI."
Without hesitation, she abandoned her grandiose plotting, ran toward the small girl, and effortlessly lifted her onto her back before happily carrying her out of the room. "Faster! Hahaha!" Ibuki shouted as her small little wings started to flap, while Makoto smiled with pure joy.
Left alone, Iroha let out a deep sigh, rubbing her temples. "Ah… this is going to be more trouble than it's worth."
"RUN! IT'S THE HEAD PREFECT!" The panicked scream rang out as a group of bandits bolted down the alley, desperately trying to escape the barrage of bullets raining down on them. The sheer volume of fire made dodging impossible—one by one, they fell, incapacitated.
"Leave them! We have to get out of here!" one bandit shouted to her only remaining comrade.
Just as they turned a corner, a shadow passed over them. Their hearts pounded as dread crept into their veins. Before they could react, something descended from above with terrifying speed.
A single strike landed, knocking them both unconscious before they even had time to scream.
"Secure them." The commanding voice cut through the chaos.
"Yes, Head Prefect!"
A squad of soldiers rushed in, swiftly moving to handcuff every downed bandit, ensuring none of them could escape.
One soldier, however, approached the Head Prefect with a phone in hand. "Ma'am, we've received a call from Ako. She wishes to speak with you."
Hina turned, dusting off her coat before taking the phone. "Understood. Thank you."
The soldier saluted before rejoining the others, leaving Hina alone with the call.
"Ako. What is it?"
"They've done it again."
There was clear irritation in Ako's voice, and Hina sighed, already guessing who 'they' were.
"The Pandemonium Society," Ako continued, "They siphoned some of our funds for, wait for it, hairdressing. Again."
Hina pinched the bridge of her nose. "If it's only that, I can understand your frustration, but this doesn't seem like enough of a reason to call me mid-operation."
"There's more, Head Prefect," Ako admitted. "Makoto is planning something. She's announced that there's going to be a 'big event' in a few days."
Hina's gaze sharpened. "So they're making a move..."
A beat of silence passed before she spoke again. "Gather the rest of the Prefect Team. We don't know what kind of trouble they're about to stir up, but we need to be ready."
"Head Prefect, I recommend a preemptive strike," Ako suggested, her voice firm.
Hina closed her eyes for a moment, then exhaled. "No. Absolutely not. No aggressive actions this close to the Eden Treaty."
There was hesitation on the other end. "I'm so sorry, Head Prefect."
"I'll be heading back soon. We can't act yet, but we will be prepared. Nothing is going to spiral out of control on our watch."
As the call ended, Hina turned her gaze toward the city skyline, the weight of responsibility pressing against her shoulders. The Pandemonium Society was up to something—what, exactly, was still a mystery.
But whatever it was, Hina would be ready.
The DUI district of Kivotos was a place of towering skyscrapers, home to the headquarters of countless companies. Yet, among them all, one structure stood above the rest—Sanctum Tower, the beating heart of the district. Not far from it stood another imposing structure, the headquarters of Schale, the place where Sensei worked tirelessly.
"Wow, now this looks like a real city," Kazuma muttered, his gaze sweeping over the endless skyline as he walked through the streets.
The sheer scale of the district was unlike anything he'd seen in the other three world he had already went throught. Unlike Abydos, where things felt eerily desolate, this place was alive. Everywhere he turned, people bustled about be it families, office workers, students. It was an urban jungle.
Kazuma had been brought here by Sensei, who wanted to help him sort out his recent problem: namely, that his only place to sleep had been blown to pieces.
With a sigh, Kazuma stretched his back. "I guess I'll need a job soon. Can't expect Sensei to just hand me an apartment for free and pay my taxes."
While the idea of lazing around all day was tempting, Kazuma knew better—money wouldn't just fall into his lap.
"Well, let's take a look around."
He set off, weaving through the streets. The district was packed with towering buildings, flashy advertisements, and a seemingly endless number of businesses competing for attention. No matter where he looked, at least three people were always trying to sell something. In a place like this finding a job wouldn't be difficult.
At one point, he watched as a group of students in police uniforms chased down a pair of troublemakers. In another street, a casual shootout erupted between students—an absurd sight, yet somehow, Kazuma was starting to get used to it.
He kept walking until something fluttered past his face—a pamphlet, caught in the wind.
His curiosity got the better of him, and he reached out, snatching the paper mid-air.
"In Search of an Administrator!
Looking for someone capable of improving teamwork within the club!"
As Kazuma read the words, an idea formed in his mind. "If I could deal with them, this should be easy, right?"
He rolled the pamphlet between his fingers, considering his options. "Yeah… it wouldn't hurt to check this out. Though…"
His eyes scanned the page again.
"Not listing the payment upfront is kind of a red flag." He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Then again, it's not like I have any idea how taxation even works in this place."
Shaking his head, he folded the pamphlet and slipped it into his pocket. "Well, guess I'll find out soon enough."
With that, he tucked the paper into his pocket and walked off, a plan beginning to take shape in his mind.