Darkness... utter darkness.
Everywhere is dark. There's nothing to see.
It's been a very long time in this darkness.
But now, I see a light.
It's tiny—but it's light.
After so long in darkness, I finally see something... but strangely, I don't feel anything. No emotions. Just emptiness.
Then, all at once—
A sudden rush of brilliance devours the darkness, as if it never existed.
That's when I woke up.
Somewhere unfamiliar.
A place I don't recognize at all.
Around me, a lot of teenagers. Their clothes look strange—unfamiliar. And they speak without respect, like wild birds chirping nonsense.
There are wooden boxes here.
Why are they sitting on them?
Wait—why am I sitting on one too?
Aren't these supposed to be used for firewood?
Then—
A voice behind me.
???: "Finally, you're awake. Next class's gonna start. Get your brain to do some work."
He tried to split my head open with his hand.
(Well... he just tried to boink me.)
I dodged.
My instincts almost made me break his arm.
He was... so weak.
Why? Why did he even try to attack me if he's this weak?
???: "Hey! You've gone too far!"
Enemy territory?
Is this a trap?
He casually walked toward me—then disappeared right before my eyes.
The next thing I know... I'm lying on the ground.
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[Character Profile for Readers]
Name: Ira Tachibana
Combat Talent: Nil
Intelligence: Average
Potential to Grow: ???
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Ira Tachibana: "What was that for, man?! You almost broke my arm! I was just trying to wake you up!"
He helped me stand, then went to another student who had stepped in to save him.
Ira Tachibana: "Thanks for saving my arm, Nota-san."
Nota: "I thought you two were fighting. If you're not, then good. Fighting's nonsense. So... don't fight, okay? I'm not really talkative, but I thought I should say that."
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[Character Profile for Readers]
Name: Abarai Nota
Combat Talent: B
Intelligence: Average
Potential to Grow: C+
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???: "Hmm? Ah—Nota-kun! Why are you standing there?"
A teenage boy walked in.
He was tall, with dark green hair that shimmered like a flickering forest. His eyes were sharp. His frame—skinny.
???: "Oi, oi, oi... are these guys trying to mess with you, Nota-kun? Want me to kill them?"
Nota: "What are you doing here? Let's just go. Are the others in the cafeteria?"
He dragged the green-haired boy away by the collar, even as he kept trying to talk.
???: "C'mon, Nota-kun! I was just chatting! There are a lot of hot girls standing over there too, you know? Can't just walk away without asking for their numbers!"
Nota: "Whatever. Let's just go. The others are waiting."
They left—just like that.
I still had no idea where I was.
Ira Tachibana: "What's gotten into you, man? You're acting weird today. Is something bothering you?"
I didn't speak. Just gave him a silent nod.
Now I understood this wasn't enemy territory.
Just... a place I didn't know.
I left the room and wandered outside the building.
And then—
I felt heat. A burning sensation on my skin.
???: "How could you just take my body and leave like it's yours...?"
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