Several days since winter took place in the modest town where Yamashiro Michio had lived; conditions were unbearable. Knee-deep snow swallowed the roads, dense snow dunes in the house roofs along with the miserable temperature Michio's currently enduring.
Outside of the apartment, long rows of automobiles covered in snow, icicles on the rim of the roof which the landlord's assistants are taking care of. Before the situation would get worse, the landlord launched a promo where paying ¥1500, he would install a powerful heater and a kotatsu.
Michio immediately brought it in advance to ensure the cosiness of his unit. Michio, a 23-year-old normal person, having a stable job, saving money for future expenses, and is one of the best employees in his job. He had 3 employees of the month getting 4 pay-rises from the manager. Right now, his life set for the future and what's more to come. Yet, deep inside, he is an otaku, a military fanatic, and a gamer that he only shows to a few.
Another day of winter passed and Michio had finished all the job assignments. He ate, brushed his teeth, took a hot-water shower, exercised, and then,
"GAMING TIME!" He shouted.
Turning on his computer as he wore his headphones. After a 12 hours gaming session, his everyday life proceeded without job priorities. Michio ate his fresh hot supper, loading his stomach. After brushing his teeth, he went back to his PC and continued the long grind.
20 minutes passed, the atmosphere within had gone cold. Focused on gaming, Michio had not noticed the sudden falling temperature. He felt a tap on his back as he turned. Michio removed his headphones, then saw a beautiful white-haired girl.
"Come with me..." Michio's vision blacked-out as his heart stopped beating. Then, he fell on the floor. Surrounded by eternal darkness, the last glint of light faded from his vision. Yet Michio's consciousness is still intact, which made him wonder.
'Did I die? If so, then why am I still conscious? Could this be what people experience after death?' Later on, Michio felt a force wave go through him followed by a loud bang then a blinding light forcing him to close his eyes.
Much to Michio's surprise he could see, hear, breathe, and make physical contact. Michio's ears rang from the bang with an unbearable headache. The dark ominous atmosphere and surroundings were replaced with a divine. Everything is white and Michio felt at ease inside. Astonished by the events he roamed the endless area.
A heavy-weight drag made Michio sit down. A table appeared while he assessed the situation. He tries to stand up but the heavyweight dragging him down proved his efforts in vain. He was able to move his hands, legs, his whole body, yet every time he tried to stand the weight placed him back. A idea made him realized grinning as his questions were replaced with excitement.
Gentle footsteps echoed throughout the room; two individuals approached him. An old man with dull-blue eyes, his horseshoe black hair with vague white hair, and a long beard, he's about 170 centimeters tall. Next to her is a beautiful woman, her eyes blue and dazzling as the ocean, her hair as white as the snow, and an alluring body, her height barely reached the old man's nose.
Michio's eyes locked at the woman with his breathing becoming sharp; then his cheeks went red. The woman then spoke,
"So, what do you think?" Michio didn't notice that they were already sitting in front of him; slapping his cheeks to break free from the trance.
Michio waited 2 minutes to realize the situation. "Alright, alright. What was the question again?".
The elder took a deep breath and blinked twice as he revised the question. "My question is what do you think about your situation right now?" The elder struck a question to Michio he tried to answer to himself before.
"Uh, I don't know. Nervous? I can't tell. There's a feeling of excitement and a burning passion currently happening inside me which is weird. It feels like my instincts." The elder nodded at his answers. He leaned to the chair, interlacing his fingers. He narrowed his eyes as he let out a sigh.
"I thought you would know." Michio is now even more confused by the events happening. There were no things he could observe to take a hint about, the table and the two individuals just provided vague ideas.
The woman noticed Michio's confused look as she flashed him with a smile that made him startled. The old man interrupted them both as he cleared his throat.
"I thought you knew like the others but that's fine. I'm certain you know the word reincarnation, right? What goes to your head when you hear it?" Michio curled his mouth. He grinned. A laugh escaped his mouth as what he thought was childish and embarrassing.
"Well, it's isekai. Hehe." An awkward silence filled the room as the elder shrugged.
"We got few who answered that so no need to be embarrassed. Your answer is fine." Said the old man.
Michio listened to the elders' replies carefully connecting the dots. Deep in thought the idea before again reappeared and his mouth opened with his eyes widening in shock and realization.
"AM I GOING TO BE REINCARNATED!?" He stood up and slammed the table while shouting at them. Realizing what he did he apologized.
"Yes, you are. Took you some time but that's not necessary. Keep in mind that you being reincarnated comes with a price." This piqued Michio's interest.
'A price, huh.' The elder then continued, "The price or task isn't a big deal to you but is important and this task must be kept at high priority and that is to survive."
Michio stared with a poker face. He tilted his head in confusion. Trying to keep up his composure he smiled. "Isn't that common sense? Also, the task is very simple."
"Yes it is and just to clarify your task is surviving so that you can open a gate for us." Said the elder.
"A gate? If I may ask, what is the reason?" The elder averted his gaze as he lowered his head. The same with the woman as they both apologized. "That's classified."
His mouth curled down as he wasn't satisfied with their answer. Giving them a nod agreement, yet his anxiety starts to build up.
"I understand. So I'll be sent there to open a gate for you?" The elder nodded. Michio placed a finger on his cheek; his mind covered by fog of thoughts—his eyes oriented. "Right but, how am I going to open it?".
"No need to do anything, you humans from Earth have an ability to dispel any barrier cast by Dämon-gemischt." The elder carelessly answered Michio. A piece of classified information escaped from his mount. The woman is startled. She shove the elder with her elbow, his eyes widened in the realization of the blunder he had done. He clicked his mouth in frustration.
"Däm- what?" Asked Michio.
The woman sighed and took in-charge of the conversation. She waved her hand in denial. "Pay no heed to that. So did the interrogation clear the thoughts lingering on your mind?".
Michio picked his ears blowing the earwax off from his pinky finger then turned his attention at the woman visibly flustered before he began to speak. "I still have some but they'll answer in due time."
"Alright, let's move onto the next phase-."
"Wait, I'm still wondering about your names." The woman and the elder looked at each other as they gave out their names. The woman first introduced herself to Michio.
"You may call me Lammy." Her soothing voice shook Michio's body. The elder followed after. "Call me Zaph." He said with a tint of coarse in his voice.
"Now with this late introduction concluded, let's move to phase two. Shall we?" Lammy stood up. She offered her hand to Michio who took it.
"I'll leave it to you, Lammy." Zaph vanished leaving particles of blue light fluttering in the air though it was short-lived. "Follow my lead, Michio."
Michio kept blushing while they strolled. He has never touched a woman's hand in such a long time that a weird feeling blooms inside him whenever he makes contact with her.
The room began to distort then began to shake. Cracks formed in the ceilings and walls. The ruthless shaking continued. The cracks rushed to Lammy and Michio. On the walls and ceilings, large cobwebs of shattered surface are visible. The tremor stopped as an oval-shaped portal had appeared.
"That scared me, man! That intensity was probably greater than the Big One!" Lammy retracted her arm. She turned towards Michio as she stared for quite some time. Her stares weren't filled with hatred or despise but Michio still had an uneasy time due to her.
"Good luck, I hope you are the one. Many have died doing this simple yet risky task. Do not be careless, they will find you and hunt you. You must prepare yourself, Yamashiro Michio. Please, don't die early. Cherish this little gift by me, I hope that you will find it useful during your adventures."
Michio stared at Lammy both shocked and confused. He's stuck in a state of shock by the sudden speech; also filled with fear. Michio got covered with warm yellow light, nothing had changed but it felt like something was given to him.
"Good luck." And with that, a sword came out from the portal rushing at him in unbelievable speed as it pierced through his chest leaving a gaping hole. His eyes widened and were about to scream as a spectral hand grabbed him to the portal.
"One more push!" The elder woman shouted at the woman giving birth as she shrieked. An ear-piercing scream can be heard outside the house as a man standing idly outside kept praying.
As the woman giving birth tried to catch her breath, she let out a huge sigh of relief at the sight of her baby being carried by the elder. The elder kept wiping the baby. A man who looked like in his early 20s busted inside the room panting. Looking at the baby being carried, his concerned face twisted to a grin as he rushed to the elder to carry him.
The baby let out a short wail as he turned his head at the man carrying him. 'Are these my new parents?' The baby asked. In the hands of the man the baby is in fact Michio.
"H-have you thought of a name yet?" The woman who gave birth panting barely can say what she wants to say.
"Please don't push yourself, Mam Charlotte." Charlotte gave the elder a nod as she switched glances. Looking at her baby with pure admiration.
"Well Sir Ishino, have you thought of a name for your child.".
"Yeah, and his name will be Fleisher, Fleisher Fortes."
6 years have passed since Michio or Fleisher arrived in the world of Glogecia. Fleisher had been a good son to his new parents that gave birth to him. He knew how to speak their language and his knowledge from his past life is still intact. "Mama, Papa, I'm going outside for a while."
"Alright, be careful!" Charlotte watched Fleisher go out with glee, she's glad to have such an obedient and energetic son.
Fleisher strolled while staring at the sky and thought, 'Things happened so fast, huh. Well, I'm not planning to ruin my second run! Wait, I didn't even die!'
Fleisher heard the voices of people chanting words stealing his attention as he watched them use magic with his eyes full of admiration.
"Hey, Fler!" A familiar voice called out behind Fleisher. He twisted his body around to meet the person revealing a girl with silky, black hair reaching to her waists, her moderate yellow eyes brimming with happiness, courage, and kindness, her small nose on her face undoubtedly was cute, her adorable pink one-piece dress along with her characteristics is the epitome of cuteness, In Fleisher's opinion of course.
No doubt she's Alina, she and Fleisher had been friends for 2 years now; she always had a smile on her face which worries Fleisher sometimes.
"Oh Alina, what brings you here?" Alina stood next to Fleisher's side locking eyes at him, they were about the same height with Fleisher being 10 centimeters taller than her.
"Nothing just saw you and decided to catch up to you." Fleisher flashed her a smile and a nod averted his gaze to the magicians. "Do you want to use magic?".
Fleisher nods at her. "I do, magic fascinates me and I want to use one." Alina shrugged Fleisher's arm, gaining his attention as she pointed to 4 kids training together with the magicians.
"I think we can take part together with them. Do you wanna try?" He wanted to take part in their magic training session long ago but was shy to reach out to them. He had no reason not to deny Alina's offer so he shrugged and made contact with her yellow dazzling eyes.
"Yeah sure, why not?" Alina grabbed his hand startling him as Alina led him to the magicians with a pure smile.
"Uhm- Miss, can we join your training?" Alina approached a woman in her early 30s, she has her yellow hair trimmed to a bob haircut, to be frank, fits her very well, her large black eyes give off a rather friendly presence, her nose is about right, and her plump red cheeks and a slender body fits well. She's wearing a short one-piece dress exposing her alluring thighs.
"Of course! The more the merrier. Yet, first to be sure though is to check if you have an adequate amount of mana. You two won't mind?" The woman spoke enthusiastically with a big sparkling smile.
The two took glances at each other as they nodded in unison. "Very well. You all can continue. I'll have to identify these two young-lings." The magicians and participants nod at her remarks, she then kneeled to their level.
"Are you two ready? Brace yourselves, okay?" Alina held Fleisher's hand tightly. Fleisher adapted to Alina's behaviour; he grasped her hand in response as they both closed their eyes.
Both emit a blue hue, while Alina was lighter and have a tint of green. Fleisher have a pure navy blue. The woman in awe by Fleisher and Alina's colour, she narrows her eyes and smiled 'A prodigy. She's a rare one. His mana pool is large... very large for a child, both are powerful, there's no reason not to teach these kids.'
She stood up and patted them both with a smile. "You two are qualified! Let's get to it then? Also please call me Melissa." Alina with a huge smile on her face replied with an, "Mhn. Let's go Fler!" He nodded as the three then began a separate training session and started with the basics.
The dark skies, flashes of lightning visible loomed over a large purple tower almost reaching the stratus clouds can be seen throughout the snowy hills and mountains screening it. Large floating earth with dwellings built hovered near the high column.
Inside the tower is a purple-skinned humanoid creature. His entire body is almost clad by clothing. Its body is muscular and huge, 240 centimeters tall, with large forearms that can crush someone with ease. Crimson-red eyes flashed through the clothes emitting pressure able to make someone pass out.
"So this new one has been reincarnated you all say? If so, it's going to be bothersome killing that pest." It smashed the glass of the cup it was holding as the shards flew in all directions.
"I WANT YOU TO FIND WHOEVER THAT PERSON IS! AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!". The scream of the individual shook the castle and shockwaves were created by its ferocious stomp. "Yes, your majesty!" hundreds of humanoid creatures shouted in unison.
Back to Fleisher and Alina, they've been taught nonstop until dusk has reached. They took breaks and told their parents that they wouldn't be home early which worried them but when they heard Melissa was teaching them their fears vanished.
"Alright, that should be enough. You should be able to cast simple magic. I'm certain you remembered the chant to use Freichter, right? Then cast whenever you are ready!" Melissa kept encouraging the two to do their best, she's a cheerful teacher and others like her ways of teaching.
"Are you ready Fler?" Alina said with a wry smile.
"Yeah, wanna do it together?" Alina gave him a thumbs-up along with her iconic smile.
"Alright... let's go." Fleisher's breathing became sharper as he focused on the chant.
"Scorching light sanctified by the holy Ifrit, may you permit me to use such blessing to fight, come now - Freichter"
They aimed at the dummy then chanted the spell in unison; bursts of fire came out from their palms, Alina's fire is brighter and powerful, but it only lasted for 2 seconds barely reaching the target. Fleisher however is average but is bigger and longer enveloping the dummy in flames, it vanishes after 15 seconds of consecutive fire bursts.
Melissa is again awestruck by their performance, 'They treat basic spells like intermediate ones. I can't wait to see their true talent when they grow up!' She smiled at them with a round of applause. To be able to teach prodigies was such an honour for Melissa. The sun had begun its descent before. The land is covered by gold and a red hue from the sun. Leisurely its descent down the hills and mountains. She noticed how late it was and decided to call the training off.
"Good kids, but the night is nearing. Let's continue tomorrow, okay?" She said
"It was an honour to be taught by you, Miss Melissa." Alina always had better charisma than Fleisher, he sometimes has a hard time talking to other people due to his introverted old self.
"Yeah, what she said." Fleisher said awkwardly laughing.
"You two... it is an honour too. Now go, your parents may be worried." Alina and Fleisher then waved goodbye to Melissa as they parted ways.
"See you tomorrow again, Fler."
"You too Ali." They both waved goodbye to each other going the opposite way.
The next day, tall grasses and flowers vehemently shake as a large potent fireball elapses the patches of flowers and grasses leaving trails of embers to flutter in the air along with burnt flower petals. After the large fireball, a mediocre size bright red fireball with a tint of orange-red followed smouldering everything in its path leaving nothing but the burnt ground. Both fireballs exploded mid-air, shortly after a few claps could be heard.
"Good job you two, an exquisite performance. Let's take a break for now." Melissa praised Alina and Fleisher. Birds flew by the three sitting on a picnic mat at the fields of flowers. Fleisher took out the bread from the basket joining the two with their snack.
Only mere 2 weeks have passed since their first training began, the intensive growth of their knowledge and prowess with magic not only stunned Melissa but their parents too. Melissa and Alina wore their dress when they both first met while Fleisher was forced by his mother to wear a white robe with the sleeves and belt being purple along with pants that looked like an oversized skit, the garments were oversized but it gave a slight power boost and impact to his magic.
Alina stared at Fleisher's clothes and snickered; he noticed Alina while his cheeks slowly heated up going back to eating to hide his embarrassment. Alina scooted close to Fleisher then began to poke her cheeks and tug his clothes while giggling. A gentle breeze flew past them as flower petals flew in the air in different colours. They then returned to training when the sun was its highest.
They trained and trained until the sun went down as the skies turned orange. Both three were exhausted, sweats dripped down their forehead, they panted heavily by overtaxing their strength capacity as the kids sat on the ground.
"Well, that's quite the intense training we did." Fleisher broke the silence with the others agreeing to his remarks.
"True. Say, what are your plans when you grow up." Melissa threw them a simple question yet hard to answer. The two thought. Fleisher was the first one to say.
"I plan to enter a military school and join the army." He told his answer with dignity and enthusiasm. Melissa thought he would become a magician or enter a magic school but her expectation is shattered to pieces.
"A-are you sure about that Fler? Isn't that a risky job?" Her eyes squinted with concern. She wanted to stop Fleisher from joining the military but held it inside her guessing he had a noble goal in his mind.
"Well, don't push yourself, okay? A-and if there's any dangerous battle... Please don't join the conflict." Alina whispered the latter to herself; however, Fleisher wholeheartedly understood her concerns as he rubbed her head.
'Whoa, when did I get this bold?' Fleisher thought about his sudden actions and it felt rude to stop so he continued for quite some time.
Melissa looked at the sweet scene of Alina and Fleisher, she couldn't help but awe by the sight.
"Well kids, it is time to go back. I'll pack the stuff just be ready, kay'?".
"Yes, mam." They both said in unison, they literally are taking their time as Aline moved closer to Fleisher resting her head to his shoulders.
'BOI!' Fleisher felt like breaking free but he understands Alina's feelings and might hurt her mentally. 'I guess I can keep doing this until Melissa is finished.'
Twilight covered upon the village as the 3 were walking at the deserted and dim-lit village streets. Torches plastered against the walls acted as a guide and light source the 3 followed. "Well, this is where I part ways. Thank you for your time, everyone." Fleisher shot his goodbyes departing away.
Fleisher went inside the Cottage each step the floor would creak. Fleisher ignored the rumbling sounds upstairs.
"I'm home!" His voice echoes through the household putting a halt to the rumble. He painstakingly took out his robes since the heat started to build up while wiping his forehead dripping in sweat.
"Phew, finally removed that darned oversized robe. Mom, Dad, where are you?" Heavy footsteps replied to Fleisher's question. On the stairs, he saw his mom sweating furiously with a suspicious smile followed by his dad. Fleisher grimaced at the scene for a moment.
"Y-you're quite early today, is there a reason?" Said Charlotte.
"No, nothing at all, but why?" His mother now flustered averted her gaze and dodged the question. Ishino walked past her grabbing the robes hanging on the wall.
"Well, we thought you would come back late like always so we ate ahead in time. Sorry if we cannot join you." He threw the robes to the laundry basket and actually hit the mark with Fleisher awed.
"Well, that's fine. What's for dinner?" Fleisher asked.
"The usual." His mother answered.
"Alright." Said Fleisher.
On the table, a pleasant smell filled the room while he grabbed his plate and spoon. Fleisher's dinner was the usual yet delicious yellow chicken soup this time with cube-shaped pork; he ate lots and lots until everything is depleted.
"Thanks for the food." His tummy was now bloated, now even more bloated after a glass of water he laid back on the chair letting out a huge burp.
In the distance, a pamphlet plastered on the wall reading "Liberty School Invitation" piqued his interest. He took his time standing up and reached for the parcel paper pamphlet.
"Fleisher, can you bring me the pamphlet plastered on the- Ah." Ishino stopped talking after making contact with Fleisher.
"Hey, dad, is this an instant enrolment to a Military School called Liberty? If I may ask, why do you have this and when did you have it?". Fleisher asked.
"I just got that today from an old friend of mine, he has a high position at Liberty, and he gave that to me without a reason. Now, why do you ask?" Ishino replied and asked back.
Fleisher stared at the pamphlet with burning passion and desire, his mouth widened eventually leading into a laugh.
'Man, this turn of events sure are concerning... It feels like someone is pulling strings here, but I appreciate it'.
"Uh, what's going on?" Ishino is dumbfounded by the sudden change of Fleisher's expression. Ishino analyzed Fleisher and he could tell he was interested in joining but, just to make sure he asked him, "Well, are you interested?".
"Of course I am interested! Though, I am conflicted about the age and skill requirements..." Ishino caressed his son's shoulder and gave him a smile.
"The age requirements are 6 years older, skills? It's practically random each year." Fleisher was astonished by the age requirement due to expecting higher ages. "Well, the latter is not reassuring...".
"Did you forget that it's literally an Instant pass pamphlet?" Then a long, "Oooooh," came out from Fleisher's mouth.
"Though I don't want to be doubted by my fellows." Ishino laughed, scratching his cheek.
"That's a good thought, I know your magic skills are something not to be made fun of. Are you worried about physical, or mental?".
Ishino tired of standing; took a seat and sat down with Fleisher doing the same. "I don't know what you mean about mentally but physically, yes."
He took Fleisher's remarks into account, nodding in both of his said points.
"Very well, if I remember correctly... enrolments start next month which is just a week and a day before enrolments arrive. I and your mother have enough experience in fighting to help you, not just that we'll put you into shape."
Ishino said to his son with full determination that Fleisher smiled widely, nodding his head post haste in rapture. Ishino felt awkward in how his son was acting again.
"Now, now, calm down. It's getting late now, I suggest we should go to bed in order to wake up early tomorrow... and?"
"START THE TRAINING!!" Ishino grimaced while covering his ears by his son's scream.
"Jeez, don't shout, people are sleeping. Now wash your dishes young man, and after that sleep."
"Aye, sir!" And with that, Fleisher did his objectives as Ishino went upstairs taking glances at Fleisher.
"He grew up so fast..." He muttered. The lights inside the cottage disappeared, the sounds of creaking and shutting the door were the only noises heard inside as the twilight remained lighting the village.