"So, at least I kept my original self..."
At the present time, Tsurugi was staring at himself using the full-body mirror that was located in his bedroom. More specifically, this was his new bedroom that was located here in the world neighboring his true homeland.
It hadn't been long at all before Tsurugi found himself waking up in this room, and it take long before he quickly collapsed to the ground with agonizing pain coursing through possibly every single brain cell that he had.
The pain was probably the greatest suffering he had ever experienced, and that was certainly saying something considering how brutal his father could be when training him in combat. Being in a military family and having been expected to join the army, his father naturally taught him how to properly fight.
However, no pain that ever came from that fight could at all match up with that headache he had just recovered from. Yahweh or whichever of the names you wish to call him/her, was certainly not exaggerating when they told him about the pain.
Aside from that, looking at himself in the mirror, Tsurugi was glad to see that he had retained his original appearance and hadn't gone through something like transmigration. He wouldn't have been sure how to feel if he suddenly gained an entirely new body.
Speaking of which, Tsurugi was a young man of the mere young age of fifteen. With rather fair skin slightly on the pale side, contrasting well with his night-black hair that had white undertones. He also possessed a pair of sharp blue eyes, not a vibrant blue, but a faded icy blue.
Naturally, Tsurugi also possessed a well-trained physique that could be seen clearly through the tight white t-shirt he had on, and the muscles on his legs could clearly be seen due to him only currently wearing a pair of black shorts.
'This feels so weird, these memories make me feel as if I've lived two entirely different lives. At this rate, I'll have a damn identity crisis...' Tsurugi sighed to himself as he calmed himself down as much as possible. 'At the very least, I understand my situation in this world.'
It was just as he had been told, Tsuruig was given a 'place' in this world. It wasn't anything outstanding though, in fact, it was probably as normal as could be. That wasn't bad though, having something like an influential background came with its own damn troubles.
"Hmm..." Turning away from the mirror, Tusrugi glanced at what looked to be a folded-up piece of white paper on his desk. Walking over, Tsurugi opened it up before scoffing. "What is this, a novel? Transported to a world of superpowers and monsters, and transferred into a school to train the world's next generation of heroes. Seiiki Academy... Sanctuary Academy, huh?"
Seiki Academy.
That was the name of the school he was supposed to be attending soon, soon as in tomorrow.
There are countless academies located across the globe, with each country having at least five to their name. All of them were established for one reason, and one reason only, to train its students to become the next generation of protectors against the invading monsters.
Seiiki Academy was merely one of possibly hundreds out there.
Speaking of monsters, this world didn't seem to have any specific term to call the invaders, so they were simply called Monsters. It wasn't anything creative, but it worked more than well enough.
"How do I open up the screen again? Let's see... oh, that's how."
With a simple swipe of his hand, Tsurugi was pleasantly surprised to see a holographic screen soon projecting in front of him. Don't get him wrong, this screen was nothing special for people in this world, everyone who had become an Awakened individual had one.
The only difference between him and them was that his screen held much more offerings compared to the average Awakened. No doubt, it was due to the workings of the deities back in his old world, the gift they bestowed upon him.
.
『Divine Index Synchronizer』
● Status
● Synchronize
● Gacha
.
"Divine Index Synchronizer, and if that name is anything to go by, this should be pretty damn good."
Wasting no time, Tsurugi tapped his finger on the first menu option. Upon doing so, a new screen opened up next to the list of menus. He saw a large vertical list of text detailing different aspects about himself, including his name and multiple other things.
.
『Status』
● Name: Kusanagi Tsurugi
● Level: 15
● Gacha Tickets: [Bronze: 1] [Silver: 0] [Gold: 0] [Diamond: 0] [Platinum: 0]
● Awakened Rank: Tier-3
● Divine Blessing: [None]
● Skills: [None]
● Mana Level: 1,600/1,600
Parameters:
● Strength: 64
● Agility: 62
● Defense: 60
● Sense: 62
.
"Seems like the me in this life was the definition of average, just barely the general average range for Awakened this age." Tsurugi muttered as he scanned over the details. "No Divine Blessing and no Skills. Yep, very average. A very impressive mana pool though for this rank."
While it may look bad, having no Divine Blessing and no Skills was actually pretty common. Only around 40% of Awakened are actually blessed, and Skills aren't easy to get even if you have a blessing, so that's why those with Skills and Divine Blessings are typically sought after with the highest priority.
As for the other 60% of Awakened, they usually find themselves becoming general foot soldiers instead of anything too significant. While it is possible for those who haven't been blessed to find themselves learning Skills as they grow, the chance is honestly minuscule.
'It's unfortunate, but nothing I can't work with, at least I'm not the general weak character who is bullied for being at the bottom of the barrel. Now let's see... what is this Bronze ticket thing? Should I use it?'
Since this was definitely something that sprang forth from whatever power the gods gave him, it'd be best for him to figure out the mechanics of it as soon as possible. With this in mind, Tsurugi tapped onto the ticket.
『Use the Bronze Ticket? (Yes/No)』
With a single tap on the 'Yes' option, Tsurugi watched as what appeared to be glowing bronze-colored train tickets materializing around him before circling around his body as if caught in some kind of twister.
Interest clear in his eyes, Tsurugi observed as the tickets soon began to slow down as one in particular among the many others began to release a brighter glow. That particular ticket then shot towards him before expanding before lowering down and engulfing Tsurugi's body.
『Synchronization Complete』
『Synchronizer: Hachiman』
As soon as those words passed through his head, Tsurugi widened his eyes slightly as a weapon suddenly appeared in his right hand. Holding it up, the weapon was revealed to be a bow with a red and gold color scheme and a strong white string.
He also felt some weight on the left side of his waist, and when he looked down, Tsurugi was somewhat surprised to see that there was now a sword safely sheathed and hanging there. Strangely enough, he didn't see anything that held the sheath on his waist.
〖How fitting it is for our envoy to have first summoned forth a deity from one's own homeland〗
"...Eh?"
Turning his head around, Tsurugi widened his eyes when he noticed a large figure hovering behind him in a magnificent light. The person was wearing a set of crimson and black samurai armor, with the full-head helmet to go with it. The facemask on the helmet was even designed to look similar to that of an oni.
〖I am Hachiman, here to serve the almighty envoy!〗
Tsurugi was well aware of who Hachiman was, it would be pretty damn difficult for someone like him not to know of this legendary figure. He was the God of War in Japan, revered greatly by many people, especially that of samurai.
He was also called the Yahata No Kami, and while it wasn't really his place to say, he'd call Hachiman more the God of Warriors than he would the God of War. Hachiman was said to be the definition of a great warrior, so it'd make sense.
'So, this is what they meant by the gods always being by my side...' Tsurugi had a look of awe as he stared at the widely-popular Japanese god. "And I am honored to be in your presence, please take care of me from now on, Lord Hachiman."
〖I too am honored to fight by your side. However, it doesn't seem that we are on the battlefield, almighty envoy〗
"Ah, I was actually just exploring what this new power I have could do. I thought it'd be a good idea to explore my capabilities prior to any confrontation."
〖A wise decision indeed. I must inform you though, it would be best from here on to utilize any of the tickets you have during combat to utilize it to its fullest potential〗
"Can you explain?"
〖Whenever you summon forth a deity like myself, the first summon through the ticket grants you a free synchronization. For a deity of the Bronze like myself, we can stay synchronized for thirty minutes at most. If you wish to summon me once more, it will cost you mana〗
"I see, so I'd want to take advantage of the fact that I get a free synchronization with a deity... I understand. I do have another question though, just what does it mean exactly for me to synchronize with the gods?"
〖Open your status screen and you'll understand everything〗
Although a bit confused, Tsurugi did as told as he opened back up the menu before navigating over to the 'Status' menu. When he opened it up, Tsurugi's eyes almost bugged out when he saw the sheer difference compared to what it was before.
"Oh my god..."
.
『Status』
● Name: Kusanagi Tsurugi
● Level: 15 -> 50
● Gacha Tickets: [Bronze: 0] [Silver: 0] [Gold: 0] [Diamond: 0] [Platinum: 0]
● Awakened Rank: Tier-3
● Divine Blessing: [Hachiman (Duration: 30 mins)]
● Skills: [Warrior's Cry] [Kisouma Call] [Dance of Death]
● Mana Level: 1,600/1,600
Parameters:
● Strength: 64 -> 145
● Agility: 62 -> 140
● Defense: 60 -> 152
● Sense: 62 -> 140
.
"If I'm not mistaken, these stats should belong to someone well into the Tier-5 stage, not a Tier-3 like me..." Tsurugi muttered as he stared in shock at the exaggerated stat increase. "Along with three whole new skills, this power really is crazy!"
〖Do not be so surprised, almighty envoy. I am a mere Bronze deity, you can expect those of the Gold to have at the very least five skills〗
Perhaps it'd be a good idea to explain Skills a bit further.
Skills come naturally as an Awakened grows stronger, there is a catch though, some Awakened may never unlock any Skills. And to utilize the Skills they learn, Mana is an essential key element, it was basically the power source needed for them to be used.
On the topic of what Hachiman just told him, Tsurugi could only imagine the chaos that would ensue once people found out. After all, Awakened that were his age would either have no Skills at all or one, records of fifteen-year-old Awakened with two skills could be counted on a single hand.
〖You'll come to learn the rest of the gift that the almighty one has presented you in due time. For now, I shall take my leave, almighty envoy〗
"Mm, it was an honor speaking with you."
〖Until our next meeting, almighty envoy〗
With that, Hachiman deeply bowed his head in respect, Tsurugi did the same as Hachiman then began to disappear as the bow and sword Tsurugi had on him did the same. The aura that enveloped his body after synchronization also dispersed soon after.
"Now that certainly was an experience..."
『Synchronization Over』
『Initial Synchronization Bonus: Hachiman』
『Strength: +14』
『Agility: +10』
『Defense: +10』
『Sense: +12』
Tsurugi couldn't help but blink in a stunned silence, while these numbers didn't look like anything outrageous, he knew just how crazy it was. Even if an Awakened at his stage, trained for one or two months, it'd be difficult to even increase one's stats by four or five.
When he opened up his status, he was very pleasantly surprised to see that his base stats had indeed increased by the amount just stated. In a single instant, he had gained stat points that would've taken at least a year or more.
Just a few more points in each before he reached a total of eighty in each parameter, which was the requirement for a Tier-3 Awakened to try and breakthrough to become a Tier-4. He hadn't even started school yet he was already close to reaching Tier-4.
"Initial Synchronization Bonus, huh? Guess it's only a one-time thing after each first synchronization with a different god, rather unfortunate, but not going to complain. I wonder what the other ranks like Silver and Gold would increase me by?"
After drifting a bit into a sea of curious thoughts, Tsurugi soon snapped himself out of it before getting ready for bed. He had to wake up early, the battle schools in this world encourage their students to wake up and start their day at five in the morning.
For new upcoming freshmen like himself, their opening ceremony was held at this time tomorrow. As Tsurugi drifted off into his own dreams under the covers of his head, he couldn't help but wonder what the future had in store for him tomorrow.