The nurse's eyes were wide with a blend of fear and pity as she regarded Yuna, her voice a soft tremor in the sterile silence of the hospital room. "You are the first individual to manifest such a minimal level of magical prowess within the confines of this institution. Survival in our world, given your condition, is a precarious prospect. I regret to inform you, but hospital policy dictates that you must vacate the premises immediately."
Yuna's brow furrowed in confusion, a frown etching his features. "But… Why?" he queried, seeking an explanation that never came.
The nurse departed with haste, leaving a trail of unanswered questions behind her. Yuna, still grappling with the abruptness of the situation, vacated the room. As he navigated the corridors of the hospital, a gnawing suspicion took root within him; the sidelong glances and hushed whispers of the staff and patients alike seemed to confirm that he was being ostracized for reasons unknown.
"Have I done something wrong?" Yuna pondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper against the cacophony of the hospital's daily bustle.
With a heavy heart, Yuna exited the hospital and embarked on the familiar trek home. Along the way, a pang of hunger prompted him to stop at a local shop for some snacks. As he extended a 500 zen note to the shopkeeper, the man's hand shot up, halting the transaction.
"Wait, sir, are you not aware? These paper notes and coins have been rendered obsolete. A cataclysmic event recently prompted a global summit, where the leaders of the world resolved to unify their nations into a singular entity. Consequently, our currency has undergone a transformation; only aluminum coins imbued with mana are accepted as legal tender now," the shopkeeper explained.
Yuna's expression softened with embarrassment. "I apologize for my ignorance, but I've been incapacitated and confined to a hospital bed for the past three days. I'm completely unaware of these developments, and unfortunately, I don't possess any of the coins you've mentioned."
The shopkeeper's demeanor shifted to one of understanding. "Oh, don't fret, sir. You may take these snacks on the house, but bear in mind, you now owe me a favor."
Gratitude washed over Yuna as he thanked the shopkeeper and continued his journey home. Upon arrival, he was greeted by the warm embrace of his elder sister, Claire.
"I am overjoyed to see you unharmed, Yuna. However, why did you not inform us of your discharge? We would have gladly come to collect you. Nevertheless, please come inside; dinner is presently being served," Claire said, her voice laced with both relief and mild reproach.
Yuna, rendered mute by the day's events, stepped into the familial abode. As he settled into a chair, his family recounted the very incident the nurse had alluded to earlier. Mid-conversation, Claire's curiosity piqued. "Yuna, have you had an opportunity to measure your magical capacity? If so, what was the outcome?"
A moment of silence ensued before Yuna replied, "Oh yes, I recall the crystal ball emitting a yellow glow."
A collective gasp reverberated through the room, and Yuna, now cognizant of the gravity of his situation, watched as his family rose to their feet in shock. It was clear that the yellow hue of the crystal ball was indicative of an extraordinary level of magical power, a revelation that left them all dumbfounded.
"Yuna, I am deeply sorry, but you must leave this house," his father declared, his voice heavy with solemnity.
"But why?" Yuna implored, only to be met with a deafening silence.
"Please depart, or we shall be compelled to remove you by force," his father continued, his tone unyielding.
Without uttering a word, Yuna rose from his chair and exited the house. The night had enveloped the world in its dark embrace, and there he was—a desolate figure with neither money nor shelter. Driven by desperation, he roamed the streets, his visage a portrait of impending sorrow. After hours of fruitless searching, he resigned himself to the reality that he would have to endure the night awake.
"It's fortuitous that I've been in slumber for the past three days," Yuna mused, seeking solace in the thought.
As midnight approached, Yuna, bereft of options, ventured into the forest with the intent to practice the rudimentary spells his family had taught him. "This location appears suitable," he murmured, selecting a clearing amidst the trees.
No sooner had he begun to channel his magic than a peculiar noise caught his attention. He followed the sound, which grew increasingly profound, until he was confronted by a creature straight out of the pages of fantasy novels and anime—a being with a fearsome visage, towering at nearly seven feet tall, clad in full armor.
"Could this be a demon, as my sister once described? Indeed, it must be," Yuna thought, concealing himself behind the foliage.
The demon, as if sensing Yuna's presence, hurled its spear with lethal precision, cleaving a nearby tree in twain. Yuna narrowly evaded the attack, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Why do you assail me? I have committed no transgression against you," Yuna protested, his voice tinged with both fear and defiance.
The demon let out a malevolent chuckle. "Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha, a human trespassing in our demon realm and feigning innocence?"
Yuna contemplated flight but quickly realized the futility of such an action—the demon would undoubtedly give chase. Resigned, he stood his ground.
"What is your intention with me now?" Yuna inquired, his tone eerily calm, as though encounters with demons were an everyday occurrence for him.
The demon, taken aback by Yuna's audacity, paused. "What manner of human dares to invade the demon territory unaccompanied and does not flee at the sight of me? Who are you?"
Before the demon could react further, a hand materialized before its eyes, and then…
Yuna's tale is one of resilience in the face of adversity, of a young man cast out by society for his perceived weakness, only to discover an inner strength that defies expectations. His journey is fraught with challenges, yet it is through these trials that he will come to understand the true extent of his abilities and the role he is destined to play in a world where the lines between nations and currencies have blurred, and magic has become the new currency of power.
As Yuna navigates this transformed landscape, he will encounter allies and adversaries, learn the intricacies of mana and magic, and ultimately, confront the demons—both literal and figurative—that seek to define his fate. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream and the transformative power of self-discovery.
[To be continued…]