The scent of cherry blossoms, heavy in the air, couldn't quite mask the unsettling hum of energy that vibrated through Kyou Kurushimo. He stared at the glowing panel before him, a digital interface that had materialized out of thin air, disrupting his life with an unsettling message: "Do you wish to login, Sole Dreamer?"
Kyou, a fifteen-year-old Japanese boy, was no stranger to the fantastical. He'd spent countless hours lost in video games, where heroes battled monsters and magic reigned supreme with the ever encompassing game menu that watches over. But this... this was different. This was real.
"What does it mean?" he murmured, his mind swirling with possibilities.
Chihiro, leaned closer, her brow furrowed in concern. "What did it say?"
"It says, 'Do you wish to login, Sole Dreamer?'" Kyou repeated, his voice laced with confusion. "Login? This is the first time anything like this has happened."
Chihiro, ever the pragmatist, shrugged. "Why not accept it and see what happens? Who knows what kind of adventure awaits?"
Kyou hesitated, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. But the lure of the unknown, the promise of something extraordinary, was too strong to resist. He tapped the "yes" button, and the panel shimmered, transforming into something more.
A comprehensive profile of Kyou materialized in the top left corner, revealing his name, age, nationality, and a series of intriguing categories: "Rank," "Class," and "Title." The class section remained blank, but the rank proudly displayed "Arisen," and the title proclaimed "Sole Dreamer."
Name: Kyou Kurushimo
Age: 15
Nationality: Japanese
Rank: Arisen
Class:
Title: Sole Dreamer
At the center of the panel, a series of stats appeared, each one accompanied by a cryptic explanation.
Physicality [weak AF] «expands»
Mental/Cognitive Ability [pretty gifted] «expand»
Mana Level [same density as air] «expands»
Cosmic Aura [dunno what to say] (10≠∞)
Kyou's gaze fell upon the "physicality" category, and a scowl twisted his features. "Weak AF?" he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Chihiro, sensing his frustration, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe it's just a starting point. Like in those games where you level up and get stronger."
Kyou shook his head, his frustration simmering. "I'd rather not be 'weak AF' at all."
He noticed an icon resembling a shop in the top right corner of the panel. Curiosity, a powerful force even in the face of frustration, pulled him towards it.
[Shop]
[Weapon Section]
God's Broken Hand
Rift Slasher
Wandering Blades of the North Star
Origin's Vanquisher
Fearann na aisling
...
"There are these weapons I could buy in the shop area," Kyou said, his voice regaining a hint of excitement.
Chihiro's eyes widened. "Shop? This is getting more and more like a video game."
Kyou chuckled, a touch of sarcasm in his voice. "I guess even God is up-to-date in the modern age." A sudden gust of wind swept through the room, sending a shiver down his spine. Was it the work of a higher being? He couldn't be sure.
"If only you could witness it firsthand," he said, shaking his head, "I wouldn't need to explain every unexpected occurrence."
As if in response to his words, a hefty 700-page book materialized from the panel, striking Kyou square in the face and sending him sprawling across the floor. He gasped, momentarily stunned, before scrambling to his feet, his frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Was that intentional?" he grumbled, rubbing his bruised cheek.
A notification appeared on the panel, its words glowing brightly.
[Upon complete reading of the user's manual book titled "Sole Player Explained," you will receive 100 acquisition points.]
"Sole player, really?" he scoffed. "How lazy is that?"
[and inheritance of the calamity-class weapon "Wandering Blades of the North Star"]
Kyou's eyes widened as he read the final line of the notification. "So, it seems I have to read this whole book to get a weapon. It's like a tutorial or something."
Chihiro, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, nodded. "It's all so strange, but exciting at the same time. You should definitely read it and see what happens."
Kyou smiled, a genuine smile this time. "Yeah, I think I will. But I need to focus, so maybe you should go do something else for a while."
"Okay, I'll be in the garden if you need anything," Chihiro said, her voice soft but firm. "Good luck with your reading!"
With a final wave, she left him alone with the imposing book, its pages filled with the promise of power and the mysteries of his newfound reality.
As the evening deepened, the once-bright windows dimmed, casting the room in a soft, ethereal glow. Kyou settled into a comfortable chair, the hefty book resting on his lap. He began to read, his mind racing with questions and anticipation. The world had just shifted on its axis, and he, the Sole Dreamer, was at the center of it all.
Still seated, he stretched his arms momentarily, only to be interrupted by a notification that appeared before him.
[Bonus reward: 10 acquisition points!! ]
Glancing at it briefly, he lacked the energy to muster curiosity and felt tempted to simply lounge around.
A sudden knock on the door caught his attention, and a familiar voice called out from the other side.
"Kyou, open the door," the voice demanded.
Intrigued, he thought to himself, "Who is that? Her voice vaguely resembles..."
The voice grew louder and more insistent, commanding him to open the door.
"Open the door, Kyou!! Open it!"
Fear gripped him as he stood up. The voice he heard was that of his mother. Was he experiencing a nightmare? Or perhaps an auditory illusion? Regardless, it haunted him to his core.
"No, you're not her—YOU ARE NOT!!!" he screamed, his face twisted in terror.
As the moment settled, he realized he was still seated, the door slightly open, with Chihiro standing before him. Her expression carried a mix of sadness and empathy as she enveloped him in a comforting embrace, offering solace in the midst of his distress.
In her arms, tears welled up in his eyes. "I... I had this illusion of my mother, who passed away when I was just a child. I carry this guilt for something beyond my control, and it haunts me every day," he confided, the weight of his past burdening his very soul.
Listening attentively, Chihiro responded with gentle reassurance. "I won't pry into the details of your past, but remember that today is the present, not the past. You don't have to wrestle with what has already transpired; instead, focus on what lies ahead." She comforted him, her words a soothing melody to his troubled heart.
"I am a part of your future, after all," she added with a soft chuckle, her touch exuding warmth and understanding as she continued to console him.
The rising sun of the following day gifted light and warmth, with Chihiro walking hand in hand with Kyou through the corridors. Their grip was tight, and both occasionally diverted their gaze, sharing the same rosy affection.
Passing by a working maid, curious about her young lady's relationship, she remarked, "Oh my, Miss Chihiro. I haven't seen you this bashful before!"
Provoked further by the maid's comment, Chihiro's blush deepened to a pinkish hue. Hastening towards the maid, she playfully punched her chest with gentle blows. "Karina!! You're embarrassing me. Now he thinks I'm just a normal girl!" She pouted.
Kyou chuckled before quipping, "What else would I think of you if you were not a normal girl?"
Chihiro turned to him, her gaze faltering. "Normal girls are those who get easily flustered and embarrassed with the tiniest acts of affection from their special someone," she elaborated, losing her side of eye contact.
"What's wrong with that? That's really cute, if I had to say," he pointed out.
"Sure, you are," she replied, still pouting.
They continued on, the sight of flowers coming into view—a garden of immense proportions. Shades of red, blue, yellow, and pink adorned the landscape, a myriad of serene natural beauty. At the center lay a hexagonal gazebo, surrounded by ceramic paths that meandered in abstract patterns, swirling and colliding with artistic charm.
"This place should be a breath of fresh air compared to the training grounds," she remarked, her hair dancing in the early morning breeze.
The Nakama family held a deep well of unknown wealth and power, garnered over four generations in clandestine ways. The origins of their wealth remained shrouded in mystery, unknown to anyone but the family.
"This place is beautiful," Kyou breathed, surrendering to nature's bliss.
"Are you ready?" she inquired.
"Yes, please do," he replied, gazing at her.
As she extended her hand with her palms open, a soft blue glow of energy began to materialize.
"As you know, mana is the wellspring of power utilized by any living being that harbors magical capability. Even those who are not labeled as magic users inherently possess mana in their system, regardless of how much is present," she explained, pausing as she closed her palms and turned to face him, the glow subsiding.
"You mentioned wanting me to teach you mana control. Is that correct?"
He gripped his fists, gazing down at the ground, a small frown on his face. "Yes. I can't see myself protecting you by relying on that God possessing my body. So I'll start by being a magic user." He confirmed her question.
Chihiro smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Then let's begin."
The garden, with its vibrant colors and fragrant air, became the stage for Kyou's journey into the world of mana. His physicality might have been deemed "weak AF" by the system, but his spirit, fueled by a desire to protect and a longing to understand his newfound reality, burned bright. He was the Sole Dreamer, and his journey had just begun.