Magic, Guardians And Bad Luck In Another World

My name is Ryuuji Cliford, I am a high school student, or rather I was, I managed to finish it a year before and now I was resting from my student life. During these 6 months without going to school I dedicated myself to video games, anime and manga. I could no longer hide my otaku life that I had been living for several years, surprising my family a lot. Although it was the first time they really paid attention to me.

Without having to hide it anymore, I spent day and night playing one game after another, gaining more and more fame as a solitary gamer. One day an event appeared in an MMORPG game that was my favorite. Without a second thought I participated, as always, solo. After finishing the hardest boss I had encountered so far in the game I waited for my reward, but nothing appeared. Until the next day a notification appeared in my mailbox.

It was my reward.

An all-expenses paid trip to Japan and the best part it lasted a whole month. I couldn't hold back a cry of happiness when I read the mail.

And that's why I'm here, at the Tokyo-Haneda International Airport. It was a very long trip, but the tiredness was nothing compared to the excitement I felt.

-At last, at last I'm here, at last I can see all the wonders of Japan, and my parents said that playing would leave me with nothing good to do! – I shouted excitedly as a few tears of happiness formed in my eyes.

The people around me looked at me like I was a weirdo, maybe because I was speaking Spanish.

The moving belt on the floor led me to the inspection station near the exit. I couldn't even notice at what point I had passed it and now I was at the airport exit.

My heart was beating so fast, I couldn't wait to start my journey across Japan.

-I wonder what the schools here are like. I have to find one as soon as possible! No, I need to find one...!

I could no longer speak. A girl dressed in a short skirt and what appeared to be a sailor's shirt passed within 10 meters of me. I wanted to run out and ask her to go on a date with me.

With my level of Japanese it would be easy to ask her, but there was the possibility that she would freak out and call the police. That would be really bad, so I had to control myself.

-I think the first thing I should do is go to my hotel. I don't want to do it but I have to rest to start exploring the city early – I said a bit discouraged.

I took my phone out of my jacket pocket and looked for the address, apparently it was quite far, so I couldn't walk there.

I approached what appeared to be a cab and spoke to the driver.

-Good afternoon sir, could you take me to this address? – I said to the driver, showing him the address. The cab driver was surprised because I had spoken to him in Japanese.

-Yes, it would be a pleasure. The traffic at this hour is complicated so it might take us a while to get there, but get in – said the driver still a little surprised.

-Thank you very much – I said a little more cheerful.

I put my bags in the trunk and got into the cab. We barely started the ride and the view of the buildings was already spectacular, I couldn't take my eyes off all the good stuff, or so I thought. Without realizing it, I fell asleep.

I thought it had only been a few minutes when I felt someone shaking me by the shoulder.

-Sir... Sir, wake up now! We have 10 minutes to get to your hotel! – said the driver worriedly.

-I'm awake! I'm...! – I shouted a little frightened.

I jumped up, and as usual, my head hit the roof of the car.

-Are you all right? – asked the driver worriedly.

-Yes... this happens to me more often than you might think. I'm sorry for the inconvenience I caused you, I'll pay you back for the time you spent trying to wake me up – I said to the driver while rubbing my head, I was a little embarrassed about what had just happened.

Of course I didn't have any cash on me, just the credit card that had been sent with the tickets. The mail said that was all I needed to explore the city, but I wanted to change some of the money I had saved into yen to be on the safe side.

Once I had paid I went into the hotel, checked in and tried to find my room. But the hotel was so big it was like a maze, I was relieved when I finally found it.

-Thank goodness I made it, now let's get some rest and start exploring tomorrow! – I said excitedly.

I entered the room and was surprised at how small it was. There was barely room for a bed and a small closet, to one side was a small door.

-Really, this is the room I get? I can't complain, after all I'm not spending my money on this. I imagine that's the bathroom, I hope it's not the same as this – I said discouraged.

I walked to the door on one side of the room and opened it, expecting the worst. The bathroom was small, but everything was very well appointed. It had a toilet, sink, shower and even a bathtub.

-Wow, this is really cool. I guess they thought I would only use the room for sleeping. I wonder what time it is – I said a little surprised.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket to check the time, luckily the time had changed automatically.

-Eleven o'clock in the morning?! But yes! Wait a minute, Japan is many hours ahead, that's why... But why do I have to sleep during the day when all the stores are open! – I said in despair.

I had not taken into account the time change. I just had to try to get used to it in the first week.

-I guess I'll start tomorrow – I said to myself, resigned.

I took all my things out of my suitcases and arranged them in the closet as best I could. I checked my phone for messages from my family, but there were only messages from the one person who cared about me, my younger sister, Lizbeth. That didn't surprise me. After all, they were still hiding the fact that I was adopted. My parents still didn't know that I had found out several years ago. My other siblings didn't know, I had only told Lizbeth and had made her swear not to tell the others.

-I guess it's better for them to have me away. Liz worries me a little, though – I said as I read her messages.

I didn't want to think about it anymore. So I grabbed my headphones and went to bed, before long I fell asleep.

The music was still playing when I woke up, surely it had all been repeated a couple of times. When I opened my eyes it was already dark, or so I thought, but there was enough light coming through the window to illuminate the room a little.

I got up disoriented and wiped some of the saliva from my cheeks.

-I don't know what time it is, but I'm going out to explore the city a bit – I said, still sleepy.

I grabbed some clean clothes and headed to the bathroom. I took a quick bath and changed, ready to explore the city. I put on my black leather jacket and left the room, when I realized I wasn't wearing shoes.

-Why does this always have to happen to me? – I said to myself angrily.

I went back to the room. I was about to take my sneakers, but I decided to put on my black boots. I had no special reason, I just took them and put them on.

I was about to go out, again, when everything started to shake. It didn't seem to be that strong, but I decided to stay in the same place. Or so I'd like to say I did. I jumped under the bed and covered my head with my hands.

-I... I think I'd better not go out... – I said with my voice trembling.

I was really scared. When I was finally able to calm down I went up to bed, wrapped myself in the sheets and went back to sleep.

The next day I woke up very early, 6 AM to be exact. I had slept almost 20 hours straight and my body was telling me it was time to go out. Luckily I had fallen asleep dressed, even with my boots on, so I was able to get out very quickly.

But before that I decided to take a backpack with a white shirt, a blue sweatshirt, blue pants, an auxiliary charger and some food.

-I'd better take this, knowing my luck I'm going to need it – I said as I put all the stuff in my backpack.

I followed the direction on the hotel map to get to the front desk, but it was just as difficult as when I arrived.

-Well, the first thing is to go to Kyoto and visit Kiyomizu-dera. Spring festivities must be in the best days. I have to hurry up and get there before everything gets crowded – I said excited for what awaited me.

So I set out on my journey to Kyoto, which turned out to be more complicated than I thought. I couldn't remember how many times I had gotten lost, but I had made it all the way to Kyoto and now I was in front of Kiyomizu-dera, the only disadvantage was that it was already dark.

I had wasted the whole day trying to get there.

The entrance to the temple was impressive even at night, but it was closed.

-How strange. They are supposed to be in the middle of the spring celebration, but everything is closed and it's so quiet. Should I come back in the morning? – I said trying to make a decision.

I was still thinking about what to do when I saw a small light inside the temple and what must have been several silhouettes of people.

-Fuck it, there are people inside! Then it's okay if I go in too, right? – I said to myself.

I slipped out until I could get in, it wasn't that hard, after all I had run away from my parents' house several times before. I followed the lights I had seen earlier and could hear the voices of several people.

-Are you sure it's today? It doesn't seem to be a day out of the ordinary – someone asked, it was a man's voice.

-Of course it is, the monks can't be wrong – answered another man's voice, but they spoke very softly.

-But why gather so many of us? If they know today is the day, shouldn't they know who will do it? – asked a different voice.

-They can only predict the important days. Besides, this has not happened in many centuries and there is very little information – answered another voice, this time it was a woman.

I wanted to get closer, but if I did something that would give me away I would be in big trouble, not for nothing this seemed to be a secret.

-I should get out of here... but I want to know what is happening. This looks like something out of a book or some light novel – I thought while I hid behind a statue.

I was silent for a while, when I heard the sound of many footsteps approaching, luckily they were not coming in my direction.

-Sorry to keep you waiting. You are all gathered here because you stand out in your families. Today is the day when Seiryu, one of the four protective spirits, will bestow his blessing on one of you," The voice sounded like someone older, perhaps an elder.

-This is like something out of a manga! I can't believe I'm witnessing this! – I thought to myself in complete excitement.

I was more than excited to know how this would end, but I had to keep my excitement in check.

-Now each of you will drink from the fountain. There should be a signal when someone is chosen – said the old man.

I could not hear if those who were speaking first responded.

Every so often I heard someone stand up, then the sound of someone drinking and then sitting down again. I could count them, there were at least twelve who had tried, but apparently nothing had happened.

-But what happened?! Wasn't one of us supposed to be chosen?! – someone shouted and seemed to be angry.

-I don't understand. Today, someone from one of the twelve ancient families of Japan was supposed to be blessed by Seiryu, that's what that prophecy said," said the old man in confusion.

-There's even a prophecy! This just keeps getting better and better! But it looks like no one was chosen – I thought as I held back my excitement.

-This was just a waste of time!

-I'm out of here!

-I lost a business by coming here!

I could hear everyone leaving the place, and from the sound of their footsteps, they were very upset.

I remained silent until I was sure everyone was gone and there was no light left. I came out of my hiding place and went into the room where the other people had been.

-What a shame. I thought I was going to witness something that only happens in manga – I said very disappointed that I didn't appreciate the scene.

I was disappointed, but now I had an amazing story to tell, even though no one would believe me.

-Waiting around made me thirsty. I guess I'll drink some water from that fountain. Nothing happened with the others and since I'm not Japanese I don't think anything like what that old man said before will happen – I said without thinking.

The fountain was simply amazing and beautiful. It was the statue of a Japanese dragon, with an elongated and scaly body, with legs a bit short, several horns coming out of its head and something that looked like whiskers around its mouth, from which some clear water came out and fell into a small pond around it.

-But where does the water come from? – I said curiously as I looked at the statue.

There was a small metal bowl attached to a bamboo stick, with that they were supposed to draw the water. But I wasn't excited about drinking the water from the pond, so instead I decided to gather some of the water that fell from the dragon's mouth.

The sky was cloudy when I arrived, but it looked like it was starting to clear. A beam of moonlight filtered down from somewhere in the ceiling, filling the room with a blue light.

-There's a full moon today... This light makes everything look like it's in an anime – I said a little happy to be in such an environment.

A small white cat appeared on my right side, it was small, but I couldn't tell it was a puppy, it sat on the floor and stared at me.

-Where did you come from little guy? – I said while paying attention to the cat, I turned to see again if anyone had come to the room, but there was no one.

In front of me a turtle walked slowly, it was coming straight towards me. It was small, brown and had a black stripe around its shell.

I noticed something walking by the dragon statue to my left. A small blue-colored lizard walked up to the dragon's head and stood there, as if it was watching me.

I heard the song of a bird behind me. I turned for a moment to look while holding the metal bowl full of water. There was a small magenta-colored bird on the ground and it also looked as if it was watching me.

-This is strange... listen, I'm just going to drink some water and then leave. Tomorrow I will come again and leave an offering, okay? – I said a little nervously.

I looked at the four animals again, but they all kept looking at me without doing anything.

-All right... – I said at last.

I brought the bowl to my mouth and started to drink. The water was so cool and delicious that it made me close my eyes. Drinking it made my body feel relaxed and filled me with energy, it was something unexplainable and something I had never felt before.

Suddenly several lights appeared around me, one was white, another brown, another blue and the last one red. When I opened my eyes the lights had disappeared along with the animals around me.

-What... What was that? Was that a hallucination? What's in this water?! – I shouted scared without thinking that someone could hear me.

The moment I realized what I did, I covered my mouth.

-Damn it, I'm not supposed to be here! With that scream, I'm sure they already knew! – I thought immediately after giving myself away.

My hands were shaking a little. I wasn't sure if it was out of fear or excitement over what had just happened.

-There's an intruder in the temple! He's at the Seiryu fountain! – I heard someone's voice outside the temple.

I heard many footsteps heading towards me, they were running and they were very fast. Before I could run almost two dozen people were in front of me.

-What are you doing here, no one can enter here when the temple is closed, let alone drink from that fountain without permission! – said someone who apparently led the group.

I looked at the bowl I was still holding and panicked.

-I... I... I... I... I... can explain! I...got...lost...lost...and ended up here! I didn't mean to hear about someone being chosen by Seiryu, but I couldn't help but listen! – I said trying to convince them, but without thinking I said what I heard.

-What did you say? – said the same man.

-He knows that secret... we have no choice – said an old man behind him.

-I won't tell anyone about it! And even if I do, no one will believe me! So, please...! – I said, practically begging.

-Sorry for doing this in your temple Seiryu... Kill that boy – said the old man in a cold tone.

Almost all the people in front of me unsheathed their katanas when they heard the old man's words.

-I'm sorry! – I shouted as I tried to escape.

My feet acted on their own and I started to run as fast as I could while many tears came out of my eyes.

But I could hear footsteps approaching very fast. Something flew past me and stuck into a wooden pillar. It was a shuriken. I could only try to run faster as I screamed at the top of my lungs.

-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!! This is great, but please don't kill me!!! Sorry, I'm sorry!!!!! – He shouted trying to run as fast as possible.

But the shuriken kept running past me and sticking into the pillars.

-To the right, quick! – I heard a voice in my head, but I just did what it said. I turned right and kept running.

- Get down! – It was a different voice than before, I did what it said and ducked. A sword passed right over me, but I couldn't see who was using it and just kept running.

The corridor I had followed looked like it was going to end. I was sure that when I reached the end of the corridor they would catch me.

-Run back to the temple as fast as you can! – It was another voice different from the other two, but I did as he said without asking for an explanation.

I went back into the temple and kept running, but I was already reaching my limit. My legs felt like they were burning, my chest hurt from breathing so fast and my heart was beating so fast I thought I would have a heart attack.

-Run, just keep running! If you stop they will kill you! – I kept repeating that over and over again.

The voices were guiding me through the temple as I kept running. I entered a small hallway and could see a handrail at the other end.

-Run and jump over the railing as high as you can! – It was another voice, it wasn't like the other three, and it was a different one.

-No... I can't... do that! It can be very...! – I said trying to catch my breath.

-If you don't do it you'll die! But if you risk it you'll come out alive! – The voice shouted at me.

I didn't know what to do. If I stayed still they would kill me. If I jumped over the railing I could die from the fall, although I didn't know how high it was on the other side.

-If I'm going to die, then I'll die on my own! – I screamed in an impulse of courage or stupidity.

I ran down the hallway as more tears spilled out of my eyes. I jumped to the railing and used it to jump as high as I could. I looked down, the treetops were at least 50 feet below me.

-Damn it! – I screamed as I started to fall.

I closed my eyes tightly, moved my arms and legs, as hard as I could trying to find something to hold on to.

But I knew it was useless. I cowered as much as I could as I continued to scream and fall. Waiting for death.