"Wow, it's so different from seeing it in pictures..."
Near the checkpoint where the entrance examination was being conducted, a young man with light brown hair stood in awe. His blue eyes gazed at the massive crystal wall etched with geometric patterns.
Known as the "Wall of Heavenly Prison," the surface of this colossal wall pulsed with streaks of blue light, and through its translucent surface, an otherworldly, fantastical landscape could be seen.
The young man, captivated by the towering crystal wall that reached the clouds and the breathtaking view beyond, stopped in the crowd.
"Whoa, watch it!"
He bumped into a large man.
"Ah, sorry..."
"Don't space out like that. You'd be in trouble if I weren't a gentleman."
"Sorry, I'll be more careful..."
Bow his head to the oddly large man with a lizard-like head, the young man moved away.
"...That guy's head wasn't a hat... it was real."
It wasn't just the large man who had an unusual appearance. There were girls with animal ears, men without eyes or hair, upright bullfrogs, women resembling fairies, and elderly gentlemen with wings for arms...
Around him, beings called "Others" from another world, who looked like they had stepped right out of storybooks or movies, gathered together.
"So it's true that there are more Others appearing on this side every year."
"Uh, is there anyone with number 1333? Number 1333, are you here?"
"Uh? 1333… Ah, that's me!"
Hearing his number called from the ticket he received upon arrival, the young man hurried to the checkpoint.
"Number 1333, please—"
"Here, here! That's me! I'm right here!"
"Oh, hi there. Since you've come through the Moon Gate, I assume you want to move to the City, not just visiting, right?"
"…Yes, that's right."
"Got it. Please put your belongings in this basket."
The receptionist lady with horns on her forehead lazily pulled out a basket.
"Put everything in there, including your wallet and any gadgets. Don't try hiding anything in your pockets either."
"Sure, sure…"
"And hiding things inside your body won't work either; we'll find them right away."
The young man placed all his belongings into the basket.
"Hehe, thank you for being so honest. You're a good person, aren't you?"
The receptionist smiled at him without any unpleasant expression as he handed over all his belongings.
"Huh?"
"You're human, right? It's rare to see someone like you who hands over everything when asked by someone like me."
"Hey, you better give these back! This is all I have left!!"
"Don't worry, I'll return them to a good person like you."
The receptionist then placed the basket into a large square device, closed the lid, and pressed a button.
"Uh, what is that device?"
"This here is like a luggage inspection machine. You know, there are similar ones outside, right?"
"No, I haven't seen any..."
"Oh, looks like things are even further behind out there than I thought."
A sound much like a toaster finishing its job rings out, and the side of the machine opens up, spitting out a blue sheet of paper.
"Hmm, hmm—looks like the result is [Blue]. Your belongings are all good to go. Clear!"
"What was that sound... and something like steam is coming out from inside."
"Right, now it's time to check your [Special Ability]."
Ignoring the young man's comments, the receptionist lady pulls out a basket from the machine and then takes out a large, beautifully bound notebook, asking him:
"Okay, please tell me about your ability. It's fine if you don't have one, but please don't lie."
"Well... it's hard to explain."
"At least you're not [Powerless], right?"
"Um... yeah."
The young man's face clouds over at the receptionist's question.
"I can guess most of the situation since you've come here, so don't get down before you even enter the city."
"...I see."
"So, what is your [Special Ability]?"
"It's not really an ability... actually, I've been possessed by a demon since birth."
"A demon? That sounds scary. Have you tried exorcism?"
"The few times I've asked for help, it ended up with exorcists and priests being sent to the hospital..."
As the young man spoke, the receptionist's expression changed.
"So, that demon is still possessing you, then?"
"Yes, but it's sleeping right now... once it wakes up, it's uncontrollable. There's nothing I can do about it..."
"Hmm, hmm... So, what happens when the demon wakes up?"
"...It brings misfortune to everyone involved with me, regardless of my will."
The young man looked away from the receptionist, his face filled with deep despair and resignation.
Chapter 1: "Good Luck to Your Smile" begins...
In the year 1928 of the Sacred Era, a massive interdimensional portal suddenly appeared above London, England, transforming the world overnight.
The city was hit by a catastrophic disaster, rendering its functions irreparable due to the enormous black hole that covered all of London. After one mysterious transmission, all contact was lost.
"Something from the sky... something is coming!!"
With that final report, an expansive area of about 2,000 square kilometers centered around the British Parliament vanished from the map.
One of Europe's largest cities, along with all its inhabitants, disappeared forever from this world.
"Captain... this...!"
"Hey, what's going on... Are we dreaming?"
The next day, the UN investigation team went to recheck the local situation and was met with an unbelievable sight.
"That city... wasn't it supposed to have vanished from this world yesterday?"
A city that had been obliterated by an unprecedented disaster had reappeared in its original location. However, a massive crystal wall surrounding the city refused any interference from the outside. Any attempt to cross the wall from the air was thwarted by mysterious turbulence, and approaches from land or sea were blocked by the barrier.
The city that reappeared in the world was no longer the London everyone knew. But the anomalies didn't stop there.
"Damn it, my head is spinning. What the hell is that wall...?"
"Captain! The sky, look at the sky!"
"What about the sky... it's clear, not a single cloud. Jonathan, I appreciate the distraction, but now is not the time."
"There's a hole... in the sky!!"
"...What?"
Soon, what would be known as the "Interdimensional Summoning Festival" began—a worldwide catastrophe caused by black holes appearing simultaneously all over the globe. This disaster started at the same time as the city's reappearance.
These black holes opened without regard for place or time, spewing out creatures vastly different from existing animals, objects causing inexplicable phenomena beyond scientific explanation, and even humans wielding unknown languages and technologies. These "foreign entities" emerged one after another, plunging the entire world into chaos.
A bullet fired by a courageous young man led to the downfall of a nation, a single small animal that appeared on the grasslands drove out native species, and something that fell into boiling water turned an entire village into a bubbling stew...
Such extraordinary events erupted simultaneously all over the world.
"At last, I understand. All the common sense we've seen, heard, learned from our parents, and even taught to our children was nothing but a bad joke."
"I used to think humans were loved by God. But I was wrong."
"For the first time in the long history of humanity, our hearts are united. Come on, let's all shout together: Jesus Christ!"
The renowned scholars who witnessed this tumultuous era all said the same thing.
As the world's leaders gathered for yet another emergency meeting, a message came through from somewhere.
A mysterious, thin mirror-like object suddenly appeared in their conference room without any warning... and it showed a girl with otherworldly long white hair and blue eyes.
"What is this?!"
"What's happening? Is this an illusion?! Or..."
"Ahem."
Clearing her throat before the astonished crowd, the girl spoke in a crystalline voice.
"Greetings, everyone in this world. The chaos unfolding here is also unexpected for us... please forgive us for making contact in this manner."
"Y-You..."
"First of all, let me make this clear. The black holes connecting to the otherworldly realm... the interdimensional portals, were not intentionally created by us. And we have no intention whatsoever of harming any of you."
"Who on earth are you!? What's happening in this world? What's going to happen to us!?"
"It's up to all of you. I believe that you are an assembly of very intelligent and understanding great leaders. I am confident that you have the composure to listen to me until the end, which is why I dared to interrupt your meeting."
"..."
The girl silenced them with her lengthy speech, which could be seen as either heartfelt respect or the ultimate irony. After clearing her throat again, she introduced herself to the silent great leaders.
"Let me introduce myself... My name is Rosalind. I am a resident of a different world from yours... a sorceress."
This was the first conversation between the people of this world and those from the other side, marking a historic moment that would lead to the exchange between magic users, individuals with special abilities, and inhabitants of other worlds.
... A hundred years later, in the year 2028 of the Oath Calendar, the 1,873 km² interdimensional area that appeared in place of London had come to be known as [Limbo City] and had grown into a global metropolis that greatly influenced world affairs.
The crystal wall, once believed to exist to reject contact from the outside world, is now a tourist attraction. "Mommy, look! There's a huge fish flying in the sky!" "Oh my gosh, incredible! Honey, are you filming this? It's amazing!" "Hahaha, unbelievable! It's like a fairy tale!"
Many cruise ships ferry tourists, including this close-knit family, to catch a glimpse of the eccentric city today. Though it may be a bit pricey, it's entirely possible for regular folks to enjoy sightseeing in Limbo City. Of course, moving there is also an option.
However, before stepping into that city, there are three things to keep in mind:
1. That city is truly a different world.
2. Any trouble you get into there is at your own risk.
3. In that city, short blonde women must never wear glasses.
"What would that be like?"
Before long, the receptionist opened her languid eyes and began writing earnestly in her notebook. "…Suddenly, a large arm emerged from my body, pushing people away and causing severe injuries, or breaking objects and cars, and sometimes even taking lives…"
"…And what about people who don't interact with you?"
"If they don't interact with me, nothing happens…"
As soon as she heard this, the receptionist let out a sigh of relief and tapped the page with her pen. "Ah, got it. I'll register you as a [Class B Esper], then. All clear."
"Huh, that's it? Don't you need to see my abilities or something here?"
"Ah, no, we don't do that. It would be quite troublesome to demonstrate your powers here."
"…I see."
"Okay, now let's get your name, age, and race. And if you don't mind, your place of origin too."
The young man looked like he wanted to say, "You're asking me now?" but the woman repeated herself, her serious expression gone, replaced by a lazy, sleepy face as she asked for his name.
"So, what's your name?"
"…It's Scott. Scott Orlando. I'm 19… and I'm originally from this world."
Despite his confusion at the receptionist's casual approach, the young man introduced himself.
"Are both your parents human?"
"…Yes, I was born in the United States, in St. Petersburg, Florida."
"Got it. Name: Scott Orlando, age 19, race: human, origin: the United States."
"…Um, you could have just checked my ID, you know."
"True, but it's quicker to ask directly. Besides, I'm good at spotting lies and hidden truths."
"Ah, I see."
"You know, I can forge IDs as many times as I want—hee hee hee."
As the receptionist closed her notebook, a sheet of paper printed out from the printer on the desk.