The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Seika's apartment. Still half-asleep, Seika shuffled toward the kitchen in her pajamas, yawning. A loud knock reverberated through the apartment, making her pause mid-yawn, eyes blinking in surprise.
Who could it be at this hour? She slowly padded over to the door, squinting as she swung it open to reveal two men in crisp suits, their expressions serious. The officials were an unusual sight, with their polished badges glinting and their calm, professional demeanor.
Seika blinked, unable to shake the grogginess from her head. "Good morning... Can I help you?" she asked, still half-convinced she was dreaming.
One of the officials stepped forward, bowing politely. "Good morning, miss. We're here to speak with Alexis. He's staying here, correct?"
Seika's brain was still playing catch-up, but she managed a nod. "Uh, yeah, he's here. Hang on a sec," she replied, her tone reflecting her continued confusion. Turning back toward the apartment, she called out, "Alexis! You've got… visitors?" The uncertainty in her voice was evident as she shot a curious look at the two men, who stood poised and waiting.
Moments later, Alexis emerged from his room, his attire contrasting with the officials' formality. He was wearing a white, fitted t-shirt and loose blue sweatpants. His hair was untied, falling freely over his shoulders, and his expression shifted from sleepy confusion to wary curiosity as he took in the scene before him.
He glanced at Seika, who looked equal parts bewildered and cautious. "Morning," he greeted, rubbing the back of his neck. "What's all this about?"
Seika shrugged helplessly, gesturing to the officials with a raised eyebrow. "Apparently, they're here to see you… something official, it seems."
One of the officials took a step forward. "Alexis, I presume?" His tone was calm but firm. "We represent a special unit under the Japanese government. Recently, waves of unusual phenomena—'monster waves,' as they're being referred to—have been affecting cities across Japan. From what we understand, you and others from your world, which you call Boundless, possess unique abilities and skills. The government is assembling a strike team to help contain these incidents, and your assistance would be invaluable."
Alexis's eyebrows lifted, curiosity now fully piqued. He turned briefly to Seika, who looked increasingly concerned. She had seen Alexis handle many things since his unexpected arrival, but dealing with government officials was on a different level. She gave him a subtle nod, though her expression was laced with worry.
"Understood," Alexis replied, his tone steady as he addressed the officials. "If I can help, I'll cooperate."
The officials nodded, stepping aside as he gathered his things and prepared to leave. As he put on his slippers and tied back his hair, Seika placed a gentle hand on his arm, eyes searching his face for reassurance.
"Are you sure about this?" she whispered, her tone revealing a hint of worry.
He smiled, "I'll be fine. Don't worry—I'll be back before long."
With a final nod, he followed the officials out of the apartment, his mind racing with questions and possibilities. The officials escorted him to a sleek black car waiting outside, and soon they were headed toward the heart of Tokyo.
As they drove through the bustling city streets, Alexis's thoughts drifted back to Boundless, wondering how many others from his world had found themselves in Japan—and whether they had managed to adjust. He looked out the window, absorbing the sprawling cityscape. Tokyo was beautiful and vast, yet strangely foreign despite the familiarity. In Boundless, everything had been steeped in magic and ancient forests, fortified cities, and mystic beings. Here, in contrast, was a world buzzing with technology, speed, and endless lights.
Finally, they arrived at the government building—an imposing structure situated in central Tokyo. He stepped out of the car, looking up at the modern, glass facade. The officials guided him through security checkpoints and long, winding hallways until they reached a massive hall buzzing with energy. The air practically hummed with anticipation.
Inside, a crowd had gathered, and as Alexis scanned the room, his gaze caught familiar faces. Carna and Ferni stood among the crowd, looking slightly out of place but also strangely at ease. Alexis's face broke into a grin as he made his way toward them.
"Fancy seeing you two here," he greeted, tapping Carna on the shoulder.
Carna smirked, returning the greeting with a playful nudge. "Didn't think I'd run into you here too, Boss! Guess they're pulling in everyone from Boundless who landed in Japan."
"Seems like it," Alexis replied, a curious gleam in his eyes. "Any idea why?"
Before they could discuss further, Ferni nudged them, nodding toward the front of the room. A man with a stern expression and an air of authority had stepped onto a raised stage, commanding the room's attention. The murmurs quieted as he began to speak.
"Thank you all for being here," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly through the large space. "For those who don't know, I am Director Kuroda. As many of you may have noticed, a phenomenon has been plaguing cities across Japan. Strange portals—'glitched warp-rifts,' as some of you call them—have been appearing and releasing dangerous creatures, collectively known as 'waves.' These monsters have endangered countless lives, and we've exhausted every resource to contain them."
The crowd's murmurs grew as people exchanged glances, some worried, others intrigued.
"We have come to understand that these waves are connected to your world, Boundless, and that the abilities many of you possess make you uniquely suited to combat these waves," Kuroda continued. "Our government is putting together strike teams called the Wave Order that will be dispatched to areas most affected by these waves. You are all being asked to join this initiative, not only to protect your lives but to ensure the safety of this world as well."
Kuroda then brung out a list and began reading out names, organizing the Boundless people into different teams, each one assigned to various cities across Japan. As he worked down the list, Alexis felt a sense of anticipation building.
When Kuroda finally reached the end, he called out, "Alexis, Carna, Ferni, Tessa, Kalem, Melina, and Rarun, are assigned to the Akihabara district."
The three exchanged relieved and excited glances, thrilled at the prospect of working together in the field. Alexis could already feel the weight of the mission ahead but was reassured by the familiar faces beside him.
As they chatted, a voice rang out from behind them. "Carna!"
Carna's face lit up with shock and joy as she turned, her eyes widening at the sight of a young girl pushing her way through the crowd. A wave of relief washed over Carna as she took in the familiar face of her younger sister, Melina Melforma.
"Melina!" Carna's voice was filled with a mix of joy and disbelief as she rushed forward, pulling her sister into a fierce hug. The two embraced tightly, their reunion drawing the attention of others nearby.
After a moment, Carna pulled back slightly, holding Melina by the shoulders, her eyes searching her sister's face for answers. "Where have you been?" she asked, her tone full of relief and lingering worry.
Melina scratched the back of her head, looking sheepish. "Well… it's a long story. I ended up in a small town way out in the countryside. And let's just say I… may have picked up a few bad habits."
Carna raised an eyebrow, a small grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Bad habits?"
Melina laughed, her face flushing slightly. "Let's just say I've… sort of become a jobless freeloader."
Carna laughed heartily, pulling her sister into another hug. "Well, you're not alone anymore. We're going to be in this together, alright?"
"Alright," Melina replied, her voice full of gratitude.
As the two sisters reunited, three other members of their team approached with friendly eagerness. First was Tess Borvalti, a composed Elf with flowing silver hair and a piercing gaze. Her class was Mage, and she shared with a slight smile that, in this world, she worked as an office assistant. Then came Kalem Ironheart, a brawny Human with fierce eyes and a rigid posture. A Knight by class, Kalem was currently jobless, his pride apparent as he glanced over each of his new allies with scrutiny. Finally, Rarun Raijo—a confident Demi-Human Wolf—stepped forward, her class being Samurai. She wore the calm but commanding aura of a leader, mentioning she worked as a school teacher.
After exchanging greetings, the group fell naturally into conversation, sharing stories of their lives here and back in Boundless. Soon, with the weekend upon them, they began to disperse, each heading off either to work, explore, or simply relax. The restaurant being closed, Alexis, Carna, Ferni, and Melina left the headquarters together, chatting lightly about the unusual day they'd just experienced.
As they walked through a quiet street, a flicker of light caught Alexis's eye. In an instant, he sensed danger—a powerful slash of blinding light shot toward him from behind. Reflexes honed by years of combat kicked in; he turned sharply, Slu popping up on his shoulder. Alexis drew his short sword from Slu's gaping mouth, spinning just in time to parry the attack. The air hissed as the light slash dissipated upon his blade, leaving the surrounding space crackling with residual energy.
Startled, Carna and Ferni leapt back, eyes darting toward the direction of the attack. Their shock turned to anger as they spotted the culprit: Kalem Ironheart, one of their own newly formed team members.
"What's wrong with you?!" Ferni demanded, her fists clenched.
"Yeah! You aimed right at Boss!—why would you do that?" Carna's voice was fierce, her anger evident as she took a defensive stance beside Alexis.
Even Melina, usually soft-spoken, shot Kalem a disapproving glare. "Kalem, what was that about?" she demanded.
Kalem didn't flinch, a self-assured smirk spreading across his face as he held up his sword. "I wanted to test him," he sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Don't think you're so special, Alexis. I know what you're hiding. Your aura is enormous, it's radiating power—but I don't buy it. I have an ability called Aura Determination. It tells me how powerful a person is just by sensing their aura. Yours may be dense, but I know your type. You may look strong, but I know, I! AM! STRONGER!"
Without another word, he unleashed a second slash of light, far more massive and faster than the first. Alexis's expression hardened, and with a swift, fluid movement, he sliced through the oncoming light attack, dispersing it in a bright flash. The street quieted for a brief moment, the air tense with unspoken challenge.
Alexis turned his blade toward Kalem, his expression cold and resolved—a silent invitation for a duel. Sensing the shift, Carna quickly drew her bow, ready to intervene, but Alexis raised a hand, motioning for her to hold back. "This is my fight," he said calmly, his eyes never leaving Kalem, he then activated Agyl' Boost.
Reluctantly, Carna nodded, lowering her bow, though the worry remained in her eyes. She, Ferni, and Melina stood back, watching with tense anticipation as Alexis and Kalem squared off, facing each other on the empty street road that was under construction.
Kalem sneered, gripping his sword as he threatened Alexis. "You think you're tough? Prove it!"
Kalem unleashed a flurry of radiant light slashes, each one streaking toward Alexis in deadly arcs. In response, Alexis surged forward, weaving and parrying with fluid agility as he closed the gap. Their swords clashed with rhythmic precision, each impact sending bright sparks scattering across the ground, illuminating their intense duel.
Seeing an opening, Kalem channeled his energy, casting a powerful light slash at point-blank range. Alexis barely evaded it, twisting back just enough to avoid a direct hit, though the attack left a searing graze along his arm. Kalem grinned, his confidence growing, and with a fierce incantation, he infused his sword with Light Magyk. The weapon shifted, transforming from a straight sword into a massive greatsword, gleaming with deadly brilliance.
With newfound momentum, Kalem swung his greatsword in a brutal arc, aiming to overpower Alexis with sheer force. Each swing tore through the air, even shattering the ground on impact and sending massive chunks of debris hurtling toward his opponent. Alexis evaded the onslaught, ducking and dodging under each wide swing and sidestepping the flying debris with nimble precision.
In a calculated maneuver, Alexis leaped back high into the air, retreating backward to gain some distance. Kalem seized the opportunity, raising his blade behind him and slashing it across the ground with all his strength, shattering the earth beneath him and launching a massive piece of debris directly at Alexis. Dust and smoke erupted around Alexis, momentarily obscuring him from view.
But when the dust settled, it wasn't what Kalem expected. Alexis was standing atop the flying chunk of rock, slowly, he rose to his full height, his focused gaze locked onto Kalem. Without taking a stance, Alexis raised his short sword and, in one smooth motion, hurled it toward his opponent. The blade spinning cut through the air and dust, landing with precise force and driving Kalem's own sword into the ground, effectively disarming him.
Kalem was momentarily stunned, glancing down to see his greatsword lodged by Alexis's short sword. Before he could react, he was met with a barrage of Alexis's Wind Sprite Combustion Volley. The fierce blasts rained down on him, buffeting his body as he tried to shield himself with his arms, wincing from the barrage. Dust and energy swirled around him, leaving Kalem vulnerable.
As the barrage ceased, Kalem lowered his arms, catching his breath. But the moment he looked up and opened his eyes, all he saw was Alexis' fist drawn back and hurtling toward him at mach speed. Time seemed to slow as the punch connected squarely with Kalem's face, in a powerful, resounding impact, his body was sent backward, tumbling across the ground, brought low by the relentless precision and force of his opponent.
Kalem struggled to rise, his vision blurred, his head pounding, and his nose trickling blood. Wiping the blood off with the back of his hand, he focused through his disoriented gaze to see Alexis approaching steadily. Alexis, without stopping to walk, pulled out his short sword in a quick fluid motion. Each step Alexis took made Kalem's frustration build, his mind clouded by reckless anger and determination. Desperately, he summoned his Light Magyk, creating another sword that split into two glowing straight swords. Driven by fury, he charged at Alexis with both weapons in hand, swinging wildly.
But Alexis was calm, unfazed by Kalem's chaotic attacks. With skill and finesse, he blocked and parried each blow, his movements smooth and precise. Kalem's strikes became even more erratic, but Alexis waited patiently, looking for an opening. When he found it, he unleashed Precision Strike, plunging his sword forward with exacting force and shattering one of Kalem's conjured blades.
Kalem staggered back, shocked, but quickly retaliated, swinging his remaining sword in a desperate attempt. Alexis deflected the strike with ease, meeting Kalem's sword with his own. Then, with his free hand, Alexis curled his fist and drove it straight into Kalem's gut. The impact left Kalem reeling, his body shocked into stillness as pain spread from the point of contact.
Now even more dazed than before, Kalem barely registered Alexis's next move. With one final, decisive motion, Alexis pivoted and delivered a powerful kick, landing squarely on Kalem's stomach and sending him flying backward. Kalem's body tumbled across the ground, skidding to a stop in a defeated heap, his will to fight fully extinguished.
As the dust settled, Alexis stood tall, victorious.
His three other friends then shortly celebrated and congradulated his victory, as Kalem lay on the ground, still dazed and struggling to catch his breath, Alexis approached, his gaze calm but resolute. He extended a hand, helping Kalem up, his voice steady but carrying a weight of experience.
"Power isn't about the aura you can sense or the strength you can boast," Alexis said. "True strength comes from discipline, skill, and the willingness to keep learning. It's about knowing when to push forward and when to step back, understanding that battles aren't just won with raw force, but with control and focus."
Kalem, still reeling from the defeat, listened in silence, his arrogance tempered by the clear gap in skill. Alexis continued, his tone almost gentle, but firm, "The moment you believe you're above others is the moment you stop growing. Strength is a journey, not a title, Kalem. Remember that, and let it drive you to become stronger—not to prove others wrong, but to prove yourself right."
Kalem's shoulders slumped as he absorbed Alexis's words, the sting of defeat overshadowed by a growing respect. He'd been so blinded by his own pride that he hadn't seen the gaps in his abilities. Taking a deep breath, he nodded, still a bit shaken but with a glimmer of resolve in his eyes.
"You're… right," he muttered, clenching his fists. "I guess I've been too focused on power, thinking it would be enough on its own."
Alexis gave a slight nod. "It's not easy to face that. But if you're willing to put in the work, you'll become stronger than you ever imagined."
Kalem's gaze hardened with determination. "I'll do it, Alexis. I'll work harder. This world's different, and if I want to keep up, I'll have to change my approach."
Just then, Carna and Ferni stepped forward, both with wary but somewhat softened expressions. They'd watched Kalem's cockiness nearly get the best of him, but his willingness to take Alexis's advice was a start.
Ferni grinned, breaking the silence. "Glad to hear it. There's a whole new world here to navigate, and trust me, there's more to strength than swinging a sword."
Carna nodded in agreement, her usual stoic expression replaced by a slight smile. "If you're open to learning, maybe we can spar together. Archery and magyk require precision, not just power."
Kalem smiled, a bit of the tension easing. "Yeah… maybe that would help." He turned to Alexis, a hint of newfound respect in his eyes. "Thank you. For the fight—and the lesson."
Kalem gave a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head. "Guess I'll focus on finding a job for now, huh? Haha. Thanks again, Alexis." With a wave and a smile, he turned and made his way down the street, the evening's lessons settling within him. The four exchanged goodbyes, offering him encouraging smiles, each of them relieved and hopeful for what lay ahead.
As they parted ways, Carna wrapped her arms around Melina's shoulders, beaming at the thought of staying with her sister from now on. The two of them shared a quiet smile, an unspoken promise that they'd protect each other in this unfamiliar world. Alexis walked with Ferni under the soft glow of the streetlights, their footsteps in sync as they strolled toward the Tokyo train station. The city was calming down, the earlier rush fading into the hum of a peaceful night.
They arrived at the Akihabara train platform, where Alexis caught the last train home. He leaned back, watching the city lights blur by, as a comforting stillness filled the car. It was a rare quiet moment, and he closed his eyes, letting the day's events drift away.
Finally back at Seika's apartment, Alexis stepped inside, letting the familiar warmth settle around him. "I'm back," he called out gently, pulling off his slippers. From down the hall, Seika's door creaked open, her head popping out, messy hair and all. Her gaze searched his, the worry clear in her eyes.
"Are you okay? What happened?" she asked, coming closer. Alexis shook off his slippers and moved into the cozy living room, Slu peeking out from his shoulder He tossed a biscuit onto the table, and Slu, without hesitation, hopped out and began munching contentedly.
Seika was already making tea, the scent of roasted leaves filling the air. A minute later, she returned, handing him a steaming cup. "Alright," she said, taking a seat across from him, "tell me about it."
As Alexis recounted the day's adventures, his voice softened, the calm night washing over him. He told her about Kalem's sudden challenge, the unexpected duel, and the new team he'd be working with. Seika listened intently, her gaze steady, sipping her tea with a quiet understanding.
The two of them shared that quiet moment, the clinking of their cups the only sound. Slu finished his biscuit and curled up on the table, letting out a small, contented squeak as he drifted off to sleep. Alexis glanced over at Seika, her expression calm, the gentle warmth of companionship wrapping around them. After an entire day of the making of the Wave Order and even an unexpected encounter, they enjoyed the night with a calm atmosphere sipping their tea.
And let's say, that the next day, the construction workers who were still working on the road will be quite... suprised...
(Note from author: I'll be continuing this story after I'm done with Volume 1 of Tobe & Miri. Stay tuned, Alexis will be back.)