Chap 3.
James awoke in an unfamiliar room, his body stiff and his mind sluggish from sleep. The last remnants of the dream he thought he was having lingered for a moment before vanishing entirely, replaced by the harsh reality of his situation. He was no longer in his small Tokyo apartment. This was no longer a dream. This was his reality now.
He sat up, the bed creaking beneath him as he rubbed his eyes. The room was simple, but it had a certain charm to it. A wooden chair, a simple desk, and a small window that let in the morning light. The faint scent of fresh linens filled the air. He looked around again, just to be sure he wasn't dreaming. The room was exactly how it had been when he had entered last night—small, modest, and devoid of any modern amenities.
With a sigh, James stood up and stretched, feeling the soreness in his legs from yesterday's long ride. His mind still raced with questions. What's going on? Where am I?
Deciding that it was pointless to keep lying in bed, he got dressed, donned his cloak, and made his way downstairs to the inn's common area. The woman from the previous night, the innkeeper, was behind the counter as usual, greeting him with a smile.
"Good morning, traveler," she said brightly. "Did you sleep well?"
James gave her a small nod, trying to act normal despite the storm of thoughts swirling in his head. "Yes, thank you. Just trying to get my bearings." He forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Could I have breakfast?"
She smiled warmly and pointed to an empty table by the window. "Please, have a seat. I'll bring you something right away."
James took his seat and observed the inn's patrons as they went about their morning routines. Most of them were either eating or preparing to leave. He watched a few merchants chatting in the corner, exchanging goods and stories. A group of adventurers, clad in varying degrees of armor, gathered at the bar, their laughter filling the room.
The innkeeper returned with a simple but hearty meal: bread, cheese, and a mug of beer. "Here you go. Breakfast for you," she said, placing the food in front of him.
"Thank you," James said, giving her a polite smile before beginning to eat. The food was fresh and filling, the cheese sharp and creamy, and the beer, though a bit bitter, wasn't bad. It was a strange comfort in this chaotic new world.
As he ate, his mind drifted back to the events of yesterday—the strange voice in his head, the bizarre appearance of elves, dwarves, and demi-humans, and the city of Elvaris itself. He was still having a hard time processing it all. This wasn't just a time-travel situation—this was something far beyond what he had ever imagined. He had somehow ended up in a completely different world, a world full of magic, monsters, and people that didn't even resemble anything from Earth.
When he had finished his meal, James stood up and walked over to the innkeeper. "Excuse me, do you know where I can find a library? I need to learn more about this place."
The innkeeper nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "The library? It's not far from here. Just head down the main road and take the first right. It's a large building with a sign that has a quill on it. You can't miss it."
"Thank you," James said, grateful for the direction. He felt that it was time to learn more about this world—its geography, its people, its history. He needed to understand what he was dealing with if he was going to survive.
He made his way to the library, the hustle and bustle of Elvaris still in full swing. The city felt alive with energy, and it was hard to keep his eyes from darting all around, taking in every new detail. The streets were filled with the sounds of vendors calling out their wares, children laughing, and horses pulling carts. As he walked, James couldn't help but notice how normal it all seemed to the people here. To them, this was just everyday life.
When he arrived at the library, James was struck by how grand it looked. The building was made of dark stone, with tall windows that stretched up to the sky. The front was adorned with ivy, and a large sign with a quill symbol hung above the door. He pushed the heavy door open, stepping inside.
The smell of parchment and leather filled the air as James walked through the aisles, his footsteps echoing on the stone floors. At the front desk sat an elderly man, hunched over a stack of books. He glanced up as James approached.
"Can I help you?" the librarian asked in a gravelly voice.
"I'd like to learn more about the world," James said, trying to sound casual. "Geography, history, currency… Anything that can help me understand this place."
The librarian gave him a long, scrutinizing look before nodding. "I see. You're not the first to come in asking questions like that. It's two silvers for four hours of reading," he said, holding out a small ledger for James to sign.
James reached into his pouch and pulled out the necessary amount. As he paid, the librarian handed him a small, leather-bound book with a map of Elvaris and its surrounding regions.
"Feel free to browse," the librarian muttered before turning his attention back to his books.
James sat down at one of the tables and began to read through the books he'd gathered. The first one he picked up gave him a basic understanding of the world's geography. Elvaris was part of a large continent that contained several kingdoms, each with its own unique culture and political structure. The Kingdom of Englassia to the west, the Kingdom of Dwargon to the north, and the Kingdom of Falmuth to the south were the largest. There was also the Eastern Empire, a vast and powerful region that stretched far to the east.
But as he read further, he came across something that made his heart skip a beat. A section on the Demon Lords and True Dragons.
He quickly turned the pages, his mind racing. The book mentioned powerful beings such as Guy Crimson, Millim Nava, and Veldora. His stomach dropped. The names were unmistakable. These were the Demon Lords and True Dragons from the world of Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken—the world of Tensura.
Shit. This isn't just some other world. This is the world of Tensura!
Panic surged through him. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to steady his breathing. He had read about this world, watched the anime, and played the games. He knew the dangers, the politics, and the sheer power that existed here. This was a world ruled by beings who could bend reality itself, where monsters roamed freely, and survival was a constant struggle.
James tried to calm himself. He took slow, deep breaths and forced his mind to focus. Okay, okay, calm down. How did I get here? How the hell did I end up in this world?
He began thinking back to how he had arrived. If this is the same world as in the anime, there are only two known ways for people from Earth to get here: being summoned or reincarnation.
I wasn't summoned. I didn't see anyone when I arrived. And I don't remember dying to be reincarnated...
But then his thoughts shifted to something else. Otherworlders who end up here usually get powers. Skills. Something that sets them apart.
He remembered the voice in his head. The strange mechanical voice that had spoken to him when he first arrived.
"That's right," James murmured under his breath, his eyes widening in realization. The voice had mentioned the skills he had received: Annihilation Creator, Sovereign's Sanctuary, and Perception.
James sat back in his chair, his mind spinning. Skills… He began to recall the different types of skills from the anime—Common skills, Extra skills, Unique skills, and Ultimate skills.
I've got two Unique skills and one Common skill, he thought. Unique skills are the personification of one's being. So what does that mean for me?
He focused on the name of his first Unique skill: Annihilation Creator. The name sounded destructive, powerful, and strangely familiar.
Wait… Annihilation Creator… That's it! It's the Sacred Gear from High School DxD—Annihilation Maker!
James's eyes widened as the realization hit him. That makes sense. I've always liked to draw. I've drawn monsters, creatures, and things like that. If this skill is related to creation… then maybe it has something to do with that.
He leaned back, trying to make sense of it all. His mind raced, but for the first time since he arrived in this world, he felt a sense of understanding. This wasn't just some random accident. He had a purpose here, and it was tied to these skills.
Now, he just had to figure out how to survive in this dangerous, unfamiliar world.
End of chap.