After a hearty lunch with everyone at the house, Maya offered to drive Kanda to Antonia's estate. The journey was long, spanning two hours across winding countryside roads lined with towering ancient trees. The air outside the window was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and distant rain. Kanda spent most of the drive gazing out at the scenery, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation building inside him.
Finally, as the car took a gentle turn, a breathtaking view unfolded before him. His eyes widened in awe.
Before him stood a magnificent English-style white mansion, an imposing yet elegant structure that looked as though it had been plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale. The sun hung low in the sky, its golden light bathing the mansion's pristine stone walls in a warm glow. Intricate ivy vines curled lovingly around marble pillars, and tall windows framed with silvered glass reflected the world like quiet pools.
The mansion was set within a vast courtyard, paved with cobbled stones that were arranged in perfect symmetry. Towering spruce and cedar trees, their shapes meticulously trimmed into grand conical spires, stood like silent sentinels guarding the perimeter. At the very center of the courtyard, a grand fountain roared to life, shooting crystalline streams of water into the air. Around it, perfectly spherical shrubs dotted the landscape like living ornaments, their dark green color vivid against the ivory of the mansion.
As the car pulled to a gentle stop, Maya stepped out first, quickly moving to open Kanda's door. As he set foot on the ground, a subtle breeze carrying the mingling scents of fresh water, trimmed grass, and wildflowers brushed against his face. Kanda inhaled deeply, momentarily lost in the sheer tranquility and grandeur of the scene before him.
Then his gaze shifted.
In front of the mansion, two neat rows of maids stood facing each other, forming a regal passageway for him. They were separated by a five-meter gap, their uniforms crisp and pristine, their heads held respectfully down. At the massive, ornate front door stood Antonia, radiating a calm, noble presence. Just behind her, Sarah stood with arms crossed and an impatient look on her face, as if she'd rather be anywhere else.
Kanda approached, walking steadily between the rows of maids. As he passed, they all bowed in unison and greeted him with clear, harmonious voices:
"Welcome to the house, Master."
Startled but trying to maintain his composure, Kanda nodded and said, "Thank you. You may raise your heads."
The maids lifted their faces, their expressions serene, and stepped back into their original posture.
Standing before Antonia now, Kanda offered her a bright smile.
"I'm here, Antonia-chan. Have you been waiting long?"
Antonia, who had a gentle smile on her face, shook her head lightly.
"No, Kanda-niisan. I just came out of the house after Maya informed me ten minutes ago that you would arrive soon," she replied softly.
Relieved, Kanda chuckled. Then he turned his attention to Sarah while giving Antonia a headpat, "And how about you, Sarah? Feeling alright today?"
Sarah frowned but she honestly replies, "I'm fine, Brat. You seem a bit too lively today," she grumbled, though there was no real malice behind her words—just the usual gruffness.
Kanda shrugged at her retort, laughing under his breath, before following Antonia into the mansion.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted immediately. The cool marble floors reflected the soft, intricate designs carved into the high ceilings. Chandeliers dripped with crystals that sparkled like stars overhead. Warm sunlight streamed through vast stained glass windows, painting vibrant colors across the walls and floor. Everything about the place screamed of wealth, history, and impeccable taste.
As they walked deeper into the mansion, Kanda couldn't help but ask,
"So... Antonia-chan, why did you call me here? Maya mentioned something about the materials I requested, but she didn't seem to know the details."
Antonia glanced at him over her shoulder, a playful yet mysterious glint in her eye.
"You'll understand soon enough, Kanda-niisan," she said cryptically.
Nearly ten minutes of walking through grand hallways later, they arrived at a heavy metal vault door—massive, at least five meters high and three meters wide. It was embedded seamlessly into the wall, looking completely out of place in the otherwise regal environment.
Kanda's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Why is there a vault door here?"
Antonia's expression turned serious.
"The materials you requested... are behind this door," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper.
At her signal, several maids in white hazmat suits began the complicated process of unlocking the vault. As the door creaked open with a heavy, ominous groan, attendants quickly handed hazmat suits to Kanda, Antonia, and Sarah. After suiting up, they stepped inside.
The air inside was strangely heavy, almost vibrating with an unseen force.
The room was dark except for the soft glow coming from the center.
And there—bathed in an eerie crimson light—stood a massive blood-red crystal, easily the size of two buses stacked upright.
Kanda froze. His heart hammered in his chest as the sight fully hit him.
The crystal radiated a subtle, ominous hum, a presence that tugged at the edges of his mind. The surface of the crystal was impossibly smooth, yet from deep within, it seemed to swirl and pulse with life—like liquid fire trapped in a frozen prison.
Near the base of the crystal, Kanda's breath hitched.
Encased within smaller offshoots of crystal were several maids, frozen mid-movement as though caught between seconds of life and death. Their faces were serene, eyes closed, bodies preserved like ancient artifacts.
"...What happened to them?" Kanda asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Antonia approached solemnly, her footsteps echoing in the cavernous space.
"When we obtained this crystal two years ago, it was only the size of a football. But as time passed, it grew—slowly at first, then more rapidly. We built this vault to contain it once it became too dangerous."
She paused, her expression darkening.
"Our people tried to study it. Machines could touch it, but human contact... became fatal. The crystal began trapping them. And yet, by some miracle, their vital signs remain stable. They're alive, but we don't know for how long."
Kanda clenched his fists, feeling a heavy weight in his chest as he gazed at the crystal again.
There was something ancient and terrifying about it... something that seemed to whisper promises of unimaginable power—and ruin.
Determined to understand, he spoke inwardly to his system.
"AL, can you identify this crystal?"
The system responded immediately.
[Yes. Displaying the object's information to the Player.]
A translucent screen flickered to life in front of his eyes, invisible to everyone else.
---
Name: Crystal of the Beginning (Fire)
Rarity: EX
Details: One of the origin elements crystallized from the early civilizations of gods. Grants its owner the ability to command the elemental force within. Collecting all six elemental crystals will grant overwhelming power to its wielder.
Owner: None
---
Kanda's breath caught in his throat.
"Why... is something like this here?" he demanded mentally.
[Just as the Player has been sent to this world, so too have these relics of old. Their purpose remains unknown.]
"And what should I do now?" he asked.
[It is highly advised for the Player to collect this crystal. It will be crucial for your journey ahead.]
"How?"
[Approach the crystal, concentrate, and will it to merge with your being.]
Swallowing thickly, Kanda nodded.
"...Alright. Let's do this."
Without hesitation, he began walking toward the colossal crystal, his every step echoing ominously in the silent chamber.
"Kanda-niisan! What are you doing?!" Antonia cried out in alarm.
"Oi, Brat! Stop acting reckless!" Sarah shouted, stepping forward as if to grab him.
But Kanda ignored them. His heart pounded in his ears, but he moved forward steadily until he stood mere centimeters from the blood-red surface.
He raised his right hand and placed it against the crystal.
Immediately, a sharp chill and burning heat shot through his arm, yet he held firm.
The crystal began to glow brighter, pulsing like a beating heart.
His hazmat glove began to crystallize, the material hardening into ruby-like patterns as the energy raced up his arm.
Kanda closed his eyes, shutting out the panic and the fear in the room.
He focused all his mind and spirit, imagining the crystal dissolving, flowing into him, becoming one with his very being.
And then—the crystal began to respond.
==Inside His Consciousness==
Kanda felt his body being pulled into a strange, endless void. When he opened his eyes, he found himself floating in an expanse of thick, blood-red water. The sky—or what passed for it—was a swirling mass of crimson mist, and the air tasted faintly metallic.
"Where... am I?" Kanda muttered, his voice echoing oddly in the empty space. "Is this... inside the crystal?" he questioned aloud, heart pounding in confusion.
A soft, playful laugh echoed all around him, making the surface of the blood-like water ripple gently. It was a child's voice—light, sweet, and yet strangely chilling.
"That's right, Onii-chan," the voice answered, giggling mischievously.
Kanda spun around, trying to locate the source. "Who are you?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite the eeriness.
The voice giggled again. "Me? Hmm..." It sounded like the owner of the voice was tilting her head, pondering the question seriously. "I don't know, Onii-chan."
Kanda frowned, unsettled. "Can you show yourself?"
"Alright~" the voice sang cheerfully.
The blood-red water shivered. A small ripple spread outward from a spot directly in front of Kanda. Slowly, a figure began to rise from the water, as if being born from the depths themselves.
It was a girl—no older than ten—with long, silky blood-red hair that cascaded down her back, trailing in the water like threads of molten rubies. Her skin was pale, almost translucent under the crimson glow, and her eyes... her eyes were the same deep, unsettling red as the world around them. She wore a tattered yet somehow regal-looking long red dress, the hem soaking in the bloody water.
She walked toward him without making a sound, her bare feet stepping lightly on the surface as if gravity didn't apply to her. She stopped right in front of Kanda, tilting her head curiously.
"Who are you, Onii-chan? Why can you enter this place?" she asked, her voice carrying a faint echo, like a memory forgotten by time.
"I'm Ichijou Kanda," Kanda introduced himself carefully. "I think I entered because of the crystal outside. And you... who are you?"
The girl's expression turned thoughtful, a tiny frown forming between her delicate brows. "I don't know... I only know that I've always been here." She looked at him with a pleading innocence. "Maybe Onii-chan can give me a name?"
"You're okay with that?" Kanda asked, surprised.
The girl nodded eagerly, her blood-red hair swaying slightly.
Kanda thought for a moment before smiling gently. "Then... how about Akari? It means light, and... there's red inside your name, too."
"Akari... Akari..." she whispered, tasting the name as if savoring something precious. A dazzling smile spread across her face, making the blood-red space seem a little brighter. "I love it, Onii-chan! You must always call me Akari now!"
"Of course, Akari-chan," Kanda said warmly, reaching out to pat her head. Her hair felt strangely weightless under his touch, and she giggled, pressing her face into his hand like a happy cat.
"So, Akari-chan," Kanda said after a moment, "what are you doing here?"
Akari's smile faltered slightly. She lowered her gaze, her small hands clenching the fabric of her dress. "I've always been here... waiting. Someone—or something—placed me inside this space. I don't remember who. But... I was told to wait for my 'fated one' before I could leave." She looked up at him, her crimson eyes shining with a desperate hope. "Onii-chan... are you the one I've been waiting for?"
Kanda's chest tightened at the loneliness in her voice. He hesitated, not wanting to give false hope. "I'm sorry, Akari-chan. I don't think I'm your fated one."
Akari's face crumbled, her small shoulders trembling.
"But," Kanda quickly added, "Onii-chan can still help you get out of here if you want to come with me."
The sadness melted away instantly, replaced by an explosion of pure joy. Akari jumped at him, hugging him tightly around the neck. "Onii-chan! Onii-chan!"
Kanda chuckled softly, steadying her in his arms.
He mentally called the system, asking how to leave this space.
> [System Message: Player must focus and visualize leaving the space. A path will appear.]
Following the instructions, Kanda closed his eyes, concentrating hard. When he opened them again, a massive ancient door appeared a few meters ahead, pulsing with the same blood-red glow.
Adjusting Akari in his arms, Kanda smiled down at her. "Ready, Akari-chan?"
"Let's go, Onii-chan! I want to see the outside world!" she cheered, pointing toward the door.
Together, they walked toward it. As they moved, the blood-red world around them began to shudder, cracks forming in the sky and water alike. The very space was collapsing behind them.
==Outside, Before Kanda Exits the Blood-Red Space==
Meanwhile, in the real world, chaos unfolded.
After Kanda placed his hand on the crystal and closed his eyes, the crystal pulsed ominously, spreading a crimson sheen across its surface. Slowly, before their horrified eyes, it began to grow—encasing his entire body in a cocoon of blood-red crystal.
"Kanda-niisan!" Antonia shouted in panic.
"Maya, emergency team, move!" Antonia ordered, her voice cutting sharply across the room.
"Yes, Antonia-sama!" Maya barked back, rushing forward with a squad of armed maids.
But the moment they got within two meters of Kanda, an invisible force slammed into them. A red aura shimmered around the cocoon, repelling all who dared approach. Crystals began creeping up their boots, forcing them to retreat.
"We can't get close!" Maya gritted her teeth, frustrated.
Antonia could only watch helplessly as the crystal sealed Kanda away completely. Despair crushed her chest.
I was supposed to protect him... she thought, her knees buckling. She sank to the ground, hands trembling. Tears welled in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Kanda-niisan," she whispered brokenly, the guilt heavier than iron chains. "If I hadn't shown you the crystal... if I hadn't brought you here... this wouldn't have happened..."
The room fell into a deathly silence, only broken by the occasional crackling of the crystal.
Minutes felt like hours.
Then—
A surge of flames erupted from within the crystal.
Gasps filled the room as the crimson shell shattered, sending shards flying harmlessly around.
Emerging from the inferno was Kanda.
But he was... transformed.
His black hair had grown, flowing past his shoulders with a vivid red tinge at the tips, flickering like fire. His simple clothes were replaced by a regal, emperor-like robe adorned in deep reds and radiant gold. A majestic, almost divine aura enveloped him, so intense it made breathing difficult.
His closed eyes fluttered open—and they were no longer black.
They were a deep, smoldering red.
Everyone in the room stood frozen, mouths agape, their expressions a mix of awe and terror.
==Back to Present After Kanda Returns==
Kanda blinked, confused by the stunned faces surrounding him.
"Uh... what happened to all of you? Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?" he asked awkwardly, scratching his head.
"K-Kanda-niisan..." Antonia stammered, pointing at him with a trembling finger. "Your... your appearance..."
"My appearance?" Kanda echoed, finally noticing the faint red flames still clinging to him like a living cloak. His new clothes. His longer hair. His burning eyes.
"...Well," he said dryly, "looks like I have a lot to explain later."
In his arms, Akari peeked out shyly, her red eyes glinting with excitement and mischief.
And somewhere deep within the corners of his mind, Kanda could hear the faint whisper of a forgotten prophecy, echoing across the blood-red sea he had left behind.
END OF THE CHAPTER.