Ayatsuji Ayase's thoughts weren't bad so Ryoji could appreciate her intentions.
She wasn't bad-looking either, and her figure suited his tastes quite well.
But right now, he had just started something with Kanata, the wealthy heiress, and had only recently confirmed his relationship with his Senior Sister. Being caught between two women was already a headache, he had no idea how to handle himself.
If he started flirting with Ayatsuji Ayase on top of that… and either his Senior or Kanata found out…
Let's just say, he didn't fancy being cut down by Raikiri or frozen solid in a Diamond Storm.
"But I never actually turned her down… Heh."
The brilliance of this move lay in the fact that if he ever regretted it, or, if he ever found a way to make a harem work, he could always circle back and rekindle things with Ayase.
Ryoji was starting to think he was getting the hang of being a scumbag.
"You look absolutely revolting when you smile like that."
Kiriko, the pharmacist, didn't even look away from her game screen as she delivered her snide remark, her fingers tapping lazily on the controller.
They were in her office break room. No patients, just the two of them.
"So? Did you come back because you needed something?"
Ryoji had left earlier but then doubled back halfway.
"Kiriko-san, do you have any kind of portable healing capsule?"
He cleared his throat, trying to suppress the grin on his face. "Or maybe a potion that can instantly heal all injuries with just a sip?"
"...Do you think I'm some kind of Doraemon? Or that you're stuck in a video game?"
Kiriko shot him a strange look as if questioning his sanity.
She was starting to suspect that while Ryoji's body was in perfect condition, his mind might have finally snapped.
"So… you don't have one?"
"If I did, I'd have found a way to mass-produce it ages ago."
Kiriko was, without a doubt, a doctor with a heart.
If she had ever managed to create something like a portable healing capsule or an all-purpose potion, she would've made it publicly available, ensuring those in need had access.
"Figures…"
Ryoji could only sigh in frustration.
He was about to cross into another world, and his special ability for cutting down enemies was brutal on his body. Without a reliable way to heal, he couldn't afford to use it recklessly.
Regular healing capsules were too bulky and consumed too much energy. Even if he managed to carry them, activating them mid-battle was another issue altogether.
"That aside, I didn't expect you to go out of your way to help the Ayatsuji father and daughter."
Kiriko finally put down her documents, her eyes settling on him with a peculiar gaze.
"In the past, you were completely fixated on your own world, obsessed with recovery, with getting stronger. Has your perspective changed?"
Their first encounter had been years ago, he was seven, and she was ten.
Back then, Kiriko had been utterly absorbed in her research, treating people more like test subjects than actual humans. And Ryoji… Ryoji had been consumed by his hatred for fate.
All he had cared about was getting stronger. That singular, burning desire had left no room for anything, or anyone, else.
During that time, both of them had been hopeless in their own ways.
"No," he shrugged, his expression calm. "I haven't changed one bit."
Kiriko could no longer see the stubbornness that once defined him.
"I only started noticing the world around me. When I was consumed by my obsession, my master never gave up on me, you did everything to save me, and my Senior took care of me with quiet patience…"
", I understand the helplessness of the weak, of those who need someone to reach out to them. So, I don't mind helping others."
No one understood the pain of weakness better than he did.
And no one understood the desperate yearning for strength and salvation more than him.
Ryoji had only made it this far because others had extended a hand to him.
If that was the case, then why shouldn't he do the same for those he encountered?
Besides, it didn't take much effort.
"We've all changed, haven't we…?"
Kiriko let out a small sigh as if reflecting on the weight of time.
They had shaped each other in ways few could understand, like two souls gripping hands on a rope bridge, steadying each other in the turbulence.
There was no romance between them.
Only a deep, unshakable respect.
A connection that ran pure and untainted, soulmates, perhaps, in understanding if not in love.
"By the way, Kiriko-san, aren't you participating in this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival?" Ryoji suddenly turned and asked, unknowingly striking a nerve.
"Ugh, don't remind me." Kiriko groaned, pressing her fingers to her temple.
"This year, Sensei personally got down on his knees and begged me to compete. I couldn't say no, so I had to sign up."
The emerald-haired girl exhaled as if the weight of the world had just been thrown on her shoulders.
At 18 years old, Kiriko was already Japan's most renowned medical prodigy, carrying more honors than most could dream of.
Yet, she was still just a student.
A third-year at Rentei Academy, one of the Seven Stars Academies.
She had never been one for the knighthood, dedicating herself to medicine instead. Because of that, she was only ranked as a B-Rank Blazer.
But her real strength was undoubtedly on par with an A-Rank.
"This year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival is shaping up to be a real bloodbath."
Ryoji grinned, licking his dry lips in anticipation.
But before that… I'll train in another world first.
His obsession with strength had never wavered, not even for a second.
"Want to play a game?"
"I refuse!"
Her immediate and forceful rejection left him stunned, wondering why she was so against video games.
…
Tuesday.
Ryoji participated in his third selection match at Hagun Academy, effortlessly taking down yet another member of the top ten.
That afternoon, he left the academy carrying a heavy bag of supplies.
Out in the desolate wilderness.
Ryoji ensured there were no onlookers before drawing his Device, the Vrring Sword.
A silver glow emanated from the blade, surrounding his body, distorting his perception, gradually lifting him beyond this world.
And then, it appeared again.
The pitch-black door.
The golden inscription remained unchanged.
--DanMachi World.
Within the shimmering silver void.
Ryoji adjusted the backpack strapped over his shoulders, packed with Alice's treasures and provisions for the wilderness. A wild rabbit dangled from his grip, something he had caught along the way.
He stepped forward.
Reaching out with his right hand, he carefully pressed his fingers against the dark door.
Cold.
But nothing else.
No anomalies.
"Clang!"
With a slight push, the door creaked open.
A world bathed in the same illusory silver light unfolded before his eyes.
His gaze sharpened.
No immediate threats.
He exhaled slowly, calming his emotions.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped through.
The pitch-black door swallowed Ryoji's figure.
And with another clang, it shut behind him.
The silver void collapsed into nothingness.
A confused wild rabbit tumbled to the ground, blinking in bewilderment, unable to comprehend where the hand holding it had vanished.
(End of chapter.)
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