The classroom buzzed like a hive of unfamiliar creatures. Axton stood at the front, every eye trained on him like arrows drawn.
"This is Axton Yamada," the teacher said, gesturing toward him. "He'll be joining our class from today. Be kind."
He gave a stiff nod, his posture straight — too straight.
[Social Tension Detected – +5 Anxiety]
[Passive Activated: Stoic Presence I]
Effect: Reduces likelihood of ridicule by 15%
A girl in the back stifled a giggle. A boy yawned loudly. The teacher pointed him to an empty seat by the window. Axton walked like he was approaching an execution platform, then sat.
"Hey," someone whispered next to him. A tall, lanky boy with glasses and a cautious smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Kenji."
[Dialogue Option Unlocked]
[Neutral] "Nice to meet you."
[Friendly] "You too, Kenji."
[Confused] "Why are you talking to me?"
[Auto-Reply (System-Generated)] "Hello, Kenji. I look forward to studying with you."
He picked the second one. "You too, Kenji."
[Objective Progress: Speak to Classmate (1/3)]
[Relationship Formed: Kenji – Neutral/Curious]
The day unfolded like a gauntlet. Every subject was alien—math that made no sense, science without mana, history without dragons. But the System helped.
[Auto-Translate Enabled: Academic Terms]
[Skill Progression: Learning Speed +12%]
By lunch, he had barely held it together. He sat alone on the rooftop, unwrapping the strange packaged food from the cafeteria.
Then came the pink-haired girl from earlier.
She dropped down across from him, a sandwich in one hand and narrowed eyes.
"So... mountain training, huh?" she said.
Axton blinked.
"You don't talk like someone from here. You don't move like someone from here either."
[Threat Detected: Suspicion Level Rising]
[Activate Bluff? Y/N]
He chose no.
"I'm not from here," he said. "Not really."
She stared at him, then smirked. "Didn't think so. I'm Rei. I like weirdos."
[Objective Progress: Speak to Classmate (2/3)]
[Bonus Objective Progress: Make a Friend (0.5/1)]
[Relationship Formed: Rei – Cautiously Interested]
As they ate, Axton finally relaxed.
This world was overwhelming. It had no spells, no monsters, no swords.
But maybe, just maybe...
It had allies.