Part 1
"Maybe I should head home… I still have a deadline. My book needs to be finished before June 10, or my readers will be waiting even longer…"
Masashi hurried through the alleys, taking every shortcut he knew. By the time he reached his apartment building, he was out of breath. He sprinted up the stairs, rushing to the third floor.
"Room 10-AA," he muttered.
As he reached for his keys, his vision blurred. A wave of dizziness hit him, and before he realized it, he collapsed—worn out from overwork.
…
When he opened his eyes again, the world around him had changed. It wasn't his apartment anymore. Instead, he stood in a bustling city—no, a kingdom—filled with people he didn't recognize.
"Where… am I?" he whispered, completely disoriented. Then it struck him.
"I've been transported to another world! But… did I die? Who brought me here?"
He wandered the streets, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Humans and monsters walked side by side. Carriages rumbled past, pulled not by horses, but by massive lizards.
"Mooooove!!"
A woman's voice cut through the crowd. She dashed recklessly forward and slammed into Masashi. Both of them tumbled to the ground, dust coating her white hair and elegant marine-blue dress.
"Ouch… that hurt," she muttered, eyes closed.
"Here, take my hand," Masashi said, pulling her up.
She accepted, her eyes opening to reveal a striking green gaze.
"I'm Clara. Just Clara. Nice to meet you… um…" she trailed nervously.
"Masashi. I'm… well, lost. And homeless," he admitted.
Clara hesitated for only a moment before smiling. "In that case, why don't you stay at my mansion? You need shelter, don't you?"
Masashi blinked. "Really? You'd offer that to a stranger?"
"You seem like a good person," she replied simply.
Masashi grinned, relief flooding his voice. "Thank you!"
They walked together through the cobblestone streets. Lanterns floated above them, glowing with soft blue flames. Towers of pale stone rose overhead, draped in ivy and banners with unfamiliar symbols. Merchants called out their wares while children chased each other with wooden swords.
Masashi, dressed in nothing but a brown shirt, black shorts, and worn-out sneakers, stuck out like a sore thumb. "So this… is a fantasy world. Just like in my novels."
Clara, by contrast, looked like she belonged here. Her long white hair swayed behind her, her marine dress flowed with each step, and her sandals clicked softly against the stones. She glanced at him often, studying the stranger now walking at her side.
"You said mansion?" Masashi asked.
Clara's face brightened. "Yes. My family estate. It's quiet, on the edge of the city. Peaceful… and mostly empty."
"Mostly?"
She looked away. "My parents left years ago. It's just me and the staff now."
Masashi sensed it wasn't a subject to press.
When they arrived, guards at the gates eyed Masashi with suspicion, but Clara waved them off. Beyond the gates stood a sprawling ivy-covered estate, a fountain at its center.
"This is it," Clara said warmly. "Welcome to my home."
Masashi froze. "This feels like I stepped into a noble's tale."
Clara giggled. "You're not wrong. Come inside—I'll have the maids prepare a room."
That night, Masashi sat in his room, staring at the moon. The space smelled faintly of lavender, with a fireplace, wooden shelves, and a soft bed.
He pulled a notebook from his pocket. "At least I still have this."
On the first page, he began to write:
Day 1 in this new world.
I don't know how I got here. But I met someone kind. Someone who gave me shelter without asking for anything. I don't know if I can trust her yet… but for now, it's enough.
He paused, then added:
I'll write my entire adventure starting here.
Part 2
The lamplight flickered as Masashi closed his journal and slid the pen away.
"I should sleep…" he muttered.
The room sank into silence.
The Next Morning
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
"Masashi! Wake up! We're late for breakfast!" Clara's voice rang through the door.
He groaned, rubbing his eyes as sunlight spilled through the curtains.
In the Kitchen
The smell of rice and vegetables filled the air. Masashi sat across from Clara at the long oak table. She studied him curiously before finally asking:
"Do you have any magic?"
Masashi blinked. "Magic? Why ask me that?"
"Because without it, surviving here is impossible."
Her tone shifted, serious now. "This kingdom isn't like fairy tales. At night, demons roam. They're born of curses and hatred. They hunt humans without warning."
Masashi frowned. "But… people fight back, right?"
Clara shook her head. "Seven hundred years ago, the kingdom was cursed. A witch, falsely accused, cast her final spell. She stripped away everyone's mana, then summoned demons from across the world. Even in death, her curse never lifted."
Masashi's grip tightened around his spoon. "That's… awful."
Clara's eyes softened. "If you want answers, I know a place. The Rasiel Library."
Rasiel Library Grounds
The gates creaked open, revealing gardens and fountains. Inside, Masashi gasped. Towering bookshelves reached the ceiling, lanterns floated midair, and stained glass scattered colors across the marble floors.
"Is this heaven!?" he shouted, immediately running off and returning with a stack of books in his arms.
Clara laughed. "Just don't drown yourself in reading."
Hours later, one particular book caught Masashi's eye. Bound in black leather, it shimmered faintly.
Only those summoned from beyond the Veil may rewrite the curse.
Masashi whispered, "Does that mean… me?"
Before he could think further, Clara handed him a sealed envelope.
"You've been accepted into Rasiel Academy," she said softly.
Masashi broke the seal, reading the Headmaster's words. His hands trembled.
"I'm… going to a magic academy?"
Clara nodded with a smile. "It's the best way to learn—and survive."
---
That night, Masashi wrote in his journal:
Day 2.
I learned about demons, mana, and the witch's curse. Clara has been kind beyond reason. And today… I was accepted into Rasiel Academy. I don't know what awaits me. But maybe this is where I belong.
As he blew out the candle, a cloaked figure hovered over the academy under the moonlight.
"The time… has come," she murmured before vanishing into the clouds.
Far below, Masashi slept, unaware that fate had already begun to move.
Part 3
Masashi decided to stay at Clara's mansion for a week before moving into the academy dorms. Dressed in his new navy uniform and leather shoes, he grabbed his bag.
"I should study at the library before class…" he thought, hurrying out.
Rasiel Academy – Library
He grabbed a book titled The Blue Moon. On the first page, in English, it read:
If I had not been part of the witch's incident, the curse would not affect me. Which means there is a way to restore mana to this land.
Masashi froze. "English?… Does that mean others like me were summoned here?"
The school bell rang. He rushed to his classroom, taking a seat at the back near the window.
Soon, the teacher introduced herself. "I'm Hillary Fletcher, your homeroom teacher this semester."
Lunch – Hallway
On his way to the cafeteria, Masashi spotted Clara waiting by the stairs.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Waiting for a friend," she smiled. "And you?"
"Heading to the cafeteria. Gotta hurry before the food runs out!" He bolted off.
Later that day, on his walk home, Masashi noticed her—long hair, bluish-purple robe, staff in hand.
"You want to save this city, don't you?" the mysterious woman asked.
Masashi tensed. "Who are you? Are you helping me?"
"Let's make a deal. I'll teach you magic… but in return, you must take my life."
Masashi recoiled. "What!? Why?"
"Because I'm not meant to exist here. But you---you're the only one who can see me."
After a pause, Masashi nodded. "…Deal. So, can I trust you?"
"Of course. My name is Eira. We'll start tomorrow."
The Next Day – Training
In a quiet park, Eira guided Masashi through his first magical exercises. At first, nothing happened. But slowly, sparks tingled at his fingertips.
"You're tapping into your inner magic," Eira said with approval.
Masashi's progress surprised even her. But he sensed she was hiding something.
That night, he returned to Clara's mansion, still turning her words over in his mind.
Living Room
Clara confronted him. "Who's that woman with you?"
"Oh, you mean Eira? She's… my teacher."
Clara frowned. "But the kingdom is cursed. Magic shouldn't even—"
Masashi sighed. "It's time I told you everything." He recounted his story, from his arrival to meeting Eira.
Clara's eyes widened. "So… you're unaffected by the curse. That means you really can learn magic."
Masashi nodded. "Yes. And Eira's agreed to teach me. But I want you with me too."
Clara's voice shook with determination. "Then let me help. I've hated this curse my whole life. I want to fight it."
Masashi smiled. "Tomorrow, we'll start together."
That Night – Journal
Day 3.
I've discovered I'm immune to the kingdom's curse. That means I can learn magic. Eira has agreed to teach me—though at a terrible price. She wants me to end her life once her task is done. Clara, too, has chosen to fight at my side.
He closed his notebook, whispering, "Tomorrow… our journey truly begins."