Second District!
Sitting inside Shokuhou Misaki's car, Harumura Makoto saw the towering white soundproof walls.
This district was mainly responsible for automobiles and explosives—a place steeped in heavy industry.
It was also the training ground for both Anti-Skill and Judgment, making it one of the most heavily classified districts in Academy City.
"Looks like you don't come here often."
The driver sat up front, while in the back it was just Makoto and Misaki.
Despite the car being fairly spacious, she leaned very close to him, the faint fragrance around her constantly teasing his senses.
"Yeah, I rarely come here. Or rather… aside from when I was really little, I haven't stepped foot here at all."
He sighed, spreading his hands helplessly.
"Seriously, what do you think I am? Obviously, a delinquent gang leader like me wouldn't just waltz into the Anti-Skill and Judgment's backyard, right?"
It was plain to see as they drove along—
Compared to other districts, the security here was excessive.
Surveillance cameras dotted every corner, and patrols of both Judgment and Anti-Skill officers could be seen everywhere on the streets.
"Fufufu~ I think even if you did come here, they probably wouldn't touch you."
Misaki giggled softly behind her hand.
"But anyway, we've arrived."
The car slowed noticeably as they turned a corner. Right ahead, a massive trapezoidal building filled Makoto's vision.
"This is the Third Laboratory of the Talent Workshop!"
The room was pure white, around 40 to 50 square meters in size.
While the décor was somewhat plain, the amenities were complete—a desk, a bed, even a television.
It lacked any real signs of daily life, but was undoubtedly a proper guest room.
Makoto sat cross-legged on the bed, his sharp gaze fixed on the ring he had just slipped off his finger.
"If I didn't hallucinate earlier, then this should be the right way to do it."
Holding that thought, he slowly closed his eyes.
The moment his consciousness slipped away—
A playful voice echoed directly in his mind.
"Kid, you finally came in."
Was this a dream?
Or another space entirely?
Or perhaps… was this his soul's state?
Looking around, he found himself standing on a barren clearing.
Nothing grew there, not even weeds—just a desolate expanse of land encircled by walls.
"It seems… if I want answers, they're in there. Pretty sure that voice came from inside."
At the very center of the enclosure stood a distinctly Japanese-style rural house.
His steps were steady, without a trace of hesitation, as he headed toward it.
After all, he wasn't a native of this world—he was a transmigrator.
Not a soul-replacement, but a true reincarnator, born directly into this world and living here for sixteen years.
At first, he assumed he'd be like the pioneers of the isekai crowd, starting with a system and climbing his way to the top.
But reality proved otherwise.
He was born into an utterly ordinary family, and from childhood, he was no different from any other kid.
Back then, he didn't mind.
He thought maybe even without a system, his body itself might be special. And conveniently, this world had a place where one could develop their latent gifts.
—Academy City.
A mysterious place where "science" and "supernatural powers" somehow coexisted.
He believed this city would be the starting point where he could finally shine.
So—
With his parents' consent, he came here.
But reality was cruel.
Three years of effort, and still no growth in ability.
That was when he faced the truth.
And that was when he began his decline… becoming who he was today.
Yet, just after he narrowly dodged Mugino Shizuri's attack earlier—
Something he had been waiting sixteen years for finally surfaced in his mind.
"Kid, the energy's finally built up. When you've got time, empty your thoughts and don't resist—I'll pull you in."
Sliding open the wooden door, he found an interior laid out exactly like a traditional Japanese house.
And the voice—
It wasn't the cold, mechanical drone of a "system."
It was warm.
Human.
Normally, most people would have been wary, maybe even thrown the ring away on the spot.
But not him.
He was sick of the life he'd been living. He craved change, even if there were risks.
"Last room, at the end. Come in."
That familiar female voice guided him once more.
Makoto shed his final hesitation, striding straight down the corridor. He grabbed the sliding door at the end and pulled it open without pause.
Clack!
The paper door slid open—
And the sight on the tatami made his pupils tremble.
A girl.
Silver hair, golden eyes. Two horn-like protrusions sprouted from her head.
She looked no older than ten, dressed in a black kimono trimmed with blue, her features delicate and doll-like.
"You are—"
A memory, long buried for decades, stirred within him. Things he thought he had forgotten were returning.
And the girl before him matched those fragments perfectly.
"Well, looks like you do recognize me."
With an odd speech quirk, the silver-haired loli raised the folding fan in her hand, covering her lips with it.
"Not surprising, though. After all, I'm the one who brought you out of that mysterious world."
Clack!
She snapped the fan shut and tapped it against her palm. Rising to her feet, arms crossed, she looked at Makoto with unshakable pride.
"Now then, let me introduce myself. I am the strongest Star Spirit, master of both Sun and Moonlight—
Shiroyasha!"