Yukio stared at Fukui, a cold fury burning in his eyes.
"You really aren't taking this seriously,"
He said, his voice low and dangerous.
"What is this, a fantasy story? You expect me to just go along with this, agree?"
Fukui simply stared back at him, his goofy grin replaced with a rare moment of seriousness.
"The world is vast and filled with many dangers, yes,"
He said, his voice still that of a child, but with a different kind of authority.
"But this world is filled with an energy called mana. And living beings in that world can harness and control it to use magic, things normal people from your world won't do in their lifetime."
He began to explain, holding up his fingers to count off the elements.
"There are only four types of basic magic: fire, wind, earth, and water. And then there are two unique types: light and darkness. You have to be blessed to be able to use them. Usually, people are only born able to use one or maybe two elements at most."
Fukui's grin returned as he clapped his hands together.
"But you're getting a free starter pack. You'll be able to harness and control mana, and as a bonus, you'll be getting all six types of magic, 'cause I care."
He winked.
"And as a bonus bonus, you'll be naming an ability you can use in that world, along with some other stuff."
Yukio clenched his fists, the anger still there but now mixed with a thrilling realization.
"So you're serious about this,"
He said, the words no longer an accusation but a statement of fact. A slow, confident smile spread across his face, the smile of a gambler who had just found a new, high-stakes table.
"Okay, I'll play your game. But I want luck like yours for that ability. I want something I can use with that luck."
Fukui's grin widened into a full-faced, boyish laugh.
"I like you, Yukio Yoshino,"
He said, and with a confident snap of his fingers, a brilliant light enveloped the young man. It was a divine, swirling torrent of golden, silver, and green light that seemed to course directly into his very being, washing over him and sinking deep into his soul.
"Done,"
Fukui stated simply as the light faded.
He then looked at Michibiki, his expression a rare moment of seriousness.
"You're leaving with him. Guide him,"
He instructed. He gave a single, firm nod.
"I'm counting on you, Michibiki."
Michibiki bowed her head, her hand over her chest in a gesture of profound respect.
"Yes, Lord Fukui,"
She replied, her voice unwavering.
A massive, intricate golden magic circle instantly formed beneath their feet, its glowing lines humming with power.
"Yukio, take care of yourself in your new life and don't worry about your family,"
Fukui said with a wink and a thumbs-up.
"I'll bless them with good fortune."
He finished with one final, cheerful declaration.
"Good luck on your journey."
In a flash of pure light, Yukio and Michibiki instantly vanished, the magic circle dispersing as if it had never been there. After they were gone, Fukui looked up, his expression thoughtful.
"Hope you'll be the one who's able to save Gaelora,"
He murmured into the emptiness, the name of a world hanging heavy in the silent, white space.
The brilliant golden light that had swallowed them whole dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Yukio and Michibiki standing on a cobblestone street.
The jarring sensation of a world shifting around him was replaced by the low hum of a bustling town, a vibrant tapestry of sounds and smells.
As Yukio's eyes adjusted, he saw that they were standing in a narrow alleyway, unnoticed by the stream of people moving along the main street just a few yards away.
A gentle breeze, scented with the unique aromas of roasted meats and foreign spices, rustled through the air.
The buildings around them were unlike anything in his world—some were constructed from a pale, ivory-colored stone, while others were built from a dark, polished wood, their roofs adorned with intricate carvings.
Small, glowing orbs of light floated on ornate lampposts, illuminating the street with a soft, steady radiance. The mana in the air was so thick he could almost taste it, like a gentle, invigorating current against his skin.
He peeked around the corner of the alley. The citizens walking past were a mix of familiar and alien.
There were humans dressed in simple tunics and trousers, but a little farther down the road, a stocky figure with a thick beard and braided hair, carrying a massive hammer, walked past. A dwarf, he realized with a jolt.
Another figure, tall and impossibly slender with pointed ears, glided by with a grace that seemed supernatural. An elf. The stories of his childhood were suddenly a living, breathing reality.
A wide smile spread across Yukio's face, a triumphant expression that mirrored his earlier victory. All the anger and frustration from his death seemed to melt away, replaced by the thrilling excitement of a new game. He turned to Michibiki, his blue eyes shining.
"Looks like Fukui kept his promise."
Michibiki smiled, her serene composure fully returned.
"Welcome to Gaelora! Our current location is the town of Primordia,"
She said, her voice a calm and reassuring bell in the bustling street.
"Now, come on, first we need to find a place to stay. And don't worry, I'm paying."
As she spoke, she reached out a hand and created a shimmering, small hole in the very fabric of space. It was like a miniature, swirling galaxy in the air.
She reached her hand through the portal and, with a soft rustle, pulled out a small leather pouch before the shimmering hole instantly vanished.
She uncinched the pouch and pulled out three coins, placing them in Yukio's palm.
"This is Gaelora's currency,"
she explained.
"This gold coin is the most highly valued, the silver is the second most, and the copper is the least. You will find that most things here are a bit more... practical than what you're used to."
With a soft touch, she pointed to his forehead.
"The basics about this world—the history, the social structure, the magic—all of that should have been transferred to your mind,"
She said with a respectful tilt of her head.
"Thank Lord Fukui for that. Now, let's go."