Ray White stepped off the plane at Narita International Airport, his designer luggage trailing behind him as he took in his first breath of Japanese air. After months of paperwork, applications, and his parents' enthusiastic support, he was finally here—Tokyo, Japan. The place he'd read about in manga, seen in anime, and dreamed about visiting since he was a kid.
"Finally! I'm actually in Japan!" he exclaimed, unable to contain the grin spreading across his face.
The flight attendants smiled at his enthusiasm as he made his way through the terminal. Even jet-lagged and wearing clothes wrinkled from the fourteen-hour flight, Ray couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through his veins. This wasn't just a vacation—this was going to be his home for the next year while he attended school as an exchange student, immersing himself in the culture he'd admired from afar for so long.
After clearing customs and collecting his belongings, Ray hailed a taxi to take him to his new apartment in the upscale Roppongi district. His parents had insisted on the best, as they always did. Being the only child of incredibly wealthy parents had its perks—though Ray sometimes wondered if they spoiled him out of love or guilt for being away on business so often.
When the taxi pulled up to the sleek, modern high-rise, Ray's eyes widened. The building's glass facade reflected the Tokyo skyline, and a uniformed doorman stood at the entrance.
"This is... my apartment?" Ray muttered, double-checking the address on his phone.
He made his way up to the twentieth floor, and when the elevator doors opened directly into his unit—yes, the elevator opened into his apartment—he stood there, momentarily speechless.
"My apartment? More like a penthouse!" he said aloud, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious entryway.
The place was enormous. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Tokyo's glittering skyline. The open-concept living area flowed seamlessly into a gourmet kitchen equipped with marble countertops, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, and a wine fridge that probably cost more than most people's cars. The furniture was minimalist yet clearly expensive—all clean lines and premium materials. Even the bathroom looked like something out of a luxury spa, complete with a deep soaking tub and a rainfall shower.
Ray collapsed onto the plush leather sofa, pulling out his phone to message his parents. Before he could type anything, it chimed with a notification.
Ding!
Bank Transfer Received: $10,000,000
Attached was a message: "Have a great time in Japan, son! Don't hesitate to buy anything you need. Make us proud. Love, Dad."
Ray stared at the screen, shaking his head with a slight smile. "Of course. Classic Dad move." His father had a habit of expressing affection through extravagant gestures rather than words. Ten million dollars for "settling in expenses" was excessive even by their standards, but Ray had learned long ago not to argue.
He spent the next three days exploring his neighborhood, struggling with basic Japanese despite his months of study, and trying to adjust to the time difference. The jet lag was brutal, leaving him wide awake at 3 AM and exhausted by noon. But gradually, his body clock adjusted, and before he knew it, it was Sunday evening—the night before his first day at Sakura International Academy.
Monday morning arrived with bright sunshine streaming through the windows. Ray woke early, nerves and excitement making it impossible to sleep in. He took extra care getting ready, styling his naturally messy dark hair and selecting an outfit that looked effortlessly put-together—designer jeans, a fitted white shirt, and a leather jacket that had cost more than he wanted to admit.
The campus was a thirty-minute drive from his apartment, and Ray had decided he wasn't going to subject himself to Tokyo's notoriously crowded trains if he could help it. He'd heard horror stories about rush hour—people literally being pushed into packed train cars by station attendants. No thanks.
So two days ago, he'd done what any reasonable person with ten million dollars in their bank account would do: he'd bought a car. Not just any car, though. A Lamborghini Veneno, painted in a striking shade of metallic silver that caught the light like liquid mercury. It was excessive, ridiculous, and absolutely unnecessary. He'd bought it anyway.
As he pulled into the Sakura International Academy parking lot, Ray noticed that most students were arriving on foot, by bicycle, or were being dropped off by parents in sensible sedans. His Lamborghini stood out like a diamond in a pile of rocks.
The moment he turned off the engine, heads turned. Students stopped mid-conversation, some with their phones already out, snapping photos and videos.
"Whose car is that?" a girl whispered to her friend, loud enough for Ray to hear.
"I don't know, but the owner must be insanely rich," her friend responded.
Ray took a deep breath, grabbed his designer backpack, and opened the scissor door. The dramatic upward swing of the door only drew more attention. As he stepped out, the morning sun seemed to spotlight him perfectly—tall, handsome, with an air of natural confidence that came from never having to worry about money.
The murmurs intensified.
"Woah! Isn't he handsome?" one girl said, not even trying to be discreet.
"And he's clearly loaded," another added.
"Probably already has a girlfriend. Guys like that always do."
"Maybe he's a celebrity?"
Ray tried to ignore the stares and whispers as he locked his car and headed toward the main building. The campus was impressive—modern architecture blended with traditional Japanese design elements, cherry blossom trees lining the walkways, and immaculately maintained gardens. Under different circumstances, he might have stopped to appreciate it. Right now, he just wanted to find his classroom and escape the attention.
He checked his schedule: Class 2-B, third floor of the East Building. As he climbed the stairs, he could hear the buzz of conversation already building. Word traveled fast, apparently.
When Ray slid open the classroom door, the effect was immediate. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Every head turned toward him. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as dozens of eyes assessed him, judged him, and formed opinions based purely on his appearance and the rumors that had already begun circulating.
Ray forced himself to maintain a neutral expression as he scanned the room for an empty seat. He spotted one near the window in the back—the classic protagonist seat, he thought with mild amusement—and made his way toward it.
As he walked down the aisle, he could feel the weight of their stares. Some looks were curious, others admiring, and more than a few were tinged with envy or resentment. He caught snippets of whispered conversation:
"...that's him..."
"...Lamborghini..."
"...show off..."
"...wish I could..."
Ray sat down, trying to appear unbothered as he pulled out his notebook and phone. He could still feel eyes on him, but at least the whispers had decreased to a manageable level. He glanced around, attempting to get a read on his new classmates. They seemed like a typical mix—some looked friendly, others standoffish, a few were clearly sizing him up as competition for social hierarchy.
The morning announcements crackled over the intercom in rapid Japanese that Ray only partially understood. He was about to ask the student next to him for clarification when something strange caught his attention.
The floor beneath him was glowing.
At first, he thought it was a trick of the light, but no—there were definite luminescent patterns spreading across the floor, intricate geometric designs that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. The glow intensified, expanding outward in a perfect circle that encompassed the entire classroom.
"KYAA!! What is that?" a girl screamed, scrambling backward in her chair.
"Is this some kind of prank?" someone else shouted.
"Oh no! Oh no! What's happening?!"
Panic erupted. Students jumped to their feet, some rushing toward the door, others frozen in place. Ray stood up, his mind racing to make sense of what he was seeing. This couldn't be real. Magic circles were fiction, the stuff of anime and video games, not reality.
The light grew blindingly bright, and Ray felt a strange pulling sensation, like he was being yanked through space itself. His stomach lurched, his vision went white, and then—
Nothing.
When Ray opened his eyes, everything had changed.
He was lying on cold stone flooring, his head pounding like someone had used it as a drum. Groaning, he pushed himself up to a sitting position and immediately regretted it as a wave of nausea washed over him.
"Ugh, my head," he muttered, pressing a hand to his temple.
As his vision cleared, he took in his surroundings. He was in what appeared to be an enormous cathedral or church—vaulted ceilings soaring high above, stained glass windows casting colorful patterns on the marble floors, and ornate pillars carved with symbols he didn't recognize. The architecture was breathtaking but completely unfamiliar, nothing like any church he'd seen in Japan or back home.
Around him, his classmates were in various states of consciousness. Some were still lying on the ground, others were sitting up groggily, and a few were already on their feet, looking around in confusion and fear.
"Where are we?"
"What happened?"
"I want to go home!"
At the far end of the cathedral, standing on an elevated platform, was a figure dressed in elaborate religious robes—white and gold, with intricate embroidery and a tall ceremonial hat. The man looked to be in his sixties, with a long white beard and an air of authority that commanded attention.
"Greetings, heroes from another world!" the man's voice boomed through the cathedral, amplified by either excellent acoustics or something more supernatural. "I am Pope Gregorius of the Holy Kingdom of Norm. I have summoned you here to aid us in our desperate time of need. A great evil threatens our world—the Demon Lord rises, and we require champions from beyond our realm to defeat him!"
The words echoed in the vast space, and for a moment, everyone was too stunned to respond.
Then chaos erupted.
"Another world?! This is insane!"
"I must be dreaming. This has to be a dream!"
"Someone pinch me!"
"Wait, wait, WAIT!" A boy with thick-framed glasses pushed his way to the front of the group, his eyes practically glowing with excitement. "Is this really another world? Is there actual magic here? Like, for real? Because if there is, this is the most amazing thing that's ever happened!"
A girl nearby looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Are you kidding? This is a nightmare! I can't fight monsters! I've never even been in a real fight! We're going to die!"
The boy with glasses waved her off dismissively. "You're just weak. I bet I got some overpowered skill. I'm probably going to be the hero who defeats the Demon Lord!"
"Silence!" Pope Gregorius raised his hand, and somehow, his voice cut through the arguing. "I understand your confusion and fear. But please, allow me to explain. In this world, all beings possess skills—abilities granted to them by the gods. As summoned heroes, you have been blessed with extraordinary skills far beyond those of normal people. Before we can proceed, I must appraise each of you to determine what abilities you possess."
He gestured toward the boy with glasses. "You, young man, seem eager. Shall we start with you?"
The boy practically jumped forward. "Yes! Do it!"
Pope Gregorius extended his hand, and a soft golden light emanated from his palm. "Appraisal!"
Suddenly, a translucent blue screen materialized in the air in front of the boy—exactly like something from a video game RPG. Text scrolled across it:
Name: Takeshi Yamamoto
Level: 1
Skill: Wielder of the Holy Sword
Class: Swordsman
"WHAT?!" The Pope's eyes widened in genuine shock. "The Holy Sword?! This is... incredible! You bear one of the legendary skills!"
Takeshi turned to face the other students with a smug grin. "See? I told you guys! I'm going to be awesome at this!"
"Me next! Do me next!" A muscular boy with bleached hair pushed forward, flexing as he walked. "I bet mine's even better!"
The Pope performed the appraisal again, and another screen appeared:
Name: Kenji Sato
Level: 1
Skill: Successor of the God
Class: Hero
The cathedral fell silent.
"The... the Hero class?" Pope Gregorius looked like he might faint. "Not one, but two legendary summons in a single ceremony? The gods truly favor us!"
Kenji burst out laughing. "HA! See that, four-eyes? I'm the actual Hero! You're just some sword guy, but I'm THE Hero! Know your place!"
"Whatever, meathead!" Takeshi shot back. "Holy Sword is still amazing!"
One by one, the Pope appraised each student. The skills varied—some got Fire Mage, others Wind Manipulator, Shadow Assassin, Divine Healer, Barrier Master. Each skill seemed powerful and useful in its own way, and with each reveal, the students' initial fear began transforming into cautious excitement. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe they really could be heroes.
Finally, the Pope's eyes landed on Ray, who had been standing quietly at the back of the group, observing everything with careful attention.
"You there," the Pope said, his brow furrowing. "Please step forward."
Ray walked through the crowd of students, aware once again of the stares following him. Even here, in a completely different world, he stood out—taller than most, with features that didn't quite match the predominantly Japanese student body.
"You appear... different from the others," the Pope observed, studying Ray with interest. "Your height, your bearing... I suspect you may receive a particularly powerful skill. Let us see."
The Pope raised his hand, and the golden light shone forth once more. "Appraisal!"
The blue screen materialized, and Ray read the words appearing on it:
Name: Ray White
Level: 1
Skill: Water Wielder
Class: Support
The change in atmosphere was immediate and dramatic. The excited murmurs stopped. Students exchanged glances. Some looked confused, others started whispering behind their hands.
The Pope's expression had gone from interested to disappointed in seconds.
"Guys?" Ray looked around, confused by the sudden shift. "What's wrong with Water Wielder? And also, there's another—"
"STOP!" The Pope's command cut through the air like a whip. "Guards! Remove this one from the chamber immediately!"
"What? Wait, what's happening?" Ray took a step back as armored guards emerged from side doors.
"Water Wielder is a useless skill," the Pope said coldly, his earlier warmth completely gone. "It cannot damage enemies. It cannot protect allies effectively. It is only capable of minor healing, and we already have multiple Holy Healers and Mages with superior abilities. You are redundant. Worse, you are a waste of resources."
"But I was trying to tell you—"
"Remove him! Now!"
The guards grabbed Ray by the arms, their grip firm and unyielding. His classmates watched in stunned silence as he was dragged toward a side exit. Some looked sympathetic, others relieved it wasn't them, and a few—including Kenji—were smirking.
"Tough luck, rich boy!" Kenji called out. "Guess money can't buy you a good skill!"
Ray tried to struggle, tried to explain, but the guards were professionals. Within minutes, he found himself shoved into a cramped wooden cage mounted on a horse-drawn cart. The door slammed shut, a heavy lock clicking into place.
"Wait! You have to listen to me! I have another—"
But the cart was already moving, pulling away from the grand cathedral and down a dirt road leading away from the city. Ray gripped the wooden bars, watching the spires of the castle town grow smaller in the distance.
The journey took hours. The cart bounced and jostled over rough roads, offering no comfort whatsoever. The guards driving the cart ignored his attempts at conversation. Finally, as the sun was beginning to set, they stopped near a large lake surrounded by forest.
The guards unlocked the cage and quite literally threw Ray out onto the grass. He hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from his lungs.
"Stay away from the capital," one guard said gruffly. "Water Wielders aren't welcome in civilized society. Try to return, and you'll be imprisoned. Or worse."
They climbed back onto the cart and drove away without another word, leaving Ray alone in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on his back.
For a long moment, Ray just lay there on the grass, staring up at the darkening sky. A sky with two moons—one silver, one faintly blue—confirming that yes, he really was in another world.
Then, rage bubbled up inside him.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" he shouted into the empty air, his voice echoing across the lake. "I was trying to tell them I have another skill! If they'd just let me finish, they would've seen it!"
He pulled up his own status screen, something that had become instinctively possible after the appraisal. The translucent blue window appeared before him:
Name: Ray White
Level: 1
Skills:
Water Wielder The Great Water Sage
He stared at the second skill, the one nobody had bothered to let him mention. The Great Water Sage. Even without more information, the name alone suggested it was significant. Special. Possibly powerful.
"Those idiots," Ray muttered, dismissing the screen. "They threw away someone who might've actually been useful because they didn't bother to do a complete appraisal."
He sat up, brushing grass and dirt from his clothes—his expensive designer clothes that were now thoroughly ruined. His leather jacket was scuffed, his jeans torn at the knee. He didn't even have his phone anymore; it had been left behind in his school bag when they were summoned.
The reality of his situation was beginning to sink in. He was alone in a fantasy world, labeled as worthless, with no money, no resources, no allies. Everything he'd relied on his whole life—his family's wealth, his looks, his privileged position—meant absolutely nothing here.
Ray looked out at the lake, its surface reflecting the twin moons above. Then he looked down at his hands, an idea forming.
If Water Wielder was considered weak, maybe it was just because nobody had figured out how to use it properly. And if he had a second skill—The Great Water Sage—that nobody here even knew about, then maybe he had an advantage after all.
He stood up, walked to the edge of the lake, and extended his hand toward the water.
"Alright," he said quietly, determination hardening his voice. "Let's see what this 'useless' skill can really do."
The water began to ripple.