After staring at the morning sky from behind the window, Issei let out a long sigh. He let himself fall back onto the bed, letting his body sink into the softness of the cold yet comfortable mattress.
He reached again for the smartphone lying beside the pillow, unlocked the screen, and began scrolling aimlessly.
Trying to learn more about this world? Or just distracting himself from a reality too strange to grasp?
Suddenly, Ddraig's deep voice echoed in his mind—this time louder and sounding irritated.
"WHY ARE YOU LAZING AROUND?! SHOULDN'T YOU BE STUDYING MAGIC?!"
Issei winced. He reflexively covered one ear with his right hand.
"I'm looking for references first… Just imagine if I randomly shouted 'Fireball', then my hand exploded and the house caught fire. Who's going to take responsibility? You?"
He looked up at the ceiling.
"The house burns down, the neighbors panic, and I can only say 'I was just learning magic'? Ridiculous, right?"
Ddraig fell silent for a moment. His voice was calmer when he replied,
"...Alright. But you still need to focus on magic later. Though… I can't deny that possibility."
Issei only snorted softly as he returned his gaze to the smartphone screen. His fingers moved quickly, and a moment later, he opened an online manga site. His eyes caught a title that drew his attention:
Tensei Kenja no Isekai Raifu.
Issei tapped the first panel and began to read.
"Yuuji, huh…"
The opening scene showed the main character, Yuuji, fighting a dragon with high-level magic. His spell attack created a massive explosion—sweeping the whole area with an absurd blaze of fire.
Issei commented quietly.
"Ddraig… can fire really be that powerful? Even capable of causing such destruction?"
Ddraig scoffed.
"That dragon is too weak. And also… the name of that spell is way too over-the-top. 'Calamity of Fire'? Hah."
Issei chuckled slightly, then continued reading.
He reached a panel where Yuuji cast a Fireball without chanting, resulting in a small explosion. But when Yuuji chanted the full spell, the effect changed drastically—the explosion was several times bigger, with flames rising high.
Issei raised an eyebrow.
"Ddraig, in this world does everyone need to chant to use magic?"
"Yes," replied Ddraig. "Most races use chants to channel magic safely and in a structured way. The chant acts like a path so the magic doesn't leak everywhere. Without it, magic can explode or completely fail. Unless you're a high-tier mage or… a natural genius."
"So there are ranks too, huh?" murmured Issei.
He continued reading a few more chapters. The story became more exciting, and without realizing it, time passed quickly. But the manga wasn't finished—the latest chapter wasn't out yet.
Issei stretched again with a soft sigh.
"Fascinating. If magic can be like that… I can imagine how dangerous it would be if the user was like Yuuji. Not to mention how many dragons appear in this manga. You must be bored of seeing them."
Ddraig snorted.
"Huff… why did I even read that manga with you. But I admit… humans do have great imagination. Portraying dragons like that, even making them so dramatic."
Issei smirked slightly.
"Isn't that a good starting point? Seeing what magic can do from fiction. Rather than jumping straight into learning magic and blowing up the house, better to first understand the risks and effects."
"...Damn it, you're right," grumbled Ddraig. "But still, learning from manga? You really are…"
Suddenly, Issei's stomach growled softly—but clearly.
He looked back at his smartphone. The time on the screen showed 02:07.
"Eh? It's already two in the afternoon?!"
He sat upright, then slowly got out of bed.
"I didn't expect I'd been reading manga for hours… It felt like just a moment."
His steps moved toward the bedroom door.
"Looks like I need to go to the minimarket again. I'm too lazy for instant noodles. Besides… yesterday's bento was pretty good."
Ddraig immediately responded, his voice sharp but firm.
"After that, you must train. Time will not wait for you, Issei."
Issei opened the bedroom door with a sigh.
"I know, I know. It's not like I want to be weak. But food still comes first."
He went downstairs, grabbed his jacket, checked his wallet and smartphone, then stepped out of the house quickly.
Outside, the winter air stung his skin. But the streets remained calm. Christmas lights still hung on some houses. The snowman from last night still stood, though it had started to melt a little.
Issei walked briskly toward the nearby minimarket.
While tracing the same path as last night, his thoughts wandered.
This world… is strange.
The same minimarket still stood at the corner of the street, with automatic doors that chimed softly as he entered.
The atmosphere inside was the same as before: warm, calm, and filled with the aroma of preheated packaged food. Issei walked straight to the bento rack without hesitation—he chose a chicken karaage bento and another katsu bento for dinner.
Without waiting long, he handed one to the cashier and said in a soft but polite tone,
"Please heat this one. I'll eat here."
"Certainly, please wait a moment," replied the cashier with a friendly smile.
Issei nodded, then waited. When the bento was done being heated, he took it to the dining corner provided. Sitting on a simple plastic chair, he slowly opened the package lid.
The aroma of fried chicken and warm rice greeted his senses.
As he began to eat, a deep voice echoed again in his mind—telepathy from Ddraig, the Red Dragon now dwelling in the Sacred Gear on his left hand.
{Issei, this city is protected by a guardian. I can sense a massive barrier… something that guards the boundary of reality.}
Issei swallowed his food, then glanced out the window. Snow was still falling lightly. Children were playing snowball fights in the park across the street.
'What do you mean, Ddraig? This city is guarded… by what?'
{Not what, but who. There's a supernatural guardian here. Their aura is faint, but strong. And… there are many devils in disguise. They wander around, occupying positions in schools, stores, even hospitals.}
Issei lowered his gaze, his breath catching for a moment.
'Many devils? In this city?'
{Correct. But don't panic. Not all devils are evil. Remember—you bear the Boosted Gear. That makes you a target.}
Issei closed his eyes briefly, trying to process the information.
'In that case… I can't practice magic recklessly. I can't do it at home, let alone outside in the yard.'
{Correct. But there is one safe place. A place that cannot be reached by anyone except yourself.}
'What place?'
{Your consciousness. The world inside your mind. There, time flows differently. No watchers, no distractions. Only you and your power. The ideal place for training.}
Issei looked at his half-finished bento. He continued eating calmly, then stood after finishing and threw the package into the trash.
'Interesting. I want to know what that place is like…'
{Don't regret it later, kid. That place isn't just any place. If you lose focus, even your consciousness could be destroyed from within.}
Issei exited the minimarket, carrying a plastic bag with the other bento. The outside air immediately touched his reddening cheeks from the cold. But his mind was now much more active than before.
He slowly made his way home.
City lights glowed warmly, casting long shadows over the snow. Some young people sat on park benches, laughing while sipping hot chocolate. A mother walked while holding her small child's hand. Soft snow continued to fall from the gray sky.
Though the atmosphere was peaceful, deep inside—Issei knew something was changing.
When he arrived home, he opened the door and stepped in calmly. He placed the bento on the kitchen rack, then went upstairs to his room.
He took off his jacket and hung it on the wall hook.
His steps moved slowly toward the bed. He sat for a moment, then spoke softly,
"So… how do I enter my consciousness?"
Ddraig's voice echoed once more.
"Lie down. Close your eyes. Empty your mind and focus. The world of consciousness will come to you if your soul is ready. Do not hesitate."
Issei slowly lay down. He pulled the blanket up to his chest. He stared at the ceiling for a moment.
'Hope the training isn't too harsh…'
"Don't count on it."
Issei closed his eyes, regulating his breath. The world slowly faded away. The sound of wind outside the window dimmed. His heartbeat gradually aligned with the rhythm of his breath.
Then…
...darkness.