The sound of birds chirping came in through the window. Sunlight filtered softly through the thin curtains, brushing against Makoto's cheek.
He woke up with a start from another bad dream. He slowly opened his eyes and reached for his phone on the nightstand, tapping the glowing screen.
"I'm heading out of town for work."
"I might not be back home this week."
"Take care of yourself."
The same messages again—words so familiar they had practically become his father's daily greeting. For as long as he could remember, it had always been just the two of them living in this house.
He sighed softly and got out of bed. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and rinsed everything followed the same morning routine. He made his way to the small kitchen, looking for some food to eat in the refrigerator
"Hm… the leftovers from yesterday, like always."
Sitting at the table, he reheated his meal, picking up a piece of fried chicken with his chopsticks. It was nothing fancy, just an ordinary breakfast, but he was already used to it.
After finishing, he tossed away the container, cleaned the table, and grabbed his bag before heading out for school.
"Good job, Kurosawa. You're not late this time." The disciplinary teacher at the gate nodded as he walked by. He smiled awkwardly and hurried toward his classroom.
"Yo, Makoto!" Two familiar voices called from the back of the room—his friends, Kenta and Ryo.
"Didn't you say you were gaming till last night, Kenta?" Makoto said, grinning as he walked over.
"I wanted to, but Ryo here bailed on me," Kenta complained, pointing at their mutual friend. The three of them burst out laughing.
Makoto Kurosawa—just an average high school boy. Not particularly famous but not invisible either. A regular teen who liked games over sports, living a simple, quiet life.
Then, as homeroom began, their teacher entered the room with a bright smile.
"Alright, everyone. I've got some good news."
"Today, we'll be welcoming a new transfer student."
The classroom door slid open with a soft sound. Light footsteps approached as a girl stepped inside.
She had long, glossy black hair, and her dark eyes reflected calm composure—yet there was something mysterious about her. She bowed slightly before speaking, her voice clear and refined.
"Good morning. My name is Reina Kirisaka. I've transferred here from another school. it's pleasure to see all of you."
The room filled with murmurs. All eyes turned to her at once.
"Alright everyone, make sure to show Ms.Kirisaka around the school later, okay? Class rep, I'll leave the rest to you." The teacher waved briefly and left, leaving Reina standing alone at the front.
Seconds later, the whole class swarmed around her—until the class rep's voice cut through.
"Everyone! Back to your seats!"
"There are two seats at the back, but... I suggest you avoid sitting near the boys if possible, especially….." She pointed directly at Makoto.
"Eh?!" Makoto's shout echoed through the room, earning laughter from everyone.
Reina silently made her way through the crowd, choosing to sit with a group of girls.
"Good choice, Kirisaka-san," one of them said teasingly, followed by a small round of applause.
"If you sit near Makoto, he might do something perverted," another joked.
"Hey! Don't make her think I'm some kind of creep!" Makoto yelled back, half embarrassed and half amused. The room filled with laughter again before settling back into the usual chatter of a new school day.
When Makoto opened his eyes again, the laughter was gone—replaced by the soft whisper of wind flowing through the dorm room window.
"Oh crap... I overslept!"
He hurried to the small wooden desk beside his bed. On it lay a neatly folded uniform, a crisp white shirt and a black jacket.
"So this is the school uniform, huh? Looks less fancier than I thought." He muttered as he put it on. "The fabric felt... I don't know why?"
Once dressed, he checked his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The messy-haired boy from his old world now looked like a proper student of this elegant academy in a world he still barely understood.
He flung the door open and almost collided with another student.
"Whoa, what with the hurry? " the guy shouted. "Relax, man!. We've a couple of weeks till the classes kick off!"
Makoto waved awkwardly. "Sorry! Gotta go!"
"After a sheepish wave, Makoto barreled down the stairs to the designated meeting spot. There, arms crossed and wreathed in the school's uniform, stood Reina, a slight frown on her face, with two lunch bags swinging in her hand"
"Sorry... Did I keep you waiting?" he asked sheepishly.
"Yes. A lot," she replied flatly, handing him one of the bags.
"Here. Lunch."
"I was going to take you to the cafeteria, but I changed my mind."
"Sorry... guess I was more tired than I thought," he said with a weak laugh.
"Probably the after-effects from descending to the lower world," she said, giving him a slightly exasperated look.
"Yeah... Should've listened to you and rested first."
"It's fine," she said, sighing softly. "Come on, let's find somewhere nice to eat."
They walked together, passing the familiar fountain, until they arrived at a wide courtyard paved with fine sand. Four training fields surrounded the area, and under the shade of large trees stood rows of wooden tables.
Reina picked a spot beneath a broad tree and set the lunch bag down carefully.
"I've got a question before we dig in," Makoto said, sitting across from her. "In just two weeks ahead, we really start actual classes, right?"
"That's right," She nodded.
"And you're saying you'll teach me magic in just two weeks? Isn't that... impossible? Everyone here seems like a prodigy or something?"
"Most people learn to control mana around the age of eleven or twelve," she explained calmly. "And they start casting spells a year after that."
"That's... a big difference from just two weeks."
"I'm saying that even those 'prodigies' have only been using magic for about three or four years," she said matter-of-factly.
"For someone like you, who's... let's say, getting special attention, two weeks should be enough to manage the basics."
"Besides," she added with a slight smirk, "half the students here got in through connections. Some of them can't even cast properly."
Makoto chuckled. "Still, they've got a head start."
He opened the lunch bag. Inside was a neatly wrapped paper parcel. He unfolded it to reveal a large meat sandwich, the smell of grilled beef and freshly baked bread wafting out.
"A meat sandwich? They make stuff like this here?" He asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes. Most meals here use flour and common meat,"
"I thought you'd complain since it's not Japanese food."
"I was prepared for that," he said before taking a big bite.
His expression soured immediately. "It's…so bland?"
Reina stifled a laugh. "Seasonings aren't really common in Delphi."
"People here are used to eating bland food."
"Unbelievable. Don't they want to enjoy life a little?" He grumbled, taking another reluctant bite.
She giggled softly. "Anyway, once you're done eating, we'll start your first magic training."
Not long after, the table was empty except for a few crumbs scattered by the breeze.
Reina brushed off her skirt and turned to him, her expression firm. "Alright, let's begin."
"The essence of magic," she began, "is to gather the mana within your body and focus it at a single point."
"Most beginners start with their fingertips—it's the easiest spot to channel through."
"Try to imagine the energy inside you flowing toward your fingertips... like streams of water converging into one."
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The soft sound of wind helped him focus. He could faintly feel a warmth—like rippling air moving through his body. He guided it toward his fingertips.
A faint glow began to gather there, small sparks of light like stardust forming for a moment, then fading away just as quickly.
"Ah... sorry. I thought I had it that time." he muttered with disappointment in his voice.
"It's fine," She said kindly. "For a first attempt, that was pretty impressive."
"You have a great potential", Makoto. If you keep practising, you'll get it soon."
She stood up.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To the library. You'll need to study the theory behind magic before moving to the next step."
"While I'm gone, keep practicing your mana control. The more you do it, the easier it'll become."
"Got it. Thanks, Reina. I'll do my best."
She smiled faintly and walked away. Her footsteps faded beneath the rustling of leaves and the gentle splash of the distant fountain.
Makoto sat still for a while, then closed his eyes again, focusing on the mana within. He tried to gather it just like before—but this time, it wouldn't come. The more he tried, the further the feeling slipped away.
"Are you... trying to create a Gear?"
A voice spoke behind him. Makoto turned to see a young man with light blond hair and striking blue eyes. He wore a white shirt and a long black coat trimmed with silver thread.
"Uh..." Makoto froze. He had no idea what the stranger meant.
(Who the hell is this guy? He just shows up out of nowhere—how does he even know what I'm doing?)
(Wait... maybe he can help me. Worth a shot.)
"Yeah... yeah, that's right," Makoto said cautiously. "Can you show me how?"
The man nodded, his eyes gleaming. "There's no need to rush."
"Just picture the base of the weapon you want to create. Don't focus on its power—just the shape, something tangible."
Makoto closed his eyes again, exhaling slowly. In his mind, he imagined a sword—the most familiar weapon he could think of. The image grew sharper. He could feel something forming between his hands, a faint vibration like metal being forged from air.
A dim light gathered before him, condensing into the faint outline of a sword's hilt.
"That's it," the man encouraged, his voice low and steady. "You're doing it."
But in the blink of an eye, the hilt crumbled into dust and vanished.
Makoto stared at the empty air, wide-eyed. He'd expected some light or energy—but what he saw had been real, solid.
"Amazing," the man said with a smile. "For a beginner, that was far beyond my expectation." He turned to leave.
"Wait! What's your name?" Makoto called.
The man stopped and smiled over his shoulder. "Ardent Valeor. Good luck."
With that, he waved and disappeared down the path, leaving Makoto with many questions.
Moments later, Reina returned with two books in her arms, beads of sweat on her forehead. "Sorry to keep you waiting. The library was farther than I thought."
Makoto looked up. "Reina... does something called a 'Gear' have anything to do with magic?"
She paused for a moment, her expression shifting with surprise. "Yes, it's related. —but forming one is far more complex."
Setting the books down, she looked him straight in the eye. "Where did you hear about Gears?"
"Oh just some guy just showed up and gave me a few tips," He said, raising his hand again. A faint glow formed, and before her eyes, the sword hilt began to take shape once more.
Reina's eyes widened in disbelief. She covered her mouth, her voice trembling. "I see... so that's why Lady Velmira sent you here."
"Is it really that surprising?" He asked with curiosity.
"Gears are on a completely different level from ordinary magic," she said. "Even I can't do that."
"Well, I guess it's something special," He said with a grin.
"Who told you how to do it?"
"Someone named Ardent Valeor."
She blinked. "Can't say I recognize that name. Probably just another student."
"So... what are we studying next?"
"Well, since you can already use advanced magic, I'll dive you in to the combat training"
"Wait, what? Isn't that a bit too soon?"
"If you don't start now, you'll never catch up."
"I thought we'd go over the basics first or something..."
"Then tell me this, Makoto," she said, crossing her arms. "Would you rather train with ordinary magic anyone can use or master an advanced power that only you possess?"
He hesitated, frowning. "Then tell me... what exactly is this advanced power of mine?"
"I'll explain it," she said, turning toward the training grounds, "during the lesson."
Makoto wasn't the type for combat or sports. He'd always preferred books, games, and quiet observation over action.
A normal high school boy who'd never imagined himself doing anything like this.
He laughed dryly, pushing himself to his feet.
"Well... guess there's no harm in giving it a shot."