Chapter 1 – The Day Everything Changed
The sun shone brightly through the morning sky. Birds sang from rooftops, cars passed by on the road below, and somewhere nearby, a dog barked lazily.
Inside a small, cramped apartment, three beds were lined up in the same room.
The front door opened.
A man stepped inside and raised his voice.
"Wake up! The holidays are over!"
He walked straight to the window and yanked the curtains open. Sunlight flooded the room, washing over the three sleeping figures.
The first to stir was a small boy. He rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up. He had messy black hair and a sleepy expression.
"Morning," he said softly.
The man smiled. "Morning, Roger."
Roger was the youngest of the three siblings—twelve years old.
Their father turned and walked out of the room.
Moments later, the second bed shifted. A girl sat up, pushing her long hair back. She was the eldest sister, Janine, eighteen years old. She said nothing, only nodding to herself as she stood up.
She walked to the bathroom, opened the door, and closed it behind her. The sound of running water followed.
When Janine came out, she headed to the living area.
"Morning, Janine," their dad said.
She didn't reply.
Janine picked up her glasses from the table, grabbed her school uniform, and returned to the bedroom. The three of them shared the same room—it had always been that way.
Roger jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. After brushing his teeth, he ran back out.
"Dad! Where's my clothes?"
Their father walked over to the couch, picked up a folded uniform, and handed it to him.
Roger smiled brightly. "Thank you!"
He dashed back into the room.
Only one bed remained occupied.
Janine glanced at the middle bed while putting on her skirt. She wasn't shy about changing in front of her brothers.
"Wake up, Keenan!" she shouted. "If I can't sleep, neither can you!"
She yanked the blanket off him.
Keenan groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He lifted his head and yawned.
Keenan Alcock—sixteen years old.
"What a drag…" he muttered.
He dragged himself out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom. Picking up his toothbrush, he brushed his teeth while staring at his reflection. When he finished, he looked at the mirror again, trying to force a smile.
It didn't work.
Janine walked past the bathroom and caught him in the act.
"Please don't be weird," she sighed, continuing on.
Keenan turned away and sighed himself before heading into the living room.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning, Keenan," their dad replied. "Oh—before I go to work."
He pulled out some coins and handed each of them R10.
"Thanks," Keenan and Roger said together.
Janine said nothing.
Their father only smiled, picked up his bag, and walked out. The gate closed behind him.
Keenan sighed and returned to the room to put on his shirt and pants.
Suddenly, the gate opened again.
"Morning!" a cheerful voice called out.
It was Auntie Veronica.
"Morning!" Roger replied.
Janine's face lit up. She ran forward and hugged her tightly. "Good morning, Auntie Veronica!"
Keenan heard everything from the bedroom. He sighed and stepped out.
"Good morning, Auntie Veronica."
She smiled warmly. "Morning, Keenan. You never brush your hair, do you?"
She laughed.
Keenan's black hair was as messy as ever.
Veronica walked into their dad's room, returned with a brush, and began fixing Keenan's hair.
"There, much better," she said with a smile.
Keenan sighed. "Thanks, Veronica."
"Alright," she said, clapping her hands. "Let's go. You'll be late on your first day."
Roger and Keenan grabbed their lunch boxes, put them in their bags, and headed out.
Janine didn't.
She only took her bag.
Veronica noticed immediately. "What about your lunch box, Janine?"
"I'm not taking it," Janine said quietly. "Dad made it."
She looked away.
Keenan glanced at her and sighed. I thought you never ate Dad's food anyway.
Veronica sighed as well. She knew better than to force her.
The door closed. The gate locked.
They walked together for a while. Keenan trailed behind with his hands in his pockets, watching Janine talk happily with Auntie Veronica.
At the gate, Veronica waved goodbye.
They all went their separate ways.
Keenan walked up the school steps, then back down, wandering aimlessly. Students were already gathered outside, chatting loudly.
He sighed. Still early…
"KEENAN!"
He turned.
A boy with red hair jogged over, grinning widely.
"Kazumae?"
Kazumae—his childhood friend.
"Long time no see!" Kazumae laughed.
"Uh… yeah," Keenan replied.
"You don't look happy to see me."
Keenan looked away. Because I'm not.
"I hope we're in the same class," Kazumae said.
I hope not, Keenan thought.
Suddenly, a girl rushed in and hugged Kazumae tightly.
"Kazumae!"
Keenan froze.
Pink hair. Bright smile.
"Mikora…"
His childhood crush.
She pulled back and tilted her head. "Is that you, Keenan?"
His face turned red instantly.
"U-um… y-yeah…"
Mikora laughed. "Your face looks like a 🍅!"
Keenan turned away, embarrassed. I hope we're in the same class…
Teachers soon called everyone to line up.
Class A.
Class B.
Class C.
Then—
"Class D."
Keenan held his breath.
"Keenan Alcock."
"Mikora."
"Kazumae."
"Suzuka Kuroyuki."
Everyone murmured.
"The Kuroyuki family?" someone whispered.
Suzuka stepped forward. Long black hair. Cold, unreadable eyes.
They entered the classroom.
Keenan searched for seats—too late.
Mikora sat with Kazumae.
Someone else took the seat Keenan wanted.
Only one remained.
Beside Suzuka.
Whispers filled the room.
"I feel sorry for that guy…"
"If it were me, I wouldn't sit there…"
Keenan sighed and sat down.
The teacher spoke quickly.
"Today's lesson is a partner project. You'll work with the person next to you."
Keenan stiffened.
Suzuka calmly read a book, ignoring everything.
"You'll build something useful—a basket, a bridge, anything. You must work together all day and visit one of your homes. Write a summary explaining its usefulness."
The bell rang.
Students left in pairs.
Keenan watched Mikora and Kazumae leave together.
Jealousy burned in his chest.
"What a drag…"
Suzuka didn't move.
The teacher noticed. "You can't stay here alone."
Suzuka looked up. "There's nowhere quiet."
"There's an unused clubroom," the teacher said. "But you must join the club."
"I'll join," Suzuka replied immediately.
"What?!" Keenan shouted.
"The Service Club," the teacher said.
They signed the papers.
The room was empty.
Suzuka sat down.
Keenan found a book.
It was blank—except the last page.
Another World
A magic circle appeared.
The room vanished.
They were falling.
"We're falling!" Keenan shouted.
They landed hard—Suzuka on top of him.
"Ow!"
"Where are we?" Suzuka asked.
Words appeared in the book.
Quest: Complete any village request.
Then—
Choose a class.
Suzuka touched Samurai.
Armor appeared.
Keenan touched Demon.
Light flashed.
Nothing changed.
Suzuka blinked. "Blink twice."
He did.
Level 1 – Demon
Ability: Immortal (Pain Enabled)
"…Just like a game," Keenan muttered.
The final words appeared.
Complete the quest to return home.
The book vanished.
Keenan sighed.
"What a drag…"
Next Time
Character Card – Keenan Alcock
Age: 16
Class: Demon
Ability: Immortal (Weak – Feels Pain)
Favorite Anime Character: Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elites