Boom—!
A thunderclap, like the heavens collapsing, jolted Yazuki from his sleep without him realizing when he'd even dozed off.
Yawning, he walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, pulling back the curtain. Outside, the sky was still pitch black, giving the impression that night hadn't yet passed.
Glancing back at the clock on the wall, the hour hand had just hit six. Under normal circumstances, that would mean morning had arrived.
But with today's weather, there was no way classes would be held. It was practically a day off, which also meant another full day for him to immerse himself in the world of anime and games.
Turning toward the living room sofa, he saw Hiratsuka-sensei still sound asleep—like a pig.
Uh-oh. Her awful sleeping posture had caused her top to ride up, revealing her gracefully curved waist and the edge of something dangerously close to spilling out.
His gaze didn't even know where to settle.
Did she seriously not see him as a man? For some reason, he had this strange feeling—if he followed the route of a galgame right now, there was a chance he could actually win over this teacher whose chest was that of an adult, yet whose personality resembled a child's.
She suddenly curled up as if cold. Yeah, it was cold.
The rain had been nonstop, and with summer already past, it made sense for the temperature to drop.
He should probably get a blanket to cover this somewhat vulnerable and adorable teacher who lacked any sense of security.
Just as he took two steps forward—
Creak—CRACK!
A sharp noise came from behind, from the floor-to-ceiling window—like it had been hit by something. The sound carried that distinct screech made when something breaks the sound barrier and pierces the air.
Could it have been a fighter jet buzzing overhead at supersonic speed? Obviously, that was impossible.
Turning back, Yazuki squinted through the glass window to get a better look. At first, it seemed like there was nothing there, just sheets of pouring rain.
No—wait. He did see it. Twisted air. Something was moving at high speed, creating a distorted, transparent path in the air caused by pressure differences.
A battle?
Boom—!
A thunderous crash. He saw something fall from the sky and land beside the apartment building, smashing into the ground and forming a crater.
What was that? He narrowed his eyes for a better look. Then grabbed his binoculars from the TV cabinet nearby.
Hmm? A robot? A mechanical angel? Its body was emitting black smoke—or rather, black miasma. This wasn't a mechanical angel created by modern science, but rather one forged by some mysterious force.
The damage on it revealed glowing red-black runes, likely similar to the core of a magical beast—a type of power source.
Wait a second… why did this thing look so familiar?
Then, another figure descended from the sky—an angel with pure white wings. He didn't recognize this one, but she was retrieving the damaged fallen angel.
Her lips moved, and a sacred song echoed in the air. At that moment, a wave of drowsiness hit his body.
Ah, that explains it—this was a purification song meant to erase the memories of anyone who saw them.
When Yazuki opened his eyes again, he realized why that artificial angel seemed so familiar.
It was something he had once created.
So this weather anomaly… was probably connected to that thing. But that angel shouldn't be able to function without his command.
Suddenly, he felt something—like a chill creeping down his spine.
He looked up at the pitch-black sky, as if trying to see past the clouds—or rather, through the dimensional veil itself—and glimpsed countless twisted black shadows staring hungrily back at him.
"…I see. So that's how it is. Even in death, you won't stay quiet!!!"
In that instant, the usual carefree otaku vanished, replaced by someone radiating a cold, overwhelming aura that felt almost tangible. His eyes gleamed briefly with a red light before fading.
At that moment, a white feather in his hand was swallowed by darkness—disintegrating into ashes.
A little earlier...
In a girl's bedroom, a certain young girl suddenly opened her eyes while lying on her bed. This was Megumi Kato, a first-year student at Toyonozaki Private Academy.
"Mm… this time, I remember everything."
Staring at the dim ceiling, Megumi murmured something cryptic.
The sound of raindrops relentlessly beating against the glass filled the room. Megumi got up and pulled the curtain aside slightly.
Outside was pitch black—so dark one couldn't even see their own hand in front of them. It was the worst storm she had experienced in her life.
She glanced at the clock on the desk. It was nearly dawn.
Suddenly, the pitch-black night was illuminated by a blinding white light, brighter than day itself. She could clearly see the clouds in the sky—thick and heavy like black iron plates, evoking an apocalyptic scene.
Rumble rumble rumble...
Following the flash came a thunderclap so loud it made her flinch. It was like the heavens had been ripped open.
Looking outside again, she saw lights coming on in many homes.
That terrifying thunder must've woken up a lot of people—especially kids, who were probably crying their eyes out right now.
"Is this really because of the abnormalities from the other world, just like in the dream…?"
Megumi murmured uncertainly.
"Of course it is, duh. Stop acting like you're dreaming, get ready already."
Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind—that of a certain annoying water goddess.
"Who are you calling annoying?! I am the goddess of water—Aqua!"
"Miss Eris, are you there?"
"Hey hey, don't ignore me! You're using my divine power for this experience, you know! I'm your first mentor!"
"I'm here, Megumi Kato. Actually, you don't have to speak out loud—just think, and we can communicate. We're already preparing the gate. It'll open any minute now. So, Megumi Kato—are you ready?"
"Yes. I'm ready."
"Very well. We've already sent your equipment. It should be on your bed."
As Eris said that, Megumi looked over and saw that, at some point, a set of priestess gear straight out of a fantasy world had appeared—robe, staff, necklace, and more.
After changing, she stood before the mirror and saw a girl dressed in a beautiful aquamarine priestess outfit, complete with a priestly hat and a crystal-tipped wand in her hand.
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Her usually pale face now carried a rare expression of seriousness.
"All set, Miss Eris."
"Very good. Then, Megumi Kato, next—"
"Mm-hm—!!!"
"Alright, I'll let senpai handle the rest."
"Hmph. Then—Megumi, you are about to enter the Inner World. As one of the chosen heroes tasked with defeating the Demon King's weapons and protecting this world from destruction, no matter the outcome, we gods will each grant you a divine gift."
As the once-flighty Aqua declared her solemn statement in a somewhat cool voice, blue lines of light appeared beneath Megumi's feet, rapidly forming a glowing magic circle.
She grew nervous.
"Hero, may you... begin your journey!"