The orange sky stretched endlessly over the small town where I, Sato Kenji, lived.
With my schoolbag slung over one shoulder, I trudged down the sidewalk, passing shuttered shops and flickering neon signs. My footsteps echoed quietly in the early evening silence.
"Today was boring... as usual." I muttered, kicking a small rock across the pavement.
There was nothing special about me. I wasn't smart. I wasn't popular. I didn't stand out in any way, not even among the misfits. My grades were average, my social life non existent, and my future... well, I didn't really have one. The only place I could truly escape was inside my own imagination.
There, I was someone else. A hero. A savior. A wanderer who fought monsters and saved kingdoms, basking in glory and admiration.
But reality had a way of pulling me back every time.
As I walked with my thoughts tangled in fantasy, my eyes landed on a small shop tucked into the corner of the street. A creaky wooden sign swayed in the breeze, reading:
"古書店カフェ – Used Bookstore Café"
I frowned. Has this place always been here? I walked this route every day after school, and yet, I couldn't remember ever seeing this shop before.
Curiosity tugged at me. I looked at the dimly-lit interior through the dusty window. Something about it called to me.
Sighing, I stepped toward the door and pushed it open.
The moment I entered, a bell above the door chimed softly.
A rich aroma of old paper mixed with the deep scent of coffee welcomed me. Wooden shelves lined the narrow space, filled with weathered books of all shapes and sizes. It was quiet so quiet that it felt like time had stopped.
An old man sat in the corner, peering through round glasses at an ancient-looking tome. He didn't even look up.
"Welcome." he said in a calm, dry voice, still immersed in his book.
I nodded and began walking slowly through the aisles, letting my fingers brush along the spines of forgotten novels and dusty encyclopedias. The air felt dense, but not unpleasant. Almost... magical.
That's when I saw it.
A single black book resting on the top shelf, isolated from the others. Its cover was worn and cracked, yet no title was printed on it. Only strange patterns were etched into its surface symbols I couldn't understand.
Something about it drew me in.
"This book..." I whispered, reaching for it.
As soon as my fingers touched the cover, a faint vibration traveled up my arm. I froze, heart pounding.
"You have good taste." came the old man's voice from behind me.
I jumped slightly. "Ah, I...I just thought it looked unique, that's all."
He smiled faintly. "That book is not for sale. But... if you truly wish to read it, you may take it with you."
"Eh? Really?"
"A book chooses its reader, young man. Consider this fate."
I hesitated. Everything about this felt wrong and yet, the pull was too strong. Against my better judgment, I nodded.
"...Thank you."
***
That night, I sat at my desk, staring at the black book. The only light in the room came from the dim desk lamp above me.
"This is just a book," I told myself, trying to steady my nerves.
I opened the cover.
The first page was blank, Strange.
I turned to the next, Still blank.
Then, A burst of light exploded from the pages, filling my room with an otherworldly glow.
"Wha!?"
Before I could react, I felt my body being pulled forward. The room around me dissolved into darkness, and I was swallowed whole.
I woke up to the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds.
"A forest?"
The air was crisp and clean, and the sun filtered gently through the canopy above.
"...Where am I?" I whispered.
"Finally awake, are we?"
The voice was small and cheerful. I looked up to see a glowing, fairy like creature floating in front of me tiny, delicate wings fluttering like a hummingbird's.
"A talking bug?!" I gasped.
"Rude!" it huffed, placing tiny hands on its hips. "I'm not a bug! I'm Lilith, a guide spirit of Arselia!"
"...Arselia?"
"Yup! The world you're standing in right now! You've been chosen, Kenji. You're our Shuufukusha our Restorer."
"...Wait. Hold on. I just opened a book! How did I get here?!"
"The book was a gateway. It summoned you here because you're needed. Arselia is in crisis, and only a Restorer can save it."
"This has to be a dream..." I murmured, pressing my fingers to my forehead. "This can't be real."
"It's real, alright." Lilith said, floating around me. "And yes, before you ask, if you die here, you die for real. So! Better not slack off."
"...Fantastic." I sighed heavily. "I want to go home."
"You can't. Not yet."
"And why not?"
"Because the book won't let you. Not until your role is complete."
I glared at her. "What role?"
"To restore balance to this world. To drive back the darkness, defeat the corrupt Guardians, and awaken the Crystals of Memory."
"...That sounds like a lot."
"Well, yeah. You're the chosen one!"
"I didn't choose anything!"
Lilith smiled mischievously. "Sometimes, the world chooses for you. Besides, you won't be alone! I'll help!"
I groaned. "Great. A sarcastic fairy as my only companion."
"Hey, I'm not sarcastic. I'm charming."
I looked around again. The forest stretched endlessly in every direction.
"...What am I supposed to do first?"
Lilith flicked her fingers, and a glowing map appeared in midair.
"There's a place called the Temple of Light. You'll find answers there. And maybe a weapon or two."
"And if I refuse?"
"You'll wander this forest forever until something eats you. Or worse."
I swallowed hard. "...Fine. I'll go. But only because I don't want to get eaten."
"Yay! That's the spirit!"
I took the map and folded it awkwardly. "Let's just get this over with."
"That's the attitude of a hero!" Lilith cheered.
"...I'm not a hero. I'm just some loser who read the wrong book."
"Maybe." she said with a twinkle in her eyes. "But even losers can become legends. Let's find out which one you'll be."
And with that, my journey in Arselia began not with a prophecy or a grand entrance, but with a dusty book, a sarcastic fairy, and the sinking feeling that life was about to get a lot weirder.