Fantasy Library, before the shelves…
A massive tome stood wide open, its cover bearing the title High School DxD. Soft light pulsed from its pages, casting a gentle glow and filling the space with a mysterious, serene aura.
Then, suddenly, that light grew more intense. Radiance poured from the book in waves, growing brighter and brighter—until a humanoid silhouette began to rise from the very pages, slowly stepping out into the library.
"Hum…"
At once, the will of the Fantasy Library descended, enveloping Kaiser before he had even opened his eyes.
[Administrator detected returning. Initiating settlement process for this life experience.]
[Based on the narrative quality and world authenticity of this experience, the Library will issue additional rewards aligned with the administrator's permissions.]
[Settlement in progress…]
[Settlement complete.]
[Commencing reward distribution…]
With this message, a ripple of invisible energy swept across the vast library, and one by one, books began to glow.
Just as Kaiser opened his eyes, the brightest of them all—a book shining with an intense brilliance—flew through the air and stopped in front of him.
From within that radiant light, two weapons slowly emerged and floated toward him.
"…Two?"
Kaiser blinked, surprised.
This life experience actually yielded two rewards?
He immediately focused on them and got a good look.
They were two katana, nearly identical in shape.
The left sword was plain in appearance: deep violet hilt, oval guard, and a brown scabbard. Though visually unimpressive, it gave off a subtle but distinct heat.
The right sword had a light purple hilt, a cross-shaped guard, and a dark blue scabbard. Unlike the left, it exuded an almost icy chill.
"These swords…"
They looked familiar, but Kaiser couldn't quite place them.
So he reached out and took them both—one in each hand.
Golden circuit patterns flared to life on his palms, and in an instant, the full information of the weapons surged into his mind.
Ryūjin Jakka: The strongest and oldest fire-type Zanpakutō. Its ability is to release and manipulate flames. The heat it generates is capable of reducing all creation to ash. Said to possess the greatest offensive power in the Soul Society.
Hyorinmaru: The strongest ice-type Zanpakutō. It uses spiritual pressure to freeze the moisture in the air, forming an ice dragon capable of freezing everything. Its power is said to extend even to control over the weather itself—everything in the sky bows to it.
"Zanpakutō…!"
Kaiser's eyes lit up.
"So that's it—this time's reward is two Zanpakutō?"
Zanpakutō—the signature weapons of Shinigami.
In a certain world, there exists a group of beings known as Soul Reapers, or Shinigami—spiritual entities with power far beyond that of ordinary humans.
Tasked with maintaining the balance between the human world and the Soul Society, they hunt evil spirits (Hollows), purify souls, and guide the departed.
Unlike the grim reapers of myth, they don't wield scythes.
They wield Zanpakutō—swords forged from the very essence of their souls.
Each sword has a name, a personality, and its own power. Calling its name grants the user access to that power, unleashing immense abilities unique to that blade.
And if a Shinigami grows powerful enough, the Zanpakutō reveals its true form, unlocking even greater power.
These are more than weapons—they are partners. Lifelong companions.
And the two blades in Kaiser's hands now… were among the most legendary of all Zanpakutō.
"This is huge…"
Smiling slightly, Kaiser activated his administrator privilege.
The golden markings on his palm flared again and spread into the swords, tracing over their hilts and blades in glowing patterns before sinking into them.
"Clang…"
The moment the marks disappeared into the blades, the world around Kaiser shuddered.
Two visions opened before his eyes—
One: a sea of fire, flames raging across the horizon, as if a sun had fallen from the sky. A deep, ancient voice echoed.
Two: a frozen world, cold enough to pierce the soul, with an ice dragon unfurling its wings and staring at him with overwhelming presence.
"Master…"
"Master…"
Two voices called out—not into his ears, but directly into his soul.
They offered their loyalty.
Their respect.
"I am Ryūjin Jakka."
"I am Hyorinmaru."
"We offer you our absolute loyalty—and all of our power."
The scenes shattered, and the visions vanished.
Kaiser returned to the library, now fully connected to the blades.
He knew everything.
Their names. Their powers. Even the depths of their Bankai—the ultimate forms.
"…Excellent."
Feeling the energy of the two Zanpakutō flowing through him, Kaiser's smile deepened.
"They may not be as broken as Sacred Gears, but against most other artifacts, they're superior. Easily stronger than basic Divine Gears, and well beyond standard Stellar Armaments."
"And if I were to fully unleash them… they might even match a Sacred Gear in power."
"This reward… is definitely worth it."
Two weapons—each among the strongest of their element types.
Kaiser was very satisfied.
There would be no additional administrator permissions this time, unlike before.
But things were far from over.
"Shhhf!"
The glowing book that had delivered the Zanpakutō hovered before Kaiser once more, its light now flickering.
"Hum… hum…"
The two swords began to react, glowing in sync with the book.
The Library's will once again whispered into Kaiser's mind:
[Opening this book will allow entry into the world recorded within, initiating a random life experience.]
[Note: Administrator currently holds a significant element of this world. If you open this book while holding it, your life path will be narrowed to one more closely related to this element.]
[Alternatively, you may store these elements and proceed with an unrestricted random draw.]
"Just as I thought," Kaiser murmured. "Same as last time… The moment I acquire a key item from a world, that world's book finds me automatically."
He stretched out a hand and opened the book.
"Rrraaaa—"
Pages fluttered, flipping themselves in a flurry, then began to fly loose, swirling around him.
The two Zanpakutō continued to glow—just like last time, when the pages filtered themselves based on the item he held.
Only pages relevant to his new blades would remain.
But…
"Should I really let that happen?"
If the draw narrowed, there was a chance he might receive a life connected to Ryūjin Jakka or Hyorinmaru—legendary, but also highly visible.
Especially the former. It belonged to the Head-Captain.
What if it messed with the canon of that world?
"…Better not risk it."
With a thought, Kaiser stored the two Zanpakutō inside his body, cutting off their influence.
The pages slowed, no longer filtering themselves.
He was back to a fully random draw.
The pages dwindled… until only one remained.
And finally—
The book's glowing cover faded, revealing the title:
Bleach
The last page flew into Kaiser's mind.
The book went blank.
A new journey had begun.
Kaiser smiled.
Even though he already held two powerful Zanpakutō, if he became a true Shinigami, perhaps he would receive a Zanpakutō of his own.
And what form would that take?
That question alone made his heart race.
"Time to find out."
"To see what I'll stir up this time… and what I'll take from it."
He stepped forward.
Touched the book.
And vanished—entering the world within.
—
(End of Chapter)