Hagure Yuusha no Kichiku Bigaku Vol 1 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 h.e.l.lo Reality Part 1

No matter whether you are about to go out or about to wake up, the current time is 7 am. Welcome to “Alarm 07~”.

The introduction of the television program made Ousawa Akatsuki slowly open his eyes. He obviously belonged to the latter group.

“Fu…Fua…Ah?”

The not so fully awoken Akatsuki scratched his belly, as if he did not know where he was. When the sight of the television screen entered his view, he then remembered that this was his home’s living room.

“…Right, I came back yesterday.”

"Today’s doggy ~ Today’s doggy is Mr. Takahas.h.i.+’s lovely dog “Seven". Every day, she plays with the big brother who delivers milk. It is said that Seven is quite bold. Each time the milkman brother is about to put the milk into the mailbox, Seven will climb over the fence and shove her nose into the mailbox, sniffing excitedly on the milk bottles. After the milkman brother sees this, he will always say “Seven, you stood up today again!”

“...Looks like it’s still the same, what an unintelligible television program.”

The television was currently broadcasting the morning news’ special, which added slightly to the feeling of returning to the real world.

...Why am I sleeping on the living room’s sofa?

His memory was still not coherent. Was it because he was being stupid or because he was lounging in bed? He'd simply take a shower before continuing to think about it. Therefore, Akatsuki trudged out of the living room and opened the changing room doors. He then completely removed all of his clothing, casually shoved it into the dirty clothes basket and went into bathroom. Ah… the position of the shower head hanging from the wall appeared to be lower than his previous impression. Akatsuki slowly squeezed some shower gel and shampoo, and after was.h.i.+ng his body and hair, he closed the shower tap and left the bathroom, picked up a large towel and wiped the water droplets off his wet hair and body.

“Oh d.a.m.n, forgot to prepare some clean clothes.”

This here was obviously his own world, but he had completely forgotten about the accustomed lifestyle he once had. Akatsuki could not help but shake his head and sigh. So he hung the towel around his neck and headed up towards the second floor’s room.

After opening the room door, Akatsuki immediately headed towards the closet to obtain some clean underwear from the drawers.

“Ehhh?”

This time, Akatsuki suddenly noticed that a female was lying on his bed. Judging from the serene sleep that the girl was having, sleeping on this mattress must be quite comfortable.

Now Akatsuki finally remembered why he slept on the living room sofa.

Within his inner feelings, the words “Outrageous” suddenly emerged.

Akatsuki slowly moved to the bed and attentively observed the beautiful girl who was still in dreamland.

...What an outrageous pair of b.o.o.bs.

Except for the word “Huge”, there were no other appropriate words. It was impossible for people not to pay attention to the slightly shaking huge twin peaks due to the girl’s breathing. Akatsuki could not help but swallow. How in the world did she grow such enormous b.o.o.bs?

“Let’s first touch the pair of bo... NO, I should first explain the situation. Wake up, Hurry up and wake up! Hey!”

Akatsuki slightly shook the young girl’s shoulder and was surprised to find the huge b.o.o.bs were also shaking.

...The absolute highest quality...

This rare scene made Akatsuki squint.

“...Unnn...Ah...?”

The girl slowly opened her eyes. Her sleepy blinking eyelids and her hazy vision fell on Akatsuki.

———!

The girl’s face immediately stiffened, which made Akatsuki confused.

“Heyyyy, Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Could it be the effects of the Dimensional transfer? The worried Akatsuki raised his right hand towards the girl, but the girl’s gaze immediately made him aware of the problem. Yes, the key was the present appearance of Akatsuki.

“This... I can explain... Don’t be nervous, I really don’t have any evil intents. Can you please calm down? Okay?”

While calming the girl, Akatsuki’s heart was desperately screaming “Oh no!”. There wasn't some trivial way to explain the current situation, and the words “mistake” would not help to solve this sudden problem easily either. At the moment when one awakes and suddenly sees the opposite s.e.x standing naked in front of you. The vast majority of the men would be extremely happy about it. However, if the same situation was to occur to the females, the results would greatly differ. The girl’s horrified expression was the best evidence.

It looks like the stimulus was a little bit too strong. Akatsuki took a deep breath and in his heart, told himself that he had to remain calm.

If even he panicked, wouldn't this increase the girl’s misunderstanding? The current priority now is to think of a plan to calm the girl down, so Akatsuki squeezed out a smile. Smiling is a universally renowned language for communications.

“This is my world, please don’t worry.”

“——Put a sock in it!”

After the blunt retort, it was followed with a hot and spicy slap.

“——Looks like I will still have to introduce myself first.”

Akatsuki smiled while stroking his swelling cheek.

“My name is Ousawa Akatsuki, you can call me Akatsuki. Back in Alayzard, everybody called me the . Okay, what else do you want to know?”

“... Why were you standing naked in front of me?”

“Didn't I say it was a misunderstanding? I had just finished taking a shower and entered to get some clothes, and this question is unrelated to my self-introduction isn't it? Believe it or not, that’s the truth. Uh... what’s your name?”

“...Myuu”

“——What?”

The demon king’s daughter bitterly gave out her name, Akatsuki suddenly suspected that he had heard it wrong.

“You...You’re called Miu...?”

Akatsuki, who said the name, expressed an incredible look. This can’t be true right? Isn’t that too weird. However, the girl in front of him showed him a face of disgust.

“...No.”

The girl shook her head.

“It’s not Miu, but Myuu. I’m called Myuu.”

“——Myuu? Oh...So that’s it, ha ha ha.

Akatsuki made a few sounds of a hollow laugh, apparently he really heard it wrong.

But the sound of the girl's name also made Akatsuki remember the critical things that must be addressed as soon as possible. For Akatsuki, the girl’s current presence was like an alarm, constantly reminding him that he could not be lazy.

———Is this the mischief from the G.o.ddess of Fate?

Akatsuki scratched his cheeks. After placing a simple breakfast of toast, poached eggs and milk on the table, Akatsuki looked at the girl sitting opposite of him.

...Having such an explosive body figure that would look down on everyone, but the tone of her voice was no different compared to little boys.

“...I still feel that your eyes look very disgusting.”

“You’re thinking too much. You have just arrived to a completely different world, it must be because you’re too nervous."

While being confused, Akatsuki could not help but secretly admire the girl’s courage.

...Not everyone dares to go alone to a completely unfamiliar world.

Part 2

During the time period when he stayed in Alayzard, Akatsuki along with Listy, Zechs and Lotier formed a 4-man adventuring team.

But afterwards Akatsuki singly challenged the Demon King, Galious, and alone bore the kindness and grudges of defeating the Demon King. As long as Akatsuki left Alayzard, it would not leave any aftereffects.

Akatsuki’s way of thinking had only obtained one person’s agreement. That was the Demon King, Galious. For Alayzard’s peace, the Demon King, who leads the demon race, also had his own way of thinking. Galious decided the Demon King’s palace—to be exact, in front of his throne—would be the location of the duel between Akatsuki and him. Only at that place would the troops of the two camps not be aware of the one on one duel.

However, the Demon King’s castle stationed a large number of demon warriors, thus Galious specially dispatched his own daughter to act as a guide, hiding this information from the demon warriors, and brought Akatsuki into the castle.

There was neither conversation nor dialogue between the two men. The final battle started off instantaneously, and the intense death match ended with the victory of Akatsuki.

Before his death, Galious made his last request to Akatsuki.

“Please take care of my daughter.” The girl’s mother is a dark elf, but her appearance looks similar to the past me, there should be no risk of being seen through.

This was the Demon King’s final wish. The past Demon King was once in love with a dark elf and eventually gave birth to a daughter between the two of them. However, his loving wife eventually died at human hands. This heavy blow made the Demon King discard his human ident.i.ty and completely devote himself to the demon race’s camp.

At the beginning, Akatsuki did not want to accept this undesirable request. However, the very thought of the princess, after the sudden death of the demon king and the destruction of the kingdom, had to face this cruel fate, he did not have the heart to refuse the demon king’s wish. Not to mention that she was the Demon King’s daughter; she could eventually fall into enemy hands or even get pushed into being the demon race’s new leader and be killed in battle. There was absolutely no happy ending. In addition, Akatsuki had already decided on the idea to bear all the feelings of grat.i.tude and resentment, and disappear from the world. Once Akatsuki left Alayzard, the human’s vengeance would definitely point towards the Demon King’s daughter who was still remaining in this world. Based on his own principles of not letting others bear responsibility, Akatsuki reluctantly agreed.

However, Akatsuki also made a condition, which was that he must go back to his own world and sort out a very important matter. If Galious wished to entrust the girl to Akatsuki, he must accept the possibility of Akatsuki taking her with him back to his own world. Akatsuki did not inquire for the Demon King’s will, but instead turned and stared at Myuu, asking if she was willing to entrust her fate to him.

If the answer is yes, please hold my hand.

Myuu nodded without hesitation and held tightly to Akatsuki’s right hand.

This act was completely different from Akatsuki’s expectation; he had a.s.sumed that Myuu would not accept. Myuu’s expression was very calm, and she said that Galious had foreseen his own death. If the Hero who defeats the demon king really appears, from then on, please go follow him and live together.

Akatsuki immediately looked back at Galious. The sad Demon King had long been out of breath.

“——How did you bring me to this world? Alayzard’s residents cannot pa.s.s through the right?”

Myuu still had an incredulous look on her face. Akatsuki then easily shrugged.

“Fortunately, I just found a loophole.”

The truth is that by utilizing Renkan Keikikou he messed up the cognitive abilities of the . This was one of the skills that Akatsuki had learned in the past at , which Myuu certainly did not know. Strictly speaking, almost no one had knowledge of this method in Alayzard now. The fact that Myuu came to this world was like a blind spot in a blind spot.

“Oh...”

Myuu bowed down in silence. Akatsuki originally thought that Myuu would continue to ask further, so Myuu’s reaction made Akatsuki feel a bit surprised.

After a moment of silence ———

“——What do I do next?”

Myuu took the initiative to ask.

“In this world, I could be described as an alien. If my true ident.i.ty is exposed, wouldn’t it cause a heap of trouble?”

“Ahhh... Yes, that’s correct, but there’s no need to worry. In this world, the fact that you are Alayzard’s notorious Demon King’s daughter, no one knows your true ident.i.ty except for me and you.”

“But there is always a possibility? A large amount of magic that I use can only be used by the demon race."

Myuu’s tone was very uneasy, but Akatsuki still shook his head.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Why? Could it be that this world cannot use magic?”

“No, just the opposite.”

Akatsuki exposed a mischievous smile.

“Magic does exist in this world now, but only just recently.”

Akatsuki is not the first person to be summoned to an alternative world.

The amount of people summoned to an alternative world in the past numbers several thousands.

Initially, it created a huge amount of confusion, but as more and more people were summoned, the research about this phenomenon gradually matured. With nearly half of the people coming back from the alternative worlds safe and sound, it solved many of the mysteries.

The summoning to alternative worlds began approximately 30 years ago, but there isn’t only one alternative world. This truth was obtained through the people who came back safe and sound. Alayzard, which summoned Akatsuki, is only one of the multiple alternative worlds, and to up to this day, the total amount of alternative worlds confirmed exceeds 10. The people who are summoned all share some common similarities: every one of them is a male or female in their teens, and each of them will learn a special ability like magic in the alternative world.

After returning from the alternative world, the original world’s time will not elapse. This point is a great surprise for the scientists. The abilities that were obtained at the alternative world can also be used in the original world. The returnees, who obtained an ability surpa.s.sing the human capacity, will of course be regarded as a new hope for human development, and often will be treated as a dangerous existence.

Therefore, the new United Nations—G7, which comprise of j.a.pan, USA, Russia, China, India, Oceania Federation and the European Union—founded an organization a few years ago to protect and monitor all alternative world returnees.

That is . The purpose is to guide the young men and women who have special abilities along the right path, and allow them to contribute to human prosperity and development. is established within all member states’ territories of the New United Nations and j.a.pan even turned Tokyo’s satellite city into campus territory, giving them the right to self-govern.

The huge campus houses all the alternative world returnees, while establis.h.i.+ng inst.i.tutes at all levels such as primary school, secondary school, university and even research inst.i.tutes. At the same time the returnees receive general education, the school will specifically design a curriculum for each returnee, training the special abilities they acquired in the alternative world.

Enrollment eligibility is only for returnees who came back from an alternative world. Conversely, the returnees who came back from an alternative world are all forced to study at without exception. Their intention is to isolate the returnees with special abilities from the general population in order to manage them.

In short, will not let go of any one of its returnees.

“——So, we will also have to study at that school?”

“Exactly, the self-governed region and gathers a lot of returnees with special abilities, so even if there is one more person who can use magic, it will not attract any attention.”

Afterwards Akatsuki paused for a moment, he continued to speak:

“In fact, this house is also located within the self-governed region. My older brother is a graduate of , Dad rarely comes home, and there are no other family members, so staying here is very safe.”

“Oh...”

Myuu seemed to be relieved, but Akatsuki shook his head.

“Don’t think that you can avoid ’s investigation. As I have said, will not let any of the returnees go. It could be possible that last night they observed that I was the only one in the house and suddenly two dimensional s.h.i.+fts reactions occurred. If I guess right, people from should appear very soon.”

“W...Well, what should I do?”

“Rest a.s.sured, I have an excellent plan.”

Compared to the pessimistic Myuu, Akatsuki seemed to be much more optimistic.

"When I decided to take you to this world, I had already prepared a battle plan. Although I can not guarantee a 100% success rate, but... it should pa.s.s successfully.”

Why so certain?

“——Because the G.o.ddess of fate who likes mischief seems to be standing on our side.”

Part 3

Inside the self-governed region is an inst.i.tution that guides the alternative world returnees onto the right path.

It is situated on a man-made island inside the corner of Tokyo Bay's Firefly observatory.

Aside from the sea and air route, you can also arrive to the self-governed region through an undersea tunnel.

There is a strong contrast as a group of technologically advanced people created this town while maintaining the natural beauty of the mountains. It shows a future outlook of coexistence between technology and nature, and could be called the most desirable urban scenery.

In the center of the man-made island, there is a university that is merged with the natural environment. Aside from the forests, ponds and small hills, the research inst.i.tutes, laboratories and even the sports ground, the different sized facilities are lined up row by row in close order. One of the most eye-catching is the super high-rise white school building that goes straight into the skies.

The alternative world returnee’s school hall.

Inside the sanctuary of the self governed region, the great building which everyone is in awe and fear of.

.

Inside the tower walls is a circular s.p.a.ce. The wall was built as a stairs-shaped auditorium. This place is in fact the third arena, and also where JPN Babel entrance inspection is held.

The reason why it is not an “examination” but an “inspection” lies in the fact that all new students are admitted; the investigation focuses on the performance of the new students in the alternative world and their current abilities. Most of the students belong to the fighting type, but there are still a small number of students who specialized in research; using the entrance inspection to identify the strength properties of everyone—or otherwise known as apt.i.tude—is essential.

The investigation is divided into four major areas, namely medically examination, the use of elemental magic to show the past history to the future, an oral examination conducted by examiners to determine personality traits, as well as combat skill instructors’ technical test.

Myuu and Akatsuki were currently waiting for the medical examination reports. At the scene, there were no other admitted students. There are several thousands of alternative world returnees, but compared to the world’s 6 billion population, the probability of occurrence is actually quite minimal. If it is confined solely to j.a.pan, the number will become ever lower, and considered rare. That is the reason why the governments around the world actively try to manage the returnees.

At the arena lounge, resting on the seat was Akatsuki, leisurely straightening both of his legs, waiting for the inspection results. After looking at Myuu, who was ill at ease, beside him, Akatsuki could not help but sigh.

“Can you please have some confidence okay? Doesn't your current appearance make you even more suspicious?”

“What if they found out I am a person from the alternative world...”

Myuu intentionally lowered her voice, but Akatsuki nonchalantly waved his hand.

“Relax. Your b.o.o.bs are slightly bigger, but it is still in the acceptable parameters.”

“I do not mean this!”

The composition of blood and the physical structures cannot be faked, what if they really found out...!

Myuu, biting her lower lip tightly, stared uneasily at Akatsuki.

At that moment, the medical staff with the inspection results appeared.

“Ah... Ousawa Akatsuki?”

“That’s me.”

Akatsuki heard this and immediately raised his right hand. The medical staff opened the file and glanced over it once and immediately handed the file to Akatsuki.

“There is no problem with your health status, please bring this data and accept the Norn Screening.”

“Okay, Thanks.”

After Akatsuki received the doc.u.ment file, the medical staff turned to face Myuu.

“Ousawa Miu.”

“Y...Yes...”

Myuu timidly stood up, the medical staff opened the file, quickly glanced through it, but suddenly his gaze stopped at a spot in the inspection report.

“———!”

Myuu suddenly stiffened her body.

———A moment of tension

Only to see the medical staff closing the file.

“There are also no abnormalities, please accept the Norn Screening.”

“Tha...Thank you...”

Myuu took the file with a trembling voice, and immediately sighed heavily.

...Thank G.o.d that it is finally over.

At the same time she patted her chest softly, a large hand was suddenly placed onto her head.

A deep voice with a trace of laughter pa.s.sed through her ears.

“See, I told you there isn’t any problem.”

Myuu raised her hand to touch the top of her head, as if to confirm the feeling of Akatsuki. Once she thought that her ident.i.ty was not exposed and she could rest a.s.sured, she sighed again. On the cover of the file was written an unfamiliar name. Myuu silently read those words.

...Ousawa...Miu...

This was the name that Akatsuki had prepared for Myuu. It originally belonged to the current whereabouts unknown Ousawa’s oldest female daughter, who was also Akatsuki’s younger sister. When learning about this plan from Akatsuki, Myuu had suddenly understood why the moment when she had given out her name, Akatsuki had shown such a weird expression.

———Indeed, Myuu’s blood components and body structure were different from the humans of this world, but whether it was the results of the blood test or the CT scans, she still pa.s.sed successfully.

Why? The reason is very simple. Through the dimensional s.h.i.+ft’s feedback, a few alternative world returnees’ bodies will experience significant changes.

However, Myuu only learned about this matter from Akatsuki yesterday, so there was no time for her to be psychologically prepared.

On the second day after the two of them came to this world, they had received an admission application from Babel. Based on human rights considerations, on the surface, Babel’s admission is based on applications, but the truth is that it is a mandatory order, there is no other choice. Within a week of receiving the application, they must surrender—that is, to go to school—or else Babel will dispatch personnel to forcibly summon them there. But this time, the application was personally brought by a teaching staff member of Babel. This was within Akatsuki’s expectations. Thus, when the other party asked for Myuu’s ident.i.ty, Akatsuki, without any embarra.s.sment or panting, told a flagrant lie.

——— This person is my sister.

After disappearing for a long time, she only returned recently, and we were summoned together to an alternative world and came back.

Akatsuki’s excuse had not been questioned, having all normal test results was the best proof. Since alternative world’s experiences will cause changes to the human body, having changes in the memory is also very reasonable. As long as you put the blame of the unknown parts on memory loss, naturally you will successfully pa.s.s.

...Up to now, it had gone through fairly smoothly.

“—— The next step is the main event. If you are able to safely mix in and pa.s.s, then it will be just fine.”

From what Myuu heard, Akatsuki’s tone was somewhat stiff. Yes, next was the Norn Screening.

Using elemental magic to perceive the past, present and the future history.

The G.o.ddess who decides the past “Urðr”, the G.o.ddess who decides the present “Verðandi” and the G.o.ddess who decides the future “Skuld”

The so-called Norn Screening is to use elemental magic to acquire these three G.o.ddess’s abilities, perceiving the examinee’s past, present and future. However, the content of Norn Screening does not take the examinee’s life in the form of chronological order and provide tremendous amount of detail, but uses a poem type mode to roughly show the examinee’s history.

No matter what you have done in the past, what kind of magic you have now—that is, the connection between a superior dimensional being, and in the future what goals you use your abilities to achieve can all be clearly shown in the Screening.

In short, Norn Screening is called the most important topic in Babel entrance inspection.

But there is no absolute in the future history. The examinees may embark on another path through their own will, and therefore, the result of Norn Screening only shows the future with the highest probability of occurrence.

Akatsuki came in front of the inspection magic officer and handed over his own file.

The inspector took the data and indicated for Akatsuki to sit down.

“Ousawa Akatsuki, please close both your eyes and try to relax.”

Akatsuki could not help but coldly snort.

“This isn’t some sort of fake hypnotism right?”

The color of the inspector’s face darkened.

“—You’re not allowed to speak. Empty everything and let your consciousness float in the middle of darkness.”

“Okay Okay.”

Akatsuki followed the voice and closed his eyes.

The following few seconds involved Akatsuki emptying his heart, and not thinking. During this time, the inspector took up the pen and wrote rapidly.

The speed was surprisingly alarming. By the time Akatsuki opened his eyes, the inspector had already finished recording it down.

“Good work.”

The forensic officer, who was waiting by the side, took the record from the inspector’s hand and quickly scanned the contents.

“Well...T..This is...!”

The forensic officer suddenly widened his eyes, and the inspector beside him curiously extended his head around. During the Screening, they are unconsciously writing down automatically, so even the inspectors do not know what was written.

After the inspector read the Screening records, he suddenly jumped off his chair. With a very stiff expression, as if he saw an incredible content.

“Doctor, how is it?”

Other staff members also leaned over.

“Did some kind of problem occur...?”

Myuu, who was behind him, anxiously asked.

“G.o.d knows, I do not have anything to be ashamed of in the past.”

After saying these words, Akatsuki smiled slightly.

...There was a lot of perverted past though.

After the forensic officer discussed with the other staff members for some time, he placed the records on the table.

“Ousawa, is the description on the record true?”

“Let me first take a look before I answer.”

So Akatsuki quickly glanced over the poem written on the paper.

''In the World of Alayzard, you, who experienced despair and loneliness, embarked on the path of a True Hero,

Even after you defeated the tragic Demon King, your battle is still not finished.

The, you, right now do not have the blessings of the G.o.ds,

Only the truth of the heart will lead you onto a new height.

In the nearby future, the, conqueror, will face a decision.

Under the two rays of hope, select the correct path ———

This was the first time Akatsuki took a Norn Screening, and he did not know how to interpret the contents of the poem, but since the poem divided into the three sections, it should represent the past, present and future. The past and present have already been determined, the poem only described the truth, but for the future, it includes uncertainty factors, and the context tends to be conservative and finally imply an ending. Interestingly enough, the past and present both used “you”, but at the future it turned to “conqueror”. Did this represent the path he took to reach newer heights or was it his mission to lead the conqueror who faced a decision to the correct path?

...Suddenly a conqueror emerges.

Akatsuki could not help but have a wry smile while shaking his head.

Whether the conqueror referred to himself or someone else, Akatsuki would not be too surprised.

Wasn’t that it?

At least those two people had already stood on the highest point of this world.

This text clearly described the upcoming task that he was about to carry.

But aside from Akatsuki and those two people, probably no one else would understand the meaning of this text.

The only thing that puzzled Akatsuki was “Under the two rays of hope, select the correct path”. Perhaps in the “nearby future”, he would naturally find the answer?

At this time ———

“———Ousawa, is the description of the past true?”

“...the past?”

The forensic officer eyes were on the part that Akatsuki did not care about. Akatsuki carefully read the poem again and did not find any problems.

“...Ah, it should be the truth.”

The only controversial point is that he himself was only a , the should have been Leon instead.

Perhaps because he defeated the Demon King, he was described as a .

At this moment ———

“Ousawa!”

“Wha...What is it?”

Akatsuki, who bowed his head and deep in thought, was shocked by the forensic officer.

The delighted forensic officer could not conceal his inner excitement.

“The past Norn Screenings have never shown a . If this is really true, you could be JPN Babel... No, the first person in Babel history worldwide!”

“Really? But only a small part of people called me that t.i.tle.”

To be honest, the fit his image more.

“The number of people does not matter, the results of the Norn Screening is the main point.”

The forensic officer nodded.

Being summoned to the alternative world is equivalent to opening the door of learning magic, but for whether you can successfully obtain magic and achieve a strong power, a person’s innate gift and talent is the most important part. Just surviving in an unknown alternative world is a commendable achievement. Only a handful of people will get a chance to fight on the battlefield, not to mention obtaining a dominating special ability. Based on this sense, Akatsuki was undoubtedly among the minority of the minority.

However, the inspector also showed a puzzled look.

“...But there is a place that I do not understand. According to current description, you did not receive the blessings of the G.o.ds. I think this should represent that the current you cannot use magic...”

“Ah, of course.”

Akatsuki replied without any hesitation.

“———From the beginning, I can’t use magic.”

Part 4

The results of the Norn Screening and Akatsuki’s explosive declaration shocked all the inspectors and forensic officers on site.

Akatsuki was not only the first person recorded as a “True Hero” by the Norn Screening, but at the same time, was the only exception as an alternative world returnee who could not use magic. The Babel school admission was therefore suspended and everyone on site, without exception, directed their attention on this matter and conducted a lively discussion. In addition, the word “Conqueror” on the description regarding the future is also highly regarded. In the past, there had also been a few returnees with Screenings about the “Conqueror”. To this day, these returnees all held key positions that guided the world to the future, Thus, Akatsuki’s results naturally became the most urgent item and were sent directly to the Babel school’s highest authority.

...Fortunately, my report does not have any problems.

Compared to the huge uproar of Akatsuki, Myuu’s Norn Screening, on the contrary, pa.s.sed successfully. It could be said that she worried too much.

''In the alternative world of Alayzard, under the intertwined tragedies, the Princess’s happiness has been deprived,

You, who lost everything, only a thorn infested trial remains.

The current you bathed among the gentle wind,

The gentle wind will become a storm, and call forth other companions.

Loneliness will always follow behind you like a shadow,

Whether you will be alone, the choice belongs to you. Whether you will be isolated, the choice belongs to your partner.''

The poem that described the past had the word “Princess” appear, and Myuu could not help but break out into a cold sweat. But just like bards who talk about singers and dancers, generally, this description is often seen within a female’s poem, and does not represent a special meaning.

The poem that described the present mentioned about “wind”, which represents the magical properties. As for the future description, it was currently still ambiguous.

But the future is basically filled with possibilities, thus it was not surprising. As long as the individual decided on a goal or was aware of one, the future description would become more accurate, Thus, the inspectors and forensic officers had made suggestions for a retake after a period of time.

The Norn Screening was finally over. The thought of her escaping the crisis of exposing her ident.i.ty made Myuu feel relieved.

At that moment ——

“Congratulations on pa.s.sing.”

Akatsuki gently patted Myuu’s shoulder.

“Tha...Thank you…”

Her pale face managed to squeeze out a tiny stiff smile.

From now on, she is no longer the Demon King Galious’s daughter.

In other words, she must comply with the agreement last night, to realize her promise.

In order to conceal her real ident.i.ty, no matter how reluctant she is, she must still try.

“On...Oniii...Oniii-cha...I.. I still can’t say it out!”

With both cheeks burning hot, it was almost impossible to speak. No, I must do it.

In order to survive in this world, there is not any choice.

—— This is the promise between my father and I.

Akatsuki smiled slightly, and gently stroked Myuu’s head.

“Do not force yourself, just temporarily call me Akatsuki. No matter what, from now on, we are one family now — Miu.”

This was the moment where Myuu was born in this world with a brand new name and ident.i.ty.

Part 5

The following oral examination was also pa.s.sed successfully without any problems occurring. The key point was, of course, for Miu and Akatsuki to take the examiner’s inquiry together. Since they had returned from the same alternative world, and the two of them were in a brother and sister relations.h.i.+p, Akatsuki’s specifically made a proposal and asked the examiner to make a joint interview, which resulted in the examiner accepting it.

Although joint interviews are a rare situation, it does not mean there isn’t a precedent. When Miu did not know how to reply, Akatsuki would take responsibility and round things up in a timely manner. This was one of the reasons the two pa.s.sed successfully.

Now both of them appeared in the arena’s stage.

“This is the last stage, allow me to see your strengths.”

A male who was approaching his forties said to them.

He was the combat skills instructor responsible for testing out Miu and Akatsuki.

“There is a variety of weapons here that you two are free to select. Some of the weapons might not be as finesse, but please first deal with it. After you are formally accepted, the school will provide the best weapons based on each individual’s needs. Also, this examination does not restrict the usage of magic, it is fine for you two to use magic to decide the victory. In short, select your most skillful, your most powerful way to display your strength.”

As the combat skill instructor said, the walls were covered with a variety of strange weapons. Miu, following the order one by one, was deciding while at the same time contemplating carefully within her heart.

...The opponent utilizes the halberd which is strong against long range attacks, so…

Among all the weapons, Miu picked the single-handed short sword. She was a magician, not a warrior. Before activating magic, it required some time to concentrate. In order to avoid the opponent’s attacking while chanting, a small weapon was necessary for defense.

As for Akatsuki, he casually put his hands behind his head.

“Ah, I do not require weapons.”

“Quite confident huh, are you sure? I was taken back during the Norn Screening when a appeared, but only to find out that you can’t even use magic.”

After saying this, the combat skills instructor laughed.

“—— It can’t be that you don’t even know how to use a sword right?”

“That’s not it. During the time at that world, I was basically fighting with a sword.”

“Well, you decide then, just don’t overdo it. But the results of your combat abilities are related to your placement after admission, so deliberately hiding your strength will be your loss.”

“Didn’t you want us to show off our strength? That’s why this is enough.”

“Well, it is your choice. Once you’re ready, let’s begin. Having both of you come at me together is fine too, please bring out your real strength.”

The combat instructor lifted up the halberd.

“HeyHeyHey, that isn’t good right?”

Akatsuki’s face suddenly showed a smile filled with confidence.

“What if you get instantaneously killed by me, I can’t let you lose all your pride right?”

“Youuu...You should say less words, okay?”

Akatsuki’s plea was honestly too intense, so Miu quickly tried to diffuse the situation. However, the combat skills instructor seemed to be infuriated.

“This you don’t have to worry about. I have been an examiner for many years, I have confidence in my own strength. In the past, I have almost never been beaten by the new students. And even if I am not as skilled as the others, your attacks won’t damage me.”

Why?

“Babel school’s campus is enclosed within a special barrier, any physical or magic attack will only affect the opponent’s mental status and cannot harm the opponent’s body. That said, I will still feel pain and may even lose consciousness, but within the effects of the barrier, that is the biggest amount of damage that can be done, so you guys can safely attack.”

This should be a measure to prevent trespa.s.sing students and teaching staff members from having personal fights. An alternative world returnee is like a powerful time bomb; in case of a conflict with each other, there is no guarantee that it will not cause any unnecessary casualties. To reduce this sort of loss, the school set a strong defense barrier within the Babel school campus.

“Well then, there is no problem.”

Akatsuki gently stroked his chin.

“Miu, you’ll start first.”

“Huh? But the instructor wants us together...”

“It does not matter, the instructor also did not say it must be together — right?”

Akatsuki looked at the combat skills instructor in front of him. The two of them were separated by Miu.

The combat skills instructed nodded.

“Ah, that’s okay too, you guys can decide.”

“See.”

Akatsuki said while smiling.

“That’s right, ears over here.”

After Miu followed the orders and lifted her right ear, Akatsuki whispered beside her ear.

“—— How’s that, no problem right?”

“It is not a problem, But… are you really sure you want to do this?”

“If there’s no problem, then just go ahead.”

Akatsuki gently pushed Miu shoulders and brought her in front of the combat skills instructor.

“Is your fighting style using weapon or magic?”

“It’s magic, the short sword is only a weapon used for defense...”

Miu’s eyes fell to the short sword in her hand. After the instructor saw this, he could not help but smile.

“You can rest a.s.sured about this point. My goal is to test your strength; I will not initiate the attack. Since it is the use of magic, you can begin the chant now.”

“Yes... uhh, pleased to meet you.”

After bowing down, Miu began to concentrate. Just seeing a magic circle expanding by her side, bursting with a dazzling light, it turned into a defensive effect barrier.

“Hmm...”

The combat skill instructor expression changed and he took a battle posture. The more powerful the magic, the stronger the barrier needed to avoid suffering from attacks during the chanting phase. Miu made an abnormally strong defensive barrier, which meant that the magic she was about to cast had a considerable degree of power. Miu, entering the chanting phase, could clearly see the combat skills instructor calculating the time. The defensive barrier, used for the chant, must be cancelled the instant before activating the magic. Otherwise, the magic will hit the defensive barrier and the power will decrease significantly. Thus, the defensive barrier will disappear at some point of time. It is a very important signal during a magical battle.

...Do I really have to do this?

The moment Miu activated her magic, she felt some guilt.

Because she did not cancel the defensive barrier.

“Ah——!”

The combat skills instructor was deeply surprised.

After a burst of strong wind, a tornado surfaced in mid-air. The tornado did not rise from the ground to the skies, but rather from Miu to the instructor in front, directly hitting the target.

The unprepared instructor’s entire body flew off and heavily hit the arena walls.

“Guuu...!”

After standing up steadily with difficulty, the instructor took a deep breath and raised his head.

A dazzling light followed by an explosive noise came towards and impartially hit the instructor.

During the emergency, the combat skills instructor adopted a magical defense, but the magic power of Miu far exceeded the instructor’s mental strength. This time, the instructor could not stand it any longer and powerlessly lay on the floor.

Although it will produce a protective barrier during the chanting process of performing magic, a high cla.s.s magician can cancel the generation of the barrier. Because he was blindly calculating the activation timing of magic, the other side undoubtedly gained control. But then again, the protective barrier is only one method of deception in magical combat; just cancelling the barrier is not enough for experienced instructors to fall into the trap.

In truth, Miu’s defensive barrier was just a cover up. She first pretended to activate the barrier and then took the opportunity to activate magic. This is a highly skilled magician’s preferred high cla.s.s skill. While chanting magic and cancelling the defensive barrier then activate a disguised barrier, at first glance it may only seem like three steps. But, in fact, it's necessary to maintain a high degree of balance between each action. If one of the steps failed, the magic will not activate.

Therefore, this technique is not applicable during the ever-changing battlefield. This time it was just a simple test, plus the other side stood motionless, which led to Miu succeeding easily.

“HeyHeyHey, is that really true? You are quite powerful.”

Akatsuki could not help but compliment Miu’s performance. Defeating an enemy who stood motionlessly is not rare, the rare sight was that in addition to the tornado, Miu actually even added lightning magic afterwards. In truth, Akatsuki only made the suggestion for cancelling the defensive barrier and activating a disguised barrier, but he could not believe that Miu’s performance was beyond his imagination. Of course, chanting two magics together is not as difficult as it seems; however, the chanting of the two types of magic, and at the same time, cancelling a defensive barrier, and adding a disguised barrier, this is not something every magician can do. According to Akatsuki, probably only Listy, Loutier and Galious, etc, a few dozen magicians had this capability. This meant that Miu’s strength was definitely in the ranks of a master mage. Being the demon king’s daughter wasn’t just for show. After the other staff members performed first aid on the combat instructor, Miu returned to Akatsuki’s side.

“I don’t like this sort of underhanded tricks.”

“It does not matter. The combat instructor cast a magical barrier in time, so the damage should be reduced. Besides, no matter how serious the injury, at most, it is only a temporary concussion and is not life-threatening. The only loss I see is that his clothes turned into charcoal.”

Laughing at the same time, Akatsuki twisted his shoulders.

“Then next, it’s my turn. Instructors, can you hurry up? Your body is unwell but there is no damage right?”

“Please...Please...wait for a moment...”

The instructor, who was checking for injuries on the combat skills instructor, seemed to be hesitating.

“The damage is more serious than expected, I am afraid he will awake after two or three days. It looks like he is unable to act as your opponent.”

“Then what do I do? Being admitted without being tested in combat?”

“T...That is obviously impossible.”

“Are there no other combat skill instructors?”

“There is some, but in order to change the entrance examination examiner, we must obtain permission from the high level executives such as the headmaster. The other combat skill instructors also need time to be prepared.”

“——That being said, why don’t I temporarily act as the examiner.”

A voice came from the arena’s entrance, and everyone on the scene turned and looked at the rear.

Part 6

The owner of the voice was a teenager with a pair of sky blue eyes and silver hair. Covered under the Babel school uniform, his body seemed to be quite skinny, but insiders could tell that it was a well-trained body. What seemed to be an ordinary stature revealed a stable and unmovable aura. This was the confidence that a truly strong person should have.

He is not a fool, his strength is perhaps comparable to mine...no...maybe even slightly stronger.

After guessing the gap between the enemy’s strength and his own, Akatsuki could not help but narrow his eyes.

“Who are you?”

“First time meeting you, Ousawa Akatsuki. I am JPN Babel school’s student president Hikami Kyouya.”

Kyouya responded to Akatsuki’s question with a hearty smile.

After seeing Kyouya’s appearance, all the staff members at the scene revealed apologetic looks.

“Excuse me, sorry to bother you during the holidays to make you take a trip here personally.”

“That’s okay. I already know the results of the Norn Screening. If the Screening’s results are accurate, this naturally belongs in my jurisdiction.”

“...How strange...”

“Isn’t the student president only the representative of the students, why do all the teachers on the scene seem to respect and fear him?”

“I am not too certain, but ——”

Akatsuki’s gaze moved from Miu’s back to Kyouya in front of him.

“I’ve heard that the student president’s position is held by the strongest student in the Babel school, That means he is the current top dog here.”

At the same time, he was the strongest returnee out of all the returnees who came back from an alternative world.

In short, he was the strongest j.a.panese student.

After the conversation between the staff members ended, Kyouya turned around.

“Ousawa-kun, about the last topic, the performance examination, I will be your opponent. Are there any objections?”

“No, I’m fine with that.”

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The Babel school student president was undoubtedly the best testing stone.

—— Taking advantage of this opportunity and testing whether he, who obtained a powerful strength in the alternative world, could stop those two men now.

So Akatsuki and Kyouya both took a step forward.

Akatsuki originally intended to keep a low profile temporarily after being admitted, but this sudden incident caused him to change his plans and directly challenge the strongest, the student president.

“——Ousawa-kun, there is no need to be that serious.”

When the remaining distance between the two was only a few meters, Kyouya suddenly exposed a bitter smile, as if he had seen through Akatsuki’s mind.

“This is only an examination for combat abilities, I did not mean to have a showdown with you and there is no need to. I only want to test your strengths ——.”

At this moment...

Under Akatsuki’s foot, the sandy floor suddenly broke into a hole, and a huge icicle rapidly came up from the hole.

“——!”

Akatsuki hurriedly jumped backwards, and glided on the sandy floor for some distance before stopping.

“Ahhh, your reaction is not bad.”

Kyouya revealed a knowing smile.

But the creation of his icicle made others unable to laugh.

“Amazing...”

As Miu’s praise came from behind and entered his ears, Akatsuki subconsciously looked up.

An icicle with a height of over five meters stood in front of his eyes. Its weight was probably around ten tons. Ice crystal-like spikes were placed across the surface, like a mirror reflecting the surrounding landscape.

By creating such a high purity and tall icicle instantly, the pract.i.tioner’s strength is self-evident.

...As expected of the strongest j.a.panese student, I won’t let you down.

This way, it would be fun. Akatsuki concealed his inner excitement. On the other side of the icicle, Kyouya could not help but grin.

“Ousawa-kun, I’ve heard that you plan to take this test barehanded? So what about this, why don’t you use your prized fist and attack my icicle?”

Akatsuki was stunned for a moment.

“No wayyy right, that simple?”

“You can’t, you can’t fall for his trap!”

Miu hurriedly spoke to stop him with a serious expression.

“This is not a simple icicle, inside it contains a large amount of magic power, its hardness has probably been increased several times. Using your bare hands to hit the icicle will most likely cause an ending with a bone fracture.”

Kyouya shook his head.

“This, you do not have to worry about. As long as you are within the barrier, Ousawa-kun’s fist will definitely not be injured, at most it will only hurt a few days.”

“——You do not have to bother.”

With the huge opportunity in front of him, some pain did not matter much.

So Akatsuki clenched his right fist and took a posture.

“If I can crush your giant icicle in one punch——"

Akatsuki stared at the other side of the icicle.

— At that time, you will be my opponent, Hikami Kyouya.

Kyouya listened and smiled happily.

“Okay, that’s not an issue.”

“Very well, that’s a promise.”

Akatsuki’s ki began to circulate within his body, he was preparing to use Renkan Keikikou. The stimulated ki entered his meridian and finally concentrated into Akatsuki’s right first.

The pa.s.sing requirement is to crush the icicle, he will not allow any failure.

...Okay, Let’s go.

“——!”

Akatsuki raised his right fist and violently swung it.

After an explosive noise, it was followed by a burst of shaking impacts.

Witnessing everything, Miu hurriedly closed her eyes and covered her ears with both hands.

After a period of time, the surroundings calmed down, and Miu then slowly opened her eyes.

“Waaahh...”

Miu could not help but be shocked.

—— The result was the following: Kyouya’s icicle was not crushed, not even a single crack lay on it. But the power of Akatsuki’s fist was clearly shown in the icicle’s surroundings. The surrounding sand was blasted several feet, exposing the hard ground, and made it look like the icicle fell down from heaven. A sight that proved the power of the iron fist, but Kyouya’s created icicle was also intact.

“d.a.m.n it, I failed!”

Akatsuki, who raised his head staring at the icicle, was angry. Miu then suddenly realized why.

...I understand now, the reason why the icicle remained intact...

Miu hurriedly rushed to Akatsuki’s side.

“Is your hand still okay?”

“Ah, no problem. You can see for yourself.”

Akatsuki swung his right hand, proving that he himself did not have any problems. His right hand did not have any broken skin, even a single spot of swelling was nowhere seen. Miu’s eyes widened, revealing an incredulous look.

“Whether the giant icicle, which could not be broken, or your fists, both are too exaggerated!”

“I thought I would succeed, d.a.m.n it!”

“Excellent, very excellent.”

Kyouya also generously praised him.

“With such strength, it seems like the day where you and I have a showdown will eventually occur. Okay, the entrance inspection of the two of you is finished now.”

Kyouya looked at Akatsuki, then looked at Miu, and with a face filled with smiles.

“Welcome both of you to become part of Babel school.”

Part 7

After Akatsuki and Miu left the arena, Kyouya raised his hand and lightly touched the icicle.

Only to see the huge icicle instantly shattered into sand-like fragments, becoming a mist that melted itself in the air.

Leaving the scene with only a huge meteorite crater.

The inspector also slowly walked behind Kyouya.

“We apologize for making you specially come over this time, and also...President?”

“Huh, ah, that’s okay, I did not expect that I would encounter such a fascinating thing.”

“What are you looking at...?”

The staff member walked up to Kyouya, followed his line of sight and looked. He could not help but immediately turn pale.

“Thii...This...I...is?

“He really is amazing.”

Kyouya happily said while smiling.

The crater which should have had the same shape as the icicle was actually crooked to one side.

On the side facing Kyouya dirt was lifted well up, on the other side—that was the the direction facing Akatsuki—was a slight sink into the ground. What did this phenomenon represent?

“A single fist moving an icicle, weighing a few tons, is not that simple. Maybe he really is the legendary hero.”

Also, Akatsuki angrily expressed that “he had failed”.

To judge from the literal meaning, it should mean that he did not shatter the icicle.

Akatsuki’s little actions did not manage to hide themselves from Kyouya’s eyes.

Kyouya clearly noticed that Akatsuki deliberately adjusted the strength of his fist in order to avoid using excessive strength.

The condition that Kyouya had originally raised was to shatter the icicle. If there was excessive strength, only a large hole would be drilled into the icicle and it would not shatter.

In reality, drilling a big hole in the icicle is much more difficult than shattering the icicle, but if Akatsuki did it that way, he would have lost the bet. Thus, he deliberately weakened his punch.

...This guy is really interesting.

If he went all out, my icicle should have easily been shattered or at least a large hole would have been drilled open. At the thought that a returnee who could not use magic actually had such a powerful strength, even if this giant icicle only used ten percent of his powers to create, Kyouya could hardly hide his excitement.

“——I really want that power.”

On Kyouya’s face gradually emerged a cold, shallow smile.

Part 8

A silver brilliance of light emerged into the night skies.

The bright moon reflecting the sun’s rays quietly lit up the dark skies.

Standing on the balcony staring at the skies, Miu could not help but feel that these night skies were as beautiful as the night skies back in Alayzard.

Babel school uses a power ranking to divide all the students from A cla.s.s to E cla.s.s. Miu and Akatsuki appeared to be highly rated at the combat test, so both of them were enrolled in the highest cla.s.s: B cla.s.s. Normally, freshly admitted students would enter into E cla.s.s, and those with superior results would also only enter D cla.s.s. Directly entering B cla.s.s was an unprecedented achievement.

...Ah!

Miu suddenly noticed a small bird. Looking carefully, it was a giant bird without any life force, and possessed steel wings. She remembered that Akatsuki mentioned that was called an airplane, a product of technology to carry people and items around. Alayzard did not have any flying contraptions; even the country of Disdia, that was well-known for their machinery, only had tanks or submarines. Just those two military weapons already caused a huge threat on the battle field. If those flying machines appeared in Alayzard, the country with such military might would definitely have the advantage. There was no guarantee that it would not overturn the balance of power within the world.

On the other side, the alternative world returnees also play a role of maintaining the power difference within this world.

—— I really came to a completely different world.

Miu stared at the sky, thinking about her own future.

Starting from tomorrow, she was an official student of Babel school. The uniforms and textbooks were provided by the new United Nations and they would be exempted from tuition and fees. As for the living costs, Akatsuki had explained that they could use the other family member’s “card”, so there was no need to worry. Akatsuki also said that they needed to find some time to bring Miu around to buy clothes and other daily necessities.

If she said that she does not have any fear, that is obviously a lie. However, Miu also found that she was gradually getting used to this world.

Looking back to the room from the balcony, Miu was still not used to the darkened room’s furnis.h.i.+ngs.

The owner of this room was Akatsuki’s sister, the real Ousuwa Miu.

Miu sat on the bed and the mattress’s springs emitted a subtle sound.

A frame stood on the bedside table. The real Ousawa Miu was inside the frame. The face revealed an innocent smile, and was very lovable. In the photos also appeared someone who looked like Ousawa Miu’s brother, but seemingly not around Akatsuki’s age, and a looks-alike middle-aged father. A very happy and peaceful family portrait.

“...”

Miu slowly laid down on the bed, both eyes staring at the ceiling.

An unfamiliar ceiling.

“...This should be normal.”

After rolling around, everything she saw was an unfamiliar sight.

The quiet night, the unfamiliar s.p.a.ce, a brand new world.

Miu could not free herself, and deeply felt her loneliness.

I’m so lonely.

...Father...

She slowly