Kaida lay on his side, staring at the dim blue glow of the floating screen.
It hadn’t disappeared.
Even hours later, it hung there beside his bed like a quiet observer.
He’d tried closing his eyes, but sleep refused to come. Every time his eyelids slipped, he’d hear the echo of collapsing stone. He’d see Mishell’s bloodied face. Tsubaki’s last push. Kumuna’s arm shielding someone else, not himself.
He couldn’t shut it out.
So, instead… he sat up.
“…Fine. Let’s see what you are.”
He reached toward the glowing panel again.
DING.
The screen expanded with a shimmer, revealing a tab labeled [ Menu ] with options:
- Inventory252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrns3uoKHxk
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeyqQJWDSe - Stats252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCbjypC1a8
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpcKsq1LlZ - Class Tree252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgnZb6zWU2
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY819pbrRu4 - Skill Tree (Locked)252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ3DNKd2PN
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrd5bosfmM - Journal (Empty)252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP1fEjwhML
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOSr4VBYxa
He tapped Inventory first.
A soft ripple crossed the screen. An empty grid of squares popped into view, with one slot already filled.
Item: Traveler’s Garments (Worn)
Item: Basic Health Potion x2
Kaida blinked. “Inventory storage… like a bag I can’t lose.”
He tapped again. A glowing hand icon appeared, and with a flick of thought, he watched his school shoes pop into existence, floating in the space before him.
“…No way.” He reached forward, touched them, and they vanished—back into the grid.
“Okay. That’s… kinda cool.”
He slid over to the next tab.
[ Skill Tree ]
Locked – Prerequisite not met: Basic Mana Control Required
Kaida groaned. “Of course.”
A glowing description hovered underneath:
To access your first skill node, you must undergo elemental alignment and manifest control over your internal mana flow.
“Sounds like anime meditation nonsense…”
He backed out and tapped the next option:
[ Class Tree ]
A long list appeared. Traditional RPG archetypes filled the screen:
- Warrior252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j4PIGQQqQ
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC9VccF0do - Mage252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqug8MoiY3P
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo3FhNkdUh - Brawler252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t0AbsO4GY
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkIjnvzsQu - Archer252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQzEZFRcCV
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RyAOtnGUq - Assassin252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6XEaKxDY5
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw3PPuwFkk - Cleric252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVt02vlHnb
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXQoAPnFaF - Monk252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW8Vqwj9r1
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eJg5iNrqW - Summoner252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavC8sCktXV
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKxtlkeUrF - Paladin252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxJHBXQIho
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HZr9eYg7u - Samurai252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRtQoGOPoI
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSZSSHmYEo - Beastcaller252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrLvdA52yG
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee65b1Uw9m - Gunslinger252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnRiEOwplq
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczjyP7sdnX - Hexblade252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyjPLcMSPi
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppWCj33Xp9 - Bard252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEJmWH1pCP
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNXrbgPnNy - Dancer252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgns93foTbQ
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpgGcELE5G - ??? (Locked)252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UIhvdUiaF
252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWxlJoa8It
Below them was a glowing option:
[ Random Class Assignment – Spin the Wheel? ]
Kaida hovered over it.
“…Screw it. Let fate choose.”
He tapped the icon.
WHOOSH.
A glowing wheel of icons appeared, spinning wildly—colors blurring together.
It slowed… clicking like a fortune wheel…
Click. Click. Click.
Click.
It landed on a symbol: a stylized sword with a curved edge, draped in wind.
Class Assigned: Samurai
You are a warrior of discipline, balance, and controlled fury. You move like the wind and strike with decisive power. You excel in precision, agility, and counter-based combat.
Kaida raised an eyebrow. “Samurai?”
Then the screen changed again, a soft hum of light unfolding into a new tab titled:
[ Stat Sheet – Kaida Tatsuya ]
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He read each line aloud under his breath as if saying them might make it all feel more real.
Name: Kaida Tatsuya
Class: Samurai
Element: Wind
Level: 1
Race: Human
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Strength – 3 (+1) = 4
Physical power and force. Increases with lifting, striking, and physical stress.
Dexterity – 4 (+1) = 5
Speed, reflexes, and precision. Grows through balance, dodging, and rapid movement.
Constitution – 2 (+1) = 3
Endurance and toughness. Rises through pain resistance and physical pressure.
Intelligence – 2 (+0) = 2
Learning, memory, magical theory. Increases through study and application.
Wisdom – 3 (+1) = 4
Instinct, emotional clarity, and insight. Grows through meditation, empathy, and decision-making.
Charisma – 1 (+0) = 1
Social impact and presence. Strengthens through interaction, leadership, and persuasion.
Mana Pool – 2 (+0) = 2
Your internal energy reserve. Expands through mana exposure, meditation, and soul focus.
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A line flickered gently beneath the sheet.
“Stat bonuses are granted based on Class Affinity.”
“Class: Samurai – +1 to Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom.”
Kaida stared at the numbers, mouth half-open.
“…Charisma one, huh?” he muttered.
He poked at it.
It didn’t change.
“Even fantasy worlds won’t lie to make me feel better.”
Still, seeing it all typed out like that—his body and mind reduced to quantifiable stats—it grounded something in him. At least this part made sense.
“Grow stronger by living stronger,” he whispered.
Right.
This wasn’t a dream anymore.
This was real.
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Suddenly—
KNOCK.
Kaida jolted upright.
Another knock. Louder.
He walked slowly to the door. His heart raced for reasons he didn’t understand. He reached out—
THWACK!
The door swung open hard, nearly hitting him in the face.
“GAH—!”
Kaida leapt back, instinctively raising his arms.
A tall figure stepped through.
She had dark brown skin, short black hair cropped tight to the scalp, and piercing yellow eyes that slanted like a feline’s. On top of her head, sleek black cat ears flicked with the air. A long tail swayed behind her, and her black-and-gold outfit shimmered faintly in the candlelight.
She was at least six feet tall.
A scar ran across her cheekbone like a lightning bolt etched in flesh.
And her gaze?
Predatory.
Kaida backed up a step, jaw twitching. There was something about her face. Something…
Familiar.
Her eyes scanned the room.
Then locked on him.
“So,” she said, voice low and gravelly, like it had been forged in battle smoke. “You’re the chosen one?”
Kaida flinched. Her tone was drenched in irritation.
“A runt?” she added. “The gods really do love making my life difficult.”
Kaida stared at her, blinking.
Her voice—it was deeper, raspier, but there was a… cadence to it.
A familiarity he couldn’t place.
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you looking at?”
Her teeth bared—sharp. Predatory.
Kaida jumped back again. “N-Nothing! Sorry!”
She gave a sneering grin. “You look like you’d shatter if someone breathed on you wrong.”
She stepped into the center of the room, arms crossed.
“I’m Temu Zennen,” she said sharply. “Remember it well.”
Kaida straightened a bit, eyes still wide.
“Because from this day forward,” she continued, “I’m your teacher.”
He repeated it dumbly. “My… teacher?”
Her eyes flared. “I didn’t stutter!”
“R-Right!”
She paced once, eyes running over him again.
“I’ll be the one turning this—” she gestured at his entire body, “shameless display of softness—into something useful.”
He gulped.
Temu tilted her head. “Don’t bother telling me your name. I don’t care enough to remember it.”
Kaida deflated slightly.
She turned to leave. “Rest up. I’ll be waking you up at the crack of dawn.”
But just before she exited—
Kaida muttered, “My name… is Kaida.”
She stopped in the doorway.
Without turning, she spoke softly. “…Is that so?”
Her tone was unreadable.
She didn’t look back. Just walked out, tail flicking once behind her.
“Sleep tight, Kaida. Tomorrow, I’m putting you through hell.”
SLAM.
The door shut behind her.
Kaida stood frozen for a long moment.
He slowly turned and walked back to the bed, sinking onto its edge.
“…Why me?”
His head hung low. Hands clasped in front of him like a broken prayer.
“Why’d it have to be me?”
He waited for the void to answer. It didn’t.
“…If it was someone else,” he muttered, “they’d probably be thinking the same thing.”
He stood, snuffed out the glowing candle-glass beside his bed, and lay down.
The ceiling above was unfamiliar. Ornate. Beautiful.
But he didn’t see it.
All he could see was that woman’s eyes. That voice.
“…Temu Zennen,” he whispered.
Something about her…
It felt like something long buried.
Something he should remember.
But that was a question for tomorrow.
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