The Royal Capital of Hoshikawa gleamed like a jewelry box someone left open under the sun. Wide ivory streets shone beneath enchanted lanterns, floating gardens danced on platforms suspended by pure mana, and towering citadels gleamed with gold-trimmed spires that reached like spears toward the heavens.
And right in the middle of it all stood Kazuki Amano, dressed in an unbuttoned, slightly muddy traveler's coat with one boot missing a sole.
"…Why does everyone keep staring?" he whispered to himself.
"They're probably just shocked that someone could wear that many clashing colors and not die from shame," Aurelis muttered beside him, her golden armor polished and radiant in the midday light. Her red cape billowed even without wind. A literal textbook hero.
Kazuki scratched his head. "I thought the jungle leaf pattern added character."
"You look like you fought a salad and lost."
Behind them, Fenrir the wolf yawned loudly, stretching out on a marble bench meant for nobles. On his back sat Smile, their gelatinous blue slime companion, cheerfully wobbling with a tiny crown on his… blob.
Above, Raika the majestic Philippine eagle soared low in wide circles, attracting gasps from onlookers. And at Kazuki's side slithered Mikiri, the sleek king cobra whose presence had caused two guards to faint already.
They had arrived in style. Or something adjacent to it.
"Kazuki Amano, is it?" came a crisp, irritated voice.
Kazuki turned. From the steps of the Grand Courtyard descended a familiar figure—pristine uniform, flowing platinum cape, sword gleaming. None other than his self-proclaimed rival:
"Aurelis' fiancée," whispered someone from the crowd.
Shin Raikou.
"Oh no," Kazuki muttered, quietly.
"Oh yes," Shin answered dramatically. "We meet again… accidentally great one."
He practically spat the words.
Kazuki offered a peaceable smile. "Hey, Shin. You still doing that super intense glare thing?"
Shin ignored the jab. "Your arrival is most… expected. Unfortunately."
Aurelis stepped between them, face blank. "We're not here to bicker. The capital is in danger. We brought intel about the second mana crack."
"More like it followed us," Kazuki added.
That drew alarmed whispers.
Shin frowned. "Second crack?"
Kazuki blinked. "Wait. You didn't know?"
Inside the Guild Hall
A council of mages, nobles, and adventurers gathered around a glowing map where mana density shifted like stormclouds. Kazuki watched the display with fascination—and mild concern when one spot began pulsing bright red.
"That's where we saw the distortion grow," Aurelis explained. "We think it's forming… no, becoming something else."
Kazuki raised a hand. "Is it bad if it's humming show tunes and whispering my name?"
Everyone turned slowly to look at him.
He lowered his hand.
"No reason."
Smile let out a bubbly gurgle. Fenrir perked his ears but made no comment. Mikiri flicked her tongue thoughtfully.
Raika landed behind them, rustling papers with her wings.
"…We believe the second crack is attempting to merge realities," said the archmage grimly. "If it succeeds, it could collapse the mana flow of this world—and possibly invite something worse."
"Like more paperwork," Kazuki whispered.
Shin shot him a glare. "Like creatures not bound by this world's mana system. Things like… that slime, perhaps?"
Smile blinked slowly. Then grinned.
Kazuki instinctively stepped in front of him. "Smile's not a threat."
Everyone stared at Smile. Smile stared back with serene, unblinking goo eyes.
"…He might be the system," someone whispered fearfully.
Later, In Their Temporary Quarters
Kazuki flopped onto the plush bed, staring at the fancy ceiling.
"This place has seventeen pillows. I counted."
"You counted wrong," Smile said cheerfully, revealing a pile of exactly nineteen.
Fenrir curled at the foot of the bed. Mikiri coiled around the nearest lamp. Raika was already perched on the balcony.
Aurelis leaned on the doorframe. "Kazuki… the capital is scared. People are looking to you."
He blinked. "Why me? You're the hero. Shin's the poster boy. I'm the backup comic relief."
"No. You're the one who keeps saving the world. Accidentally or not." Her voice softened. "You matter."
Kazuki looked away. "What if this time, I mess up?"
Smile hopped beside him. "Then we'll mess up together."
He smiled.
And outside, beyond the tall glass windows, a shimmer of unnatural light flickered in the night sky—the second crack, awakening again.