Chapter 1: A Normal Life

Kazuro rolled his pencil between his fingers as he listened to the teacher’s lecture. The soft hum of chatter from his classmates buzzed in the background, but he didn’t pay attention. He never did.

**"Despite having good grades, everyone always tells me to hang out with them,"** he muttered quietly to himself, staring at the desk. **"But honestly, I don’t have time for that."**

His eyes shifted to the window, watching the clouds drift by. Life was simpler this way. There was no need for the noise of friends or the complications of relationships. He had his sports, his martial arts, and his studies. That was more than enough.

**"If I wanted, I could probably make a name for myself,"** he continued in his mind, almost absentmindedly. **"But what would that change?"**

He glanced around the classroom, his gaze brushing over the whispers and glances thrown in his direction. They saw his muscular build, his sharp features—he knew what they thought. Kazuro Nakamura, the handsome, perfect guy. But those thoughts didn’t matter to him. None of it did.

**"Maybe if I was someone else, I’d want to fit in. But I’m fine. I don’t need the hassle."** He turned his focus back to the lecture, though his mind wasn’t really processing the words. **"I have my own things to focus on. I don’t need anyone else dragging me into their drama."**

The teacher’s voice faded as Kazuro sat back in his chair, feeling the weight of his own thoughts. **"Maybe people think I’m cold, but I’m just not interested in their distractions. I’m content as I am."**

His fingers tightened around his pencil, a small frustration welling up inside him. *(Maybe one day, I’ll understand why they care so much about all that.)* But for now, it didn’t matter. He wasn’t like the rest of them.

**"Yeah,"** he muttered, half to himself, half to the empty space around him. "Being regular is fine. It’s good enough."

The teacher’s voice droned on in the background, but Kazuro barely registered the words. His mind had drifted again, this time to a thought that had lingered in his head for days. The question wasn’t new, but it was one he often returned to. It wasn’t something his classmates would ask themselves—maybe because they were too caught up in their petty dramas to even think about it.

**"Are all human beings truly equal?"** he muttered to himself, rolling the pencil once more between his fingers.

It wasn’t a question of fairness. Fairness was an illusion, he thought. Life wasn’t fair—never had been, never would be. People who were born into wealth would always have more opportunities, while those born into poverty would have to fight for scraps. People who were gifted with intelligence, strength, or charisma would always stand out, while those who lacked those traits would fade into the background.

**"Equality isn’t about fairness,"** Kazuro continued in his mind, his thoughts becoming sharper, more deliberate. **"It's about expectations. The world expects people to be the same—to act the same, think the same, live the same way. But deep down, we all know it’s a lie."**

His gaze drifted to the window again, watching a bird soar through the sky, free and unrestrained. It was a reminder of what he’d always believed in—freedom. Freedom from expectations, freedom from being weighed down by what others thought. The world didn’t care if you followed the rules or not, as long as you could survive. In that sense, no one was truly equal.

**"The strongest survive, and the weak… well, they get left behind,"** Kazuro mused, his fingers tightening around the pencil. **"Some of us are born into situations where we have to fight for every inch of space we take. Others are born with everything handed to them, and they don’t even need to try."**

He thought of his own life. His father had taught him the value of strength, both physical and mental. But that strength hadn’t come without sacrifice. He had fought for everything he had. His athleticism, his martial arts skills, even his intellect—it was all built from the ground up. Nothing was handed to him.

**"Does that make me special?"** he thought, a brief flicker of something in his chest—pride, maybe, or maybe it was something else. **"I don’t know. But I know this: not everyone has the chance to become what they want. Not everyone has the opportunity to fight for their place in the world."**

The teacher’s voice was a distant hum now, irrelevant. Kazuro’s thoughts were his own, swirling in the quiet of his mind.

**"Equality,"** he whispered under his breath, shaking his head slightly. **"It’s an illusion. It’s not about giving everyone the same chances—it’s about how you use the chances you’re given. And some people don’t get to choose what they’re given. It’s never been about fairness. It’s about what you’re willing to do to survive in a world that doesn’t care."**

He paused, letting the thought settle in his mind. Was this his way of rationalizing the unfairness he saw in the world? Maybe. But he didn’t care to think of it any other way. It was simply how things worked.

The bell rang, breaking him out of his thoughts. Kazuro looked up, watching as his classmates began packing up, talking, laughing, rushing out the door. He didn’t move immediately. His pencil was still in his hand, the thoughts lingering in his mind like a heavy fog.

As the room cleared out, Kazuro stood up slowly, feeling the weight of his own reflections. "In the end, it doesn’t matter," he muttered, slipping his books into his bag. **"What matters is that you keep moving, no matter how unequal the world is. If you stop fighting, you’re already lost."**

With that, he turned and left the classroom, the question still echoing in his mind, but no closer to an answer.

Kazuro walked through the crowded streets of Tokyo, the familiar hustle and bustle of the city swirling around him. His feet moved mechanically, each step carrying him closer to home. The city, with its neon lights and the constant hum of voices, felt like an endless blur of faces. To most, this was the heart of the world—an exciting place filled with possibilities. To Kazuro, it was just noise. He didn’t mind the crowd. It was easy to blend in, easy to stay unnoticed.

The evening air had a chill to it, a reminder that the seasons were changing. Kazuro adjusted his backpack and continued walking, his thoughts still swirling around the questions that had followed him all day. He didn’t need much from life—he had his routine, his sense of control. That was all that mattered.

As he passed the crowded intersection near his school, his gaze briefly flickered over the familiar faces of students heading home, talking with friends, laughing. The noise of the world around him was a stark contrast to the quiet that lived inside him.

Just get home, Kazuro thought, mentally shrugging off the thoughts that lingered in his mind. I’m fine. There’s nothing more to think about.

And yet, as he crossed the street toward a smaller alley that would lead him home, his heart suddenly jolted in his chest. A loud screeching sound—a horn blaring. He turned just in time to see it: a little girl, no older than seven, running across the road, her tiny figure darting in front of an oncoming truck. Her eyes were wide with panic, unaware of the danger that rushed toward her.

Time seemed to stretch in that instant.

His body moved without thought, instinct taking over.

**"Move!"** Kazuro shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the blaring horn.

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward her, his athleticism kicking in, his mind not even registering the danger as the truck barreled toward them. He pushed the girl out of the way with all his strength, his muscles straining as he sent her tumbling safely to the sidewalk. But in doing so, he wasn’t fast enough to escape the truck's path. It came crashing into him with terrifying force.

Everything went black.

The pain was unbearable.

It felt like his entire body had been crushed. The world around him was just a blur of color and distorted shapes. It was as if he were drowning in darkness, unable to breathe, unable to move. The air felt thick, heavy. It pressed against him from all sides, suffocating him.

And yet, somehow, he could still hear.

The quiet sound of a voice—soft, almost melodic.

**"Ah… so you’re awake."**

Kazuro blinked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the soft light surrounding him. At first, he thought he was hallucinating. The world was a strange blend of mist and golden hues, as if he had stepped into a dream. But no matter how much he tried to shake off the feeling, the sensation of warmth and peace was undeniable.

The voice spoke again, clearer this time, but it wasn’t familiar. It wasn’t human.

**"Welcome to my realm, Kazuro Nakamura,"** the voice said, each word vibrating with a presence that seemed to fill every inch of space around him. **"I am the one who will grant you another chance."**

Kazuro tried to speak, but his mouth was dry, and no words came out. His head was spinning. What was happening? Was he… dead?

He looked around, but there was nothing. Just endless golden light that swirled around him like a vast ocean, stretching infinitely in every direction. It was unlike anything he had ever seen.

And then, before him, the figure materialized.

It wasn’t human, not by any means. It was a being that radiated an aura of absolute power, its form shimmering in the air. It had no clear shape, no distinct features—only an overwhelming sense of grandeur and presence. Kazuro couldn’t help but feel small in its presence, like a grain of sand before the might of the ocean.

**"I… died, didn’t I?"** Kazuro asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He didn’t even know if he should be asking. Everything felt so… unreal.

The being nodded, though it seemed more like a gesture of understanding rather than a clear response. **"Yes, you died. You saved a child. You gave your life to protect another, and for that, you have earned my intervention."**

Kazuro couldn’t make sense of it. His mind was still processing the reality of the situation. **"Why… Why am I here?"**

The being’s form shimmered, and a soft, almost amused tone filled the air. **"I am the God of Reincarnation, and I have watched over the countless worlds that exist beyond your own. And I have decided to offer you a second chance, Kazuro Nakamura."**

A second chance? At life?

Kazuro felt a strange stirring in his chest, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. A sense of confusion mixed with curiosity. Why him? He hadn’t asked for this, hadn’t even believed in such things.

The being continued, **"I offer you the opportunity to live again, but in a world far different from your own—a world where magic exists, where beasts roam, and where your skills and strength can grow beyond your imagination. A world where you may find the purpose that eluded you in your previous life."**

The golden light around Kazuro seemed to grow brighter as the being’s voice took on a more serious tone. **"But remember, this is not a decision to be taken lightly. The world you will enter is dangerous. The rules are different. The balance of power will shift, and you will need to adapt."**

Kazuro felt a sense of calm settle over him, despite the chaos of the situation. He was used to adapting. Life had always been about that, hadn’t it? Fighting to survive, to grow stronger.

**"Are you saying that I can choose?"** Kazuro asked, his voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling in his mind.

The being paused, and Kazuro swore he could feel the weight of its gaze on him, though it had no eyes. **"Yes. Choose wisely, Kazuro Nakamura. I will grant you the power you desire, but you must decide if you are truly ready to embrace this new life, with all its challenges and dangers."**

Kazuro thought for a moment, the weight of the decision pressing on him. He’d always lived for himself, had never been one to rely on anyone else. But this... This felt different.

He remembered his old life—the loneliness, the disconnection. He’d always been the outsider, detached, unable to connect with others. And now, he had a chance to be someone more. To build a new life in a world that was completely unknown, where strength and determination would define his future.

Finally, Kazuro spoke, his voice resolute. **"I accept. I’ll take the second chance."**

The being smiled—if it could even be said to have a smile—and nodded. "Very well. Welcome to your new life, Kazuro Nakamura. May you find the purpose you seek."

With a single wave of its hand, the golden light around Kazuro intensified, engulfing him completely. And before he could process what was happening, the light consumed him entirely, pulling him into the unknown.

To be continued...