Chapter 1: The New Dawn of Gelmist

That morning, the sun shone brightly outside Amano Hiragi's high school classroom window. It was warm, peaceful, and felt like a false promise of an ordinary day. Amano Hiragi, a seventeen-year-old student, rested his chin on his palm. His eyelids felt heavy, throbbing slightly. Damn it. The side effects of staying up all night, finally beating the latest FPS game. He'd just defeated the final boss with only a worn-out handgun for a ridiculous self-imposed challenge. The satisfaction of victory was sweet, but this exhaustion was just as torturous.

"Finally finished," Amano mumbled, a wide yawn escaping his lips. He stretched, feeling his back crack. History class felt like mass hypnosis.

His gaze wandered, then stopped. His heart suddenly thumped. His face flushed, blushing uncontrollably. Standing in the classroom doorway was Hiyori Kushida, bathed in the soft morning light, as if she had just stepped out of a shampoo commercial. Her shoulder-length brown hair swayed gently every time she moved, and a sweet smile graced her lips. Her clear, tinkling laugh, like the most beautiful melody to Amano's ears, drifted faintly as Hiyori spoke to a friend. Ah, her. The girl who was the reason Amano woke up enthusiastically every morning, the one Amano secretly dreamed of shooting—not with a pistol, of course, but with all his feelings.

If only I had just a little courage like the protagonist in that romance novel... Amano sighed inwardly, cliché fantasies filling his head. He was too cowardly to confess his feelings to Hiyori. Too preoccupied with his own world.

It was then, without warning, that a dazzling white light suddenly appeared in the center of the classroom. It wasn't lamp light or sunlight, but something that felt solid, alive, and far beyond comprehension. Too bright, too sudden. The entire classroom seemed to be sucked into a vortex, its walls melting into light, the floor groaning and collapsing into an instant, absolute darkness. A powerful, nauseating pulling sensation dragged everyone, throwing them into the void. Amano felt his stomach churn, as if his soul was being forcibly torn from his body. There were screams, panic, and a paralyzing fear.

When his vision returned, and the dizziness subsided, Amano found himself standing in a magnificent, utterly unfamiliar hall. Stone pillars soared high to a ceiling of unknown height, adorned with ancient carvings he'd never seen in any history book. The marble floor gleamed, reflecting the light from magical lanterns that floated gracefully in the air, emitting a soft, warm glow. The atmosphere was... vastly different from a stuffy, sweaty high school classroom with its dull blackboard.

In the center of the hall, a beautiful woman with a powerful, divine aura stood gracefully. Her skin was as pale as alabaster, her hair as soft as golden silk, and her eyes sparkled like jewels. Her robe shimmered like a cluster of stars on a night sky, its fabric flowing like water. She was Goddess Helena.

"Greetings, chosen children from another world!" Goddess Helena's voice was melodious, yet clearly contained a soul-stirring power, echoing throughout the hall and calming the lingering panic. "I am Goddess Helena, and I have summoned all of you to save my world from the cruel Demon Lord's threat!"

The entire hall immediately erupted in a commotion. Amano's classmates, who had been stunned by this sudden change, now buzzed with enthusiastic whispers. Cheers of excitement broke out. Some already clenched their fists, adopting heroic expressions as if ready to become comic book heroes. Their eyes sparkled.

"This is really isekai!" someone near Amano murmured, their eyes gleaming. "I'm definitely getting the strongest healing magic!" another yelled, jumping up and down. "If it's me, it'll be a legendary holy sword!" a large student chimed in, swinging his fist.

Amano could only sigh inwardly. Of course, everyone's immediately excited. Who wouldn't want to be the protagonist in a fantasy story? He waited for his turn, his heart pounding. He hoped to get some cool magic—maybe spatial manipulation magic, or perhaps illusion magic he could use to... well, play a little prank on that arrogant friend of his. Or even powerful magic that could make him invincible, like the characters in his games. There had to be something, right? He was the protagonist of his own life, after all!

Goddess Helena smiled faintly, then raised her hand gracefully. A soft, shimmering light encircled one student after another. Each time the light encircled someone, a bright symbol would appear above their head, and the Goddess would call out their name and the unique power they received. "You, a Great Knight with flame sword magic!" "You, a lightning elemental mage!" "You, a healer with healing magic!" The students' excitement peaked, boasting about their new powers. Amano saw Hiyori receive powerful healing magic, making her a pillar of support for the hero group. Hiyori smiled proudly, and Amano felt a pang of jealousy.

Finally, Goddess Helena's divine, shining eyes turned to Amano. The same light encircled him, enveloping him completely. Amano held his breath, waiting. However, there was no bright shimmer. No magic symbol appeared above his head. No aura of power emanated. Nothing at all.

Goddess Helena's face, which had been graceful and smiling, slowly changed. Her beautiful brows furrowed, her eyes widened in shock. Her lips parted slightly, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"How could it be...?" the Goddess murmured, barely audible, as if she had just witnessed something impossible, or even disgusting. "Your magic status... is empty. There is no magic. Absolutely none."

Those words were like a hammer blow. The hall, which had been bustling with cheers and joyful whispers, instantly fell silent. A deadly silence, which felt heavier than any sound. Amano's classmates, who had been filled with excitement over their powers, now turned to him. Their expressions shifted from enthusiastic to astonished, then quickly to pity, even disgust.

"No magic?" someone whispered, their tone filled with disdain. "He's useless then." "What the hell, how can someone be here without magic? The Goddess must have called the wrong person!" another added, their voice containing undisguised contempt. A faint laugh could be heard from the back.

Amano felt his heart plummet, sinking to the bottom of an abyss. No magic? Him? After all the games he had played, all his childhood fantasies of being a hero... this? He looked towards his classmates, trying to find support. But no one would meet his gaze. They whispered, moving away, as if he were a contagious disease. Even Hiyori Kushida, the girl he had always adored, turned her face away, avoiding eye contact with him, as if Amano was a stranger she had never known. Hiyori's abandonment was the deepest wound. It was a betrayal far more painful than the Goddess's words themselves. He swore he would never forget Hiyori's averted gaze.

"I apologize, young man," Goddess Helena said, her voice now regretful, yet her eyes remained cold and stern, without a hint of warmth. "But regrettably, you must be banished. This world needs strength, not a burden. Without skills or a group, you have no place here. You are an anomaly we do not need."

And without waiting for a response, without giving him a chance to plead, Goddess Helena raised her hand. A black, murky portal opened beneath Amano's feet, sucking him into the darkness. He had no time to scream, no time to beg. Only a feeling of emptiness, anger, and betrayal burned in his chest. He heard faint whispers of mockery and laughter from above before the portal closed, severing him from the world that had just rejected him.

Amano fell, thrown into the cold void, then landed on something soft. When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying inside a warm, old house, with the comforting scent of firewood and herbs. Beside him, a pair of wrinkled eyes full of kindness gazed at him. An old man and woman, with friendly smiles and wrinkles on their faces that showed long life experience, sat cross-legged on the wooden floor. They looked like wise supporting characters from an old RPG, appearing at crucial moments.

"Thank goodness, you're safe, young man," the old man said, his voice gentle, like a spring breeze. "We're the ones who saved you from that void," the old woman added, her smile widening, revealing several missing teeth. "Goddess Helena often acts too hastily. Such a pity for a young man like you. There's always an anomaly she casts aside so easily."

Amano was still confused, his brain trying to process all the events. "I... where is this? Who are you...?"

The old man and woman exchanged glances. Then, in unison, they took Amano's hands, one on his left and one on his right. A strange warmth flowed into his body, like water irrigating dry land, filling every cell with new energy. A peculiar sensation, as if something was awakening within him.

"Receive this," the old woman said, her eyes twinkling. "This is our gratitude for you defeating that destructive dragon." "With that thing you called a pistol!" the old man added with a small laugh. "We have been watching you from afar, young man. Your spirit, your courage... they are very rare. Far more valuable than that foolish magic. We see your potential."

Amano was startled. A destructive dragon? A pistol? He didn't remember anything about that. Were they mistaken? Or... did he not remember defeating the dragon? His last memory was staying up all night playing games and then... getting sucked into the light. This was strange, but not impossible in a fantasy world.

"With this skill," the old woman said, "you can create anything from your imagination. These are the skills Build-Up and Creation!"

Suddenly, a softer but powerful light enveloped Amano, not dazzling like the Goddess's light, but feeling like information entering his being. It felt like a flood of data pouring into his brain, filling every empty corner. His spiritual muscles felt like they were expanding. Build-Up... Creation...? There was a strange sensation, like new muscles appearing in his soul, a potential that had just awakened.

"The third skill, Imagination," the old man said, his voice now more solemn, almost a whisper. "A very rare magic, and only those with pure hearts and strong determination can awaken it. This is not ordinary magic, young man. This is magic to change reality. Our gift for the future."

Before Amano could ask more, he again felt a pulling sensation. This time, a gentle yet irresistible pull, like an invisible hand guiding him. He was thrown into a dilapidated old shack, landing with a soft thud. The scent of damp earth and rotting wood filled the air. Sunlight streamed through cracks in the walls, illuminating dust dancing in the air. He looked at himself. His high school uniform was now worn, dirty, and torn in several places. His hair was a bit messy.

Ah, so this is my new starting point? Classic. From a magnificent hall to a dilapidated shack.

"So... this is really another world," Amano murmured, observing his surroundings. The shack was empty, with only a pile of straw in a corner and a few rusty buckets. A real "dumping ground."

He tried to focus on the skills he had just received. Build-Up, Creation... Imagination. An idea sparked in his mind. He closed his eyes, thinking of more suitable clothes, something practical and inconspicuous. A clear image of a simple leather jacket and sturdy fabric pants, complete with strong boots, appeared in his mind. When he opened his eyes, his clothes had changed. His uniform had been replaced by the outfit he had imagined. He was also wearing leather boots and a sling bag. Interesting. This is far more flexible than other 'cool' magic. And it seems to require no mana or energy at all? Just pure imagination? Or maybe there are limits I don't know yet? He tried to imagine a car, but his head felt a little dizzy. Ah, perhaps small scale first.

This was it. His new adventure, truly beginning. Without goddesses, without heroes, just himself.

Amano stepped out of the shack. The sight that greeted him was the most vivid picture of misery. The surrounding village was utterly squalid. Houses were decrepit, almost collapsing, their walls crumbling, roofs riddled with holes. The fields around the village were barren, cracked from drought. Everywhere, he saw many human races and mixed races—ordinary humans with pale skin, elves with long, wilted ears, beastkin with furry ears and drooping tails—all looked gaunt, their eyes sunken from hunger and thirst. Some lay weakly on the ground, too weak to move, even to swat away flies. An aura of despair enveloped the place like a thick fog, more suffocating than the dust in the air.

Amano's heart sank. The anger and hurt he had felt from being discarded by Goddess Helena and his classmates were now replaced by a deep wave of sympathy. They were like him—abandoned, forgotten, near death. Heroes? Goddesses? They throw away the useless, and they let this happen? What's the use of your power if you let these people suffer?

Alright, Goddess Helena. Your world threw me into the dirtiest place. But just watch, I'll clean it up. I'll prove that the 'burden' you threw away can do more than all of you. A steely resolve formed within Amano, a promise etched into his wounded heart.

"With these skills..." Amano murmured, looking at his hands. He closed his eyes, imagining. Hot, steaming food, clean flowing water, proper shacks. He activated Build-Up and Creation, focusing his Imagination magic.

Instantly, a faint green smoke billowed from his hands. In the air, raw materials from the surroundings—soil, stones, plant fibers—began to move, swirling, forming shapes. The aroma of warm bread and savory broth filled the air. Before the eyes of the starving villagers, food and clean water began to materialize. Whole wheat bread, steaming bowls of soup, and pitchers full of water appeared on the ground.

The scent spread, making the lethargic villagers lift their heads. Their empty eyes began to show sparks of hope. At first hesitant, fearing it was just an illusion. But one by one, they crawled closer, then shakily reached for the food. The first bite, then the second. Tears streamed down their faces as they felt nutrition fill their weakened bodies. A sight Amano had never imagined.

It didn't take long for the news of the miracle to spread like wildfire. From every corner of the village, from crumbling shacks, from behind bushes, more and more residents flocked. Eyes that had been despairing now sparkled with hope as they saw piles of food and pitchers of water continuously appearing from Amano's hands. Skinny young children crawled closer, crying tears of relief as they bit into the warm bread.

Amano continued to create, feeling a little fatigue in his body, but far greater was the satisfaction flowing in his heart. He saw the first faint smiles appear on those weary faces.

After the crowd had somewhat subsided and stomachs were starting to fill, Amano raised a hand. "Listen!" his voice, though a little tired, was loud enough to attract attention. "Now, I need information. Where is this? And why are all of you starving like this?"

A young man, from the wolf beastkin race, stepped forward hesitantly. His furry ears and occasionally twitching tail made him look awkward, but his yellowish-brown eyes looked at Amano with deep gratitude.

"L-Lord Benefactor..." The young man bowed deeply. "You are in the country of Gelmist. A nation that is not only poor, but will soon collapse and disappear from the map."

He gestured around him with a weary sweep of his hand. "Gelmist is the poorest nation on the entire Aldorat continent. We are the weakest, the most forgotten."

His voice turned bitter as he continued. "Only our neighboring countries are rich and prosperous. There is the great Kingdom of Felda to the west, the Kingdom of Costa to the east, the Kingdom of Baron to the south, and finally the powerful Kingdom of Gulmist to the north."

The beastkin youth sighed heavily. "We have nothing, Lord. No magic, no resources, only barren land and endless wars. We live in fear of demons and attacks from other kingdoms that see us only as easy prey."

Amano nodded, absorbing every piece of information. A coldness pierced his heart, not from the air, but from the bitter truth he had just heard. So, he was thrown into the most useless place? A cynical yet determined smile formed on his lips.

Alright, Goddess Helena. Your world threw me into the dirtiest place. But just watch, I'll clean it up.

After gathering enough basic information, Amano decided to move. He headed towards the capital of Gelmist, although the beastkin youth had already warned him that it wasn't much better there. However, Amano had to see for himself. He needed to gather a bigger picture of the condition of the "kingdom" that was now under his "protection."

The journey felt long. When he finally arrived at the outskirts of Gelmist's capital, night had already fallen. The sky was dark, lit only by a thin crescent moon and a few dim lanterns in the distance. The night air was cold and carried something unpleasant.

Suddenly, from within the city, piercing sounds broke the silence. Screams. Cries. Pleading cries for help.

Amano frowned. His instincts immediately screamed warning. These were not sounds of celebration or laughter, these were sounds of suffering. Ignoring them was not an option. He retreated slightly, looking for a hidden spot.

Alright, Amano. Time to put theory into practice.

With Build-Up and Creation Skills, he focused his Imagination magic. In his mind, a clear image emerged: a dark tactical camouflage suit, perfect for a night operation. Not only that, he also visualized the weapons he was most familiar with and most efficient with.

A faint green smoke billowed from his body. In seconds, his worn clothes had been replaced by a sleek camouflage uniform, complete with tactical gloves and a face covering that made him nearly invisible in the darkness. In his hands, an M14 assault rifle equipped with an ACOG appeared, its weight feeling just right. At his hip, his prized pistol, a Colt M1911, was tucked in. Everything felt familiar, like an extension of himself.

Amano took a deep breath. My Stealth skills from my games, it's your time to shine. He activated a sensation that felt like enhancing his senses in the dark. A greenish tint filled his retinas, allowing him to see clearly in low light. Night Vision active.

Behind the crumbled walls, the sight that greeted him made Amano's blood boil. In the darkness, a group of men—bandits, in ragged clothes and primitive weapons—were herding wooden carts filled with small children. The children's eyes were filled with fear and tears, some human, some elf, and some beastkin. The screams and cries he had heard earlier came from them.

"Shut up, all of you! Or I'll silence you forever!" one bandit growled, brandishing his whip.

These kids are going to be sold. Made into slaves. Amano's anger, which had been burning earlier from the Goddess's and his friends' betrayal, now flared even brighter, directed at the vile bandits before him. No heroes? No one cared? Then he would act.

Amano quickly counted. A total of twenty bandits. A decent target. He took position, crouching behind the rubble, M14 raised. His index finger was already on the trigger.

One by one. Silently.

The soft thwip sound from the M14's suppressor was almost imperceptible. The first bandit, who was tying an elf child to a cart, suddenly fell face down without a sound, a small hole in his forehead. The others didn't notice him.

Two. Another shot, another one fell. Three. Four.

Confusion began to spread among the bandits. Some started to see their comrades fall. "What was that sound?" one bandit yelled, holding an axe. "Magic? Is there another mage here?!" "Fool! Magic doesn't make that sound!" another snapped, panic beginning to set in.

They began to draw swords and axes, searching frantically in the darkness. But Amano, with his Night Vision and ability to move silently, was like a ghost among them. A shadow darted behind the ruins, then a bandit fell. A muffled sound, then another bandit collapsed. They could only stare dumbfounded, confusion and fear engulfing them. They thought it was magic. They were wrong. This was modern military technology.

One by one, their numbers drastically dwindled. From twenty, to fifteen. Then ten. Then seven. They screamed in panic, shooting arrows and random spells in all directions. But nothing hit its target.

Finally, only five bandits remained. They huddled together, back to back, their breath coming in ragged gasps. Real fear was etched on their faces.

Amano smiled faintly from behind his face covering. Time for the grand finale. He holstered his M14. This time, he drew his prized pistol, the Colt M1911. The weapon he had used to defeat the destructive dragon—though he didn't remember it—and the final boss of his game.

Bang! Bang!

Two precise, equally lethal shots from the M1911. Two bandits dropped. The remaining ones trembled, trying to run, but it was too late. In a flash, Amano moved swiftly, like a darting shadow. His pistol went into action again.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

All the bandits lay motionless. Silence returned to the night, broken only by the faint sobs of the children in the carts.

Amano approached. He quickly untied the children from the carts. Their tear-filled eyes looked at him, confused but relieved. Some hid behind their friends, afraid of the dark-uniformed figure in front of them.

"You're safe," Amano said, trying to soften his voice. "I won't hurt you."

He then reactivated Build-Up and Creation, focusing his Imagination magic. Instantly, hot food and clean water appeared near the children. The aroma of warm bread and soup filled the air, tempting their rumbling stomachs. The children, who had been scared, now fell silent, then their eyes widened at the sight of the food suddenly before them. One elf child with ears more pointed than the others, his eyes still moist with tears, immediately grabbed several pieces of bread and soup. Without saying a word, he darted off into the darkness, carrying his precious provisions.

Amano could only resign himself to seeing the boy flee with his 'supplies'. Well, at least he's not starving anymore. Maybe this will spread the word.

The next day, the sight that greeted Amano in the former capital of Gelmist, which he had expected to remain deserted and squalid, was truly astonishing. Not just dozens, but hundreds of people! Approximately five hundred people queued long at the ruins of the market, their gazes full of hope directed at Amano. They were the residents of Gelmist, from various races—humans, elves, beastkin—who had heard the news from last night. News of a 'shadow' who had crushed bandits and created food out of thin air.

Amano looked at the crowd, then closed his eyes. A grand, crazy, yet instinctively right idea, surfaced in his mind. This wasn't just about feeding them for a moment. This was about giving them a future. If this kingdom was dying, why not build a new one from its ashes?

Without hesitation, Amano moved, searching for the tallest building still standing amidst the ruins. With the help of Build-Up and Creation, he created a sturdy foothold and quickly climbed to the rooftop of a building that might have once been a city hall. He pulled out his M14 rifle.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Three loud shots broke the morning silence. All eyes that had been on him were now startled, briefly panicked, then turned back to the military-uniformed figure on the roof. The whispers subsided, and the crowd finally fell silent.

"Listen, all of you!" Amano shouted, his voice echoing throughout the area. He removed his face covering, revealing a young face full of determination. "I know you are starving! I know you live in fear! This Kingdom of Gelmist... is dead!"

Desperate whispers began to rise from the crowd.

"But!" Amano raised his hand. "I have an offer. A new change! A new nation! I will build this country, into a place where every race, every being, no matter their background, will prosper! A nation that will discard no one!"

He paused, letting his words sink in. "The name of this nation is the New Gelmist Federation! And its capital, where we stand now, I will build into a prosperous city called Sonka!"

Silence enveloped the area again, then murmurs of agreement began to emerge. First one or two, then dozens, until finally the crowd erupted in cheers of "Agreed!" and "We'll follow!" Some even knelt, looking at Amano like a savior sent from the heavens.

Amano nodded. "Who among you is willing to work with me? Who among you wants to build your own future? Who among you wants to become soldiers, to protect this new nation, to protect your families?"

Instantly, a sea of hands shot up. Men and women, young and old, from all the races present—humans, elves, beastkin. With gazes full of conviction, they shouted loudly, "We will!" A total of approximately three hundred people immediately stepped forward, eager to join this federation nation built by Amano. They believed that this boy from another world was the savior they had been waiting for.

One month later.

The scene in the old Gelmist capital had changed drastically. What was once ruins, was now a bustling and organized construction area. Amano worked tirelessly. With Build-Up and Creation, he created not only buildings, but also the heavy machinery needed. Giant tractors, modern bulldozers, cement mixers—all appeared from his imagination, their materials taken from the surrounding debris. This was not just magic, but also relentless effort from Amano and his hundreds of citizens.

Regardless of human or mixed race, they all worked together shoulder to shoulder. There were elves deftly operating machines, beastkin with their physical strength moving materials, and humans supervising construction. There was no discrimination, no hunger. Food and water were continuously created by Amano for those working, keeping spirits and energy high.

The city of Sonka began to take shape rapidly. Sturdy buildings soared, clean roads stretched out, and even fertile fields began to appear, irrigated by simple irrigation systems Amano created. The most touching sight for Amano was seeing many children, no longer starving, with cheerful faces, starting school in temporary buildings he had created. Their smiles and joyous laughter were the best sights Amano had ever witnessed.

On the other hand, the three hundred soldiers who had joined—men and women—stood in more orderly ranks. Amano asked them to discard all their old spears and swords. "Those are the past," Amano said firmly. "We will not return to the past."

Before them, piles of modern military uniforms appeared from the air—the same camouflage uniform Amano wore when eliminating the bandits. Beside each uniform, a brand new M16 assault rifle lay, its weight feeling light yet deadly. Something Amano had always wanted—a modern army, not a band of medieval warriors.

"From today," Amano announced, his voice filled with burning determination. "You are the Guards of the New Gelmist Federation! You are the protectors of Sonka! You are the hope of this nation!"

Military training then began with high intensity. Amano, with his deep knowledge from strategy and military games, taught them the basics of modern tactics, firearm use, and strict military discipline. Despite the speed, the new soldiers showed extraordinary spirit.

As time passed, the army base on the outskirts of Sonka was completed, standing strong with watchtowers and organized barracks. News of the 'New Nation' and the 'Modern Civilization Builder' spread like wildfire. More and more people, from remote Gelmist villages, even mixed-race refugees from cruel neighboring kingdoms, flocked to the city of Sonka, seeking hope. And with that, even more joined the army, ready to sacrifice everything for Amano, their savior.

New Gelmist Federation. This is just the beginning. Amano smiled faintly, looking at the horizon that was beginning to show the shape of the city he dreamed of. Goddess Helena, and all you heroes... just watch what this 'burden' you threw away can do.

On the other side, far from the hustle and bustle of Sonka's construction, a middle-aged woman with blonde hair, now slightly disheveled, stumbled out of the bushes. She was Kikuchi-sensei, Amano's homeroom teacher. Her eyes blinked, trying to adjust to the light that somehow felt so strange. She remembered her summoning, remembered being discarded after the Goddess gave her a ridiculous teaching skill—useless for war.

"I... I'm back?" she murmured, her voice hoarse, filled with confusion. She looked around. Faint ruins, but in the distance... something was different. A gleam of metal, tall buildings standing solidly, strange mechanical sounds. Far from the medieval fantasy world she vaguely remembered. "Don't tell me... I'm back in Japan? Was it all just a bad dream?"

With trembling steps, she began to walk, drawn by the illogical sight before her. The closer she got, the clearer it became. Smooth asphalt roads, buildings with modern architecture, and most astonishingly, a bustling crowd she had never seen in this world.

People of various races—humans, elves, beastkin—busily moved back and forth. Not with swords or magic robes, but with neatly carried briefcases. They were talking on phones from who-knows-where, wearing modern clothes, and rushing as if racing against time. In a street corner, a modern cafe with a whirring coffee machine emitted a very familiar aroma. Across the street, a group of construction workers of various races, wearing yellow helmets, were working on a multi-story apartment structure, using heavy equipment that Kikuchi-sensei recognized.

Kikuchi-sensei felt a headache coming on. This wasn't Japan, but it also wasn't the world she knew. How could this be? What had happened all this time?

Her steps halted. In front of her, in the middle of a road that was being re-laid with advanced machinery, she saw a very familiar figure. A young man in a modern military uniform, with messy black hair, supervising workers with a tablet in his hand. A satisfied smile was on his face.

Amano Hiragi.

Kikuchi-sensei's eyes widened. Impossible. That boy with no magic? He was here? And... what had happened to this world? He looked much more mature, more authoritative.

"A-Amano...?" she whispered, her voice choked, barely audible amidst the bustle of construction.

END OF CHAPTER 1