Starlight Sanctum

The floating tavern was unlike anything Itsuki had seen, yet somehow familiar. Built into the hollowed-out core of a massive crystal, it glowed with soft inner light while offering panoramic views of the endless sky through transparent walls. Other champions occupied floating chairs and hovering platforms throughout the space.

I recognize this design, Itsuki thought, studying the crystalline architecture. Starlight Sanctum interior layout. Since the world was procedurally generated, there were places even I hadn't explored. I'll have to take a look at where I am later.

Clara led him to a secluded alcove where crystalline formations grew from the walls like frozen waterfalls. She ordered something called Stellar Nectar for both of them, a drink that literally sparkled with tiny stars.

As the waitress approached with their drinks, Itsuki reached into his inventory and produced a small green coin that seemed to pulse with its own inner light.

"Oh my!" the waitress exclaimed, her eyes widening. "A Verdant Token! It's been ages since anyone used one of these."

She quickly took the coin and hurried away, returning moments later with an elegant crystal tray. On it sat the most beautiful macarons Itsuki had ever seen, each one crafted to look like a tiny star system, with swirling galaxies of color and edible glitter that sparkled like real starlight.

Clara stared at the display in amazement. "What are these? I've never seen anything like them on the menu."

These were from that limited event years ago, Itsuki thought to himself. The Celestial Confectionery update. Most players spent their tokens immediately, but I always hoarded everything. Kept thinking I'd save them for something special...

He picked up one of the macarons, marveling at how real it felt, how the flavors would actually register on his enhanced senses. I should have used these long ago, but I'm glad I get to experience this properly now.

"These give minimal stat boosts," Itsuki said, sliding the tray toward Clara. "Negligible for an endgame build like mine, but they'll magically enhance the durability you're lacking."

Clara looked skeptical. "Ehh? It's just food."

She picked up one of the stellar treats and bit into it cautiously. Her eyes immediately went wide.

"OHHHHH!" she gasped, her entire body seeming to shimmer with newfound energy. "I can feel it! This is incredible... the ingredients must be extremely rare!"

A soft golden aura surrounded her for a moment before fading, and Clara flexed her fingers experimentally. "My energy reserves feel deeper, more stable. What kind of enhancement is this?"

"Celestial-grade consumables," Itsuki replied simply. "They're from a limited event that most people missed."

"Limited event?" Clara looked confused. "I don't get what you're saying, but whatever. This is amazing, thank you."

"So," Clara said, leaning forward with intense curiosity as she savored another stellar treat, "I've never been this far from home before. I've fought plenty of warriors in the outer territories, but I've never seen anyone with your level of skill."

Itsuki took a sip of his drink. It had a complex flavor profile, sweet and tart, like a blend of pineapple, apple, grape, and lemon, with hints of melon and kiwi. "How many techniques did you recognize?"

"Maybe half? And that's being generous." Clara shook her head in amazement. "Phantom Step is rare enough, but Wind Walking? Gravity Reversal? I thought those were myths. And don't even get me started on Void Cutter. I didn't even know energy severing was possible in aerial combat."

"What about your equipment?" she continued, studying his armor with professional interest. "That's not standard gear. The craftsmanship, the energy efficiency, the way it integrates with your movement techniques... Where did you get it?"

Itsuki looked down at his legendary black armor. Every piece had been earned through countless battles, upgraded through rare materials, perfectly customized to his fighting style. "I worked for it. Every piece."

"And those consumables... even that coin..." Clara trailed off, then shook her head with a smile. "Well, it's not my place to be digging too deep into a fellow adventurer's secrets."

She raised her stellar drink in a small toast. "Thank you for saving me, by the way. I intended to treat you tonight, but you've shown me that I've got a whole world to learn and explore. Thank you!"

They finished their drinks in comfortable conversation, Clara asking about various techniques she'd witnessed while Itsuki gave carefully vague answers. Eventually, she stood to leave.

"I should head back before it gets too late," she said, stretching her wings. "But I hope we meet again soon. Maybe next time I'll give you a proper challenge."

"I look forward to it," Itsuki replied.

After Clara departed, Itsuki sat alone in the crystalline alcove, staring out at the endless sky. The weight of his situation finally began to settle on him.

Just hours ago, I was in my room. Frustrated about my banned account, collapsing on the floor... He touched his face, feeling the reality of his transformed features. And now I'm here. Actually here.

But something nagged at him. He'd used consumables, activated inventory systems, even accessed his legendary equipment. If this was truly the same world as the game, wouldn't his account status still apply?

I should check my character information.

The moment he focused on accessing his stats, familiar displays appeared in his peripheral vision. But what he saw made his blood run cold.

Account Status: PERMANENTLY BANNED Level: 1 Class: Unassigned Skills: All Available Experience Gain: RESTRICTED

What? Level one? His mind reeled. But I have all my skills intact. And I've been fighting as if nothing changed...

The implications were staggering. His character was in a completely bizarre state. He had access to every skill he'd ever learned, every technique he'd mastered, but he was stuck at level one with no ability to gain experience.

The ban. The system transported me here, but it kept the account restrictions active.

He remembered his character creation choice from years ago. The classless build had been unconventional from the start. While other players rushed to select specializations for their immediate power boosts, Itsuki had remained unassigned, slowly accumulating skills from every discipline. It was harder, slower, but it gave him access to techniques that specialized builds could never combine.

In the game, it was a challenge build. Here, it might be the only reason I can still function normally.

The possibility that this might be some elaborate dream crossed his mind, but he dismissed it quickly. The sensations were too real, too detailed. The taste of the stellar nectar still lingered on his tongue. The enhancement from the macarons had been genuine. This wasn't a dream.

This is an isekai system, he realized with strange calm. I've been transported to what was once just a game world. But now it's my reality. A reality where I'm permanently stuck at level one.

He stood and made his way to the tavern's exit platform. The night sky above was vast and welcoming, dotted with floating islands that glowed softly in the distance.

I need time to process this. To rest and think.

Itsuki launched himself into the air, his astral wings carrying him higher than he'd flown before. He rose above the normal flight paths, above the floating cities and trading routes, until he found himself among the giant cumulus clouds that drifted through the upper atmosphere like floating continents.

Here, hidden from view and undisturbed, seemed like the perfect place.

Now would be a great time to summon my house, he thought, reaching into his inventory for an item he'd barely touched.

The Manor Token had been one of his purchases during a sale event, but PVP had always been his main focus. He'd barely touched the housing system, dismissing it as a distraction from competitive play. Now, floating alone among the clouds, it seemed like the perfect time.

He activated the token.

Reality shimmered around them as a massive floating mansion materialized from the item. The structure was beautiful on the outside, with elegant spires and graceful archways that caught the moonlight. As it settled into position, the entire building began to drift naturally with the giant clouds, creating perfect camouflage. A cloaking fortress hidden in plain sight.

Before Itsuki could fully appreciate the architecture, the front doors burst open.

"Master Amakaze!"

A young woman with golden blonde hair in a perfect maid uniform came rushing out. Maria, his household NPC, looked exactly as he remembered from the character creation screen years ago. Her blue eyes sparkled with programmed enthusiasm as she practically bounced with excitement.

"Welcome home! Oh, it's been so long since you've visited!" She performed a perfect curtsy, then looked up at him expectantly. "Would you like dinner, a bath, or... me?"

Itsuki couldn't help but laugh. "A bath is fine. I already ate."

Maria's expression immediately shifted to one of theatrical outrage. "Master, you meanie!" she exclaimed, puffing out her cheeks. "You ate without me again! You never come home to eat with Maria! I prepare all these wonderful meals and you just ignore them! Do you know how lonely it gets waiting for you every day?"

She crossed her arms and turned away in an exaggerated huff. "Hmph! Master doesn't care about poor Maria at all!"

Itsuki laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Right... her personality was set like this as a prank by one of my friends."

I'd forgotten how dramatic the NPC personalities could get. Thanks a lot, Kenji.

As Maria led him inside, Itsuki was struck by how barren the interior looked. The mansion was undeniably fancy, with high ceilings and ornate moldings, but it lacked furniture and had far too much open space. Empty rooms stretched out before him, echoing with their footsteps.

I keep promising myself I'll get around to decorating this place, he thought nervously, taking in the vast emptiness.

He opened his inventory and began materializing items. A comfortable bed appeared first, followed by fluffy pillows and a soft blanket. Then came a large TV, a gaming computer with a high-end monitor, and a wired mouse.

Looking at his setup with satisfaction, he thought smugly, The ideal living space.