From Kyoto to yushin
In the heart of Kyoto, Japan, a young man named Jin Hayashi, he's 20 years old, he has no goals to speak of, he began his day like any other. He glanced at the clock and realized the morning was slipping away.
"I should probably get ready for work," Jin muttered as he pushed himself out of bed. "I'll be late if I don't start early."
As he headed for the bathroom, the familiar "pitter, patter" of the shower's water echoed through his apartment. However, something was amiss. The sound grew louder, transforming into a deluge that shouldn't be possible.
"What? What's happening?" Jin exclaimed in disbelief as the shower's water burst through the bathroom door and started pouring through the walls, flooding his home.
"Why isn't this turning off?" Jin muttered, trying to comprehend the surreal situation unfolding before him. Panic gripped him as water continued to cascade from every direction, filling his apartment like a relentless tidal wave.
But even in the face of this disaster, Jin remained surprisingly calm and collected. He quickly assessed the situation, grabbing essential items and climbing to higher ground within his apartment.
"I don't know what's happening, but I sure don't like it," Jin thought as he managed to secure his belongings and create a makeshift raft from a floating piece of furniture.
As the waters continued to rise, Jin floated amidst the chaos, maintaining his composure. While he didn't have many friends or close connections in his life, he had always been self-reliant and resourceful. These traits, his calm demeanor, and his ability to keep a level head in a crisis, were the cornerstones of his character.
Amidst the surreal disaster, Jin's selfish streak surfaced as well. He knew that his own survival was paramount, and he did what he needed to do to stay afloat in this bizarre aquatic nightmare.
"I can't breathe," he gasped, struggling for air as the relentless flood engulfed him. The last moments of consciousness were a blur, filled with fear and helplessness.
"I guess this is it," Jin thought, his final breath escaping him. "I'm dead. I never imagined I'd die like this."
Moments passed, and Jin's awareness faded into darkness.
Moments passed, and Jin slowly regained consciousness. He opened his eyes to find himself in an entirely unfamiliar place. The forest canopy above him cast dappled sunlight on the ground below. Birds chirped, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. It was a stark contrast to the watery chaos he had experienced just moments ago.
"I thought I was a goner," Jin said in relief as he pushed himself into a sitting position.
Before he could finish his sentence, a voice interrupted him from behind, "Well, you were close."
Startled, Jin turned to see a figure stepping out from behind a nearby tree. It was a young man with striking blue eyes and an air of authority about him. Beside him stood a young woman, her gaze distant yet observant.
"What the heck, dude, you scared me half to death," Jin said, his heart still racing from the earlier ordeal.
The young man, Kazuki, offered a wry smile. "My bad for the surprise entrance. I'm Kazuki, the guy who brought you here."
The young woman, Haruta, nodded casually. "I'm Haruta Kumo," she introduced herself, her voice calm and composed.
Jin took a moment to collect himself. "Jin Hayashi," he replied, offering a nod. "So, where are we exactly?"
Kazuki gestured to the lush forest around them. "We're in a place called Yushin. You were summoned here."
Jin's eyes widened with disbelief. "Summoned? Like, from my flooded house?"
Kazuki nodded. "Exactly. That flood was your ticket to this world."
Jin blinked in astonishment. "But why? And who are you guys?"
Kazuki motioned for Jin to follow him deeper into the forest. "I'm Kazuki, the king of this place, and also the one who summoned you. This is Haruta."
Just as Jin was about to ask more questions, another figure emerged from the shadows. Kin Shiro, a young man with a mysterious aura, stepped forward.
"Name's Kin Shiro," he said with a shrug. "I'm here for my own reasons, and this place has some answers I need."
Haruta chimed in, her tone more relaxed now. "Kin and I had our own adventures getting here. Me and Kin came from the same dimension. Essentially this world expects us to save them, We're all in this together now."
Kazuki's blue eyes locked onto each of them in turn, and then he spoke with a note of seriousness, "But before any of you can leave this forest, we need to test your mana capabilities."
Mana is the magical energy required to cast magic while incanting
Jin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Mana? Like, magic?"
Kazuki nodded. "Exactly. Each of you possesses mana, and I need to gauge its strength. Jin, you have none."
Jin's heart sank at the revelation. "What does that mean?"
Kazuki explained, "In order to leave this forest and embark on the path to unlocking your true potential in Yushin and save the world, you need a significant mana capability. Without it, you'll be stranded here."
Haruta added, "We'll have to perform a simple test. Focus on the energy within you and try to gather it."
With a sense of uncertainty, Jin closed his eyes and tried to follow Haruta's guidance. He attempted to tap into a source of energy he couldn't quite comprehend.
Kazuki watched intently as Jin concentrated. After a few moments, he shook his head. "No mana, as expected."
Jin sighed in disappointment. "So, what now?"
Kazuki's expression turned serious. "You'll have to stay here in the forest, we can't have someone as useless as you coming with us, stay here and die, You disgust us.
Kazuki and the others suddenly disappeared from Jin's sight. With mana present in this world, he couldn't help but wonder if there were also dangerous creatures lurking in this forest. The thought of encountering monsters sent a shiver down his spine.
What will happen now?
Jin wondered….