Prologue

A few hours past midnight, darkness cloaked a humble apartment, its inhabitants lost in the embrace of slumber.

However, in this quiet stillness, there was one exception.

I am Lukas, a 43-year-old aficionado of anime, and my heart beats most ardently for the Dragon Ball series.

As is my nightly ritual, headphones encased my ears, and the world around me ceased to exist as I delved into the timeless realms of Dragon Ball. Despite having witnessed these episodes a hundred times or more, the thrill and exhilaration are as fresh as the very first viewing.

At this moment, I found myself amidst the climactic battle on the distant planet Namek, where Goku clashed with the formidable Frieza, while Earth's guardian gathered the mystical Dragon Balls to summon Shenlong. I held in my hand seven imitation Dragon Balls, and as the celestial deity did in the anime, I spoke the sacred words, "Shenlong, appear and grant my wish."

For a brief, tantalizing moment, the room's light seemed to flicker, and I dared to entertain the idea that perhaps Shenlong was materializing. After all, who hasn't, at some point, harbored the fantastical dream of encountering an omnipotent dragon capable of fulfilling any wish?

In a surreal mirroring of the show's events, the sky darkened, and to my astonishment, Shenlong manifested. In his customary tone, he intoned, "You have collected the seven Dragon Balls and summoned me. State your wish, and it shall be granted."

In harmony with the divine supplication delivered in the anime, I voiced my heartfelt desire, "I wish to inhabit the Dragon Ball universe and ascend to become its mightiest being."

In an electrifying crescendo, my imitation Dragon Balls ignited, and an enigmatic voice resonated within my mind, declaring, "Your wish has been granted."

That luminous moment was my final glimpse before an overwhelming brilliance overcame me, and I tumbled into unconsciousness.