Prologue: Edelwitch

"That concludes my presentation for today. Thank you."

The crowd applauds as I finish, even the professor seems satisfied with my thesis as he nods knowingly and joins in the applause.

"That's a very well thought-out presentation. I particularly liked how you used visuals to support your points."

"Thank you, Professor. I'm glad they were helpful."

"Everyone, please make sure to take notes on this presentation structure."

As the professor started explaining, I walked back toward my seat.

After me, other students took turns presenting their projects. One after another, until the last bell of the day rang.

*Ring*

"Well, that's it for today. We will continue the rest of the presentation next week. Also, don't forget to prepare for the upcoming midterms."

And with that, the professor dismissed the class. Students stood from their desks and packed their stuff.

When I was about to stand up, a classmate approached me.

"Hey, I've never seen the baldie praise someone eagerly. Usually, he would just say 'alright' or 'decent.' Do you mind if I ask for a copy of your presentation? I'm really on a tightrope right now."

"Me too, me too, please..." Out of nowhere, another classmate pleaded with kitten eyes.

I took my phone out and sent them each a copy.

"There, check your DMs."

"Yo, thanks dude. You're the best!"

"As expected of our recurring top 1, I'm glad that I don't have to repeat the class. Hehehe."

"Well, if there's nothing more, I gotta go."

"Oh, yeah, sure. Thanks, dude."

"Bye bye~"

Just like that, another day had passed. I put on my headphones and walked down the corridor.

Today, the moon is more radiant than usual. Its light shone through the windows, illuminating the dark.

Playing my favorite lo-fi music, I scrolled through my webnovel collection.

Up until now, I've lost track of how many novels I've read. Hundreds? Maybe thousands?

I must have a lot of spare time or... I was just bored.

Once in a while, I turn my gaze to the moon. It shines brilliantly. If I could say, it was truly a beautiful sight.

It was serene, it was graceful.

Ah, when did I become like this?

Everything is well, every day is good. Yet, there is this wedge in my heart.

I live a normal college life. I'm a top student in my department, my scores are excellent, and my future is bright. But... somehow, I feel sad. I feel bored. It's weird.

Human heart is such a strange thing.

What is it all for? What is my purpose?

What is my role in this world?

Upon reaching the open field, a breeze of evening wind blows through my hair. The soft grass under my feet feels as if I were walking on clouds.

Not realizing it, my hand moved by itself, reaching for the moon. I clasped my palm, intending to grab it.

My heart screams to the night sky.

Take me,

Bring me with you,

to a new world.

I was taken aback by what I saw. Is something on the moon?

A silhouette, blocking the moonlight.

I squinted my eyes, focusing on the mysterious figure.

Upon looking closer and closer, I could see... a girl?

I must be dreaming... There's a girl flying on the moon?

She was just afloat there, sitting on what seems like a broom? Is that a pointy hat?

I can't see her face clearly, but those ethereal eyes of hers pierce the dark of the night. She was staring at me, and I was looking back at her.

It feels as if she were gazing through my soul.

(She's smiling...)

The girl put a finger to her lips. I was confused by her action, but before I knew it...

My consciousness slipped out through me, my eyes heavy. My legs are like noodles, and I feel drowsy.

I felt a strange weightlessness engulfing me. It was as if I were floating in a sea of tranquility, every muscle in my body turning to jelly. The girl's enigmatic smile seemed to linger in the recesses of my mind.

I struggled to keep my eyelids from closing, but the drowsiness was overpowering. Each breath felt like a heavy sigh, and I could feel myself drifting further away from reality. The world around me blurred, shapes and colors merging into a hazy mosaic.

Just before succumbing to the depths of sleep, a single thought echoed in my mind:

What was happening to me?

...

...

...

"Is this... what they call a human?"

"I thought they would be more fierce-looking..."

"Pssst, what if he hears you?"

I can hear voices... They're talking, yet i can't hear them clearly.

"Mr. Savant... Mr. Savant..."

I can feel my body shaking. 

Is somebody calling out to me?

"Mr. Savant, please open your eyes."

Focusing, slowly, I gathered my consciousness. With great effort, I lifted my heavy eyelids.

When I opened my eyes, I was welcomed by an angelic sight.

"Thank God, are you okay, Mr. Savant?"

(Beautiful....)

"Mr. Savant? Is everything alright?"

"Uh..Huh? Are you...talking to me?"

"Yes, Mr. Savant."

Realizing my situation, I looked around my surroundings confusedly. It seems like I was in some sort of altar.

My gaze avert back to the girl in front of me, her eyes locked with mine.

(Wait...too close, too close!)

Our faces were so close that our lips almost met. I could feel her warm breath under my nose.

My cheek was burning, and I started to feel dizzy. Maybe I should...

"Wait...!!! What are you doing to godmother!"

Another girl from behind suddenly pushed my face back.

Her push immediately brought me back to reality.

"Guh..! Wait, what? Where am I? W-who are you?"

"Sir Savant, I know it must be very confusing for you, but we don't have time to explain."

"For now, we need you to come with us."

Usually, if cute girls told me to come with them, I would jump in immediately, but this is a totally different matter!

"I don't know about that, I mean I just met all of you, and I don't even know where—"

Amidst my complaint, the ground suddenly shook as if an earthquake was happening, followed by a loud crashing sound.

"Mr. Savant, please."

The girl in front of me clasped both of her hands to my cheek. With teary eyes, she pleaded to me.

(Damn it, a girl's tear is truly a man's greatest weakness. How could I say no when a beautiful girl is crying to me?)

"Alright, fine. I'll trust all of you for now.

The girls' faces brightened up when they heard my acceptance.

"But I... wait, hold on!"

Before I could mutter any words, I was pulled by the arm, and they ran me out of the chamber hastily.

When we reached the end of the hallway, they barged the door open. The bright sunlight shone upon me. Haven't adjusted to the sudden change, the light blinded me for a second.

When I finally could see clearly, I was met with a tense atmosphere. People were running around panickily, old and young, men and women fleeing chaotically, as if something was about to fall upon them.

From the middle of the crowd, a guard in armor plate hurriedly approached us. He gasped for air as he spoke.

"*Gasp* *cough* G-Godmother *cough*."

"Are you okay? What happened?"

"It's them! There are so many of them! At this rate, the other will-"

Hearing the cries of the guard, the girls immediately ran towards the source of chaos, with me tailing from behind.

After a few minutes of running, I found myself in front of a huge gate with gigantic walls on its side, encircling the whole town.

"Godmother, you're here..."

"What's the situation? How's the other?"

"They....."

The guard tried to mutter some words, but he stopped midway and lowered his head.

Seeing his reaction, the godmother frowned and immediately ran towards one of the wall towers.

"Godmother, wait!"

The godmother's eyes narrowed. Without a word, she bolted towards one of the tall towers on the wall.

We chased after her, scrambling up the stairs, Finally, we burst onto the wall's top edge.

My eyes nearly bugged out at the scene before me. Beyond the gate, a crazy battle raged. People fought for their lives fighting against grotesque-looking creatures.

They came in various sizes and shapes. Instead of a physical texture, they looked like living shadows, resembling a disfigured mix of various animals.

Not even the sky is safe, as thousands of these flying monsters tried to break in, but fortunately, they were held back by a translucent barrier surrounding the town.

Everyone is busy repelling the monsters, arrows and unfathomable magic spectacles thrown in a desperate attempt to hang on.

"What are you waiting for?! We can't leave them dying out there!"

"But, godmother, if we open the gate, then the whole city will-"

Hearing this, the godmother could only fall silent. She clenched her fists and bit her lip. Slowly, tears started flowing from her eyes.

Her weeping cut the hearts of everyone present. Archers and mages halted, surrendering to their inevitable fate.

...

"Hey, don't tell me you summoned me here just to surrender, do you?"

"Huh?"

The godmother paused her cry and looked towards me. Our eyes locked, and I stood there unwavering, staring deep into hers.