22 "Tragic" Story

The Academy was expansive, just as portrayed in the anime, with multiple classes and living quarters for the "inhabitants." Our class was located in a more isolated wing, likely to minimize the cliché scenarios and accidental encounters typical in such places.

I didn't intend to stay at the academy for long, and neither did Hinata. We had our plans, and lingering here wouldn't benefit us much.

Shizu knew we'd only be here for about two or three weeks, enough time to learn a bit about history, magic, and other essentials. It would also offer the Otherworlders a chance to make friends or at least become familiar with one another. However, I planned to keep my distance from Yuuki as much as possible.

Hinata and I were called to the principal's office for documentation and an initial assessment. I knocked on the door, and an elderly voice responded, "Come in."

"Ladies first." I gestured to Hinata, who rolled her eyes but went ahead anyway, clearly a bit pleased by the gesture. Following her inside, I took in the room, freezing for a moment at whom I saw.

A Japanese boy about our age was seated across from an old man, who I guessed was the principal. He was assessing us and seemed satisfied, finally nodding before turning to the boy. "Leo Lyros and Hinata Sakaguchi will be your classmates, Yuuki. Try to get to know each other."

So, that boy was Yuuki. He stood up and gave a polite bow in our direction, like a typical Japanese introduction. "I'm Yuuki Kagurazaka, a fellow Otherworlder like you. I look forward to studying with you, Leo-san, and Hinata Sakaguchi-san."

The thing was, Yuuki was actually around forty years old—older than both Hinata and me combined, physically speaking. But he pulled off the role with perfect ease; his acting was that good.

Hinata returned the gesture with a warm smile. "Nice to meet another Japanese, Yuuki Kagurazaka-san. You can call me Hinata."

"Is it just me, or are there a lot of Japanese Otherworlders?" I asked, glancing between them. "There's Shizu-sensei, Hinata-chan, you, and Yuuki here. No offense, but it feels like there's a bit of a trend."

Yuuki chuckled, giving me a knowing look. "Maybe the god of this world has a soft spot for Japanese people." He laughed, and I couldn't help but wonder. Maybe he was right if what my Dad had told me was true.

Hinata stomped on my foot in response to how I'd addressed her, likely trying to elicit a yelp of pain. But I didn't give her the reaction she expected or hoped for; thanks to my thick skin—literally—I barely felt a thing. Before she could comment, the principal's amused expression drew our attention back to him.

*Ahem, he cleared his throat, cutting through the tension. "Why don't you three continue getting acquainted in the classroom? Lady Shizu is currently tied up in an important meeting, so for today, your classes will cover history and geography. These are essential subjects for understanding life in our world."

We nodded in apology and left the office. This time, Hinata took the lead, striding ahead of us. I couldn't help but admire the view, though I could hardly be blamed; she was undeniably beautiful.

"So, Leo-san, how long have you been here?" Yuuki asked, glancing over at me with what I suspected was more than casual curiosity. He probably already knew a fair bit about me and my strength; I hadn't been making much effort to conceal it, and my sudden arrival here was bound to have made him wary.

(He is showing his A+ strength)

"About a month," I replied, referring to the Cardinal World in general, which included the Clash Continent. "If you're wondering how I became so strong, it's due to my previous world," I added, trying to sound a little smug.

Yuuki raised his eyebrows, looking genuinely surprised, as if he hadn't expected me to reveal that so easily. "Your previous world, huh? Must've been quite a place." His expression shifted to one of mild interest, though I noticed a glimmer of something sharper in his gaze, a calculating edge. "So, were you a hero or something special?"

I shrugged, playing it casual. "Something like that, I guess. Let's just say I had some unique opportunities." I added the last part cryptically.

Yuuki smiled, nodding thoughtfully as if filing away that information. "Interesting. Not everyone is lucky enough to land with strength like yours." His voice carried an air of casualness, but I could tell he was fishing for more information. "I am curious how your previous world worked, here though it is survival of the fittest system."

I met his gaze, "Yeah, I'd say so. But power alone isn't everything," I replied carefully. "You still need to know how to use it wisely."

Hinata, who had been walking ahead, glanced back with a look of mild suspicion, clearly catching the undertones in our conversation.

Yuuki smiled at her in a disarming way. "Well, I'm looking forward to working together, both of you."

As we reached the class Yuuki sat at the protagonist's seat near the window, Hinata sat in front and I took a seat next to her, Yuuki attempted to fish information out and it would be a lie if I wasn't tired, well I am planning to feed him false information about my strength anyways.

But it won't be easy, honestly if the system evolved then I would have left to it fooling Yuuki and all that but looks like I have to overwork my brain.

My plan was simple I had to show him that most of my magic and strength depended on my coat which is a Unique grade by the way and the magic weapons produced by it.

I just have to find a way to show him this, it is not easy to fool this guy.

But I don't need to think much about it with Kagali inside him and his perceptiveness he should have noticed by now that my coat was "Unique".

A few minutes later, the teacher entered the room. She was old, with sharp eyes that conveyed authority, and her first order of business was to give us a bit of context about the world we'd come to.

"Welcome, everyone," she began, "to your first class on the history of our world. Before you learn advanced subjects, you must understand the forces that shape society here."

Yuuki leaned forward, instantly interested, and I could see his eyes flicker with curiosity. He was the type to soak up information about the world's power structure, especially if it hinted at any new opportunity.

Though I believe he should have known most of it due to Kagali inside him, though, history changes with time, and Kagali or Kazalim has been 'dead' for more than 500 years.

I learned how much Rimuru's presence changed the world and the bias against the monsters.

This presented both an opportunity and a risk. In the anime, Rimuru's influence was instrumental in transforming the landscape, forging alliances with the other monsters, and challenging the existing power structures. But without him, the balance was different more fragile, and in some ways, more dangerous. The Western Holy Church had a far greater influence in this timeline, with no unifying force like Rimuru Tempest to push back against their anti-monster doctrine.

I could almost feel the tension in the classroom as the teacher spoke about the delicate balance of power. How the demon lords own most parts of the continent and how humans live in fear of monsters.

The teacher said, "The Demon Lords maintain a delicate balance of power. Each has its territory, and though some are more active than others, they keep order in their realms. But this balance is not without its tensions, particularly with the Western Holy Church."

At the mention of the Western Holy Church, Hinata sat up straighter, clearly intrigued. She'd always had an intense interest in the church, though I wasn't sure if it was simply because of her past or something more.

I couldn't help but mentally compare this to the world I knew. In the anime, Rimuru had been a figure of unity, one who recognized that strength didn't just come from raw power, but from the bonds you formed and the understanding you had of those around you. But in this world, before Rimuru's influence, power was fractured. The Demon Lords were still isolated well most of them, human nations were wary of monsters, and the church was an uncontested authority in Western nations. In some ways, this world felt less "balanced" than the one I'd seen in the anime.

It was a dangerous time, a time where anything could shift. This world was in the process of defining itself, but it hadn't yet reached the point of 'stability' that I knew would come with Rimuru's leadership. The struggle for dominance was at a peak, and the pieces were still moving.

Hinata's focus on the Western Holy Church was interesting as well. I could sense a personal investment in their doctrine, maybe more than just curiosity. In the anime, her past with the church had been one of complex morality and duty, so seeing her so absorbed in this subject now made sense.

Without the stabilizing force of Rimuru, I could see how her idealism could be channeled into a more rigid, dogmatic view. The church would be looking for strong, dedicated people to further its cause, and Hinata had the potential to be just that.

The teacher's lecture on monsters and demon lords painted them as imminent threats to humanity. If I'd only had this knowledge to go on, I might have thought the same. But having seen the anime, I knew better. The world Rimuru created showed how much more there was to monsters, that they could be more than a danger. They had potential, culture, and their own lives beyond just 'threats.' Here, however, the perception of monsters was deeply entrenched—an adversarial image that shaped the humans' collective view.

Then, we learned about the Unknown Continent, or the "Clash Continent" as it was called back home. It was a mystery here, a forbidden place shrouded in myth. According to the teacher, it was off-limits because the Voice of the World didn't reach it, as if forbidding people from even approaching. Few believed it existed, though, since they hadn't seen any sign of it the powerful Barrier seemed to hide it from view entirely.

I noticed Yuuki's interest perk up. He asked a few questions about it, just as he had with the demon lords, though I couldn't tell if his curiosity was real or another one of his calculated acts. Hinata, on the other hand, seemed unimpressed, even a bit disinterested in all this talk of forbidden continents and demon lords. That was good; the last thing I wanted was her digging into that mystery.

When the lesson ended, Yuuki turned to us, acting enthusiastically. "What do you guys think about this whole Hero and Demon Lord thing? It's like something straight out of a fantasy novel, right?"

"Yeah, pretty much," I replied casually. "But don't get too excited, Demon Lords here aren't just random folks meant to be crushed by some guy blessed by some god. They're on a whole other level."

Of course, I knew that out of all the ten demon lords, only five were "true" demon lords, with two being special cases, but all of them were forces to be reckoned with.

Hinata seemed puzzled, turning to me. "Did your world also have demon lords, Leo?"

She was probably assuming that Yuuki and she were both from Earth, and I was from a different one. Yuuki's interest was evident, even if he didn't say anything directly.

"Nah," I replied, glancing at Yuuki, "my world didn't have demon lords. But we did have heroes and champions. They weren't symbolic of anything beyond strength, though. We had a system with nobles and class structures, but there was no overarching, unified mythology like here."

Then Yuuki leaned in, clearly intrigued. "How was your world compared to this one, Leo?"

He was fishing for information about my origins. But eventually, they'd all learn about the Unknown Continent's true nature once the barrier fell. I'd play it off like, "Oh, who would've thought it was part of this world?"

I feigned a casual response. "It was a bit more peaceful, honestly. No Unique Skills, no constant threat from monsters. Humans and monsters even cooperated—goblins, undead, spirits, giants, all kinds of demi-humans. Though strength was still a major factor in how things worked."

Best to plant the idea that not all monsters are a threat. Maybe it would keep Hinata from completely opposing my homeland if she ever found out about it.

She seemed surprised, a bit skeptical. "But monsters are supposed to be dangerous. How could you work together with them?"

Ah, she already had the classic anti-monster mindset. No surprise there, given her background with the church.

"Don't misunderstand," I clarified. "Monsters could still be dangerous, but we classified them. We had hostile and non-hostile types, and not all of them were out to attack us."

Yuuki tilted his head, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "What was your life like there, Leo? Considering… well, you were strong, right?"

I suppressed an exasperated sigh. Couldn't he let me talk to Hinata without prying? I decided to play up my background, turning it into a story worth a little sympathy.

"I was part of a noble house," I said, letting a hint of nostalgia slip into my voice. Yuuki's expression turned analytical, while Hinata seemed to view me in a new light, muttering something like "Figures."

"But I was the youngest," I continued. "My maternal grandfather was… let's just say he wasn't too fond of me."

In reality, I was just remembering that time I lost my prized Netherite armor in a game due to a glitch. The frustration still lingered, so I let that disappointment translate into my expression as I subtly touched the edge of my coat, making sure Yuuki noticed.

"I was forced to leave my family behind and went on my journey," I went on. "Ran into trouble more than once, but I found opportunities too. I even started a village of my own." I took a dramatic pause, then added with a melancholy smile, "Then, just when I was about to confess to someone special… I found myself here."

That last part I threw in for the tragic flair, putting on my best wistful expression. Yuuki nodded as if trying to piece together my story, while Hinata watched with a thoughtful look.

And in that moment, I knew my "podcast" had them both hooked.

As I finished, I noticed Hinata glancing at me with a softer expression, a trace of curiosity and sympathy mingling in her eyes. She was usually so composed and straightforward, often skeptical or blunt, but something in my story must have struck a chord. Maybe it was the part about leaving behind my family or the "confession" that never happened—either way, it seemed to make her see me in a different light.

"You… started a village on your own?" she asked, her voice gentler than usual, as though she were reevaluating me. Hinata wasn't one to get swayed easily, but her guard seemed to slip, just a bit.

I shrugged, giving a modest smile. "Yeah, it wasn't much, but it was mine."

For a second, she seemed to hesitate, like she was about to say something more personal. But the moment passed quickly, and her gaze sharpened. "Well, it sounds like you've been through a lot, Leo. Most people wouldn't manage all that alone."

Though her tone was casual, the hint of admiration was clear. She wasn't the type to openly express it, but I could tell she respected strength and independence. My story had earned me a little of that respect and perhaps something else.

Yuuki, on the other hand, looked intrigued, but his expression had shifted to a more calculated look. He was observing Hinata's reaction as much as he was mine as if gauging the dynamics between us. His face wore an innocent smile, but there was a glint of amusement like he'd picked up on the subtle exchange between Hinata and me.

"Well, you sure sound like a proper noble hero," he commented, with a casual chuckle that somehow felt too knowing. "Starting a village on your own, taking on a journey… It sounds like something out of those stories we used to read as kids."

I could see he was fishing for more, testing how far I'd go with my story. But I knew better than to give him any more leverage.

I shrugged again, keeping my tone light. "Yeah, I guess. But reality isn't always as glamorous as the stories make it out to be."

Yuuki nodded, still smiling in that friendly yet inscrutable way of his. "Isn't that the truth?" he said. "Well, anyway, it sounds like you're full of surprises, Leo. I'll look forward to seeing more of them."

It was clear Yuuki was intrigued by the potential in my backstory and probably saw an opportunity to use it if he needed to, he is probably building a mental image of mine.

But Hinata seemed more thoughtful, almost introspective, her usual sharp edge softened by a slight smile. It was subtle, she wasn't someone who'd open up easily, after all. But maybe, just maybe, my story had left an impression on her.

As the conversation continued, Leo didn't think that the glimpse of softness in her would ever lead to something more.