Worldbound Arc - Transcendent Arrival

Three Years in present time

"Get up, Big Brother! Mom said breakfast is ready!" Akane's voice pierced through Kaito's groggy haze. He grumbled in response, reluctant to leave the comfort of his bed.

"Give me a few more minutes, Akane," Kaito muttered, his voice muffled by his pillow.

Akane's patience wore thin, her frustration evident in her tone. "Mom! Kaito won't wake up!"

Startled by Akane's outcry, Kaito's drowsiness vanished in an instant. He scrambled to his feet and bolted for the bathroom, hastily locking the door behind him.

Moments later, their mother stormed upstairs, her irritation palpable. "There you are, you little brat!" she exclaimed, her voice a sharp reprimand as she kicked the door open.

After a chaotic morning, Kaito finally joined his family at the breakfast table, nursing a sore bump on his head—a reminder of his failed attempt to skip school.

As he picked at his food, Kaito's thoughts drifted to the impending school day. Despite his misgivings about it, he resigned himself to endure another year of bullying and academic struggles.

Later, at the bus stop, Kaito was greeted by Emiko, his classmate and secret crush. Her enthusiasm caught him off guard, and he blushed as she engulfed him in a hug.

"Um, Emiko, aren't you a bit too excited today?" Kaito stammered, feeling a flutter of nervousness in his chest.

Embarrassed by her exuberance, Emiko quickly released him and apologized, her cheeks tinged with pink.

Together, they boarded the bus and arrived at school, where mundane classes filled the morning. But during lunch, Masato, one of Kaito's bullies, confronted him in a display of intimidation.

"Yo, Kaito, where's my food?" Masato demanded, his tone laced with menace.

Uncharacteristically, Kaito stood his ground, refusing to cower in the face of Masato's aggression. "Food? Why don't you get it yourself?" he retorted, a glimmer of defiance in his eyes.

Enraged by Kaito's defiance, Masato lunged forward, his fist poised to strike. But before he could land a blow, the world around them shifted, plunging into blinding white.

Confusion and panic rippled through the students as they found themselves falling through space. Moments later, they crashed to the ground, disoriented and bewildered.

Amidst the chaos, a group of robed figures approached, their presence ominous yet intriguing. Their leader, a solemn man with a cross necklace, revealed the truth of their situation—they had been transported to another world, Valoria Kingdom.

As questions swirled and tensions mounted, Nizara, formerly known as Kaito, found himself thrust into a realm of uncertainty and danger. With the promise of a way home hinging on the elusive Xanteria Artifact, his journey had only just begun.

*To Be Continued…*