Morning light gently entered Sato's room through the tall glass windows. Soft golden rays touched the royal curtains, and birds chirped outside, as if welcoming a new day. Kuzunoha Sato slowly opened his eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.
"This really isn't a dream…" he murmured.
The bed was still warm and unbelievably soft. For a moment, he almost forgot he was in another world. But then memories from last night rushed back—being summoned, the king, the talk about magic, and most of all… Princess Selia's shy face.
Sato sat up and rubbed his face.
"What am I doing in a royal palace… with demon kings and soul magic…" he sighed.
A gentle knock came from the door.
"Lord Sato, are you awake?" a soft female voice asked.
"Yes… come in," Sato replied.
The door opened, and the elf maid Lilith entered, holding neatly folded clothes.
"Good morning, Lord Sato. King has called you to the mansion garden,"
"The garden?" Sato tilted his head. "Okay… I'll be there soon."
Lilith placed the clothes on the bed. "Please change into these. Breakfast is already prepared."
After Lilith left, Sato changed into simple noble clothes. Compared to yesterday's heavy royal robe, these were much lighter and easier to move in.
When he reached the mansion garden, he saw a wide open space filled with colorful flowers, fountains, and tall trees. The air felt fresh and calm.
And then… he saw the king.
King Arvundis Leonhart was standing near a fountain, laughing loudly. Beside him was a tall beast tribe maid with brown fur ears and a long tail. She wore a maid uniform, but her face was bright red.
"Hohoho! You've gotten even more beautiful today!" the king said cheerfully.
"Y-Your Majesty, please don't say things like that in public…" the beast maid replied, embarrassed.
Sato froze.
"…Is the king flirting?" Sato thought.
The king noticed Sato and waved his hand.
"Oh! Sato! You're here already!"
The beast maid quickly bowed and escaped, covering her face.
Sato walked closer, his expression awkward. "G-Good morning, Mr. Leonhart…"
The king laughed loudly. "No need to look so stiff. Today I want that you tour the kingdom."
"Tour...?"
"Yes. You should explore the kingdom and see how this world looks," the king said. "It will help you maybe."
Sato nodded slowly. "I understand."
The king crossed his arms. "You can walk around the market, the training grounds, anywhere you like. Guards will secretly follow you, so don't worry about safety."
Sato felt a little relieved. "Thank you."
As Sato turned to leave, the king added, "Oh, and don't do anything reckless. You are important."
Sato smiled faintly. "I'll be careful."
---
The royal capital was far more lively than Sato imagined.
The streets were wide and clean. People of many races walked around—humans, elves, beast tribes, dwarves, and even people with horns. Shops were lined up on both sides, selling weapons, food, clothes, magic tools, and strange items Sato had never seen before.
"So this is another world…" Sato whispered.
Children ran past him, laughing. Merchants shouted to attract customers.
"Fresh bread! Just baked!"
"Magic stones! Cheap magic stones!"
Sato stopped in front of a weapon shop. Swords, spears, and staffs were displayed beautifully.
"Can I really fight with things like these?" Sato wondered.
He walked further into the market, enjoying the atmosphere. For the first time since arriving in this world, his heart felt a little lighter.
Suddenly—
"Help!!"
A loud scream echoed through the market.
People gasped and stepped back. Sato turned toward the sound and saw something terrifying.
A black-skinned demon with red eyes stood in the middle of the street. Its sharp claws dripped with blood. A man lay injured on the ground, barely conscious.
"D-Demon…!" someone screamed.
The demon roared and raised its arm.
Sato's legs trembled.
"A demon… in the capital?" he thought in fear.
People began to run in panic.
"I-It's dangerous!" Sato shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the chaos.
Just as the demon was about to attack again—
"Wind Blade!"
A sharp voice echoed.
A powerful slash of wind flew through the air like an invisible sword.
SHHHHNK!
The demon's body was cut in half instantly. Blood splashed, and the demon vanished into black smoke.
The market went silent.
Sato stood there, completely shocked.
"…What… just happened?"
A boy stood in front of the fading smoke. He looked around sixteen or seventeen years old, with short blue hair and calm eyes. He held a short sword glowing with green light.
"That was… magic?" Sato whispered.
The boy lowered his sword and sighed. "Another weak demon…"
People began to cheer.
"He saved us!"
"That boy is amazing!"
The boy looked slightly embarrassed. He turned and noticed Sato staring at him.
"…Is something wrong?" the boy asked.
Sato shook his head quickly. "N-No… nothing."
He felt his chest tighten.
"That kind of power… with just one attack…" Sato thought. "And I'm supposed to fight the Demon King?"
Guards arrived late and took care of the injured man. The boy quietly walked away as if nothing special had happened.
Sato couldn't move.
His hands were shaking.
"That magic was dangerous… deadly…" he realized.
Fear slowly filled his heart.
"If normal people can use magic like that… what about the Demon King?" he thought.
Suddenly, Sato felt very small.
"I'm not ready… not at all," he whispered.
Without realizing it, Sato turned around and started walking back toward the mansion.
The lively streets now felt noisy and distant.
Back in his room, Sato sat on the bed, holding his head.
"This world is too dangerous…" he said softly.
The image of the demon being sliced apart replayed in his mind again and again.
"Soul magic… light magic… Demon King…" Sato clenched his fists. "I don't even know how to use magic."
A knock came at the door.
"Lord Sato?" Lilith's voice called.
"Yes…" he replied weakly.
Lilith entered and noticed Sato's pale face. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"I… saw something scary in the market," Sato admitted.
Lilith's expression softened. "I understand. This world can be harsh."
She poured him a glass of water and handed it to him.
"You are not alone, Lord Sato," she said gently. "The princess, the king, and everyone will support you."
Sato drank the water slowly.
"…I hope so," he said quietly.
That night, Sato lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Princess Selia's shy face appeared in his mind again.
"I need to become stronger," Sato whispered.
Outside the window, the moon shone silently over the kingdom, as if watching the birth of a hero who had not yet realized his own power.