Rito lay back on the king-sized bed in his room, staring at the ceiling. The softness of the mattress was something else—it almost felt like he was sinking into a cloud.
Mikan had gone off to take a bath, while Ringo had left the suite for 'some business.' He initially didn't think much of it, but as the seconds passed, his mind started wandering.
His meeting with Fujibayashi Kyouko earlier had already put him on edge. She was a character from The Irregular at Magic High School in his past life, yet here she was, existing in this world—just like Yuiri Haba and Shio Hikawa. He didn't believe in coincidences.
The system had mentioned his bloodline, and now... it felt like things were starting to connect.
Meanwhile, in a separate suite, Ringo Yuuki stood with her arms crossed as she faced Fujibayashi Kyouko. The older woman leaned against a sleek black desk, her expression unreadable.
"Well? What did you find?" Ringo asked, her tone carrying a mix of concern and authority.
Fujibayashi sighed, adjusting her glasses before speaking. "I checked him, just as we discussed."
"And?"
The woman's sharp gaze met Ringo's. "He's awakened it."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Ringo's fingers twitched slightly before she took a deep breath. "So, we were right. But how? Rito wasn't supposed to have magic. Neither was Mikan."
Fujibayashi's brows furrowed. "That's what I want to know too. Your family has always been outside the magical lineage. But something changed. And I have a theory."
Ringo gestured for her to continue.
"You remember how Rito died that day?"
Ringo's expression darkened. "How could I forget?"
It had happened a week ago, though Rito himself didn't seem to remember any of it. That day, something had gone terribly wrong. There had been an incident—an anomaly involving specialised magic. Rito had been killed in the crossfire of that strange occurrence. [It was the time , Rito died and that guy reincarnated in him.]
Yet, inexplicably, he had come back.
No wounds. No signs of trauma. Just… alive.
"We never found out how he was saved," Fujibayashi continued. "But now, after testing him, I can confirm that he has developed a magic circuit. And not just any circuit—his core has undergone a fundamental change."
Ringo frowned. "You mean…?"
Fujibayashi nodded. "It's like his entire being was rewritten. As if something—or someone—intervened at the last moment and reconstructed him. But here's the problem: That kind of magic shouldn't exist."
Ringo clenched her fists. She had always suspected that Rito's survival wasn't just a stroke of luck. But this? This was something even she hadn't expected.
Fujibayashi continued, her voice low. "I need more time to analyze, but if my guess is right... Rito's awakening is just the beginning. His potential might be something far beyond what we can currently grasp."
Ringo took a deep breath, composing herself. "For now, we keep this between us. I don't want anyone interfering with my son's life. Let him live normally—at least for now."
Fujibayashi smirked. "You say that, but with his growing presence, I doubt he'll stay 'normal' for long."
Ringo didn't respond. Deep down, she knew Fujibayashi was right.
Her son's world was already changing, whether he realised it or not.
Back in his room, Rito let out a sigh.
He had no idea that, at this very moment, secrets about his very existence were being unravelled in another room.
All he knew was that something felt... different.
And soon, he would start to understand just how much his life was about to change.
Rito sat up as he heard the door click open.
Ringo Yuuki stepped inside, her usual cheerful expression in place. "Alright, you two, get ready! I've got a surprise for you."
Mikan, who had just finished drying her hair, looked at their mother curiously. "What kind of surprise?"
Ringo smiled mysteriously. "An exclusive exhibition match between two of the strongest sword users in the world. Only VIPs are allowed in, and guess what? We're invited!"
Rito blinked. "Sword users?"
His interest piqued immediately. Though he wasn't a swordsman himself, he had tried Kenjutsu for the sake of gaining skills. And considering how extravagant the hotel already was, this wasn't going to be some average match.
"Who are they?" Mikan asked.
Ringo winked. "You'll see soon enough. Just get ready—we're leaving in ten minutes."
The event was being held in a grand hall, reserved only for the highest-tier guests of the hotel. The moment Rito stepped inside, he could tell this was a big deal.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, yet refined, as elegantly dressed individuals gathered in their seats. The massive, circular arena in the centre was surrounded by reinforced glass walls, ensuring that no stray attacks would injure the audience. The floor was made of specialised combat-resistant material, something far beyond normal wood or stone.
"It's almost like we're at some kind of underground martial arts tournament," Rito muttered under his breath.
Ringo chuckled. "Well, this isn't open to the public for a reason. These two swordsmen are among the best in the world. They don't usually fight outside of official settings, so this is a rare chance to witness something special."
Mikan still seemed sceptical. "It's just sword fighting, though, right?"
"Just sword fighting?" Rito raised an eyebrow. "People dedicate their entire lives to mastering the sword, Mikan."
She shrugged. "I guess. It just doesn't feel like my thing."
Before Rito could reply, his attention was pulled toward a group of people entering the VIP section.
Two figures stood out among the rest—a young man with sharp, disciplined features and a beautiful girl with flowing black hair and an air of elegance.
Rito's heart skipped a beat.
Tatsuya Shiba and Miyuki Shiba.
Except... something was different.
Unlike the anime version he remembered, their interaction felt more like a normal sibling relationship rather than the unsettlingly close dynamic he had seen in The Irregular at Magic High School. Miyuki still carried an aura of admiration for her brother, but there was no unnatural possessiveness in her eyes. Instead, she radiated refined elegance, like a noble lady trained in the highest levels of etiquette.
Tatsuya, on the other hand, carried himself like a warrior—calm, focused, and completely unfazed by his surroundings. His posture was perfect, and there was an undeniable strength in his presence.
Rito found himself staring.
'So they exist here too... but they're different.'
It was another confirmation that this world was not exactly the same as the anime versions he had known.
"Rito, you're staring," Mikan whispered teasingly.
Rito coughed. "Just surprised, that's all."
Before he could dwell on it further, the lights in the hall dimmed, and a voice echoed through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's Exhibition of the Blade Masters!"
A spotlight illuminated the centre of the arena, revealing two individuals standing across from each other.
The first was a man dressed in a dark martial arts GI, his silver hair tied in a loose ponytail. His eyes were like a hawk's, sharp and calculating. A long katana rested at his waist, exuding an almost tangible pressure.
The second was a woman with long, dark blue hair and piercing golden eyes. She wore a sleek, modernised sword-fighting uniform, designed for both flexibility and protection. Her hand rested lightly on the hilt of a thin, beautifully crafted katana.
Both exuded the unmistakable aura of masters.
Rito could already tell—this was going to be a fight unlike anything he had ever seen before.
As the excitement in the air grew, the hushed whispers of the VIP guests filled the luxurious viewing hall. The anticipation was palpable, with the two swordmasters standing in the arena below, ready to begin their duel.
Just as Rito was absorbing the intensity of the moment, the soft clicking of heels reached his ears. A familiar voice, smooth yet laced with amusement, followed.
"My, my. It seems we have a lively group here."
Rito turned his head, and his breath hitched for a second.
Standing gracefully beside them was Fujibayashi Kyouko.
She had changed into a more formal outfit—an elegant navy-blue dress that complimented her mature beauty. The glasses resting on her face only added to her composed, intelligent aura. There was something about her presence that exuded both charm and mystery, making it hard to gauge her true thoughts.
"Fujibayashi?" Ringo greeted with familiarity, as if she had expected her arrival.
Fujibayashi chuckled. "I see you've brought your adorable children to enjoy this match, Ringo." Her gaze flickered toward Rito and Mikan, her eyes particularly lingering on Rito with an amused glint.
"Children, huh…" Rito muttered under his breath.
As if on cue, two more figures approached from behind Fujibayashi.
The moment Rito saw them, his mind nearly blanked out.
The young man had an air of quiet authority, his posture perfect and his expression composed. He had the kind of presence that naturally drew attention—not because he sought it, but because his sheer existence commanded it. His hair was neatly styled, his sharp eyes carrying a profound depth that was almost unsettling.
And then there was the girl beside him.
She was stunning.
Dressed in a graceful yet modest evening gown, Miyuki Shiba carried herself with an elegance that was almost unreal. Her long, flowing black hair shimmered under the soft lighting of the hall, and her delicate features were nothing short of breathtaking. There was a noble refinement in her every movement, a blend of innate beauty and aristocratic grace.
Rito had seen plenty of pretty girls before—after all, this world was filled with them—but there was something different about Miyuki. Perhaps it was the way her noble demeanor intertwined with her natural charm, making her presence feel almost ethereal.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Rito felt… flustered.
His mind momentarily short-circuited before he quickly composed himself, though a slight stiffness remained in his posture.
Fujibayashi smirked slightly, as if noticing his reaction, but didn't comment on it. Instead, she gestured toward the newcomers.
"Let me introduce some special guests. This is Tatsuya Shiba and his younger sister, Miyuki Shiba."
Miyuki offered a graceful smile and bowed slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Rito managed to respond, though his usual confidence felt slightly shaken. "Y-Yeah, nice to meet you too."
Mikan, ever the observer, immediately caught onto his unusual reaction. Her eyes gleamed with mischief, but she held back from making a comment—for now.
Tatsuya nodded in greeting, his expression unreadable, before shifting his gaze toward the arena below. He didn't seem particularly interested in formalities, instead focusing entirely on the match that was about to begin.
Fujibayashi took a seat beside Ringo, subtly guiding Tatsuya and Miyuki to join their group. With that, the dynamic of the gathering completely changed.
Rito found himself sitting beside Miyuki, with Mikan on his other side, watching everything with barely hidden amusement.
'I was not prepared for this,' Rito thought to himself, keeping his expression neutral.
Miyuki, completely unaware of his internal turmoil, spoke softly. "Are you interested in swordsmanship, Yuki-san?"
Rito almost flinched at how smooth and refined her voice was. 'Damn, she even talks like a noble lady…'
He forced himself to act naturally. "I've dabbled in Kenjutsu a bit, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert."
Miyuki tilted her head slightly, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Oh? That's quite interesting. It's not often I meet someone who casually trains in swordsmanship."
"Well, I was just trying to get a feel for different disciplines," Rito replied, relaxing slightly. "I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn a thing or two."
Miyuki smiled gently. "That's a wonderful mindset."
Rito nearly sighed in relief—so far, the conversation wasn't as nerve-wracking as he had feared.
Unfortunately, Mikan, sensing an opportunity, decided to strike.
Leaning in slightly, she whispered near his ear, just loud enough for him to hear.
"You're blushing, Rito~."
Rito's entire body stiffened.
'This little—'
Before he could retaliate, the arena's lights dimmed once more, signaling the start of the match.
All attention shifted toward the stage, but even as the duelists prepared to clash, Rito couldn't shake the feeling that things were becoming more complicated.