The sensation was impossible to describe.
For a brief moment, Renji felt as if his body had been stretched across an endless distance. His stomach lurched violently, and the air around him twisted like water caught in a whirlpool.
Colors flashed past his vision—strange, unfamiliar shades he had never seen before.
Then—
Everything stopped.
Renji stumbled forward as his feet finally touched solid ground.
"Ugh—!"
He dropped to one knee, grabbing his stomach.
"That… was awful…"
A cool breeze brushed past his face.
The air felt different.
Cleaner.
Lighter.
Renji slowly lifted his head.
They were standing in the middle of a wide grassy field. Tall grass swayed gently in the wind, and beyond the hills in the distance, a massive forest stretched toward the horizon.
Above them, the sky was an endless shade of deep blue.
Two moons hung faintly in the daylight sky.
Renji blinked.
"…Okay."
He pointed upward.
"There are two moons."
Mizuki glanced up casually.
"Yes."
"That's not normal."
"It is here."
Renji slowly stood up, brushing dust off his clothes.
"So this is your world."
Mizuki nodded.
"Welcome."
Renji turned in a slow circle, trying to take everything in.
The wind carried unfamiliar scents through the air—earth, wildflowers, something faintly metallic.
In the distance, he could hear birds calling.
But the sounds were different from anything he had heard before.
"…It feels weird."
Mizuki looked at him.
"How?"
Renji hesitated.
"…Like the air is heavier somehow."
"That's mana," Mizuki said.
Renji frowned.
"Mana?"
"Yes."
She spread her arms slightly.
"This world is saturated with it. Every living thing here exists within a current of magical energy."
Renji looked down at his hands again.
"…Then why can't I feel anything?"
Mizuki stared at him for a moment.
Then she walked closer.
"That's because your power is still suppressed."
"Suppressed?"
She tapped the center of his chest.
"Your body is sealed right now."
Renji blinked.
"…Great."
He sighed.
"So even in a magic world, I still can't use magic."
"Not yet."
Mizuki turned and pointed toward the distant hills.
"First we need to get you registered."
"Registered?"
"At the Adventurers' Guild."
Renji groaned.
"Please tell me that's not exactly what it sounds like."
"It's exactly what it sounds like."
"Okay?"
"First, let me seal your curse. It's not possible for you to get into the town like this."
Saying this Mizuki casted a spell. Renji's body started glowing and then–it turned normal again.
"Done, it should be fine now."
Mizuki started walking. Renji still stood still.
"Come on." she yelled.
Renji hesitated for a moment before following her.
As they walked, the grass brushed against his legs.
The landscape slowly began to change. Dirt paths appeared, along with scattered stone markers and worn wooden signposts.
Eventually, small houses came into view.
Smoke drifted lazily from chimneys.
People moved through the streets carrying baskets, tools, and weapons.
Renji slowed down slightly.
"…They're all armed."
Mizuki glanced at the passing villagers.
"In this world, monsters are a normal part of life."
One man walked past them carrying a massive sword over his shoulder.
Another woman had a staff glowing faintly with magical light.
Renji rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Yeah, I'm definitely not in Tokyo anymore."
Mizuki smirked slightly.
"You're catching on."
They reached the center of the town.
And there it stood.
A massive stone building with a large wooden sign hanging above the entrance.
A sword and shield were carved into the emblem.
Renji looked up at it.
"The Adventurers' Guild."
Voices and laughter echoed from inside.
The building was crowded with people.
Warriors in armor.
Mages in robes.
Hunters with bows slung across their backs.
Renji suddenly felt very underdressed.
"…You're sure about this?"
Mizuki pushed the door open.
"Don't worry."
She stepped inside confidently.
"You'll do fine."
Renji sighed.
"…I'm surrounded by lunatics."
And followed her inside.