I never denied the existence of other worlds. The possibility that they were real was simply too low for them to be considered. So yeah, reincarnating in a totally different world didn’t cross my mind. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was no longer in Elgan.

Earth – that was the world where I was born a second time. It’s a highly advanced world that surpasses Elgan in knowledge by heaps in bounds. They may be lacking in magical power, but they make up for it with futuristic innovations that magic from my world could never replicate – it’s possible, but we would need Earth’s knowledge for that and I doubt we would get it on our own.

The biggest proof that I’m not in Elgan is the flow of fate. My contract with Mirelia lost all of its power and that shouldn’t happen even if Elgan’s fate diverged from its original path. That can only mean we’re following a different world’s fate, proving that my home world and Earth aren’t the same. On the bright side, the silver-haired devil did what she was supposed to do.

She could’ve easily abandoned her task, yet she helped me keep my memories and fused the Dragon God’s magic core to my body. Maybe she has an ulterior motive? That’s possible, but since she hasn’t done anything against me yet, I don’t have any reason to antagonize her.

*knock* *knock* “Shiina, are you awake?” Speak of the devil.

“I am, why?” I triggered the spell I placed on my room beforehand, opening the door.

The woman with bat-like wings sprouting from her lower back entered, greeting me with a bright smile. “Good morning, Shiina.”

Giving a curt nod, I replied with a “good morning, Lia.”

“And happy birthday,” she added as she sat beside me.

“Thank you,” I told the still-smiling-devil before asking: “Now what do you want?” I’m sure you won’t come here this early just for that.

“I don’t have such intention. I came here simply to-”

“Tell me now or I won’t consider it later.”

“Fine, I didn’t want to bring this out but you won’t be satisfied unless I say something right?” Yeah, you aren’t fooling anyone – especially not me. “My charger stopped working and it would be nice if I can get a new one. I’m not telling you to buy one, but if that’ll make you happy then feel free to do so.”

“Oh, so you were forced out of your gaming time when your charger broke. And then you remembered it’s my birthday – one of the few occasions where I actually listen to your requests. Thus, you thought I’d get you a charger if you treat me nicely. Now here you are.”

“As expected of my best friend, you can easily tell what’s on my mind.”

“As expected of a devil, you can easily lie through your teeth.”

A moment of silence passed before Mirelia jumped to where I was. She was, however, stopped by the barrier I created the moment she made her move. “Please! I can’t live without my games!”

She had other options, but most go against her pride as a greater being. The rest would cause trouble for me and she knows better than to get on my bad side. It’s all fun and games until she complicates my place in the society and make me lose access to research materials.

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Politics has great influence over Earth; therefore, words have more power than the ability to fight. One wrong move and I will find myself in a chain of unfortunate events. I can deal with them by force, but it would result to even more conflicts, taking away my precious reading time. That’s why I decided to play by the rules. Every book I studied for the past sixteen years, I got through legal means. I also hid my power to avoid attracting troublesome organizations – it didn’t last forever though.

My first fifteen years on Earth went smoothly. My current family gave me their full support, I managed to keep a low profile, and lastly, I got my hands on useful books. There was nothing more I could ask for, that is, until a calamity-class monster appeared. The city’s forces weren’t enough to stop its rampage so I was forced to take action. I used less than a tenth of my power but it still cause quite the stir. Even the other countries eyed me like a tasty treat.

I couldn’t keep going unaffiliated so I joined an organization on the same week. My criteria for choosing were rather simple; it needs to be strong enough to keep other organizations at bay and has plenty of information I can devour. Among the groups that extended their invitation, the one behind Tokyo Magic Academy – the centre for magical research in Japan – was the best choice. It has been around half a year since then, and so far, nothing has made me regret my decision. I do hope it remains that way.

By the way, I’m a student only in name. Being Tokyo Magic Academy’s guardian is my true position. It’s also my payment for having access to the Academy’s files.

My phone rang on my way to Starbucks – one of the numerous restaurants inside the Academy. Upon checking, I saw the name of a very familiar person so I answered the call.

“Happy birthday!” My mother said.

“Thank you, mom,” she doesn’t know where I truly stand. Like the rest of the ordinary citizens, she only knows that I was scouted by Tokyo Magic Academy because of my potential in magic.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I initially wanted to cut ties with my family, but with how well technology keeps record of everyone, it’d be hard to completely erase my connection to them.

The call ended in a couple of minutes since mother didn’t want to take too much of my time. My father and little brother sent me a message afterward, followed by a few that somehow got my phone number. Actually, I received some random texts even before my mother called. None of them had the permission to receive my number so I blocked them all – I have no time to waste on stalkers.

I know some might target my family, but I’m not worried about them. After all, I placed a golem in each of their souls which would come out and protect them if something bad happens. Each golem has the power of a lesser champion and I doubt anything less than a battalion of earth warlocks can take them on. Incidentally, I set similar golems around the school grounds.

Entering Starbucks, I chose a random table and made Mirelia order our breakfast. It was still early in the morning – 6:04 am to be precise – so majority of the seats were free for the taking.

Like me, the other costumers where in their uniform, a navy blue shirt with a black necktie and skirt – pants for male students. I don’t like the idea of showing my legs so I’m also wearing black sheer tights… I still can’t believe I’m fine wearing women’s clothing.

My mind drifted while waiting for the devil that was now hiding her wings. It’s common for a human to compare his past self to his current self during his birthday. But in my case, I compare Reed Galvez to Shiina Aizawa, what they have experienced, and where they originate. It tends to interrupt my focus so I usually take a break from reading. What triggers it; I’m still not sure myself.

Thankfully, it only lasts for a day.

“What’s that? Is that a spaced out Shiina I’m seeing?” Mirelia sung sweetly as she sat on the opposite side of the table. “Have you finally unlocked the path of a daydreaming maiden?”

“Does the path include burning devils?” I asked innocently.

Not shaken in the slightest, she replied: “Nope, it’s where you treat me with both love and money.”

“Then I believe I have yet to unlock it.”

“Too bad, but don’t worry, I’m sure it will happen someday.”

Our nonsensical conversation went on until our food came.

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Mirelia ran off to the closest appliance store after I gave her money so I’m now spending my time alone in one of the academy’s plazas… ahem, eating pancakes. What can I do? Pastries from this world are just too hard to resist. They come in lots of varieties too so I can never get tired of them.

I stared at the morning sky, savouring each spoon of my honey-coated pancakes. Another recollection trip began shortly, but I didn’t fight back as it was memories about my deceased lover Ceres. I let myself by swept by thoughts as a sweet taste invaded my tongue.

Once there was nothing left to satisfy my stomach, an hour has passed and my daydream finally ended. Heaving a sigh, I threw the paper box that once held my food and the plastic spoon that came with it to the trash can just beside the wooden bench I was seated at. And then…

“Look out!”

I quickly turned to the voice’s direction and saw a boy headed straight towards me. Both his hands were stretched forward and a look of despair could be seen on his face as he tried to stop his high speed dash, but it didn’t look like he would succeed. Thankfully, it was within my capability to erect a barrier within a fraction of second even without altering my perception of time.

For the boy’s sake, the outer layer of the barrier was made as a cushion that could reduce his speed before he crashes onto the inner layer. It wouldn’t completely save him from harm, but it was a lot better than hitting a wall at full force- *crack* huh?

Right before my eyes, the barrier I created, one harder than mithril metal, shattered the moment it was touched by the boy’s hand. With nothing to stop the said boy, he was bound to hit me. Good thing I had defensive artefacts that could protect me from harm- *crack**crack**crash*

As if I my body knew nothing would work before hand, it turned the ground into soft mud before I was pushed down. Despite that, I didn’t get away unscathed.

My shock lasted only for a second. I immediately cast a barrier around my body along with a spell to heal whatever damage I received. To my surprise, however, my spells didn’t work.

I tried a second time, but there was still nothing.

Remembering how my barrier was cancelled, I leered at the potential enemy whose face was still buried between my bosoms – oh, and let’s not forget that his hands were holding them.

“Get off me!”

He stiffened at my words and finally rose, that is, by using my chest to push himself up. For the first time in my life as Shiina Aizawa, I felt the urge to kill someone.

Realizing what he just did, he jumped back and lowered his head. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

Sigh; at least he isn’t after my life...

As I stood up, I tried casting spells a third time and they finally worked. I immediately linked it to the fact that the boy was no longer in contact with my body. Thinking of the implications, my mood shifted from anger to pure curiosity.

“You think a simple sorry is enough?! Do you know what you just did to me?!” I was no longer angry, but I could use everything that happened in my favour so I spoke with hostility.

“I- It wasn’t my intention! I was being chased so I-”

“Hoh, so I should forgive you for sexually harassing me because you didn’t mean it?”

“What did you do to my Shiina you bastard?!” I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Now when did I become Mirelia’s possession?

The seething devil appeared, lifting the boy by his collar. “Tell me!”

Mirelia wasn’t joking around, proven by the fact that she was no longer hiding her wings. I don’t know why she’s so angry, but I believe telling her I was groped wouldn’t end well. I’m not entirely sure, but it’s better safe than sorry. “Calm down, Lia.”

Mirelia looked at me from head to toe, her fury rising as she saw my clothes messy and stained by mud. Her bloodlust literally took a physical form for a second, but she didn’t take the boy’s life. She just threw him to the ground and sent him a murderous glare.

“And please hide your wings.”

She looked at me with disbelief then sighed and did what I told her.

As if everything wasn’t complicated enough, a girl appeared.

“How dare you run away, you damn pervert?!” She said as she threw a large fireball at the boy.

“Hiiii!” The boy sidestepped.

I thought it was an accident, but maybe he’s a real pervert?

“Shiina, what did he do to you?” Mirelia asked with worry, shocking me more than the boy’s ability to negate my magic.

“Don’t dodge it you idiot!” The girl fired a barrage of fire swords.

“I’m sorry!” The boy dodged most of the swords, the rest he cancelled with his hands. I need to study that power of his.

Hmm, what should I do now?

“Shiina? Are you ok?”

“Gyaaa!” I see, so not every part of his body can nullify magic.

“Hah, serves you- A- Aizawa-san?!”

“Please, don’t mind me and continue hitting that guy with all you’ve got.” I want to see more of what he can do. I wish to know the full extent of his power.

“Shiina, I can kill him if you-”

“There’s no need for that, Lia.” I don’t want him dead, I want him.