PROLOGUE
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1MTGlOUns
It was mid-April. Hiroshima Akane and Nagumo Akira had just finished a particularly taxing student council meeting concerning the upcoming sports festival. Akane got up and stretched.
“My, student council meetings are such a hassle, don’t you think, Akira-kun?”
Akira turned around. “Sure. Sometimes I wish I never joined the council. But it’s somehow rewarding, isn’t it? Seeing all those students looking up to the student council, it makes me happy to be part of it.” he said as he got up to leave. Akane followed close behind.
“Yeah, it’s rewarding in its own way. By the way, Akira-kun, how about some karaoke? I’m going with the girls, but I thought it’d be great if we could all go together.”
“Sure. I’ll tell Kenji and the others. I’ll also bring Kendou along. Where will it be?”
“Meet me in front of the casino. I’ll be waiting with the others.”
“Alright. Same time as usual?”
“Yeah. Well then, See you later, Akira-kun.” They parted ways at the school gates.
Later that evening, Akira met Akane with two other boys, his little brother, Nagumo Kendou, and Tanaka Kenji.
“Ah, Yuri-kun didn’t come?” asked Akane.
“No, said he didn’t care for karaoke. He was reading a new light novel again.”
“That nerd. Well, let’s go. Airin and Yuna are already there. We’re just waiting for you.” said Akane as she led the way to the karaoke place.
At the karaoke place, they took turns singing their favorite anime intros, drinking soda and munching on chips by intervals. After some time, they stopped to chat.
“I know we discussed this years ago, but right now, what would you all like to be if you were suddenly reincarnated?” suddenly asked Akira.
“Hmm… I would want to be a great mage, perhaps?” said Akane.
“Definitely a swordsman!” said Kenji.
“I sure want to become a wand!” said one of the girls, Kazuma Airin, to tease Akira.
“Please don’t.” Akira sighed. “I’m tired of such anime. Like, how do you even reincarnate as a broom like in that good for nothing anime Kenji showed me.”
Kenji defended himself. “What? I think it’s interesting to see a human try to live as an inanimate object.”
“Hah? So you’d like to live as a magic mop that can clean anything?”
The third girl, Hoshino Yuna, chuckled. “In any case, I think I would like to be in my quiet corner. Being popular must be a huge deal.”
“You betcha.” replied Akira. “Though I’m sure some guys won’t understand.” he added, casting a side glance at Kenji.
Kenji remained completely clueless. “Yeah! So many guys don’t.” he said, looking like an expert. Everyone burst into wholehearted laughter.
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Some weeks later, the sports festival was in full sway. Akane had made rounds all morning and presently, sank into a chair at the main tent. Akira, busy with the calculations for the three-legged race, hardly looked up.
“Ready for more grueling work, president-san?”
“This is seriously unhealthy. I’ll collapse by the end of the day.”
Akira chuckled. “How’s Kendou?”
“He’s at the infirmary tent, trying not to faint. He’s doing a great job. Well, time to get to this. Which event are we having next?”
“The 400 meter relay. We have to get the participants together and start prepping the field. Half the group in charge of the field prep have had a cold outbreak, so we’re in a tight spot.”
“I’ll get Airin to round up the participants. Yuri can help with the field. I’ll come help with the scores when I find those two.”
“Alright. Try not to faint before the festival ends, president-san.”
“Stop calling me that.” Akane pouted before leaving the tent.
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After finding Airin and Yuri, Akane returned to the tent. Akira had just finished calculating scores for the three-legged race and had paused to drink some water.
“The relay is starting. Keep your eyes open.” she said as she slipped into the tent.
“This had better be a success.” he replied. “We’ve worked too hard for this.”
“Akira?” came a voice from behind them.
A guy with western traits and golden locks had just poked his head into the tent. He looked around and saw Akane.
“Oh, and Akane too!”
“Ray-senpai!”they both exclaimed together.
“Hey, you became president, Akane? I’m kinda proud of you.”
“What are you, a siscon?” replied Akane, blushing.
“You’re not even my sister! Where are the others?”
“Airin’s helping to round people up… Yuri is helping the field guys prep the field… Kenji is going to participate in the next event… uh… Akane, where’s Yuna?” Akira stepped in.
“Probably hiding somewhere among her classmates as usual. I haven’t seen her.”
“You sure have it tough, eh?” chuckled Ray.
“You can’t even imagine. After all, you were a third-year when you came, Ray-senpai.” said Akira, sighing.
“Hey, care to talk after the festival? I can treat you to something.” said Ray.
“The 400 meter relay is about to begin. Spectators, please ensure you do not step inside the track. All participants, please step onto the track.” came the student announcer on the speakers.
“Looks like you’ve gotta start. See you after the closing declaration, miss president, and good luck.” Ray stepped out. Almost immediately, he popped his head back in. “Also, don’t die yet, both of you. I’ll treat you to something good, promise.” he winked and left.
After the events, all gathered round to listen to the scores. Kenji’s team claimed victory, surpassing the runner-up team by a measly 3 points. Akane delivered a wonderful closing declaration with a comical twist, and the school grounds started emptying out as the students went home, their hearts filled with the excitement of the day.
A few student from the student council, including Akane, Akira and Kendou, along with their troupe, got to work cleaning the school and handling last minute concerns. As they finally trooped out the high school gates, Ray’s mellow voice rang out.
“Yo, my favorite underclassmen.” He was walking toward them.
“Aniki!” exclaimed Kenji. “Did you hear the scores?”
“Shut it, muscle-brain.” Airin shot at him.
“Van-senpai.” murmured Yuna.
Only Yuri remained silent.
“I told you to stop calling me Van, Yuu-chan.” said Ray when he got to them.
“She said it sounds better than Ray.” said Akane. “Wait, how did you hear that?”
“I’ve my ways, miss president.”
“Umm, anyone explain to me what’s going on and who this suspicious ikemen is?” asked Kendou.
“And you are?”
“Akira’s little brother, Nagumo Kendou.”
“Oh, you never met him. That’s the transfer student senpai I told you about, Ray Van Ness. He transferred into the school last year for his third year, guess when… in the third term! Talk about clueless! He managed to get a decent score on his final exams though…” replied Akira.
“I was second best, you dork.” Ray retorted, ruffling Akira’s hair. Akira was indignant.
“Anyway, I told you I’ll treat you guys to something good, didn’t I?” Ray reached into his pocket and pulled out 7 tickets and a flier with the words:
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jbiOxtqrv
[TOP SECRET MEDIA RELEASE: THE DEITY’S GAMBIT]
YOU HAVE BEEN SUMMONED.
To the true seekers of the extraordinary, the dreamers who look at the horizon and long for a different sky—your gate is finally opening.
Be the absolute first to witness the world-premiere launch of the next generational fantasy media masterpiece. This is not just a story. This is a total-immersion experience.
- EVENT HIGHLIGHTS -
The Calling: Exclusive early-access reveal of the official character designs and world lore.
The Divine Gift: Limited-edition, premium starter merchandise distributed only for exclusive tickets.
The Awakening: A high-budget, live-action interactive special stage that will blur the lines between reality and fiction.
- VENUE & TIME -
Location: The West District Industrial Hall (Warehouse B)
Doors Open: 7 o’clock sharp
“Do not look back at the mundane world. Step through the threshold, embrace the gale, and claim your destiny.”
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThCFxLn8AX
“I got my hands on this. Says it’s a new light novel launch. With these exclusive tickets, you get a firsthand experience.”
“Wait, what?!”
“Firsthand?”
“Exclusive?”
“Calling?”
“Divine Gift?”
“Fantasy?”
Now everyone was interested, speaking over the other.
“Is it a light novel?” asked Yuri.
“Sure.” Ray replied.
“Printed on ultra-heavy, 300gsm textured linen cardstock with iridescent silver-foil wind accents. This is the real deal.” thought Yuri. “Let’s go.”
Ray chuckled. He looked around at the sparkling eyes.
“How much did they cost?” asked Akane. “I doubt we’ll be able to pay back.”
“A hand and a foot, but don’t worry, you’ll be able pay, too much, even.” Ray winked. “Now, shall we head there?”
“How?” Kendou asked the obvious question.
“I got a car.”
“Okay! Off to a beautiful fantasy!” exclaimed Airin.
But none of them knew how true those words would prove to be as they sped off to the venue.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFCBnAwFHp
At the venue, they all alighted. The venue was an old but still fully functional conference hall. While there was no one in sight, the lights inside indicated someone was waiting.
“Are you sure this is it?” asked Kendou.
“Yep. This is it. Let’s go.”
They entered the venue. It was empty.
“Oh, seems we’re a little early. 6:59.”
“How do you know the time?” Kendou, although trembling, was suspicious. The group, except Kenji, turned to him, their eyes filled with suspicion and terror.
“Well, let’s just say I’m a little special.” Saying so, he closed the door just as a holographic wall clock appeared in front of them displaying the time. 7 o’clock. A chime rang through the hall and a circle illuminated the wooden floor beneath them.
“Ooh, special effects…” said Kenji. It was the last thing they heard before the light engulfed them, blinding them.
ns216.73.217.110da2
and then Add to home screen.