Jinseigyakuten Uwakisare Enzai wo Kiserareta Orega Gakuenichi no Bisyoujo ni Natsukareru [LN] Bahasa Indonesia

 

Chapter One: The Summoning to Another World and the Perverted Vampire

The sun blazed brilliantly. A cool breeze rustled through Higure's hair.

To his left, a plain stretched out as far as the eye could see.

To his right, a dense, dark forest loomed.

He looked back, but his house was gone.

And right in front of him, a girl of impossible beauty was jumping up and down, her joy unconcealed.

"Ooh, I did it! It's a success! As expected of the super-cute Lili-chan! They always called me clumsy, but maybe I'm actually a genius!"

Rose-pink hair fell to her shoulders, framing ruby-red eyes. Her skin was as white as snow. Her outfit was strangely erotic and had a cosplay-like feel to it, but on her, with her otherworldly features, it looked perfectly natural.

"Well, well. This wasn't quite what I was expecting, but not bad at all... Fuffehheh."

The girl's eyes sparkled as she circled Higure, examining him from every angle.

"N-No way, is this...?"

Higure frantically looked around.

In the distance, beyond the plains, rose a massive outer wall, and beyond that, a castle and a city.

The air was unnaturally clear. Before him stood a beautiful girl, and beside them, a deep forest that looked like it could be home to witches and magical beasts.

He was still wearing his high school uniform, the same clothes he'd left the house in. Nothing about his body felt different. Following the classic trope, he pinched his cheek. The pain was definitely real.

I see. So this is...

"The whole 'transported to another world' thing!" he yelled.

The girl moved to stand in front of him as he shouted.

With a theatrical flourish, she held out her right hand and smiled.

"Hiii! I'm so glad to see you're unharmed. I'm Lilitia. Lilitia Scarlet!" She tilted her head as if to ask, And you are?, so Higure answered, flustered.

"Uh, Sasaki Higure. Higure's my first name."

"Higure-san, is it! I think we'll be spending a lot of time together from now on, so it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Did you summon me?"

"Yeees, that's right!"

"So... does that make me, like, the hero?!"

"Pardon?"

"I mean, wasn't I summoned because I have some kind of special, powerful ability?"

"Um, I don't know much about your world, but is that how it usually works?"

"Well, the standard trope is being summoned to fight a demon lord or something..."

"Oh? So you can fight, Higure-san?"

"N-No... 'fraid not."

But of course he couldn't fight; he was just a regular Japanese high school student.

Given that, shouldn't he have been granted some kind of power that more than made up for his lack of experience and knowledge? It was only then, as he thought it through, that he realized there had been no power-granting event, nor any explanation of this world or his role in it. A sense of panic began to set in.

"But, you know, isn't there something? Like, I've got some amazing skill, or I level up super fast! Or maybe I'm already max level?"

"Level? Skill? I'm sorry, I don't quite understand."

"Uh... then, magic! Yeah, I can use some incredible magic!"

"Do you know any magic?"

"Nope... zero knowledge."

This was not the other-world-transportation scenario he had imagined.

Higure placed a hand on his chin, deep in thought.

His physical abilities didn't feel enhanced, and he couldn't sense any other changes in his body. There was no feeling of power awakening, no mysterious voice from the heavens.

"Uh, so, why was I summoned, then?"

"You're fodder."

Lilitia's smile was so perfect that he didn't quite catch what she said.

"Huh?"

"Fod-der♡"

This time she said it slowly, with an even bigger smile than before.

Lilitia's sharp canines glinted.

She looked incredibly cute, but the word itself was far too menacing.

"Fodder? As in... food?! For who?!"

"For us♡"

"Us?! What do you mean, 'us'?!"

"Don't worry. You're very high-quality fodder."

"Being a good class of fodder is not good news for me!"

"Oh, it's okay! We're not going to kill you or anything! In fact, we plan to treat you with the utmost care!"

"So I'm just gonna be eaten for all eternity!"

Higure clutched his head and sank to the ground.

The excitement he'd felt about being transported to another world came crashing down.

As if to make matters worse, the roar of a beast echoed from the forest.

He looked over to see five creatures that looked like pitch-black Dobermans emerge. Their eyes glowed crimson, and a crystal-like horn of the same color grew from each of their foreheads.

"Oh my, Hellhounds. It's rare for magical beasts from Sicchi Forest to come this far out."

The beasts, which she called Hellhounds, drooled as they stared at Higure. The number of individuals who saw him as food had just increased.

Higure, now sitting with his knees hugged to his chest, was on the verge of tears.

"Aah... if I'm gonna be eaten, I'd rather it be by the cute girl."

Comparing Lilitia and the Hellhounds, Higure began to retreat from reality.

"Hmm, your reaction is pretty amusing, Higure-san, so I wouldn't mind letting this go on a bit longer, but maybe 'fodder' wasn't the best word. Don't worry, I'm on your side."

Lilitia smiled, showing her canines, and patted Higure's head.

The light in Higure's eyes was slowly fading. He pouted like a sulking child.

"...You're just saying that so you can eat me when my guard is down."

"Ahaha, don't be silly. I don't need to do that. I can eat you by force anytime I want!"

"That's not reassuring at all!"

As Higure cried out, Lilitia stepped in front of him protectively.

She faced the Hellhounds and thrust her hands forward.

"I really am on your side. I'll prove it to you now! As a little introduction, allow me to show you my magic!"

A wave of heat erupted from Lilitia.

Her rose-pink hair whipped upwards. She took a deep breath, and the air grew so hot it felt like it would scorch his lungs. Higure instinctively covered his mouth.

The Hellhounds seemed to sense the power gap between them and Lilitia, cowering for a moment. But, perhaps because they were magical beasts, they kicked off the ground and charged her.

"Lilitia!" Higure cried out, reaching for her.

As if in response, Lilitia's lips curved into a triumphant smirk.

She raised her arms to the heavens, and flames rose up as if from the earth itself.

"—【Inferno】."

Brilliant ruby flames danced around Lilitia, adorning her.

Forgetting the threat of the beasts, Higure could only stare, mesmerized by the beautiful fire.

It was like a sun. A raging inferno, swirling into a massive sphere, shot straight for the Hellhounds. It engulfed them, incinerating their very existence, screams and all, before exploding.

Even then, its momentum didn't stop. It tore through the earth and obliterated a section of the forest. A scorched plain now blazed brightly, and the gouged-out ground bubbled like magma.

Lilitia glanced back at Higure, a smug look on her face as if to say, How was that?

"Whoa... but isn't that a little overkill? Was all that really necessary?"

"Fuffehheh, my apologies. I'm just too strong!"

"That wasn't a compliment! I mean, thanks for saving me, but still."

"I can't help it! I'm not very good at holding back. Besides, I got a little carried away trying to show off for you, Higure-san!"

"I don't really get it, but I guess you're not a bad per—Guaaah?!"

Just as he was feeling relieved that the immediate threat was gone, Lilitia suddenly grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. He felt a slight floating sensation. His neck was squeezed, and the world started to spin.

"What the hell are you do—ing?"

He looked up to protest... and saw the spot where he had been standing just moments before explode, smoke billowing up. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of what would have happened if Lilitia hadn't saved him.

He looked at Lilitia and saw her staring grimly toward the plains.

"Weell, this is a little unexpected, even for Lili-chan."

"My, I am ever so fortunate! Yes, the heavens always choose me. The angels are always watching over me! It is my duty as a noble Elf to clean up this Rare Species trash. I shall crush you with grace and elegance!"

A woman appeared, her light-green twintails swaying gently. She had sapphire eyes and pointed ears. Her body was the envy of all, curvaceous in all the right places. She was dressed in what looked like a uniform, exuding an air of both elegance and arrogance.

She flicked her hair back with a theatrical gesture and laughed loudly.

"With a Vampire, a few broken parts shouldn't be a problem. How reassuring."

"Haran Stollen, captain of the Belia Kingdom's special magic unit, Nine Number."

Lilitia spat the name of the elf woman before her with undisguised hatred.

"Oh my, my name is known even to Rare Species trash like you? Being too talented is such a burden!"

Haran let out a small, mocking laugh.

Then, her gaze shifted to Higure, who was hiding behind Lilitia.

"And who is this Human...?"

Higure's mind raced.

Haran's hostility was directed at Lilitia. He didn't know if it was because of Lilitia's race or something she'd done, but it seemed Haran had no interest in him.

She's from some kingdom unit, so she's probably official. Maybe I should prove I have nothing to do with Lilitia and get them to protect me?

"H-Hey, I'm—"

"Higure-san is my precious partner! We've pledged our futures to each other! I will never hand him over to the likes of you! I'll protect you no matter what, Higure-san!"

Higure raised his hand, trying to get a word in.

But his voice was drowned out by Lilitia, who stepped forward to shield him with exaggerated drama.

She glanced back at Higure and gave him a thumbs-up.

She had completely read his mind.

"I see. Marriage with a Rare Species... In that case, the sentence is death!"

"You're deciding that way too fast! She was joking! It was a lie!"

"This is too much trouble. Death sentence it is!" Haran declared, almost dismissively after a brief pause.

Higure's jaw dropped at her curt response.

This is another world, all right. Life is cheap.

"Prepare yourself, Higure-san!"

"...This is all your fault."

Lilitia puffed out her chest and clenched her fists.

Haran's eyes glinted as she entered a combat stance. Any sweet notion of being rescued vanished in an instant. Or rather, it had been obliterated by Lilitia.

Resigned, Higure decided to back away so he wouldn't get caught in the crossfire.

"Now then, let us get this over with quickly—【Multiple Wind Arrows: Homing Hasta】."

Haran traced a line in the air with two fingers.

A light-green magic circle deployed, generating countless arrows woven from mana. The arrows shot out one after another, aimed at Lilitia. They tore through the air with the speed of bullets, but Lilitia dodged them with nimble movements.

"Useless. Precise and delicate mana control is the true strength of us Elves!"

But with a signal from Haran's two fingers, the remaining arrows changed their trajectory. They homed in on Lilitia, cornering her. Unable to change direction in mid-air, the arrows exploded against her.

"Kuh...!"

Haran continued to cast 【Multiple Wind Arrows: Homing Hasta】, and Lilitia kept dodging. But she couldn't evade all of the relentlessly pursuing arrows, and the number of fresh cuts on her body grew.

They weren't fatal wounds, but Lilitia's movements were clearly becoming sluggish.

"As expected of a Vampire! Such disgustingly potent life force."

"Hey! Lilitia! Aren't you gonna use that magic from before?!"

Lilitia wiped her mouth, her breathing ragged. Haran hadn't moved an inch, while Lilitia was being relentlessly attacked.

Lilitia was on the defensive against Haran's barrage of spells.

But it didn't seem like she lacked an opening to counterattack.

"It's not that you won't use it. You can't, can you?"

Haran's lips twisted into a smirk.

"Yep, that's right! I'm completely out of mana after that last one! Yours truly, the lovable klutz, Lili-chan!"

Lilitia answered cheerfully, showing no sign of despair. She tilted her head with a "te-heh," trying to look nonchalant, but she was covered in wounds. Haran, on the other hand, didn't have a speck of dust on her.

"Where do you get that confidence?! You're not a klutz, you're an idiot! Wasting a huge spell like that for no reason!"

When Higure said that, she protested with some nonsense like, "Please don't call me an idiot! It doesn't sound cute! At least call me a dummy!" Her statement just proved she was, in fact, an idiot.

"Even with a large vessel, it's useless if you have no mana to fill it. Ah, what a comical piece of Rare Species trash. In place of the angels, I shall deliver divine punishment myself!"

Haran cast her spell once more.

The mana arrows tore through the sky, heading not for Lilitia—but straight for Higure.

"Whoa, h-hey, no mercy?!"

The suddenness of it all made Higure freeze.

He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for impact, when he was suddenly enveloped in a soft, floating sensation. He cautiously opened his eyes to find himself being held princess-style by Lilitia.

With a light "Yo, ho," Lilitia put some distance between them and Haran.

"This tension is nice. If you weren't that person, we'd be mincemeat right now. But for some reason... I have a feeling, a conviction."

And then, she took a great leap backward.

His body was suspended in the air, his vision filled with her captivating red eyes and her rose-pink hair whipping in the wind. Feeling her body heat, a strangely calm thought crossed his mind. Ah... so I really am in another world.

"With your power, we can escape this predicament."

She landed gracefully without a sound.

She set Higure down, and they stood facing each other. A gentle smile graced her lips.

"You're the one who dragged me into this predicament, you know."

"Touche! But just go with the mood for now!"

Lilitia grabbed Higure's shoulders and stared intently at him.

"Higure-san, do you trust me?"

"It's not like I have any other choice!"

"Hehe, good boy."

Lilitia reached out, cupping Higure's cheeks with both hands.

A faint blush colored her own.

Her eyes were like beautiful jewels.

A sweet, intoxicating fragrance wafted from her.

The saliva glistening on her canines seemed strangely seductive.

Lilitia closed her eyes and slowly leaned in—.

"—Mph, chu."

She kissed him on the lips.

"——!?!?"

It happened so suddenly, his mind couldn't keep up.

And yet, as if bewitched by some demon, Higure couldn't move.

"Chu... nngh... hah... slurp... mmm."

Lilitia pressed her hands harder against his cheeks and thrust her tongue into his mouth, devouring him.

It was warm, sweet, and breathtaking.

Their saliva mingled, melting together as if they were meant to be one.

Her soft tongue explored the inside of his mouth, and he felt like he was going to dissolve.

"Ah, hey, wha—?! What do you two think you're doing?!"

Haran's voice sounded incredibly distant, like it was happening in another world.

"Nnngh—?!"

And then, Higure felt something welling up from within him.

A massive magic circle appeared, centered on him. It felt like something important was being drawn out from the depths of his soul. Strangely, it wasn't unpleasant; his body burned with heat. Every cell in his body trembled with joy, as if they were crying out for the first time.

"Slurp, slurp, nngh... ah, mmm..."

Lilitia's fervor only intensified as she devoured him.

Rough, yet gentle, lost in the moment. It was as if she was the one who was truly bewitched.

"Ngh, ah—"

She was draining him. Sucking something out of him.

The boundary between Lilitia and Higure blurred. He was enveloped in a pleasure that felt like they were melting into one, a sense of omnipotence as if they understood everything about each other.

He could feel a powerful something from within him flowing into Lilitia.

And when it filled her body, their lips parted.

"Phew— Fuffehheh."

Her cheeks were flushed, her body limp. She looked at Higure with glazed eyes.

Lilitia wiped a trail of saliva from the corner of her mouth and smiled sloppily.

"Th-That felt... amazing... Damn, this could get addictive."

With that, Lilitia pulled Higure into an embrace, holding him against her chest.

"Hey, wai—"

Higure frantically tried to resist, but he couldn't budge her. She looked like a normal human—well, a Vampire, apparently—but for a girl, she was deceptively strong.

"That was my first kiss, you know. You have to take responsibility♡"

She whispered, tightening her arms around him in an affectionate hug. Her voice, thick and syrupy, tickled his ear, and he felt the strength drain from his entire body.

They were in the middle of a battle, yet Lilitia showed no signs of letting him go.

"Y-You, that's...!"

Haran's eyes widened at the sight of Lilitia.

It wasn't just that they had started making out in the middle of a fight; there was clearly something else that had caught her attention. "Impossible, impossible..." she muttered, taking a step back from them, and then another.

"H-How is all of your mana restored?!"

"It's the power of love♡" Lilitia answered with a smile, stroking Higure's head.

"Mana transfer? No, that's impossible. The mana types are different. But if that's the case, just how much mana would it take to fill a Rare Species' massive vessel in an instant...?"

Lilitia placed a reassuring hand on Higure's head before stepping forward.

She raised her hands to the sky, her fully restored mana burning as she formed a spell.

"Now then, let's turn this inferior race, whose only merit is their tiny vessel, to ash, shall we?"

Her rose-pink hair flared out, and a magic circle deployed.

Flames erupted with explosive force. A heatwave that could scorch the lungs.

"Wh-That's super-class fire magic—?!"

"Burn and blister—【Inferno】."

A mass of heat like the sun, filling his entire field of vision.

The beautiful yet merciless hellfire swallowed Haran, along with the entire section of the forest.

◇

Higure stared, mouth agape, at a horse-drawn carriage passing by.

The street was wide, maybe two lanes across.

Stalls lined both sides, a chaotic market selling everything from accessories and clothes to fresh food. A middle-aged man was chugging beer in broad daylight. A parent and child walked hand-in-hand along the side of the road. The clamor of the bustling city filled the air.

Among the crowd, he could see people with features different from humans—some with animal ears and tails, others with long, pointed ears like Haran, the woman they had just fought.

Many had swords, staves, or knives hanging from their waists, and their attire looked like something out of a fantasy world.

No, not like something. Higure was in a fantasy world.

The Belia Kingdom. The Royal Capital, Liliarre.

Wearing a robe Lilitia had given him, Higure walked beside her.

"Status Open! Status Open!"

Higure shouted at the top of his lungs, heedless of the people around him.

But nothing happened.

No transparent window appeared, no mysterious voice spoke to him.

"Fireball! Fireball!"

Again, nothing.

He felt no surge of power, no hint of flames.

"What have you been doing for a while now, Higure-san?"

"Well, I was just confirming that I really was brought to another world without being given any powers..."

"Hah."

"Is this one of those hardcore other worlds? The kind people say they'd never want to be reincarnated into?!"

"I wouldn't know about that, but you have an amazing power, don't you, Higure-san!"

Lilitia clung to Higure's arm.

The firm yet soft sensation made Higure quickly avert his gaze. He tried to walk faster, spotting a traveling minstrel strumming a ukulele out of the corner of his eye, but he couldn't seem to shake Lilitia's monstrous strength.

"You have an unbelievable amount of mana! Enough to completely fill my vessel with plenty to spare!"

"But everyone has mana, right...?"

"Well, yes, it's impossible to have zero mana."

"And I can't use magic, can I...?"

"If you're not aware of it, then probably not..."

"See! That 'amazing power' thing is a lie, isn't it?! Even if I have a little more mana, it's useless if I can't use magic!"

"But, but, you might learn magic from now on...!"

He might not, though.

If he couldn't learn magic, he'd be way too much of a normie. And even if he could, it was hard to imagine that Higure, who had no prior experience with magic, would be able to wield it more freely than Lilitia and the others. Not without some kind of cheat ability, at least.

But for now, that didn't seem likely either.

No goddess had appeared before him, there was no status screen, and he didn't feel any power welling up inside him.

"...Am I actually useless?"

"But, but, you're the only one who can transfer mana to others, Higure-san!"

"Mana transfer... that, huh."

Remembering his kiss with Lilitia, Higure mumbled to himself.

The sensation of a powerful something from within him flowing into her.

It wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it had even felt good.

"But I can't use magic... It's like having tens of thousands of gallons of gasoline without a car, isn't it?"

"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand that analogy."

"Even with a little more mana..."

It was a waste of talent. Pearls before swine. Mana for an earthling.

Just as Lilitia had first said, his only role was as fodder.

A talking mana tank. In fact, a mana tank would probably be more useful if it didn't talk.

"No, it's really not on the level of 'a little'..."

After that, Lilitia gave him a brief explanation of this world.

As he'd imagined, it was a fantasy world of swords and magic, where magical beasts roamed free.

Currently, the four great races—Humans, Elves, Beast-people, and Dwarves—dominated the continent, and this Belia Kingdom was a nation ruled by Humans.

The Royal Capital, Liliarre, was the heart of the kingdom, where the latest technology and goods gathered. She told him that the magnificent building in the center of the city, with its spires piercing the sky, was the royal castle.

Indeed, looking around, it seemed that Humans were the most common race he could see. He wondered if that ratio would change if he went to other countries.

The race with long ears and strikingly beautiful features were the Elves.

The race with animal ears and tails were the Beast-people.

The race with tan skin and generally small stature were the Dwarves.

And the race with no physical characteristics different from his own were, apparently, the Humans.

"—The magic we can use, and our strengths and weaknesses, also differ by race. The quality of our mana has a lot to do with it. To begin with, mana, which is abundant in nature, transforms when it passes through the body's mana gate and becomes odo... Oh, Higure-san, you're making a face like an idiot!"

"Well, it's just a lot of lore to take in..."

"But I don't know what you don't know!"

Higure bit into the chicken Lilitia had bought for him at a stall.

The intense spiciness and juicy meat were irresistible. He hadn't expected much from the food, but this violently simple seasoning was pretty good.

"I just accepted it as chicken, but what kind of meat is this? A magical beast, maybe?"

Higure looked at the half-eaten chicken tentative and muttered anxiously.

"Hehe, magical beast meat is too gamey to eat. That's a Sanwa bird, a domesticated version of the Batsu bird."

"Not Niwa, but Sanwa...?"

He had a lot of questions, but it probably wasn't anything bad for him.

He took another bite. Now that he'd heard the explanation, it tasted just like chicken.

"Higure-san, is there anything you want to ask about this world? I'll answer anything I can!"

"Anything, huh..."

To be honest, there was so much he didn't know where to start.

Higure knew absolutely nothing about this world.

"Oh, by the way, my three sizes, from the top, are—"

"I didn't ask for that!"

Lilitia placed a hand on her ample bust, about to answer proudly, but Higure quickly stopped her.

"Hiii! I was just being considerate, thinking it might be hard for you to ask!"

"Don't be considerate in weird ways!"

"I see... You can't trust numbers alone. You want to touch and confirm for yourself."

Lilitia opened the front of her robe and leaned in, emphasizing her cleavage. The soft-looking mounds changed shape, pressing into Higure's field of vision.

She's probably using some kind of magic. She must be. Because I can't look away.

"—That's not just a misinterpretation, that's a complete distortion!"

"To grasp the other person's true intentions without them having to say it. Don't you think that's true consideration?"

"You're not grasping anything!"

Whether Lilitia understood or not... no, she probably didn't. She was muttering some off-the-mark conclusion like, "I see... Higure-san is a shy one."

"Uh, right! About the Beast-people. Isn't their name a little different from the others?"

Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Beast-people.

Clearly, "Beast-people" was the odd one out.

"Ah, that's because 'Beast-people' is a collective term for the many different beast-type races. The nation of the Beast-people, the Shoushu Federation, is also a collection of various tribes that have formed a country... Look, for example, that girl over there."

Lilitia pointed to a girl working as a clerk at a bakery.

She wore an apron and had cat-like ears and a long, thin tail.

"She's a Werecat. And across from her."

Next, she pointed to a young man inside a stall, stirring a giant pot.

He had wolf-like ears and a bushy tail.

"He's a Lycanthrope. There are also Hare-people, Cù-sìth, and others."

She continued her explanation, gesturing to a girl with long, rabbit-like ears who passed by, and a young man with short, fluffy dog-like ears.

"I see... And you're a Vampire, Lilitia."

"Yeees! The super-cute and bewitching Vampire, Lili-chan!"

Lilitia struck a deliberately cute pose and winked.

Looking around the city, he couldn't see anyone who looked like a Vampire.

Haran, the kingdom's magic knight, had called Lilitia a "Rare Species" with hostility. He wondered if life was extremely difficult for those outside the four great races in this world.

"So, what am I supposed to do, anyway?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, you summoned me because you want me to do something, right?"

"Well... yes."

"Wait, did you get the wrong guy?! I'll die if you abandon me here!"

Abandoned in another world → rescued by a kind old man → turns out he's part of a criminal organization and they strip me of everything → sold as a slave → bought by an arrogant pig-like noble → thrown away for being useless → picked up → sold → bought → thrown away → repeat.

The worst possible future flashed through his mind, and Higure clutched his head.

Oh man, the fate of a normie who accidentally ends up in another world is terrifying...

"No, no, no, we wouldn't do that! It's just that... I was a little taken aback by how you just assumed you'd help us... Are you really going to help without any resistance?"

Lilitia furrowed her shapely brows, as if trying to gauge Higure's true intentions.

"If it's something I can do."

"I'm saying this myself, but I've done some pretty forceful things, you know."

"It's a whole new world, right? It'd be a waste not to enjoy it."

"Uh, Higure-san, I can't tell if you're cynical or optimistic..."

"My motto for my second life is: The tougher it gets, the more positive you have to be! I just decided that now!"

"Eh, just now...?"

"Besides, if I said I wanted to go home, could I?"

"I'm sorry... I don't really know how to do that."

Lilitia looked down apologetically.

She's honest, he thought. And probably a kind person, too.

"Then I've got no choice but to do what I can here. Luckily, it seems like there are people who need me, so it's a good chance for a do-over."

Back on Earth, he was just living like he was already dead anyway.

Higure shielded his eyes with his hand and looked up at the sky of this other world.

It was a clear blue, no different from the sky he saw from Earth. For a moment, he almost felt the illusion that this sky was connected to the world he came from.

But when he looked down, it was still an unknown world.

Fantasy races, swords and magic, and a cityscape like medieval Europe.

And next to him, a Vampire girl with rose-pink hair.

This was another world. He was here now, so there was nothing he could do about it.

"So, I'm counting on you, Lilitia."

Lilitia's eyes widened in surprise when he held out his right hand.

Then, seeing Higure's embarrassed expression, her own softened.

"Yes, I'm counting on you from now on, Higure-san."

The two of them faced each other and shook hands firmly.

And so, guided by the Vampire girl, Higure began his life in another world.

"But seriously, there's not much I can do, okay?! Don't get your hopes up too high! And don't abandon me halfway through!"

◇

They left the crowded main street, passed through a narrow alley, and entered a quiet residential area.

Walking further in, they came to a maze-like place with narrow, winding alleys. The low buildings were dilapidated, with crude repairs of boards nailed on with screws. He splashed through dirty water pooled on the broken cobblestones and couldn't help but cough at the filthy air.

After walking for a while, they arrived at a half-demolished church.

The ceiling was open to the sky, and half of the pews were destroyed. Piles of dirt had accumulated in places, and weeds were even growing in the corners. The statue at the altar, a symbol of the church that looked like a mix of a dragon and a person, had its arms broken off and was covered in rust.

"Hey, you said you were taking me to your base, but don't tell me..."

Seeing Lilitia stop as she entered the church, Higure looked up at the statue anxiously.

"Yeees! This is our wonderful home! It used to be a church of the Ialias faith, but now that crappy religion called the Four Holy Faiths is the mainstream. The Ialias faith has been declared a heresy, so no one uses this place. You can rest easy."

"Isn't there a more fundamental problem here...?"

He wasn't asking for underfloor heating, but he'd at least like to be sheltered from the wind and rain.

Until yesterday, he was a pampered high school student living a comfortable life on Earth.

"And you call it a crappy religion..."

"It's a convenient religion that fabricates reasons to condemn us Rare Species as evil. But let's put that aside for now. Come, this way."

Lilitia went behind the statue and, with a grunt, lifted a section of the iron floor.

A staircase leading down to a basement was revealed.

So there was a secret passage. It was a simple but exciting gimmick.

Higure followed Lilitia as she descended into the darkness.

Lilitia, leading the way, touched a red stone on a candlestick holder protruding from the wall. The stone emitted a faint glow, illuminating their path.

"A magic stone lamp—it's a type of magic tool. It's a simple thing that lights up when you pour mana into it... Want to try, Higure-san?"

"I've never used a magic tool before."

"Don't worry! Unlike magic, anyone can use them as long as they have mana. Here."

Lilitia handed him the magic stone lamp.

"Try pouring your mana into it. It's like gathering heat in the palm of your hand. It might be easier to imagine it flowing through your blood vessels."

"Like this...?"

Following Lilitia's advice, he tried to pour his mana into it.

And the moment the magic stone lamp glowed intensely—CRACK.

A dry shattering sound echoed as it exploded into tiny pieces.

Lilitia stared, mouth agape, at the broken magic stone lamp.

"N-No, it wasn't me! I didn't do anything! This was probably defective, yeah."

Higure frantically tried to explain himself.

Lilitia muttered, "Oh, crap..." and picked up a fragment of the lamp.

"I've never seen one break like this before... This is bad... really bad..."

She gathered the shattered pieces and observed them with great interest.

Then, she looked at Higure with a sympathetic expression and patted him on the shoulder.

"It might be inconvenient for a while, but we'll learn how to control your power from now on."

"No, that's not it! I didn't use that much power! Lilitia?"

Lilitia acted as if nothing had happened, lit another magic stone lamp, and continued down the stairs.

A bewildered Higure hurried after her.

"Hey! Lilitia-san?"

"Higure-san... your mana is even greater than I imagined..."

"That's not it! I told you I didn't do anything! It was definitely defective!"

The space that spread out in the basement of the ruined church was surprisingly spacious.

A large refectory table that could seat ten people stood in the center of a lived-in living room. Much of the furniture was well-used, but the room was clean. A hallway extended from a door at the back, with several other rooms visible beyond it.

"Lilitia-neechan, welcome back!"

"Onee-chan, welcome home! I'm so glad you're safe!"

"W-Welcome... back!"

Three children, around five or six years old, their faces lighting up, rushed to Lilitia and jumped on her.

"I'm home! Were you all good boys and girls for Maihime-chan?"

The children all had some kind of physical characteristic—devil-like horns and a tail, or bat-like wings growing from their waists. They were different from the features of the four great races Lilitia had told him about.

The children surrounded Lilitia, chattering excitedly about her return.

After a while, their interest shifted to the newcomer, the Human Higure.

"This is Sasaki Higure-san! He's our very important fodder!"

Lilitia cleared her throat with a deliberate cough and made a completely off-the-mark introduction.

"Fodder! Whoa, is this the legendary one?!"

"So he's the fodder, the legendary fodder!"

"...slurp."

The children cried out without a hint of doubt.

Higure was already recognized as fodder. There was no such thing as legendary fodder.

He was happy about the welcoming mood, but it was extremely complicated.

"...'Fodder' means you'll eat my mana, right? You're not actually going to eat me, are you?"

He looked at Lilitia anxiously, but she just smiled without saying a word.

A tiny bit of drool trickled from the corner of her mouth.

"..."

He had come this far without any suspicion, but perhaps he had been too hasty.

"Everyone, have you eaten already?"

"Yeah! Maihime-neechan made it for us today!"

"It looked as crazy as ever, but it was super delicious!"

"Ahaha... that's a mystery to me, too."

Lilitia was surrounded by the children, who pulled her by the hand. They were all smiling, and it was clear how much they adored her.

Looking closely, he could see that they had scars on their bodies or looked a little gaunt. Their clothes were not exactly neat, either. Living hidden in the basement of a church, they must have some special circumstances.

Probably something related to why Higure was summoned—.

But wait, I really don't have any powers... If they find out, will they abandon me?

'I thought you were going to awaken some special power, but it seems I was mistaken. Goodbye. Good luck surviving on your own♡'

The image of a smiling Lilitia saying those words flashed in his mind, and he shivered.

This was bad. Someone with a little more mana than average was probably just a bit rare. He needed to awaken some amazing power, and fast. Will I, though?

"Nice to meet you, Higure-kun."

As he was lost in thought, a girl stood next to him.

Snow-white hair, fox ears twitching atop her head, and a fluffy tail. The girl with crimson eyes tilted her head, staring intently at Higure.

At a glance, she looked to be about fourteen or fifteen. She was so delicate it seemed she might break if hugged too tightly, but there was a mysterious charm and dignity about her that made it feel inappropriate to call her just a girl.

"I am Maihime Hiiragi. I am the demon lord who will destroy this world."

Her voice was as clear and flat as glass.

The girl who called herself Maihime said this without a single twitch of her expression.

"O-Oh...?"

"A joke. A princess joke."

Again, her expression didn't change at all.

"That's not the face or tone for telling a joke!"

"I get that a lot."

For some reason, she made a peace sign on both sides of her face. The way she wiggled her fingers while swaying her tail was incredibly cute, but he had no idea what she meant by it. She was a strange one, in a different way from Lilitia.

"Wait, is this normal in this world?"

Higure tried making a peace sign with both hands as well.

Maihime sniffed and wagged her tail vigorously.

Apparently, she liked it.

He still didn't get it.

A little girl hiding behind Maihime was staring intently at Higure. She seemed shy, clutching the hem of Maihime's clothes tightly. She would glance up at Higure, but the moment their eyes met, she would quickly look down.

"I'm Sasaki Higure. Nice to meet you."

Higure knelt down to meet the girl's gaze.

But she flinched and darted away to the back of the room like a frightened rabbit.

"I'm sorry. That child was captured by a slave trader until recently, and her master was a Human... I think she has some trauma."

"...I see."

"When you talk to her next time, you should wear this."

Maihime handed him a headband with cat ears.

The idea was probably to make him look less Human. He understood the intention, but...

"Will this work?"

"It would be even better if you added 'nyan' to the end of your sentences."

"...Nyan."

Thinking it was worth a try if it would keep him from triggering the girl's trauma, Higure put on the cat-ear headband.

As instructed, he mimicked a cat's meow with a straight face.

"Eh... No way, that's... adorable. ...I want to eat you."

Lilitia, who was watching from the side, trembled, her hands shaking.

Her eyes were shining brightly. They were the eyes of a lion stalking its prey.

Feeling his life was in danger, Higure quietly removed the headband and placed it on the table.

Later, Higure and Lilitia ate together in the living room.

Maihime served them stew in bowls. It was a thick, purple soup. Lumps of unevenly cut ingredients floated in it, and bubbles like magma rose to the surface.

It looked absolutely terrible, but Lilitia next to him was eating it with relish.

Higure steeled himself and took a bite.

"This is... good. How can something that looks like this taste so good?"

It had a pleasant acidity and spiciness, a flavor that would go well with rice.

"Oh, by the way, it's not that this is normal in this world; Maihime-chan is just special. This look is definitely not normal. It's a mystery why it's so delicious."

"I hope I don't get a stomachache..."

Higure didn't have the courage to ask what was in the stew.

He glanced at Maihime, and she gave him a thumbs-up. Though her face was expressionless, he could tell she was very proud of herself.

◇

Once, the world was a place where the Rare Species and the current four great races coexisted in a delicate balance.

The Rare Species, though few in number due to their low reproductive rates, each possessed immense power.

The four great races, though their individual mana pools were small, had vast numbers.

It wasn't that the world was divided into these two factions, but looking back, there were diverse countries and communities scattered about, and a balance was maintained.

The total population of all Rare Species combined was only about one-twentieth of the four great races. Even so, there was no significant difference in their military strength.

The greatest difference between the four great races and the Rare Species was the total amount of their mana.

If the vessel that stored the mana of the four great races was a cup, the vessel of a Rare Species was at least a bucket.

If a 【Fireball】 cast by one of the four great races was the size of a fist, a 【Fireball】 cast by a Rare Species was the size of a large ball. Even with the same basic, general-purpose magic, there was this much of a difference. That much hasn't changed, but due to other circumstances, the power of the Rare Species has been greatly diminished.

Thirty years ago—after a certain incident, that power balance was completely overturned.

To put it simply, the Rare Species could no longer use their brute-force magic fueled by their vast mana reserves.

From then on, as if they had been waiting for this moment, the four great races rose to prominence.

They joined forces, expanded their territories, quickly established new laws, and began to oppress, corner, and kill the Rare Species. Even now, they continue to plot their extinction.

Many were enslaved. Now, the word "slave" is synonymous with Rare Species.

The already small population of the Rare Species dwindled even further, and some races are said to have already been wiped out. As far as Lilitia knows, there are only a few dozen Vampires left.

The situation had changed drastically, and the Rare Species came to know the terror of numbers.

They realized that the past, where they had dominated through individual strength despite the overwhelming population difference, had been the anomaly.

"I see..."

Higure murmured after hearing about the current state of the world from Lilitia and Maihime.

The sky was veiled in darkness, and the children were fast asleep.

Higure, Lilitia, and Maihime sat at the long table in the living room, speaking with grave expressions. Lilitia and Maihime sat across from Higure.

A magic stone lamp on the table cast a faint glow.

Lilitia took a sip of hot milk from her cup.

"So, what was it? That 'certain incident'."

"The Spirit Collapse Disaster—the quality of mana... the magical energy that fills the natural world, changed overnight. To put it simply, the natural recovery rate of mana became abnormally slow. Before that, my mana would be full in half a day. Now, it takes ten days. And that's assuming I don't use any magic at all."

Lilitia put down her cup and began to speak.

For one whole day, the world was shrouded in complete darkness.

It wasn't something as simple as dark clouds. It was true darkness.

A thick, raw darkness that allowed not a single speck of light to pass through dominated the sky. A suffocating feeling, as if their bodies were tightly wrapped in cloth, persisted all day. Fear and anxiety swirled as people wondered if the end had come, if the world would stay like this forever, if they were all going to perish.

And when the day passed and the darkness lifted, the world had changed.

The mana no longer assimilated into their bodies properly.

No matter how much time passed, only a tiny bit of moisture filled their dry vessels.

And so, the Rare Species could no longer use their magic, which relied on their vast and abundant mana.

Lilitia recounted the scene as if repeating a story she had heard from someone else.

"Spent mana is naturally recovered over time by the mana that fills the world. That's the same for us and for the four great races. The effect of the altered mana is also the same."

"Then why were only the Rare Species weakened?"

"The premise is that our vessels for storing mana are extremely large. Because they're so large, we've always used magic without thinking about mana consumption. But the natural mana recovery rate was fixed, regardless of the size of the vessel."

"I see... so that's it."

Higure placed a hand on his chin and murmured.

"Before, no matter how sloppily we used it, our mana would recover right away. We never thought about mana efficiency, and the magic we developed was all mana-intensive. There are plenty of spells that the four great races couldn't even cast with their full mana."

"In contrast, the four great races have always thought about how to fight efficiently with their limited mana."

Lilitia nodded at Higure's words.

Because their vessels were small, the four great races weren't as affected by the reduced natural mana recovery rate as the Rare Species were.

From what he'd heard, mana couldn't be stored beyond the capacity of an individual's vessel. In fact, the previous natural mana recovery rate was probably too high.

"It's not that the Rare Species neglected wisdom and ingenuity... it's just that there was no need for it, so we focused our efforts elsewhere."

"I see..."

"For us, the consumption of mana lingers for days. So we're not suited for long battles."

"The four great races had an abnormal number of people, so once our individual strength was no longer overwhelming, we were quickly trampled. I heard it didn't take long to drag the Rare Species from the main stage after the Spirit Collapse Disaster."

If there was no difference in individual ability, the side with more numbers would have the advantage.

It was a very simple logic.

"But if that's the case, why don't you guys just use magic with low mana consumption? Then the Rare Species with their larger vessels would have the advantage, right?"

"If only it were that easy. Even if we use the same magic, we consume more mana. The power is higher, though."

"...I see?"

Higure took a sip of his now-cold hot milk. The sweet scent of honey filled his mouth, along with a faint, raw smell.

"You might think we should just develop magic with low mana consumption, but that's difficult for another reason. Wait a moment."

With that, Maihime stood up and went to a back room.

She returned a moment later with a thin test tube and a large tankard, each about eighty percent full of water.

"Try to spill the water inside onto the table. As little as possible."

Maihime handed the test tube to Higure.

Higure, not understanding her intention, did as he was told. He leaned in close, watching the water slowly approach the spout. When a few drops fell, he quickly lifted the test tube.

"Is this good?"

A puddle the size of a small coin had formed on the table.

Maihime took the test tube and handed him the tankard.

"Try doing the same thing."

Higure tilted the tankard to drip water onto the table. But this time, it didn't go as well as with the test tube, and a large puddle splashed onto the table.

Maihime pointed at the tankard and spoke.

"That is us. The size of our mana gates is different, so it is physically impossible to restrict the amount of mana below a certain point. Even if we try, it won't be stable."

"I see..."

It seemed that because the specifications of their engines and bodies were different, even if they tried to run the same distance cast the same magic, the amount of energy consumed would be different, and below a certain amount of energy, they wouldn't even start running.

"Magic has been refined with our blood and has become accustomed to our bodies. Our bodies have learned to use magic in this way."

"So the rules of mana suddenly changed, and now you're in a tough spot... is that it?"

When Higure added his own interpretation while tilting his head, Maihime gave him a thumbs-up.

"For now, it's okay if you just understand that general idea! If I tried to explain it accurately, I'd have to start from scratch with the mana gate, the properties and differences of mana and odo, the history of magic, and the changes in magic and its usage that came with it!"

"That's a bit... maybe some other time."

Higure's brain was already on the verge of exploding.

He felt foolish for his own simple-minded thinking, imagining he could just use amazing magic with a whoosh and be strong for some unknown reason.

"Uh, so, to summarize, because of the Spirit Collapse Disaster, the Rare Species can't just spam magic like they used to, so they've been weakened. But the four great races weren't affected as much. Because of that, the less numerous Rare Species are getting beaten up by the four great races, and you and Maihime are in a lot of trouble."

Maihime made a peace sign with both hands in affirmation.

It was not a peaceful situation at all, but his interpretation seemed to be correct.

"We—The White-Tailed Crown—are working for the revival of the Rare Species. To that end, we travel across the continent, calling out to other Rare Species and gathering allies."

"Until now, the Rare Species have been individualistic and haven't interacted much outside their own kind. Many races are exclusive, bound by old customs. But that way, we cannot resist the four great races, cannot resist the future of ruin. We need power to assert our rights."

Maihime added to Lilitia's explanation.

The once-overwhelming power of the Rare Species was no match for the four great races after the Spirit Collapse Disaster. When viewed not as individuals but as large groups like nations or races, the small numbers of the Rare Species put them at a great disadvantage. That's why they needed to unite the Rare Species as one large group and gather allies.

"Our immediate goal is to escort the Rare Species children we've protected in the capital to a hidden village near the border with the Republic."

He remembered the four children he had met earlier.

They were all Rare Species, and they must have lived oppressed lives in this country. The girl who was afraid of Higure had been a slave, and the other children also had noticeable scars on their bodies.

"Summoning you without your consent, getting you involved in our own problems... I feel very sorry for you, Higure-kun."

Maihime, though expressionless, looked downcast, her fox ears drooping.

Then, Lilitia said in a cheerful tone.

"But he said he doesn't mind? He was quite positive about it."

"Is that so. Then I won't worry about it."

"That's complicated in its own way!"

"Then I will worry about it."

Maihime's fox ears, which had perked up for a moment, drooped again.

"No, I'm not saying you have to worry..."

"Then I won't worry about it."

Maihime's fox ears perked up again.

Does her emotional state only have an on and off switch? I wish there was a middle ground...

"In other words, you, Higure-san, with your abundance of mana, are our hope! An enormous amount of mana! And the fact that it can be transferred is like a dream!"

"Was it really as the legends said? Lili."

"Yes, of course! I confirmed it with my own body! We did something so, so intense, and Higure-san's hot stuff flowed into me♡"

"Intense...! I want some too!"

"My body was instantly filled with Higure-san's stuff, it felt so good, I think I'm already addicted. You should try it too, Maihime-chan! You'll definitely be captivated...! You'll be a complete mess!"

"I look forward to it very much."

As Lilitia and Maihime chattered excitedly, Higure grew anxious. He was breaking out in a cold sweat. He couldn't meet their eyes. Not only was their conversation full of things to retort to and a little unsettling, but—.

No, no, no, this is impossible, isn't it?

One of the major problems for the Rare Species was the reduced natural mana recovery rate.

But now that Higure, with his vast mana reserves, was here, everything was fine!

That can't be right! The problem is that the quality of the mana that fills the world—mana, was it?—has changed, right? If my mana decreases, it'll be replenished from that mana, right? Then it'll take time for me to recover, too, won't it?! Because the recovery rate is fixed! In that case, even if my mana vessel is a little bigger than Lilitia's and the others', the situation won't change!

He hadn't really felt it, but by transferring mana to Lilitia, his own mana should have decreased.

And if the story of the Spirit Collapse Disaster was true, then Higure's mana wouldn't recover quickly either.

Higure didn't know his own total mana capacity.

If his mana ran out after the next transfer...

'Eh? Even with all that mana, this is all you have? I'm disappointed.'

'This won't be enough to be the hope of the Rare Species. Goodbye.'

The disappointed voices of Lilitia and Maihime echoed in his mind.

...Isn't this bad?

The moment Lilitia and the others realized his incompetence would be the end. Higure would be abandoned in this other world.

If he generously transferred mana, he would run out in no time.

"Higure-kun, you look pale. Is something wrong?"

"Are you okay? Want you to grope my boobs?"

Higure agonized over his situation.

He worried, and worried, and worried... and then, when he crossed a certain line.

Ah, whatever. It'll work out somehow.

He was over it.

This was a whole new world. The chance for a do-over he had always wanted.

Even if there was a misunderstanding, this situation where someone needed him should be exactly what he wished for. The hero of the stories he admired wouldn't waste his thoughts on such unproductive worries.

"Yeeeeeeah! Long live the Rare Species! I'm gonna do it! I'll become everyone's hope!"

Higure shot up from his seat, thrusting his fist into the air and shouting.

Lilitia and Maihime looked up at him, dumbfounded.

"Uh... th-thank you?"

◇

"He's completely asleep now."

"How carefree, without a clue as to what we're feeling."

Midnight.

Lilitia and Maihime stood outside the guest room assigned to Higure, their ears pressed against the door.

It seemed the exhaustion from the unfamiliar environment had caught up to him; he had fallen asleep almost as soon as he’d gotten into bed. Their worry that he might be too anxious to sleep had been unfounded. He was surprisingly tough-minded, it seemed.

"If Higure-kun truly possesses limitless mana, we absolutely cannot let him go."

"Yeees. Not just as a pure asset in battle, but as our spiritual pillar. We need him to become the icon, the banner for rebuilding the Rare Species!"

Maihime clenched her fists with determination, while Lilitia, lost in thought, had a trail of drool running from the corner of her mouth.

"We have to make Higure-san choose us, no matter what it takes."

"Seduce him, you mean. I will do my best."

"Yes, with us two super-cuties here, it'll be a piece of cake!"

Lilitia and Maihime clasped hands in a firm shake.

If possible, they wanted to avoid any rough methods. Higure's daily life had been stolen from him, and he'd been summoned to this world for their own selfish reasons. The least they could do, as a show of good faith, was to create a comfortable environment that would make him want to cooperate.

"But what should we do?"

"My mother always said that boys his age are weak to naughty older sisters. A naughty older sister! That's me!"

"Lilitia... are you an older sister?"

"Yes! I spend twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year thinking about lewd things...!"

"Isn't that just... lewd...?"

Slurp.

Lilitia wiped the drool from her lips, a creepy "fuffehheh" smile spreading across her face.

"For tonight, at least, could you leave him to me?"

And with that, she turned her ruby eyes, shimmering with a bewitching light, toward Higure's room.

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