kscans

Chapter 1 - Prologue

I've longed for a life less ordinary. Or rather, I'm still longing for one.

Maybe that's normal for kids these days. A world of swords and magic, free from boring classes and difficult tests.

A world where you could cut down monsters left and right, earning fame and fortune. That's the kind of life I dreamed of.

But it was just a dream. I never seriously thought that a 'life less ordinary' would actually arrive.

I really, really didn't.

"Look at this! A crowd of people dressed like knights and mages has gathered in front of the hospital! And no, today is not Halloween, nor is it April Fool's Day!"

The female announcer was speaking to the camera, her voice filled with excitement.

And she herself had become a Dark Elf. Her skin was bronze, her hair silver. Her already attractive features were now even more refined, and most strikingly, her ears had elongated and were twitching back and forth.

The world had changed, all in an instant.

It was evening. I'd just gotten home from school and turned on the TV when I felt a small tremor.

A 'Seismic Intensity 2' warning appeared at the top of the screen, but it listed no epicenter or region. The moment I thought that was strange, I felt a slight dizziness.

And then, the change occurred.

Some people were suddenly clad in clothes and armor straight out of a video game. An even smaller number had their 'race' change entirely.

This was, without a doubt, a life less ordinary. And I was part of it.

"You've got to be kidding me..."

I looked down at my own hands, now covered in gauntlets, and muttered.

My legs were in boots and steel greaves. Around my waist was a loincloth with chainmail sewn into the lining, and from my sword belt hung a knife and a hand-and-a-half sword. A thick book was also strapped to the back of my belt.

My torso was covered by a breastplate with something like a collar, and my head was encased in a helmet called a 'sallet.' Only the area around my mouth was exposed.

I was dressed like a character from a medieval fantasy story. And for some reason, I understood the strange 'power' that now resided within me. When I focused on it, a small whirlwind formed in my palm.

"Seriously...?"

Suddenly thrust into this extraordinary situation, my vocabulary failed me, unable to express my joy or surprise.

I really admire people who can come up with a witty line at times like these, I thought, realizing how strangely calm I was.