I blinked awake.
MC(Thinking):"OW-what the hell..."
I groaned, shielding my eyes.
MC(Thinking):"Why is it so bright in here? Did someone open a portal to the sun?"
I slowly sat up, my body cracking like an old chair.
MC:"Okay, I'm definitely alive. Or in heaven. Or maybe hell-again."
The room was pristine. Gold trim. Velvet curtains. Massive window that let in way too much light. Looked like royalty lived here.
Then I heard a voice-smooth, calm, familiar.
Sona: "So... you're finally awake."
I snapped my head to the side.
There she was-Sona Shitori, sitting in a chair beside the bed, arms crossed, her usual composed smile tugging at her lips.
My first thought?
MC(Thinking): "... I've seen this scene before."
Sona: (raises an eyebrow) "What's so funny?"
MC:( chuckles, rubbing my neck) "It just feels like we've done this before. Me in a bed, you watching me wake up like it's a soap opera."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly, but I caught it-the soft laugh she tried to hide.
Then her expression changed. It got quiet.
She wasn't smiling anymore.
Her voice was softer when she spoke again.
Sona: "Levi... I have a dream."
I blinked. That wasn't what I expected.
MC: "A dream? Like... Martin Luther King dream, or..."
Sona:( serious now )"Not that kind of dream."
She leaned forward, her fingers folded over her knee, her violet eyes meeting mine like she was staring into my soul.
Sona: "It's more than just a goal. It's a vision... of peace. Of strength. Of devils and humans working side by side. A place where my peerage, my family... and even you... can live freely."
There was a pause.
Sona: "But I can't do it alone."
I looked at her, my smirk gone and out eyes meeting.
MC: (softly) "So... what does this have to do with me?"
She held my gaze.
Sona: "I need you. For that dream to come true. Your strength... your chaos... your heart. I need all of it."
I looked at her. I knew what she wanted because of the manga.
I grinned.
MC(Grinning): "Heh... well, I already sold my soul to you, didn't I?"
I held out my hand dramatically.
MC: "So I'm at your disposal, my queen."
She blinked in surprise... and then chuckled.
Sona: "You're ridiculous."
MC: "You love it."
She shook her head again, that little smile finally returning.
Sona: "...Thank you."
I smiled back, genuine this time.
MC(Smiling): "No problem. We're friends, after all."
I stepped out of the room, arms stretched wide like I was about to hug the universe.
MC (Yawning): "Aaahhhh man, that was a nap worthy of legends... My spine just did a crack symphony."
I groaned and rolled my shoulders. My body still felt sore from the whole "punching a kaiju-sized dragon in the jaw" incident, also known as my fight with Tennin. Fun? Absolutely. Tiring? Like running a marathon with bricks in your shoes.
Sona was already walking ahead of me. Regal. Calm. Probably hiding a list of things to lecture me about.
MC (Yelling): "Wait up, Principal Elegance!"
She glanced back but didn't stop walking. Typical.
We reached a large, elegant door, and as she opened it, the chatter inside exploded louder than a school cafeteria on pizza day.
Inside were the gang: Saji, Momo, Tsubaki, Ruruko, Reya, Tomoe, and Yura. My family-in-arms, the Sona Peerage Special Squad-well, not official, but I like the name.
As soon as I stepped in, a blur of energy tackled me.
Ruruko: "LEVVYYYYYY!!!"
MC : "Woah! Big girl incoming-AHHH!"
She launched into my chest like a rocket. I staggered back but caught her. Thank God for training, or my spine would've been dust.
MC : "Missed you too, Ruru. Next time, warn me before you try to suplex me with affection."
She giggled as I set her down.
Sona cleared her throat.
Sona: "Alright, everyone. It's time to train and plan for our upcoming Rating Game."
Everyone straightened up. She walked to the board and displayed a holographic map. Looked like a giant mall, the kind that sold overpriced coffee and regret.
Sona: "The match location is this mall. It's a team match. Our goal is to control every corner by setting ambushes. We start by cornering Gasper."
MC (thinking): "My boy Gaspy better not get turned into a vampire pretzel."
She started drawing out formations, flanks, and escape routes like a battle-hardened general.
Then she mentioned something that made me clench.
Sona: "We will use there weakness to our advantage. For example kiba he is strong but his blades aren't that durable"
I gulped. My brain screamed. Time for a confession.
I raised my hand like a kid about to tattle.
Sona: "Yes, Levi?"
MC (Sweating) "Sooo... uh... I may have... possibly... accidentally... made him stronger."
Everyone turned slowly to me like I just farted in an elevator.
Tsubaki: "What. Did. You. Do?"
MC : "Nothing crazy! I just showed him a technique. You know, to help him out. Be a good sport and all."
Saji: "Levi! Why would you buff the enemy!?"
MC : "He was sad! His sword skills were getting rusty! You try saying no to someone who looks like a sad anime prince!"
Sona walking toward me slowly like a teacher about to hand out the final exam of doom.
Sona:"What... exactly... did you teach him?"
MC (grinning nervously)"Haki?"
The room froze. Literally froze-Reya's magic sparked a little at the tension.
Yura (squinting):"whats that?"
MC:"well yo explain it, Haki is a power that comes from within-it's the manifestation of a person's willpower, spirit, and inner strength. It's not magic."
I then pointed up and added.
MC:" there are three main type:
Observation Haki, Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki"
Then sona looked at me and curious.
Sona(Curious):" What can they do?"
MC:"Armament Haki allows the user to become more durable. Observation Haki, can make you dodge or react to dangerou very fast.Conqueror's Haki kind of the scariest one's, it allowes you to release your own will power to over power your opponent."
Saji(shocked):"... And you taught him that."
MC : "...ya, But only Armament Haki, okay? Just the basic skin-hardening kind."
Reya: "You taught a magic swordsman... armor skin, physical attack resistance?!"
MC: "It sounded better when I was doing it, okay? Kiba was really sad and bro code rule number 63 ' Never let your homie drown in sorrow'!"
Sona pinched the bridge of her nose like she was trying not to explode. You could see the gears in her brain whirring-calculations, probabilities, tactical breakdowns.
Sona: "This technique... can you teach it to others?"
MC (shrugging) "Yes and no. Haki's weird. It's not something you 'learn' like a math formula. It's all about willpower. Spirit. Grit. Some people awaken it naturally... others never do. It's like... a talent-based stat."
Sona: "So... it's random."
MC: "Yup. Full-on RNGesus. May the odds be ever in your favor."
She sighed and turned back toward the whiteboard. I could feel her considering murder-but in a very organized, logistical way.
But that's when the idea started to really cook in my head.
MC (thinking) "Wait... if this world runs on magic, and I've got meta-knowledge from a thousand anime and manga... then why am I playing by this world's rules?"
My eyes darted around the room, stopping on each person. As I began to thick my eyes glowing with excitement.
MC (thinking)"Saji's a human battery. What if I taught him Electro? Mink-style lightning martial arts... he could taze people with a roundhouse kick!"
I looked at Saji. He raised a brow at me.
Saji: "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
MC (thinking and grinning): "And Sona... she already uses water magic. Combine that with Fishman Karate, and she could punch a lake in half."
Sona(suspicious):"Why are you grinning?"
MC (smirking):"No reason!"
My mind raced.
MC (thinking)"Ruruko could learn Sky Walk. Reya's magic control would be perfect for Observation Haki. Tomoe? She could handle Rokushiki easy-especially Geppo and Shigan. Yura's aim? Give her a sniper rifle and she's our Usopp."
One by one, they started watching me-confused, curious, some concerned.
MC (grinning wide) "Guys... I might have a way for us to win this Rating Game."
Silence. Like I'd just dropped a nuclear idea in the room.
Tomoe (tilting her head): "You're serious?"
MC( Grinning): "Dead serious."
A moment passed. Then another.
And then, slowly, they nodded-one by one.
Sona: quietly "Alright, Levi. Let's hear your plan."
I smiled and walked towards the board.
MC (thinking) :"Let's turn this magic game into a shonen anime... and win it the One Piece style."
I smiled so wild that it scared everyone in the room.
Reya(shivering):...Creepy."