And just like that, three years had passed.
In that time, Nate had grown in more ways than one. His affinity for both fire and ice magic had become clear — much to the delight of Blazion and Frostina, who argued constantly over who was the "better mentor." His swordsmanship improved through Lie-in Heart's training, and alongside that, he had begun martial arts practice.
'It's better to have hands than rely on steel alone,' Nate thought, repeating his father's advice. Plus, a part of him still wondered if anime-style martial arts like Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist or Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist could actually exist here. Given how insane this mixed world was, it wouldn't surprise him if masters like Toadal Dude or Kyubi ended up teaching him one day.
He also learned something that shook him more than any spell: his bloodline. His mom was half Japanese and half American, while his dad was half French and half Japanese. Which made Nate…
"One quarter American, one quarter French, and half Japanese?" he'd muttered at the time.
His first thought was simple: 'What the fuck.'
But none of that mattered today.
The grand hall of the shrine had been decorated with glowing lanterns, talismans, and banners of the Yokai clans. Unlike the heavy, tense ceremony four years ago, this was a celebration — the official start of a new age.
Everyone hoped it wouldn't end in disaster this time.
Lily, dressed in full ceremonial robes, stood proudly before her son.
"Nate," she said warmly, her voice carrying through the hall. "For centuries, our kind has had a Yo-kai Seer, one who keeps balance between the Human World and the Yo-kai World. Our line has endured through four generations… but today, for the first time in history, that line reaches its fifth."
She raised her wrist, showing the ancient Yo-kai Watch, its face glimmering faintly.
"This watch, blessed by the Sun Goddess Amaterasu herself, was forged by my father—your grandfather, Nathaniel Adams. It has been my companion and guide all these years. But while I cannot give you mine…"
She gestured, and a shrine maiden stepped forward, carrying a long wooden box etched with divine seals.
"…I can give you this. Built from my father's blueprints, completed with the help of our Yo-kai, and blessed once again by Lady Amaterasu. From this day forth, I announce you as the new Yo-kai Watch Holder!"
Applause rang out instantly.
Aaron clapped with pride. Kunou beamed beside him. Frostina and Whisper hovered with visible excitement, while Jibanyan wagged his twin tails. Kuroka gave a sly grin, Yasaka inclined her head respectfully, and Lie-in Heart's booming cheer echoed across the hall. Blazion, Komosan, Toadal Dude, and Kyubi all joined in. Even Serafall — the only devil present — stood and clapped enthusiastically, stars practically in her eyes.
The Yokai elders bowed deeply in respect.
Nate stared at the box in his hands, his heart pounding. 'So… this is how I officially become a protagonist.'
With trembling fingers, he opened it.
Inside lay the watch. Sleek and silver-white with azure highlights, protective sutras and runes gleaming along its band. At the center, an emblem of the sun pulsed faintly — Amaterasu's blessing.
The moment Nate touched it, warmth flowed through him like sunlight, filling his chest with energy. The watch synced with his aura immediately, glowing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
Whisper dabbed at his eyes with a tiny handkerchief. "Oh, such a touching moment! Fifth generation at last! This truly is a golden era!"
Frostina crossed her arms, trying to look unimpressed despite the upward twitch of her lips. "Hmph. Don't get cocky. A watch doesn't make you strong… it only proves you're worthy."
Jibanyan leapt onto Nate's shoulder with a big grin. "Nyanyanyan! Finally! Now we can fight together for real! Watch out, trucks — you're mine!"
Lily rested a hand on her son's shoulder. "From this day forward, Nate, you are no longer just my son. You are the Seer of your generation. You must grow, protect, and lead. Are you ready for that?"
Nate looked around. At his parents. At Kunou's bright smile. At Kuroka's proud wink. At Yasaka's calm gaze. At Serafall's glittery cheerleading. At his Yokai companions, all waiting on him.
He clenched his fist over the glowing watch.
"I don't know if I'm ready," he admitted. "But I'll make sure I become ready. I won't let this world… or the people I love… down."
The hall erupted in applause again, louder this time. The watch pulsed, shining brighter as if answering his resolve.
Lily smiled. "Then it's time for your first Yo-kai Medals."
One by one, his companions stepped forward.
Frostina proudly handed over two medals — one bearing her current form, and another glowing faintly with the silhouette of Blizzaria. "Someday, I'll earn that form back. Until then, you'll hold both."
Jibanyan trotted up, presenting his medal exactly like in the games. "Take good care of it, partner! Trucks beware!"
Then came Kuroka. Nate blinked in disbelief at her medal, nearly dropping it. 'Wait, we can even put that on a medal?!'
Kuroka smirked, obviously pleased with his reaction. She winked, tails swaying.
Kunou, thankfully, was far more normal. Her medal gleamed with golden foxfire, and Nate sighed in relief. "Finally, something wholesome."
Yasaka approached, her shrine maiden sleeves trailing as she gracefully lowered herself to one knee before Nate. Her expression was solemn, but her golden eyes held pride.
"As you know, Nate… the Prophecy names you as the one who will become our king. Now that you've received the Yo-kai Watch, you are one step closer to fulfilling that destiny."
The room quieted at her words. Even Whisper, usually incapable of silence, floated stiffly behind Nate, almost reverent.
Nate took a deep breath, his hand brushing the cool metal of the new watch. "Yeah, I know," he admitted, his voice steady despite the weight pressing on him. He gave a small smile, half nervous, half determined. "Five more years, right?"
Yasaka nodded slowly, her tails swaying behind her like a golden flame. "Five years. When you come of age, the crown will no longer be prophecy, but reality."
Kunou tugged at Nate's sleeve, her smile bright. "That just means you'll have me to keep you in line till then!"
Kuroka chuckled lowly, leaning on her hand. "Nyah~ A king at fifteen? Guess we'll see if you grow into the crown… or if the crown grows too heavy for you."
Nate rolled his eyes, but his grip on the watch tightened. "Either way… I'll be ready."
The watch pulsed faintly, as though echoing his words.
Serafall practically skipped across the hall, her magical-girl-themed sleeves fluttering dramatically. "Naaate~!" she sang, scooping him up like he was still five instead of eight. She twirled him around once and squeezed him tight against her chest. "Aww, look at you! You're growing up so fast! And in just fifteen years you'll be King—kyaaa, I'll cry at your coronation!"
Nate flailed, his legs kicking in the air. "Let me go, Water Fairy!"
The nickname hit, and everyone in the hall chuckled. Yasaka tried to stifle her laugh behind her sleeve, while Kunou giggled openly.
Serafall gasped dramatically, putting a hand over her heart as she pouted. "Water Fairy again?! I told you, call me something cooler—like Magical Aqua Supreme! Or Serachan the Sparkling Splash Idol!" She sparkled with illusory glitter, striking a pose mid-hug.
Nate groaned. "That's way worse! I'm sticking with Water Fairy!"
"Nyah~ I like Water Fairy better too," Kuroka teased, tails swaying lazily. "It suits you, Sera."
Whisper floated up, rubbing his chin like a wise old sage. "Indeed, it has a certain… branding charm. Rolls off the tongue better than 'Sparkling Splash Idol,' I daresay."
Frostina smirked with a rare show of smugness. "He's right. Water Fairy it is."
Serafall puffed her cheeks, still hugging Nate tight. "Traitors, all of you!"
Nate finally managed to wriggle free, dropping to the floor and brushing himself off with exaggerated indignation. "One day, Water Fairy, I'm gonna be taller than you. Then we'll see who gets picked up like a plush toy."
Serafall gasped again, eyes sparkling mischievously. "You'll never out-cute me, Nate-kun. Magical girls reign eternal!"
The next day, Nate was back in class with his human friends. The room buzzed with the usual morning chatter, sunlight spilling across the desks as students swapped stories about the weekend.
Fumika leaned over with her usual bright smile. "So, how was the trip to Mt. Fuji?"
Nate blinked before remembering. Right, that's the cover story my family used to explain why I was missing for the last few days. He chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, it was… fun. A lot of walking though."
From the desk behind, Gorota and Imada both leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yeah, Nate, tell us everything!"
Before Nate could fumble for another safe detail, Hailey pushed up her glasses and shot the boys a sharp look. "Hey, give him space. He'll talk when he wants to."
"Thanks, Hailey," Nate said with a small nod, genuinely relieved. Deep down, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the cover story. After all, he had visited Mt. Fuji plenty of times—back when he was younger, during training with Kunou, or during Yasaka's formal visits. It made it easier to sprinkle in just enough truth to sound convincing.
Still, he had to be careful. Every word had to steer clear of foxfire, spirit bonds, or Yo-kai causing trouble. Sometimes it felt like balancing on a tightrope, with one slip ready to expose his entire world.
At the edge of his vision, he thought he saw Frostina's silhouette flicker faintly against the window glass, watching over him as always. Nate quickly looked away, forcing a grin so his classmates wouldn't notice the way his heart skipped.
"Maybe I'll tell you guys during lunch," he said, trying to keep his tone casual. "Mt. Fuji's got… a lot of stories."
Nate, in all honesty, was happy to have these friends. Gorota and Imada were simple and predictable—goofballs who made school life a little brighter. But Hailey and Fumika… they were different. To him, they were wild cards.
Fumika—better known in the English dub of Yo-kai Watch as Katie—wasn't just a normal classmate in his eyes. She carried an aura, subtle but undeniable, like she could just as easily be standing in his shoes as the one chosen by the Yo-kai Watch. She was the Female Player Avatar, after all.
And Hailey… Hailey was even more complicated. In the future—his future knowledge—she became the second protagonist in Yo-kai Watch 3. The one who wielded her own watch, partnered with Usapyon, and unraveled mysteries Nate hadn't even gotten close to yet.
That thought gnawed at him. Does that mean… they'll both awaken as seers? Or is it impossible for a single generation to have more than one?
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the chalkboard but not really seeing it. His mind was already spinning with possibilities. If there can be more than one… then everything changes. And if not, then what does that mean for them? For me?
For now, he tucked the questions away. There was only one person who could give him a real answer—his mom. Once he got back home, he knew exactly what he needed to ask.
Another thing that set Nate apart from his canon counterpart—while not completely—was that he wasn't average.
In the games and anime, Nate was the definition of an everyman: middle marks, average at sports, nothing that stood out except his connection with Yo-kai. He would even joke about it himself, leaning into his role as the "ordinary kid with extraordinary friends."
But this Nate? This Nate had been forged differently.
Thanks to his training with Kunou, Yasaka, and the Yokai who had taken him under their wing, Nate's days weren't just filled with homework and hanging out at the park. He trained his body and mind, sharpening reflexes, honing instincts, and learning discipline that most kids his age would never even dream of.
His marks were consistently high—not because he was some genius, but because discipline from Yokai training carried over into studying. In sports, his endurance and agility left even the most athletic students struggling to keep up. Even in small competitions or class games, he had a way of standing out without meaning to.
It wasn't overwhelming perfection—he still had his dry tone, his sarcastic humor, and his laid-back attitude—but beneath that was someone subtly extraordinary. Someone who, if he hadn't met the Yokai, would've been just as average as the Nate from the anime and game… and probably making jokes about it.
Now, why was all of this important? Simple.
Nate stood in the middle of the PE ring, a red dodgeball in his hand, the sun gleaming off its rubber surface. His classmates spread out across the other side, five of them grinning with the confidence of numbers.
He glanced up at them with his usual dry tone, a smirk tugging at the edge of his lips.
"Five on one… yeah, you guys would need the numbers."
The teacher raised an eyebrow, ready to call him cocky, but the match had barely begun before Nate moved. His stance was low, controlled—nothing like a kid's casual throw. Training with Yokai like Blazion and Lie-in Heart showed in every motion.
The first ball whizzed past him, but Nate pivoted smoothly, catching it one-handed. The smack of rubber echoed across the court. In the same breath, he launched it back—sharp, fast, precise. One opponent down instantly.
The others hesitated, realizing this wasn't the Nate they were used to. This wasn't the "average kid" who'd blend into the background. This was someone who moved like he'd been in real fights before, someone who knew how to read an opponent's body language before they even threw.
Whisper, hidden from sight nearby, dabbed at his eyes with his handkerchief. "Ahh, my master's growth is truly… poetic!"
Frostina smirked coolly from the sideline, her voice like frost on glass. "Tch. About time he started showing the gap."
Within moments, it was over. The last dodgeball bounced harmlessly away, and Nate stood alone at the center, untouched, the ball still in his grip. His classmates gaped, some in awe, some in disbelief.
Nate just shrugged. "Told you."
Imada, the first one knocked out, groaned as he sat on the sidelines, pointing dramatically at his friends still standing.
"Seriously?! I lasted two minutes in this match! And like always, this guy just keeps winning and giving our team a Victory Royale."
Nate smirked, spinning the dodgeball lazily in his hand.
"Well, that's why everyone fights to have me on their team. Sports, games… doesn't matter. I'm a guaranteed win."
Gorota blinked, crossing his arms. "You know what's crazy? Every time, people are still shocked at how good you are. Like it's brand new."
Nate just shrugged, his tone bone-dry.
"Gorota, look at me. I look very normal. Average height, average face, average voice. Nobody expects the 'guy who blends in' to be the one wrecking everyone."
Hailey, adjusting her glasses from the sidelines, smirked knowingly.
"Yeah, except the way you move screams 'trained martial artist.' Not very average if you ask me."
Nate chuckled faintly but didn't argue—because she wasn't wrong.
On the other side of the court, the opposing team huddled in defeat. Their leader, eyes swirling like a dazed anime character, threw his arms up.
"Why do we always underestimate him?!"
Another guy groaned, holding his head.
"Yeah, seriously. You'd think being top of the class in literally everything would've been enough of a warning sign. But nope… we still walk in thinking we've got a chance."
A third muttered darkly.
"At this point, I'm starting to believe he's secretly a government experiment."
"Or a ninja!" someone else blurted, pointing dramatically at Nate, who was casually spinning the ball on his finger like it was nothing.
From the sidelines, Kuroka invisible giggled behind her hand, whispering to Hailey.
"They really have no idea…"
Blizzaria also Invisible smirked knowingly, pushing up her glasses.
"Let them think what they want. It's safer than the truth."
Meanwhile, Nate just sighed to himself, dry as ever.
"Yup. Normal school life. Totally normal."
Lunchtime came, and Nate sat with Gorota, Imada, Fumika, and Hailey at their usual table. He casually opened his bento, chopsticks in hand, while the chatter of the cafeteria buzzed around them.
Whisper floated just above him, invisible to all but Nate, wringing his ghostly hands dramatically.
"Master Nate, there seems to be a rumour going around!"
Nate didn't even blink, speaking in his head while picking at his rice.
"You mean new rumours. This is not new for this school."
Whisper gasped, holding his cheeks.
"B-but this one is outrageous! They're saying you're the secret heir of some ancient martial arts clan who trained you in the mountains!"
Nate took a sip of his tea.
"...That's not even the top ten weirdest things I've heard this semester."
Meanwhile, Gorota leaned across the table, eyes wide.
"Dude, did you hear? Some people are saying you're like… a government experiment!"
Imada added with a mouthful of bread, "Nah, nah. I heard he's secretly a ninja prince from Kyoto."
Fumika rolled her eyes but smiled. "You guys are ridiculous. Nate's just… Nate. Right?" She glanced at him, almost like she was testing the waters.
Hailey, however, smirked knowingly, adjusting her glasses. "Well, I did overhear some seniors saying he beat up a karate black belt without even breaking a sweat."
All eyes turned to Nate.
Nate calmly picked up a piece of tempura, completely unfazed.
"…You guys really have too much free time."
Whisper, dramatically fanning himself, whispered only to Nate.
"See?! SEE?! The myths grow by the day! Soon you'll be like some urban legend!"
Nate sighed inwardly.
"…Yeah. Totally normal school life."
----
Later that night, as Nate was sleeping, he felt something, something heavy on his chest.
His eyes wident, he meet the eyes of someone before he can scream, she closed his mouth as she looked at him.
a young girl with long black hair, as she looked at him. "Hello, Child of Prophecy".
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy