The sun shone brightly in the sky as the school bell rang, signaling the end of another school day. Students packed their bags, chatting happily with their friends as they prepared to head home.
But there was one particular student who hadn't left the classroom yet.
He had neatly combed black hair and light blue eyes as clear as the sky.
Max's Pov
Hi! My name is Max. I'm just an ordinary high school student who believes magic exists.
Ever since I was a kid, other children laughed at me because of my imagination. They always told me magic wasn't real.
As time passed, that childhood dream slowly faded away. I buried myself in books, trying to forget about it.
But I never expected that even living quietly wouldn't stop people from bullying me. Calling me a creep just because of it, so I always read fantasy novels to keep me company even if magic I'snt real, maybe in my own mind it is.
As I packed my books into my bag, someone suddenly splashed water across my face.
Splash!
I blinked and wiped the water from my eyes before hearing laughter in front of me.
Looking up, I saw a blond-haired boy with bright green eyes filled with amusement.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to," he said, though his mocking smile told a completely different story.
His name was Richard.
He was infamous throughout the school for bullying other students. Some had even transferred schools because they couldn't take his harassment anymore.
To make matters worse, he was the son of a wealthy businessman who owned a huge company. His family spoiled him so much that he had never experienced a single hardship in his life.
The other students quickly packed their bags and left the classroom the moment Richard stood up.
Nobody wanted to get involved, even me.
"What do you want, Richard?" I asked with slight irritation.
Such a spoiled brat.
"Oh, nothing. I just think you and your filthy junk should get out of my way, Maxwell."
His voice was as sly as a fox.
"Well… no thank you."
Without saying another word, I walked past him and headed home.
As I walked down the quiet street, something suddenly felt… wrong.
It was as if something behind me was pulling me in.
I turned around.
Too late.
A black portal suddenly opened beneath me, swallowing me whole like a whirlpool.
"WAAAH—!"
The next moment, I was thrown out of the portal.
THUD!
I groaned in pain as I slowly opened my eyes.
A vast green field stretched as far as I could see.
"…Where am I?"
As I tried to stand, a familiar notification sound suddenly rang inside my head.
Ding!
A transparent blue window appeared before me.
[Welcome, Host.]
[I am Proto3574, your guide through this world.]
"W-What the…?! Where am I?! What is this place?!"
[You are currently in the Magic Realm, far from the Real World.]
[My purpose is to help you become stronger and survive in this unfamiliar environment.]
I felt like I was about to faint.
No…
This wasn't a dream.
I pinched my cheek as hard as I could.
"Ow…"
It hurt.
"So… this is actually real?" I asked my system.
[Yes.]
I stared at the endless grasslands before me.
Ever since I was a kid…
I've always dreamed that magic truly existed.
And now…
I was standing in a world where it was real.
A smile slowly appeared on my face.
"…This is amazing."
But excitement alone wouldn't keep me alive,
I had no idea where I was.
No idea how to get home.
And no idea what dangers were waiting for me.