Hiro flat-out rejected the idea. He could see that classic harem trope waiting to snare him from a mile away.
Part of him wished it was just his ego talking, because the girls were honestly okay.
Rin and he had hung out watching dumb action flicks while eating pizza. Hanako had gone out of her way to play tour guide, pointing out hidden spots in Sato City with gentle and real kindness that didn't feel forced at all.
And that glimpse of her wilder side earlier that morning…
He wouldn't mind seeing more of that fire. But he shoved it all down. He had bigger things to deal with.
Like scraping together three hundred bucks for a printer because some asshole turned it into a mandatory quest.
If it wasn't flagged, he'd just sneak into the academy library and use their machines like a normal broke student.
He pushed through the glass doors of the academy and entered them. He had a bounce in his step, ready to grind some cash, when a girl with wild auburn hair and sharp amber eyes stepped right into his path, clutching a stack of papers.
"Take one," she said, shoving a sheet toward him. "It's the Campus Scoop that has hot tips, events, all the dirt you need to survive this place."
Hiro didn't break stride. "Hard pass. I'm not interested."
He sidestepped, but she darted in front again, eyes flashing. "Wow. Rude much? Just take it. You'll thank me later."
He stopped, gave her the deadest stare he could muster. "Who even reads physical papers in 2026? Everything's online."
The hit landed hard. Her whole posture deflated, mouth opening and closing like a fish. For a second he almost felt bad.
Then she straightened, smirking like she'd won something. "Fine, here."
Hiro reached, but she yanked it back, triumphant.
He analyzed her on instinct.
Name: Mio
Level: 8
Type: Campus Blogger / Info Broker
Relationship: Neutral
HP: 100%
MP: 100%
Stats: Relationship isn't high enough.
Special abilities: See above.
Skills: Dawg, see above.
Magic abilities: I swear you've got a bird brain in there.
A flicker of irritation burned in his chest, but he swallowed it. What's up with this famed system being so snarky? Can't he just try it?
Though, he was burning time. So, without another word, he bolted.
"Hey! Get back here, asshole!"
Footsteps pounded behind him. Mio was chasing, face red with fury.
"The hell are you doing?" Hiro called over his shoulder, still jogging.
Then, the shittiest revelation imaginable occurred. She was cute, in that chaotic, unfiltered way every girl in this world seemed to default to.
He sent up a silent plea. 'Universe, if you're listening for once, cut me some slack.'
A prompt flashed in his vision.
[Quest: Befriend Mio. This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused. Reward: unknown.]
He skidded to a halt, eyes wide. The system was a straight-up sadist. His one plea had gone up on to deaf ears.
Mio caught up, glaring daggers.
"You hungry?" he asked.
She blinked. "…Yeah? Why?"
"Perfect! Let's go get some grub."
Somehow, she didn't argue. They ended up at a cramped ramen stall wedged between two towering apartment blocks. The owner, a grizzled old guy with tattoos crawling up his arms, took one look at their academy badges and grinned like a shark.
"First time here, kids? Today's on the house." He slid overflowing bowls across the counter. "Bill goes straight to those stuck-up pricks at the academy. Eat up. I'll teach 'em to keep hiding my shop."
He wandered off muttering creative threats involving the academy dean and various farm animals.
Mio's eyes lit up like a kid on festival night. She attacked her tonkotsu ramen with zero shame, broth splashing, noodles disappearing.
Hiro couldn't help but smirk. One couldn't dislike a woman who can eat. Even if it was in a kind of endearing feral way.
It reminded him of late-night instant noodle runs back on Earth with roommates who had negative bank balances. He stopped calling his old world "real life." This was just another dimension, probably cooked up by some deity with an anime fetish and too much unproductive time on their hands.
"So," Mio said around a mouthful, "you got a name, asshole?"
Hiro snorted, stuck out his hand. "Hiro."
She wiped her fingers on her skirt, shook it, cheeks going faintly pink. "Mio."
"Sorry about earlier," he said. "Low blood sugar makes me a dick. Didn't mean to torch your whole operation. So what's actually in those flyers? Any juicy scandals?"
The tension melted off her like butter. They talked, like really, really talked. She ranted about academy politics, leaked gossip, underground clubs.
By the time the bowls were empty, they were laughing loud enough to earn glares from nearby salarymen. Then, they swapped numbers. She was quite easygoing.
[Your relationship with Mio has increased from Neutral to Friend.]
[Kindness bonus: 150 EXP. $40 cash reward.]
[Quest completed! Reward: 150 EXP. $100 cash reward.]
[A random ability has leveled up. Hostile Detection has reached level 2!]
[Congratulations! You've reached level 6. All stats increased.]
[New skill unlocked: Vital Thrust 1 – a precise, penetrating strike with edged weapons.]
A rush of power hummed through him. Suddenly making friends felt like the ultimate cheat code.
He found it kind of ironic, really. This was the exact cliché he used to mock: power of friendship. He wanted to track down whatever entity ran this circus and strangle it.
Though, Hiro did wonder what actually went into the power of friendship? What exactly was it?
The whole system felt like one giant middle finger aimed squarely at him. And yet… he'd probably end up winning with that same corny bullshit.
Later, after a workshop class where they messed with basic woodwork and metalwork, another prompt appeared.
[Crafting 1 unlocked. Through your interface, combine materials and objects to create useful items. Success rate and speed improve with level and practice.]
'Hell yes?'
He needed to test this immediately, but his phone buzzed in a not-so-friendly timing.
Rin had sent him savage comeback to a joke they'd started in alchemy lecture. He shot back something filthy enough to make her send a string of crying emojis.
He could feel the relationship ticking upward, but damn, she was impossible to ignore.
On the way home from school, he took detour past the public training hall.
A dozen students in gi were running kendo forms, bamboo blades cracking like gunshots. The instructors noticed him watching and amped up the show, clearly hoping to reel in fresh tuition money.
[Basic Combat proficiency has reached level 2. A new fighting style is beginning to form in your mind.]
He wondered how Hanako trained. Were they from private lessons? Some family style passed down? The thought of her moving through forms, jet-black hair whipping, sweat on her skin dripping down into those mountainous…
Immediately, Hiro shook off that train of thought.
Near the night market, a voice slid into his ears like warm honey poured over silk.
"Excuse me, handsome."
Pleasure rippled down his spine. His body turned before his brain caught up.
[Warning: You are under the effect of Maxed Charisma.]
The girl smiling at him was pure danger wrapped in innocence. Her long silver hair, violet eyes, and the academy uniform tailored to her too perfectly did something to Hiro that made him unable to resist.
Something about her smile reminded him of old villains from Earth anime, the kind who could talk you into selling your own kidneys.
[Your skills and analysis have been temporarily sealed.]
Rage flared hot and useless inside him. Charisma was a hidden stat had been hiding the whole time from his status sheet.
[Hidden stat unveiled: Charisma. Better luck next time, rookie.]
She launched into a sob story about her being orphaned, a struggling shelter, her own tragic past. Every word dripped with seduction and every glance a tried hook him in.
She offered a shimmering crystal pendant in return for "any donation."
"I'll give you everything I have," Hiro heard himself say, hand already reaching for his wallet. "Whatever helps your cause."
Inside, he was screaming. All his past grinding, every dollar saved toward that damn stupid printer, was about to vanish because some chick batted her lashes.
She trailed fingers down his chest, smile sharpening.
"Oh, you don't have to—"
"I insist," his mouth said while his soul shouted in protest.
The cash was halfway out when golden light flared across his vision.
[Heart Protection has activated! Heart Protection has reached level 2!]
Control slammed back into him. He stared at her, let a slow, nasty grin spread.
"Sike, b*tch you thought."
He willed the wallet into his inventory and her face went scarlet.
"You might wanna run," he said, voice low. "And if you ever try this shit again, work on that story more. That orphanage shit was weak as hell."
She bolted, nearly tripping over her own feet. Hiro laughed loud enough for nearby vendors to glance over.
He pulled up the updated skill.
- Heart Protection 2 (Passive): 28% reduced effect from hostile mental influence or charm skills. 13% bonus to persuasion attempts that align with protecting someone's heart or emotions. 5% chance to instantly break any mental hold.
'A five percent chance?'
Pure dumb luck had saved his ass this time. He wasn't sticking around for round two with another charisma monster.
"Hey, you!"
He sighed and turned.
A girl with electric-blue hair and blazing emerald eyes marched toward him, fists clenched. His upgraded hostile detection screamed red aura.
"You were cruel to that poor girl pouring her heart out," she snapped. "People who understand power should never abuse it. I'll teach you humility in the name of truth, harmony, cosmic justice, and unbreakable bonds!"
Light exploded around her. She struck a pose.
"Stellar Harmony Transformation!"
Her clothes dissolved into a whirlwind of silver and sapphire, ribbons, stars, and glowing constellations.
Finally, a fully transformed magical girl stood ready to wreck him.
[Stellar Guardian Lumina
Level: 10
Type: Magical Sentinel
Affiliation: Independent
Special: Hostile Detection too low. Trial and error time, champ. Good luck.
Weakness: Hostile Detection insufficient. This is gonna hurt.
Resistances: Lol, no.
Secret: Not even close. Upgrade your stats, birdbrain.]
[You have entered combat!]
"Wait, hold up, this is all a huge mix-up," Hiro called out, hands raised, but Lumina wasn't listening. She was already moving, eyes blazing with righteous fury.
[Enemy activates Starlight Glimmer.]
A quick, blinding wink hit him like a flashbang of pure charm. His guard dropped instinctively, body going slack for a split second.
[Your defense has fallen by 25%.]
Hiro cursed under his breath, feeling like a total moron as he charged anyway. He whipped into a Roundhouse Kick, his foot slicing through the air.
Lumina twisted aside at the last moment, stuck her tongue out, and fired back.
[Enemy activates Nova Burst!]
A hot orb of sapphire star-energy rocketed toward him. He had no time to dodge at all!!
It slammed into his chest like a truck made of pure light and glitter, launching him flat on his ass. The lowered defense made it hurt way worse than it should have.
[Your HP has dropped to 75%.]
'F*ck, that hurt like a buttcheek on a stick.'
That one attack took twenty-five percent of his HP. A few more solid hits and he'd be done. And nobody on the busy Sato City street even glanced over. As if the fight was invisible to normals.
'Were they blind? Or was this some magical girl bullshit veil?' Hiro thought, perplexed.
Now wasn't the time for internal dialogue. So, heshook it off.
This girl was another opponent, even if she looked like she stepped out of a cosmic sailor moon cosplay. But, damn! He needed more tools in his kit.
Hiro rolled to his feet and closed the distance fast, slipped past her glowing fist using footwork he'd absorbed from watching the training hall, then drew his short sword in a clean arc.
[Vital Thrust activated!]
The blade unexpectedly cut deep and landed a critical hit.
[Enemy HP has dropped to 80%. Critical!]
Only eighty? Right, she was level ten after all. Those four levels felt like a canyon right now.
[Enemy is stunned! Follow-up attack available!]
Hiro didn't hesitate and channeled everything into the gift that kept on giving.
[Energy Sphere activated. Point-blank modifier engaged!]
The roaring sphere of raw spirit power detonated against her at point-blank range.
Lumina flew over thirty yards, skidding across the pavement in a shower of sparks. She didn't get back up right away.
[CRITICAL! Enemy HP has dropped to 40%. Ouch. Enemy morale shattered.]
"Shit," Hiro muttered, sprinting over. The glowing costume flickered and vanished as he dropped to a knee beside her.
Electric-blue hair spilled across the ground, emerald eyes glassy with pain and unshed tears.
"Look, this was all a giant fuck-up," he said quickly. "That silver-haired chick was total scammer with god-tier hypnosis. I broke her hold and ran her off, but…"
He trailed off. Lumina was actually crying now, quiet and pissed-off.
"I can't believe I lost to a level-six newbie," she sniffed, voice cracking.
Hiro shot her a flat look that shut her up fast. For a second he actually considered finishing it and getting free EXP.
There wouldn't be a body and thus no crime. However, he wasn't a goddamn murderer.
"Sorry," she mumbled, wincing as she pushed herself upright. "That last attack… where the did you learn spirit projection like that?"
"Found it in an old scroll," Hiro deadpanned.
She blinked, suspicious. "You… stumbled onto a high-tier spirit scroll… with your luck stat? Something's seriously off about you."
Lumina tilted her head, studying him like a puzzle. "There's no way someone throwing around magic like that should be under level eight. You know about the Gifted, but not the full picture. You can fight, but the level of knowledge… Who are you, really?"
"You're rude as hell," Hiro said, mostly to mess with her.
"I'm the mysterious stranger." He stood and started walking away.
"Hey, wait!" Lumina scrambled up to her feet, too fast for someone who just ate a point-blank Energy Sphere, and planted herself in his path again.
"I don't know why women keep doing this today," he grumbled.
"Don't be dramatic. I'm Lumina."
He almost dropped an old gamer tag for the lulz, but settled on the truth and told her his name. She could've analyzed him anyway.
Then again, Hanako never had… or maybe couldn't. Protagonist perks? Whatever.
"So… cosmic sentinel thing," he said, smirking.
Lumina's cheeks went scarlet.
[Your relationship with Lumina has shifted from Hostile to Neutral.]
"Hiro."
He turned. Hanako and Kaito were jogging up, both looking mildly impressed and mildly annoyed.
"You're barely scratched," Kaito said, eyeing the faint scorch marks on Hiro's jacket, then glaring at Lumina. "Even with the level gap. This one's got a hair-trigger temper. Only way to calm her down is premium pastries."
"Not true," Lumina huffed, crossing her arms for maximum drama.
Hiro exhaled hard. "So how many people actually know about… all this?" He waved a hand at the lingering sparks on the pavement.
"Just a few of us," Kaito said. "A low-level like you slinging rare abilities? That's… unusual."
"I'm really not in the mood for anyone's condescending bullshit right now," Hiro said. "If you don't need anything, I'm out."
He started to leave, but Hanako caught his sleeve gently.
"He didn't mean it like that," she said, voice soft but firm. "Please stay. He's offering to help power-level you because things are getting dangerous. We need every ally we can get if we're going to break the Demon Lord's grip on Sato City."
Hiro stopped, turned back.
"Fine. But drop the superiority crap. There are reasons for my… situation. Reasons I'm not sharing. Deal with it."
Lumina's eyes sparkled with fresh curiosity. "Now I'm even more interested."
Kaito just nodded. "Fair." He extended a hand.
Hiro shook it.
[Your relationship with Kaito has shifted from Tense to Neutral.]
Mutual respect was probably the ceiling with this guy. Hiro didn't care but it was good enough for now.