Hinokura was a quiet little town nestled between glowing forests and low mountain ridges, with curved red-tile rooftops and spirit-lanterns floating gently overhead. It smelled like grilled meat, pine, and soft earth.
Kazuki slammed through the main gate screaming.
"OUT OF THE WAY! I'M BEING CHASED BY SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE A TREE BUT ROARS LIKE A BEAR!"
Villagers turned. Children stared. An old woman sipped tea without blinking as Kazuki tripped over a cabbage cart and faceplanted for the second time that day.
SPLAT.
Tala, majestic as ever, glided down and landed beside him. Her feathers barely ruffled.
"Cool," Kazuki wheezed, spitting out another leaf. "Glad at least one of us still has dignity."
The gate guards, in their green-trimmed armor and wide-brimmed helms, came jogging over, spears raised.
"Name and class, traveler!" one barked.
Kazuki blinked up from the ground. "Name: Kazuki Haruto. Class: Uh… ???"
The guards looked at each other.
"…Great," the older one sighed. "Another one."
✦
Ten minutes and two sweet potato skewers later, Kazuki sat inside the wooden lobby of the Renmei Guild — a wide, open space with mission boards, ranks, and adventurers yelling about slime bounties.
Everything smelled of leather, ink, and mild disappointment.
Kazuki stared at the glowing crystal orb in front of him.
"So you're saying this thing will scan my soul and give me a job class?"
The receptionist, a tall woman with a sleepy look and a badge that read Saya – Rank: Gold, nodded.
"Yup. Place your hand on it. Don't worry, it only hurts if you're cursed."
"Awesome. Wait—WHAT?"
Too late.
ZAP.
Blue light flared from the orb as Kazuki yelped.
Everyone turned. The orb flashed—then fizzed, sparked, and exploded in a puff of smoke.
Saya stared at the remains.
"…Huh. That's new."
Kazuki coughed. "Is it supposed to do that?"
"Nope."
The orb blinked back to life. A small floating message appeared:
[CLASS: ???]
TITLE: "Worldbreaker (In Training)"
AFFINITY: N/A
RANK: Unregistered – Pending Observation]
The guild fell silent.
A glass cup clinked to the ground.
From the corner of the room, someone let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Honestly, how does someone accidentally break the class crystal?"
Kazuki turned to see a boy about his age—tall, princely, radiant. He had a perfect white cape, a flawless scabbard, and cheekbones sharp enough to slice mana.
He practically glowed with protagonist energy.
Aurelis.
He stepped forward, his boots somehow not making a sound despite being polished enough to reflect thoughts.
"I trained for twelve years," Aurelis said coolly, tossing his silver hair with a whoosh. "Passed every sacred trial. Earned my title from the Sun Temple itself."
Kazuki smiled awkwardly. "Cool. I tripped into a frog and accidentally summoned an eagle."
Tala squawked in offended majesty.
Aurelis narrowed his eyes.
Saya cleared her throat, sensing the tension.
"Okay boys, put the mana away. Kazuki, you're… complicated. Aurelis, your trial rank has already been approved. Go celebrate. Or glare at the wall. Whatever you do for fun."
Aurelis turned stiffly. "I'll be watching you."
Kazuki waved. "I'd prefer you didn't."
✦
Later that night, in the shared dorms above the guildhall, Kazuki finally collapsed onto a futon.
Everything hurt.
His mana screen blinked softly in the air:
[LEVEL UP: 3 ➝ 4]
You gained experience by surviving something you weren't supposed to.
Bonus: "Still Not Dead"
Passive acquired. – Slightly improves luck when falling or tripping
Kazuki groaned.
"I'm literally leveling up from falling on my face."
Tala ruffled her feathers from her perch above. She looked oddly satisfied.
Kazuki popped open the melon soda, took a sip, and sighed.
"Alright. I have no idea what's happening. But if this world's gonna keep throwing chaos at me…"
He raised the can in mock toast.
"Then I'm gonna accidentally survive it in style."