Prologue: Leave the World Behind

He didn't have any idea what he was now looking at. Before the young man named Enshin Kakumei stood, of all things, a dragon. Its body had to be over fifty meters long and was the four limbed, imposing frame of a Western Dragon. It was covered end to end in scales of such a deep yet bright shade of crimson they looked like fire, yet also in metallic shades as well, creating patterns of the two shades along its body. It's head itself bore a mane of just as bright crimson hair flickering around as if it wasmade of flames. Grand, curled horns pulsing with the light of that black fire swept back from the beast's crown. Rows of razor-sharp fangs showed as its maw opened, and golden, slit pupil eyes bore down on the teenager.

The otherwise white space around them was bare except for them, though it's massive size made the dragon seem like it was taking up a suffocating amount of room within this space, massive wings as long as the beast's body folding outwards and only adding to the oppressive feeling it gave off.

"A human child huh? Well, there could be worst things to end up in I suppose. Hehe, I wonder what that world will look like through your eyes, boy."

"What?!" Was the only word that came out of Enshin's mouth. Obviously he was shocked at what he was seeing before him. It was a dragon after all, the things that only existed in legend! Yet here one was, right before him and mugging at him like a cocky old man.

Surely amused with the teenager's shock, the dragon let out a rumbling laugh. It didn't say another word however, as its body was wrapped in black flames that then quickly moved forward. Enshin could only raise his arms as the flames engulfed him. He was left wondering moreso now just what in the hell was going on to begin with.

"How did today end up this way?!"

Monday, the day of the week hated by pretty much every student but the goody two shoes teacher's pets, honor students, and the ones who for whatever blasted reasons actually enjoyed school. For Enshin school was far from something he liked and more a complete and total obligation he only fulfilled because it was something he had to do. High school wasn't even mandatory in Japan, but his parents insisted he go rather than jump right into the work force after middle school.

Of course, being he was a student in Japan was assuredly one of the main reasons he disliked school. While Enshin had features that were assuredly Japanese, the fact he bore bright blonde hair and blue eyes made him stick out like a sore thumb in crowds of black or brown hair, and eye colors that often matched it. Considering the culture he was around, this meant he was "exotic", and even worse because of other stigmas, immediately marked as a delinquent because of the platinum bright shade of blonde he'd inherited from his foreigner grandfather.

Granted the saving grace was that it wasn't like he was unattractive. He was fairly tall compared to most other people his age, standing a good 177 centimeters. He'd heard from plenty of people his fair features brought on by the quarter-foreign nature of his heritage made him quite the looker… but that his slanted, sharp gaze often didn't help matters since it caused his eyes to bear something of a natural glare to them that was in no way his fault or something that actually spoke about his personality at all. For the most part anyway.

As was usual during his walk to school, he kept noise dulled by a sturdy pair of headphones and blaring rock music. It was such a routine for him Enshin didn't even have to hear what some of the other students walking near him on the road to know what they were saying. "Look at that guy. Is he some kind of delinquent?" or "His hair has got to be dyed or something." and many other comments of that ilk were so often directed towards him he knew them by heart.

As usual, he arrived just a few minutes before class began, and ignoring anybody else present, took his seat at the very convenient back corner of the classroom. Of course casting his eyes forward meant he readily saw what came from his classmates. It was varied, but the gazes that quickly averted as he looked at them all had different emotions behind them. The ones from the boys were mostly of jealousy or anger, the girls ranged from mildly put off to in a couple cases, enamored looking.

Enshin didn't care much for other people's opinions of him though, so they went widely ignored. Mostly because he wouldn't be removing the headphones until class bothered to start, but also because he was just used to this kind of routine. What caught his interest more was when the door opened again just before the time when the first bell would have rung. Shuffling in and looking like he'd barely slept was the boy who was with not doubt disliked even more than Enshin, who at least had a few friends and admirers, albeit most of them in other classes.

Hajime Nagumo. A boy who in terms of look and even personality was remarkable in how unremarkable he was. Known for sleeping in class and the fact he was a game and manga otaku, which Enshin knew more personally was due to the other boy's parents' line of work he often assisted them in. While the rest of the class shot varying degrees of scornful looks Hajime's way, Enshin was the, while not only, first one to at least not give the other boy a nasty look as he sat down.

"Another long night?" Enshin leaned forward in his seat as he tapped Hajime on the back, who turned to him and gave a drowsy nod. And while Hajime clearly just tried to ignore it, Enshin couldn't help but click his tongue as the heckling started from the usual suspects in their classroom, because they just couldn't resist the chance to throw needles at Hajime.

"Sup you gross otaku! Stay up all night playing video games again? I bet you were playing porn games the whole time!"

"Wow what a creep! What kind of disgusting pervert stays up all night playing porn games?"

The second the gaggle of boys started laughing, they went to sudden whimpers as Enshin turned his gaze to them. Were it at all possible they'd have been turned into frozen statues from how cold the glare was that they were being given, ironically enough for someone who's name was written with the characters "Fire" and "God" in it. Thus was the reason Enshin was often called a delinquent, as even the worst in the class went frigid when he turned to look at them with even a hint of animosity in his gaze.

The one who started the heckling and as such was the leader of the little group was named Daisuke Hiyama. He never tired of teasing Hajime but he was also probably the person who was the most terrified of Enshin thanks to a little incident earlier in the year that ended with Hiyama learning just how strong of a right hook Enshin was packing. Bullies like him always crumbled the second someone with more power than them made it clear who the alpha dog was. His lackeys were Yoshiki Saitou, Reichi Kondou, and Shinji Nakano. Also victims of Enshin's somewhat legendary punches. While they never seemed to tire of trying to rib Hajime, they backed off the second Enshin so much as glared at them so there wouldn't be a repeat of the last time he caught them getting physical with the other boy.

"Seriously. I know it's a bother Hajime, but you should really stand up for yourself a bit." Enshin said, prodding the other boy in the back of the neck, causing the other boy to yelp a bit.

"It's fine, really! It doesn't bother me that much at all, trust me Enshin-san I'm fine."

"Drop the 'san'. I don't like honorifics."

Hajime chuckled while smiling. Even if he was, Enshin could tell it did bother the boy, even if just a little bit. Enshin was basically Hajime's only actual friend in class as it was. And it's not like Hajime had any problems that would have stopped him from actually being able to make friends if he tried. He was perfectly normal in every way, though Enshin thought his dislike of violence was a bit of a flaw. And while sure, being an otaku would often get someone odd looks, but the kind of targeted bullying Hajime underwent usually wasn't a result. So why did pretty much the entire male side of the class hate his guts?

A simple answer as it happened.

"Good morning, Nagumo-kun! You barely made it on time today too. I think you should at least make an effort to come early. Oh, and good morning to you too Kakumei-kun." A single girl chose to warmly greet Hajime, earning a nervous chuckle from the boy. The girl was one of the few other people who were actually kind to Hajime, but also the reason they all hated him.

Kaori Shirasaki, who by all means was a quintessential Japanese beauty. Smooth black hair that fell down to her waist. Large, alluring eyes filled with innate kindness, and a soft, small face. Other students called her a goddess thanks to her beauty and kindness, the kind of girl many a boy was enamored with but dared not approach. Understanding to a fault and seemingly incapable of getting angry for any reason whatsoever, of course she found herself as one of the most beloved people in the school. The fact she was even willing to greet a labeled delinquent (which was entirely a bunch of crap since Enshin never missed a day of school and had quite high grades) stood a testament to that.

And for reasons completely unknown to Enshin, Kaori had taken an interest in Hajime. Like Enshin's own unfounded rep as a bed student, Hajime had much the same issue since he often dozed during classes, though in truth he had pretty average grades despite his regular all nighters. But, because Kaori was nice to pretty much everyone and always looking out for them, they all assumed as much was the case with Hajime.

Enshin however, while not sure of the reason why, was able to see better because he wasn't what he liked to refer to as "a blasted dumbass." While others saw Hajime squandering Kaori's kindness by not becoming a "better student" due to her supposed efforts to reforms his "bad habits", and were Hajime maybe a few degrees better looking they probably wouldn't have minded Kaori's interest in him. But the fact was Hajime was utterly average and plain looking. As such every other average looking guy in the class looked at Hajime with disdain and obvious "Why him and not me" mentalities, while the girls were mad at him for not reforming one bit.

Enshin though, saw the truth of the matter for what it was, because again, he wasn't an idiot who was blind to that kind of thing: Simple fact was, Kaori had some degree of feelings for Hajime. While the latter was too daft to see it due to his position in the class and general attitude of life being "hobbies before reality". She wasn't being nice just out of the goodness of her own heart, she actually wanted to get closer to Hajime for whatever reason had sparked such emotions in her.

"Here we go again." Enshin couldn't help but bring a hand to his face as Hajime awkwardly responded to Kaori's greeting, and the bloodthirsty glares went down thanks to Enshin returning them with his own. He could also about guess the kind of things going through Hajime's mind right now as well as Hajime awkwardly looked around like he wanted to escape from this.

"Why does she always look at me that way?" "There's no way she could be romantically interested in me. I'm not that conceited." "Is there some other reason she does this?" So on and so forth within the mind of a confused, bewildered seventeen year old who failed to grasp the idea of such a "goddess" being kind to him for anything but her own good will or perhaps ulterior motives. Granted not that the blame was solely on Hajime himself. Kaori was something of an airhead who seemed entirely oblivious to the fact she was the reason so many people disliked Hajime.

Well, either that or she genuinely didn't give a single hoot about that fact and sought to try anyway regardless. Enshin almost snickered a bit as this made him think of how normally this kind of situation would be on the reverse side. The other problem was that Hajime had found himself in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. No matter what he did, he would be earning the ire of the class whether he openly rejected Kaori's kindness or continued to awkwardly just go along with it.

Enshin for his own efforts had long since started playing a game on his phone out of disinterest, only occasionally glancing up to stop people from glaring at the ongoing conversation between Kaori and Hajime. Though as soon as it did finish, three other students walked over. They'd been watching the two likes hawks, and of the three Enshin could say he only liked two of them, while the other was a source of ire for him for many reasons, but for completely different reasons than Hajime's bullies. Very different reasons.

He ignored most of their words, but only one of them, a girl, actually bothered greeting Hajime herself. Shizuku Yaegashi, Kaori's best friend and one of the only girls in class Enshin actually could call a friend. Black hair tied into a high ponytail, and brown, almond shaped eyes that gave off a "big sister" kindness to them but also a sense of coolness rather than potentially cold. She was tall too, around 172 centimeters which put her just barely under most other boys around. Combine that with her fit form and she gave off the aura of a dignified samurai.

A rather aptdescription in Enshin's mind as he knew from personal experience how good Shizuku was with a sword, seeing as she was the heir to a dojo and all. Peerless in her skill and even fully undefeated, she started being called "onee-sama" pretty quickly around the school. Enshin had personal experience with her sword skills since, by some kind of dumb luck, they'd been neighbors until first year when he had to move due to his dad's work. Not quite childhood friends though, they'd been twelve when they first met.

The first boy of the three new arrivals, who had greeted Kaori with one hell of a cliched line about her kindness, was also the one Enshin didn't get along with, Kouki Amanogawa. Good looking, tall, had outstanding grades, was good at sports, hell even his name was flashy, having the characters for "light" and "radiance" in it. Kind to everybody he met and with girls falling for him at every turn yet utterly, completely, and insufferably oblivious to it. And by his own words, a strong sense of justice that was more like self-deluded righteousness into believing he was right about everything and anything no matter what.

Enshin hated everything about Kouki's existence because of that last part specifically. He couldn't stand not only how insufferably idealistic Kouki was, but how the other boy basically went totally deaf if anything that went against his worldview was brought forward to him in any way. He was the quintessential brick wall of a person so entirely oblivious to the fact that despite being well meaning, he was also a massive jerk in spite of his kind nature. If Kouki believed something was right, then it was right and no matter what someone said they could never change his mind about that idea. If he thought it was wrong, then it was wrong, and you could also not make him think otherwise. His natural charisma meant most people just went along with him out of sheer doggedness, but the people who actually knew Kouki like Shizuku and Kaori, or who were just so fundamentally opposite Kouki in world view such as Enshin, knew far better.

But the worst thing-the worst thing-in Enshin and a lot of other people's minds when they weren't being dazzled by the fool was his belief humans were fundamentally good people. The young man lacked any and all comprehension of the ideas of baseless malice and pettiness to the point he'd outright blame the victim of a situation because in his mind, they had to have done something to earn what happened to them, or else the perpetrators wouldn't have done it, right? And the core of the problem was this lack of malice and hatred. He meant well in everything he said and was completely sincere, but so fully believed he was the one in the right when he did he tended to completely ignore the thoughts and feelings of other people.

His line about Kaori's kindness? The idiot didn't at all think Kaori could have possibly actually liked Hajime. To him, she was only nice to Hajime because she was too nice for her own good, there wasn't anything else too it because Kouki didn't think there was anything else too it.

All in all, Enshin could very safely say Kouki was somebody he fundamentally could never get along with until, somehow, someone shoved Kouki through the door that was reality and gave him one very belated fact check about how the world didn't give a flying damn about how he thought it worked. But, Enshin didn't think that day would ever come because he'd probably perform some ridiculous mental gymnastics to try and justify it.

Now as for the other boy in the group, he was someone Enshin actually got along with, if little else than mutual respect and the ability to actually hold a conversation with one another and not be someone Enshin would direct his infamous glares at. Ryutarou Sakagami, an incredibly tall young man who towered over everyone else in the room and was a veritable wall of muscle. Kouki's best friend who would no doubt follow him everywhere but at least had more sense to hold his damn tongue and read a room at times. A musclehead without any delicacy as the best set of words for him. Ryutarou had little respect for Hajime due to his seemingly lazy attitude and school effort, but compared to that he could at the least not treat Enshin like a failure of a human being and actually respected him since Enshin did actually work hard for his good grades, and who had proven more than once to be fairly tough physically speaking.

But, as said before, that was about the extent of Enshin and Ryutarou's relations with one another.

"Morning, everyone." Hajime did, at least, respond to the greetings. "And, well, you know what they say Yaegashi-san, you reap what your sow. It's my own fault for staying up so late all the time."

"And here we go again…" Enshin sighed as Kouki and Ryutaoru glared daggers at Hajime, like they were saying "How dare you talk to Yuzuku so casually?". Enshin and Shizuku just exchanged glances and both sighed. Shizuku was about as popular as Kaori after all, so even if she didn't mind such things, the fact everybody else did still remained.

"If you realize it's a problem, shouldn't you try and fix it? I don't think it's fair to Kaori to keep letting her spoil you. She doesn't have time to always be looking after you either." Kouki's warning was sternly put to Hajime, though Enshin's sardonic chuckle turned the shining boy's attention over to him. "What's so funny, Kakumei-san?"

"Oh nothing. I just continue to be wowed by the fact you actually still think it's like that." Enshin's reply made Kouki tilt his head. As if the idea things weren't that way was completely foreign to him. Because of course it sounded that way to him. "I'm just saying, maybe you should let Shirasaki do what she wants to do. If she wants to be nice to Hajime and be around him, what's the problem there?"

And of course at the mere insinuation of that idea, fiery glares wishing for death turned towards Enshin, who returned them with his own. And again, the tide was frozen over easily. Shizuku, however, nodded in agreement, while Kouki again looked totally bewildered. Though of course not that Kaori was going to be silent, even as Hajime looked about ready to have a panic attack as he desperately looked to Enshin… sadly when it came to Kouki, Enshin couldn't be stopped.

"What are you talking about Kouki-kun? I'm talking to Nagumo-kun because I want to." As Kaori dropped that bombshell it almost felt like the class had exploded as a sudden uproar happened. Yet again, Enshin's legendary glare put down the rising tide of killer looks that got shot his way immediately.

"Huh?... ah, I see. You really are far too kind, Kaori."

WHAM

And within and instant of the obvious interpretation leaving Kouki's mouth, Enshin's head fell hard onto his desk as a frustrated groan left his throat. He hated it, he hated everything about having to listen to Kouki speak and continue to blather on like every word out of a person's mouth just contorted to fit his worldview without fail. Shizuku, knowing well enough how Enshin thought, went so far as to pat him on the shoulder as he kept letting out that pained groan. It wasn't pity, thankfully, just an attempt at reassurance.

It would have been useless for him to correct Kouki again at this point, so Enshin just sighed as he sat back up, ignoring the throbbing on his forehead and disregarding a comment about the red spot now present under his bangs thanks to that action.

"Sorry about that. They don't mean any harm by it." Shizuku at least, had enough emotional sense to read the room and quietly apologized to Hajiime, who just awkwardly shrugged in response to her. And perhaps as a saving grace, the bell for the first period finally rang after what felt like almost forever. Their teacher, all too used to the turbulence of the class to the point she no longer cared about the chaos at times, came in and started the normal routines for it all. Enshin was, at the least, able to finally clear his head and focus a bit now that work was starting, and as Hajime chose to doze off to sleep, he was back on duty at dissuading the looks from other classmates yet again.

By the time lunch had finally rolled around, Enshin was the type who always brought his own lunch. He'd also elected to effectively tune out with his headphones as he ate, though at the least he did observe what was going on around him. Hajime was as quick to eat as ever since he only ate enough at lunch to sate himself. Now if things had been routine, Hajime would have long since bolted from the classroom and found a secluded place to nap in until the period ended. Apparently today was the day yet another all-nighter made his wits finally leave him once Monday hit.

"Three, two, one…" Enshin mentally counted down the second he saw Kaori start moving her seat over to Hajime's clear but not very visible distress. The routine just started up again. Cold stares went Hajime's way. Enshin shut those stares down. Then Kouki and Ryutarou showed up. Kouki made some dumb oblivious comment Kaori bluntly responded to, so on and so forth. Enshin was by now feeling quite bored about all of this.

"If things could just change up a bit, that'd be great. Something a bit more exciting that typical reality y'know? Heh… that's just wishful thinking for something." Enshin gave a snide chuckle of his own as he set his phone down. He pulled off his headphones and was about to say something, but, his voice stopped dead as he froze.

A glowing, silver circle had appeared on the ground just under Kouki's feet. It looked like the kind of magic circle you'd see in a game or manga of some kind, engraved with geometric patterns and runes. Everyone in the class saw it too, the circle growing wider and wider until it almost took up the floor space of the entire room, the light growing brighter and brighter as the students also began vocally panicking while their teacher tried to get them to calm down. Enshin closed his eyes as the light became absolutely blinding as it became a near explosion of light.

After a few moments or perhaps minutes, the light finally faded and the classroom returned to normal… well, normal, except for the fact everyone who had been in the room had vanished completely. The only things left were half eaten lunch boxes, school bags, various devices left sitting on desks or clattering to the floor. Everything but the people had been left in the room.

This incident would become known as the "Mass High School Disappearance", and made quite the wave across the country when it happened. But, what happened after this event was a story for another time and another place.

A/N

This is one of those things I started doing on a… weird whim of mine. Arifureta became a new guilty pleasure of mine with the LNs more particularly… and then this was the result of it. Heck in a first for me I've actually one a few chapters ahead of time in prep for eventually posting this. Hehe… so let's see how this turns out.