“The Floating Symbols”

My name is Takeo Nakayama, 26 years old with a height of 170cm . I have black hair and fair skin . My body is buffed compared to an average guy because of my martial arts training but not as buffed of those who do body building . When I was little, I always lock myself inside my room to play video games . I love role-playing, strategy and action games . I was very happy during that time until we move into my grandparents’ house .   My grandparents own a Dojo .   They are teaching Aikido and Nakenjutsu . My grandmother is a Sandan(3rd Dan) Aikido Master . Aikido is a popular hand to hand martial art specializing in defending oneself while at the same time protecting the attacker from injury… or at least my grandmother claims it to be . My grandfather is a Nakenjutsu Master, the way of the sword of Nakayama Clan . Our ancestor seems to be part of the army during the Muromachi Period and developed this sword art to serve the country . Needless to say, my grandmother also knows Nakenjutsu and according to them, grandfather taught grandmother . When they told us about it, my parents said “You guys are so sweet” . At that time, I didn’t understand what is sweet in swinging sword and practicing till you are covered in sweat .

My parents inherit the Dojo . Needless to say, both my mother and father are at least on Shodan (1st Dan) on either style . I didn’t really care so I don’t remember their exact ranking but they are not one to be mess with, that’s for sure . My grandparents learned about me locking myself up for my video games so they forced me to take

up lesson in both Aikido and Nakenjutsu . If I don’t take the lesson, I won’t be able to play so I reluctantly obeyed them . Thinking about it right now, I’m actually glad they forced me . If they didn’t do that, I will not be as healthy as I am today .

I met my childhood friend on that Dojo when I was 10 . Her name was Henko Kirisaki . She was a beautiful and bright girl, my first love . Few months later, Jotaro Spencer joined our group . I don’t remember how he was able to naturally join our circle but before I knew it, he was already acting friendly towards me and Henko . We hang out together once in a while after our martial arts training session . I want to confess my feelings to Henko but every time I pump myself to do it, Jotaro is with her and every time Jotaro is not around I became pretty relaxed with Henko that I always forgot to tell her how I feel or I am having cold feet . This continue until I graduated in college and started to work as a programmer in a small software company . In just few months, I was promoted as a Senior Programmer . Well, that’s because we only have one senior programmer who resigned unexpectedly and during that time I was the only one capable of understanding the complete flow of the software that we are working on .

I was reminiscing on the past when I suddenly heard a whisper .

“Wake Up Takeo~ If you don’t… I’ll steal Henko from you” [???]

Steal? Henko? No way! I won’t allow it!

I put all my power to stand up and open my eyes to reality while shouting what I feel .

.

“NOOOO! Wait… . What?” [Takeo]

While nervously looking around, I find myself in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people . There are knights wearing silver armor around us, a mage looking beggar, a knight with majestic blue cape, 2 beautiful girls, a scary old man with a crown on his head and two of my friends beside me .

The room is around 30 tatami big with 4 pillars on the 4 corner of the room . A red carpet is laid down in the center from the Throne to the door . It was very s.p.a.cious and if you look up into the ceiling, you will see a chandelier emitting bright lights for the room .

“Where are we? Wha . . ?” [Takeo]

I’d like to know what place this is but noticed something within my line of sight .

Jotaro suddenly smile which makes me more irritated but decided to look around instead of focusing on his face .

“Where the heck are we? [Henko]

Henko asked that question, but I’d like to know the answer to that as well . However, I have more important things in my mind that I need to focus on .

“Good Morning Heroes from Gaia!” [???]

The scary old man with a crown on his head suddenly spoke while walking closer and everyone in the room looks at us . Heroes? Gaia? Is he referring to us? This is not important, I’d like to know what’s happening on my vision . I tried to scratch my eyes but my sight is still the same .

“I am the King of this country . My name is Raymond Basil V and you are inside the Royal Palace located at the Capital of Basil . We are trying to summon a Sacred Beast or a High Beast but instead we accidentally summoned you

summoned you three . The catalyst that we have used contains mana of ancient lineage, most probably different from the world of yours . ” [King Raymond]

Mana? You mean like Magic Power in Video Games?

…and did he say different world from ours? We are in a different world?

We were transferred into a different world? Wait… I am with Henko .

It’s like we eloped to find our own happiness .

“YES!!!… . . Otherworld… with Henko!!” [Takeo]

I was so happy that I shout out what I’m thinking while doing a gut pose . Oh c.r.a.p, my mouth and body move without thinking but I don’t really care because I will be with Henko from now on . Hmm… wait a minute…

“Oh, right… Jotaro is with us . *sigh* ” [Takeo]

I release a sigh to erase my disappointment . Anyway, I believe there are more important things that I need to take care of instead of thinking about this different world .

Jotaro get close to me and asked in low voice that cannot be heard by everyone,

“What are you doing!?” [Jotaro]

“You insolent fools, you are in the presence of the King!” [Aradin]

“It is fine Aradin . Young Heroes, I would like to explain the situation but you are free to ask questions before we start . ” [King Raymond]

The scary old man, which is the King, did not move nor say anything anymore after that . Looks like he will allow us to ask him a question .

“Alright!” [Takeo]

I pump myself up, take a deep breath and look straight into the King’s eyes .

“I have something to ask you” [Takeo]

“Very well” [King Raymond]

“You mentioned Heroes of Gaia, Are you referring to us?” [Takeo]

“Indeed . Are you not from the world of Gaia?” [King Raymond]

“…” [Takeo]

We did not answer, we cannot answer . He really was referring

really was referring to us as Heroes of Gaia . I don’t know what to say . I wonder why he is calling us ‘heroes’?

“I understand that you are confused right now but we will explain everything, that I can promise . ” [King Raymond]

Well, they are more than welcome to explain everything as the situation is something similar to the light novels that Jotaro and I are reading .

“I understand, I have another question if you don’t mind?” [Takeo]

“I will answer, feel free to ask . ” [King Raymond]

“What is that?” [Takeo]

While asking, I point at the top of his head . All the people around me have this weird symbols floating above their head, including Jotaro, Henko and myself . Not only people . There are also weird floating symbols at the upper right shoulder of the people here which means it is a symbol for their armors . There are also floating symbols at the right side of the chandelier, the door and all other things such as the old man’s crown and the spear and sword of the knights . To be specific, everything has a symbol .

Everyone look above the King’s head and all of them release an unexpected sound .

“Huh?” [Everyone]

re? What’s up with those reaction?

After few seconds, the King and the others look behind the king and then look above the King’s head again .

“What are you talking about Takeo-kun?” [Henko]

“E~to . There are floating symbols above his head, can’t you see it?” [Takeo]

“Eh?! I don’t see anything like that” [Henko]

“Did you hit your head Takeo-Kun? Are you alright?” [Jotaro]

I did not hit my head! Do you want me to hit you?!

I’d like to tell him that but I was able to swallow back those words .

Does this mean, I’m the only one who can see those floating symbols?