Osaka, Sunshine Hope Kindergarten
A beam of morning sunlight streamed through the classroom window, landing squarely on the stunned face of a little boy. Nursery rhymes floated in the air, and a beautiful teacher in a floral dress stood at the podium, tapping her fingers to the rhythm.
Using a singsong tone meant to coax cooperation from toddlers, she smiled and said, "Children, listen to the teacher two more times, then we'll all sing together, okay? Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are~"
In the back row, by the window, sat a five-year-old boy named Kaito Takumi—at least, that's what everyone here thought.
In truth, Takumi was twenty-eight years old, a former college junior who had just received a hefty compensation for a property demolition. And then, just like that, he'd been yanked out of his life and dumped into this one—by a mangy, second-rate transmigration system.
According to the system, he was supposed to be in a world of immortal cultivation: filled with spirits, demons, and countless perils, where strength was the only currency. As a humble loose cultivator, he was to grow stronger, build a following, and one day establish a sect of his own to dominate the continent.
But—seriously?
Are you blind, System? This is Japan. There are cars on the road, ramen shops on every corner, and vending machines that sell everything from soda to socks. What kind of cultivation world has high-rise apartments and kindergarten singalongs?!
And why the hell am I five years old?! I can't even curse properly!
The system, apparently oblivious to his screaming thoughts, chimed in.
[System activation complete. Congratulations, Host, on your successful transmigration. Current world detected: Spirit Continent. Cultivation levels range from 1 to 100. At level 100, one may ascend to godhood. Every 10 levels grants a unique skill that can greatly enhance combat power.]
Takumi felt a nerve twitch in his forehead.
This setting… No wonder I said you were pirated.
[Your current level: 1. Aptitude: Ordinary. You are confused after arriving in this world. One month has passed since transmigration, and your cultivation has not advanced. You are uncertain about your path forward.]
[However, today is different. A great opportunity has appeared! You've encountered Fairy He, a disciple of a righteous sect. Her cultivation is low. Through eavesdropping, you learned she carries a Pure Yang Treasure Pill—capable of rapidly improving one's cultivation. Paired with the Red Blood Pill, it can even reshape your bones!]
[Acquire the pill and change your fate. If you fail… well, blame your poor luck and move on.]
Takumi wanted to cry.
What opportunity?! I'm in a classroom full of five-year-olds singing nursery rhymes! Who the hell is Fairy He? Are you seeing a hallucination, System?!
A soft voice interrupted his mental breakdown.
"Takumi? Takumi… you're pressing on my hair."
The whisper, barely audible, came from his seatmate—a tiny girl in pigtails and a pink dress. Her name was Mizuki, the neighbor's child and his classmate. She looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.
"Takumi… it hurts…"
He turned and saw her hair caught under his elbow, the poor thing looking like she'd been trapped under a boulder. Still, he didn't lift his arm.
Instead, he asked with mild curiosity, "Who told you to put your hair under my arm?"
Mizuki blinked, eyes brimming with grievance. "Sorry… it's my fault. But can you lift your arm? I need to go to the washroom…"
Afraid he'd refuse, she nervously pulled a piece of milk candy from her pocket and offered it with both hands.
"My mom gave me this. It's the only one. You can have it…"
Takumi sighed. He couldn't bring himself to bully a child, even if his own body was equally pint-sized. He lifted his arm, and Mizuki quickly retrieved her hair, smoothing it while placing the candy on his desk like a peace offering.
"You eat," she said, then turned away, clutching her belly and glancing anxiously at the teacher.
Takumi frowned at the candy. He didn't even like sweets. He picked it up, meaning to return it, but then the system blared again.
[Unbelievable! The Host has managed to coax the righteous sect's Fairy into surrendering the Pure Yang Treasure Pill without any violence—just with sweet talk! Excellent! Consume it immediately, before she changes her mind! Since she's so easy to persuade, perhaps ask if she has any more pills… take everything she has and leave no regrets!]
Takumi stared at the candy in his hand, utterly dumbfounded.
"…???"
Takumi stared at the milk candy in his hand.
Wait a minute… could it be… this system really is blind?
A ridiculous idea struck him. Without overthinking it, he tore open the wrapper and popped the candy into his mouth.
To his surprise, a warm sweetness spread across his tongue, the taste milky and rich—and then, suddenly, a strange power surged through his limbs. His small fists clenched involuntarily.
What the hell… I feel like I could slap a giant mosquito to death with my bare hands!
[Congratulations! The Pure Yang Treasure Pill has improved your cultivation. Your level has increased to 3. Strength +1. Stamina +1.]
He blinked. The system wasn't lying—he did feel stronger.
Meanwhile, Mizuki had been watching him, expecting the candy to be returned. When she saw him eat it, she blinked in confusion.
"You said… you weren't gonna eat it," she said softly, sounding hurt.
Takumi paused mid-chew, a little stunned himself.
So this broken system still works—even in the wrong world?
Interesting.
He turned toward Mizuki, his gaze suddenly filled with unspoken intent.
She flinched and looked down, clutching her round belly like she was hiding a terrible secret.
"I didn't say anything," she mumbled quickly, scared he might get angry.
Takumi leaned in with a gentle smile. "Mizuki, do you have anything else to eat?"
She shook her head, pigtails swinging like little bells. "No."
Takumi's smile deepened—just a little too much.
"Are you sure? I remember your mom gave you lots of snacks this morning."
Mizuki hesitated, then slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out a single jujube.
"I only have this one left… I already ate the rest."
[Alert! Red Blood Pill detected! This is the perfect match for the Pure Yang Treasure Pill! Consuming both together will improve your aptitude and open the door to cultivation!]
I knew it!
Even if this world didn't match the system's expectations, the logic of the world still did. He could exploit this.
Takumi took the jujube, but seeing Mizuki's eyes go shiny with tears, he sighed.
"I won't take your stuff for nothing," he said. "You've been holding your tummy this whole time. You want to go to the washroom, right? But you're too scared to ask the teacher. I'll help you—this jujube is my fee, okay?"
Mizuki looked at him like she was seeing a ghost. In her memory, Takumi had always been the big brother next door who acted a little scary. But now…?
"Hurry up and say if it's okay or not," he said, cocking his head.
She nodded quickly, eyes wide with disbelief.
Takumi raised his hand. "Teacher! Mizuki wants to go to the washroom!"
The classroom fell silent for a second. Mizuki turned beet red as everyone looked her way.
The teacher, used to this kind of thing, nodded with a calm smile. "Go ahead. Come back quickly."
Mizuki stammered a thank-you and rushed out, looking back at Takumi once with grateful eyes before fleeing like her life depended on it.
Takumi examined the jujube thoughtfully, then tossed it into his mouth.
A slow pulse of heat spread through him.
Then—
"Takumi! You are not allowed to eat snacks during class!" the teacher suddenly snapped. "You'll make the other children restless. Wait until break time!"
Takumi froze, then winced.
[Alert! The fairy's master has used a thousand-mile voice transmission to scold you! A terrifying force is watching you from afar. Fortunately, you didn't use violence—otherwise, you'd be facing divine retribution by now! You realize that this world, while peaceful on the surface, hides great dangers. You must tread carefully!]
[You have successfully absorbed the Red Blood Pill. Aptitude increased from "Ordinary" to "Slightly Above Average." Cultivation level increased to 4. Energy +1.]
Takumi: "...Understood, teacher."
He slumped a little in his seat, but inside, he was grinning.
So it's a bystander system, huh? Still works. Not bad.
No death threats, no soul devouring contracts—he could grow quietly in this world, far from the battlefield, with almost no life-threatening risks.
But wait... how do I cultivate here? I can't just keep stealing candy and snacks, right? Surely there's more to it than that?
He looked around the room, his eyes landing on a colorful children's book on the table.
Out of curiosity, he flipped it open.
[Cultivation in progress… This is a basic cultivation manual. Memorizing it in full will allow you to break through to Level 5.]
Takumi: "You've gotta be kidding me…"