September 1, 2022 | 7:30 AM | Starlight International School, Tokyo
The fresh morning air of Tokyo on September 1, 2022, was tinged with the rhythmic clatter of trains in the distance, accompanied by whispers of excitement. The towering, modern structure of Starlight International School loomed ahead. The front of the building was adorned with polished obsidian and steel, reflecting the morning sunlight. The school grounds buzzed with activity, filled with students of diverse lineages—tall, slender high elves with silver hair; short, stocky dwarves; and several students tightly holding black umbrellas, despite the clear morning sky—a telltale sign of vampires avoiding direct sunlight.
Kenji Taro, a fourth-year exchange student, stood near the main entrance amidst the bustling crowd. At 178 cm tall with a lean build, his wavy blond hair was neatly styled, and his dark brown eyes slowly scanned the elegant school entrance, taking in the vibrant mix of students. He wore the standard male student uniform: a well-tailored gray blazer over matching slacks, with a crisp white shirt. What made him stand out, however, was not a typical backpack—he carried a leather travel case, with a delicate silver chain from a pocket watch peeking out of the left side of his jacket.
"Students, please gather in the Main Hall 2 by 8:00 AM," an announcement sounded, signaling the start of orientation. Kenji pulled out a map, still unfamiliar with the campus layout.
As he stepped over the threshold, the crowd jostled him slightly, causing his suitcase to swing almost colliding with another student—a girl meticulously adjusting her deep-red necktie.
She was small, just slightly shorter than Kenji's shoulders, with distinct features hinting at her Nekomata lineage. Two cat-like ears curved visibly from her shoulder-length light brown hair. Her amber eyes widened slightly as the suitcase swung near her—but it hadn't even reached her yet.
A faint, almost transparent blue aura enveloped her briefly, less than a second. The energy around her thickened suddenly, and the suitcase seemed to collide with an invisible wall, stopping just an inch from her shoulder.
The girl turned, her golden eyes locking onto Kenji. She didn't look angry, just mildly annoyed. One of her cat ears twitched.
"Watch it, new student," she said, her voice clear with a hint of warning. "You almost hit my head."
She glanced at the floating suitcase, and the faint blue glow vanished completely as Kenji hastily pulled it back.
"First day, I get it, but try to control your luggage. Why swing an antique around the school like that?"
Without waiting for a response, she walked past him effortlessly and headed into the crowded hallway, leaving Kenji standing at the entrance among the flowing students.
Kenji opened his mouth to apologize. "Oh, s—" but his words dissolved into the air. The Nekomata student, her golden eyes gleaming and faint blue Anomaly aura fading, had already disappeared into the crowd. He watched her go, letting out a quiet sigh.
'There she goes...' he thought. The initial embarrassment shifted into analytical observation. 'Not antique... this is style, that cat-girl...' He adjusted his grip on the vintage suitcase, steadying it. 'First day, huh? Looks like I have a lot to adapt to... Nekomata, Bestia type... invisible defenses... interesting.'
That encounter immediately underscored the unique environment of Starlight International School—a place where extraordinary abilities were part of daily life.
He straightened the front of his gray blazer and pulled out the delicate chain, opening the hidden pocket watch. The antique watch was intricately carved and contained not only the time but also small photographs inside the cover. He glanced at them briefly: his father, his younger sister, and his mother—a woman who looked barely twenty despite being forty-two, a clear testament to her witch lineage, classified as Altos (mystical races such as witches, fairies, and high elves).
His green eyes darted to the clock. "Oh no... 7:45 AM. I'm running late..."
Realizing the time, he hurriedly closed the pocket watch and stashed it back into his bag, glancing at the map again. Students of various lineages were moving in the same direction: two Tieflings (Occult types associated with dark arts and curses, like vampires or demons) argued playfully near lockers; another student activated an Anomaly that looked like a shop; a tall werewolf student moved politely through the crowd; and human students, both with and without Anomalies, mingled among them.
Kenji entered the building. The lobby opened to a wide marble hallway, and his eyes searched for the signs on the map. Passing the gym and science labs, he finally spotted a large illuminated sign above the double doors: Orientation Auditorium / Main Hall.
He pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the spacious auditorium. The hall was grand, with plenty of seating to accommodate students of the Mixed Species Era. At the front, a large crystal display showed the school emblem. On the stage, a figure stood, addressing early arrivals with vibrant enthusiasm—likely a student council representative or a senior administrator.
"Hello, students, newcomers, and esteemed adults! Welcome to Starlight! I am from the Student Council."
"Ah, ah, take it easy! Don't rush to grab seats!"
"Move forward, there's still space! Don't worry, we won't bite!"
"Shall we play some music? Something upbeat to get everyone excited!"
'She's way too cheerful... who plays lively music at an event like this?' Kenji thought, scanning the room for a comfortable seat.
He spotted an empty row at the back and chose a seat, carefully placing his suitcase underneath. He glanced at the student next to him, flipping through a slim book with great focus.
The student was male, appearing about a year older than Kenji. He wore the same gray suit, had medium-length black hair parted in the middle, and dull gray eyes that always seemed tired. Tall and lean, he had a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones resting around his neck, indicating a preference for solitude. He was deeply absorbed in reading, occasionally tracing lines on the page with his thumb.
Kenji sank quietly into his seat, careful not to disturb the student next to him. He stole a glance at the focused reader and immediately sensed the intensity of his concentration. This school must be something else... his focus is unreal... it's like he's in his own zone. Kenji decided not to interrupt the engrossed reader and let the buzz of students gathering flow around him.
Still, he couldn't resist sneaking a peek at the book the student was so intently reading. He didn't see the title, but the illustrations—Kenji's green eyes widened slightly before narrowing in disbelief. The pages weren't filled with complex formulas or knowledge-related content.
Instead, they were full of illustrations from a doujin with explicit adult content.
'W-what the—friend?' Kenji's inner voice screamed. 'Is reading █████ considered normal here?! Sure, everyone needs to let off steam, but... in public, and so intensely focused... is he planning to memorize this for exams or something?'
He quickly looked away, feeling a faint blush spread across his cheeks, and deliberately focused on the front of the auditorium, trying to erase the image from his mind. The student next to him remained completely absorbed in the scandalous material.
Suddenly, a large student, likely a half-giant from the Humous lineage (humanoid species), shifted in his seat, brushing against Kenji in the middle. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his sweat.
'Oh... great... what else am I going to run into on my first day? Awkward... ugh...' Kenji thought.
The half-giant then turned toward Kenji with a hint of embarrassment. "Oh... didn't see you there, friend. Sorry! I'll scoot over. Hey, why the red face? Not feeling well?" His voice was polite and friendly, as he reached into his bag for something.
"Oh... um... it's fine, thank you very much," Kenji replied politely with a smile.
He took a deep breath, noting the oddities in his mind: a highly focused student and an extremely inappropriate reading material. Well, I guess that's another side of Starlight International School, he admitted, shaking his head slightly.
His attention then shifted to the group at the front. A few rows ahead, he noticed students wearing special gold badges on their jackets—likely student council members. Several staff in slightly darker, well-tailored suits stood nearby, their positions and roles unclear.
"Oh? Is it time already? Then I'll step aside for the principal. Please welcome him!" The student council member gestured to the stage, signaling the start of the ceremony.
A hush fell over the stage as the crowd quieted down, and a figure confidently stepped up to the podium.
The man stepping up was large, with a physique that clearly showed he exercised heavily. His massive muscles stretched the black tank top he wore. Despite the formal occasion, he still sported stylish sunglasses, giving him the aura of a high-paid bodyguard or an action movie star rather than a principal.
This was Koto Mahouda.
Kenji's inner voice screamed again 'What... who is this? The school allows bodyguards to give speeches or what?'
The man—Principal Mahouda—leaned into the microphone. Despite his intimidating appearance, his voice was gentle, soft, and courteous, resonating with a deep, almost soothing tone.
"Good morning, esteemed students, staff, and beloved learners. I am Principal Koto Mahouda, and it is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to Starlight International School for the start of the 2022 academic year. It is truly delightful to see so many familiar and new faces, reflecting the diversity of lineages and abilities that make our school truly unique."
Kenji's jaw dropped for a moment, not expecting the imposing man to be the principal. Well, I guess anything can happen here... this school.
Mahouda paused briefly and adjusted his sunglasses slightly.
"I see many of you are getting to know each other, reconnecting, or enjoying your reading materials," he continued. His tone remained gentle, though his eyes—behind the sunglasses—seemed to glance toward Kenji and the doujin reader for a brief moment. Whispers and giggles spread among the other students. Kenji tensed, but the student next to him remained unbothered.
"At Starlight, we welcome both the extraordinary and the ordinary. Whether you can control the formidable powers of an Anomaly or live life without them, you are equally important here. Our school is dedicated to preparing every student to thrive in this diverse world—the world of Bestia, Occult, Humous (humanoid species such as giants, halflings, and dwarves), Altos, and everything beyond."
Principal Koto Mahouda finished his impressive yet gentle introduction, solidifying his image as a large yet unexpectedly kind leader. Kenji, who initially mistook him for a bodyguard, now felt respect and acknowledgment. Mahouda smoothly transitioned to the next topic, his voice calm and unwavering.
"Now, let us move to a crucial part of our school environment," he said, gesturing with his massive, tank-top-clad arm. "I'm talking about hygiene and basic infrastructure, particularly... the restrooms."
Confusion rippled through the auditorium. Exchange students and newcomers looked bewildered; vampires fidgeted in their seats, and nearby Humous students scratched their heads in puzzlement. Older students sighed knowingly. Even the student next to Kenji paused, slowing his doujin reading. His dull gray eyes blinked once, apparently surprised that his focus had been interrupted by... the sanitation system.
Kenji, trying to process the doujin reader and the giant principal simultaneously, found his thoughts spinning anew. 'The restrooms? Are we seriously discussing this at a school level? Are the Bestia shedding so much that the pipes get clogged?