I'm in a public library; it's so quiet—just the way I like it to read peacefully.
"Mmm… Why isn't he here?"
I mutter to myself. I'm supposed to be waiting for someone, but they haven't arrived. I scratch my head impatiently.
I grab a book from one of the shelves and sit at a table near the entrance. It's a children's book—I enjoy reading these kinds of stories from time to time. The title reads The Silver Wolf. The cover is a soft gray with a shiny, striking figure of a wolf. As a girl, I simply can't ignore something so eye-catching.
I adjust my glasses and begin to read:
"Let's see… Once upon a time, there was a great wolf with a beautiful silver-colored coat…"
To summarize, the story is just as the title suggests: about a silver wolf.
By the fourth page, I hear the doorbell ring.
Peeking from behind the book, I see a boy with black hair enter and pull a book from the shelf. He looks low-energy and has orange eyes with a beautiful face. Just seeing him makes my cheeks heat up. I try to get back to my book, but my eyes won't leave him. He sits down and begins to read.
He's the person I'm waiting for. His name is Akire—or at least, that's all I know. I've followed him every time he comes here. Every time I try to speak to him, I get overwhelmed with embarrassment and hide.
I stare at him, and time flies.
Then he closes the book and places it back on the shelf.
"Eh?"
I check my watch: it's six thirty. The library is about to close.
I got here at three thirty… I've spent three hours just watching him.
I see Akire heading toward the exit.
"Quick, quick, quick…" I stand up and rush to the reception desk, my face burning red.
"You're as distracted as ever, Hazora."
The receptionist speaks. Her name is Nanami. She has chestnut hair, brown eyes behind glasses, and the mature body of a grown woman—one of the few people who talks to me.
"Of course not…"
"Oh really?" Nanami cuts me off. "Then why were you staring at that boy so much? And when he left, you didn't even notice the time?"
"Eh?"
"Hah. I know you like that boy, but it's probably not a good idea to follow him every time he comes here."
"I-I wasn't going to follow him."
"Oh, really?"
"I-I just came to ask if I could borrow this book." She narrows her eyes at me.
I point to The Silver Wolf, which I'm holding.
"Huh? Of course you can borrow it—this is a library, remember."
"S-sure… well, goodbye," I say, rushing out of the old library.
***
"Hah…"
I sigh after getting home and lying down, tired from the long walk.
I couldn't follow Akire thanks to Nanami, but at least I didn't leave empty-handed.
I open the silver book again and resume reading.
The story tells of ancient times: a silver wolf who could control magic. Because of this, she hid in a cave and hunted nearby monsters, protecting the villages near the mountain.
One day, a greedy noble led all the villagers and his army to kill her, wanting to steal her magic. During the battle, he even used captured monsters, knowing she wasn't just any animal.
The wolf managed to kill the noble before being fatally wounded by a monster. Her last words were:
"No matter how much time passes, I'll return and destroy anyone who stands in my way!"
And so, the wolf died. Such a sad ending.
On the last page, it says: "If you're reading this, you might be the next Silver Wolf." Surely it's just meant to encourage kids.
I stand up, and just as I close the book, a brilliant light bursts from it.
"Kyaa!"
I fall back in shock. The book floats, its pages glowing.
"H-h-help!"
I shield myself, trembling with fear.
As the book stops glowing, I see a figure hovering above it.
"Whew, I really did come back. Huh?" The figure speaks in a mature female voice, like Nanami's.
"P-p-please don't hurt me!" I manage to cry out.
The figure stares at me.
"Mmm, so you're my vessel."
"Eh?"
I don't understand what she means.
Looking closer, I see the figure is palm-sized—fluffy, with silver fur, ears, and tails. She floats and stands on two legs.
"Sorry I didn't introduce myself," she says, smiling. "My name is Arariel, the great and proud Silver Wolf!" She starts laughing.
"W-what?!"
I scream in shock.
***
"So, in summary: you're the Silver Wolf from the story, you managed to reincarnate because I meet the conditions to be your vessel and read the book. That's everything?"
"If we skip the part where I created the book with my own magic before dying—yes."
"O-ok…"
Some time has passed since Arariel appeared. I'm sitting on my bed, and she's floating in front of me.
I can't believe any of this.
"S-so… what's the goal behind your reincarnation?"
"Oh, didn't I make that clear in the book? I'm going to destroy anyone who stands in my way to achieve my objectives," she says with a sadistic smile.
"Hiiih! W-what are those objectives?!"
"Ha ha—slay all the monsters in this world. And you're going to help me."
I think I heard wrong.
"Eh? W-why would I help you?"
It's impossible.
"Oh, that's obvious. I can't do anything without my vessel. Most of my abilities have already passed to you—but they're weakened. You'll need to grow them stronger."
My mind goes blank.
"Impossible, impossible, impossible! I can't do anything!"
"Hah, fine, I'll show you." She floats in front of the bedroom mirror. "Come closer."
Nervously, I get up and walk over.
"Alright. I'll teach you a simple spell, and you'll recite it. If it works, it means you have my powers."
"O-okay." I nod, still confused.
Arariel whispers the words into my ear.
"So then… Israfel!"
Suddenly, my clothes vanish.
"Kyaa!! W-what are you doing to me?!"
"Calm down, it won't last long," she says, grinning.
I turn to the mirror—there's a new outfit.
A silver dress with pink trim and a matching tail that reaches my ankles. It has a neckline, shows my legs, and my messy long hair is now beautifully styled. I wear a mask, wolf ears, and a tail.
"Wow, it suits you even better than I imagined. Your lovely silver hair and great proportions… You'd charm any boy with your beauty," says Arariel.
"N-n-no, I'm not beautiful," I say, blushing.
"What do you mean not?" She floats near my legs. "These thighs—white, plump, and firm…" She starts touching them. "And that mature chest—any boy would fall for you."
"R-really?"
"Of course." She floats before me. "But let's put that aside. What do you say we go out and analyze the surroundings?" She snaps her claws.
When she does, the dress vanishes, and my regular clothes return.
"Eh? B-but I can't go outside with a tiny floating wolf."
If someone sees Arariel, they'd call the authorities. Just thinking about it makes me tremble.
"Don't worry." Her smile grows wider. "Kieru!"
Right after speaking, she disappears.
"Eh? W-where are you?"
I look all around, but find nothing.
'I'm here, silly. Since you're my vessel, I can enter your body anytime. You're still a beginner, so you'll need to speak out loud to talk to me. Now let's head out!' I hear Arariel's voice in my head.
"Eh?!"
How did my day end up like this?