Chapter 3: The Divine Encounter , Blessed by the seven gods
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Suddenly, Takeru's head began to throb badly, causing him to grunt in frustration.
The maids around him became scared and frantic, running out of the dining hall to call the doctor.
Takeru's vision blurred, and he lost consciousness.
In his unconscious form, Takeru stood in the dark room from the dream he had before. But this time, the room was filled with an otherworldly glow.
Before him, on high thrones that seemed to touch the darkness of the ceiling, sat seven gods.
Their presence made Takeru look like a mere speck of dust in comparison. The aura they exuded was overwhelming, forcing Takeru to bow his head in reverence.
The brightest of the gods, whose radiance was like a sun piercing through the darkness, irritated Takeru's eyes despite him looking down.
"Welcome Takeru-kun," the brightest god said, his voice like thunder in a clear sky yet gentle as a summer breeze. "You know me."
Takeru-kun, his head still bowed to the ground, said, "Yes."
He heard a rather deep and hoarse voice among the gods respond, "We brought you to this world."
Takeru was confused. Was the novel _Kaze no Kokuoro_ another world on its own?
"Yes, don't be scared. Raise your head up," the brightest god commanded, his words imbued with a calm authority.
Takeru nodded, mustering courage, and raised his head.
He stared at the godly figures with amazement. The gods were unlike anything he had seen or imagined.
Each had an aspect of the cosmos in their being—one like the wind, another like the earth, and so forth.
Their faces were serene yet held the weight of universes.
"Why did you bring me here?" Takeru asked, his voice barely above a whisper despite his inner turmoil.
The gods chuckled in unison, a sound like the harmony of celestial bodies.
"Wasn't it your dream to enter your favorite manga novel one day?" the god of humor replied, his face so magnificent that Takeru felt ugly standing before him.
"We are just making your dream come true."
Takeru's thoughts swirled. His dream...to enter a manga novel...
"We are going to bless you now," the brightest god declared, "and go and fulfill the wish of Kaito Matsumoto in the world of _Kaze no Kokuoro_. "
With that, each of the seven gods blessed Takeru.
Streams of ethereal energy flowed from their hands onto him.
Takeru felt different and strange after each blessing—a surge of power, a clarity of purpose, and a connection to the fabric of the world.
He looked interestingly at the gods as a crystal badge appeared on his chest.
He remembered in the manga that no one in their world had a crystal badge except the mysterious legendary one, whom was yet to be exposed in the next season.
Just before Takeru was about to speak, as if reading his mind, the gods sent him back to his body.
"Everything you want answers to, your system menu will provide. It will guide you through your path in this world."
Takeru's eyes shot open. He was lying on his bed, but instead of it to be his usual room it was that of Kaito Matsumoto.
The maids were whispering outside the room about calling the family. Takeru sat up, feeling...different.
He touched the crystal badge on his chest—a badge no one in _Kaze no Kokuoro_ was supposed to have except the legendary one.
He knew the dangers of having a crystal badge in thei world, so he allegedly snapped it off, tossing it under the bed before the maids and doctor walked in.
he was surrounded by a bunch of worried-looking maids and a doctor checking up on him.
"Young Master, you are awake," the maid excitedly said, her voice like a _koto_ string plucked in relief. Takeru sat up and looked around, his head throbbing like a _taiko_ drumbeat in a festival storm. He was still processing the idea he got blessed by the seven gods—those majestic beings who dwelled beyond the veil of the cosmos.
"I am fine now, you can all go," Takeru said, shooing them away with a gesture like a _samurai_ sheathing his blade. The maids and the doctor bowed and hurried out of the room, leaving Takeru in the quiet twilight of his chamber.
As soon as they left, he called for the system menu the gods said would guide him. And the sight bewildered him like a _yūgen_ mystery unfolding in the night.
*System Menu*
- *Stats*: Unlimited.
- *Powers*: Seven.
- *Missions*: Change everyone's perception of Kaito Matsumoto.
- *Skills*: Manage and upgrade your skills.
- *Inventory*: View items and equipment.
- *Help*: Get assistance on using the system.
Takeru's eyes widened in disbelief like a _hanabi_ exploding in the night sky. Unlimited stats? Seven powers? This was beyond anything he could've imagined in the world of _Kaze no Kokuoro_. The blessing of the seven gods seemed to have granted him incredible potential—a path to overturn his fate like a _kirigami_ cutting through paper shadows.
He focused on the *Powers: Seven*. A description unfolded in his mind like petals of a mystical _sakura_ opening to reveal secrets in a moonlit breeze.
"Master, the seven powers granted by the gods are:
Elemental Mastery*: Control over all elements like the whims of a primordial storm.
Shadow Walk*: Move unseen and strike unheard like a _ninja_ in the night.
Healing Touch*: Mend wounds of self and others like a _miko_ channeling divine energy.
Mind Shield*: Protect thoughts from intrusion like a fortress of _kanna_ steel.
Strength of the Gods*: Physical prowess beyond mortal limits like a _yamato_ warrior of legend.
Vision of the Future*: Glimpse paths ahead like a _sennin_ reading the stars.
Echoes of Time*: Manipulate timelines subtly like a _jikan_ traveler weaving destiny."
Takeru felt like he was standing at the edge of a vast, stormy sea of possibilities—a _shinpi_ mystery waiting to be navigated. With these powers and unlimited stats, he could reshape his fate in the novel's world entirely.
The winds of destiny were at his fingertips like _shamisen_ strings ready to play a bold melody.