The morning was cool and bright when Daniel Hernández arrived at Kuoh High School.
The campus radiated serenity and order, but Daniel felt an energy beneath the surface that he couldn't quite identify yet.
As he walked through the main entrance, he came across two young people who seemed to be waiting for him.
The first was a girl of short stature, with thin-rimmed glasses that gave her a sharp and curious gaze. Her dark hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and although she seemed friendly, there was an aura of natural authority about her.
Beside her was another young woman, with an elegant bearing and serene eyes, her black hair falling softly over her shoulders. Her calm and serene expression conveyed a sense of peace and confidence.
—"Hello," greeted the bespectacled girl in a clear and confident voice. —"My name is Souna Shitori, and this is Tsubaki, my companion and assistant."
Daniel nodded, returning the greeting with a smile.
—"Nice to meet you, I'm Daniel Hernández. I'm here because of the scholarship the government granted me to study at this school."
Souna nodded with interest and extended her hand to ask him for something.
—"Could you show us your admission documents? We want to make sure everything is in order."
Daniel took out the papers and handed them over. Souna read every detail carefully, her eyes widening slightly upon seeing the young man's special status, but she said nothing about it.
Then, she returned the documents and said:
—"Everything seems to be in order, Daniel. Welcome to Kuoh."
Tsubaki smiled softly and added:
—"We are here to help you if you have any questions or problems. Don't hesitate to seek out either of us."
Daniel thanked them for the warmth in their words and followed as they guided him toward the gymnasium, where the welcome address for new students would take place.
As they walked, Daniel couldn't help but feel that these two young women were hiding something, though he didn't know what.
Upon reaching the gym, the doors opened to reveal a hall filled with students sitting in silence, all attentive to the start of the ceremony.
Daniel settled in among the others, his mind full of questions about what awaited him at Kuoh and in this new world he was just beginning to discover.
Guided by Souna, Daniel walked through the halls of Kuoh High School until he reached the gymnasium, where the welcome talk for new students would be held.
The walls echoed with the murmur of students filling the seats, creating a vibrant and expectant atmosphere.
Souna led him toward the central rows, pointing to an empty seat where he could settle in comfortably.
Daniel sat down and, without looking around much, placed his backpack to the side, ready to listen to the speech.
But then, a familiar voice caught his attention.
—"Daniel?"
He quickly turned his head, and there she was: Alya.
With her silver hair and that unique sparkle in her eyes, she was wearing the Kuoh uniform, the same one he had seen before.
Daniel's heart raced, and a mix of surprise and nervousness washed over him.
He hadn't expected to meet her here, in the same place, much less at such a prestigious high school.
Alya also seemed surprised; her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
—"I didn't expect to see you at Kuoh," she murmured, trying to hide her blush with a shy smile.
Before Daniel could respond, a firm voice echoed throughout the gymnasium:
—"Welcome, first-year students, to Kuoh High School!"
The ceremony began, interrupting any attempt at conversation between them.
Daniel and Alya exchanged one last look, aware that this encounter was only the beginning of something much greater.
After the welcome speech, the students were guided by their teachers to their respective classrooms to begin their orientation process and meet their classmates.
Daniel walked calmly through the halls, not worrying too much. He had survived worse things than a formal ceremony. However, upon entering his assigned classroom, he got a double surprise.
First, he recognized Alya seated by the window. Second... the empty desk next to hers had his name on it.
—"Seriously?" Daniel murmured to himself, with a mixture of astonishment and resignation.
Alya noticed him as soon as he entered, and upon seeing his name on the adjacent seat, her expression turned uneasy... and slightly flushed.
Daniel approached carefully and smiled nervously.
—"Looks like we're going to share more than a street."
—"Or a supermarket corner," Alya replied, trying to sound neutral, but her cheeks betrayed her.
The initial awkwardness hung in the air, but the bell signaling the start of class saved them from saying anything more.
The first classes of the day were uneventful. The teachers introduced themselves, gave basic information, and did activities to get to know the students.
When the math teacher asked a tricky icebreaker question, Daniel answered without hesitation.
When the history teacher asked about diplomatic relations between Japan and Latin America, Daniel naturally raised his hand.
In every subject, Daniel responded without faltering, earning the attention and respect of several classmates... and Alya's surprise.
—"I didn't know foreign scholarship students were so smart," she murmured, crossing her arms in her seat.
Daniel shrugged with a modest smile.
—"Just doing what I can. I like to learn."
Lunchtime arrived, and students began grouping together based on affinity.
Daniel preferred to stay in the classroom and pulled out his lunch from his backpack: a divided Tupperware with red rice, meat in guajillo chili sauce, refried beans, and tortillas rolled in aluminum foil.
—"Classic," he said contentedly, taking a bite.
Alya, seated beside him, also took out her bento: perfectly arranged white rice with umeboshi in the center, some pieces of tamagoyaki, potato croquettes, and pickles.
They looked at each other, then glanced down at each other's lunch.
—"What is that?" Alya asked, pointing at the tortillas. —"Are they like flatbread?"
—"Corn tortillas. Try them." —Daniel broke off a piece and offered it to her with a bit of meat on top.
She accepted cautiously, first tasting it with the tip of her lips. Then her eyes widened.
—"It's... very tasty. Is it a bit spicy?"
—"Yes, it has guajillo chili. It's not too spicy... well, not for me," Daniel laughed.
—"Your palate is strong."
—"And what did you bring?" he asked, pointing at the tamagoyaki.
—"Tamagoyaki. Sweet rolled omelet. Do you want to try?"
Daniel hesitated for a second. Sweet and egg... sounded strange. But he accepted.
The flavor took him by surprise, but he nodded.
—"Different... but good. Reminds me of a dessert from Yucatán. Although... without the banana fritter."
They both began to laugh softly, easing the tension that had lingered since morning.
What had begun as an awkward day was gradually transforming into the start of a curious friendship.
And although Daniel didn't know it yet, that small shared moment would mark the beginning of a bond that would change his path in this hybrid world forever.
The rest of the school day passed calmly.
Classes continued at a light pace, and Daniel and Alya, now much more relaxed, took advantage of every free moment between activities to keep talking.
Although they tried not to draw attention, more than once a teacher looked at them with raised eyebrows because they were whispering and laughing in the middle of class.
Alya turned out to be more open than Daniel expected. They talked about simple things: food, weather, cultural curiosities, and a bit of music. Both consciously avoided any strange or suspicious topics. Neither mentioned dragons, anime, or crossed worlds.
When the final bell finally rang, marking the end of the school day, Daniel felt that this first day had gone better than expected.
—"See you tomorrow, right?" Alya said as they walked toward the exit.
—"Of course," Daniel replied, smiling sincerely. —"And thanks for sharing your lunch."
—"Thank you for the guajillo chili," she joked before turning onto her path.
Each took a different route toward their homes, but they had already earned a place in each other's new routine.
Back at home, Daniel took off his uniform, changed into exercise clothes, and went out to the backyard to train. The afternoon was cool, perfect for working out without the sun melting him.
Stretches, sets of sit-ups, push-ups, squats... and then practice with the Boosted Gear, summoning it fluidly while channeling its energy.
"Boost."
"Boost."
The sound of the gauntlet resonated like a heartbeat reinforced by pure magic.
—"I can't get used to this power so quickly," Daniel murmured. —"But it feels more natural every day."
"And every day you're more distracted, bearer..."
Daniel huffed, a drop of sweat running down his temple.
—"Oh no... here we go."
"I saw you paying too much attention to that Russian girl today. Alya, right?"
"You even forgot you're in a world where devils and angels can literally blast you with rays for giving them a dirty look."
—"We were having lunch! It was nothing weird!" Daniel retorted, blushing.
"Uh-huh... and that's why you exchanged bites as if you were on a romantic cooking show. Next thing, you'll be feeding her chili directly."
Daniel stumbled mid-lunge. Literally.
—"Ddraig, for God's sake!"
"Look, I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just saying I like it. A girl with agility, character... and good culinary taste."
"That said... you'd better not get too distracted. In this world, enemies don't wait for you to finish your meal."
Daniel stopped, taking a deep breath as he watched the sun begin to set.
—"I know. But... I also have the right to live a little. To make friends. To have moments of peace, don't I?"
"You're right."
"But remember, bearer... even peace can be a prelude to chaos."
Daniel clenched his fist. The gauntlet vibrated with contained energy.
—"Then let whatever is coming, come. I'm not alone."
"Hmph. That's what I like to hear."