A few carriages for otherworlders like us, isn’t this rather fancy. Looking around the place despite being the capital city it’s still way bigger than one would’ve imagined. The walls are massive in size and you can barely make them out, this is way bigger than other cities I’ve seen, and I’m not sure what to make of that.

There are two carriages for us folks. One for the Japanese highschooler group, and another for the rest. I of course am in the former carriage, much to the bewilderment and confusion of my classmates, none of them recognizes me at all, what a shame, I thought maybe this tall cowlick would’ve given it away, it just wouldn’t stay down regardless of the form I’m in. Still they’re all either way too scared or confused to actually ask anything of me, but that is fine, I think we could elsewhere to discuss such matters.

The carriages stopped, I guess we’re at the academy.

“We’re here! You all get out and follow us!” The captain said loudly, he didn’t say a word throughout the escort so far, but now he does so suddenly, guess he’s not the most chatty person.

The others and I stepped out of the carriages and looked at the academy in front of us. It's multiple stories tall with a blue roof, the wall is white colors and for the most part spotless as far as I can see.

All of us follow him silently and into the building, walking through the quiet hallway and to a particular room.

*Open*

The captain opened the door and on the other side was a rather youthful man sitting there and reacted in surprise.

“Y-You’re the captain of the royal guards! What business do you have here?” He was taken off guard by the sudden appearance of one of the most important people of this kingdom. He takes a look behind the captain and sees us ten looking either disinterested or confused still, then back at the knight in front of him.

“His Majesty has decreed to let these people take shelter within the dormitory of the academy, there’s a sudden development on our part and we require your cooperation” He said logically, despite being loud at us before he sure can be civil at times.

“Sir knight, this is no place for just anyone, shouldn’t these living spaces be for the stu-”

“I know what I said, the king believes they could use some education, nine of them at any rate, that’s the main reason why they’re here. That hunter in blue aside you will create a schedule to train them, I will fill you in on the situation later, but for now these people need a place to stay. Not like a lot of people staying here since then anyway” He cut the guy off and snarked at the end. The man at the desk grumbled, he really doesn’t want to deal with this nonsense it seems. He pulled out a document and read it for a while…

“Haa… This is going to be quite a while to sort out, please go wait elsewhere for now” He said essentially shooing us out. The knight doesn’t seem too pleased but obliged while we silently follow him.

 

#####

 

We all simply sit somewhere else, I think this is the garden, park, whatever. It’s a bit bigger than the one at the school for certain, and plenty of space of ten people with enough wide wooden chairs for all of us to sit. Since I grouped myself with the luminary crew or whatever stupid nicknames we got these days without explaining a single thing about myself it’s natural for them to feel awkward, being associated with someone who could kill them in a second will do that, I feel a bit sadden in return, I thought my trademark would’ve tipped them off by now.

We have been waiting for a while, not much happened, the other group chatted among themselves while we stayed relatively quiet, not really much to do.

“Hey, where are you all from?” One jock looking guy asked boldly walking over to us.

“Isn’t it kind of rude you to say so without giving your origin in return?” I retort much to the surprise of both sides, the jock is taken aback as well.

“What? I asked first for crying out loud! What about you anyway! What’s with those odd colors? Those are crazy rare!” He said back to me rudely. While I indeed have non-common hair colors not within the range of black, brown, and blonde, I don’t think that’s a good retort. Haven’t he learned in school that, while it might be superstitious, those with unnatural hair or eye colors are usually prodigies and prodigious? Or is he too stupid to know?

“I don’t see any obligation in doing so with someone as rude and unruly as you” I boldly stated, chillingly said so not batting an eye. He simply scurry away back to his group.

“I know sending you to ask wasn’t a good idea” Someone quietly said to the other group. This group of ours meanwhile is staring at me dumbfounded, I simply tilted my head downward for a moment in return. I think Kioshi is now looking at me funny, has he finally noticed something?

“You…” He muttered to me while others looked at him confused.

“Huh? Did you recognize her somewhere?” Mitsuka asked, anticipating an answer. 

“Didn’t you say something about a figure in blue before?” Kioshi pointed out, right, Mitsuka does mention something like that, somehow finding thugs in the alley, in Japan.

“Yeah…?” Mitsuka replied looking confused, isn’t he being rather selective when it comes to what he’s oblivious to? Yumi’s eyes widen while Ran looks genuinely confused, she’s not particularly keen on being observant or recalling something.

“Right… considering she got teleported here with us or whatever she most probably is that figure in blue you’re talking about” Yumi explained, while I’m glad they noticed that I’m that mysterious person or whatever, they still haven’t noticed the thing on my head?

“Figure in blue… Oh!” Mitsuka finally realized what they’re talking about despite being the one bringing it up days ago. One would think an otaku like him would be pretty savvy but I guess not. They are all staring at me now.

“Took you long enough” I sarcastically commented. They sure don’t know how to respond to that. Suddenly a girl from the other group came over to us instead. She’s the usual blonde blue eyes and all that, nothing special really.

“Hi there… sorry about that guy, but we wanna know where you’re all from, like which country at least” She said politely more than the other guy.

“I’m not sure about that woman over there, but we’re from Nihon” Mitsuka replied, the girl tilted her head in confusion.

“Nihon? Sounds eastern but I have no idea what country that is” She commented. Out of all the words he could’ve used…

“He means Japan” I explained. I know some countries have more than one name but it’s kind of awkward when talking to foreigners and all that.

“Ooooh… I get it, don’t know you people call it by a different name” She commented, then Mitsuka looked like he just realized foreigners have different name used to address us and face palmed.

“And you all seem to be westerners by the looks of it” I commented in return.

“Yep, the US of A to be more specific, a bit far apart to put it lightly” She replied. By the way, has no one realized what language they’re using? I get that the language isn’t too different from regular and present day English but I would’ve thought us Japanese folk would’ve realized by now.

“Well is that all you have to ask?” I asked in return.

“Yeah, more or less” She replied, not sounding too interested, then went back to her group.

…

“So… haven’t any of you noticed the fact that you didn’t use Nihongo at all?” I pointed out which made all of them flinch in surprise.

““““Wha-?”””” They all said in unison still using the language of this world. 

“It’s the side effect of being summoned as heroes into a different world or time, it’s only natural, after all if neither side can communicate with one another what’s the point?” I explained, then they look at me meaningfully.

“So… who are you really?” Misuka asked, looking rather serious. I heard some footsteps not coming from either side.

“Well, before we said anything further…” I said looking at the group of people behind us and the other group. Everyone looked back and saw the group of people.

“You all must be the otherworlders the captain talked about, is that correct?” A man asked, he looks about average with generic if pretty boy looks, I’m interested in girls so I don’t give a damn. I stand up and look at him face to face.

“Indeed, and I’m their temporary representative” I responded, I really am not fond of leadership, so I said temporary.

“I see… I have heard you’re good at adapting here compared to the rest… and an actual warrior, unlike them” He commented in response, almost mocking everyone else, seems to try to consider his words still despite us being strangers.

“They’re no fighters at all, which is why they’re here, you know the commotion going on, sure way more than me” I replied not really stressed or anything, not trying to sound formal, just rather casual.

“I see… Well the room has been set for all of you, please, all of you follow us” He replied while ordering us to follow his lead. He is with a few staff members, some look like they can fight while others are just scholars and such. 

“Well you heard the man” I said to the two groups, and both followed me.

 

#####

 

There are four room in total, two for male and two for female, while I actually got a room all to myself, seems they try to appeal to me due to my performance matching with their strongest, so they find the need to show favoritism, I don’t care either way, I could live in a forest alone just fine. Yumi and Ran stay in one room, Mitsuka and Kioshi in another, the three boys in the next, and the two girls in the last.

“Ugh, it’s unfair you get the room all to yourself” Mitsuka groaned saying so, it’s not completely serious but it seems he’s not satisfied with the results.

“Well unlike you I actually earned it, in fact I earned you all a place here, so shut it” I replied coldly, I know he said so in jest but I’m more inclined to take it seriously, can’t really afford them to not be on guard as to what they can say here and can’t. Mitsuka reacted looking like he has a chill down his spine.

“Y-Yes ma'am” He whimpered, much to the amusement of Yumi. The other group already walked into one room to discuss among themselves, so I believe doing so as well is the best.

“Well since my room is the best organized of the three, let’s go there and discuss, no trying anything funny alright?” I said putting one hand on my side glaring at them teasingly, grinning like having guns to all of their heads, as they all look either defensive or frightened.

*Open*

We all entered my room, it doesn’t have anything particularly special aside from the big fancy bed and a good deal more space than other rooms.

I sit at the bed while the rest on the floor, I have always been rather nondescript back there so doing something like this is a bit surreal.

“Okay… So, what do you want to ask of me? Before we began our discussion” I said as a way to start with a friendly smile.

“Who are you really?” Kioshi bluntly asked, getting straight to the point.

“I think the answer is something that is both there and isn’t, look around you” I replied cryptically, and all of them looked around and back at me, then Yumi reacted very strongly.

“W-Where’s Reita?” She said almost panicking.

“Where indeed” I said mildly and sarcastically, shrugging my shoulders and rolling my eyes. Everyone hearing that immediately looks concerned.

“M-Maybe he wasn’t teleported with us?” Ran suggested despite that not being the case.

“Is the summoning botched? Is he somewhere else?” Mitsuka suggested another possibility that has some leap in thinking.

“H-Hold on…” Yumi said in exasperation, she looked at the top of my head like a winning lottery was there or something. I tilt my head a little and remember what she’s looking at.

“W-What is it?” Mitsuka asked, still concerned and panicking.

“Ah! So that’s it… but can it really be?” Kioshi commented, also looking at the top of my head, Ran did so , following him and eyes widened. Mitsuka follows suit looking at the top of my head. Wriggling as I move my head around, then-

“Well, what conclusion did you come to?” I said putting on a fancy blue witch hat, which just confused them a bit more.

“Eh? Maybe not?” Mitsuka said as if backtracking his earlier conclusion.

“A witch?” Ran commented seeing the pointy hat.

“Now I’m just… where did that even come from?” Yumi reacted by rubbing her forehead.

“You’re making this way more convoluted than it needs to be” Kioshi replied deadpanned, not really buying into my confusing action, it was fun but perhaps the pandering should best end here.

“I’m Reiza Warea, a huntress, a witch, one of violet and azure” I introduced myself.

…

“Violet… azure… witch?... Hold up are you-?” Mitsuka began connecting the dots and rubbing his temples as if something is about to explode, his brain to be exact.

“The one Reita keeps fanboying over and... over?” Yumi asked, completely stumped at the sudden appearance of someone who should be nothing more than a myth, who people think of as an obscure folklore only some are aware of.

“Of all people to get sent along with us” Kioshi commented pondering on the supposed unlikelihood of the situation, Ran copy his gesture silently.

“So… where is this Reita person I wonder?” I said, snarking at their cluelessness, though to be fair some leap in logic has to be made, so I couldn’t really fault them. Kioshi looked at me as I held my witch hat up a little and showed the thing inside, it was just for a moment.

“Narcissism is it?” He bluntly said right to my face with absolutely zero hesitation or doubt. I can only react by flinching and feel like being pushed back by an incredible amount of force, it was as if I was knocked over by a truck, I know that feeling all too well.

“Huh?” Mitsuka reacted dumbfounded at Kioshi’s statement. Yumi and Ran then both turn to look at him as well.

“Have you figured something out?” Yumi asked Kioshi.

“Turns out the sudden appearance and disappearance of the two wasn’t all that complicated. That woman who was teleported with us and fought against something we have no hope to go against… That’s Homura Reita right there” He explained pointing at me, which just made the three all the more dumbfounded.

“W-What are you saying!? Isn’t she the witch in the folklore of another nation? She’s from the past even if she’s real! Reita is the same age and nationality as us!” Yumi argued absolutely not buying it, while Mitsuka pondered on the possibility.

“Reincarnation perchance?” Mitsuka suggested looking at me.

“Like one of those stories you’ve always read? I know I shouldn’t say this since we just saw firsthand that magic is real, but reincarnation is a bit out there still isn’t it?” Yumi argued, still having doubts. I took off my hat and played with the standing strand. She noticed it no doubt along with everybody else.

“I’m confused” Ran said flat out, despite being the same age as us with some smarts to boot she sure doesn’t act or think her age, kinda worrying to be honest, but it’s not my call.

“Just roll with it” Kioshi suggested to the rest of the group, trying to shut up the escalating confusion.

“Please explain yourself” Yumi asked, really not wanting to deal with the confusion I have caused.

“Simple but not really, I am Homura Reita, I am the Violet Azure Witch, I am Reiza Warea, reincarnation is a fickle thing” I said with a giggle, it’s an extreme mind screw as to how I came to be, so I’d rather not go into details.

“...How?” Mitsuka asked, sounding both curious and still dumbfounded.

“Not worth explaining is how it is, we have more important issues at hand anyway” I retort, my story is a complicated and long one, it would take a lengthy novel or something to cover all of it. I’m not here to deliver exposition for that long.

“So… what do you want to say?” Mitsuka asked, despite finally seeing a fantasy world he sure doesn’t sound all too excited.

“From here on you have to adapt to this world, I’m afraid there’s no way to go back unless we do so” I explained, I’m a bit curious as to why they didn’t mention it yet but might as well point it out myself.

“How can we even get back?” Kioshi asked cautiously.

“Eh, I can do it whenever, but-”

“But what!?” Mitsuka bursted out, probably surprised and feels a little betrayed that their companion had a way back but didn’t use it, instead letting them get dragged into the situation here.

“I can only do so safely with only myself, in fact I could’ve just abandoned everyone here, but I didn’t. There are three reasons as to why I can’t just let anyone go back here and now. One is what I said earlier, it’s dangerous to do so with so many people transported here, second is the act of crossing the world, Kioshi, you’re the sporty one, try feeling your body and trying stuff out” I said then instructed Kioshi to do so. He moved around a little and his face grimaced a little, then sat back down.

“It’s a bit abnormal that I can tell” He replied, everyone else looked at him worried at the implication.

“The act of going across the realm boosts one’s power, the power that exists between worlds is put into you the moment you move between them, willingly or not. I cannot possibly bring you back when you couldn’t properly manage your new found strength, and third is related to the second, as now you have extra potential from the consequences of realm hopping, I want you all to train up and unleash your potential, at least I don’t want to look after you all in case something like this happened again” I fully explained the latter half. 

“Okay then… nothing too hard and long I hope?” Mitsuka said for the group, I’d say it kinda depends on who is good at what specifically.

“I think the month that the Demon Lord gives us should be good enough, anyway do you all have any idea how good you are at what and how much?” I replied. I don’t really expect them to know but might as well ask.

…

Just silence… I guess I should bring that out, a special tablet. Good thing I have this around.