First, a disclaimer: all major characters are adult university students.
Also, brothers, this book is mainly slice-of-life, with not many fight scenes, so if that's not your cup of tea, please don't read.
The setting sun cast dappled light through the gaps in the cherry trees onto the quiet floor of the Classical Literature Club activity room. The soft rustle of a metal bookmark against paper was exceptionally clear in the empty room as Lin En closed his book.
He looked up, his gaze sweeping past the window—in the distance on the sports field, girls in sailor uniforms walked in groups, their school skirts gently swaying with each step. It was a landscape completely different from Blue Star, yet it had become his daily life for three years.
“It really is… strange,” Lin En murmured to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the desk.
Three years ago, he should have landed on the coast of Windmill Village, becoming a part of that world filled with rubber, Haki, and Devil Fruit.
As a transmigator who had thoroughly read the "Pirate King" manga, he had even mentally rehearsed countless scenes of sailing out to sea alongside Luffy. The moment the system panel popped up, he could almost smell the salty sea breeze.
【Pirate King System successfully bound. Host Lin En will be teleported to Windmill Village in East Blue in 60 seconds.】
【Newbie Gift Pack: Basic Swordsmanship (lv.1), Body Techniques (lv.1), Physique Cultivation Method (lv.1), Mental Cultivation Method (lv.1), Points 100】
But the instant the countdown reached zero, the anticipated sound of waves turned into a violent spatial tearing sound. The white light before his eyes twisted into a deep purple vortex, and an irresistible force dragged him into chaos—the system's alarm blared in his consciousness before rapidly fading.
When he opened his eyes again, he was lying in a corner of an unfamiliar street, still wearing the black hoodie he had on before transmigrating. And the system map, which should have displayed "East Blue Region," was now just a blurry gray, with only the points balance in the upper left corner stubbornly glowing: 100 points.
“A spacetime rift… was it?” Lin En gazed at the wood grain on the ceiling, the shock from three years ago having long since settled into a helpless calm.
The system had recovered its basic functions three years later, but it could no longer pinpoint the coordinates of the Pirate King world. Instead, a new prompt appeared:
【Detected stable anchor points in an unknown comprehensive anime world. System functions adapting.】
【Host's identity in this world being drafted. Drafting complete. Host will not be identified as an undocumented person.】
【Main Quest: Establish bonds with key world characters (0 / ?)】
【Points acquisition methods: Complete character interaction events, achieve bond milestones.】
【Special Note: Exchangeable skill Library maintains original settings (Pirate King world skills).】
Over these three years, he had exchanged his initial 100 points for "Basic Japanese (lv.2)" to barely survive in this world, which was a mix of different school stories.
He got into Soubu High School Comprehensive University—a name that almost made him think he misheard it during the opening ceremony. (Soubu High School Comprehensive University, formed by the merger of the original Shuchiin, Soubu High School… schools.)
It wasn't until he bumped into that black-haired, cold-eyed girl in the hallway and heard others call her "Snow Below Student" that Lin En had to accept reality.
“Yo, Lin En, still here?”
The activity room door was pushed open, and a cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts. Kawasaki Saki stood at the doorway, holding a basketball, sweat still clinging to her forehead, “If you don’t leave soon, the Student Council will lock up again, you know.”
Lin En stood up and put his book into his backpack: “Just finished the last page.”
He wasn't exactly close with this character from "My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected." Her Take the initiative to talk was simply because he was one of the few in class who would seriously listen to her share anecdotes from the basketball club—though most of the time he just nodded silently. This was also the survival rule he had figured out: maintain distance, respond moderately, and never actively interfere with the plotline.
But the system clearly didn't intend for him to remain a mere passerby.
【Event triggered: Daily conversation with Kawasaki Saki.】
【Reward: 5 points.】
【Currently exchangeable skills: Basic Observation (50 points), Forced Calm (lv.1, 100 points).】
The panel flashed across his retina, and Lin En was already used to such sudden prompts. His current points balance was 320, all accumulated from some long-term quests left over before the system went silent.
As for those truly core skills, such as "Soru (lv.1)" or "Armament Haki (lv.1)," the thousands of points they cost had deterred him in the past.
Now that the system had recovered, his good days were coming.
【System: The three-year period is up, the Dragon King returns!!!】
Passing by the Student Council office, the door wasn't fully closed, and clear voices could be heard from inside.
“…So, Ishigami, this report format must be redone.” It was Kaguya Shinomiya’s voice, clear yet carrying an undeniable authority.
“Huh? But the President filled it out this way too!”
“Ishigami!”
“Alright, Si Gong President, I’ll change it right away.”
Lin En paused his steps and quietly walked away. He had seen that Student Council President, proud and intelligent, like a cat with its prickles raised.
The system had once popped up her avatar frame, labeled "Key Character: Kaguya Shinomiya," but the bond progress bar below always remained at 0%.
As a genuine transmigator with a system by his side, Lin En feared nothing. He felt increasing Kaguya Shinomiya’s bond progress was a bit of a challenge, but not much.
Equally troublesome was the girl who always avoided his gaze whenever he saw her. He had once found her dropped notebook in the Library, filled with exquisite doll design sketches—only later did he learn her name was Kitagawa Marin.
But every time he tried to return the notebook, she would run away, blushing like a startled rabbit, unable to even manage basic communication.
【Character: Kitagawa Marin】
【Bond Progress: 1% (Event triggered: Recovered item)】
【Event Evaluation: She remembers your appearance, but seems more concerned with her own embarrassment.】
The system's evaluations were always so direct. Lin En walked past the cherry blossom path at the school gate and saw Chitanda Eru standing in front of the bulletin board, her head tilted slightly, her clear purple eyes filled with curiosity.
“Excuse me,” she suddenly turned and called out to Lin En, who was about to leave, “do you know the detailed rules for next week's cultural festival special event? I’ve been looking for a while and still don’t understand…”
Lin En stopped, looked at this girl from "Hyouka" who was full of curiosity about everything, and calmly said: “There’s an additional explanation on the right side of the bulletin board, the part marked in red font.”
Chitanda blinked, a look of sudden understanding on her face: “Ah, so that’s it! Thank you, Lin En Tongxue.” Her smile was like spring sunshine, pure and warm.
【Event triggered: Answering Chitanda Eru’s question.】
【Points gained: 10 points.】
【Bond Progress: 3% (She acknowledged your attentiveness).】
Watching the girl's retreating figure as she ran towards the bulletin board, Lin En’s gaze fell on the newly added 10 points on the system panel. Over the past three years, he had seen too many familiar faces: Nakano Miku engrossed in manga at the bookstore, Kato Megumi working part-time at a cafe, Bocchi-chan always sitting alone in the corner of the classroom…
They each lived their lives along their original trajectories, only without the male protagonist who should have appeared beside them. And he, the intruder from another world, was like an invisible person, silently observing it all.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, a new system notification:
【Detected multiple key character gathering events about to occur (Cultural Festival preparation).】
【Limited-time Quest: Achieve a "friend" or higher bond with at least three key characters within one week (Current progress: 0 / 3).】
【Quest Reward: 500 points, Skill "Six Powers: Soru" (lv.1).】
Lin En gripped his phone, his fingertips pressing slightly. Six Powers: Soru—that was a skill he had coveted for a long time, and it was also his fundamental means of countering financial groups in this world.
He looked up at the darkening sky, the distant clouds dyed golden-red by the setting sun. The Pirate King world was still on the other side of a distant time and space, but these girls before him, their stories were continuing.
“Friends, huh…” Lin En murmured softly, turning to walk towards the bus stop. At least this time, he couldn't just be a bystander anymore.
P.S.: Panel
Name: Lin En
Physique: 130 (Normal adult is 60)
Spirit: 137 (Normal adult is 60)
Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (lv.3), Body Techniques (lv.3), Basic Japanese (lv.3), , ,
Level division: lv.1 to lv.5, ultimately Imperial level.
Points: 330
Only this chapter includes Lin En’s panel; others will be added when there’s an opportunity.
Additionally, some high-level skills in this book will have supernatural effects. So, don't dwell too long on points expenditure issues. The author didn't handle the acquisition and use of bond progress and points very well, so please use your imagination, brothers. The author thanks you.