"Ugh... seriously! That was such a drag! I finally made it this far... what a pain."
"Ah, so you've finally reached that point as well. It took you longer than I anticipated."
"Ugh, you’re so irritating! Stop rubbing it in just because you finished first, okay? It’s really pissing me off."
In a dark world tucked away in an unknown corner of existence, two figures sat in conversation.
One was Lost, an enigmatic figure cloaked in a black hood. The other was Drop, a young girl dressed in intricate gothic lolita fashion.
Though they were known as the masterminds, their exchange was remarkably similar to that of ordinary students, despite the slight edge of hostility in their voices.
"Hahaha. Now, don't be so prickly. We ran into several setbacks, but isn't it wonderful that you successfully achieved your goal?"
"The reason my plan went haywire was all because of that 'Hero' you're so fond of. Seeing your smug face just because your 'fave' performed well really gets under my skin...!"
"Don’t say that. At the very least, I am truly happy for you and offer my blessings for your ascension to the Level 2 Realm. I’m glad you reached this milestone in time for the new expansion starting now."
"...Well, I guess. It’s out of the question for Drop-chan to be the only dropout. It still bothers me a little, but I’ll take your congratulations at face value and... accept that it’s a good thing for now."
The term "new expansion" likely referred to the resumption of classes at Luminous Academy and the imminent arrival of the exchange students.
It meant that they, too, had gathered information regarding Hugo and the others.
However, another unsettling phrase had emerged alongside it.
Level 2... It was clear that something had evolved. However, it was impossible to guess what exactly had leveled up, lending the words an unspeakable, eerie weight.
"From here, the story will surge with momentum. It’s about time the protagonists noticed our existence as well. That’s exactly why we must level up alongside them."
"Does that mean it’s going to get even more fun? Like, Drop-chan’s unstoppable advance begins now!? That sort of thing!?"
"Whether it turns out that way depends on us. Though, I suppose it partly depends on the other side as well."
Their initial hostility forgotten, Lost and Drop spoke cheerfully as they predicted future developments.
After a moment, the two began to discuss the individuals who would hold the key to the narrative that was about to unfold.
"The key figures for the next chapter are... the three Warrior Shrine Maidens and one swordsman, right? But those 'Heroes' at the academy are nothing but monkeys; I can already see them flocking to the girls with lecherous looks on their faces."
"Likely so. It isn't hard to imagine the actions they will take. They have no desire for a Strongest Swordsman. To them, anyone who is their equal—or worse, someone who stands out more than they do—is nothing but a nuisance."
"Kyaha! How pathetic in so many ways! But you know, from Drop-chan’s perspective, that’s actually a problem. It’s helpful if the other side's massive combat assets disappear on their own, but it’s irritating if things go exactly as the protagonists want and those guys end up happy, right? Isn't there someone else? Like a reliable Hero who can change his fate!"
"I know, Drop. I was thinking the same thing. If My Hero doesn't act, the next story will be bland, tasteless, and devoid of emotion. That is precisely why we must intervene accurately within our limits. While lending our strength to this chapter's villains, of course...!"
As he spoke, Lost made two cards manifest in the air.
One depicted the figure of Hugo Clay—the absolute worst scum and the hero he favored. The other card displayed the image of a different boy.
"I'm counting on you, My Hero. Show us the ultimate, thrilling, and moving drama that will be born from your encounter with him...!!"
"...Are you satisfied now? This is why I was selected as a Special Case Exchange Student."
"Guh... urgh...!"
Yamato—a foreign land situated far from the Luminous Academy where Hugo and his companions resided.
In a certain dojo in that country, a young man spoke while looking down at a large man crawling on the floor.
Around the large man who lay groaning in agony, his fellow students—nearly twenty of them in total—were unconscious, sprawled across the floor in similar states of defeat.
The large man had witnessed every single one of them being taken down by the youth who now stood over him. The boy hadn't even broken a sweat; his breathing wasn't even disturbed. Unable to find any words of retort, the man could do nothing but groan.
"I can understand your resentment toward a junior who just promoted to the High School Division—someone who isn't even from a prestigious family—being selected alongside the renowned Warrior Shrine Maidens as an additional exchange student. It's a special case that shouldn't normally exist. However, I have my own objectives. I don't have time to deal with your petty jealousy."
His strength was monstrous. Indeed, it was enough to make it seem only natural that he be allowed as a special addition to the exchange group, which was originally capped at three members.
However... why was someone possessed of such strength going all the way to a distant foreign land? What was his true goal?
"I'm leaving now. My sister is waiting for me."
"W-Wait...! What do you intend to do at Luminous Academy...? Why are you going to a foreign land...!?"
The large man on the floor shouted the question at the youth's retreating back.
The young man paused. He sheathed the katana he had been wielding during the fight into a green scabbard adorned with a golden dragon. He looked back over his shoulder and replied.
"...Don't ask me questions."