Chapter 23: I am Saori Segawa

Chapter 23: I am Saori Segawa

My name is Segawa Saori or Saori Segawa if you use the western naming standard.

I amin my early twenties and am a history teacher at Shirako High School, a, rather, prestigious college-preparatory school designed to transform its students, through a rigorous curriculum, into the elites of the future.

While our ranking among our peers is nothing to scoff about, a gem among the rubble you can say, we are still not considered the shiniest among them.

Well, that is nothing for me to worry about. Regardless if we are the best or not, the environment of the school is strict but fair, which provides our students with the necessary requirements for an efficient academic life. It also helps that the pay is rather goodahem.

Besides my duty to teach history, I also serve as the homeroom teacher for a 3rd year or, the equivalent, 12-grade class.

On a, usually, normal day, I was concluding my class preparations for the day and was about to head out of the teachers room for the first period. I was rather excited as the first class Ill be teaching would be my own.

But everything turned dark. I dont remember how it happened. I believe I wasnt even outside the room when it happened. The moment I regained back my consciousness I was looking at a giant wolf licking me.

Frankly, the sudden change from sorting out my lecture papers to being covered in saliva was mortifying, to the point that I screamed and tried to run away from the wolf. I wasnt thinking properly back then but that was the moment I was born, or reborn seems to be more fitting, so it made sense that my body didnt have the strength to escape. That didnt change the fact that I struggled quite a bit.

The wolf seemed quite surprised when I panicked that much.

[My child, you must stop fidgeting. You need to be cleaned.]

These were the first words I heard in this new world. You must understand that this whole situation is not something you could ever mentally prepare yourself for, so acting like a normal person, instead of soothing me, those words caused my already agitated self to break.

[Stop moving!]

Was all I heard before falling back into another sleep. I know not how long I slept but it felt like an eternity. Could this have been death? Swimming in complete darkness with no light to guide you anywhere, constantly wondering if you are swimming upwards or delving even deeper into this abyss. Creepy. Terrifying. The worst.

So, it went without a need to explain that it felt liberating when that illusion shattered with the sound of an explosion. However, I returned to feeling terrified as the screams and explosion weren't expiring anytime soon. It was hot, my nose picked up the smell of smoke, and I was constantly on edge.

When the sounds finally ended, I heard two loud bangs and the howling of a wolf. At that moment, I couldnt remember the wolf mother that gave birth to me.

After snapping back to reality, the memories surged back to me. That was when that appeared.

A rather large being. I would guess around the size of a medium-sized dog like a husky or doberman. This lizard was covered in black scales, adorned on its head were two glistening horns and on its back were scaly wings that had interesting markings on the webbings. An imposing western-style dragon with giant fangs growing from her jaw.

I was no larger than its scale-armored feet in my current situation. How could I not be fearful?

This, however, faded when it spoke and asked me if I was Japanese. The next moment, it mentioned that it was a Reincarnator, who died on earth and that my situation wasnt any different.

I was confused. I had questions. I needed answers. When I learned how to speak through our minds, I was given the chance to question this being. Where am I? How did I end up here? Is this a dream? Who are you?

So many questions that I had to save up for later when the dragon fell asleep next to me. Before it did, a bowl filled with meat suddenly appeared out of thin air, and the earth magically moved to construct an igloo made from earth. Even the blazing fire that suddenly torched was nothing but magical.

I had to wait. I had nowhere to escape after all. All I could hope in this situation was that the dragon wouldnt suddenly wake up and try to eat me. It was scary. Just, I had no chance to feel any fear because my hunger compelled me to devour as much food as I could.

Itadikimasu.

With a satisfied stomach, I also fell victim to drowsiness. When I woke up, the sun was already shining pretty high in the sky. The next thing I saw were the eyes of the dragon.

[Good morning, Ms. Segawa.]

It politely said.

[Good morninguhh.]

I havent asked her name yet. How embarrassing

[You can just call me Miss or whatever you think is appropriate.]

[However, is it not rude to simply call you Miss? I would like to learn your name.]

It would make me uncomfortable if I couldnt learn the name of the person Im talking to. Miss Dragon began fidgeting when I inquired, uttering Ohh and Uhh without seeming to know what to say.

The many scales and bone plates covering her face made her very expressive; it made her emotions quite clear. They were moving around erratically as she continued to order her thoughts. I found it oddly adorable.

[You see. Compared to you, I cant really remember my name. Neither can my memories nor the Profile tell me who I am.]

[That was rude of me.] Recognizing my mistake, I apologized to her for asking it.

[Its ok. Asking for my name is natural, after all. I still have my memories when I was a human, though, so it isnt that bad.]

[I see]

[Oh, right. Did you enjoy your meal? I saw that the bowl was half empty, so I wasn't sure if it was enjoyable.]

I gave my thanks for the food and told her that the meat was well seasoned. My only complains came from the fact that it was lacking salt; a fact that she fully admitted due to not being able to find it in this forest.

I wanted to be a bit more reserved, but I guess my pride as a home cook showed a bit. Miss Dragon seems to have understood what I meant with it and seems slightly regretful.

It might be better to not talk about this topic for now.

[You mentioned a forest?]

[Uhh yeah, we are currently in a forest called the Belzac Forest. That reminded me. You had questions, right? I think this would be a good place to start the Q&A, so dont be reserved. Ill try to answer anything I can.]

[Thank you very much.]

And so, I asked. I must admit I wasn't able to accept most of the answers I got, so I had to question her again to make sure she wasn't mixing anything up. I recognized that she was feeling a bit annoyed by being asked a second or third time, but I appreciate her ability to calmly answer everything I wanted to know, despite that.

Naturally, I can relate to this considering my profession.

I learned quite a lot about my current situation. I died and was reincarnated as a warg, a monster wolf.

That this world possesses a game-like system that influences power and physic with numbers and skills. How mana and magic is not a fantasy but a reality in this world, and how destructive this can be for the world and yourself.

Frankly, I couldn't understand all of it.

This was too much information, and she also delved a bit too much into the details of each of my questions, which caused me to enter into my "teacher mode" and lecture her about the importance of explaining information concisely, to avoid confusing the questioner. I definitely heard her mumble But I'm supposed to explain stuff, which made me feel a bit guilty.

Gods, does this mean I really am dead? How did I die? Why did I die back then? I-I cant just accept this. What about my life back then? My students? My mother? What is my mother doing right now?!

I couldnt ask her this. She wont have the answers for any of them.

Having answered all my questions, she stood up and requested me to follow her, which prompted me to ask, To where?.

[Somewhere away from this area.]

It was an extremely vague answer. She added that she only needed one more level to evolve and that she had to hurry. Leaving aside that I had no idea what she meant with evolve, I instead was reminded about what she said about this forest.

[Isnt this forest supposedly dangerous?] I argued in protest. [You cant possibly want to drag me through it?]

["Yes, I am. You really don't have a choice in this. If I leave without you, you will have to fend for yourself. I can defend and support you if you come with me. Besides, wouldn't it be logical to travel together?]

Urgh, isnt she imposing a rather harsh ultimatum? However, she does have a point

[Come on, it beats being alone, right?]

I reluctantly agreed. She was right. I have no idea what this world is. If this forest was filled with dangerous and kill or be killed monster-like animals, then I guess joining up with someone that can communicate and protect me would be for the best.

Due to not being used to my four legs yet, I was now riding on Miss Dragons back.

[Ow, please be careful when you are on my back.]

[UrghThank you.]

Even without doing the deed, I guess both my mind and stomach were too heavily prepared to not do it. The taste of my own vomit is terrible

Well, I guess you could call this my introduction to this world. On the next day, I was able to kill my first [Belzac Forest Kobold] with the help of Miss Dragon.

Experience has reached multiple breaking points. [Young Warg, Saori Segawa] has risen from [Level 0] to [Level 11]

Attributes have increased due to level up

Acquired 1200 skill points

What she said was correct. This feeling of leveling up is amazing. Absolutely invigorating. If I remember correctly, I will require four more levels to evolve into an E rank monster. An easy task with her around.

With my feeling of accomplishment slowly fading, Miss Dragon started her lecture on the skill system. As I need to fully understand how it works this time, that meant that I need a detailed version of it. I could see that she was happy to finally share her knowledge. This enthusiasm was another cute trait of hers.

Under her instructions, I bought the skills she found to be the most usable in this situation. During this process, we learned that due to her title [Bearer of Kargryxmors Blood] the SP cost of skills was discounted on her side. A skill like [Enhanced Agility Growth] would cost 150 for her, while I would need to pay 300 SP for it. It wasnt even restricted to a simple 50% discount; it could range from 70% to any other number. I cannot express out envious this makes me.

Damn!

Regardless, I could only sigh and buy it anyways.

You have bought [Enhanced Mana Growth Lv. 1] [Enhanced Strength Growth Lv. 1] [Enhanced Agility Growth Lv. 1] [Enhanced Stamina Growth Lv. 1]. Your current SP is 0

Once we were done, Miss Dragon asked if I was fine, mentally, and if I wished to kill another. Having just done it, I agreed to her suggestion, under the expectation that I will be able to experience this evolution today. Treating these monsters like monsters, made this process so much easier.

Feeling that I owe her for treating me this generously, I thanked Miss Dragon before we departed to search. Bowing with my new wolf body, I expressed my appreciation for all the things she has done for me in these past days.

[Huh? Oh, you dont have to bow. I was happy to help.]

["No. Please accept my gratitude. Taking care of me must have been nothing but trouble, but you have been very kind and patient with me. I cannot imagine surviving in this forest if it weren't for you helping me."]

[He he hie, its really nothing to mention, I personally enjoyed the company. A-Admittedly, your wolf mother asked me to help you, so I think Im helping you more cause of that obligation instead of any good intentions]

Eh? That was weird. She acted quite elated at the start but then deflected her intentions to something else. This bashfulness reminds me of something my students mentioned, hmm. Was it Tsundere?

[Dont be so modest. Fulfilling that obligation already shows that you are altruistic.]

[He hethank you.]

Interestingher fidgeting would make this very endearing were it not for the fact that her smile makes her very scary looking.

Experience has reached multiple breaking points. [Young Warg, Saori Segawa] has risen from [Level 11] to [Level 15]

Attributes have increased due to level up

Max level has been reached. Evolution is now available for [Young Warg, Saori Segawa]

After our little talk, we wandered around in the forest until the afternoon, where we finally found something suitable for me to kill. This was my second kill. My stomach gurgled a bit, but I kept myself from vomiting.

Anyways, with this, I have reached the maximum level for my rank. Evolution. What will it feel like?

Evolution

[Young Garm]

[I only have one option. Its called [Young Garm]]

[Well, that makes your choice easy. You just need to confirm with System Voice that you have made your choice and the process will start.]

Alright. System Voice I wish to evolve into a [Young Garm].

Will you choose to evolve into [Young Garm]?

Hai.

Evolution choice decided. Commencing evolution of [Young Warg, Saori Segawa]

Woah, how warm.

And then I lost consciousness.

*******************

[Ms. Segawa?]

[Good morning, Miss Dragon. How long did I sleep?]

Fully refreshed, I stood up and inspect myself before asking a question.

[Its already noon of the next day. How are you feeling?]

[Honestly, great.]

It was incredible. I was only a small newborn warg a few days ago, but Ive grown up to become as tall as a Shiba Inu over a single night.

I couldnt wait to see my new status board.

Profile.

Saori's Status Board

Profile:

Name: Saori Segawa

Level: 0

Race: Young Garm

Age: 0 Month

Status:

Health: 309/309 (+259) Mana: 156/156 (+141) Strength: 211 (+181) Intelligence: 52 (+42) Vitality: 128 (+113) Wisdom: 119 (+104) Agility: 265 (+230) Stamina: 287/287 (+247) Effects: None Skill Points: 700 (+700) Skill:

[Primal Senses]

[Enhanced Claws Lv. 2] (+1)

[Enhanced Fangs Lv. 1]

[Enhanced Mana Growth Lv. 1] (New)

[Enhanced Strength Growth Lv. 1] (New)

[Enhanced Agility Growth Lv. 2] (New)

[Enhanced Stamina Growth Lv. 1] (New)

[Telepathy]

Titles: [Belzacs Successor] [Otherworldly Reincarnator]

Hopefully, I can hold my own now.

You have bought [Enhanced Health Growth Lv. 1] [Enhanced Vitality Growth Lv. 1] [Identify Lv. 1]. Your current SP is 0