As I was walking home suddenly, the system's transparent screen appeared before my eyes
> System Alert
Warning: Critical System Error Detected.
Rebooting... Installing Emergency Protocol: Tutorial Personality Module.
Rowan blinked at the glowing message, frowning. "Uh… what did I break this time?"
The screen glitched once, then stabilized, only to be immediately replaced by something much stranger: a full-sized digital projection of a smug silver-haired girl in a short, fluttering outfit, floating lazily in midair with a book in her hands and a glint in her crimson eyes.
"Yo! You must be the pervert I'm assigned to babysit."
Rowan recoiled. "...What."
The girl snapped her book shut and hovered a little closer. "Name's Sora. You know, the Astil Manuscript? One-of-a-kind, eternal, sexy, brilliant, occasionally benevolent. And now apparently part of your system."
Rowan's brain took a second to catch up. "Wait—Sora? From Trinity Seven? What the hell are you doing in my system?!"
Sora grinned wickedly, brushing her hair back with theatrical flair. "Why do you think, dummy? Because you're a pervert, obviously."
He sputtered. "That's not an answer! What kind of bug drags a literal magical book-girl into my interface?!"
"Please. I'm not some cheap knockoff. I'm the real deal." She twirled in the air, pixel-light trailing behind her. "Turns out, my world was falling apart. Timeline got all screwed up. Arata Kasuga was never born, so naturally things went downhill. Magic collapsed. Apocalypse happened. You know, the usual."
Rowan blinked. "...That sounds terrible."
She gave a nonchalant shrug. "Meh. I got over it. Then the Don—whoever that is in your twisted multiverse logic—offered me a way out. Said I could tag along with you if I agreed to two things: become your system's new tutorial AI and train you up ."
"train me?!" Rowan recoiled. "I didn't agree to that!"
"weaklings don't get a say." Sora smirked.
He opened his mouth to protest, but a new notification cut him off.
> System Notification
Tutorial Commencing: "Basic Combat and System Introduction."
Your new AI, Sora, will now guide you through the tutorial. Survival not guaranteed.
Sora pointed at the message with a lazy wave of her book. "Also, small FYI—you don't get the usual reward for this tutorial unless I say you passed. Bonus prize if you entertain me."
Rowan narrowed his eyes. "What kind of bonus prize?"
She winked. "If you impress me, I'll stick around outside the system. Freely manifest whenever I want. More chances for me to mess with you."
"...Fantastic."
Without further warning, the world shifted.the street dissolved into polygons and reformed into a grassy battlefield filled with training dummies and environmental hazards. Some of them looked suspiciously hostile.
Sora sat on a floating, pixelated throne above the field, kicking her legs like she was watching a game show.
"Alright, pervy protagonist, impress me."
Rowan braced as a dummy lunged for him—armed with a squeaky hammer and an unsettling amount of enthusiasm. He ducked, rolled, and thanks to brawlers instinct countered with a basic skill-enhanced jab.
> System Notification
Hit Registered. Effectiveness: Moderate.
Sora's Interest: 3%.
"Ugh," she groaned. "That was so average. If I wanted to see mediocrity, I'd go watch a generic harem anime."
He glared up at her. "Pretty sure you were in one."
"I had style," she snapped back. "You've got wet toast energy."
Rowan gritted his teeth and pushed harder—dodging, attacking, catching a pie to the face that he was sure she added just for fun.
> System Notification
You have been hit by Sora's Surprise Pie Trap. -1 Dignity. +1 Learning Experience.
"Of course," he muttered, wiping cream off his face.
More waves followed. Dummy ninjas. Magic traps. One particularly aggressive balloon animal. By the end, Rowan was panting and slightly singed—but he was still standing.
Sora's legs swung lazily as she gave him a bored look. "Hmph. Fine. You passed."
> System Notification
Tutorial Complete! New Skill Unlocked: "Skill Name: Arcobaleno Instinct
Type: Passive/Active Hybrid
Rank: A
Inspired by: Reborn from Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
Description: Tapping into the elite instincts of the world's greatest hitman, this skill channels the ruthless precision, tactical foresight, and deadly charisma of an Arcobaleno. You act before you think—because you've already thought through every outcome.
---
Passive Effects:
Hyper Intuition: Gain immediate awareness of killing intent, traps, and ambushes. +25% reaction time during combat.
Killer Presence: Charisma and intimidation skyrocket in high-stress or violent situations.
Hitman's Poise: Cannot be surprised or ambushed while in combat mode.
.
Rowan blinked at the skill window. "Wait, that was the reward?"
Sora raised a finger. "Correction: that's the standard reward. Here's the bonus."
She snapped her fingers. The air shimmered, and a small chibi version of herself appeared, lounging in his HUD with smug glee.
> System Update
Sora has become a persistent system entity.
She may now manifest at will, inside or outside the system interface.
...Good luck.
Rowan groaned. "You're never leaving, are you?"
She grinned. "Nope. Better get used to waking up with my voice in your head."
He collapsed backward into the grass, arms flung wide.
"Don save me," he muttered. "This is going to be hell."
Sora floated above him, smug as ever. "Correction: it's going to be hilarious."
On Rowan's way home, he couldn't help but sigh in defeat. Why, you ask? Because of the mischievous girl smiling next to him. She was no longer just a digital projection. She was actually there—physically present.
Which meant he was definitely stuck with her.
While Rowan was depressed by the realization, Sora was practically over the moon.
"Wow," she said, stretching her arms and twirling once. "So this is what it's like to have a flesh-and-blood body!"
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you have one before?"
"Not really," she replied with a grin. "That was just a magical projection. It could simulate the feeling of being real, but this? This is completely different. I feel amazing."
"Great," Rowan muttered. "So what now? You going to go around pranking the entire town and wreaking havoc?"
"Nah. Just you."
"Oh, I feel so special."
"You should," she said smugly. "Also, FYI—even though I can leave the system, I can't go more than a mile away from you. So, lucky you—we're stuck together."
Eventually, they arrived at the gate of a normal-looking house tucked away in a quiet corner.
Sora snorted. "That's your house? Lame."
Rowan gave her a deadpan look. "That's not my real house. Just a property I bought to keep up appearances. Unlike Sona or Rias, I don't have anyone staying at my official residence, so I still use this place as a decoy."
He pointed at the gate. "There's a spell attached to it. As soon as we walk through, we'll be transported to the real one."
True to his word, the moment they stepped through the gate, a soft shimmer of magic rippled through the air—and in the blink of an eye, the scenery shifted.
They were now standing in the front yard of a grand manor nestled in the Underworld. Gothic yet modern in design, the estate radiated power, prestige, and meticulous elegance.
Sora let out a low whistle. "Now that's more like it."
As they approached the front door, Rowan sighed. "Welcome home, I guess."
Sora smirked. "Glad to be here."