Standing Next To You - Chapter 21: Cruel Truth

Ethan's head throbbed violently as he opened his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out his thoughts.“What’s happening…?” he thought, his mind sluggish, struggling to catch up with reality. One moment, he was asleep—or at least, he thought he was—and the next, searing pain forced him awake.His vision swam, shapes blurring together in a disorienting mess. But then, muffled noises filtered through the haze—frantic, panicked sounds. Someone was trying to scream, their voice smothered, choked by something.A cold shiver ran down his spine.As his sight gradually sharpened, Ethan's breath hitched.He was on all fours, looming over someone. A girl.Her body twisted and writhed beneath him, ropes biting into her wrists and ankles. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her cries. Her wide brown eyes, brimming with fear and fury, glared up at him.Ethan's body locked in place, his blood running cold.“What the…?” His mind reeled, thoughts slamming into each other in chaotic disarray. “What kind of bizarre dream is this?”Panic clawed at his chest. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he scrambled backward, only to realize his limbs felt sluggish, uncooperative, like they didn’t belong to him.“Is this… is this some kind of twisted fantasy I never knew I had?” A sickening thought slithered through his mind, making his stomach churn.The girl's frantic squirming slowed for a moment, her gaze flickering with confusion as she took in his expression—his trembling hands, his wide, horrified eyes. But the fear returned just as quickly. She struggled harder, her body arching, her muffled screams rising in pitch.Ethan wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but before he could force out a word, a glowing blue window materialized before his eyes.His breath caught.A translucent, hovering screen?“What…?”Lines of glowing text scrolled across its surface.---[System Activated…][Host Confirmed.][Simulating Previous Data…]Ethan awakens in a mysterious world, shackled by a curse that clouds his judgment and drives him toward choices he never wished to make. Burdened by guilt and responsibility, he must navigate the fallout of his actions while unraveling the truth behind the curse—and his place in this enigmatic new reality.

In the Toaru Kagaku no Choudenjihou (Railgun) SS series:

Set in Liberal Arts City between September 3rd to 10th, Academy City is having an exchange program with the rest of the world that allows some students to travel for this week to other places, and some students are allowed into Academy City during this time.

V.2 – Shopping Mall Demonstration

Setin Russia where Misaka Mikoto takes part in a demonstration things don’t pan as scheduled as Mikoto meets the mysterious New Light.

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The story was released in parts on limited edition DVDs and Blu-rays of the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime. The story consists of eight parts, and can easily equate to a regular Index novel in length.

Coming to my senses... I find myself a desperado.In the depths of azure, black sails flutter.Treasure gleams, blades ring out.Pillage, slaughter, irreverence towards the gods.Youth fades swiftly, all but meat and wine for pleasures.[Slice of Life][Romance Simulation][Business Simulation]

Valens Kosthal was called a genius. A prodigy. Now he has to prove he remains one, even in another world.Valens is the youngest Life Archmagus the Empire has ever seen. His mastery over Resonance allows him to hear the frequencies of the world and correct them, healing even the deepest wounds. Yet he could do so much more, if only it weren't forbidden—the little he can practice must be done away from prying eyes.So when an ancient ritual promises to reveal the truth behind it all, he leaps at the chance. It leaves him alone in an unfamiliar world, deep in a dungeon crawling with rotten skeletons and towering beasts... and a System. One that grants him the secrets of Warmagic as easily as breathing.And Valens no longer needs to hold back....................Posting Schedule: Every day for the 1st month...................What to expect?- An Archmage Isekai story- Unique magic system - Third person limited POV with MC focus- Large scope, and numbers go brr- No harem .....