The Astral Magical World was in an uproar. Grand Mage Zephyrus—the greatest storm lord in existence—had vanished, sucked into a dimensional rift during battle.
But instead of landing in a magnificent palace, his soul was hurled into a body that was extremely... squat. When he opened his eyes, Zephyrus found his viewpoint unnervingly low. In the reflection of a dusty storefront window, he saw himself: a fat orange cat with a round body shaped like a squat gas cylinder, puffy cheeks, and blank green eyes.
"Meow...?" Zephyrus was stunned. My majestic voice... why has it become this undignified squeak?! Where are my muscles?! "Aw, kitty... how'd you end up abandoned by a Dumpster like this?" Zephyrus whipped around. A neatly dressed young man was crouching in front of him.
Who are you talking to, Mortal Human?! Kneel before I roast you alive! Zephyrus screamed inwardly. "So cute. Your face looks like a caramel bun," Rian said, stroking the back of Zephyrus's ear. Don't touch me with those filthy hands.
"Purr... purr..."
Zephyrus's eyes closed in helpless surrender. What kind of black magic is this?! Why does it feel so good?! Why is my heart melting?! Treacherous mortal body!
"Your name is Mochi, right? Come on, come home with me," Rian said. My name is Zephyrus! Not Mochi, you uneducated mortal! Zephyrus protested, even as his body voluntarily leaped into Rian's bag.
At Rian's cramped rental apartment, Zephyrus explored the living room. His stomach let out a loud rumble. On the kitchen table sat a bowl filled with dry fish crackers. Me? Eat this low-quality dry food? Don't count on it! Zephyrus thought, determined to maintain his dignity.
But the smell was so tempting. He tried chewing one.
Crunch.
His eyes lit up gold. By the Magic Council! This must be the hidden Food of the Gods! In three seconds, every last cracker was gone.
With his belly full, Zephyrus tried testing his magic. He stared at the metal spoon on the table. "Levitatio!" he commanded inwardly.
Bzzzt! Instead of levitating, the spoon melted and transformed into a goldfish statue.
"What is this?! My magic is messed up!" Zephyrus cried in panic.
"Huh? Where'd my spoon go?" Rian came in carrying a glass of water, confused by the fish statue on his table.
"Mochi, I have an important date with Sarah tonight. Stay in the bathroom for a while, okay?"
"Meow?!" (Hey, don't lock me up!) Zephyrus protested. But Rian had already hoisted him up like a sack of rice and locked the bathroom door from the outside.
At seven that evening, the doorbell rang. Sarah—Rian's dream girl—had arrived.
"Wow, your place smells amazing, Yan. And it's so neat," Sarah complimented him warmly. "Oh, it's nothing special, Sar. I just like keeping things clean," Rian replied, bragging.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Zephyrus's nose twitched as he tried to endure the harsh synthetic fragrance wafting in from outside.
"Argh... it itches..." Zephyrus thought. Haaah... HAAATCHOO! BZZZZTTTT! A pink magic wave exploded from his nose! In the living room, the jazz music abruptly changed into a chorus of baby chicks: Cheep! Cheep! ~lalala~ "Huh? Your music is so unique, Yan?" Sarah asked, bewildered. "Huh? I-I don't know. This is supposed to be my usual playlist!" Rian began to sweat nervously.
HAAATCHOO! The second sneeze exploded! In an instant, the roses in the vase transformed into three stalks of fresh carrots!
"Rian..." Sarah pointed at the vase with a pale face. "Why did your roses... turn into carrots?" "I-It's... the latest decorative art from Japan, Sar! Vegetable Aesthetics!" Rian blurted out.
BAM! The bathroom door suddenly flew off. Zephyrus emerged gracefully, surrounded by soap bubbles.
"Mochi?!" Rian shouted. "Ooh, your cat is so cute! But... why are carrots sticking out of your vase, and why is your carpet waving?!" Sarah shrieked hysterically as the carpet beneath them began to ripple.
HAAAA-TCHIIIWWWWW! Zephyrus's third sneeze exploded with even greater force. Thousands of fish crackers suddenly poured from the ceiling, pelting Rian and Sarah on the head!
"Aaaagh! Are you keeping a demon in here?!" Sarah screamed in panic. "I want to go home!"
Sarah ran away in terror and slammed the door, leaving Rian sitting helplessly on the floor with his head covered in fish crackers. His date was a complete disaster.
At 2:00 a.m., Rian was sleeping soundly on the floor from stress, while Zephyrus curled up on the sofa. Suddenly, Zephyrus's eyes flew wide open. His pupils narrowed to slits.
An aura of intensely cold, dense magic emanated from outside the window. Beneath the dim streetlamp, a tall black shadow without legs floated in the air, holding a magical mirror that glowed red.
"Dark Magic from the Astral Dimension... the Bounty Hunters?!" Zephyrus thought in shock. A raspy whisper pierced the windowpane: "We've found you, Zephyrus. Your soul belongs to us..."
The black figure raised a finger made of bones and pointed it directly at Rian's chest as he slept soundly. Deadly purple light began gathering at its fingertip—ready to pierce Rian's heart!
"They're going to kill the Human Who Scratches My Back?! Then who will make my Divine Fish Crackers for me?!" Zephyrus quickly struck a battle stance, ready to leap!