Eroge are generally abnormal and full of things that make you want to scream, “Is that even possible!?”
There are many reasons.
Let’s start with the protagonist’s family.
The parents of most eroge protagonists are never home.
They’re just…
not there, for some reason.
I don’t know the detailed reason—whether it’s because his little sister or childhood friend wakes him up in the morning, or because the scenario writer wants an easy excuse to bring a woman into his room.
The reason they’re absent could be that they’re on an overseas business trip, that he lives alone, that he’s in a dormitory far from his parents, or that they’ve been dead from the very beginning.
Furthermore, I feel like screaming, “There’s a beautiful little sister who, even without parents at home, still wants to take care of her brother!?” But that’s normal in eroge.
Yes, the eroge protagonist usually lives in a slightly special family.
It’s not just the families that make you want to scream.
The same applies to the special ability called 『Eroge Protagonist Correction』 that an eroge protagonist might possess.
For example, there’s the eroge where the protagonist crossdresses and attends an all-girls school, and for some reason, nobody ever finds out.
He’s not exposed to a degree that makes us think he must be using some kind of special ability.
There was even a swimming class in a certain eroge, but he still wasn’t exposed.
Well, in that game, a ghost attended the swimming class in the protagonist’s place, so there was no way he could’ve been found out.
Mm, well, if it’s a ghost in class, there’s no way they’d notice, right?
*(mental confusion)*
But.
It’s equally ridiculous when they reveal his true identity at a moment like, “Why are you noticing this *now*, after everything that’s happened up to this point, and you didn’t notice before!?” For some reason, a wig that won’t come off no matter how much vigorous movement happens during P.E.
can easily slip off during a little tussle with the heroine.
Mm, well, if it’s a scuffle with the heroine, it can’t be helped, right?
*(mental confusion)*
We’ve gotten a bit off track, but it’s difficult for a normal person to understand, given the premise of “a boy crossdressing to attend an all-girls school.” However, it’s a very common event in the eroge world, and it’s a situation where even non-experts can dive into the scenario without feeling any discomfort.
Only eroge beginners feel uncomfortable with it.
Additionally, one could say that the protagonist’s popularity is one of the Eroge Protagonist Corrections.
Only beautiful girls gather around the protagonist.
A beautiful little sister or adopted sister, calling him “Onii-chan.” A beautiful childhood friend who comes to wake him up early in the morning uninvited, flips over his futon, and goes wild every morning.
A student council president who’s talented, beautiful, and dignified, but suddenly becomes all sweet and clingy once the erotic scenes begin.
Even a loli teacher who supposedly graduated from college but can only be seen as an elementary school student.
They all gather and fawn over a boy who has absolutely no merit beyond being just a little bit kind.
Are they some kind of succubi?
No, maybe it’s the protagonist who’s the incubus?
However, it’s not just the protagonist who’s abnormal—the heroines are, too.
There’s a “choroine” *(a portmanteau of “choroi,” meaning easy, and “heroine”)* with a strange speech habit that would make you want to keep your distance if you encountered it in real life; a heroine with fighting power that would astonish even professional fighters; a young housewife heroine who, despite having a daughter in high school, looks exactly like her daughter; and a heroine who can only be seen as an elementary school student.
However, no matter how young the heroine appears, the message “All characters are over 18 years old” will be displayed at the start of the game, so that the gentlemen Eroge Players who play can work hard on their own energy generation with great peace of mind.
Well, the stories also have a screw loose.
Compared to manga, anime, and dramas, they’re far crazier.
To use one as an example—I think that one’s fine, huh?
In a certain game, the protagonist’s family was a father-and-sons household, and his only sibling was a brother.
In other words, an all-male family.
And the family next door was a single-mother household, and her children were all girls.
In other words, only women over there.
Well, the father of the all-male household really wanted a daughter, and the mother of the all-female household next door really wanted a son.
After thinking about it, the parents came up with a brilliant idea.
I know—let’s swap kids.
This could happen in eroge.
What a wonderfully stupid idea!
And the protagonist, sent over in the swap, suddenly gains a harem.
The ladies and gentlemen Players would be impressed—what a wonderful scenario.
But a normal person would think: what kind of super-development is this?
The same goes for attending the all-girls school I mentioned earlier.
Suddenly, it’s a harem.
And although I can’t say it too loudly, eroge specialized in pure eroticism—called nukige—are so super-developed that they’re hard to understand even for those who aren’t beginners.
In other words, eroge is a kind of super world where common sense doesn’t apply.
Even if you come to a super world, if you’re the protagonist, it won’t be a problem—except in certain games.
The protagonist is the center of the world and is extremely popular.
But if you don’t find yourself at the center—if you’re not the protagonist of this world.
If you make a mistake in this world, it becomes hell.
“This is bad, this is really bad, man…”
The self being shown in the mirror is me, but it’s not me.
No, the person in the mirror moves the way I want it to, but is it correct to say that the appearance isn’t mine?
And this face is clearly…
“It’s definitely that eroge protagonist…
Or not!
It’s that unpopular friend of the protagonist who’s always standing next to him…!”
Without realizing it, I dropped to my knees.
The protagonist’s friends in eroge generally have no luck.
One friend was treated like garbage by a heroine due to his repeated vain eccentricities.
Another friend got into a fight with a protagonist who was dating two girls at the same time, and then worked hard to help the protagonist get along with them.
And above all, it’s a common scenario for eroge friend characters—the number one reason they’re unlucky is that they’re “not popular.”
They’re not very popular at all.
Mainly, they can’t get close to a beautiful woman.
The reason is simple.
Think about what happens if a girl who likes the protagonist clings to the protagonist’s friend.
It’s because complaints come pouring in like a torrential rain, and the number of users drops drastically.
If a beautiful girl I was interested in were taken by some random piece of trash who appears out of nowhere on screen, there’s a high chance I’d smash the screen with my right fist.
Furthermore, I’d immediately go to the support page and write various abusive words, then criticize like a madman on a certain bulletin board and review site, and then encourage each other while crying with my fellow wounded comrades.
By the way, the me reflected in the mirror is “Takioto Kousuke”—a variable character who can be super unlucky or just plain unlucky.
Of course, he never rises as high as lucky.
The game “Magical★Explorer” (also known as MagiEx), in which this character appears, is a battle simulation game also called a click game.
While living at school, players fight in Dungeons, attend classes and events to strengthen themselves and their friends.
You can also craft weapons, armor, magic, magical tools, and so on in this game, equip yourself with special weapons, or open a shop and try to become the best alchemist and merchant in town.
Of course, since this is eroge, there’s also a romance element.
Rather, the romance element is the main one.
In daily life, the beautiful and powerful heroines get involved in abnormal ways *(protagonist only)*, and erotic events occur to the point where you wonder if they’re being blessed by God *(protagonist only)*.
For some reason, bath peeping is successful, and you can even catch glimpses of the heroines in their “an~n❤” moments *(protagonist only)*.
Takioto Kousuke, the protagonist’s friend, is the so-called “third wheel.” When the protagonist is flirting, he stands off to the side, crying and biting a handkerchief.
Yes, he’s the support character.
“That girl is super cute, right?
Actually…” or “They say that girl is the most beautiful in the academy.” Despite all this talk, every woman gets swept away by the protagonist.
Of course, there wasn’t a single woman prepared for Takioto Kousuke.
Far from having a woman prepared for him, he was actually hated by them.
He has the appearance of a handsome guy, but unfortunately, it’s obvious that all he does is fail to read the room, make lewd comments, and act like an idiot.
As exceptions, there are a few heroines who don’t hate him, but only a few.
That’s why one could say it’s quite unfavorable from the perspective of a romance simulation with Takioto Kousuke as the main focus.
He also has no luck in terms of combat.
First of all, there’s a tendency for all male characters to have underwhelming performance.
Naturally.
What the ladies and gentlemen who play eroge want is a beautiful heroine to marry.
If the heroine you create for the game is strong, she’ll be more popular.
If popularity increases, merchandise sales increase.
Above all, the developers love the heroines and want to make them as strong as possible, so it’s obvious that the heroines end up stronger.
However, Takioto Kousuke’s ability isn’t bad.
It’s not bad, but it looks unfavorable in comparison because it’s a super-specialist build, there’s no special weapon, and above all, the heroines receive preferential treatment.
Most people remove him from the main party by endgame.
Of course, I did too.
No matter how you think about it, you want to use the heroines.
“Haaah…”
The Takioto Kousuke reflected before me lets out a heavy sigh.
“For now, let me verify whether I really am Takioto Kousuke…”
Upon removing the scarf, which could be considered Takioto Kousuke’s identity marker, I was about to crush the remaining few possibilities.
But—
“Is reality really this cruel?”
Why did things end up like this?
Apparently, I really am Takioto Kousuke.
This body isn’t my own.
The reason is…
unknown.
I don’t know how to go back.
And if I’m going to think about it now, it’s more about what to do in the future than the cause.
If I knew the cause immediately, I could even think about it, but I don’t.
So, it’s more constructive to think about how to live going forward.
“This is the world of Magical★Explorer, huh?”
Not Japan.
It’s a world developed through the fusion of magic and mechanical technology.
It’s a fantasy world with elves, beastmen, and dwarves.
In that case.
“I…
can use magic?”
No, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to.
When I confirmed I was Takioto Kousuke, I also found an enrollment guide.
This guy decided to enroll at Tsukuyomi Magic Academy.
Is it possible for someone who can’t use magic to enroll in a magic school?
“Magic, huh…”
If I can use it, I definitely want to.
I mean, if I can’t use it, won’t I get expelled?
Right, then how do you use it?
“In the game, you click with the mouse or activate it yourself.”
There’s no screen and I can’t click.
I can’t even see my status in the first place.
I wanted to at least see my own HP or MP, but that’s impossible.
However, he was able to use magic, which is why he was able to enter the academy.
In that case, wouldn’t there be something left, like a book about magic?
I stood up from the chair and left the room.
Takioto Kousuke doesn’t seem to have great academic ability, just like in the game.
Only about half of the tests sealed in books and notebooks have the mark for “pass” circled.
There’s also low-level graffiti on photographs of famous people in magic history textbooks and national language books.
What’s wrong with this guy—at least attend class properly, was what I thought.
But the graffiti stopped appearing in the books about a year ago.
And everywhere, there was something about magic—magical formulas and magic circles.
I close the magic history book.
Then, I pick up a spellbook with an image of a monkey holding a book on the cover, which is also a beautiful magic book.
“Magic that even monkeys can understand, huh?”
There’s no writing, no creases—I leaf through the beautiful book that shows no evidence of ever being opened.
A few questions came to mind, but even a little reflection wouldn’t produce an answer, and in the end, I gave up thinking.
Let’s just read for now.
If what’s written in the book is true, it seems that creatures born in this world possess magical power, and there also appears to be magical power in the atmosphere.
This is the same lore we saw in the game.
And the miracle—magic—that is caused by using this magical power.
It produces fire, water, wind, and even earth and metal.
However, a mage must have a certain amount of magical power because they consume magical power in proportion to the miracle that occurs.
The biggest difference between ordinary people and mages lies in the amount of magical power.
Apparently.
However, if it’s the same as the game, Takioto Kousuke should boast magical power that even surprises the school’s teachers.
If it’s only about the quantity of magical power, that is.
“Ah, I tried doing what was written.
Is this it?
But what a strange sensation…”
It feels like my entire body has become a new sensory organ, as if my eyes and ears are perceiving light and sound.
Even so, the mysterious warm magical power seems to overflow from my entire body, and at the same time, I think something similar exists outside my body.
And the magical power from outside is gently touching my body, and honestly, it tickles.
“Why did I start feeling this way as soon as I became aware of it?”
There’s no answer when I think about it.
Of course, I don’t know much about magical power in the first place.
So, let’s try using magic.
If it can be used, then as I thought, one could say this was indeed magical power.
“Umm…
‘Light.'”
The light magic “Light”—it was written to be usable by ordinary people with little magical power.
To be honest, I didn’t believe that even “Light” could actually be cast.
I’ve never had any contact with magic.
But, contrary to what I expected, the phenomenon appeared immediately.
“It can’t be real, right?
I don’t believe it…”
A source of light floating in front of me.
The light source in my hand floats in the air.
I searched for wires that might function like electrical cables, but nothing was connected to it.
This time, I slowly brought my hand closer to the light source.
“Ha-hahah, hahahah, amaaaazing!”
However, I couldn’t touch the light source.
There was no heat either.
My hand simply passes through the light source and tears it apart.
Yet the light source remains in its original form and doesn’t budge.
When the supply of magical power was cut off, the mysterious light source disappeared immediately.
I turn off the room lights and close the curtains.
Then I use magic again.
The dimly lit room is illuminated by a mysterious photosphere.
I stop supplying magical power and will it to disappear.
Immediately after, the photosphere loses its glow and the area becomes dark.
I cast the light magic again and illuminate the room.
“Unbelievable…”
The photosphere produced isn’t a light with heat powered by electricity.
It’s a light created by magical power.
I immediately stop the supply of magical power and turn off the light again.
When I activate the magic, the area is illuminated.
The more I did it, the more impressed I became.
And I’m thrilled by the mysterious power of magic.
From other people’s perspective, they might think, “What is this guy doing?” Because what I’m doing is Light—a magic that mages learn first.
It’s a magic that kindergarten or elementary school mages seem to learn first.
It wouldn’t be surprising if they said, “What’s wrong with you?
Getting excited over a spell like that?” But I can’t help it.
What if a resident of a world without the concept of electricity suddenly watched TV or the internet?
Even if it doesn’t reach the level of pissing himself, it’s almost certain he’d fall to the ground in shock.
But in our world, electricity is normal, and I’ve been accustomed to it since I was little.
That’s why I’m not surprised.
The same applies to magic.
Those who would call me an idiot for this are probably the most common people in this world.
But I want to say—try coming from a world without magic.
You can say it’s just a Light.
But for me, it’s a floating light that doesn’t use electricity.
“Amaziiiiiing……!”
I turn Light on and off, then on and off again.
Each time I repeat it, I’m moved, and a thought is born in my heart.
I extend my hand toward the created light and wrap it in my palm.
Then, I slowly open my hand and gaze at the unwavering light.
As I do this, something that smoldered in my heart gradually ignites.
I want to do all sorts of things using magic.
Light isn’t the only magic.
Attack magic, defense magic, recovery magic, support magic, secret magic, erotic magic.
There are countless types of magic.
I can use them.
It’s difficult for Takioto alone, but it’s possible to even fly by relying on my companions and using items, and it should be possible to swim freely in water and breathe underwater.
Furthermore, if I can handle magic well in battle, I can challenge even the “Dungeons.”
That’s it—that’s right!
This world has “Dungeons.”
I can explore the dungeons that exist in this world.
If I follow the settings of Magical★Explorer, there are many dungeons in this world.
The school, which is the main setting, is located in an area with many dungeons, and thanks to the teleportation magic circle, we can challenge dozens of dungeons.
There are caves and archaeological dungeons common in games, Japanese-style dungeons like ninja mansions, dungeons with spacious grasslands without divisions, valleys, volcanoes, snowfields, and floating islands.
There are also fantastical dungeons, like one with a mirror-shaped lake that’s frequently used in anime, and a dungeon whose entire wall is made of crystal that sparkles like a jewel.
I can go to those Dungeons.
Yes, I’m in a fantasy world.
I’m daydreaming!
No, thinking about it twice—it’s not just the Dungeons.
The world, too.
There are many interesting things in this world.
There are things like cars and smartphones here, just like in Japan.
Their fuels are set as magical power and magic stones.
I can use magical tools.
What kind of mechanism makes magical tools work, and what can a magic stone do?
There are countless things I want to know.
And this is a world where I can get answers if I research.
This isn’t a dream—it’s reality.
Furthermore, in this world, there’s a center of the continent that humans haven’t yet reached, a castle floating in the sky that can’t be reached from the ground, a great labyrinth beneath the earth, there’s also a palace where dragons are said to live at the bottom of the sea, and the forest has an enormous World Tree Yggdrasil bigger than a small mountain.
In the game, the school and dungeons were the main focus, so I only went to a few locations because there was information that they existed.
But I’m not bound to the game.
I’m free.
I can go to those fun places together with the heroines and the protagonist.
There are also fantasy races in this world, like elves, dark elves, beastmen, dwarves, and dragons.
You can interact with these people too.
If we get along, we might even be able to go on an adventure together.
Ah, I’m overflowing with things I want to do one after another, and my heart is getting full.
But even so.
“But if I’m going to adventure in the dungeons or the world…
I have to get stronger.”
Getting stronger, huh?
If I want to get stronger, I’ll have to train.
If Takioto Kousuke has the same stats as in the game, he has a major weakness.
However, he also has a special ability that only Takioto possesses, which can become extremely strong if he masters it beyond its current level.
And above all, I have knowledge.
I might not reach the strongest, but I can get stronger.
No, wait.
Is that really the case?
Can I really not become the strongest?
In eroge, the basic preferential treatment is managed for the “Beautiful Girls” who are the favorites of the players and the development team, and for the players’ alter ego—the “Protagonist.”
“Can I become the strongest friend character by surpassing them?
No, it’s surprisingly possible, isn’t it?”
Can I become the strongest, leaving those cheats behind?
Ah, I understand.
They’re monsters.
One of the main heroines freely commands violent winds and fires off a wide variety of wind blades that effortlessly slice through iron-like shells.
Some heroines recover instantly no matter how severely injured they are.
And there’s a heroine with the special ability to perform continuous attacks at a speed imperceptible to the eye, and there’s even a heroine who can turn a final boss into ground meat with a single attack.
It’s no exaggeration to say the path to the strongest is incredibly steep because these girls stand in the way.
“But even so…”
Even understanding all that, I want to aim for the top.
But that doesn’t mean I want to interfere with the heroines, weaken them, and win.
It’s outrageous to disturb the heroines I love in the first place, even if they’re trying to grow.
I want to be the strongest—stronger than heroines who grew normally and became strong.
Protagonist?
Cheat heroines?
Haha, knowing there are people to surpass actually makes things even more exciting, damn it.
If I were Takioto Kousuke in the game—having a “Special Ability” to fight against the extremely talented and favored protagonist and heroines.
And the power needed to make full use of that ability is also greater than the Four Heavenly Kings Append, the Super Trio, and the protagonist.
And above all, I have “game knowledge.”
Speaking of game knowledge—it’s the greatest cheat of all time.
I know where to find the “Potential” needed to become the strongest, and I know where to get the cheat “Equipment.” I know which dungeons the “Magical Tools” and “Treasures” that are useful to me are sleeping in.
And I know where to get the cheat “Skills.”
Don’t I already have the bare minimum essentials to become the strongest?
“I’ve decided.”
I don’t know why I came to this world.
But if I’m going to have to live here, I’ll try training to become the strongest.
I’ll aim to be the strongest, surpassing the Super Trio and the Protagonist.
And I’ll go freely to dungeons, the sky castle, the World Tree—wherever I want to go.
I’m going to enjoy this world!