The fact that the servers were so clear was strange. Matsuo hadn't expected that. He'd managed to set aside time to try out the new expansion, but he really hadn't expected to be able to log in so easily.

Much stranger, however, was the flash of white light that filled his vision almost as soon as the loading splash screen appeared.

When it faded, the university student was in for a considerable shock.

He was no longer in his room, in front of his computer.

There was a wide street in front of him, blanked by various shops. Familiar shops.

Shops from Emerald Odyssey.

He'd logged off in the Aluvera shopping district. And now he appeared to be standing in it, surrounded by people going about their daily business. NPCs going about their daily business. Considerably more then filled the streets normally, but there was no mistaking his surroundings.

"Am I dre-"

Matsuo cut himself off, clutching at his throat.

His skin felt soft and smooth. His neck felt slender. And his voice...

That wasn't his voice. It was a girl's voice. That was absolutely a girl's voice. A cute, somewhat higher-pitched girl's voice. Shakily, the university student raised his hand harder, bringing both of them to his delicate chin and jaw, his soft cheeks, his dainty nose... running his hands through lengthy, silky blonde hair.

This couldn't be real.

Matsuo's heart was beating faster. His breathing was getting harder.

"N-no way, right?" he asked himself, in that voice that didn't suit his [i]real life[/i] self in the least, "I'm dreaming. I have to be. There's no way. I fell asleep waiting for the expansion to drop. That has to be it."

Slowly, Matsuo located the nearest shopfront window. He had to see his reflection.

He found one to the right side of the street.

Looking back at him was the petite, slender figure of a small girl, with bright blue eyes and lengthy blonde hair. And pointed ears. In a blue Starlight Mage's outfit.

Matsuo slowly placed a hand to [i]her[/i] cheek and pinched [i]her[/i]self.

She didn't wake up.

"No way no way no way no way," she repeated to herself multiple times, shaking, "This can't be real! I have... I have university to... how?! I... wh-what kind of isekai setup is this?! I-I'm Sefira?!"

She took a step away from her reflection, her petite body shaking, blue eyes wide. There was no way something like this could ever happen. She felt certain of that. And yet this wasn't a dream. She felt pain. She felt a lot of things, the air on her skin, the ground beneath her feet, everything.

There was no way it was a dream.

Not only was Matsuo in Emerald Odyssey, but he had become his character, Sefira Sylvanbelle.