Arifureta (Main Series)/Light Novel/Volume 1

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest ① (ありふれた職業で世界最強 ①) is the 1st volume for the Light Novel of the Main Series, written by "Ryo Shirakome" and illustrated by "Takaya-Ki" and was first released on June 25, 2015 in Japan.

Synopsis
"FROM ZERO TO HERO"

Seventeen-year-old Hajime Nagumo is your average, everyday otaku. However, his simple life of pulling all-nighters and sleeping in school is suddenly turned upside down when he, along with the rest of his class, is summoned to a fantasy world! While the rest of his class are blessed with godlike powers and tasked with saving the human race from extinction, Hajime’s job, a Synergist, only has a single transmutation skill. Will he be able to survive in this dangerous world of monsters and demons with nothing but a glorified blacksmith’s level of strength?

Prologue
On a certain Monday morning, Hajime Nagumo arrives at first period class seconds before the bell rang and he was immediately made into a laughingstock by Daisuke Hiyama and his gang. Kaori Shirasaki addresses Hajime, softly admonishing him for his tardiness while Shizuku Yaegashi greets him, which he returns. Kouki Amanogawa scoffs at him for his far-too-casual greeting while Ryutarou Sakagami gives him the stink-eye, although Kaori tries to calm the situation. Shrugging off Shizuku's apologies for Kouki and Ryutarou's actions, Hajime proceeds to fall asleep when class began as normal.

During lunch, Kaori addresses Hajime yet again, inviting him to eat lunch with her to which he denies stating that he had already finished his packaged lunch just prior. Kouki suggests to Kaori that they should eat lunch together which Kaori rebuffs by asking why she needs permission to share her lunch. Hajime sighs as he earnestly pleads for the four to get sent to another world and when he stood up, about to give his evasive excuse, he spots a magic silver circle at Kouki's feet. Slowly, the other students also spot it which triggers its expansion. Suddenly, the entire classroom disappears, the only evidence left behind were the scattered objects of students during lunch break.

Chapter I: Summoned to Another World with a Commonplace Class
Upon opening his eyes, Hajime observes the chamber he and his classmates were summoned in but before this, checked Kaori's condition as she was slumped on the ground. He averted his eyes from the massive mural after giving it a once-over before a man dressed in priestly robes introduces himself as Ishtar Langbard, the Pope of the Holy Church, and welcomes Hajime and his classmates as heroes to the world of Tortus. He then leads them to a separate room which Hajime describes to be some sort of banquet hall where he has a group of maids deliver refreshments to them before beginning his brief.

After completing his brief, Aiko Hatayama, the teacher, earnestly protested to the fact that the students would be sent to war when they had next-to-no experience, however, the pope, unfortunately, states that it is the work of Ehit who had brought them here and as such, he cannot send them back. The students begin panicking before Kouki declares that he will fight for the cause that Ishtar had laid out, which results in a domino effect as Ryuutarou, Shizuku, Kaori, and the other students begin resolving themselves.

Ishtar then promptly leads Hajime and his classmates down the temple in which they were summoned in through a ride using a magic pedestal and into the capital city of the Heiligh Kingdom where Hajime and his classmates would be trained. They are escorted through the city which warrants glances of awe from the citizens before being led into the royal palace where the king, queen, the princess, and the prince are introduced to them. They are then treated to a lavish feast before being sent off with provisions and a place to stay in the palace. Being tired, Hajime immediately falls asleep on the bed, despite feeling antsy from the ostentatious fanciness.

Extra Chapter: An Unwinnable Battle
This extra chapter takes place one month after Hajime and Yue conquered the Great Orcus Labyrinth. At the moment, Hajime is training to develop his marksmanship, to the point where he could shoot out the cores of magic spells, nullifying them. Yue had summoned a flurry of fireballs, each one deftly shot down by Hajime. Realizing that this wasn't enough anymore, Yue summons an entire storm of fireballs to which Hajime told her that it was overkill but nevertheless, conquered.

At this point, Yue, distracted by her feelings of love for Hajime, accidentally summoned too many fireballs to which Yue joked that it was hard on her because she loved him so much. Hajime does manage to weave through but he eventually missteps resulting in Yue canceling her spell. Yue offers a lap pillow to Hajime who nonchalantly relaxes in after confirming that Yue wouldn't assault him (ever since losing their chastity to each other, Hajime had grown used to Yue's body).

After several back-and-forths, the two returned to Hajime's training. Sometime in, Hajime asks why Yue's attacks were shaped like hearts to which Yue responds by making a suggestive gesture and saying that she wanted to defeat him so she could make him rest in bed (we all know what she means). At this point, Yue interlaces wind and lightning magic into her attacks (of course, they're all shaped like hearts) with the full intention of putting Hajime down so that she could have her way with him in bed. Hajime breaks through her assault to which Yue stated that this was the first time her full-power barrage was repelled (essentially making a dirty joke). Yue also joked that she had the power of love on her side which allowed her to Limit Break. Hajime soon accepted his loss, not because he was weaker but because he mentally couldn't bring himself to win against Yue.

Later, they cooked dinner, specifically, a Hydra steak and some fish and veggies. Hajime makes the mistake of glancing at Yue, who was wearing an apron, which results in Yue joking that she will attack him with the naked apron later. While eating, they both lament their inaptness at cooking which results in Hajime suggesting that Yue learn to cook from his mother. Hajime then makes the mistake of perusing through old memories and Yue's intuition leads her to question about who he was thinking about.

Hajime tells Yue about Kaori which only leads to Yue becoming jealous and attempting to yet again force herself onto Hajime. However, he knew that there was no escaping from Yue. The final nail was indeed when she passionately asked to be kissed. They then went outside where they decided to caress each other yet again. Swearing again in her heart that she would give herself, body and soul, to Hajime, the two reaffirmed their love.

Bonus Short Stories

 * A Man's Dream
 * The Holy Goddess' Descent unto Paradise
 * A Case of What If
 * A Nightmare in the Abyss
 * The Liberators' Game
 * Dreams of Family