Even in the future, all the world's advances and innovations cannot alter the dynamics of the school playground. For Haruyuki Arita, a chubby junior high student, this means he is destined to remain at the bottom of the food chain, making him prime prey for school bullies. However, when Kuroyukihime, a beautiful and aloof upperclassman, approaches him, Haruyuki's life is turned upside down. With her help, he dives into Brain Burst, a mysterious computer program, and the Accelerated World. It is within the Accel World that Haruyuki sheds his depressing reality and seizes the opportunity to become a Burst Linker, a knight sworn to protect his princess!