It happened without warning.
One moment as President Lukas continues discussing the agenda of the meeting, Mizuki continuing her teasing as Kuroe watches out of pure enjoyment, and Aoi trying her best to make Izumi stop strumming her ukelele, it appeared...
From the crack came a blinding brilliance, as if the very fabric of the world had been torn open.
The classroom trembled violently. Light so bright and white yet so unnatural covered the classroom window from the classroom door, blocking us from making contact outside of the very classroom we stood upon.
"An earthquake?!" Renji shouted, but he and everyone knew that no normal earthquake can bend reality like this.
Chairs floated. The light from the cracks made its way inside the classroom and disintegrated the table into motes of light. The blackboard unnaturally shattered like glass— its pieces hanging frozen mid-air as if time stopped.
"Hayato!" Mizuki screamed my name with tremendous fear as she trembled, almost falling on her knees.
I grabbed her immediately and hugged her tightly to keep her safe, then in front of me I saw Aoi trembling beneath the table, her wide eyes locked with mine—fear etched into every inch of her face as she clutched the wooden leg like it was her last hope. I reach my hand toward Aoi as I try to keep Mizuki safe from any harm, I reach as far as I can.
But I failed...
A sound—like a chime echoing across a canyon rang in our ears, followed by a voice. Mechanical, yet ancient. Like something divine... or demonic.
He spoke. "Chosen ones from another realm. You who bear potential... Shall be granted power in exchange for purpose, come forth to the lands of gods and demons!"
And then the light consumed us... I felt nothing, all around was silence and emptiness...
When I opened my eyes it was no longer the familiar classroom that all of us decorated with our hearts content, it does not sound like the same classroom in which Izumi plays her instruments as we sing and dance in harmony, it was not the same classroom that all of us spend our day to day life with joy and warmth.
Marble. Gold. Banners of deep crimson hung like royal blood from vaulted ceilings that seemed to scrape the heavens. Ornate chandeliers glittered above us, catching the light from torches that burned with unnatural blue flames. It was like stepping into a dream or one of those isekai mangas that Miyu reads.
We stood on a polished floor so smooth I could see our reflections, fifteen stunned students and one teacher scattered in a room that was too quiet; too still. At the far end, high atop a staircase of white stone, sat a throne so cold and towering as the figure sat still— observing us as if he was the god and we were his toys
I didn't know whether to bow, run, or scream. But I knew this wasn't our world anymore.
And someone had brought us here for a reason.
Mizuki was tugging at my shirt as if she was gonna tear it up. It looks like Aoi managed to grab my hand and was still shaken by what had happened. Riku was still blinking, trying to process what had transpired and the others were on the ground confused and shaken, except for one.
Our class President Lukas has already moved in front of the class instinctively, standing still and strong like a king standing against another king to protect his men. Me? I was doing my best not to throw up, the way we were transported in this unknown world gave me a strong stomach ache.
"Greetings hero from another world!" A man, who appears to be old and wrinkly but still looks powerful appeared in front of us like magic. He holds a staff made from hardwood and his clothings looking expensive with gold embroidering looked at us in amusement. "I am the Royal Wizard of the Kingdom of Aurelis! My name is Rahl Magnus and I have called upon you here to save our kingdom from the demons who dared to threaten our homeland!"
"Kingdom of Aurelis..?" Kuroe snickered in annoyance. "What the hell! I still have a lot of things to do back home, why did you have to summon—"
"Oohhh! Is this finally the start of my life as an isekai protagonist?!" Miyu shouted in joy. "Where's my harem? Come one, give me my harem!"
"Well... I guess there may be some here who do not want to be heroes..." Rahl said, his voice faltering slightly as his confident smile faded. "Anyway, if you want to go back to your realm then you have to defeat the demon king! You may not know this, but the Demon Lord has the ability to go to other realms such as yours... Knowing that your realm is also on the verge of danger at the hands of the Demon Lord, do you accept to not only be the heroes of this realm, but also heroes to yours?"
As soon as the words "your realm is also on the verge of danger..." were spoken, a chill ran down my spine.
Was this really happening? Not just our lives, but our entire world was being dragged into this madness? I clenched my fists. My heart was racing, not with fear, but with a sickening blend of anger and confusion.
It felt like time stopped.
The cold stone of the throne room felt like it pressed against my heart, but the chill that gripped me came from inside. My thoughts spun in chaos. This wasn't some fantasy or dream anymore. It wasn't just about saving a foreign kingdom.
It was about home.
Japan. Our world. Our families. My little brother who still can't sleep without her nightlight. My dog, who always waits by the door for me after school. My mom's quiet humming in the kitchen... Was all of that in danger now, too?
"So... We either fight for the world we don't even know or have connection with or risk losing the people we love back in our own world..?" I muttered under my breath.
The room grew colder from what I said, everyone reacted the same way as I do. The same feeling of being forced to do something against their will... It's as if we were being told that our family back in our world are hostages and we have to pay a fine to set them free, but in this situation we have to pay for our blood and sweat.
Mizuki looked stunned by what I said, her usual playful smirk clean from her face. "So, you're saying we don't have a choice in this matter..? That's.... That's..."
"This doesn't make sense!" Haruki, who is usually composed and calm, shouted in pure rage. "If you want your world to be saved by this so-called Demon Lord, aren't you making a mistake choosing us students?"
"It is not a mistake choosing the fifteen of you as heroes..." Rahl responded with a hint of melancholy, he clenched his fist tightly on his staff and looked at us with a pained expression. "Even I do not want to send children brimming with potential and growth to war, but even we were not given a choice... If we summoned older people they may not live long enough, which is why we summoned you fifteen here since this war might take years to end and your teacher will watch and guide you in the backline. Which is why I'm sorry..."
I heard Riku's voice, steady and sharp. "You talk like we've been given a choice, but you're not giving us one, are you?" His fists were clenched. "If it's true that our world's at risk... Then we'll fight. But don't treat us like heroes that you need, we're not doing this for a noble cause to save another world but we're doing this for our people."
Ms. Ayaka went in front and looked at us worriedly, it's normal since she is the only adult here who was transported with us. "As their teacher and currently their only legal guardian it is my duty to ensure that they are safe, even if they may agree to being heroes. Tell me Rahl, no— tell me King of this kingdom, can you guarantee that my dear students will be safe?"
There in front of us sat a person whose aura felt close to a god, his tall and muscular figure were like the titans mentioned in Greek Mythology. His clothes that were filled with gemstones and gold shone brightly to show off his chilling figure gave us all a fright.
The King's eyes darkened as he met Ms. Ayaka's gaze. His regal posture stiffened, but a flicker of genuine sorrow passed across his face.
"Teacher Ayaka," he began solemnly, his voice carrying the weight of both authority and regret. "I cannot and will not make empty promises. This path is fraught with danger, and those who walk it may not all return."
He took a step closer, lowering his tone. "But I swear in the honor of my name King Albrecht Vael Aurelis and the name of my ancestor who preceded the Kingdom of Aurelis that no harm will come to your students...."
He paused, letting the silence stretch like a blade. "They will be warriors, champions not only of this realm but of their own. And I will see to it that they are equipped with all they need to survive, yet the risks remain real."
His gaze softened slightly. "Your duty is to protect them as their guardian is something I admire for I would do the same thing for my children. I help them prepare for a battle that will decide the fate of two worlds within all my power."
Ms. Ayaka looked at us, it was the first time seeing her like this. Back in our old world she sometimes gets angry or worried at us, but not to this extent that we can feel and empathise with her. "Please know this, each and every one of you is like my own family. I've watched you grow, laughed with you, and worried over you. And now, seeing you thrown into this impossible situation, my heart aches for the danger you face. If anything happens to any of you... I don't know what I would do. So please, promise me you'll look out for each other. Trust in your bonds, your strengths, and in yourselves. No matter how dark the path becomes, you are never alone. I believe in you all and I will stand with you, always."
Everyone looked at our teacher's weakness, out of all of us she will be the one burdened by both her guilt and responsibility as our teacher and the only adult here. Not only that, but she will just be watching us in the backline as we spill both sweat and blood.
Elodie smiled which is in contrast with her normal cold attitude, she raised her hand and looked at King Albretch without a hint of fear in her eyes. "Though I have doubts about what the King said, I will never doubt you teacher... Isn't that right everyone?"
Looking at how Elodie acted gave everyone a small sense of hope, everyone stood up with confidence, even Aoi who is usually nervous managed to calm down her composure. "We may be students and inexperienced... But I believe we can do this..!" Aoi shouted with slight nervousness.
Lukas went in front and stood beside Elodie with conviction, he clenched his fist and put it on his heart shining in radiance like a true leader. "Classmates... No, even if we're not related by blood we're as close as family... We may get hurt, we may face scary and strong enemies, and there may be a chance we won't return back home, but with our resolve and bond let's do our best to protect one another and save our world. Who's with me?!"
The room erupted in joy, the morale of the class sky-rocketed from Lukas' speech. The King and the wizard smiled in joy as they saw students on the verge of despair regaining their hope back.
I looked at everyone and complied with their wishes. I may not be athletic like the President and Vice President and may not be confident in my social skills like Mizuki and Kuroe, nor do I have the skill to break through my shell like Aoi and Haruki. Still I will do my best...
But...
I don't know why...
EVen though I may be pessimistic, for some reason I'm more cautious than right now toward King Albretch and the Wizard Rahl...
Something I can't describe...
Something I find sinister....