It was the late afternoon sun bled through the windows of Classroom 3-B, casting long, orange shadows across the desks. It was that sluggish hour of the day where the hum of the air conditioner was the only thing keeping the students awake.
At the front of the room, Aiko-sensei, a young woman with tired eyes and a kind smile, was scribbling historical dates on the chalkboard.
The class representative Suzuki Minato, also know as golden boy admired by everyone was sitting confidently focused on lecture . Beside him were sitting his friends Tanaka Isahi and Ito Yuito.
The class beautities Hashimoto Sakura and Inoue Aoi were also focused on lecture.
The gyarus group Mori Mei, Yamada Akari and Yoshida Nanami were talking to each other's passing comments giggling.
The class delinquents Oyadama Shogou, Yamamoto Nagi and Kobayashi Sora and Along with other group were chatting, dishealved appearance
The class introverts Amari Yuuki, Kageyama Haruto, Inugami Akira , Hoshino Rin,Kurogane Tetsuya and Shiranui Kazui were busy in their own world.
Amari Yuuki sat by the window, his chin resting on his hand. His gaze wasn't on the chalkboard, but on the reflection in the glass, tracking the movement of every person in the room.
To his right, Kageyama Haruto was slumped over, his arms crossed. To anyone else, he looked like he was daydreaming, but his fingers were twitching in a rhythmic pattern—practicing the muscle memory of a fast-draw.
Inugami Akira was leaned back in his chair, balancing on two legs, staring at the back of Haruto's head with a look of pure irritation. He looked like he was seconds away from starting a fight just to break the boredom.
Rin Hoshino was the only one appearing to "study," but her notebook wasn't filled with history notes. She was sketching a structural map of the school's security cameras.
In the corner, Tetsuya Kurogane sat like a statue. He was currently staring at a loose screw on his desk with a cold, analytical intensity, as if he were mentally calculating how to reforging the metal into something lethal.
And then there was Kazuki Shiranui. He was the only one actually asleep—or so it seemed. His head was down on his desk, a small puddle of drool forming, but his ears twitched at every footstep in the hallway.
"Hey, Haruto," Akira whispered, his voice a sharp blade in the quiet room. "You're breathing too loud. It's annoying."
Haruto didn't even open his eyes. "And your face exists. That's annoying. Shut up before I bury you in the gym storage."
"Try it, you lazy—"
Yuuki sigh
"Calm down you two."
Aiko sene who was teaching speaks up
"Attention everyone! No talking during lecture" Aiko sensei said
Suddenly the orange glow of the sunset was suddenly devoured by a violent, neon-blue light erupting from beneath the floorboards.
"What the—?!" Suzuki Minato jumped back, the light was humming, a low-frequency vibration that made everyone's teeth ache.
The gyaru group—Mori, Yamada, and Yoshida—screamed in unison, clutching each other as their desks began to rattle. The delinquents, Oyadama and his crew, kicked their chairs over in a blind panic, swearing and scrambling toward the locked classroom door.
"Everyone, stay calm! Get to the corners of the room!" Aiko-sensei shouted, her voice trembling.
But in the back row, the silence was absolute.
Amari Yuuki stood up slowly, his eyes cold and clinical as he scanned the glowing runes. He didn't look afraid; he looked like he was memorizing a map. " Strange" he muttered.
Kageyama Haruto and Inugami Akira shared a single, sharp look—their petty rivalry vanishing in an instant. Their bodies shifted into a low, predatory stance, hands instinctively reaching for hidden holsters that weren't there in this civilian life.
Hoshino Rin was looking down at shining flour with curiosity, "I think we are in a novel that I read yesterday" he muttered.
Kurogane Tetsuya was silent observing what's happening before his eyes
Beside him, Shiranui Kazuki had finally stopped looking sleepy. He was balanced on the balls of his feet
The smell of chalk and floor wax was replaced instantly by the scent of heavy incense, damp stone, and cold iron. The blinding blue light faded, replaced by the flickering orange of a thousand wall-mounted torches.
The students collapsed. Suzuki Minato fell to his knees, gasping for air. The gyarus were sobbing, and the delinquents were vomiting from the sudden motion sickness of interdimensional travel.
"O Heroes from another world!" a booming, ancient voice echoed through the hall.
The students looked up. They were no longer in a school. They were in a gargantuan cathedral-like hall made of obsidian stone. Lining the walls were hundreds of knights in gleaming silver plate armor, their spears leveled at the confused teenagers. At the far end of the hall, sitting on a throne of carved dragon bone, was a man with a crown of jagged gold and eyes that held no warmth.
"I am Empero Edwardo Emeres, ruler of this empire . We have summoned you all here to help us and save humanity from the dekns and the demon lord's " Edwardo the emperor declared standing up.
The class representative Suzuki Minato was surprised
"Emperor, save humanity, demons..." He muttered
Aiko Sensei was also surprised and was lost for words.
The class beautities and yarus were terrified unable to speak.
The delinquents were looking around in jaws opened widely.
Meanwhile, the class introverts
"Humanity... Demons..." Yuuki muttered, his voice a low vibration. He ignored the King's grand proclamations entirely. "Hey. Any of you got a read on where we are?"
Haruto and Akira were already coiled like springs. Haruto's hand was resting on his hip, concealing a short sword.
"No idea. Feels like a museum for old-age furniture," Haruto grunted, his eyes darting from the marble pillars to the balcony. "The guards in the front are decorative—heavy armor, slow reflexes. But the ones behind the throne... those guys have seen blood. They aren't blinking."
"What's the order, Boss?" Akira asked, his joints popping as he stretched his arms over his head. A wild, dangerous glint was in his eyes. "Do we take the King now, or do we wait for him to finish his bedtime story?"
"Patience, Akira," Yuuki said, not moving a muscle. "Rin, Tetsuya. Analyse." Yuuki said.
Tetsuya Kurogane didn't shift his stance. His eyes fixed on the spears of the knights. "The steel is low-grade," he said, his voice deep and raspy. "Still escaping is not that difficult "
He smiled then—a cold, terrifying expression that suggested he was already mentally causing at the palace.
Rin, meanwhile, was staring at the air in front of the "Golden Boy" Suzuki. "I read a novel last night with a setup exactly like this," she whispered, her eyes glowing faintly. "Hero summoning, Demon Kings, adventurers... it's a classic Isekai trope. If the logic holds, we're about to be 'Appraised.' They're going to look at our souls and give us Jobs."
"Jobs?" Haruto snorted. "I already have a job. It involves cleaning up Akira's messes."
"Shut it, Night-Owl," Akira snapped. "You're just mad because my kill count was higher last month."
"In your dreams, Dog-breath. You count 'accidental' falls. I count clean strikes."
"Both of you, shut up," Yuuki commanded. The two rivals instantly froze, though they continued to glare at each other. Yuuki turned his head slightly. "Kazuki. Report."
There was a moment of silence. Then, from the very back of the group, a muffled yawn echoed. Kazuki Shiranui was leaning against a cold obsidian pillar, his eyes half-closed. He looked like he was about to fall back asleep.
"Exits are trapped with don't know,magic or something " Kazuki mumbled, his voice thick with fake drowsiness. " Many archers, actually—with enchanted tips. The shadow under the throne is deep enough to hide a small squad. If we run, we go left. The ventilation system is large enough for us, but too small for those tin-can knights."
The "Golden Boy" Suzuki Minato finally noticed them whispering. He turned around, his face pale but determined. "Amari-kun! What are you doing? We have to listen to the King! He says we're the only hope for this world!"
Yuuki didn't even look at Suzuki. He looked past him, straight at the King's Royal Mage, who was approaching with a glowing crystal orb.
The Royal Mage, a hooded figure with eyes like cold embers, steps forward with a floating crystal orb that pulses with a rhythmic, golden light.
"One by one, step forward and place your hand upon the Soul Stone," the Royal Mage commanded. "Your true nature shall be revealed, and the Heavens will grant you the power to save us."
Suzuki Minato stepped forward first, his chest out. As his palm touched the glass, the room exploded in a blinding, golden radiance.
"Magnificent!" the King roared, standing from his throne.
Name: Suzuki Minato
Job: [Holy Hero]
Rank: S
His friends followed. Tanaka Isahi and Ito Yuito touched the stone, and silver light filled the hall.
Name: Tanaka Isahi / Ito Yuito
Job: [Heavenly Knight / Grand Paladin]
Rank: A
Aiko-sensei approached, her hands trembling. When she touched the stone, a soft, ethereal white light washed over the students, making them feel an instant sense of calm. The King gasped, bowing his head slightly.
Name: Sato Aiko
Job: [Divine Apostle]
Rank: S
"An Apostle!" the Mage whispered. "A direct bridge to the Goddess herself!"
The Beauties & The Gyarus
The "Class Beauties," Hashimoto Sakura and Inoue Aoi, stepped up next. The stone glowed with a soft pink and blue hue.
Jobs: [sword saintess] and [Archmage]
The Gyaru group—Mori, Yamada, and Yoshida—giggled nervously as they touched the stone, which flickered with vibrant, elemental colors.
Jobs: [Lancer], [Thief], and [Healer]
The Delinquents
Oyadama Shogou and his crew stepped up, expecting to be kings. The stone glowed a dull, heavy bronze.
Jobs: [Berserker], [Iron Vanguard], and [Heavy Gladiator]
"Muscle-heads," Haruto muttered from the back.
Finally, the Mage turned his gaze toward the back row.
The atmosphere in the room shifted. As Yuuki led his team forward, the Golden Light of the hall seemed to dim, as if the shadows were clinging to their heels.
Rin Hoshino touched the stone first. The golden light didn't just glow; it turned a deep, midnight violet.
Job: [ Mage]
Tetsuya Kurogane placed his heavy hand on the orb. The stone groaned under the pressure, turning a dull, matte black like cold steel.
Job: [ Blacksmith]
"I don't make toys," Tetsuya rumbled,
Akira Inugami and Haruto Kageyama touched the stone at the same time, causing a spark of friction.
Akira's Job: [ Martialist]
Haruto's Job: [ Dual-Swordsmam]
The two looked at each other and scoffed. "Martialist.More like a mangy dog," Haruto whispered.
"Shut up, besides you don't have swords or something so a sword ma without a sword is called nothing but a worthless wimp "Akira snapped back.
Haruto became mad
"Why you__
"Calm down you two. "Tetsuya said
Kazuki Shiranui barely touched the stone with a single finger, yawning. The light didn't even have time to settle before it vanished.
Job: [Assassin]
Finally, Yuuki Amari stepped forward. The room went dead silent. As his fingers brushed the surface, the golden light of the Soul Stone died instantly. A crack appeared on the surface of the crystal, and a notification appeared in the air that was visible only to him and the King.
Name: Yuuki Amari
Job: [Strategist]
Yuuki withdrew his hand, his expression as cold as a frozen lake. He looked at the "Hero" Suzuki, then at the King, and finally at his team.
The King leaned back on his throne, his golden crown catching the torchlight. "I offer you glory, riches, and the chance to be legends," he said, his voice echoing. "But a Hero's heart must be willing. If any among you truly wish to refuse this sacred duty... speak now."
He said it with a confident smirk, clearly expecting no one to turn down the chance to be a god-like savior.
Beside the throne, the Class Representative, Suzuki Minato, stepped forward. His new [Holy Hero] armor shimmered. "We accept, Your Majesty! We will protect this world!"
The class cheered. The gyarus giggled, the delinquents flexed their new [Berserker] muscles, and Aiko-sensei nodded tearfully, relieved her students had a purpose.
Then, a single hand rose from the back of the crowd. It was pale, steady, and held no hesitation.
"You said we could refuse," Yuuki Amari said. His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the cheering like a cold wind.
The room went dead silent. The King's smirk vanished. "I... I did. But why would—"
"Then we refuse," Yuuki interrupted. He didn't look at the King; he looked at his team.
One by one, the other five raised their hands.
Haruto yawned, looking bored. Akira cracked his neck with a smirk. Rin closed her eyes, already calculating the nearest exit. Tetsuya crossed his massive arms, his face like stone. Kazuki didn't even look up; he just raised a lazy finger while leaning against a pillar.
Amari-kun! What are you doing!?" Suzuki shouted, his face turning red with anger. "This is our duty! Are you that much of a coward? You're just afraid because your job didn't have a 'Hero' title! You're abandoning humanity!"
Yuuki finally looked at Suzuki. It was the look a professional gives a child playing with a wooden sword. "Humanity is fine, Suzuki. You're the Hero. Go save it. We're going home."
"You can't just leave!" Aiko-sensei cried out, stepping toward them. Yuuki san, it's dangerous out there! Please, stay with us where it's safe. The King will provide for you!"
The King's voice boomed, filled with a false sense of generosity. "But a Hero's heart must be willing! If any among you truly feel they are not suited for this sacred calling... you may step aside. We shall provide a small stipend for your journey as 'Commoners' of this land."
He expected a few of the weaker students to cry or hesitate. He didn't expect the six most capable-looking teenagers in the room to move in perfect sync.
Yuuki raised his hand, his face a mask of polite indifference. "Your Majesty, we appreciate the offer. But we aren't suited for the front lines. We'd only be a burden to the 'Real Heroes' like Suzuki-kun."
The "Golden Boy," Suzuki Minato, puffed out his chest. "Finally, you're being honest, Amari. You've always been a quitter. Fine, go hide in a village somewhere. We'll handle the Demon King."
Aiko-sensei rushed forward, her eyes wide with worry. "Yuuki-san! You can't just go! It's a dangerous world. Stay here, the Palace is safe. I can talk to the King, surely there's a desk job or—"
"It's okay, Sensei," Rin interrupted, giving a small, reassuring bow. "We don't want to cause a scene or take resources away from the others. We'll just find a quiet town and stay out of the way. It's better for everyone."
The King waved a hand dismissively, his interest already fading as he looked back at the Heroes. "Very well. Guards, escort these six to the auxiliary gate. Give them a silver coin each and let them find their own path."
The delinquents snickered as the those Six walked toward the back exit. "Losers," Oyadama muttered, "Imagine being so scared you'd rather be a beggar than heroes"
They didn't react. They kept their heads down, looking like "meek introverts" until the heavy iron gates of the side entrance groaned shut behind them.
The moment the guards were out of sight and the castle walls were behind them, the "meek" act evaporated.
The city of Solstheim at night was a maze of cobblestone and coal smoke. Magic lanterns cast flickering, sickly yellow light against the stone walls, making the shadows deep and jagged—perfect for people who lived in them.
Yuuki walked at the front, his eyes darting between the rooftops and the alley exits. He wasn't looking at the scenery; he was counting the number of guards on the battlements and measuring the height of the city walls.
"The architecture is medieval, but the layout is tactical," Yuuki muttered, mostly to himself. "The palace is the high ground, but the slums are a death trap. If the King decides he wants us back, this is where they'll try to corner us."
"Let them try," Akira growled, stretching his arms behind his head until his joints popped like gunfire. He was walking with a predatory bounce in his step. "I'm sick of pretending to be a 'quiet student.' My knuckles are actually starting to ache from not hitting anything for six hours."
"That's just your brain cells dying from lack of use, Akira," Haruto deadpanned, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He didn't look at his rival, his gaze fixed on a group of mercenaries drinking outside a nearby tavern. "You're making too much noise. Your footsteps are heavy. A professional doesn't broadcast his location to the entire street."
"Heavy?!" Akira hissed, spinning around to face him. "I'm as light as a damn cat! You're just grumpy because you didn't get to sleep in your precious bed today, Princess."
"I train at night, you idiot. This is my peak hour," Haruto snapped back, his voice low but sharp. "While you're busy 'stretching' like a gym teacher, I'm mapping the blind spots of every guard we've passed."
"Oh, wow, mapping! I'm so scared! Want me to get you a colored pencil, Haruto?"
"Quiet," Yuuki said. It wasn't a shout, but the sheer coldness in his voice made both of them lock their jaws instantly.
Yuuki turned his head slightly toward the back. "Tetsuya. Thoughts?"
Tetsuya Kurogane had been silent the entire walk, his eyes fixed on the weapons hanging from the hips of the passing mercenaries. His brow was furrowed in deep concentration. "The iron in this world is... strange," he rumbled, his voice like grinding stones. "It's infused with something strange called mana, but the smithing is amateur. They prioritize decoration over balance. I need a furnace, Yuuki. Even a basic forge. I can't keep us alive with school bags and pens."
Rin walked beside Yuuki, her fingers tracing the air as if she were feeling invisible threads. "This mana thing in the city is concentrated toward the Cathedral. It's a network. They can probably track anyone using high-level magic." She looked at Yuuki. "If I use a cloaking spell, it'll trip their alarms. We have to stay 'dark' until we're outside the walls."
"So that thing mana is actually good "Yuuki said.
"Yes, somehow mages need mana to cast spells and mana is building block of almost everything and we can use it to enhance physical strength as well." Rin said
"Where did you learn that?" Tetsuya asked glancing at him
"Novels , comics." Rin said
Yuuki sighs
At the very back, Kazuki let out a long, dramatic yawn, his arms stretched wide as he nearly collided with a passing beggar. "Man... all this talk of 'tactics' and 'mana' is making me even sleepier. Can't we just find an inn with a soft hayloft? My back is killing me."
To be continued...