Summoning Ritual

In an underground hall of a castle, long poles with glistening orbs on top of them were mounted in a wide circular shape.

At the center of this layout formed by the poles was a big magic circle that had multiple arcane symbols drawn within. 

It has been months since this magic circle has been drawn, but it was only now that it had shown results as it began to take on a mild glow.

Seeing a response after months of work instantly motivated the Mages, who had been in-charge of this ritual, prompting them to take their positions beside a pole causing the orbs on top to gather more mana and strengthen the effects of the magic circle.

The Head Mage supervised this ritual with the King's sword who was right beside him.

"Do you think it will work?" The King's sword asked.

Stroking his chin carefully, the Head Mage replied, "Hmm, ever since we started carrying out this ritual, this is the first time such a thing has happened. I am inclined to believe we might reap something positive from this. Maybe I will get new insights on what symbols to add to complete the circle."

The King's Sword nodded, "That doesn't sound bad too."

After obtaining the incomplete magic circle to carry out a summoning ritual, the Head Mage and his subordinates have been tasked to complete the magic circle. 

As long as they summoned at least one being, they were very satisfied.

Moments after the Mages strengthened the magic circle, one of the mages beside a pole said, "Head Mage! We've gotten a connection. It is linked to somewhere!"

The Head Mage didn't hesitate nor make any unnecessary actions. He stepped forward, closer to the formation, raising the staff in his hand, he muttered incantations, drew more magic circles and symbols, further increasing the chances of success for the ritual.

The Mages were given pills by the bystander mages and helpers, boosting their efficiency and increasing their mana. 

The glow emitted suddenly increased, covering the entire hall. It was like a divine descent.

The lights slowly receded, leaving a group of people standing on the now dormant magic circle.

The group of people had just experienced something unknown and unexplainable. This led to them panicking.

Immediately after the ritual seemed to prove successful, the mages retreated and the armed warriors stepped forward, standing at alert, but they avoided pointing their weapon towards the group of panicked individuals.

While this occurred, the Head Mage and the King's Sword stood side by side once more.

The King's Sword said after carefully observing the summoned. "Albus, do you see what is around them?"

Albus, the Head Mage, who had more expertise frowned. He scrutinised the teenagers that wore unfamiliar clothes. The mana that surrounded them was dark in the eyes of Albus, making him believe it was some curse. On further inspection, he changed his mind.

"I do. They have the scent of death looming on them." Albus said.

"Do you think this is the effect of this ritual?" The King's Sword asked.

Albus responded,

"I believe not. These individuals would have died in the coming days if they didn't do something about it. They seem to have encountered something in their world that caused this and that was probably what made the summoning ritual successful. 

"Additionally, travelling two worlds has weakened this scent of death, heh, you could say we saved them, we'll be able to break this curse."

Albus deduction was close to the truth. The class that had been summoned to another world came into contact with something, and this was Finn.

They made contact with Finn, who was a Ghost that attracted death after escaping the path to the afterlife. But because of Finn's nature, death couldn't precisely pinpoint who had cheated it, hence why it indiscriminately affected the whole class.

The class members were confused by what had just happened.

They had travelled worlds and their souls were strengthened. Because of this, they were sensitive to mana, all of them could see a black aura emanate from their body. With everything that had just happened, this worried them even more-it was nothing close to a good sign.

Hearing Albus' words and seeing the timid faces of the summoned, the King's Sword had an idea.

"Follow my lead." He said to Albus.

Wearing high-tier armour, with a worthy sword sheathed at his waist, he released a bit of his aura and walked towards the summoned.

This called their attention.

Spreading his arms, the King's Sword said. "Young ones, welcome to this new land and welcome to the Kingdom of Liverthin. I am the sword of the King of this Kingdom as well as his trusted advisor. Young ones, please call me Bram."

The aura Bram exuded seemed to calm the summoned. They felt like they had encountered someone reliable that they could trust. This was the aura of a Leader.

As the class quieted down, one of them, a female, questioned. "Mr... Bram, what do you mean new land and new world? What is all this and what's coming out of my body?"

A warm smile formed on Bram's face, he responded, "Young Miss, you have left your old world and entered a new world. Unfortunately, the black energy from your body is a sign of your incoming death-you all have been cursed! Our capable mages detected this and brought you here to this world."

"We're going to die?"

"What's all this bull crap?"

"I want to go home!"

Witnessing their panic, Bram added, "Let me tell you all. If you return to your old world, you will inevitably meet your death! We offer our help to cleanse this aura of death, and also additional authority and wealth in this kingdom if you guys help us. In this world, you all are prodigies!"

Albus took this opportunity to approach the summoned. He casted a spell once again, covering them with a warm light.

The black energy on their body dimmed in color, relaxing them a bit. Unbeknownst to them, this was a cover up for a spell that also affected them mentally.

For a weird reason, they now believed Bram.

Bram approached them further, and asked, "Would you like to take our offer?"

Hesitatingly, the summoned children accepted.