Chapter 2

The name is Sora Kurosu, I am a 16-year old student with an ambition known only to my classmates that seem to have thought was hilarious. I however, believed it was possible, since back in my world, someone has told me that magic was only beginning to develop, that strange things were occuring left and right in the world I lived in before. And now, this "Princess" told us we were apparently summoned to this world to become heroes and save the place, but it is obvious to those with common sense, that it would be unwise to accept such an offer. Even in the normal world where magic doesn't exist, summoning someone or something would mean creating some form of contract between both parties, but the dangerous fact about it is, which party has the dominion over the other. And what the superior party wishes from the inferior party.

I mean c'mon, 42 unarmed children wearing only light school uniforms against an unknown monarch who has wizards and witches that can perform high-level summoning, and knights covered in what I presume to be steel, holding large, pointy halberds. It's clear who had more power.

We've been escorted to some kind of grand hall, filled by an audience of what I presume to be the king's, sitting by the sides of a large throne, with several notable features, such as the large wing insignia etched onto the throne. I'm standing by the back end of my classmates, who were helplessly, and some nerds I know gleefully containing their excitement, thinking about what they've gotten themselves into.

The king gave his introductory, as King Ferdinand the 2nd of Castille, . on my classmates about the situation. Sounds of gossiping and cheerful clasps of hands were followed by the classic "Save us from the Demon Lord" Troupe. I simply ignored the commotion that occur within the throne room. Everyone seemed to be pumped or excited, or whatever the youth of today use as terms of excitement to situations like these.

They all yelled up about something, I have no idea though, probably something about being "Heroes of another world". As I turned my back on them, as I always do whenever they go on about something. Ever since I was a child, I've been told that no matter where you go, people will always put their knowledge and understandings of the world, along with their emotions, first before yours. The harsh lesson of being alone, is to know and how, to handle everything alone. Even when you are burdened with the fact they will never know what you've done for them.

"And where do you think you are going?" all of a sudden, a guard with a battle-hardened expression appeared before me. He didn't hold the appearance of any of the other knights, he had much larger pauldrons than the rest. However, unlike the rest of the knights, his armor looks gtey and worn, like it has seen and unfold at least a hundred battles. A large battle axe slung behind him, stained in light crimson and reeked of something, and that something wasn't polishing oil.

Everyone in the room looked around, and are a bit confused as to what was going on "Leo, what are you talking about?" the king asked. The guard blocking my way, crossed his arms and took a closer look at me "You don't see him sir?" everyone started to panic "What? what are you talking about, Darius?" the king sputtered, the guards around the room began to act up, they lightly pulled out their swords from their scabbards. and some lowered their halberds. The man then said took a long bow "Sir, if you will allow me..." he opened the door "I think I might have a fever and seeing things, so I must take my leave to rest up..."

The king hesitated hesitated, but then with relief, he sighs "Very well, if your brain is playing tricks on you, I must have you well-rested. For you, the Great warrior of Hadarac, must be prepared for the training you are to give to our heroes..." he said with a smile "Thank you, your highness..." Was the last thing I heard before I managed to get away from the throne hall, however I didn't cover much distance before the same man followed up to me in his clunking armor "Wait there!" he said "I know you can hear me!" I stopped, and looked back.

"Who are you?" the person asked "I am nobody..." I responded "You are one of the heroes, aren't you?" he said out-of-breath "Well yes, but actually no..." I shrugged. the man straightened himself upwards, and took much slower breaths "Aren't you going to help this country fend off against the dark forces of evil?" He added "No, I'm not going too..." I replied "...But your friends are-" "Don't lump me in with those idiots! I am not like them..." I added. The man was hesitant for a second "You do not care about the fame and glory, along with the possible riches you could make, from being a hero? The respect and honor you would gain from the Masses as you journey forth?" I blighted at the word he said to me, yet at the same time he seem to have hated spouting that nonsense as well, so I responded nonetheless "I prefer to procure my riches, and honor, from another ambition..." I replied.

The man then moved closer, looked around, as if to check for eavesdroppers and then whispered "Then followed me..." Although it seemed sketchy, I had nothing better to do, and I didn't know exactly what to do after leaving either. So I just followed his lead.

We arrived at what appeared to be an exceptionally large soldier's barracks outside the castle, he lead me up to abnormally spacious room, filled with parchments rolled up in boxes and barrels of different sizes, a singular blade that looks like it has seen it's fair share of arena and battlefield days, was hung up above what appeared to be a cot.

"So, if you aren't going to become a hero, I'd like you to tell me personally..." he said gruffly, as he sat on his bed and began doffing his armor from his body "How sure am I to know that you aren't secretly picking me off?" I said. He sighed "Well if I was picking you off, I would've picked a location much farther away from this place..." He finished doffing his left bracer "Now, tell me everything, from your background, to what your real purpose being here, is..." I gulped at the thought, but then my mouth moved of it's own stupid accord.

I told him that I really was from another world, that I was what my world societal standards would've considered the worst, and also my ambition in the previous world had gained much more significance when I arrived to this world, and lastly, how I was able to evade from the sight of the king, using a mysterious gift I had obtained once from my father.

"I see..." He said "So you would like to develop this "technology" off of our magic system..." I nod "...And, you were "accidentally" chosen as a hero candidate?" I nod once more, he stood up for a second "Well then, how 'bout I send you off..." he said, my heart jumped from the words "Send me off?" "Yeah, you can't definitely do those kind of things under the eye of the king..." he said "You can use my room for this evening, I've got some important business to do. I'll ask someone to prepare your gear..." He then held out his hand for me "...And if you manage to make something out of our situation here, I'll be glad to know my effort this evening isn't wasted..." my left hand formed into a fist "Why?" I said, he turned around and looked at me "What?" "Why are you helping me? why are you doing this?" I tried not to cry "Why would you go this far? to betray the trust of your king, and your men, for some stranger like me-" he moved a bit closer "First of all, I'm not doing this because of any sort of favor, it's because someone outside needed me do a favor..." He hesitates, then he spoke "And second of all, I can't bear to see anymore of you die the same way..." a singular tear ran down, but he immediately wiped it off "My eye's just sweaty..." I then froze in shock.

"See you around, Sora Kuroku..." Leo said

as he went behind door, and then closing it.

I was spastic about what I just heard, but after several minutes of thinking, I've deciphered what he meant by "Dying the same way...", and believe me, they weren't good ones. 'There can only be a few conclusions...' I thought '...But the most likely one is, we weren't the first heroes they've summoned...' I looked at several empty pieces of paper on a table 'And from the looks of it, we aren't gonna be the last group they're gonna summon...' I looked through an open window. I saw the a half-moon shining over a vast field of water, realizing only later that it's the ocean. The peaceful sea breeze and salty wind filled me up in my heart. Nostalgia at it's best, and at it's worst.

'This already reminds me of home...' I thought "...And I'm starting to hate it..."