We got Isekaied, right?

As the doors to the hall swung open with a creak, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to the entrance, where a group of figures was making their way inside with purposeful strides.

Leading the procession was the school's Director, a stern-faced woman known for her no-nonsense attitude. Harry knew her well since he had to enter her office for a few reasons. 

Beside her walked a middle-aged man dressed in elaborate medieval attire, his presence commanding and regal. The long cloak draped over his shoulders and the ornate crest embroidered on his chest marked him as someone of high rank and authority—likely the lord of this fortress, Elendir Keep.

Harry could tell it with one glance. 

Behind them followed a small entourage of teachers from the school, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. Walking alongside them were a few men in armor, and robes who appeared to be the lord's advisers.

Their eyes scanned the room, observing the gathered students and other teachers with a mixture of curiosity and evaluation.

At the rear of the procession, Harry spotted Leila, their popular student council president, with her head held high, her usual indifferent yet confident expression intact despite the bizarre circumstances.

Next to her was Arthur, their class representative and vice president, looking more serious than Harry had ever seen him before. Flanking them were two other students, familiar faces from other classes, and a few young inhabitants of Elendir Keep, each carrying an expression that ranged from curiosity to wariness.

Harry and his classmates watched in silence as the group made their way to the far end of the hall, stepping up onto a raised podium. The lord guy stood at the front, with the Director and the others forming a semicircle behind him. 

The lord guy raised his hand, and a small, metallic device in his palm began to glow faintly. As he brought it closer to his mouth, his voice, deep and resonant, filled the hall with a strange amplification.

"Greetings, people of Earth," he began, his tone solemn yet filled with authority. "I am Lord Eldric of Elendir Keep. It grieves me to welcome you under such dire circumstances. The calamity you have experienced—the End—has struck your world, as it did ours a decade ago."

'I knew it.'

A murmur of recognition passed through the students at the mention of the End. Harry could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the lord's words pressing down on them all.

"You have been brought here," Lord Eldric continued, "to witness what happens when a world fails to withstand the End. Our world, too, was subjected to this trial, and we are among the few who have survived its aftermath. It is our duty to ensure that you understand the gravity of what you face."

The lord paused, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, taking in their anxious faces. "I have spoken at length with your representatives," he said, nodding toward the Director and the teachers beside him. "Together, we have reached an agreement. We shall aid you in becoming stronger, more capable, and better prepared to face the trials that lie ahead until the first stage of this ordeal comes to an end."

Harry listened intently, his mind racing with questions. What exactly did Lord Eldric mean by "becoming stronger"? In what way? Magic? Cultivation? Superpowers? Leveling Up? He wanted to know!

As Harry glanced around, he saw confusion mixed with relief mirrored in the faces of his classmates and schoolmates.

Lord Eldric continued, his voice steady and firm. "Know this: the path before you is fraught with challenges. But you are not alone. We, the people of Elendir Keep, stand ready to support you in this time of need. Together, we will face the trials of the End and strive for survival, not just as individuals, but as a united force."

'Hm... Now, he speaks like those kings that appear in isekai novels...' Harry's expression became suspicious as he continued to listen to the Lord. 'Wait, now that I think about it, we got isekaied, right? When are we gonna check our status, classes, and skills?'

Lord Eldric concluded his speech with a final, resolute nod. "Tomorrow, we will start with the program. Your representatives will provide you with the details later. Until then, rest and prepare yourselves for what is to come."

With that, he bowed his head slightly in respect, exchanging quick nods with the Director and the teachers beside him.

The teachers returned his nod, their faces filled with a mixture of seriousness and gratefulness, understanding the gravity of the situation. Then, without another word, Lord Eldric turned on his heel and began to make his way back toward the hall's exit, his entourage following closely behind.

As Harry watched them leave, his gaze fell upon one of the boys from the other side of the hall—a young man with dark hair and a confident smile. The boy's eyes were fixed on Leila, the student council president, who stood poised and composed near the front of the group. Just before he turned to follow Lord Eldric and the others, the boy winked at her. 

'Damn, he looks like those pretty bad boys.' Harry muttered inwardly. 'But...'

Harry snickered inwardly at the sight, knowing full well what that wink meant.

The boy had likely been captivated by Leila's looks—her striking features and confident demeanor had always drawn attention.

But Harry, who had known Leila since middle school, understood that she was not easily swayed by such flirtatious gestures. She had a sharp mind and a strong will, and anyone who tried to win her over with mere charm would quickly find themselves rebuffed.

"Good luck, pretty bad boy," Harry muttered sarcastically under his breath, shaking his head slightly. "Experience is a harsh teacher."

As the lord and his group disappeared through the large wooden doors, the hall began to buzz with whispers and hushed conversations. The students were processing the information they had just received, some excited about the possibility of getting stronger(mostly boys), others anxious about the unknown challenges that awaited them(mostly girls).

Before the chatter could grow too loud, the Director stepped forward, her stern face softening just a bit as she addressed the students. Her voice, though firm, carried a note of reassurance.

"Students, please listen carefully," she began, projecting her voice so that it carried to every corner of the hall. "As Lord Eldric mentioned, tomorrow we will begin a program to help us adapt to this world and the challenges of the End. I know this is overwhelming and frightening, but we must face this together, with courage and determination."

'Here she goes with her motivation talk again...'

She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "You are all strong and capable, and you have already shown remarkable resilience by making it this far. Trust in your abilities, support one another, and remember that we are here to guide you through this. We will do everything we can to ensure your safety and prepare you for what lies ahead."

As Harry listened to the Director's words, he held the urge to sigh because of the drowsiness.

But he became a bit serious when the Director shifted the topic, outlining the basic rules and expectations for their time in Elendir Keep, Harry's mind drifted back to Lord Eldric's speech.

The End had already started in their world, and they were now living in a world that had barely survived it. Whatever this "program" was, it seemed like their only chance to learn how to get stronger which means to survive and, perhaps, find a way back home.