Sponsored Or Chosen?

Hearth castle, just outside the throne room.

As I finish wiping away my tears the kitty maid next to me let out a small sigh of relief, lowering her head right under my hand to snuggle up to me just like a cat would...

Ah... I'm being healed.

With my emotions temporarily calmed down I stood up with the help of the kitty maid next to me as well as with the support of the other maids that stood near.

It seems that this wasn't the first time this has happened, where a summoned hero broke down and cried, hence they were trained to comfort us and help us get through our troublesome emotions.

With my still reddened eyes, we enter the throne room and spot the king who's leisurely sitting on the throne whilst talking with a lanky man with short black hair. Hearing the throne room doors open caught their attention, as the lanky black hair man turned to face us I noticed his unique Asian like features that stood out from the more western faces that filled the castle.

The lanky man smiled as I met his gaze, gesturing for me to come closer.

Giving one last glance and a smile to the kitty cat maid I began to walk forward, the king's old wrinkled face showing a kind smile as I stopped just a few feet away from them.

"Good morning your majesty.." I said before doing a slight bow "I was informed you wished to talk with me.."

Nodding in reply, the old king let out a hearty chuckle

"You woke up earlier than expected, you must have a strong soul"

At the mention of souls I was reminded of my encounter with the wisp right before we were summoned, the wisp told me the same thing... Before I or the king could say anything else a sudden eerie feeling crept up my spine, it was as if my whole body was touched by something intangible.

It wasn't just me who reacted to this, it seems like the king and the lanky man behind him felt it too as the king's Eyebrows shot upwards as if surprised.

Moments, after the chilling presence was felt five people wearing all white, appeared out of nowhere and surrounded the king, each of these people held an ivory staff as they made a circle around the throne as if preparing to defend against an incoming attack.

Several thoughts raced across my mind in the short span of time this happened. I honestly thought that the people in white were assassins aiming for the king's life... Luckily they were his guards... where did they come from? Come to think of it I didn't see anyone else inside the throne room aside from the king and the lanky black haired man.

Wanting to ask what was happening I went to open my mouth to speak but was quickly interrupted by the king with a hand on his chin as he rubbed his beard

"What powerful mana...And its origins are so close... but where from.... !"

It seems like the king came to a sudden realization as he quickly stood up, raising his arm to command the guards around him

"Assemble the Magistrate and send a squadron of knights towards the slumbering forest at once!"

With a quick nod, the guards in white left as fast as they came, their entire bodies seemingly vanishing right in front of me.

As startled as I was, I still had something important to ask the king so I spoke up and interrupted the two who began speaking to themselves.

"E-Excuse me!"

Turning to face me, the king let out another surprised expression as if he completely forgot about me being here.

"Ah, hero. I apologize for the interruption but I have something important to attend to. Kato, can you please escort the miss back to her quarters. We can talk again later today.."

"Eh B-but-"

Before I could finish my sentence I was quickly escorted out by the lanky man named Kato

I became frustrated as I was led out of the throne room, folding my hands and puffing my cheeks in frustration. Seeing this, Kato who was standing beside me let out an awkward laugh before apologizing.

"I apologize for the king's behavior, I've never seen him react like this before so it must be important." He said as he bowed his head

Feeling embarrassed about such a sincere apology i quickly told him to raise his head, telling him it was okay.

"Waah raise your head, please! It's not a big deal.. I just wanted to ask a question is all.."

"A question?"

"Yeah, I wanted to know where my classmate Alex went. I was told he already left."

Like the kitty maid, Kato took a moment to think of who I was talking about.

"Ah, you meant that guy.... huh"

Showing complicated emotions on his face, Kato began to walk back to my room while urging me to follow him

"That's a bit complicated... the person himself told us not to tell anyone but..."

"But I need to know, I'm the class representative and I'm pretty much responsible for everyone's safety!"

I tried my best not to laugh as I told my excuse. Hopefully, Kato falls for it, if not then I'll have to think of another way to find out.

"Ehh...ah... hmmm" The lanky man beside me started making strange faces as he thought of what to say

"Fine... but don't tell anyone that I told you this okay?"

I excitedly nod my head in response

"Okay... I trust you... Ya see that Alex kid is a bit... special."

"Eh? Like, slow in the head?"

"What? Hahaha no no, not that kind of special. I mean his entire existence is special. Over here in Babylon, we call them either a Sponsored or a Chosen-"

"Ah, I remember the king asking him that."

"Aye, A sponsored is someone brought to this world through other means aside from a summoning circle, usually it's through A godlike entity sending them over. In most cases, they were already strong in their old world and was sent here to do something for the god that sent them"

I see.. so its sort of like a student with a scholarship I guess?

"And a chosen is basically someone chosen by a god, instead of proving themselves through years of hard work like a sponsored, a Chosen was blessed by a god from birth so that they would grow into some super soldier that does the gods bidding. Usually, these types of people are fanatics and tend to be a little on the crazy side"

I nod in understanding, so a sponsored would be like a student with a scholarship while a Chosen is a child from a rich family who was accepted to school through his parents 'donating' large amounts of cash.

"So which one is he?"

"That... ah, we actually don't know. He didn't tell us after all, he simply left without telling anyone- It's a mystery how he got past the guards.."

I see... who knew Alex hid a secret like that- but wait, he never showed anything like superpowers back in earth...

"But... Alex never showed any powers or anything like that back in Earth. Is it because there was no magic in the first place?"

"No magic? So you mean there was no magic or mana in your homeworld?"

Kato looked surprised at what I said, it seems like worlds like earth with no magic is unique? After that our conversation went silent since Mister Kato went into deep thought up until we reached my room.

"Here it is, thanks for walking me back.." I muttered to him as I slowly opened the door and went inside

But before I could close it, Kato-san said something to me

"That classmate of yours... It's better if you don't look for him right now, at least not until we confirm a few things.."

Saying something ominous like that before heading off... really this guy.

As he left me alone in my room, I sat down on my bed to think...