Chapter-2:The Reckoning?

'Well that skipped right past the lines in my head canon huh' Thought Nathaniel bemused at the unexpected turn of events.

"A few of you may choose to volunteer your lives in case turmoil is a seed you don't wish to water." Spoke the unnamed old man and gave a wide grin.

'What the actual fuck? I love all of these psychopaths, I don't think I'll ever have to complain about my life being boring at this rate' Thought Nathaniel and raised his hand.

"What if the entirety of us decide to volunteer ourselves? Since we're your so-called saviours wouldnt that force your kingdom to end up at square one? I feel like you guys have deemed a few of us unworthy already and seek to weed them out in a nonchalant manner so let's cut to the chase shall we?" Spoke Nathaniel while staring right into Xernias' eyes. The Kings eyes lit up as Nath ended his piece and he snapped his fingers only to appear right next to Nath seemingly teleporting across the massive room.

"You intrigue me little one, Whats your name?" Asked Xernias ignoring the shocked gasps of Naths immediate neighbours and the intended target himself. The crowd erupted into pandemonium as people cliqued up. Some groups acted smug while some groups broke down crying because everything felt far too sudden to them. A group of 5 however paired up and decided to volunteer because they had convinced themselves that if they died here they would return back to Earth.

"I'm Nathaniel, Milord" Nathaniel spoke with respect and attempted to bow but Xernias held his shoulders and lifted his chin up instead.

"A warrior of intellect and bravery musn't ever let their head down! You truly do seem promising."

The crowd was still in chaos.

"Silence!" Screamed Xernias and black threads erupted from his body. The entirety of the crowd incuding Nathaniel felt as if invisible chains had materialized on their body and covered their mouths as well. Everyone had fallen to their knees or sprawled out on the ground but 4 still lay standing with confused faces as their peers had all seemingly crashed to the ground for no apparent reason.

Nathaniel recognized them as Jake, his bestfriend. Jonah, the sports club president. Mariah, the teachers pet and Kieran, the drummer of their school band.

"4 acolytes in our presence already? They shall go under your wing issac." Spoke Xernias as Isaac, the old man nodded. He chanted under his breath and swung his hands around him in a circle as a ball of darkness appeared. It split into four pieces and struck each of the students before encompassing all of them inside balls of darkness. The balls began to constrict and everyone stared at them wide eyed. When they extinguised, there was no residue and Isaac had seemingly dematerialized as well.

"I guess it's time for the remaining lot of you to reach a consensus now. Nathaniel, you will follow after me and so will you!" Spoke Xernias as he pointed at Drew, the class loner.

"What is your name, little one?" asked Xernias with warmth.

"It's Drew milord. May i know why you have called me out specifically?" spoke drew with respect in a calm voice.

"It is because you are one of the 2 people who's aura didn't lose itself on sight of the balls of igor, the other unsurprisingly being Nathaniel." Explained Xernias.

A million questions ran across Nathaniel's head as he heard terms like aura, and balls of igor, which he took to be the fireballs. He now understood that's what the stocky man from earlier probably said while he was far too immersed in those translucent green threads.

'Garthorn, Xernias, Isaac. These names feel like they're right out of LOTR, I wonder if I'll be given a warriors name of something if i pass like trials or some intense magic training. I wonder if there's adventurer guilds and elves. God, I'd love me some elves and dragonborn and whew baby, fantasy harem here i come? Maybe?' rambled Nath internally as Xernias tapped him on the forehead and smiled.

'Maybe i should let you know i can read minds' Spoke Xernias into Naths head. Naths face went red and he kept thinking 'Donut monkey, Donut monkey, Donut monkey' Repeatedly to distract himself from other thoughts. Xernias gave a hearty laugh and snapped. The three of them disappeared in a bright flash as the onlookers stared around in confusion and fear.

"What will happen to us Lord Garthorn?" asked Jenny.

"I shall give ye lot 2 hours to have rest and then give you much needed information about this predicament ye have found yerself in. Fear not for ye won't be killed, Lord Xernias is quite a troublemaker and enjoys scaring people far too much. The truth of the situation is we lack the necessary funds to support all 27 of ye but since 7 have been picked under special circumstances, only 3 of ye will be unable to recieve constant care and support. Meaning, 3 of ye will have to train, make a living and gah, i have been rambling. I shall let ye rest since intake of mana for the first time is quite taxing on both the body and the mind." Garthorn snapped his fingers and everyone fell asleep in the positions they were frozen in. Be it on their knees or be it sprawled out on the ground.