Real applicability

The long-awaited day had finally arrived. All the students of class 2-B seemed excited, dressed in their classic fantasy outfits, each one suited to the job they had chosen. Some wore gleaming armor, others bright wizard robes, and some carried magical weapons radiating a mysterious aura. Cheerful shouts and laughter filled the entire training ground, reflecting their enthusiasm for embarking on a new adventure in this unfamiliar world.

In the midst of the crowd, one person stood out. Mrs. Nakamura, the homeroom teacher of class 2-B, wore a worried expression. Her usually cheerful brown eyes were now filled with concern, and her always smiling lips were now tight with tension. She looked at her students with a mix of affection and deep anxiety. Every laugh and cheer from her students cut her heart deeper, knowing they were being sent off as tools of war in a world they did not know, facing dangers she couldn't imagine.

Mrs. Nakamura took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She knew she had to be strong in front of her students, but the fear was hard to hide. Helplessness enveloped her, the feeling of being unable to protect the children entrusted to her weighing her down. She felt trapped in a nightmare, where everyone around her either didn't notice or didn't care about her fears and anxieties.

With a heavy heart, Mrs. Nakamura tried to speak with a few students, offering them last-minute encouragement and advice. However, her voice trembled, and her smile felt forced. She hoped with all her heart that everything would be okay, that the children would return safely. But deep down, she knew that might be a tall order.

On the other side of the field, I stood observing my friends' preparations. Unlike them, who wore fantasy-style outfits, I wore clothing that was slightly modern but still suitable for combat.

I had already attracted a lot of attention upon arriving at this open field, ready for a real, tangible battle. My appearance, out of sync with the others, made me the center of attention. My classmates wore flashy fantasy gear while I stood there in a modern military uniform with a rifle in my hand.

Whispers began to spread around me, reaching my ears with tones of skepticism and curiosity. "Look at him, why is he wearing that?" "What is he thinking? This isn't the modern world anymore." "Does he really know what he's doing?"

I tried to stay calm amidst the whispers. I crossed my arms and leaned against a large pillar at the edge of the field, trying to enjoy the tranquility I created for myself. Closing my eyes for a moment, I regulated my breathing, focusing on the lessons from Nikolai and the strategies I had planned.

The fresh morning air carried the scent of trampled grass and a gentle breeze that touched my face. The clear sky, with clouds moving slowly, created a stark contrast with the tension inside me. I felt my heartbeat quicken, but I knew that staying calm was crucial to facing this situation.

From the corner of my eye, I saw some of my friends looking at me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Some of them whispered to each other while glancing in my direction, while others just gave a brief nod of acknowledgment.

I opened my eyes and looked around. Mrs. Nakamura stood not far away, still with a worried expression. I could feel her anxiety, but I also knew she trusted us, despite her worries. With steady steps, I walked over to her, hoping to ease her anxiety a bit.

"Nice weather, isn't it, Mrs. Nakamura?" I said with a warm smile.

Mrs. Nakamura, who had been restless, was slightly startled by the sudden greeting. "Ah, yes... Sorry, do I know you?" she asked, studying my face closely.

I realized that in the past week, I had changed so much that I was almost unrecognizable. My once chubby body had transformed into a leaner and more muscular figure, and my appearance was now vastly different from when we first arrived in this world. If I told her who I really was, her reaction would be exactly as I imagined—shocked and full of questions. I had to think of a way to keep my ability to access the store feature a secret. Given my drastic change in appearance and clothing style, it wouldn't be easy to make her believe me just like that.

I smiled, trying to hide my unease behind a calm demeanor. "It's me, Mrs. Nakamura. Johan Anderson," I said softly, hoping my voice would help her recognize me.

Mrs. Nakamura's eyes widened briefly before narrowing again, still full of doubt. "Johan? Is it really you?" she asked hesitantly.

I nodded confidently. "Yes, ma'am. I know it's hard to believe, but a lot has happened in a short time. I... found a way to improve myself."

Mrs. Nakamura studied my face again, trying to find traces of the student she knew behind this new appearance. "But how? Your change is so drastic."

I scratched my cheek and looked away, whispering, "Maybe I pushed myself too hard?"

The mature woman in front of me was stunned by my words. "Eh!? Impossible! No matter how I think about it, this is still impossible! Johan, we've only been here for a week! And you've changed this much already!"

I could see the deep shock in her eyes, as if she was trying to find a rational explanation for the rapid transformation. I realized that my simple explanation might not be enough to ease her doubts, but I had to try my best.

However, as I tried to explain further, a knight from the castle approached us with a loud voice, "Everyone, line up immediately!"

I saw the others starting to line up, which saved me from the difficult situation I couldn't handle alone. "I'll explain more later, Mrs. Nakamura," I said as I stepped toward the lineup, leaving my still-astonished teacher behind.

...

The knight stepped forward, standing in front of us with a strong aura of authority. His voice echoed across the field, full of enthusiasm and conviction. "Young warriors, today you will begin an extraordinary journey. Do not let tension control you. Remember, you are the hope for the future of this kingdom. You will not be alone on this mission. A company of royal soldiers will accompany you to the dungeon, and two knights will oversee and protect you."

The speech was meant to boost our spirits, trying to ease the tension that hung in the air. We were all novices in this, and the presence of experienced soldiers and knights provided a bit of security amidst the uncertainty.

Although I felt somewhat cynical about the kingdom that forced us into their war, there was a glimmer of responsibility shown through their actions. They ensured we would not face danger alone, indicating they cared, even if it was just to protect their investment in us as potential heroes.

I stood in line, looking at my other classmates. Some of them seemed calmer after hearing the knight's speech, while others still showed signs of nervousness. I knew that although this kingdom had hidden motives, they still provided the necessary support for us to survive.

The knight continued, "This is the first step in your long journey. Every step you take, every challenge you face, will shape you into true heroes. Trust in yourselves, and trust in your comrades."

The speech ended with applause that echoed across the field, offering a bit of relief among us. The knights and royal soldiers prepared to lead us to the dungeon, where our first challenge awaited.