2. Somber under the sun

The blinding light faded, leaving Seiito blinking as his vision adjusted to a dim, alien space. Slowly, he realized he was lying face-down on a cold, polished floor. Groaning, he pushed himself up, brushing the dust from his uniform and looking around.

"Where...are we?" a classmate stammered, voice quivering with fear.

Takemi was already on his feet, every muscle tensed, his gaze scanning the unfamiliar room. He felt it instantly—an oppressive presence looming over them. Whatever force had brought them here was powerful, and it was anything but friendly.

"Everyone, stay alert!" Takemi's voice was steady, but his tone carried an edge that cut through the confusion. Even Seiito felt a jolt, snapping him out of his daze.

As his eyes adjusted, Seiito took in the grandeur around them. They stood in a throne room, vast and resplendent, like something out of a myth. Gilded mosaics of heroes and beasts adorned the walls, and crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden light that bathed the room in an otherworldly glow. A long red carpet stretched from their feet to a massive golden throne at the far end, where a regal figure sat, watching them.

The man rose, his gaze calm and assessing. "Welcome, Heroes from another world. I am Aurelius Valorian, King of Santizimo," he announced, his voice resonating with both authority and weariness.

"W-what... a king?" someone whispered, voice tinged with awe and fear.

Takemi's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the king. At a glance, Aurelius appeared elderly, even fragile. But Takemi sensed a deeper strength—a coiled power, as though the king could unleash devastation with a single command.

This isn't good, Takemi thought. We won't stand a chance if he decides we're a threat.

The king's somber gaze swept over them, settling briefly on each face. "Dear Heroes," he began, "I apologize for the suddenness of your summoning. But we are a nation at war, and our plight has forced us to seek...unorthodox solutions. We need your aid—"

"Hold on." Takemi's voice cut through the king's words, his tone sharp. "Did you just say...war?" The disbelief in his voice echoed across the room, setting off murmurs among the students.

Seiito's mind spun as he absorbed the king's words.

Just hours ago, they'd been regular students. Now, they were in a strange world, facing a monarch who spoke of war as if it were their concern.

"This can't be happening..." Seiito whispered to himself, the enormity of it pressing on him.

Takemi's fists clenched as he stepped forward, his voice filled with defiance. "You expect us to risk our lives for a cause that isn't even ours? We're just students! We don't belong here!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, their anxiety swelling into a shared outrage. Kōji, standing beside Seiito, crossed his arms. "Yeah! This isn't our problem! Send us back!"

The tension thickened as Takemi's words rallied the students, their voices rising in a wave of resistance. But amid the commotion, Saka's soft voice broke through.

"Takemi-kun... maybe we should hear him out first." Saka's tone was calm yet steady, and her gaze met Takemi's with a hint of gentle insistence. "We're still here, after all... and we're still human."

Takemi looked at her, caught off guard. "Saka...are you serious? You'd actually help?"

Saka held her ground, her expression resolute. "Yes. I don't believe they'd have called us here without a reason. Besides," she turned to the king, her eyes narrowing shrewdly, "I suspect there's no way back...isn't that right, King Aurelius?"

A flicker of surprise crossed the king's face, quickly masked. His nod was reluctant. "Indeed, as she has perceived. There is... no way to send you back."

A heavy silence fell as the reality of their situation took hold. Faces drained of color, and a few students choked back tears, realizing the lives they'd known were now out of reach.

Seiito's thoughts drifted to his mother—the home he had been torn away from. She must be devastated. First, she lost her husband… and now, him?

A cold wave of anxiety surged through his veins, tightening around his chest like an iron grip.

His hand instinctively rose to his heart as if trying to steady its relentless pounding.

But alongside his sorrow, a new feeling began to stir. A memory of his father surfaced, a proud military man, telling Seiito that courage was born in the moments that tested one's heart. The thought lingered, a quiet spark against the darkness of their situation. Maybe… maybe I can be more than I was back home.

King Aurelius's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Brave Heroes," he intoned, "I swear that your sacrifice will not be in vain. In return for your courage, we offer you sanctuary, sustenance, and a place in our kingdom."

"I will help." Saka stepped forward, her voice unwavering. "It's in my nature to aid those in need." She turned, meeting the eyes of her classmates one by one, her gaze lingering a moment longer on Seiito, as though silently urging him to step forward too.

"Such a goddess…" a student breathed, admiration glimmering in his eyes. Another whispered, "An angel…," clutching his chest as if he'd glimpsed divinity.

Takemi sighed, casting a reluctant glance at Saka. "Saka-san, you really know how to make things complicated for me," he muttered, half-amused. He stepped forward, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. If you're in, then so am I."

Seiito felt an odd pang as Saka's gaze swept over him, encouraging yet distant, like a lighthouse in the fog. He steadied himself, willing his voice to work. I can be more... I want to prove I'm not just the quiet one at the back of the class.

Beside him, Kōji fumed, his face darkening with jealousy. Why is she looking at Seiito? What does this fatso have? he wondered, clenching his fists in silent anger.

The king's voice drew their attention once more. "Your courage will be the shield that guards humanity," he proclaimed, his tone solemn. "The demons are relentless, and if we fail to act, all may be lost. We entrust our future to you."

With a gracious bow, Saka responded, her hand pressed over her heart. "Your majesty, I give you my word. We will defend your kingdom."

King Aurelius's eyes softened, his demeanor shifting to one of gratitude. "Then you have our eternal thanks. Now, please allow me to escort you to your chambers. I wish for you to rest; we have already taken so much from you."

The King's gaze lingered on his knight before he gave a slight nod, a silent command. In response, one of the towering knights stepped forward, his figure imposing as he slowly lifted his helmet. Beneath it, a battle-scarred face came into view—grim and resolute, yet softened by an unexpected, almost gentle smile. The contrast was startling, like a fierce guardian hiding an unbreakable kindness.

"At your service, my lord," the knight announced. His voice was low and resonant, bowing as he introduced himself. "I am Reivain, Captain of the Santizimo Knight Order. It will be my honor to train you, Heroes, and prepare you for what lies ahead."

Takemi felt the surge of mana emanating from Reivain. It was crushing—a power so vast that the air seemed to shiver around him. Just standing in his presence made Takemi's chest tighten. Any thought of escape or defiance vanished; they wouldn't stand a chance if Reivain or anyone here turned against them.

Damn it… His jaw clenched as he wrestled with the feeling of helplessness. It was the second time in his life he'd felt this powerless, and the sting was unbearable. He wouldn't let it happen again. He looked to his side and found Seiito, standing silently beside him.

"Takemi?" Seiito's voice was soft, his eyes reflecting a quiet concern.

Takemi's heart lurched with a memory—a bloody face, a friend's hand reaching out to him, the past's bitter shadow. His frustration flared as he glanced back at Seiito. I have to get stronger, he thought. I can't let him die here.

With a gruff sigh, he muttered, "Don't you dare die on me, Seiito." His voice carried a weight that cut through Seiito's surprise.

"Right…" Seiito stammered, taken aback. He hadn't heard Takemi speak with such intensity in years.

Reivain's commanding presence drew their attention again. "I know you are far from home, and all of this must be overwhelming. But know this: the fate of our kingdom—and our world—rests on your shoulders." He gestured to the exit, leading them out of the throne room. "Come. I will show you where you may rest tonight."

As they stepped out, the halls of Santizimo opened up before them—an architectural wonder of stained glass and stone carvings, grand tapestries depicting gods and heroes adorning every wall. They walked through the castle and eventually emerged into the streets of the capital, bustling with people despite the looming twilight.

Reivain led them deeper into the heart of the city, explaining the significance of each landmark with an unexpected warmth. But as they rounded a quiet corner, he lowered his voice, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"If you're curious," he said, his voice dropping conspiratorially, "a hard left down this alley leads to the 'pink district'—for those who wish to see our… hospitality in another form." He winked.

"The… pink district?" Yukiya echoed, confusion tinged with intrigue.

"The… place where pleasures of the night await," Reivain replied, his grin widening.

Several of the boys froze, eyes going wide. Seiito could feel a sudden, icy dread behind him—the girls had overheard. Takemi flinched under their glares, barely catching the word "pervert" whispered with venom. Saka's cold gaze locked onto Seiito, making his blood run cold.

She's like Medusa! he thought, feeling his legs weaken in panic. But before the girls could unleash their wrath, Reivain burst out laughing, the sound booming through the narrow streets.

"Ah, don't worry! You're too young for that anyway!" he said, clapping the boys on their backs, his laughter cutting through the tension. He resumed leading them with a relaxed stride, as if he hadn't just stirred up chaos.

After a brisk walk through the lively streets, the group finally arrived at a modest yet inviting tavern tucked away near the knights' quarters. The tavern's warm, wooden interior smelled of freshly baked bread and hearty stew, and the students began to relax, the surreal events of the day momentarily forgotten.

As they sat down, Takemi couldn't help but notice the warm smiles and curious glances from the townsfolk around them. For the first time, he could see the weight of their new role; they weren't just students here. They were heroes, the last hope for the people of Santizimo.

After ordering a meal, Reivain turned to the group, his face more solemn. "You've noticed by now—the people here look at you with hope. And I know this isn't what you wanted, but… our kingdom is on the edge. We have lost so much of our land that we are clinging to survival. Seventy percent of our territory is gone." His hand clenched into a fist. "We're running out of time."

The atmosphere grew heavy with his words, and the students fell silent, the enormity of the situation sinking in. For a moment, Seiito felt a pang of guilt—a life ripped away from them in an instant, but also one placed before them. A chance to be something more.

But the weight of Reivain's gaze pulled him back to reality. With the look of a man who had already decided to stand until his last breath, Reivain broke the silence. "Eat well, heroes. You'll need your strength."

He raised his glass in a quiet toast, and, after a moment, the students joined him.

That night, after they had eaten, Reivain led them to the knights' quarters, their rooms more luxurious than they could've imagined. Each space was adorned with tapestries of famous battles, suits of armor standing sentinel near the walls. Velvet carpets muffled their footsteps, and chandeliers cast a warm glow that somehow made the grand room feel like a sanctuary.

Seiito dropped onto the plush bed, exhaustion finally overtaking him. His thoughts drifted, his old life slipping further into memory, replaced by a new, heavier purpose. He knew that tomorrow, the real test would begin.