Chapter 4 — Hero Training: Mostly Just Falling

I woke up in a place that felt completely unfamiliar.

As I tried to recall what happened last night, the door suddenly swung open, and someone walked in—a guy with bangs covering almost his entire face.

"Ah? You're awake? Coach told me to wake you up and bring you downstairs," he said casually.

When he mentioned "coach," it hit me who he was talking about.

"Uh… sorry, but who are you? And… where am I?" I asked.

"Me? I'm Alex. Team captain," he replied flatly.

"And… where is this exactly?"

"This is the Calvessia Kingdom Skystride team dormitory," Alex said.

"Wait, why am I—"

"Anyway, let's go. Training," he cut me off and walked out. I could only sigh and follow.

---

When we arrived at the training ground, I spotted something that looked oddly familiar from my world, though I couldn't quite place it.

Leo spotted us and shouted, "Oh, you two! You're fifteen minutes late!"

"Sorry, Coach," Alex answered calmly.

"Wait, hold up! Why am I here? Last night, I was in the castle room, and today Celine was supposed to take me to training! I wake up and—boom! I'm suddenly in a place I've never seen before! Explain!" I protested.

"Ah… I kidnapped you while you were asleep. But don’t worry about it," Leo replied nonchalantly.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT?!"

"Alright, alright, calm down. Sit. Alex, call the others," Leo said.

---

Soon enough, three more people arrived, making four including Alex.

"Alright, everyone’s here. This is Haruto Kisaragi, our summoned hero," Leo announced.

I raised my hand awkwardly. "Uh, yeah… Haruto Kisaragi. I got kidnapped by Leo. Please take care of me."

They all clapped. Seriously?

Introductions went around.

"I'm Alex Varein, team captain."

"Selena Alvaréz, vice-captain," she said elegantly—wow, she looked like a Spanish guitar in human form.

"Lucas Cyrus," said a grinning guy who already gave off ‘troublemaker’ vibes.

"Roland Stonewall," boomed a mountain of a man with muscles that could probably crush boulders.

---

"Alright, warm up first, then 50 laps around the field!" Leo barked.

Everyone sprang into motion. Except me.

"FIFTY WHAT NOW?!"

Leo smirked. "Are all otherworlders this weak? Pathetic. I almost feel sorry for you."

I glared but reluctantly followed.

---

After warming up, Leo blew his whistle.

"On your mark… run!"

Everyone bolted like their lives depended on it. Ten laps in, I was already dying.

My lungs… they’re… gone…

"Hey, Hero! Need a boost?" Lucas shouted, grinning ear to ear.

"Help… me…" I wheezed.

"Alright, you got it!" He started pushing me from behind.

"Wait—TOO FAST!"

He suddenly let go, and I flew forward like a ragdoll, tumbling and promptly vomiting.

Lucas rushed over. "Whoa! Sorry, man!"

Roland came jogging up calmly. "If you want a tip: breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth." His voice was deep and soothing.

"Th…anks…"

"Less talking, more running!" Selena ordered sharply, hands on her hips.

"Y-Yes, ma’am!"

Thanks to Roland’s advice, running actually felt… less like dying. Slightly.

---

After the hellish 50 laps, Leo called us in.

"Alright, Roland, fetch the Skystrides."

"Roger."

Roland returned carrying exactly what I saw earlier. The moment I recognized it, I shouted,

"Wait a sec—ISN’T THAT AN ENGG—"

"Eng-what?" Leo tilted his head.

"Is that some kind of spell?" Lucas chimed in, smirking.

"No! Back in my world, kids use this as a toy! You race on them and try not to fall!"

They all stared at me in silence.

"You're joking, right? Here, Skystride is a professional sport—even a national competition event!" Leo rubbed his temples.

"WHAT?! It’s a serious sport here?!" My jaw dropped.

Roland chuckled. "Sounds like your world was peaceful, Haruto."

"Enough chit-chat," Selena cut in, eyes sharp. "Training starts. Now."

---

I hopped on a Skystride and, thanks to childhood memories of Enggrang, I actually managed to balance… for about five seconds before I faceplanted into hay.

Lucas laughed so loud I thought he’d choke. "HAHA! New world record! Five seconds!"

"Watch carefully, Haruto," Selena said gracefully, balancing backward like it was nothing.

"Or just do what I do—don’t think, just go!" Lucas yelled before launching himself like a maniac.

He zipped past Roland—almost crashing—

"Lucas!" Roland blocked him with his Skystride.

THUD! Lucas flew off straight into the hay.

I couldn’t help but laugh. At least it’s not me this time.

---

Leo finally clapped his hands.

"Alright, that’s enough for today! Tomorrow, we start aerial sprints with Skystride!"

I collapsed to the ground. "Aerial… sprints…? I’m gonna die here before I even fight demons…"

Lucas slung an arm around me, grinning. "Relax, Hero. Tomorrow you’ll just fall… from higher up!"

"YOU’RE NOT HELPING, LUCAS!"

Leo called out while leaving, "If you only fall 30 times tomorrow, I’ll call it progress!"

"THIRTY?!"

Everyone burst out laughing, while I just stared blankly at the ceiling. Why do I feel like my ‘hero’ story is just going to be one long series of falls…?