Between logic and chaos

"My dear brothers and sisters, let us praise the heavens!"

The assembly froze, bathed in the flickering glow of the candles. The old man raised his arms, his eyes shining with ardent faith.

"On this day, the oracle spoken by the Supreme Archbishop is fulfilled, as it has been handed down from generations past; and the word is now fulfilled before our eyes, without detour or veil."

A gasp rippled through the crowd before his voice rang out again:

"The travelers from another world are with us."

A sacred silence hung over the clearing, as if nature itself were holding its breath. Around them, armored knights knelt in reverence, their gaze raised with silent fervor. The echo of the priest's voice still echoed among the trees.

 Aoi timidly raised her hand, her voice breaking the spell.

"Um... excuse me?"

The priest slowly turned his head toward her. His deep blue eyes shone with emotion. He took a few steps closer, his arms still raised.

"Oh, my dear sister, your humility is like you... pure and sincere. You have no need to apologize. You are here by heavenly decree."

Aoi blushed, then took a step back.

"No, I just... uh... wanted to know where we are exactly?"

Kaito, standing next to Reiji, watched the scene with a suspicious look. He tugged lightly at Reiji's sleeve.

"Do you think they're serious? 'Travelers from Another World'... Any more, and it's like the beginning of all those clichéd isekai fantasy stories."

The priest bowed respectfully.

"Please forgive me. I am Grand Exarch Silvanus, High Priest of Light. You are in the heart of the Elorian Forest, an ancient sanctuary hidden in the thick of the forest. There, among the gnarled roots and mossy stones, remain the vestiges of a sacred past that time has not completely erased. The Supreme Archbishop has sensed significant magical disturbances in this area... and we knew the time was right when we saw this immense column of light."

A slender, authoritative woman, dressed in light armor, stepped out of the ranks. Her eyes were sharp, her voice firm:

"High Priest, they are disoriented. We must escort them to the Sanctuary for their protection... This area is not very safe."

Silvanus nodded.

 "Yes, Lady Kaelis. Let the Chariots of Light be prepared. The road will be long, and the darkness is already at work."

A distant rumble echoed to the north. Birds abruptly flew from the trees.

Reiji stood there, frowning.

"It sounds like... a roar?"

Silvanus closed his eyes for a moment, then solemnly declared,

"This area is currently under the control of the wyverns. We must escort you immediately to the Sanctuary to ensure your safety."

Kaito felt an icy chill run down his spine. The air in the Sylve was heavy, saturated with the scent of damp earth and resin. The shadows of the massive trees seemed to move, as if the forest itself were watching them. His breathing quickened slightly, and he let out a long sigh, a mixture of exasperation and worry.

 "Great... We're not even settled in yet and we're already in danger..."

The rumble intensified, like thunder rolling underground. The leaves rustled, and an almost palpable tension settled in the air.

Professor Sakura stepped forward, instinctively placing a protective hand in front of Aoi. Her face was tense, but she kept her voice calm.

"We need to get away quickly. This forest is no longer safe."

"Wait," said Mr. Kobayashi, the driver, his brow furrowed. "What about the others? We can't just leave them there without telling them!"

Professor Kentaro, tall and square, nodded gravely.

"I agree. Even if this all seems... unreal, we have students to protect. Kaito, Aoi, you stay close to us."

Reiji, who had been silent until then, cast a worried glance in the direction they had come from. 

"If anything happens to those who stayed on the bus... I'll blame myself for the rest of my life. We can't waste any more time."

Silvanus raised his hand, and several white-robed figures emerged from the trees, carrying long spears and glowing insignia.

"The Dawn Escort will accompany you. We'll guide you along the Firefly Path. It's discreet and fast."

Aoi, pale, remained behind. Her legs trembled, her mind in disarray. She followed the group like an automaton, her gaze blank.

Kaito, though troubled, felt a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety within him. Heat rose to his cheeks, his heart pounded, and a shiver ran down his spine with every rustle of leaves. His sweaty hands clutched his clothes nervously, and his uneven breathing seemed to melt into the wind. All around him, every detail seemed magnified: tree trunks giving off a damp smell, the distant song of unknown birds, and the unearthly glow of certain plants that made his eyes throb like sparks in his chest.

"If it goes on like this... I might not be able to stand it anymore..." he murmured, his voice trembling slightly, as he ran a hand over his sweat-dampened forehead.

The group set off, flanked by the guards in white. The ground seemed to vibrate beneath their feet. Every sound became suspicious.

As they approached a ridge from which the bus clearing could be seen in the distance, a shrill scream split the air, like thunder without lightning, breaking the silence.

Miss Sakura quickened her pace.

"Quick! If those creatures arrive before us..."

Silvanus stopped abruptly, placing a hand against a tree, his eyes closed.

"They're close... very close. But it seems they haven't spotted us yet."

The group accelerated, descending through the dense foliage to the path. Aoi stumbled several times, caught first by Kaito, then by the teacher.

Finally, they reached the area where the bus was parked.

Most of the students were still there, some crying, others agitated. Upon their arrival, eyes turned with relief, then concern at the adults' serious expressions.

Reiji stepped forward, his voice firm despite his shortness of breath:

"We don't have time to explain. There are monsters approaching. Wyverns. We have to leave. Now!"

A second rumble, closer this time, rattled the bus windows.

Faces froze. Panic began to spread.

Kaito clenched his fists, staring at the tree line on the horizon.

"This isn't a game anymore..." he whispered. "They're real now... and he's coming for us."

A deafening roar split the sky. The trees bent under a sudden gust of wind.

Five gigantic shadows swooped toward the clearing, their wings spread like those of ancient dragons. Their dark scales glittered in the blood-red light of the sky.

The wyverns.

"Stay back!" Lady Kaelis ordered, drawing her sword with a swift gesture.

Her knights formed a line, blades raised. A warlike tension filled the air. Beside them, Priest Silvanus was already raising his arms, then in a deep voice:

"Heavenly light."

A golden magic circle opened beneath his feet, illuminating the grass with a sacred glow.

"All together! In formation! Stay together!" Professor Kentaro's voice rose above the tumult.

He ran from one student to another, pushing them toward a gathering point. His glasses slid down his nose, his face tense but firm.

Miss Sakura, the calmest of the group, leaned against a tree, arms raised, palms visible.

 "Calm down! They're protecting us, look! They're their enemies, not ours!" She spoke loudly, slowly, as if to break the panic.

In the distance, Kobayashi, the bus driver, had huddled behind a tree trunk. His pale face was streaming with sweat.

"It's not... it's not real... It's not possible..." He huddled, his hands trembling, unable to look away from the monsters.

The wyverns dove.

The priest advanced resolutely toward the danger, his heavy footsteps echoing on the ground.

"Sacred fires!" he shouted, and immediately golden flames burst forth, spiraling down on one of the creatures. It screamed in pain.

Kaelis leaped, blade raised. She landed on his back, plunging her sword into the back of his neck. The wyvern fell, cut down by the white glare of the sacred steel.

The other four charged forward.

The priest raised his hand, his gaze burning with determination.

"Divine restraint!" he shouted. Chains of light shot out of the ground, trapping one of the wyverns. It was immediately pierced by energy spears launched by the supporting knights.

Only three of his monsters remained, spreading out to better coordinate their attacks.

 Lady Kaelis found herself facing one of them. She grabbed her sword and, with a precise gesture, pointed the blade at the creature. Her fingers grazed the metal, and immediately, it lit up with a blinding glow, hot and vibrant, as if the energy itself pulsed beneath her palm.

The creature rushed at her, its claws whistling through the air. Lady Kaelis inhaled deeply, a shiver running down her spine. Then, sharp waves of light erupted from the sword, slicing through the air with a crackle of energy, and struck the wyvern. The creature screamed before collapsing, smoking and motionless, at the knight's feet.

The two remaining creatures found themselves facing a group of knights. Each positioned themselves precisely, their movements perfectly synchronized, like a single organism. Spears clashed, swords sliced through the air, sending out bolts of energy that blinded the monsters.

And all this lasted only a moment, and the five wyverns collapsed, inert.

Reiji and Aoi didn't move.

But it wasn't fear that kept them rooted to the spot.

Their eyes fixed on the battle scene. The golden glow, the monsters' cries, the silver gleam of the armor...

"This is insane..." Reiji breathed, his eyes fixed on the sky where unreal creatures and bolts of energy clashed. A scene of pure fantasy, straight out of a nightmare or a childhood dream. He took a step back, panting.

"All of this is beyond me... and yet..."

His fists clenched.

 “I have no right to look away. I am responsible for them. If they panic… I have to hold on.”

He swallowed his fear, but anger was rising. "Then why do I feel so helpless?"

Aoi, mouth half-open, simply nodded. Her wide eyes shone with a strange gleam, a mixture of fear and wonder.

Kaelis wiped his blade, then declared sharply,

"They were only scouts. The horde is approaching."

The priest, panting, added,

"The others are already on their way."

Without waiting, Kaelis gave the order to depart:

"We break camp! Protect these civilians!"

From it sprang a group of covered carriages, each drawn by two horses, accompanied by an armed escort. A Dawn banner flapped in the wind.

Silvanus was hoisted onto it, protected by two knights. Kaelis mounted, his eyes fixed on the horizon. 

"Our destination is the Sanctuary of Awakening, it lies at the edge of this forest."

The group began to move, their hurried footsteps echoing on the ground like their fear. Breathless, their hearts pounding, everyone moved forward, glancing nervously around them, fearing imminent danger. Mr. Kentaro remained at the back, vigilant, his eyes scanning every corner and shadow. He made sure no student was left behind, silently guiding those who stumbled or slowed down, his reassuring but firm presence urging them to continue despite the terror that gripped them.

Kaito took one last look at the clearing… The smoking corpses of the wyverns lay on the ground, and a heavy impression hung in the air.

"This world isn't made for us."

They traveled in carriages, each divided into small groups under the watchful eye of the knights' guard. The sound of the wheels on the dusty road echoed in the heavy silence. The light wind blew through everyone's hair, but the tension in the air showed no signs of abating.

Kaito sat watching the landscape speed by, but his thoughts were far away. "How did we get here?"

Images of the fight flashed through his mind. The red sky, the creatures threatening their group, it all seemed unreal. He glanced furtively at his companions, wondering how everyone was coping.

Reiji, sitting nearby, watched the road carefully. His eyes never left the horizon, but his mind was elsewhere.

"I must remain calm. It's up to me to guide them."

Even though he tried to convince himself that everything would be alright, a feeling of doubt nagged at him. At the front of their carriage, a knight of the guard, imposing and silent, scanned the surroundings, like a bulwark between them and danger.

Aoi, at the other end of the carriage, stared at the ground, her thoughts racing. She hadn't had time to comprehend what was happening to them, but one thing was certain:

"This world... This world is dangerous." She didn't want to believe it, but reality was sinking in. Everything around her seemed unreal.

In another carriage, Ryo, sitting next to Haruka, seemed more nervous than usual. The boisterous young man, always ready to joke, had become mute. He looked around, his eyes searching for danger where perhaps none existed.

"It's like we're in a bad dream..."

His voice trembled slightly, betraying the worry he was trying to hide.

Teacher Kentaro looked at the students worriedly. He tried to reassure the students in the same carriage as him, but his voice lacked conviction.

 "Stay calm, we'll find a solution."

But the more he spoke, the more he realized that the students no longer believed his words. The carriages moved forward, carried by sturdy horses, but none of them really knew where they were going. The only certainty was that the threat was approaching, invisibly.

At the front, the knights, clad in their gleaming armor, seemed indifferent to the group's concerns. Their imposing presence, though somewhat reassuring, left a strange impression. They were there to protect, certainly, but was that enough? The students wondered this, without daring to speak it aloud.

Finally, the sound of the wind mingled with the sound of the wheels. The Temple finally appeared on the horizon, but no one really knew if this place held the promise of safety or a trap waiting to happen.

The group, still reeling, arrived at the foot of the grand staircase leading to the temple. An imposing structure rose before them, enveloped in an aura of supernatural calm. Young men and women dressed in white waited for them in silence. At their head, a man in a long blue tunic and with silver hair: Silvanus, the guide priest.

Silvanus inclined his head slightly, a calm smile on his lips.

"Welcome to the Sanctuary of Awakening. Here, you are safe. This place is protected."

He gave a discreet sign of his hand, and immediately, his acolytes approached.

"Lead our guests to their quarters. Let them rest... They will need all their strength for the days to come."

They bowed, then guided the students toward corridors lined with blue lanterns. Individual or shared rooms, modest but clean, awaited each of them. Some students collapsed onto their beds without a word, still trembling. Others whispered, torn between fear and relief.

In the large central room, now almost empty, Silvanus invited the three adults to stay with him by the central brazier.

Professor Kentaro was the first to break the silence, his voice sharp:

"We need answers. And now."

Silvanus didn't flinch. He nodded slowly, as if expecting it.

"I understand. You lost everything in an instant. But please... sit down. You deserve to know the truth."

The three adults sat down. Silence fell again, broken only by the crackling of the fire.

Sakura laced her fingers together, her gaze fixed on the priest.

"This place... What is it exactly? Where are we?"

"You are in the kingdom of Asterion," Silvanus replied, his peaceful voice echoing in the room. "And the phenomenon that brought you here is also unknown to us. According to our writings, other worlds exist, but you are the first travelers we have encountered. The only one who seems to know what is truly happening is the Supreme Archbishop. According to him, it is divine." »

Mr. Kentaro frowned, his gaze scrutinizing Silvanus.

"If all this is beyond you, how come you're so well prepared?" he asked, his voice betraying both curiosity and a hint of concern.

Silvanus remained calm, his hands clasped in front of him. He inclined his head slightly before replying, "The Supreme Archbishop possesses divination abilities. Thanks to his visions, he can anticipate many events. He is the one who gave us all the instructions."

Kobayashi, looking suspicious.

"And what do you want from us, then? Why us?"

Silvanus's gaze fell on him, more serious.

Silvanus took a deep breath before responding, his gaze slowly sweeping over each of the faces present. "We want nothing from you," he said, his voice clear but solemn. His hands clasped in front of him, a gesture that seemed to convey all the sincerity of his words.

"Our role is to do our best to help you, to facilitate your integration..." he continued, pausing for a moment to let each word sink in, "and then to seek a solution to all this. Those are the exact words of the Supreme Archbishop."

He took a step forward, the weight of his words accentuated by the slight quiver in his voice. "He wants everyone to understand that our support is sincere. Everything we do is for your safety and well-being, above all."

Kentaro clenched his teeth so tightly that his knuckles turned white, a shiver of anger running down his arms. His voice, low and restrained at first, trembled slightly before rising: "I'd really like to believe your words..." His eyes flashed, staring at Silvanus with an intensity that conveyed both frustration and despair.

He took a deep breath, his chest heaving heavily, then continued, his voice deeper and full of restraint: "But the problem is, I can't. Especially when you claim to act solely out of kindness and altruism..."

His hands clenched the edge of a table, as if to contain the agitation coursing through him. After a brief silence, he added, almost to himself:

"I prefer to save my doubts for later... What seems most impossible to me are the children. None of them are ready to face another world." »

A heavy breath escaped his lips, and his eyes, though fixed straight ahead, betrayed the anxiety gnawing at him.

"I won't tell you otherwise," Silvanus said, lowering his gaze gently. "That's why we're going to do our best to guide them on the right path."

Sakura took a breath, her voice calmer.

"You're right; that's our role as adults."

Silvanus's voice softened.

"Indeed, but for now you must rest. Tomorrow, I'll tell you more. Nothing will be imposed on you... but this world, it won't wait for you."

The temple was bathed in dim light, saturated with incense and ancient whispers. Despite the majesty of the place, the students remained tense, shaken by the wyvern attack the day before. Many had not slept.

In the center of the circular chamber, a divine artifact floated: a crystalline sphere, crisscrossed with luminous runes, suspended in the air like a sacred star. At its side, High Priest Silvanus, draped in white, bowed before a man in golden armor: King Arvandil of Asterion.

Silvanus took a few measured steps, the steady sound of his boots echoing against the stone floor, then stopped in the center of the room. His cloak lightly brushed the floor as he turned to the group. In a calm, clear voice, he began:

"The crystal reveals each person's predisposition to a certain class." »

He raised his hand slightly, as if to emphasize the importance of his words, his gaze catching the students' eyes in turn. "It allows us to discern each individual's natural abilities even before they develop them."

An attentive silence fell over the room. Silvanus inhaled slowly, his shoulders straightening, then continued gravely:

"Classes can be considered a kind of vocation, similar to a profession bestowed upon you by the Supreme Being. But it is in no way an obligation."

He ran his fingers along his sleeve, as if to channel the rising tension in the air. His voice deepened, emphatic, each word spoken with restrained force:

"It is possible to acquire skills that are not directly related to your class. But understand this...

His eyes narrowed, and he paused, almost dramatically, before concluding:

"It is an arduous task, requiring far more effort, time, and sacrifice than those whose aptitude is naturally inclined to it."

A slight shudder ran through the ranks, each weighing the weight of his words.

To ensure the safety of the students, the adults have decided to become preer.

Mr. Kobayashi stepped forward. A scarlet light enveloped him, harsh like a primeval fire. A golden notification appeared:

[Class: Tamer]

The king whispered something to Silvanus. The priest nodded, visibly impressed.

Professor Kentaro followed. The artifact pulsed a brilliant green.

[Class: Alchemist]

Some acolytes murmured in astonishment. Silvanus gave a small smile. 

Next, it was Professor Sakura's turn. A silvery-blue light enveloped her.

[Class: Master Swordsman]

The king straightened his throne, his gaze shining with unusual respect. His hand tightened briefly on the armrest before he spoke in a deep voice:

"Your teachers possess classes comparable to those of our most illustrious men."

His words, heavy with gratitude, echoed through the room, sending a shiver of pride and amazement through the students.

An almost palpable tension settled over the large circular room of the Shrine of Awakening. Around the crystalline crystal, the students, arranged in a semicircle, exchanged glances of mixed apprehension and curiosity. The awakened adults, Professor Kentaro, Mr. Kobayashi, and Professor Sakura, formed a reassuring barrier between the novices and the unknown.

Now it was the students' turn. A heavy silence reigned in the large stone room, broken only by the echoes of the sacred fire dancing in the center of the shrine. Everyone held their breath, apprehensive about what awaited them.

Sitting behind Reiji, Aoi glanced anxiously at the hooded priest, then leaned forward slightly to whisper in her classmate's ear:

"Do you really think that after this ceremony... we'll be able to defend ourselves against the creatures of this world?" »

Reiji, his eyes fixed on the altar, replied in a serious and calm tone.

"I'm not entirely convinced by this priest's words... But so far, he hasn't harmed us. And in this unknown world, he's the only one who has reached out to us."

He paused, taking a deep breath.

"So, even if I doubt it... we have no choice but to follow his instructions."

At the back of the room, the first students were advancing towards the awakening circle, where the light of the ancient runes was beginning to pulse in time with their steps. Destiny was being written. And for each of them, there would soon be no turning back.

Those who had noticed the adults' power after their awakening felt a mixture of envy and fear. In particular, some of them, the most ambitious, were galvanized by the idea that, soon, they too might receive unique abilities. The obsession with feeling special, different, and dominant in this new world seemed to be taking over them more and more. For them, achieving a high rank wasn't just a matter of survival, but of identity.

Some students had even begun to imagine themselves in the best positions, believing that this ceremony would be their ticket to a power that would place them above the rest. Their eyes shone with excitement, while a thrill of anticipation ran through the air, like a collective breath ready to burst at any moment.

This was particularly the case for Ryo, sitting not far from Haruka. He could no longer sit still, his eyes fixed on the awakening circle, a spark of impatience in his eyes.

"Although this world is full of dangers, I will do everything to become strong enough to protect others!"

He clenched his fists, a shudder running down his arms, thinking back to his cowardice the day before. This shame burned him, but also fueled his determination, and his eyes burned with resolve.

Beside him, Haruka, more reserved, struggled to hide her confusion. She watched Ryo out of the corner of her eye, torn between admiration and concern. This new world intimidated her deeply, and she wished she had the strength to display her classmate's enthusiasm. But deep down, her emotions were mixed with a dull anxiety: what if this ceremony changed their lives forever?

As the first student approached the awakening circle, carried away by excitement or fear, a hesitant voice rose from the ranks. Weak, trembling, but clear enough to break the oppressive silence.

It was Kaito, so discreet that some had almost forgotten him. Standing there, his hands trembling, his gaze shifting, he felt the weight of their eyes on him like physical pressure. Each breath seemed harder to take, each heartbeat pounded in his temples.

"Don't you think that's... absurd?" »

All eyes turned towards him. The hushed murmurs, the surprised whispers, and the heavy silence made him feel as if the room was closing in on him. But he continued, his voice wavering but slightly more assured:

"We're in another world. Saved by a mysterious priest. We're asked to undergo an awakening ceremony to gain powers... and you think that's normal? Don't you think about your families? About your life before?"

His throat tightened, his breathing became ragged. From the beginning, he'd been trying to contain himself, not to attract attention. But seeing how quickly others accepted this reality had overwhelmed him. Doubt crept into him: What if I wasn't real?

"Since when does reality function like a fantasy scenario? Archetypes, classes, monsters... Maybe we don't even exist in our real world anymore." Maybe we're... trapped."

His gaze clouded over. The room seemed to spin, the whispers intensified, and a dull ringing invaded his ears. Every tremor of his hands, every shudder of his arms amplified the panic rising within him. "What if we're just... characters? What if all this has no meaning, no way back?"

He brought a hand to his forehead, feeling the sweat trickle down his temples. His ragged breaths formed small clouds in front of him. "I... who thought... I'd gotten past this kind of crisis more..." he thought, but the weight of the sensory overload and emotion was too much.

His legs buckled, his knees trembled. Every noise, every look, every light became unbearable. He staggered, tried to hold himself together, but his whole body gave way. He collapsed, unconscious, his face contorted, his whole body tense until the last moment, aware despite everything of the risk he had just taken by exposing himself in front of everyone.