Facing the scenario

A vaulted ceiling, adorned with celestial frescoes. A huge bed. A soothing silence... almost unreal.

He put his hand to his temple.

He remembered what he'd said. This whole story was too perfect. Too scripted. And the more time passed, the more this idea clung to his skin.

He looked at his palm.

"What if I'm right…?"

Kaito sighed and returned to sit on the bed. An eerie silence reigned in the room, heavy but almost comical in its absurdity.

He ran a hand through his hair, tense, then let it fall to his side, as if to chase away a shiver he couldn't contain. A nervous grimace stretched his lips.

"Honestly… all I needed was for someone to come in and tell me, 'It was all just a dream.'"

He rolled his eyes, his shoulders tensing under the invisible weight of the absurd.

 "Yeah, sure... We get attacked by wyverns, we wake up in a world with a priest in a toga and a king in golden armor, we talk about classes, artifacts... and bam! All of it, just my imagination."

A dry laugh escaped his throat, empty and nervous, like an echo he didn't want to hear. His fingers drummed against his thigh, betraying the irritation rising in him.

"Honestly... if they're going to come out with that, I'd rather be told I'm stuck in a bad isekai written by an insomniac teenager."

He took a deep breath, letting out a shaky breath, then slumped back against the back of his head, as if the whole world had just sent him a cruel wink.

 "I'm really losing my mind."

Then, more quietly, almost whispering to himself,

"Or maybe it's precisely because everything is a little too well-structured that it reeks of writing."

There was a soft knock at the door.

Kaito sat up immediately. His heart raced.

"Yes."

The door slowly opened a crack. A young woman dressed as a maid entered, holding a basin of cool water. She bowed without a word, then placed the basin on a small table near the bed.

"The king has asked that you rest a little longer," she said in a soft voice.

Kaito didn't answer right away. He stared at her with barely concealed suspicion, as if she, too, had just stepped out of a well-oiled story.

"I... Thank you."

 She bowed again, then left silently.

As soon as the door closed, Kaito stood up and walked over to the window. Outside, he saw the palace gardens, a brilliant green, where a few nobles and guards were strolling. A perfect, almost indecent peace.

He turned away and looked at his hand again. No mark, no trace of awakened power. Nothing abnormal. And yet...

"Why me?...Why does this kind of thing only happen to me?"

Footsteps echoed in the hallway. This time, it was a familiar voice.

"Kaito?"

He froze. It was Reiji.

The door opened slightly, revealing the delegate's worried face. He entered slowly, closing it gently behind him, and the air in the room seemed to thicken slightly.

"Are you better? We were all worried yesterday... well... not all of us, but..."

He paused, watching Kaito closely. His eyes scanned every micro-expression, every twitch, as if to divine what was hidden behind that half-lost, half-defiant mask.

"What you said before you collapsed... it was strange. But I must admit there was a certain accuracy to what you said." »

Kaito let his shoulders slump, running a hand over his face, fatigue betraying his usual sarcasm.

"The problem is, it's becoming more and more real. Like I'm reading a book... except I'm stuck in it."

Reiji gave a small smile, but his eyes remained attentive, almost worried.

"You haven't changed. Even here, you have to be out of step with everything around you."

"No, Reiji. It's not out of step. It's just obvious. This world is too coherent, too well-arranged... as if... everything follows a script."

Reiji was silent for a moment, frowning slightly. Then he continued in a lower, measured voice.

"You want to know what happened right after you fainted?" The High Priest declared that the ceremony should be postponed, to give you time to recover. But…"

He looked away, as if weighing his words, and Kaito felt the tension hanging in the air.

"Some of our classmates strongly opposed this decision. They wanted to continue. They put pressure on. And… the ceremony resumed. Without you."

Kaito clenched his fists on his knees, his heart racing slightly, a mixture of annoyance and incomprehension coursing through him.

"Rather… your classmates? You know very well that I haven't formed a bond with anyone."

Reiji shrugged, a small, sad smile playing on his lips.

"That's precisely why I understand them. And you, then? What class did you have?"

Reiji gave a small, almost embarrassed smile.

 "Master of Enchantments."

Kaito stared at him, his eyes wide.

A silence.

Then he burst out laughing.

"Wait, you? Enchanter?! Are you serious? You."

He threw his arms up in the air.

"I'm dreaming! Even that's overly scripted! Reiji, the model delegate, becomes the group's elegant magician, that's so like you. All that's missing is Ryo ending up as a paladin chosen by the gods, or something like that."

Reiji raised an eyebrow.

"...That's not exactly what he got. He's a spellblader, but with a hero title."

Kaito stared at him for a moment, mouth half-open.

"Wait... Hero?"

Reiji nodded calmly.

"A very rare thing. He has blessings, apparently. Everyone was in awe."

Kaito remained silent for a few seconds. Then, a surprised smile played on his lips.

"Ryo, huh. He looks the part. You could also say he's made for the role of a fantasy quest protagonist."

He sighed, almost amused.

"Honestly... it suits him well, too well even. He's always had that aura. He was also one of the only ones who came to talk to me when I was playing the role of the antisocial character in School Life."

Reiji nodded.

"He hasn't changed. He even asked if you were okay after the ceremony."

A slight silence. Kaito smiled wryly.

"All he needs is a speech about friendship and a shiny sword, and we can start the ending." »

Reiji, in spite of himself, stifled a smile.

"He did give a speech. Very... inspiring."

Kaito flopped back onto the bed, arms outstretched, eyes raised to the ceiling.

"If this is the casting of this story... I can't wait to see who ends up as the demon king."

He closed his eyes for a second.

"Spoiler alert: I bet it's me."

There was another knock at the door. This time, the voice was deep, calm.

"Master Reiji, you're expected."

Kaito exchanged one last look with Reiji.

"We'll talk about this later. Let me know if Ryo starts glowing in the dark."

And as he stood up, mockingly,

"Come on, let's go to my destiny... or my ritual execution. It's fifty-fifty."

Kaito left the room, his mind soothed by the discussion he had just had with Reiji. Talking with his childhood friend had allowed him to regain his calm and morale. The weight of the situation was still present, but he now felt ready to move forward. He set out in search of High Priest Silvanus. Perhaps this meeting would finally bring him the answers he was seeking.

He had barely set foot in the corridor when he stopped dead in his tracks. In front of him, two familiar figures stood there, as if waiting for him.

Riku and Haruto.

 Riku, tall, muscular, and the most athletic, wasn't someone Kaito had ever really interacted with. It wasn't for lack of opportunity to talk, but Riku seemed a bit lost in his own world, just like Kaito. Conversation never seemed to come naturally between them. But now, seeing him face to face, Kaito couldn't help but notice his imposing posture, like that of a warrior already accustomed to action.

As for Haruto, he was more discreet, almost inconspicuous. He didn't have Riku's physique, but he had that cold, strategic gaze, and it was in silence that he seemed to make himself heard. Yet, at that moment, something about him exuded a kind of almost eerie calm, as if he knew exactly what he was doing, even in such a chaotic place.

Kaito simply watched them, and a small shiver ran down his spine when he heard their words.

"So, you're finally awake, huh?" " Riku said with a slightly mocking smile. "Not a bad world, eh?"

Kaito raised an eyebrow, but didn't reply. Riku didn't seem bothered by anything, not even the fact that he was... in a fantasy world, seemingly cut off from reality.

Haruto simply stared at him silently, but eventually broke the silence, his voice soft and precise.

"Do you know your class? We already know ours."

He paused, before continuing, almost as if it were obvious.

"I'm an Assassin."

He seemed to be observing Kaito's reaction, but didn't say anything more.

Kaito bit the inside of his cheek. "Assassin. No surprises here. Everything was so... predictable."

But he didn't say anything more, simply looking up to listen to Riku.

"And I'm a Tank Warrior!" »

Riku burst out laughing, his large body looking like it was ready to crush anything in its path.

"I hope you're not going to slow us down too much, eh?"

The two of them seemed to be waiting for a response from Kaito, but he didn't dare lose his temper. He'd seen the scene clearly: Riku the tank, Haruto the assassin... and him? He felt like a supporting character in this overly well-staged scene. It's so... cliché!

But Kaito clenched his fists. He couldn't explode, not here. Not now. What was he going to say? That it all seemed so scripted? No. It wouldn't change anything. He just had to keep playing his part, for now.

Haruto broke the silence again, staring at Kaito.

"You don't look so well. Don't worry, it's normal. It all sinks in eventually."

Kaito blinked.

"What sinks in eventually?"

Haruto shrugged.

"Adapting. This world has its rules, its systems." If you want to survive here, you're going to have to learn to live with it."

Kaito stared into the void for a moment, then exhaled softly.

"I really don't have a choice."

Daichi burst out laughing, patting Kaito on the shoulder a little too enthusiastically.

"You're right, man. You don't have a choice anymore."

Kaito rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't really want to dwell on this conversation. But at that moment, he realized one thing: he had no options left.

He wasn't going to continue fighting this overly perfect, overly organized world. He was going to accept it. Because, whatever he said, this world was an adventure, and too bad if it was written in stone.

Kaito shrugged with a small smile.

"So, then... where are you going?"

Riku stretched and pointed. 

"We need to join the others in the royal hall. Are you coming with us?"

Kaito thought for a second, then sighed. In the end, he had no choice but to agree.

"Yeah... let's go."

As they walked toward the royal hall, Kaito found himself thinking about all this. Maybe it was all just a scenario, but in the end, what did it matter? After all, he was about to experience the adventure of a lifetime, a world of swords and magic, a universe in which he could lose himself and, perhaps, rediscover himself. He decided to accept this reality and, perhaps, discover the truth behind this strange story... but one thing was certain: he was going to make the most of it and have fun doing it.

The heavy doors of the hall opened with a solemn creak. Riku and Haruto accompanied Kaito, who walked slightly behind, his gaze a little lost. All the students are there, gathered in small groups, some sitting, others standing, all in heavy silence. Professors Kentaro and Sakura monitor the atmosphere, visibly still in shock from recent events.

In the center of the room stands a man in a white robe, his face marked with wisdom: the high priest. Before him, a golden pedestal from which rises a column of magical light. Behind him, on a throne carved from silver wood, the king observes them with a cold presence. To his right, a woman in light armor with piercing eyes: Lady Kaelis, her gaze fixed on the students as if they were mere pawns.

The high priest raises his hand to silence the quiet murmur that had begun to rise upon Kaito's arrival.

"Yesterday after the ceremony, I spoke at length with Professor Kentaro. I realized that many things in our world are foreign to you. That's why, first of all, I will explain to you the foundations of this land... the gifts, the classes, the monsters, the magic."

He begins a brief explanation of the natural laws of the world, the magic classes, the power levels, the six races that inhabit the world. He speaks with a certain pride, like a guide presenting a well-oiled world.

But after a moment, Kaito begins to move closer to better hear the explanations. The high priest looks at him then interrupts his speech.

"Young man... are you able to continue?" he asks, genuine concern in his voice.

"Yes... I'm better." " Kaito replies calmly, though a thousand questions are racing through his mind.

The high priest nods, then turns back to the assembly. But he barely opens his mouth when Kaito interrupts him.

"Since I'm the only one who doesn't know his class... shouldn't we finish the awakening ceremony?"

A murmur of astonishment runs through the students. The king himself tilts his head slightly, interested.

The high priest pauses for a moment, as if surprised by the lucidity of this discreet boy.

"Very well. But the sacred crystal is in the sanctuary of awakening..."

He turns to a young priest standing in the background:

"Go get the replacement artifact. It will suffice."

A moment later, a small obsidian pillar encased in a gold circle is brought in, from which emerges a faintly shimmering blue stone.

 The high priest extends his hand toward the young boy, inviting him to approach the pedestal where the new artifact rests.

"This artifact is much less powerful than the one used in the ceremony, but it will at least reveal your class."

All eyes converge on Kaito, alone in the center of the room, like an animal being exhibited in a cage.

He moves forward slowly. A bead of sweat forms on his temple, but not from stress. No. His mind has already drifted.

Kaito takes a deep breath.

"Well... this is the fateful moment. The big moment when he would know if his life would descend into heroic comedy... or diabolical tragedy."

"With the way things are unfolding. The most logical scenario. I touch the thing, and poof! I get the weakest of the "Slug Tamer" classes. The others laugh at me, I struggle for fifty chapters, I cry in a cave, then I discover a legendary artifact or an old sensei who says, "You have a hidden power within you!"... and then, bam! I become a cheater, I save everyone, and then I start surrounding myself with pretty girls for fan service. And just so he can add the harem theme to attract more readers. …Okay, I admit, I've read and enjoyed tons of stories like that.

A small snicker almost escaped him, but he bit the inside of his cheek to stop it. He was now right in front of the artifact, his palm hesitating to rest on it.

"Well... in any case, I just hope it's not something like 'Herb Merchant'. Because then even the author would be ashamed."

He slowly reached out his hand.

His fingers brushed against the stone.

A white light burst around him.

Silence fell over the room, cutting off all breaths.

 On the surface of the artifact, magical letters appear:

[Class: Elemental Mage]

A collective gasp ripples through the room, neither disappointment nor admiration. A class as cheated as the others... not enough to write an epic, nor start a war.

A murmur runs through the room, this time more of relief than astonishment. After all, some had received much rarer, even legendary, classes.

Nothing abnormal, nothing to worry about. Just one more student, with a higher class.

But Kaito remains frozen. A thin smile plays at the corner of his lips.

"Well... even better: neither a humiliated hero nor a demon king. Just a normal guy, even invisible... as usual."

He turns to the room, silent.

"Finally... an unexpected event."

Kaito slowly joined the group where Reiji was. The surrounding noise had faded, as if everything else had suddenly melted into a distant blur.

Reiji gave him a genuine smile and patted him on the shoulder.

"Congratulations on your class, Kaito. Elemental Mage, eh? That's a good foundation."

"Let's just say it could have been worse..." Kaito replied, a little embarrassed.

His gaze then fell on the other members of the group. He recognized Ryo, the new Hero, then Haruka, still at his side, Hiro, a quiet, sickly-looking guy, and a young girl with a noble aura.

Curious, Kaito turned to Reiji.

"So, by the way... what classes are they in?"

Reiji chuckled.

"Good question."

He pointed to each of the students in turn.

"You already know Ryo's class." The chosen spellblade of the gods."

"I'll do my best to fulfill the role assigned to me," Ryo said, a flash of determination shining.

Reiji continued without comment.

"Hiro, our shadowy figure, obtained the Necromancer class. It surprised everyone, but apparently it's a very rare class."

Hiro shrugged, a small smile on his lips.

"I prefer things to be quiet... but if I have to raise a skeleton or two, I guess I'll get used to it."

"Next, Haruka." Reiji placed a light hand on the girl's shoulder, who immediately blushed.

"She's an Arch-Priestess. Healing, blessings, purification... That's also a higher class."

"Th-that's not that impressive..." she stammered, looking down.

"And finally, Aoi. She's a Holy Knight. A class that's both defensive and offensive, capable of wielding holy magic with a sword."

Aoi crossed her arms, standing stiff as a board.

"I'm going to acquire bursts of power to be able to defend myself in this hostile world."

Kaito listened attentively, mentally noting each class.

"Compared to them, I'm a bit of a walk-on... but well, we'll see how it goes," Kaito said with a smile.

Reiji spoke again, looking more serious:

"I don't know what awaits us yet... but I think we'll be able to defend ourselves."

Ryo laughed.

 "Seeing as how you look like a guy hiding a potential cheat, I'll give you three days before we find out you're a hero too!"

"...I'd rather not," Kaito said with an amused expression.

Laughter rose softly between them.

The priest continued his explanations.

"My dear children, allow me to introduce you to this world you have just been thrust into. As I said before, we are in the kingdom of Asterion, under the aegis of King Arvandil Arthorus."

A respectful silence accompanied his words, as if everyone was holding their breath to avoid missing anything of his teaching.

 "Beyond our borders, countless kingdoms coexist, nations of humans as well as others ruled by other races.

— The stone citadels of the dwarves, built in the mountains, — The ethereal cities of the elves, suspended from the vaults of heaven, — The savage empires of the beastmen, rooted in the primordial forests, — And many other nations, ruled by ancient dragons or spirits."

Kaito felt his heart pound; the idea that this world was so vast reminded him of the extent of the possibilities... and the dangers.

Silvanus continued, his voice filled with solemnity:

"I was sent here by the Holy Empire, guardian of the peace between the human kingdoms, to ensure the balance of power and assist His Majesty in his decisions.

Now, let's address the very essence of this world: magic. But first, we have mana, which is the lifeblood of the world, an invisible flow that irrigates every creature and every stone. To master mana is to influence the very fabric of reality."

He took a step, clasping his hands in front of his chest:

"Elemental magic grants you command over fire, water, air, and earth; a brutal technique, often used on the battlefield. Sacred magic draws its strength from the divine; its prayers heal, its blessings protect. Black magic and soul magic manipulate the boundary between life and death; feared for their corrupting power." Spells and enchantments craft magical objects: eternal swords, impenetrable barriers, runic glyphs...

These disciplines can be combined: a sacred warrior summons a wall of divine flames, a necromancer alters souls to strengthen his allies.

Finally, the most discreet but not the least: Void magic. Based on the pure abstraction of mana, it allows:

Long-distance telepathy, to unite the minds of your companions,

The detection of hostile presences, whether in the shadows or underground,

The analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of an opponent or an artifact. A subtle discipline, requiring mental rigor and total self-control."

Silvanus's words hung in the air, and each of the students seemed to mentally imagine their own talents and weaknesses, already dreaming of mastering these powers.

 The high priest finally concluded:

"This is only a glimpse. You will discover the extent of your gifts in time. For now, patiently climb each step of knowledge. Your future will depend on your understanding of mana and your willingness to use it wisely."

A sacred silence followed. Then a murmur of admiration rippled through the audience: the lesson had just ended.

Reiji exchanged a knowing glance with Kaito, stars shining in his eyes:

"So... ready to explore these mysteries?" »

Kaito nodded, excitement and determination mingling in his gaze:

"The real adventure always begins after the tutorial, but I'm the kind of person who only starts a game after careful preparation."

Kaito nodded, a shiver of excitement running down his spine, his eyes shining with calm determination:

"The real adventure always begins after the tutorial... but I never jump in without a minimum of preparation."

He took a deep breath, savoring the anticipation in the air, ready to face what lay ahead.