The Rite

The priest who had handed me the wooden plaque stopped at the end of the corridor.

"Follow this hallway until you reach the second staircase. Turn left, then continue until you find Block E."

I looked down both sides of the corridor.

"..."

They looked exactly the same.

White marble walls.

Tall windows.

Paintings of saints I had never heard of.

The priest had already disappeared before I could ask another question.

Well I’m lost..

"...Great."

I scratched the back of my head.

"Second staircase... left... or was it right?"

For a place this large, they really expected people to remember directions after hearing them once.

As I stood wondering which way to go, hurried footsteps echoed from behind.

A boy around my age rounded the corner carrying a stack of books.

He wasn't looking ahead.

Neither was I.

Thud.

The books fell from his arms and scattered across the polished floor.

"Ah—!"

"I'm sorry."

We both bent down at the same time to pick them up.

"It's my fault," I said, handing him one of the books. "I was standing in the middle of the hallway."

"It's alright."

He smiled awkwardly before dusting off the cover.

"I wasn't paying attention either."

For a moment neither of us spoke.

Then I remembered why I had stopped.

"Do you happen to know where Block E is?"

The boy blinked.

"Block E?"

"Yeah."

He tilted his head.

"Why do you need to go there?"

"I was instructed to."

"..."

His expression became strangely puzzled.

"Really?"

He glanced at the wooden plaque still in my hand before looking back at me.

"...Well... I'm heading there too."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"I can show you."

"That would help."

He adjusted the books under one arm before holding out his free hand.

"My name's Elias."

I shook it.

"Vinaas Nullka."

"Nice to meet you."

We began walking together through the corridor.

For the first few moments, only our footsteps echoed between the stone walls.

Elias wasn't very good at hiding his curiosity.

"So..."

He looked sideways at me.

"Where are you from?"

"...Another world."

He laughed.

"No, seriously."

"I am serious."

"..."

He stopped walking.

"What?"

"I'm from another world."

His eyes widened.

"Wait..."

"The Heroes?"

I nodded.

"I'm one of the people who were summoned."

For several seconds he simply stared at me.

Then...

"No way."

He hurried after me.

"Another world actually exists?"

"It does."

"What is it like?"

"Is everyone there able to use magic?"

"No."

"So... monsters?"

"Not really."

"Dragons?"

"I've only seen them in movies."

"Movies?"

"It's... difficult to explain."

His questions came one after another without giving either of us much time to think.

Surprisingly...

It didn't bother me.

After everything that had happened over the last day...

Talking to someone who simply wanted to know about my world felt...

Normal.

Comforting, even.

"So your world has no magic?"

"No."

"No mana?"

"No."

"Then how did people fight monsters?"

"We mostly fought each other."

"..."

"...That's somehow even scarier."

I couldn't argue with that.

Elias laughed.

I found myself smiling a little too.

For the first time since arriving in this world...

The conversation wasn't about Heroes.

Or classes.

Or destiny.

It was simply two people talking while walking down a hallway.

By the time we stopped before an old wooden door marked with a simple iron plate—

Block E

—it no longer felt like I was walking into a place meant for strangers.

The apprentice quarters were much simpler than the rest of the cathedral.

No marble pillars.

No stained-glass windows.

Just long wooden tables, stone walls and the smell of freshly baked bread drifting through the dining hall.

Elias pushed open the door.

"I’m back."

Several boys looked up from their meals.

Their conversations stopped for a moment before all their attention settled on me.

"..."

Who is he Elias?.

Guys meet mister Vinaas Nullka. He is one of the summoned hero’s and he is staying with us for tonight.

"So..."

One of them finally spoke.

"Is he really one of the summoned Heroes?"

Elias nodded excitedly.

"He came from another world."

That was all it took.

The room came alive.

Another boy hurried over carrying an extra bowl.

"Sit here!"

Questions immediately began flying from every direction.

"Is your world really without magic?"

"What do people ride if there aren't wyverns?"

"Do kings still exist?"

"What kind of food do you eat?"

I looked from one face to another.

"...One at a time."

The room burst into laughter.

For the next hour...

The conversation never seemed to end.

I found myself explaining trains.

Electricity.

Schools.

Mobile phones.

Although...

Trying to explain the internet to people who had never even imagined such a thing was surprisingly difficult.

"So..."

One apprentice leaned closer.

"If your world has no healing magic..."

"What happens when someone gets sick?"

"We visit hospitals."

"What's a hospital?"

"..."

"...That's another long story."

More laughter filled the room.

Without realizing it...

I was laughing too.

The food itself was simple.

Fresh bread.

Vegetable soup.

A little roasted meat.

Nothing extravagant.

Yet somehow...

It tasted better than I expected.

Maybe...

Because it was shared.

Night

By the time everyone returned to their rooms...

The cathedral had grown quiet.

Only the distant ringing of bells drifted through the open window.

My room wasn't large.

A single bed.

A wooden desk.

One chair.

A small window overlooking the cathedral gardens.

Simple.

But comfortable.

I placed my bag beside the bed before slowly sitting down.

"..."

What a strange day.

Yesterday...

I had been worrying about college assignments.

Today...

I was sleeping inside a cathedral in another world.

Life really didn't ask for permission before changing.

I let out a quiet laugh.

It didn't last very long.

Silence returned.

The room suddenly felt much larger than it had a moment ago.

I looked toward the window.

The night sky stretched endlessly above the city.

The stars were different.

None of the constellations looked familiar.

"..."

For the first time...

I truly understood.

I wasn't coming home tomorrow.

I lay back on the bed and I stared at the ceiling for a while before letting out a quiet laugh.

"...Well."

"Looks like my life hasn't changed much."

Alone.

Again.

Somehow...

That thought didn't hurt as much as I expected.

"..."

For a minute...

Outside...

The cathedral bells rang once more.

Somehow...

That sound made the silence feel a little less empty.

Before I realized it...

Sleep quietly found me.

Morning sunlight spilled across the cathedral gardens, turning the dew on the grass into tiny drops of gold.

After breakfast, I found Elias sweeping the corridor outside the dormitory.

"Elias."

He looked up.

"Oh, morning."

"Do you know where the East Wing is?"

"The East Wing?"

He rested the broom against the wall.

"That's where the Heroes are staying."

"I know."

"I just... wanted to meet someone."

He thought for a moment before pointing toward a stone pathway leading outside.

"Follow that path until you reach the central courtyard. From there you'll see another building connected by a bridge. That's the East Wing."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

The cathedral looked completely different in the morning.

Priests hurried from one hall to another carrying books and scrolls.

Knights stood silently along the walkways.

The distant sound of bells echoed across the city.

Eventually...

I reached the garden.

It was larger than I expected.

White stone paths curved between flower beds, and a fountain stood quietly at the center.

Then...

I saw her.

Angelica.

She stood beneath a large tree surrounded by several bishops and high-ranking priests.

They appeared to be discussing something important.

For a moment...

I simply watched.

It felt strangely reassuring.

Someone familiar.

Someone from home.

I took a step forward.

Before I could get any closer...

Two knights crossed their spears in front of me.

"Halt."

"I'm here to meet one of the summoned Heroes."

"This area is currently restricted."

"I only need a minute."

"I'm afraid that isn't possible Sir."

Their voices remained polite.

Firm.

Neither of them moved.

The brief exchange seemed loud enough to catch the attention of those in the garden.

Angelica turned.

Our eyes met.

For a brief second...

Neither of us said anything.

I almost raised my hand.

Before I could...

One of the bishops beside her continued speaking.

She quietly turned back toward the conversation.

"..."

I lowered my hand.

She was probably busy.

Besides...

What was I even going to say?

I smiled to myself.

"I guess I'm not worth taking her attention away from all that."

Turning around...

I quietly left the garden.

By the time I returned to Block E, lunch had already begun.

The dining hall was as lively as it had been the previous evening.

Elias waved the moment he noticed me.

"There you are."

"Did you get lost?"

"Only once."

He laughed.

"I'd call that an achievement."

I sat beside him as another bowl of soup was placed in front of me.

One of the younger apprentices leaned forward.

"So..."

"Did you manage to meet your friend?"

I tore a piece of bread before answering.

"No."

"Oh..."

"They were busy."

Nobody asked any further questions.

The conversation naturally shifted toward today's duties.

Cleaning.

Scripture lessons.

Evening prayers.

Listening to them somehow felt peaceful.

It reminded me that not everyone inside the cathedral spent their days talking about wars and Heroes.

Halfway through the meal...

The dining hall doors slowly opened.

The room fell noticeably quieter.

A senior priest entered.

Standing a few steps behind him...

Was Angelica.

She looked as though she had just returned from another meeting.

For a brief moment...

Her eyes found mine.

"..."

Then...

She lowered her gaze.

Without saying a word...

She quietly stepped aside, allowing the priest to continue.

The priest scanned the room before stopping in front of me.

"Hero Candidate Vinaas."

I stood.

"The Holy Father requests your presence."

"I understand."

The priest nodded once before turning toward the door.

I glanced back at the table.

Elias gave me an encouraging smile.

"Good luck."

"...Thanks."

As I followed the priest out of the dining hall...

I couldn't help but wonder...

Why would the Pope suddenly want to see me?

She turned slightly.

"...Vinaas."

I looked up.

She smiled faintly.

"Have you finished your meal?"

I blinked.

"I was just—"

"Lady Angelica."

A cardinal standing near an entrance called her name.

"We're already running behind schedule."

She looked toward him.

"...Coming."

She glanced back at me.

For a brief moment...

It looked as though she wanted to hear my answer.

Instead...

She simply nodded apologetically.

"We'll talk later."

Then she hurried after the cardinal.

"..."

"...Later."

A strange word.

Somehow...

It sounded comforting.

Maybe...

Things weren't as awkward as I thought.

Before I could think about it further—

The Cathedral felt different now.

Far quieter.

Every corridor led toward the Great Sanctuary.

Rows of priests walked silently.

Knights stood at attention.

Even the apprentice priests had stopped talking.

When the enormous sanctuary doors opened...

Hundreds of eyes turned toward us.

The summoned Heroes had already gathered.

Aion stood proudly at the front.

Emily whispered nervously beside another Hero.

Angelica stood among them.

She noticed me.

Our eyes met briefly.

Then the ceremony began.

The Pope slowly stepped toward the altar.

His white robes flowed across the polished marble floor.

Behind him...

The Orb of Revelation placed above a stone pedestal, glowing with gentle silver light.

Every priest knelt.

Every knight lowered their head.

Silence embraced the sanctuary.

The Pope raised both hands.

"O Divine Mother..."

"Protector of all life..."

"Light that watches over humanity..."

"Bless these children..."

"Guide their hearts..."

"Strengthen their resolve..."

"May they become the shield against darkness..."

"May they never abandon compassion..."

"May your light remain within them..."

His voice echoed throughout the vast sanctuary.

One by one...

Everyone lowered themselves to their knees.

Including me.

The Pope slowly opened his eyes.

"And now..."

"Bless each Hero according to Your divine will."

The Statue shone brighter.

One after another...

The summoned Heroes stepped forward.

Each received a gentle blessing.

Golden threads descended upon them and the Statue.

The sanctuary filled with quiet admiration.

Finally...

The Pope looked toward me.

"...Vinaas."

I stood.

For a second...

Nobody spoke.

I could already hear the whispers beginning.

"The Common Class..."

"Why is he even here?"

"The Goddess already abandoned him."

I quietly walked to the altar.

Without saying anything...

I stopped several steps farther back than everyone else.

No reason to make them uncomfortable.

The Pope watched silently.

Then...

His expression softened.

He raised both hands once more.

"O Divine Mother..."

"If there remains even the smallest fragment of Your blessing..."

"Please..."

"Guide this lost child."

"He may stand before us without glory..."

"But he still stands before You as one of the summoned."

"I ask not for power..."

"But for hope."

The sanctuary became silent once again.

The Statue slowly brightened.

A soft white light gathered beneath my feet.

Everything seemed normal.

Then___

A sharp sound echoed across the sanctuary.

Then I kneeled on the ground and bow my head.

The golden light surrounding the Statue flickered violently.

Priests gasped.

The Pope's eyes widened.

"What...?"

The light beneath me shattered into countless fragments.

The sanctuary trembled.

Then the ray of golden light poured on to me.

Its surface of Statue of Goddess became dull.

Colourless.

Silence.

Darkness.

Then...

White.

When I opened my eyes...

Everything had disappeared.

No altar.

No cathedral.

No people.

Only endless white stretching beyond the horizon.

"..."

"...Am I dead?"

No answer.

No wind.

No sound.

Just silence.

I slowly stood.

"...Where is this?"

Then...

Very faintly...

A voice.

Not words.

A melody.

Someone...

Was humming.

Soft.

Gentle.

As though welcoming someone home.

I turned toward the distant sound.

"...Someone's there."

The humming continued.

Waiting.