Chapter 1

The sunlight was bright and the weather was good... no, it was too good and it was getting hot.

I wish it would cloud over soon.

The weather was so good that I couldn’t help but think this while looking out the classroom window at the schoolyard during class.

It was mid-June... although it was supposed to be the rainy season, the sky was clear and sunny.

My name is Usotsuki Yukiichi, and I am a student at Konao High School.

Maybe it’s in my blood, but I’m pretty okay with the cold, while I’m not good with the heat. When I think about the seasons and the weather, I mostly end up hoping it will cool down.

“Now, for the application of this formula—”

Oh, I need to focus on the class or I’ll fall behind.

If I get a failing grade, my parents will scold me harshly and might even cut my allowance.

I haven’t really thought about my future, but I vaguely understand that it would be good to at least graduate from college.

...I want to play, but should I endure the hardship for a better future?

Well, if I study properly, I shouldn’t get bad grades.

Lately, my hobby has been playing FPS games and researching firearms and the military on my own.

I’ve read manga set in military settings, and when I think about ranks and promotions, it seems similar to being a company employee...

Well, my friends and classmates talk about being obsessed with anime, manga, and games.

When I was in elementary school, romantic comedies were popular, but lately, fantasy is more common.

...Mob characters in another world are often soldiers, but what kind of job do they actually do?

...Anyway, that’s how I was thinking during the break.

Then, it happened.

With a strange floating sensation... my vision suddenly went dark.

In that instant, the 17 students in the classroom vanished from the world.

My body can’t move!

I can’t even move my head. I looked around with my eyes.

"Hmm... there seem to be quite a few this time."

"Who will take charge of whom?"

Who is this!?

I felt a strange, indescribable sensation.

It’s like the heat you feel when you get close to a campfire, but quite different.

"Anyone will do. If possible... we can only pray that they survive for a long time. That is our entertainment."

"Such is the nature of things... it is just a phenomenon."

"Yes... but it’s not limited to that if it’s interesting."

"Indeed... I hope for good entertainment to continue."

"Poor souls. We wish for their lives to be as fortunate as possible with our blessing."

A glittering light descended upon us.

"I will take this one."

"I will choose the last one after you have chosen."

"That’s like you."

"Then I will take this one."

The voices continued one after another.

And then... it was my turn.

"Well, it’s your turn. But the last one...?"

"I understand. It’s me, right?"

"Yes, it is."

Who is this!?

"Oh? You are maintaining consciousness in this space."

"Realizing it last is quite a phenomenon."

The beings who recognized my consciousness, which I couldn’t express, were surprised.

"That’s interesting. Perhaps you have a talent or a physical condition. In any case, if you have consciousness, fulfill our wish. We wish for you to survive as long as possible."

"At times, people are the cruelest and the most compassionate. More so than we are."

"Do not waste your power and scatter your life."

As they said this...

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, the chairs disappeared, and several of us, including me, fell on our butts.

"Ow..."

I blinked and realized the surroundings were dim, and the floor was faintly glowing. At the same time, a slight popping sound echoed.

"Oh! It seems to have worked!"

"Yes!"

Looking in the direction of the voices, I saw a group of mysterious people in robes and an old man with a crown.

"But the equipment seems to be damaged. The prospects for repair are..."

"It’s fine. If we can summon this many people, we can manage."

The robed people and the old men were discussing something about broken equipment.

"What is this!?"

"What’s happening!?"

My classmates and I were shocked.

I was too. I couldn’t understand what was happening.

"Weren’t we in the classroom just now? Why are we here?"

"Besides..."

The students who fell on their butts were the focus of everyone’s gaze, including me.

"I apologize for the delay in explanation. Warriors from another world."

The old man struck a grand pose and addressed us. The room suddenly brightened. Tapestries hung on the stone walls... it was a strange place.

What were those voices just now? They were definitely not the old man’s. They were grand and echoed as if from the bottom of hell.

"Warriors from another world?"

A classmate responded to the old man.

"Yes. Warriors from another world."

Everyone looked at each other, tilting their heads in confusion.

"Where are we! What did you do to us!?"

"Calm down. We fell on our butts just now, right? How did you bring us here?"

"..."

That’s right. If they had knocked us out in the classroom and brought us from somewhere, it would be strange. The people who were standing didn’t fall, and the students who were sitting just fell when their chairs disappeared. It seemed like we were all moved at the same time.

And those mysterious voices... what were they?

"Hmm... it seems the warriors from another world haven’t fully grasped the situation."

The man in the robe, who was flipping through a book, answered.

"Well... according to the records left by your fellow countrymen in the past, you are in a situation called 'summoning from another world.'"

"Summoning from another world? What?"

"Really?"

"Don’t joke around! This isn’t funny."

"Is this some kind of prank?"

My classmates expressed their dissatisfaction.

If we only consider the circumstantial evidence, it does sound like something from a story.

If this is a prank to surprise us, it’s way too elaborate.

"If you think it’s a joke or a lie, please follow me. I will show you this world, warriors from another world."

The old man pointed to a door and started leading us.

"Where are we going?"

Close classmates chatted while following the guide.

The red carpet stretched endlessly on the stone walls... it reminded me of a famous game castle.

The old man led us to a terrace with a good view, or rather, the castle wall.

What we saw beyond it left us speechless.

First, the town below... it was like medieval European architecture stretching as far as the eye could see, with a high sky.

When I looked closely, I saw birds I had never seen before flying, and the air felt different.

There were floating rocks, and it seemed like a joke.

And in the castle grounds... there were three dragon-like creatures sitting politely.

They looked strangely realistic, like toys or objects.

"Can you believe it now?"

Everyone turned to the old man in surprise.

"I am the king of the country of Leralia, Stroa Cron Leralia. Warriors from another world, you may be confused, but please listen to me."

With undeniable evidence right in front of us, we had no choice but to listen to the king.

Happy New Year!