Chapter 1

As the janitor of Sakura Hill High School, Zou was summoned along with dozens of students and three teachers who had gathered to clean up after the school festival, behind the school building.

In an instant, the world was engulfed in light.

The explosive flash of light was so intense that it could have been mistaken for being transported somewhere with one's insides, a sensation of floating overwhelmed him.

Then, in the next moment, the floating sensation was gone.

The blinding light that pierced his eyelids disappeared in an instant.

Feeling the presence of others, Zou opened his eyes slightly and scanned the surroundings.

The students began to murmur, and the three teachers, though shaken, tried to calm them down. Cries and wails were already starting to rise.

Where are we?

Why are we here?

Take us back.

【To those who drift between worlds】

A voice resonated in his mind, strangely calming. It felt like the absolute maternal presence.

It seemed to have the same effect on the students and teachers, as the cries, screams, and murmurs subsided.

【Unfortunately, you have been summoned.】

The meaning was strangely clear, though he didn't understand it.

【In a different world, a certain immature but talented individual succeeded in summoning a hero, which should not have been possible.】

"Are you kidding? Change us back!" the physical education teacher of Class 1-A shouted.

This sparked a wave of voices from the students.

【Unfortunately, Earth has already flown the nest from my management, so I couldn't prevent the summoning. The world where you were summoned is not under my jurisdiction.】

【Now, because the inter-world travel caused by the summoning is still ambiguous, I can interfere with you.】

Another teacher tried to speak but was cut off by the voice.

【The world you are going to is not a place dominated by humans like Earth. Unmanageable dangers are close at hand.】

The stern voice made everyone's throat tighten, as if they were being scolded by their mothers in childhood.

【You are powerless in a world where you don't understand the language, have no physical strength, and no magic.】

The voice then softened.

【I cannot bear to throw you into such a place. Therefore, I will grant you the minimum power. First, the language and a body that can adapt.】

Everyone glowed blue.

【And a sword to protect yourself and your companions.】

A white, glowing mass in the shape of a sword appeared in front of each person. Everyone naturally took it without hesitation.

【Go forth, my children. I wish you a healthy life.】

"Your children?" Zou thought, but before he could question it, his body began to glow black. He felt as if he was being pulled somewhere.

At that moment, the sword was snatched from Zou's hand. It was quickly carried away by someone running. The back of that person was that of a first-year student... whose name he didn't know. He could only recall the face, which was proud and competitive. Rumor had it that he was the son of a company president, something he remembered from the teachers' gossip.

Otherwise, he might not have remembered the face. After all, he had only been a student for half a year, and even their faces were uncertain.

With no one to direct his anger at, Zou could only stand there in a daze.

【Foolish. Rest assured, my children. Once you are in that world, the sword will become your talent and be firmly rooted. It cannot be taken. And here, such things are not allowed.】

While listening to the voice's reprimand, Zou's eyes met those of the physical education teacher, who then disappeared with a smile that could be interpreted as either a sneer or a wry grin. Other students and teachers who met his eyes also disappeared with similar expressions.

Zou, thinking he would be summoned as well, felt despondent.

A total of seventy-nine people—twenty-five first-year students, twenty-five second-year students, twenty-five third-year students, three teachers, and one janitor—were summoned from Earth to another world.

【...Ah, poor children. I am sorry.】

Zou had not yet been summoned.

He was left alone in a white space.

【Since each person can only have one sword, I cannot give you a new one. Once you descend into that world, the power rooted in your soul cannot be taken back. Here, in this ambiguous state, the sword could be stolen, but in the real world, where existence is clear, it cannot be stolen, just as one cannot steal another's talent.】

Zou thought this made sense, and in a way, he felt it was his fault for not considering the theft. No one would blame him for theft in this place.

Still, he couldn't forgive it.

【It is your only connection in an unknown land. You should not think of such dangerous things.】

The voice could not say more. It wanted to prevent them from hating or cursing the world they were going to.

Ideally, the foolish child who stole the sword should still be here.

But that was impossible, as the other world blocked it. The legitimate power of the world, based on its management rights, took precedence over everything.

They were already part of the other world.

However, Zou had already made up his mind.

He would not forgive it.

【...But, this is a problem.】

While listening to the troubled voice, Zou was still thinking about the theft.

He wouldn't forgive it.

But he couldn't take it back.

So, he didn't want to be involved anymore.

His job search had failed, and he found it difficult to adapt to society. If someone said he lacked effort, he couldn't deny it. If someone said he lacked patience, he couldn't disagree.

What he wanted to do was only valuable when he mastered it; otherwise, it was useless.

When he thought others or situations were wrong, he couldn't compromise or endure, and he would protest. Even if his complaints were justified, it didn't work in society.

So, he didn't want to be involved.

Or rather, he couldn't be involved.

He couldn't adapt to society. He wasn't being self-deprecating or playing the victim; it was just a fact.

He had managed to do jobs like security, cleaning, and janitorial work, but all as part-time or contract work.

With low pay, no hope of promotion, and no contract renewal, there was no sense of belonging, loyalty, or professionalism.

Still, he did his best, and he didn't think he should be blamed for that.

【...Then, should I shift your summoning to a different place? I cannot stop the summoning, but I can do that much.】

The god of the other world did not seem eager to exercise its management rights over this young man. It was even lenient, showing no interest.

Zou's eyes lit up at the unexpected offer, not even considering that it seemed to read his mind.

He even thought about requesting a place with fewer people, like a snowy mountain or a desert. Zou was from a snowy region and had a romantic interest in deserts. However, he wasn't thinking of uncharted deserts or deadly snow mountains, but rather a place just outside a small community, with a moderate number of people, preferably fewer.

【...I told you, that world is full of monsters and beasts.】

Still, Zou thought he would be fine as long as he had food, water, and shelter from the elements. He was somewhat despondent and nihilistic after the theft, and the sudden encounter with the supernatural had left him short-sighted.

But he didn't think his request was too far from his original wish.

【...I can only provide you with a year's worth of food and water, a general magic textbook, and a knife. I cannot favor you alone, nor can I interfere excessively in the other world.】

The voice spoke as if scolding a disobedient child.

But the child nodded, looking pleased.

【Understood. Go forth.】

Zou bowed and was enveloped in black light, disappearing.

In the empty space, only the voice echoed.

【Hate the mother who can do nothing. Curse the unreasonable world, but you must not. I wish you a life without hating the other world, a life full of happiness.】

【The child who stole the sword is still my child. Wishing for the child's happiness is the foolish mother. But whether the stolen sword can be used stably is now unknown to me. As they say, fortune and misfortune are intertwined like a rope, but this is too cruel. Ah, I am indeed a foolish mother. May all the children be happy.】