Chapter 1: Summoned Heroes

Chapter 1: Summoned Heroes

On a typical school day, students walked into their classrooms and gathered with friends to chat before morning homeroom started. Among the second-year students, Sayaka Kishmata stood out the most. She looked like an idol, both in her face and figure. Her light brown hair reached her shoulders, with a small braid on the right side. She was not only beautiful but also smart. Sayaka was the class idol and admired by all second-year students.

 

Sayaka’s PoV:

 

I slowly walked to my desk while the guys stared at me like usual. Still, I couldn't stop myself from glancing over at the desk in the corner room.

 

I looked at the empty desk where my childhood friend Akira usually sat and thought, "He's not here again today."

 

It’s been a week since he returned to school, and I’m starting to worry. His mother said he wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to see me. I held tightly to the necklace he gave me, anxious because I didn’t know what was going on with him. Before I could think about it more, a loud, cheerful voice greeted me.

 

“Morning Saya-chan~!”

 

The person who said that was my best friend, Karin Mikami. She was a cheerful girl with long blonde hair that reflected her lively spirit.

 

“Morning Karin”

 

I smiled at her, even if it was a small smile, to avoid worrying her too much.

 

Karin smiled happily as she pulled out her phone. "Saya-chan watched the new show last night. There was a cute actor in it." She showed me a picture of a man. "Look how good he looks here. Definitely my type.”

 

Giggling at her antics “You said that about that streamer just last week”

I’m not sure if she realizes it, but Karin always helps lift my spirits, even when I’m feeling weighed down.

 

As Karin and I chatted, a guy came over. It was Takashi Hirahama, the baseball team captain and a well-known playboy in our grade. He has approached me several times before, and I've turned him down each time. Still, he keeps trying to get me to hang out with him.

 

With a smug look on his face, he said, "Hey Kishmata-san, me and my friends were wondering if you and Mikami-san want to go to karaoke with us later today."

 

“Like I said before, I'm not interested in spending time with you or your friends.” Karin agreed, saying, "Same here!"

 

Hirahama looked at us with contempt. "What would you rather spend time with that loser who has been skipping school for a week.”

 

I slammed my desk in anger that had been building up til now. Action startled everyone in the room because I usually don’t act this way. Even Karin jumped when I slammed my desk.

 

“Leave Akira out of this”

 

My anger was reaching its limit. They acted like I hadn't seen what they were doing, but I noticed everything. They were bullying my childhood friend, someone very important to me. I had enough. Deep down, I knew why Akira had started to distance himself from me, but I was holding back. I didn't want Akira to blame himself, so I was trying my best to stay out of it.

 

“I want make this clear stay away from me and Akira”

 

I was angry at him and his friends for getting jealous just because I preferred spending time with Akira instead of them. But more than anything, I was angry at myself for causing Akira so much pain. If only I weren’t the center of attention, if only I could be plain and unnoticed, none of this would be happening now.

 

Before I could let my anger take over, a bright light filled our classroom. As it surrounded us, I suddenly felt dizzy. Before I could understand what was happening, men in armor and robes appeared around us. In the middle stood a man dressed like a king, with a golden crown on his head confirming it.

 

"I greet you, summoned heroes from another realm!" the man in the kingly outfit said in a loud voice.

 

“No way did we just isekai'd!” One boy in our class shouted. 

 

Before anyone could respond, the kingly figure spoke again. "I understand this is surprising, especially since you all appear so young."

He scanned our class with sharp brown eyes and went on, "My people are in great trouble, so we had to use our strongest magic in this time of need. We summoned heroes to help fight off evil."

 

Some of the boys in our class started cheering and looked thrilled. It felt like a scene straight out of a light novel or anime that Akira and I liked to watch or read together. But some of the others especially the girl’s were scared who didn’t be involved in these types of things.

 

Fixing his gaze on us, the kingly figure spoke in a serious tone. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Richard the Third, ruler of the Kingdom of Aurzralia."

 

“I welcome you again young heroes to my Kingdom!”

After a while, we were led into a hall with an altar in the center and a statue of a woman they called the Goddess Solria. The king had given an explanation on the current situation of the world and the crisis that is befalling it. A great plague named [The Scourge] had started to infect the land and started spawning monsters and demons alike. The mortal race that comprises Humans, Dwarfs, Elfs, Beastkin, and Halflings did their best to push back. But after many years even after the alliance [The Scourge] was not stopping. So the only means they had left was to rely on the goddess to summon heroes blessed by her to fight back this evil.

 

Now standing near the altar King Richard faced with stern look spoke “Now young heroes now that you know our plight would you be willing to aid and gain the Goddess blessing”

 

Before anyone could object, the louder voice in the group shouted “ YES!”

 

With a smile King Richard chanted words I could not understand and before we knew a blinding light enveloped all of us.

 

The light felt strange but comforting like a warm hug and as the feeling faded. A card appeared in our hands.

 

“Thoese are you identifying cards they will let you know your aptitude and skills” King Richard Explained. 

 

As the people shouted out their aptitude that card showed everyone cheered or got disappointed because it wasn’t what they hoped for. The one who stood the most was the one person I didn’t want to be the center of attention. 

 

Takshi Hirahama shouted the words [Hero] as the aptitude. Everyone gathered around excitedly towards him, even the king, the only ones that didn’t were jealous, Otakus wanted to be the [Hero]. Then there was me and Karin who already disliked him.

 

“Why had to be him ... .and not Akira..”

 

I whispered this selfish wish to myself as I looked at the card in my hand displaying [Saintess]. The [Hero] and [Saintess] are the pair who would lead the party to victory in all the stories that I read with Akira. Now all I could think of was to find a way home so I could see Akira again.

 

In a quiet, soft voice, I whispered a simple wish, "I wish Akira was here..." I curled into a ball while Karin tried to comfort me.

 

Akira’s Pov:

 

After gathering myself upon the shock of what had happened I started to look around. Then a small light  burst out of my chest and formed a small fairy-like creature.

“I know it’s a lot to take in but I will do my best to help you out as your guide Master!” The little fairy exclaimed.

 

“Who are you?”

 

"Oh, sorry, where are my manners? I'm Lina, a light-spirit fairy," she said. "I'm your familiar, here to guide you through this world as part of your contract with the Goddess Solria."

 

As Lina finished speaking, the Goddess's voice echoed in my mind once more. "Lina will guide you on your journey." A bright light appeared on the back of my right hand, then faded, leaving a red symbol that looked like a sun imprinted there. "With this blessing from me, the people of this land will see you as a [Blessed One] and treat you with more kindness."

 

The Goddess continued explaining to me more of the power that she bestowed upon me and rules that govern this world. So long as I could imagine and use my willpower to fuel that imagination I could cast [Magic] and use [Skills] from this world. 

 

As I looked at myself, I saw two blades hanging on each side of my hips. I pulled them out, even though it was the first time I had ever held a sword. Both felt natural in my hands, and I immediately knew they were [Vermillion Rose] and [Ice Jade].

 

The Goddess spoke to me again. She said, "I gave your body memories and blessings to help you survive in this world." Then she added, "But that is not enough. To become stronger, you must gain experience and learn to fight properly. You cannot rely only on the bare minimum my blessings have given you if you want to achieve your goals."

 

“This is all I can offer you for your journey right now.” The Goddess then said, “I need to rest. I used too much of my power to bend the rules to bring you here. So I leave you in Lina’s capable hands until we meet again, brave adventurer.” As she spoke, I felt her presence fade away.

 

With everything said I thank the Goddess Solria in mind for giving all she could to help me. I sheathed my swords and turned my attention to the fairy Lina.

 

“So what now Lina?”

 

As if anticipating my question Lina smiled and shouted “To Edoldon the city of Adventures!”