Somewhere on the modern world called Earth One, under a warm and sunny sky, a yellow school bus cruised steadily down the highway. Its destination: a much-anticipated school trip. Laughter and conversation filled the air, bouncing off the metal walls of the bus as students talked animatedly about life, jokes, and the adventure ahead.
Everyone had someone to talk to. Everyone except one.
In the very back of the bus, slouched against the window, Malik Crowe slept. His half-raven black and half-silver hair shifted gently with the bus's motion. An 18-year-old high school senior, Malik was a mystery wrapped in quiet intensity. Charming, hardworking, strategic, cunning, and often aloof—Malik preferred silence to the noise of others.
He slept as the other nine passengers lived their moment.
Kaito Tanaka, the golden boy and class president, sat near the front. Athletic, sharply dressed in his school blazer, Kaito laughed with confidence. "I can't wait for this trip," he said. "We've worked so hard all year—we deserve this."
Yui Nakamura, the Gal, clacked her flashy nails as she chattered away. "I heard there's a hot spring at the inn! O-M-G, I'm gonna post so many pics."
Daichi Saito, the bully-turned-backbencher, leaned on his arm, scowling. "This better not be lame. If I see one haunted doll, I'm out."
Ren Ito nodded, eyes buried in his light novel. "Actually, the region we're visiting has a myth about a spirit gate. If the lore's accurate... it could be a class S dungeon."
Hana Suzuki hugged her clipboard. "Let's make sure we follow the itinerary. If everyone sticks to the schedule, we can visit all the planned sites."
Airi Fujimoto stretched in her seat. "They've got hiking trails. Finally, something that doesn't rot your brain."
Shun Yamamoto threw his arms up dramatically. "Please let there be karaoke. If I don't belt out an anime OP tonight, I'll implode."
Megumi Arata whispered with a faint smile, "I just hope there's a quiet place to sketch... maybe some flowers."
From the front, Ms. Kaede Hayashi, their stylish but tired homeroom teacher, sighed contentedly. "A peaceful day, a cheerful class, and a field trip to the mountains. Maybe I won't quit teaching after all."
Meanwhile, Malik remained silent. Asleep—or pretending to be.
Daichi turned again, scoffing. "Still sleeping like a freak. Guy was a joke in middle school—and nothing's changed."
Malik's eyes opened just a sliver, revealing golden irises that shimmered like coins in the sunlight.
Daichi caught the glint and smirked. "What, cat got your tongue? Still dreaming of being better than us, weirdo?"
Malik shut his eyes again, unmoved.
Annoyed, Daichi muttered, "Still ignoring me, huh? Typical. Thinks he's above it all."
Ms. Kaede turned her head. "Daichi, maybe try focusing on something other than Malik's existence for five minutes."
"Whatever," Daichi grumbled.
Ren whispered to Hana, "Do you think Malik's... secretly powerful?"
Shun chuckled. "He's either a final boss or the guy who dies first. No in-between."
Airi crossed her arms. "He's just antisocial. People like that crack when things get tough."
Megumi murmured, "Maybe he's just lonely."
Malik sighed internally:
They're all so loud. So nosy. I don't care what they think... but Daichi... I've hated that guy since I was a kid. Just want to be left alone.
As the chatter continued, the bus suddenly slowed and came to a halt. They were stuck in traffic.
Right in the middle of a railway crossing.
Minutes passed. Then, a distant noise.
Malik's eyes opened.
"What was that?" he asked.
Ms. Kaede blinked. "What was what?"
The noise grew louder.
Malik sat up. "That."
Everyone turned to the windows.
A train. Full speed. Headed right for them.
Panic erupted.
"IT'S COMING RIGHT AT US!" Kaito shouted, springing to his feet.
"I don't want to die! I haven't even dyed my hair pink yet!" Yui screamed.
"Move the bus, MOVE IT!" Daichi yelled.
"This isn't how it's supposed to end! I haven't leveled up yet!" Ren shrieked.
"This can't be real! I've followed every rule!" Hana sobbed.
"NO! I haven't even made it to nationals yet!" Airi cried.
"I was joking about the imploding thing! I DON'T WANNA EXPLODE!" Shun panicked.
"Mama... I'm scared..." Megumi whimpered.
Ms. Kaede snapped to the front. "Driver! Get us out of here!"
The bus driver gritted his teeth. "I CAN'T! The doors won't open—it's jammed against the cars! WE'RE BOXED IN!"
Malik sat still, oddly calm as the screaming escalated.
So this is it. I always knew life was temporary. Maybe this is my time. Maybe... this is fine. I never really belonged anyway.
The horn of the train blared.
He closed his eyes.
If there's a next life... let it be different.
Impact.
Everything went black.
...
A voice.
"Where... are we?"
Malik's eyes fluttered open.
He was lying in a field of soft, glowing grass that shimmered like moonlight. Above him stretched a swirling sky painted with stars and galaxies, more vibrant than anything on Earth. Towering mountains surrounded the valley, one crowned with a majestic waterfall that sparkled like diamond dust.
A warm breeze carried the scent of lavender and something sweetly unfamiliar.
He sat up slowly.
The others began to stir.
"Wha... what is this place?" Kaito muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"It's... beautiful," Yui whispered.
"No way. No way this is real," Daichi said, looking around in disbelief.
Ren's jaw dropped. "This... this is an isekai setting. I knew it! We died—and got transported!"
"The air... it's so clean," Hana said, taking a deep breath.
Airi stood up, brushing herself off. "I've never seen nature like this. Not even on our school hikes."
"The sky... it's like a dream," Shun said, blinking.
"I think... we're not on Earth anymore," Megumi murmured.
Ms. Kaede rose unsteadily. "I've had weird dreams before, but this... this takes the cake."
Malik looked around, golden eyes wide.
This place... it's beyond anything I imagined. Did we really die? Is this the afterlife—or something else entirely?
Suddenly, a golden light bloomed in the air above them, shimmering and spiraling into a humanoid form. A radiant woman descended slowly, adorned in ethereal robes that seemed woven from starlight.
Her voice rang out like music.
"Welcome to my domain, otherworlders."
They all turned to her, stunned.
Malik's mind raced.
A goddess... just like in the stories.
As the radiant figure descended from the sky, her entire form was cloaked in a bright, divine aura. The glow obscured every detail—until her feet touched the ground.
In an instant, the light vanished.
Standing before them was a breathtaking woman, exuding an aura that was both comforting and terrifying. Her flowing silver-white hair shimmered like liquid moonlight. Glowing violet eyes held the wisdom of millennia. Her flawless pale skin seemed untouched by time. Draped in a celestial gown made of starlight that shifted with her every movement, she wielded a crystalline staff entwined with divine vines and blooming lotus flowers.
Her smile was regal, playful—a smile before a storm.
"I am Lady Seraphina," she said, her voice both melodic and commanding, "the Goddess of Rebirth and Chaos."
Gasps spread through the group.
"A goddess?!" Kaito blurted out, eyes wide.
"Whoa... she's, like, prettier than an idol!" Yui exclaimed.
"This isn't possible... we're dreaming, right?" Hana whispered.
"A real goddess?! This is like one of my light novels!" Ren shouted.
"Tch... figures some freakish god would show up now," Daichi muttered.
"This doesn't make sense..." Airi frowned.
"Am I dead...?" Megumi whispered softly.
"I didn't sign up for divine intervention!" Shun yelped.
Only Malik showed no reaction. No awe. No confusion. Just silence.
He stepped forward.
"We're dead, aren't we?"
The group turned toward him, stunned.
"Dead?!" Yui repeated.
"What are you saying, Malik?" Kaito asked, frowning.
"That... that's impossible," Hana said.
Lady Seraphina giggled softly, the sound echoing like bells.
"Indeed, you are all dead. Your lives ended in that tragic accident. I am the Overseer of Souls and Manager of Reincarnation."
Malik narrowed his eyes.
Manager of Reincarnation... So it's real. It's all real.
The others erupted again.
"Reincarnation?!" Kaito gasped.
"So we're getting reborn like anime characters?!" Shun yelled.
"I... I always joked about isekai, but now it's happening?!" Ren said.
"What kind of world are we going to?" Hana asked nervously.
Seraphina smiled again, but this time her expression grew more serious.
"The world you are being sent to is plagued by darkness. A Demon Queen rules with cruelty. I need your help to defeat her... and bring balance back."
The group fell silent.
"Defeat a Demon Queen?!" Daichi shouted.
"We don't even have weapons! Or powers!" Airi protested.
"I'm a teacher, not a warrior!" Ms. Kaede cried.
How are we supposed to fight something like that? Malik thought, frowning.
Seraphina waved her hand. A sharp sound rang out as a massive glowing screen appeared before them, floating in the air.
"You will gain power," she said. "Here is your first step—choose your class."
Gasps echoed.
The list before them shimmered with hundreds of options.
"Is this... a class menu? Like in a game?!" Ren cried.
"No way... This is insane!" Yui shouted.
"Do we just... pick one?" Megumi asked.
Seraphina nodded. "Choose wisely. Your power, your role, your race—are tied to this decision."
Ms. Kaede stepped forward. She pressed a glowing option.
Class: Divine Sage of Order
Race: High Human
"I suppose... if I have to be someone new, I'll keep people in order as always," she said, arms crossed.
Kaito followed. Class: Sword Saint (The Hero).
"A hero... I'll protect everyone. I swear it."
Yui giggled. Class: Charm Dancer.
"This is sooo my vibe! Magic, dancing, and charm? I'm gonna SLAY."
Daichi stepped forward. Class: Berserker.
Race: Orc Hybrid.
"Orc?! Whatever. Berserker sounds badass. Suits me fine."
Ren picked. Class: Arcane Tactician.
"Yes! Strategy, power, arcane calculations—this is my dream class!"
Hana chose. Class: Holy Sentinel.
"A protector... I can do this. I have to."
Airi pressed hers. Class: Windblade Duelist.
"Fast. Deadly. Clean. This is perfect."
Shun picked next. Class: Jester of Chaos.
Race: Half-Demon.
"Half-demon?! Sweet! That's gotta come with powers. And chaos? Fits me."
Megumi stepped up. Class: Shadow Witch.
Race: Half-Dark Elf.
"Dark elf... I feel... different. But the magic is calling to me."
Suddenly, magical energy enveloped Kaede, Shun, Megumi, and Daichi. Their forms shimmered as their races fully changed.
"My ears... they're long?" Megumi gasped.
"Whoa... my skin tone's darker... and this strength..." Daichi said, flexing.
"My aura feels different," Kaede said, looking at her glowing hands.
"I have fangs?!" Shun shouted.
Seraphina smiled. "When one chooses a powerful class, sometimes your soul shifts to match. You have been reborn."
The others stared at their changed friends.
"They really changed..." Ren said.
"It's like evolution," Airi muttered.
"You guys look... kind of cool? But also kind of terrifying," Yui said.
"Their power level definitely rose," Kaito said, crossing his arms.
"They're not the same anymore," Hana murmured.
So this is how far they're willing to go to survive, Malik thought. New forms. New power.
Then he felt her gaze.
Lady Seraphina was watching him.
He looked at her. She smiled.
"Now, the last one... the boy with black and silver hair."
Everyone turned.
"What's Malik gonna pick?" Shun whispered.
"Does he even care?" Airi muttered.
They looked at the screen. All the classes were crossed out.
Except one.
Daichi laughed. "Seriously? One class left? Must be weak."
"Wrong," Seraphina said, her tone shifting.
"That class is... the Gluttony Mage."
Gasps echoed.
"Gluttony Mage?! What kind of weird class is that?!" Kaito shouted.
"Sounds gross..." Yui said.
"That's... ominous," Hana muttered.
Gluttony... A hunger that devours all? Malik mused. Sounds dangerous.
He walked forward and pressed the option.
Class Acquired: Gluttony Mage.
A wave of dark energy pulsed out. Malik's aura shifted—deep void black, flickering with violet glows and thin crimson tendrils that moved like living hunger.
His eyes flashed crimson—then faded back to gold.
Gasps surrounded him.
"What is that aura?!" Ren said, backing up.
"I feel... cold..." Megumi whispered.
"His presence... it's heavy," Kaede said.
"It's like... something's watching us through him," Hana whispered.
This power... it feels like it's alive, Malik thought. It's mine now.
Seraphina nodded. "Now you all have your classes, powers, and purpose. Are you ready to begin your journey?"
They nodded.
"Then goodbye, my otherworlders."
"Goodbye..." they said in unison.
Malik simply nodded.
A snap of fingers.
Light consumed them.
...
The group appeared in a lush forest—vibrant trees, distant mountains, strange birds chirping, and magical energy thick in the air.
"This is it... the new world," Kaito said, spinning around in awe.
"It's like a fantasy painting!" Yui gasped.
"This is real... the grass, the air..." Hana said, breathless.
"We're really here," Ren muttered, scanning his surroundings.
"Time to start leveling up," Airi said, clenching her fists.
"We're gonna be legends!" Shun laughed.
"I feel nervous... but also ready," Megumi said softly.
"This forest feels alive," Kaede said. "And we've got a job to do."
"We need to get stronger, quickly," Daichi growled.
The transformed students looked at each other again.
"You're glowing, Kaede," Hana said.
"You've got actual claws, Daichi," Airi added.
"Shun's tail is moving... like it's got a mind of its own," Kaito muttered.
"Megumi's aura is like a shadow cloak," Yui said in awe.
They're all adapting quickly, Malik thought. And so must I.
He looked around at the endless trees, the towering peaks, and the magical glow of a new world.
This is the world I'm reborn into. And I'll carve out my place in it—no matter the cost.
To be continued...