The morning sky was as bright as ever. White clouds floated peacefully, and little birds chirped from the treetops. For most people, this might be the beginning of a pleasant day.
But not for me.
My name is Kael Yuuma, an ordinary high school student. My life isn't as bright as the sky above. Since I was a child, I've grown used to living alone. My parents passed away long ago, and since then, I've been living by myself in a quiet little apartment on the outskirts of the city.
No one says "good morning" to me, there's no warm breakfast on the table, and of course, no one waits for me to come home.
This morning was no different. I put on my uniform, slung my bag over my shoulder, and stepped out of the apartment at a slow pace.
The morning breeze brushed against my face, carrying the scent of flowers from the small park near the bus stop. But that scent never truly lifted my mood. I was used to the silence.
As I walked, I gazed at the school building from afar. The hustle and bustle of other students came into view—they laughed, chatted, ran through the school gate.
I just watched them. Not envious, just… empty.
"Today's probably going to be the same as always," I muttered under my breath.
But just as I was about to step through the school gate, something strange happened.
A glowing blue magic circle suddenly appeared beneath my feet. Strange symbols lit up, rotating slowly like the wheel of fate beginning to turn.
"Eh!?" I jumped back, but my soles felt glued to the center of the circle.
"What… is this!?" I shouted in panic. The glow from the magic grew brighter, blurring my vision.
Wind swirled around me, blowing my hair and clothes like a small storm. The once lively sounds of the schoolyard… vanished. As if I'd been cut off from the world.
"HELP ME!!" I cried out, trying to reach anyone who might see me.
But no one answered.
The sounds were gone. The light swallowed my body. The world around me dissolved into shining mist, and before I could think further…
I was pulled into a glowing darkness.
To another place.
To another world.
Suddenly, Kael fell from the vortex of light, crashing onto a hard floor made of polished marble. His body landed roughly in the middle of a grand royal hall, surrounded by tall walls and towering golden pillars.
On the other side of the room stood another black-haired teenager, summoned at the same time.
An old man in luxurious robes, seated on a magnificent throne at the end of the hall, stood up and bowed slightly with one hand over his chest.
"Welcome to my palace, oh heroes," the King said, his voice deep and commanding. The entire hall fell silent.
Kael, still gasping for breath on the floor, looked around in confusion.
"Heroes...? Me...? I'm just a regular high school kid…" he mumbled, barely audible. "I'm only 17…"
But no one responded.
The nobles and soldiers around him didn't react, as if they hadn't heard his words at all. Kael slowly stood, anxious and disoriented, searching for answers.
Then the boy beside him—Shin Asakura—stepped forward arrogantly. He glanced at Kael from head to toe.
"Seriously? This is what you call a hero too? What a weak-looking runt," he mocked, arms crossed.
Kael stared at him silently, unsure how to respond.
The tension in the hall thickened.
But then, the King raised his hand, signaling everyone to remain calm. His voice echoed through the grand chamber.
"He is also a hero," the King said calmly but firmly. "When you are chosen by the sacred summoning circle we activated, anyone brought into this world is considered a hero."
Kael flinched. "What...? I'm… a hero too?" he thought, still unable to believe it.
The King continued as he descended from his throne.
"Our world is in great danger. The Demon Army from the North is slowly invading our lands, destroying villages and killing without mercy." "That is why we summoned you. Heroes from another world, to save this one from darkness."
The soldiers and nobles who once looked angry now began bowing respectfully to Kael.
Shin Asakura merely scoffed and looked away. "Hmph. If he's a hero too, he better not drag me down."
Kael could only stand frozen, his mind swirling with fear, confusion, and disbelief.
A hero? But… I don't have any special powers like a hero…
Seeing Kael's lost expression and Shin's growing impatience, the King spoke again in a softer, more reassuring tone.
"Do not worry," he said. "To determine your abilities, simply place your hand on this magic crystal. Your status will appear immediately."
From the side, a robed man stepped forward carrying a large, bright blue crystal, setting it on a golden pedestal in the center of the hall.
The crystal shimmered gently, filling the room with a calm magical aura, yet one full of mystery.
Without hesitation, Shin Asakura strode forward with full confidence. He raised his right hand and touched the crystal.
Instantly, the crystal flared brightly with a blazing red aura. Magical symbols floated into the air and a translucent magical screen appeared before everyone, displaying Shin's full status:
[Name: Shin Asakura]
Class: Sword Hero
Level: 1
Skills: Sword Mastery, Blade Dash, Aura Slash
Potential: S-Rank
The nobles and soldiers who saw the status began whispering in awe.
The robed elder gasped, then spoke loudly:
"Amazing…! Your status is exceptional. You are truly a hero!"
Shin smirked proudly. "Heh, just as I thought."
Meanwhile, Kael swallowed hard where he stood, cold sweat forming at his brow.
"If he's that powerful… what about me…?"
After Shin stepped back with a satisfied expression, the room quieted again. But now, all eyes turned to Kael.
The robed man looked at him and said neutrally, "You're next."
Kael hesitated, then slowly nodded. His steps were heavy, uncertain, but he still walked toward the crystal.
"Calm down, Kael… it's just a test…" he whispered to himself, trying to stay calm.
He raised his hand slowly and touched the surface of the magic crystal.
Suddenly, the crystal dimmed, turning a dull black. Everyone in the room exchanged glances, murmurs spreading among the nobles.
But moments later, the crystal shifted again—this time to a soft green, not as brilliant as Shin's, lacking any grandeur or power.
A screen of light appeared in the air once more:
[Name: Kael Yuuma]
Class: Low-Rank Healer
Level: 1
Skills: Basic Heal, Minor Recovery, Lesser Cure
Potential: ???
Silence. No applause. No cheers.
Instead, sighs of disappointment and quiet scoffs echoed through the room.
"A low-rank healer…? Seriously?" whispered one guard.
"Can't compare to the Sword Hero…" said another.
Kael stood frozen in front of the crystal, staring at his status with blank eyes. No extraordinary abilities, no impressive aura. Just plain numbers… and a low-tier healer class.
Shin Asakura behind him chuckled.
"Pfft… hero, huh? More like a backline support."
Kael clenched his fists but said nothing.
Instead of support or acceptance, all Kael received were scornful looks from everyone in the room. Even the King himself looked at him with a cold, disappointed gaze.
One noble spoke sharply: "Pathetic! A low-rank healer like him will be useless on the battlefield! He'll only be a burden!"
Kael turned, eyes wide at the accusation. But before he could defend himself, the King spoke again, without hesitation or empathy.
"Throw him out," the King said coldly.
"A weak hero like that will only get in the way. Send him to the farthest outskirts, as far from the palace as possible!"
Kael stepped forward in a panic. "W-Wait! Why are you throwing me away!?" he cried out, his voice cracking.
The King looked at him with no emotion. "Because you're… a burden. And we don't have time to care for burdens during a crisis."
Kael gritted his teeth, his fists trembling, his eyes filling with tears.
"IF I'M A BURDEN, DON'T JUST THROW ME AWAY LIKE TRASH!!" "AT LEAST… SEND ME BACK TO MY OWN WORLD!!"
But his desperate scream only echoed off the palace walls. No one listened. No one cared.
The King raised his hand. "Guards. Take him away."
Two soldiers stepped forward and grabbed Kael roughly by the arms. He tried to resist, but he wasn't strong enough.
Just then, Shin Asakura approached with a mocking grin. "Tch, what a joke."
Without warning, he punched Kael square in the face.
"Heh, take that!" he laughed as Kael hit the marble floor, unconscious.
Everyone remained silent. Not a single soul showed pity.
And thus... the suffering of Kael in this new world began.