Chapter 1: The Summoning of Thirty
The sound of chalk tapping against the board echoed through the quiet classroom.
Sunlight poured in through the windows, painting gold over the polished desks and scattering warmth across the students of Class 3-A.
"Alright, everyone. That concludes our mock test for today," said a soft, confident voice.
At the front stood Reina Amakawa, their homeroom teacher. Her long black hair flowed down her back, and the faint glimmer of her glasses caught the sunlight. Despite her calm demeanor, every student knew she was sharp—mature, beautiful, and intelligent, a woman whose presence demanded respect.
Ren Takahashi sat by the window, chin resting on his palm as he gazed outside.
He wasn't top of the class, nor was he the type to cause trouble. Just... normal.
Normal enough to be invisible.
Beside him, his childhood friend Alicia Kanzaki giggled softly, her light-brown hair tied into a side ponytail.
"Spacing out again, Ren? You'll miss graduation if you keep daydreaming like that."
Ren smiled faintly. "I was just thinking… how peaceful everything looks today."
Alicia tilted her head. "You say weird things sometimes."
Across the room, two girls glanced at Ren — Miyu Asahina, quiet and kind, and Kaori Tanabe, energetic and outspoken. Both had their reasons for hiding small crushes on him.
But Ren never noticed. His eyes always returned to Alicia.
And that, of course, made Klein Valtor furious.
The tall, arrogant blond leaned back in his chair, smirking at Ren. His two lackeys snickered beside him. "Look at that loser. Acting all close with Alicia again."
"Hey, Klein," one whispered, "you could easily take her from him."
Klein chuckled darkly. "Oh, I will. Just wait."
---
The clock ticked toward noon.
Reina-sensei's voice softened as she turned toward the class.
"I know this year has been difficult for many of you," she said. "But remember — your effort matters more than anything. You're all capable of greatness."
There was something in her tone — a mix of pride and protectiveness — that made Ren's chest...
He looked at her and smiled faintly. She noticed but didn't respond, only giving a tiny nod before turning back to the board.
---
Then, it happened.
A blinding light burst from the ceiling.
Students screamed as the floor cracked beneath them, glowing sigils spreading like wildfire.
"What's happening!?"
"Earthquake!?"
"No—it's magic!"
Reina shouted, "Everyone stay calm! Don't move!"
But her voice was drowned by the roar of the light.
Ren's chair toppled as his vision blurred. He reached for Alicia, who cried out beside him—
"Ren!!"
He grasped her hand tightly.
Then everything vanished.
---
When Ren opened his eyes, he was kneeling on a marble floor.
The air was warm, the scent of incense thick. Massive stained-glass windows stretched toward a vaulted ceiling, depicting angels and dragons.
And at the center of the hall stood a figure in white robes—her beauty unreal, her eyes like molten gold.
"Welcome, Heroes of Light," she said, her voice like a song.
"I am the Goddess Myria. You have been summoned to our world to save it from the darkness."
Ren blinked, trying to comprehend...
Summoned?
He looked around. His classmates were there—thirty in total, every one of them dazed and trembling. Reina-sensei stood among them, pale and wide-eyed.
"W-Where… are we?" Alicia whispered.
"Is it like Isekai..." someone
The Goddess smiled gently.
"This is the realm of Elaris, one of the Five Great Kingdoms. Our world is under siege by the Demon King's army. You, the chosen thirty, have been brought to fight for humanity's survival."
The words fell heavy. Some students gasped in awe, others looked terrified.
Klein stepped forward with forced bravado. "So you're saying we're heroes now? Like in fantasy stories?"
The Goddess nodded. "Yes. Each of you carries the blessing of light. Within you lies the power to defy the darkness."
"What kind of power" Alicia asked
A faint light shimmered on each student's chest—runes glowing as if responding to her words.
"What is it..."
"What going on..."
"I feel warm inside my body..."
A murmur spread among the class.
"Huh? Why isn't Ren glowing?"
"Maybe he's defective…"
Klein smirked. "Guess not everyone's cut out to be a hero."
Ren clenched his fists silently.
Reina stepped forward protectively. "Stop that. No one knows how this magic works."
The Goddess Myria raised a hand. "Do not despair, child. The flow of fate is mysterious. Even those without light may yet play a role."
Her eyes lingered on Ren for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
Then she turned toward the throne at the far end of the hall.
"You will now meet His Majesty, the King of Elaris. From him, you shall receive your first mission."
A blinding door of light opened ahead, leading to the grand audience chamber.
Ren took a step forward—but he felt something tug deep inside his mind.
A whisper. A pulse.
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He froze, heart pounding.
What… was that?
---
And as they walked toward the throne, unseen to everyone else—
a faint, dark sigil appeared beneath Ren's feet.
It shimmered once, then vanished into the marble floor like ink sinking into water.
Somewhere, in the distant darkness of the world, a pair of crimson eyes opened.
"So… the new piece has awakened."
---