Chapter 3 – Fixing Things
The princess stared at the empty reading on the stone, her composed expression slipping just enough to reveal concern.
"Why is it like this?" she asked quietly.
The priests bowed their heads, murmuring among themselves.
"It may be an omen from the gods, Your Highness," one said, though his voice betrayed uncertainty.
Princess Elizabeth Lunaria Celestine looked toward the High Priest, signaling without words that this problem needed to be resolved—and quickly. Losing a hero during a summons could not be allowed.
The High Priest stepped forward, adopting a calm, authoritative tone.
"We will give his status time to appear. If it does not… There are other methods."
Elizabeth nodded once.
"Then handle it."
The High Priest gestured toward Nolen.
"You. Come with me."
Nolen glanced at the students, who barely noticed his departure; they were still buzzing over their titles and abilities. He followed quietly.
The High Priest led Nolen into a smaller chamber lined with glowing sigils. The air felt heavy and strangely warm.
"Stand in the center," the priest instructed. "We will check your energy flow."
Nolen stepped into the center circle. He stood there, uncertain, as the priest placed a hand on his back.
"You should feel something now," the man said.
But Nolen felt nothing at all.
The High Priest frowned and lowered his hand. "Wait here."
He left the room without explanation.
Nolen remained where he was, confused but obedient, assuming the priest had gone to retrieve some tool or artifact.
Then the floor lit up.
A brilliant circle of light flared beneath him—too fast for him to react.
And then—
The world vanished.
He appeared high above a raging pool of molten lava, the blistering heat slamming into him before he even had time to understand what had happened.
Nolen had only a moment to scream before he fell into the churning fire below.
A splash of magma erupted upward where he vanished, glowing bright before settling.
Silence followed.
To anyone watching, it was unmistakable.
The substitute teacher was gone.
Back in the Summoning Hall, no one noticed the absence.
The children were too enthralled by their new powers, inspecting glowing status screens and titles like toys on a holiday morning.
One priest approached Lena, the Spear Knight.
"And how about you, young heroine?" he asked.
"Me?" she perked up. "Yeah! Look!"
She took the spear handed to her and cleaved a wooden target clean in half.
Her classmates cheered.
Princess Elizabeth smiled politely.
"Wonderful. A promising beginning."
Then Tom tried his sword. Despite his lack of technique, raw magical strength allowed him to slice through his target just as easily.
Elizabeth remained composed but pleased.
"Very good. You are adapting quickly."
She led them onward.
"Come. We will go to the castle."
The students eagerly followed.
In another room, a while later, they walked. Elizabeth quietly approached the High Priest, who had returned from "handling" Nolen.
"What happened to the one called Nolen? Was the issue resolved?" she asked calmly.
The priest bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness. The defective summons has been dealt with."
Elizabeth nodded as if nothing of consequence had occurred.
"Very well."
She returned to the children with her gentle smile restored.
In the castle's marble halls gleamed white and silver, adorned with crescent symbols and moonlit banners. The students gasped in awe.
"It's beautiful…"
"This place is amazing!"
"Can we explore?"
"Of course," Elizabeth said warmly. "You are heroes. No place is forbidden to you."
She looked toward Tom.
"And you? Where would you like to go first?"
Tom grinned with barely contained excitement.
"The knights' training grounds—if possible."
Elizabeth smiled.
"Then that is where we shall begin."