Sunlight streamed gently through the window, painting golden lines across the wooden floorboards. The chirping of birds filled the quiet air.
Haruto lay in bed, eyes closed, the warmth of the sun touching his skin. Slowly, he stirred, brows furrowing as he blinked awake.
Haruto: "Huh...? Where am I?"
He groggily sat up and placed a hand on the blanket—only to grab something soft.
Haruto: "…The hell?"
Lifting the blanket slowly, his eyes widened in horror and disbelief. Liora and Lunara were lying beside him… naked.
His face turned crimson.
Haruto: "W-What are you two doing in bed with me?!"
Lunara rubbed her eyes and mumbled sleepily.
Lunara: "You're awake, Lord Haruto…"
Liora yawned beside her and looked at him, tilting her head.
Liora: "My lord, is something wrong? Your face is all red."
Before Haruto could protest further, both girls placed their hands on his chest and gently pushed him back down.
Haruto: "Hey! What are you two doing now?!"
They crawled up closer, their eyes sparkling mischievously.
Lunara: "Just checking if our lord is feeling alright…"
Haruto (internally): "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"
---
Elsewhere…
A massive, majestic building towered into the sky—walls adorned with elegant carvings, windows lining every side. The sound of a bell echoed through the grand halls.
"The bell rings!" echoed the voices of students bustling through marble corridors.
Inside a classroom, students in crisp uniforms—red ties with white stripes, jet-black blazers with golden buttons, and golden stars on their chests—sat in descending rows.
By the window sat Selene, her head turned, silver hair gently tousled by the breeze. Beside her were Eira, Lyra, Seraphine, Lazriel, Elion, Seryn, Celeste, Lucien, and Dino—the rest of the summoned ones. Four others sat among them: the remaining summoned heroes.
In the background, a boy with brown hair and emerald eyes leaned toward his friend, exuding an arrogant aura.
Boy: "Is that the group of 'heroes' who got summoned?"
Yuki: "Yeah. But don't call them heroes. They're just lowly humans. We're High Humans. They don't deserve that title."
The door creaked open. A tall man in a sleek suit walked in and stood at the front of the class.
Alistair: "Good morning, class."
Class: "Good morning, sir."
Alistair: "I am Alistair, your new classroom teacher. Starting today, I'll be responsible for both your academic and combat training—swordsmanship, magic, and all."
He gestured to a chart beside him.
Alistair: "This month, each of you will discover your strengths. You'll be tested and ranked accordingly."
He pointed to the scoring tiers:
0–14: Bronze
15–29: Iron
30–44: Mid
45–59: Silver
60–74: Gold
75–84: Platinum
85–100: Legendary
Alistair (smiling): "Do your best. Aim for Legendary."
The class began murmuring, buzzing with excitement and pride.
Alistair raised his hand and the class fell silent.
Alistair: "We'll start with the basics."
A student scoffed, leaning back in his seat.
Cocky Student: "Why bother with the basics? We've already mastered those."
Others around him murmured in agreement.
A girl with light yellow hair and gentle eyes stood up calmly.
Girl: "Because not everyone has. It's important to start from the foundation."
A red-haired boy sneered, glaring at Selene's group.
Luthar: "Lower humans? More like crawling insects. I still don't get why His Majesty would summon such pathetic scum."
He chuckled maliciously.
Dino bolted up, fists clenched, but Lucien placed a hand on his shoulder.
Lucien: "Don't. They're not worth it."
Dino glanced at him, anger simmering.
Dino: "But they—…"
He exhaled.
"Yeah… you're right. Sorry."
He sat back down, still fuming.
Luthar: "Hah! Look at that. Still listening to your 'boss,' huh?"
Laughter followed from a small group.
A calm but sharp voice cut through the tension.
A girl with sky-blue hair and striking violet eyes leaned forward.
Girl: "You're making a fool of yourself, Luthar."
Luthar spun around.
Luthar: "Who the hell do you think you're talking to, woman?!"
Alistair clapped his hands sharply.
Alistair: "Enough. Everyone back to their seats."
Luthar grumbled but obeyed, flopping back into his chair.
The room grew still again—tense, charged, and ready for whatever was coming next.
Alistair stood before the class, his voice calm but firm.
"We may be High Humans in this world," he began, "but remember—they aren't. And we aren't originally from this world either. We don't know what the future holds for them… so looking down on them will be your greatest mistake."
He clapped his hands once.
"Alright. Let's begin training."
---
The First Trial
They stood before a complex setup of physical obstacles—barriers, walls, trenches, ropes, and narrow planks. Each obstacle was uniquely designed to test reflexes, endurance, and precision.
"These are your warm-ups," Alistair said. "You'll need to get to the other side. No skills. No magic. Just your body."
Luthar smirked. "That's easy. Activate Leap—"
Alistair stepped forward, cutting him off. "No using skills."
Lucien's thoughts flickered.
So there's magic and skills? I guess they're treated differently here. He glanced at Selene, who already looked composed, calm. Of course she already knows... No, maybe we all do. Deep down.
"Line up!" Alistair barked.
The students scrambled into a line.
"One at a time. When I say 'go,' you move."
"Go!"
Luthar burst forward, leaping and gliding over the first few obstacles—until his legs gave out. He face-planted, hard.
A ripple of soft laughter passed through the group. Luthar turned, glare sharp.
They quieted immediately, stifling their snickers.
He stalked past Alistair, furious.
"That's 30 out of 50," Alistair commented. "Focus more on durability and control. Less on brute force."
Luthar clenched his teeth.
"Next—Seraphine."
She stepped forward, eyes steely, movements graceful. She danced through the course like it was second nature.
At the finish, she turned casually. "Not even a challenge."
Alistair nodded. "As expected. 50 out of 50."
The crowd murmured.
He didn't even break a sweat…
---
The Real Test Begins
After everyone had taken their turn, Alistair called them back together.
"Now comes the real test."
A girl with soft, yellow eyes and hair to match grinned. "It's about time," said Aurelia.
Another girl with a dark ponytail streaked with gold added, "Let's do this already."
Alistair placed a blue crystal onto a pedestal.
"We'll be testing your Arcanum."
Celeste, quiet but curious, raised her hand. "Sir?"
"Yes, Celeste?"
"What exactly is Arcanum?"
Alistair smiled. "A good question. Let me explain—for those who don't know."
> "Arcanum is not simply energy.
It is the script written into the bones of reality.
Mana is child's play compared to it.
Arcanum is the breath of worlds—the bridge between thought and creation.
Each of you holds a thread of it. A tether that binds you to causality, fate, and potential. Through it, reality listens.
With enough Arcanum, you don't cast spells—you will them.
You don't perform rituals—you declare laws.
It's not power you hold—it's authority.
Authority over flame, space, time—even death.
And when your Arcanum matures? Even the System will pause… to hear your intent.
To possess Arcanum is to exist.
To master it is to define what existence is."
Silence followed.
Then Eira raised her hand, her platinum hair catching the sunlight. "You mentioned every soul is born with a 'Thread' of Arcanum. What does that mean, exactly?"
"The Soul Arcanum Thread," Alistair said, "is the line that binds your soul to reality itself. It carries your will, your fate, and your right to exist. Without it... you're just noise in the world's song."
Seryn smiled slightly. Nice one, Eira.
Alistair continued, "Any more questions? No? Good. Let's begin."
---
Arcanum Testing
A small girl with pink hair stepped forward.
"I'll go first," she said.
Alistair nodded. "Lady Veltharia."
Whispers broke out.
Is she a kid?
Idiot—she's our age.
"Place your hands on the crystal."
Veltharia did so. The crystal began to hum, vibrate, and pulse with energy. Waves of silver light rippled out, dazzling the watchers.
The murmurs grew louder.
It turned silver?!
How much Arcanum does she have?!
Alistair blinked, stunned. "Arcanum output: 30,000. Resonant Tier. And a silver hue… You may possess future evolutions."
There's no way she got that high, some muttered.
Luthar shoved his way through the crowd, brushing roughly against Selene.
"Hey," Elion said, grabbing Luthar's arm, "Watch where you're going. People could get hurt."
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to, worm?"
"Just apologize."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
Luthar reached out to grab him—only for Elion to grab his neck, lifting him effortlessly. Luthar struggled, but Elion's grip was iron.
Just as Luthar prepared a skill, Alistair intervened. "That's enough. You're teammates. Act like it."
Elion let go. He turned to Selene. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
Dino clapped a hand on Elion's shoulder. "Of course we're worried. We're friends, right?"
Lyra smiled. "You're right."
Luthar stormed up to the crystal.
"Place your hand," Alistair said.
He obeyed. The crystal turned crimson—and cracked.
"Arcanum output: 25,000."
"Why?! I cracked it! That should mean I'm stronger than her!" Luthar shouted.
Alistair shook his head.
> "When a crystal shakes, it's being harmonized from within. That's refined strength.
But a crack? That means instability. Your energy is powerful… but wild, unfocused.
Veltharia didn't just show strength—she showed resonance. That's the difference."
Luthar said nothing, jaw tight.
---
Seryn's Turn
Alistair replaced the crystal.
"Seryn."
She stepped forward and placed her hand. The crystal flashed white-gold—then shattered.
Everyone went silent.
Alistair stared in disbelief. "60,000."
Gasps erupted.
Did the crystal just break?!
"Quiet!" Alistair barked. "She's a Hero. It's not surprising."
Elion, Eira, Celeste, Lyra, Lazriel, Seraphine, Lucien, Selene, Seryn, Dino—and five more—all broke the crystal.
---
End of the Day
As the school day came to a close, the sun dipped behind the trees. Students packed up, buzzing with conversation.
"Today was... wild," Elion said.
Selene nodded. "That's the truth. Who would've thought we'd end up in another world?"
Seryn looked up at the sky.
"Will we even get to go back…?"
Her voice was soft.