Hirai Katsumi. Standard Japanese black hair, and a face that was quite average aside from the fact that it was quite sharp. At 17 years old, he was your average high-school student, aside from the fact that he didn't really like to talk. Right now, he was sitting in the back of a classroom, with his headphones on. He needed those headphones. After all, he doubted he could fit into the conversation at hand (not that he wished to), and it was the best way to avoid confrontation after all, while still being able to hear what was going on.
The person he was trying to avoid a confrontation with was none other than Nakatani Norio. A loud, muscle-bound guy who was the second most popular guy in the class. He was currently in a conversation with several normie friends, including a few girls. And it seemed that Nakatani was feeling particularly passive-aggressive today.
"At least I'm not a creepy, antisocial dude like Hirai! I bet he doesn't even shower every day!"
The jab was intentionally loud enough for Katsumi to hear. And despite popular opinion, Katsumi did shower every day.
"Don't be like that, Norio."
The king intervened. Yamamura Kichirou, the undisputed no.1 ikemen in the school. Naturally brown hair and standard pretty-boy facial features.
'It's not like Hirai-kun can help it either, he's just naturally like that!"
As usual, behind his nice-guy facade, his mean streak was still active. No. 1 and No. 2, they had relentlessly harassed Katsumi for a year and a half now. It seems that they liked to keep others below them in place. Katsumi was used to it by this point and didn't really mind.
"I would rather be single for the rest of my life than date that guy. Ew."
The queen of the school, and girlfriend to Yamamura, Ogawa Mitsuko. Her presence did not stop the fangirls from falling over themselves to get close to Yamamura, though.
She also happened to be Katsumi's childhood friend, but these days she would rather die than admit to any affiliation with him, and acted like she never knew him before high-school. It didn't bother Katsumi too much, so he never bothered to poke through her lie.
"Yeah, I get what you mean. I wouldn't date her either."
Nakatani responded, and pointed in the general direction of Katsumi. His finger was, of course, directed at Kimoto Mari, the bookish quiet girl of the class who sat next to Katsumi in the back. At that very moment, she happened to be reading a small paperback.
Katsumi could notice small tears forming at the edge of Mari's eyes, which were just faintly visible despite the long, tangled black hair that covered much of her upper face. Katsumi inwardly sighed. It wasn't like he was in much position to help her, given his own social standing. He wished he could do something, though.
Katsumi closed his eyes, and pressed the play button on his phone. He didn't really want to listen in on the other's conversations anymore, and there was still some time until school started.
Just another day for a relatively useless guy.
---
His classmates were yelling about something. Eh, whatever, it probably wasn't anything important anyways. They freaked out over small things all the time anyway.
The yelling continued for some reason. That's odd, usually if there was a bug or something, some guy would have squished it or something to increase his rep with the girls by now. Just as Katsumi was about to open his eyes and check, his chair vanished from beneath him.
His butt landed on the floor. But something felt off.
Sand?
What he felt with his fingers was not the tiled floor of the classroom floor, but rather sand. That was enough to get him to open his eyes.
Instead of the familiar environment of the classroom, he, and the rest of the class, were in a giant stone coliseum. The sun shined down from directly above through a hole in the roof, and the rest of the golden roof was covered in runes that seemed to be pulsing gold.
A good chunk of the class was freaking out at this point, and Katsumi was no exception.
Where are we? What just happened?
Just as they were coming to their senses, a thunderous boom rang out, drawing their collective attention. A massive gate in the side of the arena opened up.
Several men in armor walked out of the door in double file, and laid out a golden red carpet between them as they went. And as the class watched, an old man in golden robes emerged from the doorway. The class gazed on in silence for at least 30 seconds as the man slowly got closer to the center of the coliseum where they were.
Ah. Is this perhaps what they call an isekai? Katsumi calmly thought in a daze, And perhaps this is the king who will welcome us as heroes? Hmm, I wonder. He wasn't in the best state of mind, after all, and his otaku side showed its face.
Finally, the old man reached them. He opened his mouth to speak.
"Welcome, children of my empire. I am Emperor Karis. Do not be afraid, for you are now under my care. I have a need for you to save this world for me. You all are chosen heroes, with great powers. Now, who among you are your leader?"
After a brief moment and some glances between the members of the class, Yamamura stepped forward.
"I have several questions, old man. We were just in our classroom, so how did we get here? Actually, where are we even right now?"
"Why, in another world, of course! I had need of you, so I summoned you with this artifact!"
A few of the girls started crying. It was understandable. They were just told that they were far from home, and even in another world at that.
"I'm sorry, but has there been a mistake? We're just normal humans you know? What do you mean great powers?!" Even Yamamura was beginning to get agitated.
"Do not worry, for that shall now be explained."
The man in the golden robes snapped his fingers, and four more armored men emerged, carrying with them a massive circular metal plate; it looked like it was at least two meters across. As Katsumi watched, the armored men placed down the plate. He could now see over it, and it seemed as if the plate was thicker at the edges and the central parts had been filled with water.
"Young man, step forth." Karis beckoned at Yamamura, "Place your hand at the center of the water and focus"
Yamamura hesitated for a second before hesitantly doing as he was told.
A sudden burst of golden yellow light shined from where he touched the water surface. Many of the classmates covered their eyes, both in fear and to protect their eyes.
"Yes, yes! Wonderful! It seems you will be a great asset!"
The light receded, and surprisingly, lines of words that Katsumi could read appeared on the surface of the water. The lines slowly spiralled around the center of the plate.
Name: Yamamura Kichirou
Age: 17
Class: Warrior
Skills:
[Weapon Mastery]
-->[Empowered Armaments]
[Automatic Translation]
Yamamura stood up, his eyes wide at the sight beneath him, then wiped his hand dry on his shirt as the golden light finally receded.
The emperor excitedly grabbed Yamamura by the hand.
"Oh, my empire is truly blessed today! May the next person step up to show their worth!"
Nakatani stepped up instantly, and placed his hand into the plate, seemingly trying to prove that he was second to only Yamamura in everything. Red light burst forth.
Name: Nakatani Norio
Age: 17
Class: Bulwark
Skills:
[Magic Barriers]
-->[Repulsor Barriers]
[Automatic Translation]
"A Bulwark! Well, your power appears inferior to Yamamura, but you too are an extraordinary asset! Wonderful, simply wonderful!"
Katsumi watched as Karis excitedly called for the next person. Mitsuko stepped forward after a moment's hesitation, and a bright green light entered everyone's eyes.
Name: Ogawa Mitsuko
Age: 17
Class: Healer
Skills: [Restoration]
-[Rejuvenation]
[Automatic Translation]
The old emperor was going hyper at this point, and called for the next person. For some reason, Katsumi decided to step forward.
As he placed his hand into the water, a purple light glowed.
Name: Hirai Katsumi
Age: 17
Class: Tamer
Skills:
[Monster Control]
-->[Enhance]
[Automatic Translation]
As Katsumi read, he heard the emperor's cheering stop. He looked over his shoulder. The emperor's face was downcast and filled with disdain.
"How worthless."