In a different world, there stands a Castle. A Castle with golden peaks and stone roughened by the winds and weather of centuries, a bright azure light shines through the stained glass. Standing in the middle of a massive pentagram with various symbols of space, time and the elements, is a robbed girl. Standing in white robes with a holy symbol on the shoulders and a red underlay.
The light suddenly blinks out as she collapses to her knees, "I've finally succeeded," she says breathlessly. Waving away the attendants away, "Relax, I've simply expended my mana reserves. But we must great our new heroes, as they are going to be quite bewildered.
In the throne room a bright light flashes, soft thuds and groans of pain echo throughout the hall.
I slowly open my eyes, i place my hand down on a hard marble floor with intricate designs scattered throughout. As I look up I see rows of men dressed in steal armor of differing styles with red sashes over their shoulders.
Glancing around I notice im the first one to wake up, I carefully roll up my jacket and place it under Isabella's head. Turning I observe the room, taking a deep breath I ask, "What is this place?"
A deep voice resounds throughout the chamber from behind me, "Greeting, Hero of another world. I see you're the first to awaken. Might i ask your name?"
I turn around slowly as I look up to a raised dias, to see a figure seated dressed in fine robes of red and black, with a crown decorated by what i assume are rubies and sapphire's. "My name is Ezekiel…might i assume to as your name your majesty?" I simply bow my head down in greeting. As I'm unsure of the propoer method of greating in wherever this place it.
"Ah, I am King Jacob the 3rd of Esparia. I appreciate your attempt at a proper greeting Ezekiel."
"May I ask why me and my classmates have been… transported here?" I ask observing the massive ornate room we were currently in.
"Yes, forgive me for your abrupt summons. Im sure this all must be bewildering he says.
Suddenly i hear people moving from behind me i turn and see the rest of my classmates sitting up and standing. "Everyone, I know this is sudden but please be patient and listen carefully." I move around helping some of my more feeble classmates get to their feet, I watch them look around the room in wonder. "From what I've gathered during my brief conversation with the King of this land we are currently in a place called Esparia, and no longer on earth."
A low murmur comes from the cloud as people shift around uncomfortable with this revelation. "I know this is hard to believe but everyone needs to stay calm, while I speak with King Jacob the III for more information."
Isabella walks up to me gently tugging my hand, i lean down as she whispers in my ear. "I'm scared Zeke."
"I know, but you need to stay strong." I gently cup her face with my hand I kiss her on the forehead. "Bear with it for a little longer, I'm sure there's and explanation for this." I smile, dropping my hand to my side i turn and walk towards the beginning of the stairway to the raised dais, the soft sound of footsteps following behind me.
A knight steps forward from beside the king, his hand on his undrawn sword. "Approach no further for the assured safety of the king." He says looking at me.
King Jacob waves his hand at the guard, who falls back into line, "They are fine to come closer," he simply states.
I stop walking as I look at the knight, "Apologies, I was just trying to close the distance so we didn't need to raise our voices so high."
"No need for apologies," the knight says nodding.
Turning back to the king i glance back at my classmates, "Just to be clear, but is everyone okay with me taking the lead here?"
"Go ahead, as your the oldest here and already seem to have gathered some information," Isaac says stepping out from the crowd along with Isabella.
I smile, looking at the rest of the class as they nod. Turning my head back to the king, Isabella and Isaac beside me I ask the most obvious question. "So, why were we brought to this world?" I ask turning to the king, I run my hand through my hair.
"There's a few reasons altogether, but in general, we are in dire need of your assistance in this world. You see the world where you come from is so repressive of mana that those of you brought here have enhanced physical, and spiritual capabilities. As well as an astounding control over mana, as foretold by the prophecies received from the Goddess Lithia. Motioning his hand three figures more from behind the throne, "As I'm sure your curious what this all means, we've brought a few of our experts in fighting, mage-craft, and spiritual arts for a display."
I glance back to the class, smiling as i see tinges of excitement and wonder in their eyes. Albeit hesitantly I step forward. "Please begin the demonstration." I say unable to hide the excitement in my voice.
The one woman dressed in a red and black tunic, with an intricate design of what appears to be a wolf head, steps forward, she suddenly crouches low to the ground, a white circle appears in front of her rotating circularly within are strange symbols when suddenly a wolf the size of a truck leaps out, with a black coat and white tipped fur. Standing the wolf walks over to stand behind her slightly encircling her, she reaches up and gently strokes its face. "What you just saw was summoning magic, akin to spiritual arts we can summon and contract with animals from the summoning dimension."
Isabella moves forward, "Can i pet him?" She asks, her hand hovering in the air towards the wolf.
The trainers laugh lilts throughout the hall, "Of course, everyone feel free to come up and meet Agnus." She waves us over. "This is a simple summon, not my actual contracted beast, the trainer explains as we approach."
"What is your name?" I ask turning my head to the woman who summoned the creature,"
"My name is Elaine Kersnov, its a pleasure to make your acquaintance ," she answers slightly lowing her stance, her left arm pulling her cape to the side as she bends at the knees and waist with her eyes turned to the floor.
I wave my hand upwards as i scratch the back of my head, "There's no need to courtesy me I'm a simple a person, Miss Elaine. Can you explain the differences between a contracted beast and a summon?" I hold me hand out standing in front of this large wolf like creature, I meet its eyes. An intelligent light shines as it nudges my hand. I smile reaching up to stroke a hand down its soft head.
"Of course," she says a slight blush raising to her cheeks, "How ever I must advise you that i am unmarried and not of noble birth. As such i am no miss." She sighs tucking her hair behind her ear.
"My…apologies" i say, clearing my throat, I raise my voice "You'll have to forgive me I don't know much about the culture here, so i may say things that seem…odd at times."
"No worries, everyone here is aware of the journey and sacrifices you've made by being brought here," a lights voice lilts from the entrance to the throne room. Soft feet pad into the room echoing off the walls and ceiling, when Suddenly all the knights turn and drop to one knee with their fist on the ground. Welcome Princess Irene. They shout in unison, the sound hitting my ears like a grinder as it echoes. I reach up to cover my ears gasping as my eyes water.
How come that was so loud I think, taking a deep breath I notice the room as gone completely still as I hear muddled voices. Isabella's face suddenly in front of mine worry in her eyes. "That was loud as fuck," I curse looking around the room not realizing my voice was quite as loud as i had intended it to be. "I'm sorry I say reigning in my voice, but I cant really hear I say. Looking at my hands my eyes widen as I see blood on them. I feel something soft and moist press against my left arm, turning I see its the wolf from earlier nudging me with his nose. "I'm okay," I mutter stroking its head.
A voice pops into my head as I see one of the robed figures approaching me from next to the throne. "I will heal your wounded ears Ezekiel, the soldiers have been warned to stay silent no matter who enters to prevent this. My name is Lito. It would seem your sense of hearing is highly acute in our world to our world."
By now the robed figure is standing in front of me, he slowly reaches to each side of my head when i feel a soft warmth, accompanied by a light green light. His mouth moves as he does this and slowly his words come into focus.
"…and may the blessings of Lugh watch over you."
I stand wiping the blood on my pants, "I'm sorry if I've said anything to offend anyone, but why was that so loud I asked glancing between Elaine and the healer Lito.
"As I explained telepathically, it would seem your hearing is astounding. The environment of your planet compared to this one may have given you various enhanced physical abilities as well as mana control and absorption."
Elaine stepped forward, "It could also be the case that you've formed a link with my summon. This is normally not possibly unless with a contract beast, but as Lito just explained your affinity for mana, or spiritual arts could be enhanced."
"I see," I say turning to my classmates to check on them. "Is everyone else okay?"
Isaac raises his hand slightly, "I can tell your talking but i cant really make out the words…" he says looking around confused as Lito walks towards him.
Lito raises both arms into the air above him, that same greenish light creates a circle around all my classmates as he chants they all gasp, their hearing coming back slowly.