Seeing the classmates and that friend that I had in my previous life, a sudden burst of emotions rushed inside of me. What are these emotions?
Sadness? Happiness? Regret? Grief? Frustration? Nostalgia?
Or all of them?
I never thought I'll see them again. And yet here they are... summoned in another world and I, reincarnated into one.
It's going to be one heck of a reunion... when they notice me, that is.
I came out of my thoughts when a student from the group ahead raised his voice to ask something.
"Excuse me, do mean this is not our world but an alternate world?", asked some student from that group.
"Yes~ Summoned One, you are right.~"
"Hey, what is this devil.... is it some kind of monster?"
"Yes~ The Devils are indeed a monstrosity, they kill the innocents in thirst of power and to satiate their hunger. To save this world from that, to fight those calamities, you, my Summoned Ones, are summoned when we pray to our all-mighty All-Father."
"Excuse me, Miss Goddess, but we all are just ordinary peoples too. Sorry, but we can't do this, saving-the-world thing. We can't fight this devil that you speak of. We also don't have any special power. In fact, most of us have lived peaceful lives before coming here.", said a man, looking in his thirties. I remember him, he is Daisuke sensei. One of the few people and a teacher I respected in my past life. He is a guy of morals, he upholds justice, guides everyone to the right path or at least tries to guide them.
"Yeah!"
"yes, he's right. M-mam, and c-could you send us back?"
The students, though a bit reluctantly, still believe what the Goddess is saying must be true. Well, that is because she genuinely looks like one. I ain't talking just about her face but all this setup consisting of glowing patterns, huge pillars, armoured-handsome men, and finally, this hot-blond-chick with a sexy outfit, give off a decent fantasy vibe even to me, a resident of this world.
"Yes~, I agree that you all have lived peaceful lives before coming here. But you are not ordinary people. Without you, all the hope that the people of this world have put on me and Heroes, will fade. There will be countless innocent casualties if you refuse your duty. To prevent all that, you must fight the devil. You were all chosen to be a summon. Chosen by All-father. How could someone, who got noticed by All-father be ordinary?... As for powers. All-father must have already bestowed some special power to each and everyone here. So most of you must be already stronger than any ordinary soldier here. And also, by increasing your level, you will become strong enough to battle a hoard of monsters on your own."
'Hmm... then why are I and Akane-san here? We weren't summoned in this world by that All-Fath-- No wait! I am indeed not from this world. Is Akane-san not from this world too? Is that why we're called here? Or is there some other reason?'
"But, I don't wanna fight! I just wanna go back to mamma!", says a boy ahead of us.
The goddess closed her eyes and shook her head, making a sorrowful expression.
"You have my apology, but I can't send you back to your world. I don't have enough power to do so. I was, also sent here to nurture this world. A Medician, to help this world face the cruel illness it is suffering..., And you are my medicines.", She opens her eyes and adds, "... As for not wanting to fight. All of you Must~ Fight~ as~ you may not be able to Return Back to your world if you don't, as~ that is the only way you could. Not even one of you could stay idle. As~ all of this is for the Greater~ Good~. "
"Ehh!! But!!! whyy???? We didn't ask you to summon us." cries some girl ahead of me.
"If you d-don't s-send us back t-then..then.." stutters the girl beside her.
Few girls start crying their eyes out while their friends start comforting them or are crying with them. While some just stand and discuss with their friends. Confusion, agitation, and turmoil, everywhere.
A girl, who was already afraid and trembling due to the sudden shock of summoning, faints. Some boys are panicking too, but most seem excited.
Akira Aoki called out to everyone trying to calm the situation. He is successful in doing so since he is the popular guy of the class, I think? Or was he class rep? I don't remember exactly, it was more than 17 years ago since I last saw them.
Seeing someone their own age acting stable gave them a push to keep their calm too.
He walks to the front.
"If you really are a Goddess who is sent here to help this world then why don't you do this yourself? You must be powerful if you are a Goddess." He probes the Goddess.
Goddess Helastia turns her head towards him.
"Hmm~... child~. Even if I am an all-powerful Goddess, I can't kill any being that exists in this world except for self-defence. There are certain rules that even I, a goddess must follow."
'Then, why don't the people living here fight that thing? and who is this All-Father she speaks of, can't he do it,... meh, maybe he will give some "I can't interfere in the mortal world" shit' I ponder as the conversation ahead goes on.
"Oh, yeah? Then why don't the people of this world do it themselves? Why beg outsiders for help? These men standing there, clearly look strong. At least stronger than us teenagers. Why don't they do it?" He asks in a calm and collected tone.
"Ah~ you are very sharp, child~. These men are known as my Apostles, they are indeed strong, strongest in this whole world. But you see, most people of this world can't grow stronger after a certain point. And even if someone strong belonging to this world does manage to slay the devil lord. The Devil lord simply transfers his soul into the person who slew it, and thus he is reborn immediately. The same thing happens when my protectors or as I call them, my, Apostles do it. Many Apostles and strong warriors that sacrificed their lives, had proved this point multiple times. But when Heroes from another world slay it. Its soul goes back from where it came from and sleeps till it manifests its physical form once again. And thus yet another group of heroes is summoned to slay it again."
"I s-see," he pauses a bit, to fully grasp her explanation.
"I see, then there is no option but for us to do this task. The people of this world must have put plenty of hope on the summoned heroes. And besides, just because we are called here without our permission, we can't just ignore the duty that falls on us.", spoke Daisuke sensei, who was closely listening to the whole conversation of Goddess Helastia and Akira-kun.
Some nodded in agreement. Some still want to complain. And a few boys look excited.
Sensei then inquired the Goddess about the powers she told, was given by this 'All-Father' to us. She beamed with an angelic smile that melted every boy's heart and begins the explanation. A few girls gave a cold eye to their boyfriends and the boys turned their gaze with a sheepish grin.
"Let me explain your powers, Summoned Ones. The powers you are given are based on a level system. They grow stronger the more you increase your level. And may also acquire more of them as you grow. Most of you, possibly have your own Unique Skill too, which can only be possessed by one unique individual. You can see your level and skills by saying the word 'status'." She paused and stared down at us from the majestic platform.
Giving us time to grasp what she just explained.
The busty Goddess looks at everyone. Her gaze falls on me, I turn my gaze away from her while blushing a bit.
'Damn! Isn't she a little too beautiful?'