The distribution had started. Everyone was assigned appropriately, focusing on balance and if that country wished to have them.
There were two categories of students: those who understood they were going to be sent, and those who didn't. The second ones were weaker in general and had low mana capacity.
They were classing out their names, and one after one the other got assigned to different countries. I patiently waited for my name to come up the list but It never happened.
"Asther Volfir... Uh... uh, you are rejected by all countries, the reason being not possessing any mana."
"…"
This development is just as you'd expect. However, I was experiencing all this for real, so I was sweating buckets.
"Is there anyone who wants to take me?"
"..."
"...…"
"There's no one who'd want to take up that useless trash!"
"Come on! This is a waste of time!"
"Hurry up and show us the next one!"
There were calls from here and there that my bid was a waste of time, and that I was useless, and they didn't even bother with me.
No way, not a single bid… in fact, they outright refused to take on me. I would be a dead weight for sure but....
What would happen to me now if I didn't have a buyer? I was nervous, but I had no choice but to keep my wits about me.
***
"Since you received no offers, you're free to leave."
An old man with gray hair, dressed in white clothes like a priest's uniform, told me I could go. He looked like a good-natured old man, but he addressed the situation bluntly.
Now that the distribution is over, the students are gathered in the waiting rooms of their respective countries, and I was brought to a separate room for anyone who didn't receive offers. The old man handed me a sword and a small leather bag.
"This is?"
"It's a sword and a small amount of money to live for a while. I feel sorry that you ended up being a normal human, but we can't send you back to your former world, so please take these as a parting gift."
Are they going to throw me out after kidnapping me into this world, without me having any acquaintances or understanding of local customs? I don't know what to do, but rather than blame this person, I should be grateful.
I've lived alone so far, so I don't have any problem with continuing to live alone. I'm more concerned about the amount of money they gave me. How much there is will determine the difficulty of my life from now on.
"If it were compared to a typical household income, it would be enough to support a family of four for half a year."
Well, it's not that bad, is it? If I wanted to ask for more, there'd be no limit.
"That amount of money is sufficient, so what about the sword?"
"In this world, there exists a demon king and his demon subordinates, and thus monsters also exist. You, as a just weak human, will need to learn to protect yourself."
A quiet huh floated out of my mouth as I remembered that the purpose of our being summoned into this world was to fight the demon king, demons, and monsters. A chill ran down my spine.
I lived in Japan my whole life and saw nothing of battles or war, but staring at my sword, I felt I'd now been thrust into a world where life was cheap.
The stone building where the distribution was done was a temple specifically for performing summoning rituals and was located in some place hidden from outside the world.
Ah, that's right, I wasn't taken in. It seems the temple needs a great deal of money to prepare for summoning the hero.
It sucks that this religion is responsible for human trafficking in this world, but considering the history of Earth's religions, which spearheaded wars, racism, oppression, and other evils, I feel like this other world's religion is no different.
I left the temple through a door. It was massive, about five meters high, but no matter which way one looked at it, there was only a door. There didn't seem to be a building or room on either side of it.
It was like a convenient tool from a blue raccoon's pocket* except for the size and the fact it was a double door. Apparently, I have to pass through this door in order to leave.
"This is called a Transfer Gate."
Ooohhh, it's that fantasy trope!
"Here, Asther will be transferred to a random country through this Transfer Gate."
"Uh… random, you say?"
"It's hard to be certain, but you don't belong to any country. More accurately, no country wants you. So, you are supposed to live your new life in this world in a randomly chosen country."
You don't have to blatantly say no one wants me! Please be at least a little hesitant to say it, for the sake of my feelings!
"Asther!"
I looked back when someone called my name. It was Ichinose, with some strangers and a few other students.
"We'll see each other again, won't we?"
"I'm free now, so if we're lucky, I think we'll meet again…"
You never know what could happen in a fantasy world. After all, monsters exist, so I might get eaten.
The man behind Ichinose seemed to be an official guardian of hers from whatever country. She must have wanted to see me off as I went through that door, but the people behind her were clearly looking at me with contempt.
Who are you people to look at me like that? I wanted to say it out loud, but it was better to ignore them.
"It's about time, Ichinose."
An official calls Ichinose. And he's giving a signal to the old priest.
He must have signaled the priest to send me to the other side of the door faster.
"I want… I want you to say we'll meet again… I wonder if…"
"Y-yeah, see you later."
I stood in front of the door and took a deep breath. When I realized my new life was about to begin, any words I might have had to say died in my throat. I slowly passed through the summoning gate.
'Poor child... He has no idea that we just sent him to death since we specifically chose the grand magic zone.'