After they disappeared from their old world, Kazuki's classmates found themselves summoned to an unknown world filled with magic. It was a realm reminiscent of ancient medieval times, and their task was to defend the continent against the impending destruction brought forth by the Demon horde.
During a briefing on the current situation, they gathered with the Emperor to learn about the ongoing conflict between the Demonic League and the country.
Since everyone had agreed to join the fight, the students were given three days of training to familiarize themselves with combat. However, despite their potential and skills, they soon realized that they were just ordinary Japanese students with no prior combat experience.
Meanwhile, those involved in the Imperial hierarchy were mostly elites who had connections with the state church and its plans. Through these connections, an unofficial triumvirate was formed among the members of the Emperor's cabinet.
As the students walked towards the front gate of the church, they entered an entrance hallway where a monument dedicated to past heroes stood. The shrine within the church was devoted to the Goddess Nerthus.
Located at the centre of the capital city, the church welcomed them with the Pope and the clergy. Inside, ancient prophecies of the known world and its creation were displayed. Before them lay an altar that granted a class boost upon reaching the maximum level, although many of Kazuki's classmates were unfamiliar with its significance.
The Cathedral, a grand and ornate church, served as the central place of worship in the city, symbolizing the church's power. Adorned with sculptures and murals depicting stories from Nerthus' prophetic scripture and other significant religious events, it attracted a large congregation who gathered to pray and listen to sermons on weekends.
"Welcome to God's temple, Hero-sama," the Pope greeted Kazuki's party.
My classmates glanced at the Pope, their expressions filled with a mixture of curiosity and respect.
The Pope, named Phocas, held the position of authority within the Church. Dressed in a white robe and adorned with a mitre hat, he was easily recognized as the Pope. The church had always provided unwavering support to the royal family of Heisen, and the people continued to place their faith in their god and its leader.
Concluding their conversation, they made their way to the gate, notifying the Emperor's party that they were ready for their first training session.
Hello, my name is Fujioka Kazuki, a high school student. Currently, my classmates and I are making our way to the knights' barracks to acquire our jobs as adventurers.
The Order of the Krutzov Knights.
Barracks.
As I entered the building, a group of knights greeted us and escorted us to the training field.
"Good day, members of the Heroes party," an unknown knight greeted us upon our arrival.
"I am the Head Chief of the Krutzov Knights, my name is Bartolomeo, and I express my utmost gratitude to all of you."
The knight who welcomed us was Igran Bartolomeo, the instructor and leader of the Krutzov Order of Knighthood. He had been entrusted by the Emperor himself to train the Hero's party. Bartolomeo wore segmented armour covered by steel plates connected with leather straps.
Under his well-equipped armour, he donned a purple tunic, the distinctive colour of the Krutzov Knights. At his right arm, he carried a short sword measuring 45-68 cm, suitable for thrusting and stabbing, while his left arm bore a shield that measured two and a half feet in width and four feet in length. They were recognized as heavy units within Heisen's Army.
"Alright! Listen up, have any of you noticed an icon in your peripheral vision?"
(Well, I do see a mysterious icon in my vision, but I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me.)
"An icon? I don't see anything."
"If you look at the bottom, you might spot it."
"At... the bottom? Ah, I found it."
Name: Fujioka Kazuki
Age: 17 years old
Level: 1
Class: Mercenary
Power: 10
Resistance: 5
Recovery: 10
Dexterity: 10
After seeing his status, Kazuki couldn't help but feel like a video game character. The other students looked at their statuses with seriousness.
Bartolomeo proceeded to explain the stats system to Kazuki's classmates.
"Alright, did everyone see their status? To level up, you must train and improve yourselves. Your stats can be increased through training. The maximum level for humans is Level 110, but once you reach Level 40 or above, you can visit the Cathedral to enhance your class, allowing you to level up further. This is also known as 'Class Advancement.' Reaching the maximum level signifies reaching the fullest potential of human beings. It's rare for anyone to reach that level."
Unlike in video games, levelling up doesn't automatically raise your stats.
"So, again, you can improve your stats through training. The fastest way to increase your stats is by venturing into the Labyrinth. It's a dangerous place where monsters are twice as strong as those on the surface."
"Alright, everyone, that's settled. Please choose your preferred armour and weaponry based on your designated jobs. Each job has different kinds of weapons, but make sure you only carry what you can handle on your journey to the labyrinth."
As the Head Knight explained, killing monsters and demons doesn't guarantee an increase in stats. According to him, stats can only be enhanced through practice and field experience.
"Next, we are going to discuss 'class.' Class is the current talent you possess. You can't directly choose your class; it is determined automatically. However, once you reach level 60, you can choose different classes, also known as 'subclasses.' Each subclass serves as a backup for your main class. So, make sure all of you achieve it!"
Kazuki examined his status carefully. Indeed, his class was "Mercenary." The mercenary class was a double-edged sword that could be used for the benefit of others or personal gain, as they said. Kazuki couldn't contain his excitement as he gazed at his class category.
"Wow, my class is a Mercenary. I can't believe I've been fortunate enough to have such luck on my side."
Kazuki's face showed a mixture of astonishment and joy as he contemplated his class.
"So let's take a look at everyone's stats. For example, an average person has a chance of being either level 10 or level 1, but depending on their physical and mental capabilities, there's also a chance of reaching levels higher than 20."
Name: Adachihara Daichi
Age: 18 years old
Level: 50
Class: Guardian
Power: 100
Resistance: 60
Recovery: 100
Dexterity: 80
"Level 50, as expected for a Guard class. You have incredible strength, Hero-sama," remarked the instructor.
I watched my classmates bursting with excitement as they revealed their classes. Each member of the group had stronger classes, higher levels, and more powerful armour. And here I stood, the weakest of the bunch, with nothing but desolation filling my heart.
"Hey, Kazuki-san, are you planning to fight like that?"
"With your weak stats and possibly the weakest class, why don't you just sit this one out if you want to survive?"
A random classmate approached me, hurling insults and demotivating words my way.
That classmate happened to be Nakamura, who continued to tease me relentlessly.
Daichi put an arm around my shoulder, but it only made me feel uncomfortable. Looking around, I could see the boys grinning at my misfortune.
"Hey, hey, no need for quarrels among ourselves."
"Kazuki, I'll protect you from now on. You don't have to be so hard on yourself; just rely on me. See, I don't have a combat class, but a support class."
Akari tried to comfort me and lift my spirits, but I still felt devastated. Everyone had stronger classes while I held the weakest class among the party.
"Alright, everyone has their classes and levels. Why don't we test our skills by slaying monsters outside of Heizen?"
"Roger that!"
Everyone responded in unison.
Before they could start levelling up, Kazuki and his classmates were summoned back to the throne room to discuss the Party system and how it would work.
"Before anything else, one of you must volunteer or be chosen as the party leader. Since there are twenty-four of you, you may not travel together as it will disrupt the stats and levelling of your classes. Without further ado, Heroes, you may begin."
"I, Adachihara Daichi, shall volunteer to be the leader of this party!"
"I'll join your party."
"Me too."
"Count me in, let's create the perfect team, guys."
One by one, they flocked to Daichi's party. Half of the students chose his party, seeing him as the most powerful among the group.
"Yo, Emperor, I want to volunteer to form my party."
Kazuki volunteered alone, knowing that no one wanted to join his party.
"I apologise, but can't you see that most of your comrades have joined the Guardian's party?"
Kazuki felt a pang of disappointment as his request was completely rejected.
He had no choice but to join Daichi's party.
"Kazuki-san, don't hold us back, okay?"
"Yeah, don't die early, loser."
Ignoring their taunts, he prepared himself for the upcoming mission.
He made his way to the Palace Library to gain knowledge about the world.
Palace Library.
Second floor.
The library was filled with rows of bookshelves, brimming with books on a wide range of topics. The shelves were thoughtfully organised, making it easy to access the books. Soft, warm lighting bathed the library, creating a peaceful ambience for reading.
The atmosphere was tranquil, with only the gentle rustling of pages and hushed whispers of other readers. It was a haven of serenity, an ideal place to delve into the history and culture of the kingdom.
"It looks like I have the whole day to myself. Let's explore some books about the past and uncover valuable information about this world," Kazuki mused, deciding to spend his time reading rather than engaging in other activities. He approached the front desk and politely inquired about borrowing a book.
"Certainly, but please return them by the end of the day. Here's a key, enjoy your time in the library," the librarian responded.
"Thank you, I will," Kazuki replied, appreciating the librarian's assistance.
Taking the key, he made his way to a table near the window, nestled in a quiet corner of the library. Settling down, he retrieved the book titled "History of the Empire of Heisen."
"This book is quite thick, but it likely contains valuable insights into the Empire's past," he thought to himself.
Carefully, he opened the weighty tome, its pages filled with small, meticulous text. Undeterred by its size, Kazuki began reading, his eyes scanning the lines as he immersed himself in the history within its pages.
"The Empire of Heisen was founded by King Haveris I after a hard-fought war of independence against their oppressors. It is remarkable to witness how Heisen, once a mere client state, managed to rise to the status of a great power. The nation's ability to rapidly modernize from the outdated weaponry of the late century to embrace the cutting-edge innovations of human technology is truly impressive."
" However, it is important to acknowledge the ambitions of King Haveris, who, upon declaring Heisen an empire, harboured dreams of expansion and the propagation of Heisenian rule throughout the region. "
"As the empire launched invasions into neighbouring lands, Heisen's influence grew exponentially, solidifying its position as the largest and most formidable nation to have ever existed. The longevity of Heisen's reign, spanning countless years since its founding, is a testament to the enduring legacy of its founding fathers and the resilience of the empire itself."
"King Haveris' reign was marked by a series of wars and conquests that shaped the course of Heisen's history. It was during this period that the seeds of discord were sown, leading to the eventual plundering and devastation inflicted by the League upon Heisen. "
"The relentless pursuit of power and expansion by King Haveris set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately leave the empire vulnerable to the ravages of its enemies. As the League began its campaign of destruction, Heisen's once-mighty reign faced its greatest challenge yet."
Kazuki set the book aside and rose from his seat, his mind consumed by the disturbing revelations about Heisen's dark history. With cautious steps, he made his way down the hallway, the weight of newfound knowledge pressing upon him. Upon reaching his room, he found solace in solitude, but his thoughts continued to swirl with the truth he had uncovered.
"Now that I know the truth about this country, it is imperative that I grow stronger. I must gain as much experience as possible and level up my stats," Kazuki muttered to himself, his eyes fixated on the ceiling above. Determination flickered in his gaze as he reaffirmed his resolve.
"I will find a way to survive... and ultimately find my way back to my world."