As if traversing the veils between dimensions, my surroundings shifted abruptly, and I found myself standing within the grandeur of a vast altar, encircled by figures clad in robes of pristine white adorned with shimmering gold motifs—a sight that left me in no doubt as to their role in my mysterious summons. My gaze fell upon a familiar symbol, reminiscent of the one I had glimpsed within the garden, before a voice broke the silence.
"Hoho, it seems the summoning has borne fruit."
Clad in regal red and crowned with authority, the figure before me could be none other than a king.
"I beg your pardon for this abrupt summons. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Grim, ruler of the kingdom of Rodrian."
"I am Ken, Higarashi Ken."
"A pleasure, Lord Higarashi. It would be prudent to adjourn to my chamber for a proper introduction. Please, follow me."
"...Very well."
I trailed behind the king, only to discover that the chamber to which I had been summoned lay hidden beneath the earth—a revelation that left my mind reeling with questions. How had I come to this place? What manner of realm had I entered? And most importantly, what role was I to play in its unfolding saga? Yet, despite the chaos of my thoughts, a curious calm settled over me, guiding me through the haze of uncertainty.
"Please, my lord."
Guided into one of the chambers, I was greeted by a servant and bid to take my place as the king addressed me once more.
"I must confess, Your Majesty, that I find myself somewhat perplexed by the circumstances of my arrival."
"In accordance with ancient lore, I tasked the wizards of my court with summoning one from another realm—only such a being, it is said, can vanquish the demon king that threatens our lands."
'A predictable turn of events,' I mused silently as the king continued.
"Lord Higarashi, I implore you—aid us in our time of need, for the safety of my people hangs in the balance."
Uncertain of my own abilities and ill-equipped for battle, I hesitated to offer my assent. "...I regret to inform Your Majesty that I possess no prowess in combat."
The king's disappointment was palpable, yet he remained undeterred, a glimmer of determination sparking in his eyes.
"Fear not, for you shall be trained by the finest swordsman in the realm."
"... "
"Servant, summon Darwin."
"At once, Your Majesty."
As the servant hastened to carry out the king's command, I seized the opportunity to seek further clarity on the state of affairs.
"Your Majesty, if I may—could you shed some light on our current predicament?"
The king's countenance darkened, and he spoke of continents laid waste, of realms on the brink of oblivion, and of the last bastions of hope that stood against the encroaching darkness.
"The situation grows increasingly dire by the day," he concluded, his words echoing in the chambers of my mind.
'Can I truly make a difference?' I wondered silently as the weight of responsibility settled upon my shoulders.
"I beseech you, Lord Higarashi, lend us your strength, for we are sorely lacking in the face of our adversaries."
Before I could formulate a response, another figure entered the chamber—a warrior clad in armor, his presence a testament to the gravity of the situation at hand.
"Your Majesty."
"Bid Darwin to commence Lord Higarashi's training with all due haste."
'Wait, I have not yet consented to this endeavor,' I protested inwardly, though it seemed my objections fell on deaf ears. Resigned to my fate, I acquiesced to the king's will, following the servant's lead as I was shown to my quarters and acquainted with the layout of the kingdom.
'Can I navigate this unfamiliar realm?' I pondered silently as the enormity of my task weighed heavily upon me.
***
With the dawn of a new day, my training under Darwin began—a grueling regimen designed to hone my skills with the blade. Each swing of the sword brought searing pain to my muscles, each strike against the training dummy a reminder of my own inadequacy.
"Swing a thousand times," Darwin commanded, his voice a relentless echo in the cavernous chamber.
"But that's impossible," I protested weakly, my arms heavy with exhaustion.
"You have yet to try," he retorted, his tone firm and unyielding.
And so, with trembling limbs and a heart heavy with doubt, I began the arduous task, counting each swing as the world around me blurred into a haze of exertion.
"998...999...1000."
As the final swing fell, I collapsed to the ground, my body wracked with agony and fatigue.
'I cannot do this,' I thought despairingly, my spirit on the verge of breaking.
Yet, even as doubt threatened to consume me, a voice—faint yet insistent—whispered within the recesses of my mind, urging me to rise once more.
'The fate of the world hangs in the balance,' it reminded me, 'and you alone possess the power to tip the scales.'
With newfound resolve, I pushed myself to my feet, steeling myself for the trials that lay ahead.
And so, with each passing day, I pressed on—my body aching, my spirit weary, yet undaunted in my quest to become the hero this world so desperately needed.