Chapter 4: The Heroes' Potential
The disorienting sensation of teleportation faded as the students, teachers, and staff from the school blinked into existence within an enormous, ornate castle hall. Towering stone walls loomed above them, banners of regal blue and gold hanging from every corner, while torches bathed the room in flickering light. Rows of armored guards lined the hall, their spears at the ready. At the far end of the chamber sat a king on a grand throne, his golden crown gleaming in the dim light.
"Greetings, heroes!" the king boomed, his voice echoing through the cavernous space.
A murmur of confusion swept through the crowd as the students and teachers struggled to make sense of their surroundings. Many of the students exchanged nervous glances, while a few teachers hurried to calm those who had already begun to panic. Some students, however, particularly those with an interest in fantasy or gaming, looked thrilled by the sudden shift in reality.
Voulgrim, too, felt the jarring confusion, but unlike the others, he remained mostly quiet, his sharp eyes scanning the room. He noticed the intricate tapestries hanging on the walls, the richly dressed nobles whispering on the balcony above, and the medieval atmosphere surrounding them. It feels like something out of a fantasy novel, he thought. He took a step forward, intending to explore the area more closely, but a guard quickly blocked his path.
"Sorry, lad, you'll need to stay here until the king has spoken," the guard said gruffly.
Voulgrim sighed but complied, finding a quiet corner to observe from a distance.
The king raised his hands to silence the uneasy crowd. "You have been summoned to our world, one in great peril. We are in desperate need of help to defeat the demon lord and his dark army, and we believe you are the heroes destined to save us." His tone was heavy with urgency, but it was clear that the students and staff were far from convinced. Whispers of disbelief spread quickly, some teachers even voicing their concerns.
"Summoned us? Without asking?!" a teacher near the front shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and outrage.
"Yeah, take us back home!" another student demanded, his voice cracking with anxiety. Others nodded in agreement, but there were those who were visibly excited, their minds already racing with the possibilities of becoming heroes.
Voulgrim simply leaned against the stone wall, tossing a small rock in his hand and listening to the unfolding chaos. His attention drifted to the second-floor balcony where the nobles stood, watching them intently. Their whispered conversations and amused smirks betrayed their curiosity, and Voulgrim couldn't help but wonder how often they summoned "heroes" like this.
One of the king's advisors, a robed figure with a long staff, stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Before you begin your journey, we must determine your potential. We will use the crystal of assessment to discover what abilities you may possess." He motioned for a group of guards to bring forth a large, glowing white crystal on a pedestal.
The crowd's curiosity piqued. Students leaned forward, eyes widening in anticipation, while Voulgrim's focus shifted to the crystal. It radiated an otherworldly energy that pulsed through the room. Even he felt a slight twinge of interest.
The king gestured toward the president of the student council, a tall, composed student known for his leadership. "You shall go first," the king declared.
With cautious steps, the president approached the pedestal. The advisor instructed him to place his hand upon the crystal, and as soon as he did, the crystal blazed with brilliant yellow light. The nobles on the second floor gasped audibly, and hushed whispers filled the air.
"A... an S-Class!" a mage from the royal court exclaimed, barely containing his shock. "A hero of the highest rank!"
The room erupted into a frenzy of excitement and envy. Students began clamoring to be next, jostling each other as they shouted out their eagerness. "Me next! I want to see my power!" one student yelled. "No, let me go first!" cried another. Teachers struggled to maintain order, but it was clear that many were swept up in the excitement.
Voulgrim watched, his expression unreadable. "An S-Class, huh," he muttered under his breath. "Good for him."
One by one, students and staff members were called forward to place their hands on the crystal. Each time, the crystal revealed their potential, sparking reactions from the crowd. About 5% of the group received S-Class rankings, the elites, hailed as heroes in the making. Another 15% were assigned A-Class, considered strong and capable. The majority fell into B or C-Class, their abilities still respectable. Then came those labeled D-Class, met with disappointment, but at least they had potential.
Finally, Voulgrim's name was called.
He walked up to the crystal, his steps unhurried. The room fell into an uneasy silence, students and nobles alike staring at him with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. He ignored their stares and placed his hand on the crystal, expecting nothing.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the faintest glimmer of light-a dull, almost imperceptible white-emerged from the crystal before quickly fading. A few nobles chuckled quietly from the balcony, while others openly laughed.
The advisor glanced nervously at the king, then back at Voulgrim. "Um... it appears... your potential is... below D-Class," he said awkwardly, his voice barely audible.
Laughter erupted from the delinquents in the back of the crowd. "Below D-Class? Even a toddler's got more potential than that!" one shouted, tears of laughter in his eyes. Several students joined in the mockery, while others exchanged concerned glances.
Voulgrim stood still for a moment, his expression unchanged. He shrugged and glanced at the king. "So, what now? Can you send me back?"
The king, who had been watching the proceedings with growing disappointment, sighed deeply. "No. You must defeat the demon lord before I can return any of you to your world. Only once the demon is vanquished will the spell to send you back be complete."
At this announcement, the room fell into a tense quiet. Some students, overwhelmed by the situation, began to cry, while teachers tried to offer comfort. Others complained loudly, demanding answers. The king raised his hands to address the group again.
"If you succeed in defeating the demon lord, not only will I send you back to your world, but the powers you acquire here will remain with you in your home as well," the king promised. This statement sent ripples of excitement and fear through the crowd, as students considered the implications.
Voulgrim, however, didn't seem moved. He simply turned away from the crystal and made his way to a shadowed corner of the hall. The students who had mocked him earlier watched him go with sneers and smug glances, but he ignored them.
He leaned against the cold stone wall, his mind already drifting to the challenges ahead. So this is how it starts, he thought. Heroes and rankings, huh? Whatever.