Looking at the frenzied crowd singing an unfamiliar patriotic song directed at the class, Logan felt a shiver and wanted to hide his face from all the attention. Sensing the class's discomfort, the younger princess quickly took her sister's hand and led the class out of the audience room before the spectators even finished their song.
As the class exited the grand throne room, they found themselves standing before an enchanting garden unlike any they had ever seen. The air was filled with the sweet, intoxicating scents of magical plants and flowers, each more beautiful and alluring than the last. Vibrant in every color the greenery swayed in a light passing breeze, their petals shimmering with pollen.
The students could hardly believe their eyes as they took in the sight of towering plants with leaves and vines that twisted and turned in intricate patterns. Some flowers seemed to hum softly, their melodies beckoned the students to come closer.
As they walked through the garden, the scents grew stronger, each one more enticing than the last. It was as if the flowers themselves were calling out to them, but in a voiceless language that contained the feelings of longing. The students felt a strange pull, an almost irresistible urge to reach out and touch the delicate petals and breathe in the sweet fragrances that surrounded them.
Logan, like the rest of the class, couldn't resist the magical allure of the garden. He was particularly drawn to a flower that resembled a rose. Its intoxicating scent made him reach out towards the blood-red petals, which quickly wrapped a thorn-filled vine around his finger, causing a tiny cut. Before Logan could pull his hand back, he noticed something strange happening with his blood. It seemed to come alive, and the small drops seeped into the plant. The flower recoiled, ceasing its allure, allowing Logan to return to the group.
Unknown to him at this moment, a strange mark began to manifest in his ankle, like a bracelet tattooed with blood.
As the class left the enchanted garden, they were gathered into a line of carriages pulled by an array of extraordinary creatures. These were no ordinary horses; instead, the carriages were drawn by magnificent, large birds with vibrant plumage, and imposing azure bipedal lizards with scales that glistened in the sunlight. The most luxurious carriage at the front of the line was pulled by a team of four regal Pegasus, their sleek, muscular bodies covered in white coats, and their wings adorned with feathers that shone like silver.
Placed at the end of the procession, Logan had ample time to marvel at each creature. The sight of these mythical beings, so different from anything in their world, left him and his classmates in awe.
As the line grew shorter, Logan, captivated by the magic around him, didn't even have time to think about his current predicament. Being the last seemed to have been the worst decision he could have made; he was guided to the front by a butler who was responsible for assigning each adolescent to a carriage.
"I'm sorry about this, young hero, but it seems the other carriages are filled. You will have to go with the princess, as we did not prepare enough carts. I'm very sorry." the old man, dressed in the typical attire of a butler, said with a bow before leaving.
Noticing Logan while conversing with the two royals, his teacher directed her gaze towards him.
"It seems you're the odd one out, but there is no problem… We will be in the biggest carriage, so you should enjoy yourself while you're at it."
Ms. Claire's voice was stern and emotionless as she spoke. Her discomfort was clear; she kept her arms tightly crossed, uneasy in her attire. She soon returned to her task, attempting to gather information from the older princess, who was busily organizing the entire parade with a professional demeanor.
With nothing to do until the princess finished her tasks before boarding the carriage to start the parade, Logan took a moment to examine the cart he was about to get on. Besides the winged horses that would pull it, the carriage itself was a sight to behold—crafted from lustrous silver and trimmed with gold, it exuded an aura of regal splendor. What caught his attention most, however, was the absence of wheels. Instead, where the wheels should have been, there were jeweled discs of some sort that seemed to function like magnets, keeping the cart elevated. This was a unique system not shared by the other carriages, making him realize it was likely a privilege reserved for royalty. This also led Logan to think that the Pegasus not only pulled the cart but also enabled it to fly.
"It seems I have finished; I think we are ready to begin." The older princess, Vianell, whose hair flowed like fine golden silk, began to enter the carriage. She was assisted by her personal knight, a bodyguard who had been with her from the start. The knight's entire appearance seemed tinged in blue, with light armor that appeared to be made of sapphire. This contrasted beautifully with her blue hair, eyes, and light bluish-pale skin.
The knight then proceeded to help the young, adorable princess, who seemed to be enjoying her role. The energetic young princess happily jumped into the carriage to find her seat.
Ms. Claire, visibly annoyed at being ignored for so long, decided to take matters into her own hands. Ignoring the bodyguard, she lifted her arm in an elegant gesture in front of Logan with a devious smile.
"How about you show you're a gentleman and help me up?"
"Ah, uhm, sure?" Logan, still bewildered by his teacher's sudden change in demeanor, stood up from observing the magical contraption that levitated the carriage. He patted himself as if to brush off invisible dirt and assisted her in boarding. The carriage had two steps that its passengers needed to climb to enter, making it difficult for Ms. Claire, whose dress clung closely to her body, to board without assistance.
Part of the reason why Logan tried to keep his attention elsewhere was the daunting fact of being in a carriage with three and a half beautiful ladies. They exuded a divine presence, especially when dressed in such fine attire, that would make any guy feel shy.
Luckily, the ride had started, and they began to exit the castle grounds. His teacher, seemingly resigned, had given up trying to talk and, like Logan, decided to enjoy the scenery. Logan noticed with a sidelong glance that Vianell seemed both pleased that his teacher had stopped her interrogation and worried. She was probably not supposed to discuss the summoning with the class without her father present, or at least that's what Logan surmised.
He decided to leave his unease for later and focus on discovering more about this world. Despite his lingering fear, the medieval setting outside the castle piqued his interest. As the carriage passed through the castle walls, it approached a grand stone bridge leading over a moat. Beyond two large wooden gates, there was a small clearing where nature flourished. Logan noticed small, magical creatures like rabbits with sharp horns and deer with jeweled antlers roaming about.
After the clearing, the scenery opened up to reveal a large town surrounded by vast wheatfields, protected by imposing outer stone walls. The sight of the bustling town and the idyllic countryside filled Logan with a mix of curiosity and awe, making him eager to explore this new world.
As they drew nearer to the large town, colorful banners adorned the streets, welcoming them with vibrant messages. People lined both sides of the road, eager to catch a glimpse of the new hero—or in this case, heroes. The sound of cheers echoed as loudly as the bustling assembly room, filling the air with excitement. Despite the modest appearance of the townsfolk, the joy on their faces was unmistakable. Logan noticed that most of the crowd consisted of women and children, along with elderly men and young boys not one older than himself.
As they ventured deeper into the town, the streets became increasingly crowded with townspeople and the important landmarks of the large settlement. The center of town was adorned with guild buildings, the first of which belonged to the mages. They welcomed the procession with a dazzling display of magical fireworks, showcasing the wonders of this world.
Passing by blacksmith shops, Logan noticed old, burly men pausing their work to glance at the commotion before returning to their anvils. The marketplace was bustling, filled with stalls displaying a variety of mythical beasts, as well as humans and everyday goods like fruits, vegetables, and meats. The classic medieval scene was real with everyday activity and the sounds that naturally came with it.
As they rode through, some students were tossed food by the enthusiastic crowd. Logan himself was thrown a star-shaped apple and encouraged to try it by the young princess. She assured him it was safe by taking a bite of her own fruit, prompting Logan to follow suit.
The taste was strange yet delicious, and it quickly became addictive. It had the tang of an orange combined with the sweetness and consistency of an apple. Logan found it difficult to describe the exact flavor, as it was unlike any fruit that came to mind.
The parade continued, leading them through the boisterous streets before eventually returning to the castle. Logan was still overwhelmed by all the sights, scents, and people he had witnessed. Despite this sensory overload, he managed to gather some important observations, such as the notable lack of men and the presence of slave markets. Glancing at the other students in the carriages behind him, Logan noticed they seemed unconcerned by these details, chatting excitedly amongst themselves.
Strangely, as if guided by an unseen intuition, the small princess seemed to have a sense for what others were thinking. She grasped Logan's hand, looking up at him with a lovely yet melancholic smile.
"Hero, I hope you can help us. These people and I really...really need your help!" she pleaded, her soft voice trembling with heartfelt urgency, her eyes shining with unspoken fears and hope.