I had always known I was ordinary. I wasn't the smartest in class, not the fastest on the track, and certainly not the most confident. That's why it felt so surreal when I finally found something I was good at—chess. It was the one thing that taught me to think differently, to look at life from new perspectives. It's been six months since I started playing seriously, and now, here I am in my second year of high school, already dreaming of the Grandmaster Tournament.
"Oh, right, did I mention? My rating hit 2190 last month. Grandmaster might not be too far away."
But today wasn't about chess. It was the first day of the new school year, and like every year, it started with the same mix of excitement and dread. I walked through the school gates, spotting familiar faces and trying not to let the buzz of activity overwhelm me.
"Uzu!"
I turned to see Tai Momo jogging toward me, his signature grin plastered on his face. Tai had been my best friend since middle school. His boundless energy and optimism were contagious, though sometimes exhausting.
"First day of second year! You ready to dominate this year, or should I carry you as usual?" Tai teased.
"Carry me?" I smirked. "Last time I checked, I was the one carrying you in group projects."
Tai laughed and clapped me on the back. "Fair enough. Let's find the others."
We headed to the classroom, where we met the rest of our group. Ono Lamia, my self-proclaimed rival, was already sitting at his desk, flipping through a chess strategy book. He looked up and gave me a curt nod.
"Still reading openings, Ono? You'll need more than that to beat me," I said as I sat down.
"Confidence suits you, Uzu. Let's see if it holds up in our next match," Ono replied with a sly grin.
Sen Kai and Yuuki Alive arrived soon after, bringing a sense of balance to our little group. Sen, confident and outgoing as ever, greeted us with a wave. Yuuki, quieter but always supportive, sat beside her, giving everyone a small smile.
By lunchtime, we were sitting in the cafeteria, our usual spot by the windows. Today's conversation wasn't about school or chess, though.
"So, Tagore's Gitanjali," Ono said, flipping through a dog-eared copy of the book. "Anyone else think it's a little too… idealistic?"
"Are you serious?" Sen shot back. "It's one of the most beautiful collections of poetry ever written. The themes of divinity and human connection—it's timeless."
Tai leaned back in his chair, munching on a sandwich. "Yeah, but some of it's kinda heavy, don't you think? Like, 'Where the mind is without fear'? That's a lot to live up to."
"It's not about living up to it," Yuuki said softly. "It's about striving for it. The idea of a world without barriers, where freedom and knowledge guide us—that's inspiring."
"I guess," Ono muttered, closing the book. "Still, it feels like a dream more than reality."
I listened quietly, taking it all in. Gitanjali wasn't just about poetry; it was about perspective, something I valued deeply. But before I could add my thoughts, something strange happened.
A faint light appeared in the center of the cafeteria. At first, I thought it was just a trick of the sunlight streaming through the windows. But it grew brighter, spreading like ripples in water.
"What's that?" Sen asked, shielding her eyes.
"I don't know," Tai said, standing up.
The light pulsed, and in an instant, it exploded into a blinding flash. I felt weightless, like I was being pulled through a tunnel of air and light. My stomach lurched, and the voices of my friends were swallowed by the roar of energy.
Then, as suddenly as it began, it stopped.
I opened my eyes and found myself in a grand hall with towering stone pillars and glowing runes etched into the floor. The air buzzed with an unfamiliar energy, and a group of robed figures stood at the far end of the room, chanting softly. My friends were there, too—Tai, Ono, Sen, and Yuuki—but no one else. The cafeteria was gone.
"Where… are we?" Sen whispered, her voice trembling.
"I… I don't know," Ono said, his usual composure shaken.
"Everyone, calm down!" I said, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the fear coursing through me. "Panicking won't help. Let's figure this out together."
The chanting stopped, and a tall man in ornate robes stepped forward. His gray hair and regal demeanor marked him as someone important. Beside him stood a girl about our age, her sharp eyes studying us curiously.
"Welcome, heroes," the man said. "I am King Aryarama Dweep, ruler of Jambudweep. You have been summoned to save our land from the forces of darkness."
"Summoned?" Tai repeated, his voice filled with disbelief. "What does that even mean?"
The king gestured to the robed figures behind him. "These are our summoning priests. They brought you here, for you are the chosen ones who will defend humanity against the demon scourge."
Before we could process his words, the girl stepped forward. "I am Rimu Dweep, princess of this kingdom," she said, her tone firm but not unfriendly. "We understand this must be overwhelming, but we need your help."
"What if we don't want to help?" Ono challenged, crossing his arms.
"You don't have a choice," another voice interjected. A man in gleaming armor strode into the hall, his presence commanding respect. "I am Tem Que, head commander of the Mage Knights. If you refuse, the demons will destroy not only our world but yours as well."
Silence fell over the room. None of us knew what to say.
Finally, I took a deep breath. "If what you're saying is true, then we'll need answers—and a plan."
The king nodded. "All will be explained. But first, you must rest and prepare. Tomorrow, we will test your magical affinities and begin your training."
"Magical affinities?" Tai whispered, looking both terrified and excited.
I didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: our ordinary lives were over.