The classroom was alive with noise and energy. Laughter and chatter bounced off the walls as students joked and teased each other. Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow across the room. Desks were scattered with books and papers, but it was clear that no one was paying attention to anything remotely related to schoolwork.

And in the middle of the chaos…

"YES! HEADSHOT!"

Ezra Vale's loud yell cut through the noise like a gunshot. His hands gripped his handheld console tightly, thumbs moving rapidly across the buttons. His messy black hair stuck out from under his headset as his eyes narrowed, focused intensely on the screen. He was completely absorbed in his favorite FPS game, Warzone Strike—a fast-paced shooter where strategy and reflexes meant everything.

Sitting across from him, Kenta Hashimoto leaned back in his chair, smirking as his own console beeped in warning. "Oh, you think you're good, huh? Watch this!"

Ezra's eyes widened as Kenta's sniper bullet flew across the map. "WAIT—NO—"

A bright red "ELIMINATED" flashed across Ezra's screen.

"WHAAAAAT?!" Ezra threw his hands up dramatically. "That was a lucky shot!"

"Lucky? Nah, that was pure skill, buddy." Kenta grinned, his spiky brown hair falling into his eyes. "Better step it up, Vale. Can't have you embarrassing yourself in front of everyone."

"Skill my ass!" Ezra leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Next round. You're going down."

"Bring it."

The two of them launched into the next round, both of their faces practically glowing with excitement. The classroom's noise dimmed as most of the students turned to watch the duel unfolding between the two gaming rivals.

Ezra's character slid into cover, reloading his weapon. Kenta's sniper glint flashed from the rooftop.

"Oh no you don't!" Ezra yelled, tossing a grenade.

BOOM.

"Direct hit!" Ezra howled, punching the air.

"Are you kidding me?!" Kenta leaned forward, gripping his console. "That was the cheapest grenade throw I've ever seen!"

Ezra cackled. "Gotta keep you on your toes!"

"Oh, you're so dead next round," Kenta growled.

"Yeah? Try it!" Ezra's thumbs flew across the buttons as his character vaulted over a wall.

From his seat near the window, Kaito Shiranagi rubbed his temple, his golden eyes narrowing. "Unbelievable… they're completely ignoring the fact that we're in class."

Reina Fujisaki giggled softly. "It's funny watching them go all out."

"They're being disruptive," Ayaka Hoshino added coolly. Her silver hair shimmered as she adjusted her glasses. "How are they even allowed to play games in class?"

"They're not," Rika Aoyama said, flipping her blonde hair. "I'm surprised the teacher hasn't said anything yet."

Satoshi Akiyama, sitting quietly in the back, smiled faintly. He admired Ezra's intensity—even if it was over a video game.

Dai Moriyama laughed loudly. "Ezra's got guts. And Kenta's no slouch either."

"Oh, I am this close to wrecking him," Kenta muttered.

Ezra's character rolled into cover, lining up a shot. "Try it!"

BANG!

"Gotcha!" Ezra yelled.

Kenta's screen flashed red. ELIMINATED.

"NOOO!" Kenta fell backward in his chair. "This isn't over!"

"Oh, it's over," Ezra smirked.

"Vale! Hashimoto!"

A sharp voice cut through the room. Misaki Tanabe, their homeroom teacher, stood at the front of the class, arms crossed. Her sharp black eyes bore down on them.

Ezra and Kenta froze.

"Enough," Misaki said. "Stop playing games and pay attention. The class is about to start."

Ezra hesitated, his hands still gripping the console. "Just… one more minute—"

WHACK

Ezra yelped as a hand smacked the top of his head.

"OWWW!! What the hell?!"

Arisa Tachibana loomed over him, her eyes narrowed. "You heard the teacher!"

Ezra rubbed his head. "Jeez… lighten up, monster…"

WHACK

"Ow! Quit it!"

Arisa glared. "Stop playing games in class!"

"But I'm on a winning streak!" Ezra whined.

WHACK

Ezra's head thudded against his desk.

"Alright, alright! I'll stop!" Ezra grumbled, rubbing his head. "Geez, you're like a violent mother."

Arisa's eyes flashed. "What did you say?!"

Ezra shot up from his seat. "Nothing! Nothing!"

"You're impossible," Arisa growled, sitting down next to him with her arms crossed.

"Damn, Ezra," Kenta laughed. "You're getting manhandled."

"Shut up," Ezra muttered.

Misaki sighed. "Just… keep it down."

Just as Misaki turned back toward the board—

A bright light erupted beneath their feet.

"What the hell?!" Dai shot up from his seat.

"What's going on?!" Reina gasped.

Kaito stood up, his eyes narrowing. "This is… a summoning circle?"

Ezra's grin widened. "Oh… this is awesome!"

"Awesome?!" Arisa shouted. "This is NOT awesome!"

The light intensified—

Everything turned white.

Ezra's vision blurred as he felt the ground vanish beneath his feet. The sound of his classmates' panicked voices faded as his body was pulled downward.

When his eyes opened, he was lying on cold marble. His head throbbed as he sat up. Around him, his classmates groaned as they picked themselves up from the floor.

"What… just happened?" Reina whispered.

Kenta shook his head. "Am I… dreaming?"

Kaito's eyes narrowed. "No. This is real."

Satoshi stared wide-eyed. "Where… are we?"

Ezra rubbed his eyes and looked up.

A massive hall stretched out before them—stained-glass windows depicting images of gods and angels. Rows of knights and priests stood along the walls.

Daichi's fists tightened. "This… isn't a school."

Yui gasped. "Did we… get summoned?"

And at the end of the hall…

A girl stood beneath a ray of light, silver hair flowing down her back. Her deep blue eyes widened as she gazed at them in awe. A golden tiara sat upon her head, and a jeweled staff rested in her hands.

Ezra's mouth curled into a grin.

"Isekai moment… AWESOME."

Chapter 2 – The Heroes of Prophecy

Ezra's vision adjusted to the grand hall's dim light. His classmates stood around him, confused and disoriented. The massive stained-glass windows cast shifting colors across the marble floor as knights and priests murmured in hushed voices.

And then…

"You… you've truly come."

A soft, trembling voice echoed through the hall. Ezra's gaze drifted toward the end of the room where a young woman stood beneath a beam of golden light. Her long, silver-white hair cascaded over her shoulders, her deep blue eyes shimmering with emotion.

"The heroes of the prophecy… You are here at last."

Ezra's eyebrow twitched. (Heroes of the prophecy? Seriously?)

He smiled to himself. This is sounding more and more like a cutscene from a JRPG.

Her eyes scanned the group, her gaze calm and composed—until her eyes settled on Ezra. Her expression faltered slightly.

(Huh?) Ezra caught the flicker of confusion in her eyes. Is there something wrong with me?

She quickly composed herself and stepped forward, her dress trailing behind her.

"I am Princess Cecilia Elarion," she said gracefully. "And I humbly welcome you to the Kingdom of Elarion."

Ezra's thoughts buzzed. Kingdom of Elarion, huh? Yep. Definitely an isekai.

And then—shocking everyone—Princess Cecilia bent down onto one knee.

"Please… We need your help." Her head lowered. "Our kingdom stands at the brink of destruction… and you are the only ones who can save us."

Ezra's mouth fell open. Did the princess just kneel?! To us?!

The room erupted into chaos.

Kaito Shiranagi stepped forward confidently, his hand extended toward the princess. His sharp golden eyes softened as he gently lifted her to her feet.

"Please rise, Princess," Kaito said with natural authority. "You don't need to kneel to us—we are honored to answer your call."

Arisa Tachibana's gaze sharpened as she glanced toward Ezra suspiciously.

"Ezra," Arisa whispered, "what's going on here? Why us?"

Ezra smirked. "I mean… chosen heroes of prophecy? It's kind of obvious, isn't it?"

Reina Fujisaki calmly approached Cecilia's side, placing a reassuring hand on the princess's shoulder.

"Please, Your Highness—there's no need to kneel."

Dai Moriyama stretched, laughing nervously. "Huh… so this isn't a dream, huh?"

Ayaka Hoshino adjusted her glasses, her cold gaze analyzing the situation.

"Tch. A summoning ritual? How archaic."

Yuuto Kazami yawned while looking up at the cathedral ceiling.

"So… we're supposed to fight for you now, huh?" He grinned lazily.

Cecilia hesitated before nodding. "Yes… I am truly sorry for dragging you from your world… but we had no choice."

Sayaka Hinomori remained quiet but stepped closer to Ezra protectively, her eyes narrowing.

Misaki Tanabe, their homeroom teacher, immediately stepped in front of the students, her protective instincts flaring.

"I want answers," Misaki demanded. "Why us? Why these specific students?"

Rika Aoyama flicked her hair arrogantly. "Well, it seems destiny has finally recognized greatness."

Satoshi Akiyama nervously hid behind Ezra. "I… I'm not sure we should be here…"

Daichi Kurogane cracked his knuckles. "Doesn't matter why we're here. Point me at something I can punch."

Yui Nakahara crouched beside Satoshi, smiling to calm him down. "Hey, don't worry! We've got this, right?"

Mari Kurihara adjusted her glasses, studying the glowing circle beneath them. "This… this is more complex than any summoning ritual I've ever read about."

Suddenly, a tall figure stepped forward from behind the knights.

He had long white hair, golden-trimmed robes, and a crystal staff. His left eye was hidden behind a scarred eyepatch. His cold gaze swept over the group.

"Princess Cecilia, please rise," the man said. His voice was deep and measured. "There's no need to lower yourself before these… children."

Ezra's eyebrow twitched.

"They do not yet deserve the title of 'Hero,'" the man added.

Kaito stepped forward, his eyes sharp. "We'll prove ourselves soon enough."

Ezra's grin widened. "Oh? You'll have to define 'deserve' for me first."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Watch your tongue, boy. You are not the Hero of Light—you are an anomaly in the summoning. We don't know why you're here."

Ezra tilted his head. "Yeah… about that. Neither do I. Guess we'll have to figure it out together."

Princess Cecilia stepped between them, her gaze softening toward Ezra.

"Please… do not fight. We need you—all of you."

Ezra smirked. "Fine. I wouldn't want to make any bad decisions."

WHACK

Ezra yelped as Arisa smacked him across the head.

"OWWW!! What was that for?!" Ezra shouted.

"For mouthing off to the High Priest!" Arisa snapped.

"I was being diplomatic!"

"Diplomatic my ass!"

Ezra rubbed his head. "Jeez… so violent."

Cecilia giggled quietly, a hand over her mouth.

Kaito turned toward Cecilia. "So how do we get powers? And what are these marks on our hands?"

Ezra lifted his right hand. His emblem shimmered—black and silver with crimson highlights. The design was a gun barrel at the center, surrounded by a six-chambered cylinder. Cracks spiderwebbed across it, glowing faintly.

Cecilia's eyes widened. "Those marks… they are the proof of your divine blessing."

Everyone looked at their hands.

"These emblems are the mark of the gods," Cecilia said. "Proof that you have been chosen as heroes of Elarion. The gods granted each of you a unique blessing upon your summoning. These marks are a direct link to the divine system that governs the balance of this world."

Ezra's eyes gleamed. Oh man, this is so game-like.

"The mark allows you to tap into your strength, skills, and potential. Through it, you can grow stronger and unlock hidden powers."

Kaito furrowed his brow, raising his hand. "Status."

A golden light shimmered in front of him as a translucent blue screen flickered to life.

Kaito Shiranagi – Holy Warrior (Hero Class)

Kaito's eyes widened. "Holy Warrior…?"

Arisa raised her hand. "Status."

Arisa Tachibana – Magic Swordswoman (Fire Element)

"Fireblade Mastery?" Arisa muttered.

Reina smiled. "Status."

Reina Fujisaki – High Priestess (Healer Class)

"Miracle Touch…?"

One by one, the others activated their status screens:

Dai Moriyama – Berserker (War God's Fury)

Ayaka Hoshino – Frost Sorceress (Winter's Embrace)

Ryuji Kamisaka – Dragoon (Sky Piercer)

Sayaka Hinomori – Shadow Assassin (Silent Steps)

Yui Nakahara – Bard (Melody of Courage)

Satoshi Akiyama – Shield Knight (Guardian's Resolve)

Daichi Kurogane – Warrior (Iron Body)

Mari Kurihara – Sage (Arcane Mind)

Rika Aoyama – Noble Knight (Royal Command)

Princess Cecilia turned toward Ezra.

"Please… you as well."

Ezra grinned. "Alright then."

"Status."

A pulse of dark energy spread outward. Unlike the others, his status screen appeared with crimson and silver light.

Let it be continued…