Following the awakening, we receive invitations to a banquet in our honor, officially welcoming us as the newfound heroes.
The hall itself is breathtaking. Ornate carvings and golden accents adorn every surface, while countless chandeliers bathe the room in a warm, golden glow. Long, polished tables stretch the length of the space, their surfaces laden with an array of extravagant dishes—glazed meats, exotic fruits, and delicacies I’ve never seen before. The hum of conversation and the soft strains of live orchestral music fill the air, creating an almost dreamlike setting.
At the head of the hall, King Alaric rises to his feet, holding a gleaming goblet aloft. The murmurs fade instantly as all eyes turn toward him.
“To our newly arrived heroes,” he proclaims, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room. “May your bravery and strength guide us to victory against the forces threatening our world!”
A resounding chorus erupts in response, the voices of the assembled guests blending into a celebratory roar:
“Glory to our new heroes!”
“Glory to the King!”
“Glory to Valeria!”
The King smiles, his gaze sweeping across the room, before taking a long sip from his goblet. With his blessing, the banquet begins in earnest. Servants glide gracefully through the hall, pouring wine and refilling platters as the festive energy grows.
And then, from my vantage point near the edge of the room, I watch as Hiroshi and Takumi are immediately swept up in the excitement. Nobles, high-ranking knights, and learned scholars converge on the two boys, eager to bask in the glow of their newfound celebrity. The guests seem particularly captivated by their Sacred Rank talents, offering extravagant gifts and unrelenting streams of praise.
It’s clear Hiroshi and Takumi barely have a moment to breathe. Whenever one conversation ends, another eager admirer steps forward, vying for their attention. Neither boy has had the chance to sit down and enjoy even a single bite of the banquet’s feast.
In contrast, Yumi sits alone at a smaller table near the far wall. Her posture is slouched, and she stares absently into her drink, listlessly stirring it with her spoon. The lively energy of the hall seems to bounce off her, unable to penetrate the melancholy that surrounds her.
Sensing her unease, I make my way toward her, weaving through clusters of laughing guests. Gently, I slide into the chair beside her, careful not to startle her.
“Not enjoying the party?” I ask softly, keeping my voice low.
Yumi looks up, startled at first, but quickly masks it with a small, strained smile.
“I’m all right,” she says softly, though her eyes betray her words. “I’ve just been… thinking about everything. It’s a lot to take in, you know?” She hesitates, her gaze drifting back to the goblet in front of her. “I don’t know what I should do next. Should I stay here, or go home? Honestly, I’m not even sure they need me. My talent isn’t anywhere near as impressive as the boys’.”
Her voice falters slightly at the end, and for a moment, I don’t respond.
“Hmm, I don’t think it’s that bad to be honest,” I reply.
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Yumi’s Heroic Rank, though overshadowed by the boys’ Sacred Rank, is still impressive by any standard. It’s better than what 99% of the people in this world could ever hope for. Sure, her nature affinity isn’t flashy or combat-oriented, but that doesn’t make it useless. As Seraphina mentioned, she could train to become a spirit user or an expert herbalist—roles that could make a meaningful difference in this world.
And truthfully, I need someone like her. Allies with her kind of potential could be invaluable, especially for what I have planned. But, of course, that depends on whether she even wants to stay in this world.
“Yumi, you need to think about this carefully,” I say, leaning forward slightly to catch her gaze. “Do you want to stay here, or would you rather go back? You have your family at home, don’t you? They’re probably really worried about you right now.”
However, as soon as I mention her family, a shadow falls across her face. Her expression tightens, and she glances away, her fingers twisting together nervously.
“Actually, I… I don’t…” Yumi’s voice falters. “My family… I… I’m not sure if they’re worried about me…” She bites her lip, her hands fidgeting nervously. “I… um… never mind…”
She’s trying to downplay it, but the sadness in her eyes betrays her. It’s raw, unspoken, but painfully evident.
I feel a wave of regret crash over me. On the surface, Yumi seems like a cheerful, bubbly girl—always kind, always smiling. But it’s clear now that beneath that façade, she’s been carrying burdens I hadn’t even begun to imagine. Prying further wouldn’t help. It might only hurt her more.
“Oh, I’m sorry…”
“No, it’s okay…” Yumi replies, but with a half-hearted smile. “That aside, what about you, Jack? Are you planning to go back?” she deftly shifts the focus onto me.
“No, I’m staying here,” I answer with confident.
Yumi’s eyes widen in surprise. “Really? You seem like the kind of guy who’d have a great life back home. Why leave all that behind?”
She’s not wrong. To anyone else, I probably look like someone who has it all—fit, well-dressed, someone who exudes the confidence of success. But here? I’m just a guy with no powers, not even a blood talent to speak of. In her eyes, there’s no logical reason for me to stay. Yet I can’t tell her the real reason—not yet, anyway.
“Hmmm,” I say after a brief pause, leaning back slightly in my chair. “I just… love being here. It’s simple, really. This is a fantasy world, after all. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed about being in a place like this. Magic, knights, a whole new realm to explore—it’s everything I’ve ever fantasized about. How could I walk away from that?”
“Oh, I see!” Yumi exclaims, nodding her head. “That actually makes sense. But still… it takes a lot of courage to abandon everything and chase a dream. You’re pretty impressive, Jack. If it were me, I don’t think I’d ever be brave enough to do something like this.”
I chuckle lightly. “Well, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Not having any superpowers does suck—just a little bit.” I let out a mock sigh, and Yumi giggles softly. “But honestly, it doesn’t bother me much. Life is more fun when it’s challenging, right? Even without cheat abilities, I think I’ll find a way to make it work.”
She smiles, this time more genuine. “Yep, I believe you can do it too!”
The conversation then shifts naturally, the heavier atmosphere giving way to a lighter, more casual tone.
We start talking about anime, music, and other shared interests, learning bits and pieces about each other as the evening wears on. The banquet’s festive music plays softly in the background, and the food—rich and delicious—serves as a welcome distraction. For a little while, it feels almost like an ordinary conversation between two friends.
…
“Wait, seriously? You’re 45 years old already? Are you kidding me?” Yumi exclaims, her wide eyes brimming with disbelief as I casually mention my age.
I chuckle at her reaction. “Haha, thanks!”
“What’s your skincare secret?! You look like you’re 25! Tell me what products you use!”
“Well,” I begin with an amused grin, “have you heard of Biogerontechnology?”
“Huh? I’ve never heard of that. What is it?” she asks, leaning in with genuine curiosity.
“It’s cutting-edge tech,” I explain. “A revolutionary process that repairs cells at the molecular level, reverses DNA damage, and slows—or even reverses—aging. Basically, it’s the reason I don’t look my age.”
Yumi listens intently as I delve into the details of the newest technology from my company. Her amazement is palpable as I describe how it works, and her enthusiasm lightens the mood even further.
Yet, even as I talk, part of my attention is also elsewhere. My gaze flickers toward the far end of the banquet hall. King Alaric and Grand Mage Seraphina sit close together at a small, ornate table. Their heads are bent in quiet discussion, their expressions serious.