When the old man called Halder appeared before us with that funny pose and loudly said that we had to fight against the evil Demon King and his minions, many of my classmates had the nerve to laugh. I admitted that it was something too bizarre to think seriously about it, however, that did not take away from the lack of respect that it turned out to be, and seeing his scared face, his panicked gestures and his insecure words made me feel sorry. The main concern on my mind was to help him. First of all, I calmed down Sue, who had started crying. Her parents were very kind to me, so I could understand that the sudden loss of such loving family was devastating. Then I went over to the old man to shake his hand. I guessed that handshakes were frowned upon in this world because he jumped back an unearthly distance. Still, I managed to get him to listen to me and we ended up on good terms.

I asked the old man if there was a way to go back. He denied the question with complete certainty. Ahh, how I missed Earth. I had to keep my composure not only for my teammates, but for myself as well.

When we passed those giant doors, I noticed a stoic-looking man in an elegant suit that reached his feet and a beautiful blonde-haired girl sleeping in his arms following us. His steps were straight and calculated, with a certain direction in his mind. The old man had mentioned something about the girl, but I was too focused on adjusting to this place that I didn't pay attention to it.

My gaze met the man's and I quickly averted it for fear of causing any inconvenient trouble. In order to distract myself, I resorted to the picture that was presented to me in front of my eyes. Stats like strength, agility, and intelligence were written inside it with the letter A next to each one.

'I hope A is the highest rating, like in most webnovels. I can only pray that I return to my small hometown with the rest of my class.'

I fixed my eyes on the text below.

'Passive Unique Skill [Emotion Reader]'

'Allows the user to correctly read the emotions of others unless the power of the person in question is higher than the user's.'

I had read it the time Emma warned us all about this thing. I came to the conclusion that thanks to this ability I was able to know that what the old man told me about going back to Earth was the truth. It was reasonable to think that the others also had some kind of cheat ability. I wanted to check it, so since I was leading the march only behind the old man, I turned my gaze back and observed the behavior of my group of friends.

Brian, a skinny, pale, and weak boy, but with a good heart, seemed to be the most scared of the three. Well, that's how he was normally, nothing major to write home about.

Rick was completely average. Both physically and mentally. He had a strange kind of smile. It was as if he was trying to hide his feelings through it. Too bad it didn't work with me. His true emotions were worse than Brian's. He was lost. With no direction to follow, his only action being to imitate others.

Meanwhile, Marcus was in a state of complete relaxation and also worry about the others. Laughing his heart out, failing again and again to improve the atmosphere through jokes.

Suddenly, I felt a look full of hate coming from someone. I searched everywhere with my eyes but found nothing. The only result was a massive headache lasting a few seconds. That caused me to slow down my steps and my friends caught up with me.

"Hey, are you okay?" Marcus asked me, visibly worried about me. "I know this is pretty fucked up, but we're going to get out of this. You just have to trust me." He pointed his index finger at his chest and I couldn't help but laugh. What kind of person would trust someone as careless as him?

Marcus turned his head from left to right as if he wanted no one to see what he was about to do. Although... we were surrounded by people. Out of nowhere, he grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me back. He began to whisper to me in a voice that only he could hear.

"Louder, please."

Marcus snorted and slightly increased the sound.

"I need you to help me comfort these two." He nodded at Brian and Rick.

"How do you want me to do that? Look at everyone's faces. They don't know what to do. They want to go back but they have no idea how."

"And what was that just now in that room? Simple inspiration? I think it's a natural talent."

"Yeah, sure. Why don't you leave them alone?"

"What?" his face contorted into a look of stupefaction. "Oh, of course. What does it matter, right? If they want to kill themselves, let them, it's their choice. It's their fault for being 'sensitive' anyway. You know Brian's in a complicated state after what happened with his mother. The only thing missing was this, a shitty place with no way out, no contact with his family, no knowledge about his situation. I know that managing the psychological state of so many people must be a burden for you. But you have to know that everyone needs you, more than ever. Rick has been wearing a mask with the shape of a smile since he got here and the teacher is not doing anything. It's her job, damn it! That's why I need you. I've tried but my effort has not paid off. I just need a hand, would you be able to help me?"

My heart was filled with guilt, with regret that I hadn't been there for him. Apologies were not enough to resolve the conflict that was occurring within me. The right words to say were far from my sight, hidden in my ineptitude in caring for my friends. Finally, I came to a conclusion that I was going to live with for the rest of my life.

"Okay, I'll do it. In fact, you don't need to do anything, leave it to me."

Marcus smiled. It was not necessary to use my ability to read his feelings. A simple glance was enough.

I quickened my pace and caught up with Brian and Rick. Their depressed faces affected the people around and caused the atmosphere to remain gloomy.

"Hey guys, we need to talk." I addressed both of them. Melancholic eyes received me.

"So... Your Majesty. Why this honorable visit?" Rick tried, but got no laugh from me, just a sad expression. "Looks like the Student Council President needs his Vice President, too bad she wasn't... transported along with us."

I ignored his small pause and fixed my gaze on Brian. He was still lost in his mind, his thoughts possibly focused on Earth. They had to accept it, we were not going back.

"Look, I know we're in an unprecedented situation and one that we're not entirely sure we understand. I know your problems are your own, but please, let me help. I can't say that I'm someone you can trust in this sort of thing, but I'm not doing this as the 'Student Council President', that's just a useless title. I'm doing this as a friend."

Rick's expression crumbled and a couple of tears fell from his reddened eyes. However, Brian was still unperturbed.

"What are you looking for?" Brian asked. "Worship? Is that it? Wow, here we have the great Adam, everyone, praise him, he came to save our lives and bring peace and happiness! There, you obtained praise from me. Now go find some with the people of this world if you're going to suck their balls so much."

I was stunned. This was not Brian. An impostor must have taken his body. There was no one as cheerful and kind as him. Instead, this Brian was just 'something' filled with fury.

Rick was also surprised and walked away from him, going to my side. Brian made a mocking smile.

"Oh, look at him. Running away, like always. I never cared much for you, anyway." he turned and walked away, leaving Rick extremely hurt.

'Was he always so cruel?'

"Rick, don't be sad. Brian's just confused by this shit."

"Na, everything is fine. He was like this with me since the day you introduced us."

"Really?"

"Yep. Anyway, I'm used to it. I may not be someone special, but I'll try to feel better from now on. For you."

Marcus stood next to me and whispered.

"Thank you."

I was happy for Rick, but Brian's words left a bad taste in my mouth. I had to get the old Brian back. That shy, awkward good boy who helped me get through high school.

Finally, we arrived to a huge door, comparable to the first two we passed through, though not nearly as big. The old man ordered some guards to open the door and they executed the order to the letter.

Upon entering, a red carpet with gold outlines on the edges greeted us and a fragrance of perfume reached my nostrils. Many people were on the sides of it talking to each other and directing some glances in our direction.

A middle-aged man, about two meters tall and with an imposing aura, sat on a throne large even for his size, worn by the passing of the years. Beside him, a woman whose beauty was clearly unaffected by age. Her throne was smaller than that of the man, however that did not hinder her, since she was small in stature. The contrast of her smile with the seriousness of the man next to her accentuated their differences even more.

Paintings of dragons breathing fire, burning their poor victims and causing chaos in destroyed cities filled the high walls and on the ceiling was the most precious of all. A black figure with raised hands and a group of millions of people kneeling, worshiping its divinity. That figure gave a strange feeling of dread. A really strange feeling...

Hostility filled the room. From the same source as the previous look of hate. Where was it. I had to find it. However, a headache a thousand times worse than the previous one invaded me. My vision went dark and the world was spinning at an incredible speed. This was my time to die. I was sure.

A hand touched my shoulder and I woke up.

"Hey!" With a scream I came back to reality. "What are you doing standing before Their Majesties?! Show respect to the sovereigns of this Kingdom!" The deep voice came from a young man, a little older than me, in a full body of resplendent blue armor.

"Leave the kid, Juldden."

"But-"

"Juldden. It's an order."

The young man in armor walked towards the man who called out to him and stood to his right a step behind him.

The man had much better armor than the young one. Instead of a bright blue, this one was a dark red, and contained a higher power that only the eyes of an ordinary human couldn't deduce. Of course, I was no longer an ordinary person.

I turned my head back and saw all of my classmates were kneeling impeccably, as if they had done it all their lives. He didn't understand what was happening.

"Forgive me for my subordinate's recklessness, Your Majesties." the man placed his left arm across his chest and bowed.

"You must teach that boy the value of loyalty, Benned." said the King. "However, that is not our concern at this very moment." he shifted his gaze to the man in the smart suit who had escorted us along the path. "What happened to my daughter?"

The man, once straight, was now terrified, my skill was not needed in this type of case. His white face was filled with sweat, while his body trembled and not from the weight of the girl in his arms. He swallowed hard and waited a few seconds to speak.

"Y-Your M-Majesties... um, I swear it wasn't my f-fault."

"I don't want excuses. Tell me what happened."

"It really wasn't his fault, Your Majesty." interrupted the old man.

"And you are?"

"Halder Geldum. The Chief Summoning Magician."

"The traitor's brother."

"It is true, Your Majesty. However, I must add that my family ties will never affect my work or the Kingdom."

"I don't care. Unless you have something to say about the situation my daughter is in right now, I'm going to have to get the answer out of the mages involved in the summoning in a way I'd rather not describe."

"Actually, I do have something to say. Her Highness fell."

The King was silent. He kept his face expressionless.

"So, she fell..." replied the King.

"Yes, it seems that she was startled by the appearance of the heroes and fell from the altar. Luckily, Matthias, her personal butler, was able to save her from a painful fall. Although she fainted anyway."

The King lowered his head and began to mutter to himself. Then, he looked ahead.

"My daughter is not yet fit to rule. More training is required. Silas, I entrust her royal education to you. I will send her to the healing mages."

"Wait, husband." the woman sitting at his side whispered something to the King.

"No, I will send her to my wife." he proclaimed.

A slim man, but fit for his old age, stepped forward, moved his left arm to his chest and bowed.

"It would be an honor to instruct Her Royal Highness. I will gladly accept this order."

He returned to his place among the crowd of extravagant people.

The King fixed his cold gaze on me. I felt his eyes scanning me, however my ability didn't seem to work on him so I wasn't entirely sure of his intentions.

"You have not yet shown obedience to me. Kneel down."

His voice put a heavy pressure on me. It was as if the gravity had increased to a level impossible to resist. I knelt down against my will and was forced to lower my head by this strange force.

"Now that everyone understands their position, it's time to explain your tasks from now on. The first thing you should do is go to the Knight next to me and tell him your Unique Skill. Then each of you will be assigned a personal servant. They will show you the way to your chambers. If you think of taking a nap, please note that your presence will be required for dinner. Your personal servants will notify you in time and your respective attire will be chosen by experts. At the end of dinner, you will go to rest. The next day you will begin to take classes appropriate to your Unique Ability. I will not allow any type of objection or signs of rebellion. I hope that is clear. Now, I will end this assembly."

The pressure dissipated and I managed to see the backs of the King and Queen leaving and the other people surrounding us making the particular greeting of this world. The left arm on the chest.