Before they can even process what's going on, the students fall onto the ground! Though to their surprise, none of them were injured. Only a tingling sensation courses down their spines, forcing them to shift uncomfortably. Their skin feels foreign as they try to settle the tension within.
With a hush breath, Axel’s eyes gradually open.
With a rush of light piercing his pupils, Axel flinches. And with a grunt he slowly lets his eyes adjust to the environment around him. As the seconds go by, the area Axel is placed in reveals itself to be some sort of lavish stone hall. Instantly making him shrink by its grander and forcing a shiver out of him by the coldness looming in the air. This is only interrupted by sounds of the students also groaning along the floor, gradually picking themselves up while gasping at the scenery before them.
The classroom they were all too familiar with vanished, replaced with grey stone being lit with the orange glow of candlelight. Huddling close to one another, they remain dumbfounded upon their foreign surroundings, standing on edge as they carefully examine the room. Axel solidifies, with his pupils shrinking before he staggers back up to his feet.
With his heart pulsing within his ears, the games and books he’s been reading flash before his mind. Only to be supported by the candle lit chandelier hanging over the group. It illuminates the stone work on the several pillars leading up to a gilded throne perched atop a set of stairs.
A single man sits within it, his face grizzled with age and yet he still looks down upon the students with curious eyes. He rises with a smile, letting a luxurious cape flow freely off the seat. He was adorned with jewels of gold and gemstones, with thick soft linen holding close to his natural physique. Standing as the pinnacle of all the people before him donning sets of elegant robes and suits of armor.
Without so much as a word, these individuals begin to divert into two lines on each end of the carpet before bowing to their king.
The class recoils, taking a step back. Silence envelopes them, as no one dared to utter a single word. But with the evidence unfolding in front of them, the cold reality becomes all too clear to them. This wasn’t a dream nor was it a prank, this was real…
Boasting the many rings donned on his hand as he gestures his welcome.
"We w’lc’m thee to Everglend! I, King Louis the IV, stand before thee. I beseech thee heroes. Whilst thou aiden my nation against the forces that deem it worthy to be destroyed?" His abrupt question booms over the group as to demand respect.
His strange choice of language made it clear to both Blake and Axel that this isn't just some banter, he was an actual king...
With his words sinking into the minds of the students, the full weight of his implication falls upon the group, shattering their whole world apart. Several students begin to emptily cry as others collapse to the floor. Both George’s and Tom’s faces go pale as Vanessa gasps and hides her face within her hands. Axel stands unmoving, rooted by the king’s implication.
This is no longer their world…
And although hesitation grabs at him, Blake still steps forward. Quickly, he kneels before the throne before any of the others can realize his actions.
"Pardon, your– majesty, but we are just simply adolescents. May we– please return back to our world?" the question leaves him hopeful, however, worry still coats his lowered face.
The king lets out a small grin upon witnessing the boy’s boldness. He shifts towards Blake, narrowing his attention to him specifically.
"My apologies, but that is not possible.”
The king’s statement sends shivers through the room. Blake solidifies in his kneel, the words easily ripping past and striking the others behind him. He didn’t want to turn around as he could already hear the muffled sobbing of his classmates.
Without another moment’s hesitation, the king turns to the man on his left. And with only a gesture, the man steps forward.
"My name is Melvis, I am the head priest of the church of Everglend. I was bestowed such a role by God himself to act as his messenger. As it is his divine grace that flows through me to show premonitions of futures yet to pass. And out of all the possible paths he has graced me with, only one had hope for mankind’s survival.”
As his words leave him, he points to where both Blake and Axel stand.
"God must have answered our prayers. For he has summoned the messiah along with his companions.”
Without hesitation, the pope gets on his knees and starts pleading.
"Oh great hero, please save us from the terrible catastrophe that has befallen our kingdom! You here is a sign you all have been blessed by God’s grace, and with it you must help save us. And if your wish is to return to your world, I’m sure his grace will hear you after you fulfill the roles bestowed upon you. Protect us from the Demon Empire! Save us from our impending doom, and I’m sure you’ll find your way back.”
To the shock of those who still stood, they find the pope bowing before Blake. A man stated to have such power, such grace, such prestige to kneel and grovel at the foot of someone with no renown. The group can only stare on, waiting for something to happen, waiting for Blake’s response.
He raises his head to meet the pope before shifting to where Vanessa stood. Then with a deep breath, he turns back. And before any of the others can object to him, he nods.
Was this right of him…
Some of the students nod in agreement to his decision, others weep. Axel and Vanessa just stare on, watching it unfold before them.
"Well, it’s unfortunate, but we don’t really get a choice in this matter do we? You’ve abducted us from our home and want us to put our lives on the line, what will you offer us in return?” Blake questions while rising to a stand.
A smile reaches the King once more, a respect already beginning to bloom for this young man with a sharp tongue and cool composure.
"Upon my father’s name, thee will receive a handsome reward if my kingdom’s threat is defeated by thine hands. Thou’st all received the title of heroes within my castle, and thee shall be serve with the most delicious meals, trained with the best of my generals, and gain access to anywhere within these walls. Thou shalt be treated as royalty within my castle and my realm,” King Louis offers with opened arms.
"I'll take you up on that," Blake answers for the group, rivaling the King’s grin with his own.
“Now then,” the pope gives a short sigh of relief before returning to his spot next to the throne, “if you all would file into a line before his majesty we can get you all started and on your way.”
The group looks between each other before Blake moves forward, being the first to stand before the king. Most of the others just watch, though a few begin to follow behind him.
“Now, approach one by one and state the word ‘profile’. It will show an in-depth analysis of one’s self, showing both your abilities as well as your overall physique,” the pope holds his words for a moment to let them sink in before continuing, “you will read out all that you see so that we may scribe it for our records. Now if you will.”
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Blake steps up without a second thought as soon as the last word from the pope lands.
“Profile.”
Blake
Level: 1
Race: Human
Occupation: Hero of Everglend
Hp: 100/100
Mana: 100/100
Attack:100
Magical Attack:100
Defense:100
Magical Defense:100
Mana res: 100%
Speed:100
Abilities: (Language comprehension), ( Super Strength [ I ]), (Super Speed [ I ]), (Natural Learner [ I ]), (Gifted fighter), (Enchanting cast nullification)
(Language comprehension: Allows the user to understand foreign languages.)
(Super Strength [ I ]: Gives the user a 10% increase in Attack stat for five minutes upon activation.)
(Super Speed [ I ]: Gives the user a 10% increase in Speed stat for five minutes upon activation.)
(Natural Learner [ I ]: Allows the user to learn a subject, skill, talent, or spell 10% faster than normal.)
(Gifted fighter [passive]: Allows the user to adapt to multiple fighting styles and wield weapons with ease)
(Enchanting cast nullification [passive]: Nullifies the requirements of chanting a cast first before you summon your spell)
With an inquisitive tone, Blake lists off what he sees to the waiting knight. The knight in turn quickly jots down the information as the mages stare in awe.
"H-he… truly is the messiah…" the pope’s words fall out of him before he can even realize he was speaking.
The king sits down on his throne, sweating in disbelief.
" …T-to think… A level one can have those types of stats?" he quivers under his own question.
An awkward silence befalls the room, no one daring to utter even a single breath. Though as soon as the ticking of the clock pops the silence, the group erupts in another barrage of cheers! As the color begins to return to both the pope’s and the king’s faces, the students surround Blake magnetized by his magnificent power.
However, the celebration is short-lived as the knights begin to record the rest of the students. Finding that on average the group excels far greater than normal humans. Most have stats higher than 30 in every criteria, impressive, but still not holding a candle to Blake. For the record, the highest stats ever achieved for a level 1 barely grazed 10.
A light chuckle leaves the king as he realizes the bright future ahead of him. His vision for humanity no longer seems so impossible.
With everyone achieving mind-boggling stats, Axel's blood tingles with excitement. The countless games he's played have prepared him for this moment. So this kind of theme wasn’t too foreign to him, to be the chosen one and defeat a demon lord, such a simple story start. Perhaps now, he can make a name for himself and become the hero!
"Profile," with a hesitant breath, Axel states the single word.
Axel
Level: 1
Race: Demon
Occupation: Hero of Everglend
Hp: 10/10
Mana: 6/10
Attack:1
Magical Attack:0
Defense:1
Magical Defense:0
Mana res:1%
Speed:1
Abilities: (Language comprehension), (Slow healing [ I ])
(Language comprehension: Allows the user to understand foreign languages.)
(Slow healing [ I ]: Gives a small healing factor to the user; consuming mana as its fuel)
Axel's eyes widened, he can't believe what was in front of him. He opens and closes them in hopes of magically tricking them into seeing added zeros next to his stats, but it's to no avail. His stats remain the same, but that isn't the worst part...
His race... wasn't human. Cold sweat runs down his face as he reads every dreadful letter of his race. Is this just a cruel prank on God's part?
A hard gulp sticks in his throat as he glances between the king and the pope. If they are to find out he is a demon, what would they do to him? A shiver slips down his spine, not wanting to imagine it.
"Your profile.” The knight catches him by surprise as his turn finally arrives.
All eyes lay upon him, feeling the king’s eyes land on him. Though it’s Blake who looks through Axel’s small act of hesitation, birthing a new mischievous smile upon his lips. Compared to the rest of the students, his stats are borderline trash. Even if you multiply them by 10, he would still be the weakest by far. He tries to deviate himself to avoid telling his stats, but with the knight ushering him to hurry him up, he just has to accept the fact of his stats and move on.
"M-My name is Axel… And I'm a level 1 h-human… With 10 Hp… 10 Mana…1 Attack and no Magical Attack… 1 Defense and 0 magical defense, m-my Mana res is 1% with 1 Speed. . My abilities are language comprehension and slow healing," Axel whispers while lowering his head.
Silence stifles the air as Axel’s statement lands into their frozen ears, creating an atmosphere to that of a funeral. Although this quickly dissipates as laughter quickly vibrates the space around him.
Tom and George rush over to his aid.
"It's not funny guys!" Scowls George.
As they embrace Axel, he sees within the glimpse of his eye a smiling Blake, his grin reaching from ear to ear as he stares down Axel like a predator stalking its prey.
"A-Art thou sure those art thine stats!?" Retorts the king.
Axel can only nod, ashamed.
The king slumps down on his throne as he places a hand on his forehead in distraught. "How could this be…"
"Your majesty, there still might be some hope for him," a voice echoes out from the right side of the throne. A man stands firm as he speaks, he was rather tall with brown hair, and unlike the other two, he only appears to be a young man. His entire body is covered in a thick, golden-colored armor that appears both badass and magnetizing. The king turns to him.
"What dost thee suggest?" Questions the king, the knight-looking person steps forward.
"Although it is rare, there might be a chance that Axel here gets reborn," answers the knight.
The students' heads tilt with confusion, including Blake who's usually the most composed, the king notices this and introduces the young man.
"My apologies, this here is Carnal. He stands before thee as the Grand General of Everglend and as the Legendary Hero of Glendwood. What's being referred to is called ( Rebirth ). A rare, but natural occurrence that happens within living creatures including us humans. Rebirth, as the name suggests, allows one to be reborn again as a much stronger and more powerful version of themselves. Carnal is the living proof of that, before his rebirth, he was just an average soldier fighting in the battle of Glendwood. One of the most desperate and bloodiest battles in our history. We needed to win at all costs, no matter the means, but unfortunately the demons had the upper hand. Just as all seemed lost, Carnal, in his dying gasps, underwent a transformation that shaped the tides of battle. He was able to repel the enemy by himself to allow our forces to rekindle, and thanks to his efforts, we were able to win that battle." explains the king. A gleeful smile splits across Carnal’s face as he bows to the students.
"I'll be looking forward to training you all!"
Right as Axel starts to have some hope in his eyes, the king cuts him off.
"However, a Rebirth typically only happens every century. We were lucky enough to get one by our side. So, as thee can see by Carnal, another Rebirth won't be occurring for another century. Thou’st can honestly throw a needle in the middle of the ocean, and thee will have a better chance of finding it than to undergo a Rebirth," argues the king, but Carnal sways his head.
"We won't know until we try, regardless, what do we have to lose your majesty?" Carnal's response leaves the king pondering. But he quickly shakes his head as he sees the knight finally gather all the info of the students.
"It matters not. Young heroes, as appreciation for aiding us and as well as a welcoming party. We will be hosting a banquet in thine honor!" Shouts the king as he rises from his throne.
As Axel is left pondering about his current predicament, the king clasps his hand twice, and maids come rushing in.
"Each of thee will be assigned an extra hand to take care of thine necessities while thee are training! Now allow my servants to show thou to thine rooms. Rest well, young heroes! Tonight shalt be’ith a grander!!” exclaims the king.
Just as the king's words land, each student is acquainted with a servant. All the boys turn red upon seeing the cuteness as all the girls immediately start having conversations with their butlers.
"Right this way, sir, Axel," a short maid gestures for him to follow.
With no other options, a sigh slowly escapes Axel. That is until he gives a gentle smile before following closely behind her.