-The Heroes summoning story-

 

“The ritual succeeded!” 

The cheerful voice of a young girl rang out.

“Indeed all thanks to you princess.” 

Followed by words of praise from a calm middle aged voice. The flash bang like light clears and I can see my surroundings again. Below my feet is an octagon with many different geometric shapes and complex line patterns formed inside, the formation glows in a sunset like color. Surrounding the octagon at the different corners are people that look to be monks and priests, the room resembles a small cathedral with light cascading down from a stained glass mural on the ceiling. The last ones in the room are a blond young girl and someone who looks like a bishop. They seem like the source of the voice I heard when I was blinded.

“Uggg, what happened”

 

Looking in the direction of the familiar voice that breaks my analytic thought process I see Makoto with his messy black hair and messy uniform. 

 

“Why was it so bright? Did someone set off a flash bang or something.”

 

Hearing Hattori's question I retort by reflex. 

 

“... Hattori wouldn't we be deaf if it was a flash bang?”

 

“... I guess”

 

Hattori’s shoulder length black hair hangs down over her black kamishimo and all the dark colors highlight her red eyes and rose hair pin. My heart warms at the fact that I'm not in this strange situation alone and some of my panic fades.

 

“Look around! I think we just got summoned to another world!”

 

Me and Hattori flinch at Makoto's comment, I would usually tell him to stop with his strange joke but I can't with the situation we are in...

Makoto's brown eyes are practically shining while looking around the room.

 

“Euhhm”

 

The young girl coughs and we all look at the two near the entrance. I notice that she is around the same age us, if not a year younger.

The girl is dressed in a white sundress with a yellow floral pattern that goes to her knees. After she sees she has our attention her green eyes brighten up and she speaks to us with a noble tone. 

“O Hero’s! I have summoned you to ask for your help in defeating the great demon king. In the name of the goddess of light will you help save this world. I am Charlotte the Princess of the Sonne kingdom ”

 

Sadly for the princess, whenever we get into a stressful or confusing situation, we always make lighthearted talk and jokes to brush away the stress. Instead of questioning the princess like I normally would, instead I talk to Makoto about the situation we are in.

 

“Hey Makoto, isn't this like an event in a RPG?”

“Yes! That and it's also like all the isekai anime airing right now!”

“I get the part about anime, but that happens in games too, like mortal kombat?”

“Not in mortal kombat, it happens in games like…

 

Mokoto starts explaining to Hittori that the reference is in fact not from mortal kombat.

The situation of our group is I(Amanda) am into RPGs and story games, Makoto is into games and anime and Hittori is only into historical dramas and anime. So we get into conversion where explanations are needed for certain quips and jokes, but despite that I don't understand anything Hittori ever says about historical dramas. Growing up in Britain and not knowing much about japan's crazy history. Ah I almost forgot about the princess.

 

“… mortal kombat has an okay story but it's mostly about fighting and defeating your opponent!”

 

The princess now looks like she is about to cry from being ignored. I let out a sigh at my friends who are still arguing about the reference and I send an apologetic gaze at the princess.

 

“I see. A different type of game than that I'm used too”

 

The conversation ends with Hittori’s muttering, seeing that the princess speaks to us again.

 

“You heroes must be confused after what happened, why don't I give you a tour of the castle so you have time to calm down before I talk about the differences you might deal with in our world.”

 

“Thank you! That would help a lot”

 

After giving my thanks I bow to the princess since she is royalty and I don't know what edicts to use. Hittori sees my gesture and follows, forcing Makoto to as well.

 

The Princess has a confused look on her face but still guides us out of the cathedral and up a set of stairs where we reach a garden. I guess that room was underground, looking in the center of the garden I see a big ash tree surrounded by a circle of colorful glass on the floor.

 

The Princess brings us through the castle and shows us all the different places we would need to use, like the library, dining room, kitchen, and last is the rooms we would be staying in.

 

“It is rather later now, so I hope you can excuse me for leaving the more detailed explanation for tomorrow.”

 

“It's fine, thanks for looking out for us Princess.”

 

Makoto responds to Charlotte while I think back to our tour. During the tour we talked to Charlotte about the world we were summoned to.The world is like a game where monsters spawn and if you kill enough you level up and get stronger. Hittori got excited by that since she was looking for a new challenge after defeating all martial artists in her age group and Makoto was thrilled to learn that we were in a situation like the anime he watches. As for me...well I think the RPG-like world is cool, but I don't want to be stuck here forever. After all, what about the family we left behind and our old lives, I would rather have that back than this fantasy world.

 

Going through the wardrobe in my room I pick out some basic purple pajamas to wear. Laying in the large comfy bed I try to forget about my worries at least for now until I get a proper understanding of the situation.

 

The next morning we are all brought to the throne room to have an audience with the king and queen. The double doors open allowing me to see the room clearly, a red carpet split the room in half, on both sides are rows of chairs that are currently left empty. In the back of the room are two high throws on which sit a man and a woman wearing embroidered robes, above the couple is a large quilt showing a golden sun emblem. On the left of the women I can see Princess Charlotte and on the right of the man I see two men who I assume are the princes.The woman has a gentle smile on her face and is the spitting image of what Charlotte would look like if she was older. The man has dark red hair. The first prince inherited his father's red hair and red eyes and excluded a wild aura. The second prince has his mother's blond hair but his father's red eyes, his eyes contain the sharp gleam of looming intelligence. My focus is shifted back to the man who speaks to us with a dignified aura. 

 

“Welcome heroes of another world, I have heard from my daughter that the summoning process did not take into account your consent when summoned, this king is sorry for that. However since you are here if you agree to help us humans in the fight against the demon king this one will do all in my power to train you into true heroes but that is for later. Now I think proper introductions are needed, My name is George Sonne, king of the Sonna Kingdom. Long ago my ascstory gathered together small towns across this land to merge it into one kingdom and our family has been ruling ever since”

 

King George pauses and I take that as a sign for us to do our own introductions, Makoto must have had the same thoughts as me because he starts his introduction before I can.

 

“My name is Makoto, my two friends are Hittori and Amanda. We are simple students from Japan. Since I have been summoned for now I will accept the role as hero and defeat the demon king.”

 

I’m mad the Makoto has stolen the dramatic moment from me, but me and Hittori also agree with him to take up the role of hero. I don't know what the others think, but assuming this world has magic and skills like an RPG in order to find a better way to return home I can't think of a more perfect solution than the training of a hero. 

 

“Good, no Excellent! As expected of brave heroes. This one knows that you have yet to be educated on the knowledge of our world yet so we can end this meeting early and have you start your training to become proper heroes.”

 

After the king says that he and his wife leave with the two princes before Charlotte leads us back to the royal garden. On the way I ask about the audience with her father.

 

“Princess Charlotte, was the audience with the king supposed to be that short?”

She smile's and says 

 

“Originally father wanted to have a banquet and talk with all of you, but I changed it into that audience so you have more time to get used to the world before dealing with the politics of the kingdom.”

 

I don't know what to say to Charlotte's answers, I am happy that she is looking out for us, but I don't think her father would have done what she is worried about based on my short impression of him, he seemed like an honest and good natured man.

 

“...I see, and why did he explain your family origin to us?”

 

Charlotte's brow furrows before she says

 

“That was just him boasting about our ancestors.

 

“...”

“...”

“...”

Arriving at the garden we sit on benches under the ash tree and the princess starts her lecture.

“From what you have told me your world didn't have skills or magic, to account for this I will start from the basics that children learn.”

 

I don't feel good being told I know less than a child, but considering the situation I stay quiet and listen to Charlotte talk.

 

“At the age of 10 children are able to access their stats and gain a class assigned to them based on what they have done since birth, normal classes are farmer, waiver, etc. someone who receives training in childhood will have a higher chance of getting a advanced class assigned to them, the others have to wait until they reach level 10 before getting a new class, the effect of the old class stay.” 

 

“Every class up you can only choose to evolve one of your classes or gain a new one and the next class up after lv 10 is 30. Every new class or class evolution will give you between 1 and three skills and also changes how your stats are distributed when you level up but we can worry about that later.”

 

“I don't know if any of this will change for you all since you are heroes and this is the first time heroes have been summoned to the wasteland so we don't have any information on the difference between you and normal people.First I think it would help if you can write down your stats page for me to look at.”

 

“...”

 

After a short moment of silence Makoto speaks up

 

“Princess Charlotte, you never told us how to open our stats.”

 

Charlotte's eyes go wide as she blushes and turns around. After a few seconds she turns back and coughs before saying.

 

“I apologize, I forget to explain all the basics to you since everyone learns this from their parents at 10. To open your status or stats you simply think about the word in your mind with the intent to see your abilities, or you can say it aloud.” 

 

Me and Hittori think it in our heads to avoid being embarrassed but Makoto shouts it…

 

I notice that my hunches about the world are correct since our status looks exactly like a game interface, after copying the text box exactly I hand my sheet to Charlotte with everyone else. 

 

Before she has a chance to review them Hittori asks a question.

 

“You said before that you don't have any information about the heroes because we are in the wasteland, what does that mean?”

 

Charlotte looks flusters again, but right as she is able to answer I hear a deep voice speak from behind us.

 

“Nice job Charlotte, but I think your lack of experience in teaching is holding you back so if you would allow me to take it from here I think that would be for the best.”

 

This voice speaks Condescending word yet the tone behind them is one of comfort instead of the scorn you would expect. Charlotte also seems visibly excited, completely lacking the aura of a teacher from before she gets up and runs over to the man behind us, hugging him.

 

“Uncle!” 

“So these are the summoned heroes?”

 

The man voices the question not to anyone in particular. I was originally put on guard hearing an unfamiliar voice behind me, but after seeing Charlotte act affectionate I relaxed along with Hittori who did the same as me. 

 

The man in question looks to be in his early 20's, he has long dark blonde hair that reaches his shoulder, dressed in formal close of a black suit and dress pants. He is the personification of a noble's arrogant son, but seeing as Charlotte called him uncle I don't believe that's the case.

 

The man flashes a smile and says.

 

“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dante, I am the royal tutor of sorts at least in terms of combat. Now lets see what I have to work with”

 

Dante takes the papers out of Charlotte's hand and looks them over, while he does, Charlotte continues to talk about him.

 

Charlotte continues the explanation about Dante

 

“Uncle Dante taught me and my brothers about different weapon arts and about how to better use our class skills, he is long time friends with my father but since he acts like an uncle to me I call him that even if he is not my real uncle.”

 

After Charlotte gives us some more facts about Dante he finishes reading over our stats and says.

So for the only difference between you heroes and normal people are two things. One is your starting classes are all advanced classes and you all have the same title of World Traveler. Your starting stats are the same as normal level ones. Taking that into account I can train you all in a weapon art if you like, but you'll have to practice your skill without my help since if I help you now it will inhibit your growth later on.”

 

Me and Makoto agree to have Dante teach us a weapon, but Hittori just wants to spare with him since she already learned one.

 

Right before Dante guides us to the Training room, he pauses and then says.

 

“O right, I believe I forgot to answer your question about why this is called the wastelands. This area only spawns monsters below level 30 and as a result people can only raise their level up to their, in order to grow more you need to move to the central plains where high level monsters spawn. All the past heroes have been summoned there starting at level 30 so this is the first time a hero will have to level from one.”

 

I was rather surprised that this area has a level cap, but it is not unexpected in a game-like world.

 

I choose to learn the staff like Charlotte since my class will be more magic based. I only need to be able to defend myself and Makoto learns the sword and shield. From this point our schedule becomes rudimentary, getting up learning weapon arts from Dante, practicing our class skills, and then we study more about the world at the royal library before meeting the Princess in the garden to relax before sleeping. Of course we are eating normally in between these events, like that a month goes by.

…

…

....

 

*sigh* 

A sigh escaped my mouth, currently I'm walking down the palace stairs towards the gate. 

Hearing my sign the person next to me responds

 

“Don't worry Amanda! You’ll succeed today, my premonitions are never wrong” 

 

I smile a little at the energetic response so early in the morning. 

 

“Thank you Princess Charlotte” 

“Boo, Boo, I told you to call me Charlotte” 

“But everyone else calls you like that?”

 

Now it's the princess turn to sigh

 

“I told you before, you hero’s are on the same level as me and we're friends so it's fine if only you call me by name right?” The princess hooks her arm around me as we walk.

“Okay. Charlotte you win” smiling I replay.

“Yaay!” Rachael cheers 

 

Her bubbly personality is able to cheer me up enough despite the hopeless task I'm about to do. Everyone started training their skills a since the day we were summoned except me. As a summoner I first have to make a contract with a spirit before I can get my class skills and so far I have had no result for the longest time. 

 

Charlotte says I should succeed by the end of this one since she got a premonition about it. Since she summoned us and lost the hero summoning skill she got from the goddess. She has supposedly been getting a strange ‘feeling’ about events that are supposed to happen, but so far it has been small things that she is not always correct about. 

 

Our conversation ends right as we arrive at the destination, a gate resembling that from a medieval palace, the gate opens upon our arrival and I'm met with the same group of 6 I have seen for the past month, the princess sees us off as we venture into the forest. Everyone is quiet as I'm escorted through the forests. 

 

During the first few trips my guards were lively to help a hero out but having to do this every day with no results has killed their ideas about heroes, a rumor in the capital has started to spread about my Spirit contract failing. I’m worried that if I don't succeed soon, even I might lose the motivation to continue trying to make use of my class and just fight with my weapon arts. Even if I'll fall behind most people, it's better than being useless and then I can just get a new class at level 10. 

 

*sigh* another sigh escapes me while I think about the bleak future.

Arriving at the clearing the knight’s habitual go off to the side so as to not be in my way. 

Chanting the mantra that appears in my mind activates my skill [Spirit contract] and feeling my strength drain tells me the skill has taken the necessary mana, according to Dante we won't be able to truly feel mana before level 30.

 

 “Creatures of the spirit world, my fated companion I call for thine assistance, form a contract with me!.” shouting that embarrassing line has lost it touch and my Dismay far outweighs the shame. Only two more go for today huh, I think to myself.

 

Activating my skill again, something feels ‘off’ this time. Exhaustion hits me as my remaining mana is sucked out, but I have no time to focus on that, on the other side of the lake appears a small black fox. Excitement hits me, I have no time to think as I concentrate more on the skill now having a target. However to my surprise the fox rejects my contract, my heart breaks from that as I am now more lost than before. The chance finally appeared for me to succeed and I'm not going to lose it just from this. I start to prepare the skill again before I get a pop-up notification. 

 

[Would you like to accept the demon's contract? (Yes/No)]  

I’m surprised by the notification and sure enough looking at the fox I can see a magic circle similar to my own glowing in a purple light under the creature's feet, no doubt maintaining the contract I got sent. Normally seeing something like a demon’s contract I would think back to earth and the stories about demons,but after being sent to this world and learning about spirit in the library I can confirm that demons and just a shadow type of spirit a greater sprite no different from the light spirit of angles so after so hesitation I accept the contract. At the same time I don't know if this contract will work for my class so after accepting the demons contract I once again I send my back and to my joy it accepts. Running low on mana I start to lose consciousness, not before I get an onslaught of notification I'm barely able to process before passing out.

 

[“Hidden quest complete!”]

[“you and your partner have completed the absurd requirement of having two contracts while each contract changes who is dominant. In order to accommodate this duality, both contracts are cancelled while still keeping the agreement they are sublimed into the unique skill Link and the addition reward of one artifact is given”]