Chapter 1: The Summoning

The afternoon sun poured through the classroom windows, casting long golden streaks across the polished floor. The soft hum of the ceiling fan mixed with the occasional scratching of pens and low chatter of students pretending to study while waiting for the final bell.

At the very back of the room, beside the window, sat Ashton.

A sixteen-year-old with dark, slightly messy hair that often fell over his sharp eyes, he was the kind of person people noticed but rarely approached. He wasn’t unpopular, nor was he exactly invisible. He simply existed in his own quiet world, separate from everyone else.

The mysterious type.

He barely spoke unless necessary. Never joined group conversations. Never laughed loudly at jokes. Never volunteered answers even when teachers knew he had them.

To his classmates, Ashton was an enigma.

To Ashton, they were background noise.

With one hand lazily supporting his chin, he flipped through the pages of a book resting on his desk, his eyes scanning the colorful panels with calm focus. It was another fantasy story—one filled with overpowered protagonists, ancient magic, and world-shattering adventures.

The kind of fiction he often escaped into.

The irony wasn’t lost on him when he suddenly felt it.

A strange vibration.

At first, it was subtle. Barely enough to notice.

Then—

RUMBLE.

The entire classroom shook violently.

Desks rattled.

Books fell.

The fluorescent lights overhead flickered wildly.

“What the heck?!”

“Is it an earthquake?!”

Students screamed as panic erupted instantly. Chairs screeched against the floor as everyone scrambled to their feet.

The ground trembled harder.

Ashton slowly looked up from his book, his expression unchanged, though his sharp eyes narrowed slightly.

This wasn’t normal.

The shaking felt... unnatural.

Then he saw it.

A glowing symbol began spreading across the

classroom floor.

Lines of brilliant blue light carved themselves into existence, forming an enormous intricate circle covered in symbols no one could understand.

It stretched beyond their classroom.

Beyond the hallways.

Past the walls.

The entire school campus was engulfed in it.

“What is that?!”

“No way…”

“Is this some kind of prank?!”

The panic only worsened.

Some students cried.

Others stared in stunned fascination.

A few, strangely enough, looked excited.

“Wait… this looks exactly like those summoning circles in anime!”

“No freaking way—are we getting isekai’d?!”

“Bro, if this is real, I call being a sword master!”

Even amidst the chaos, Ashton remained seated.

His fingers slowly closed his book.

His heartbeat remained steady.

Though deep inside, a strange unease settled in his

chest.

The symbols glowed brighter.

The air grew heavy.

Almost suffocating.

Then a voice echoed—not through the room, but

directly into their minds.

“Talented souls of this realm… your gifts are required.”

The blue light erupted.

A blinding flash swallowed everything.

And then—

Silence.

When Ashton opened his eyes, the familiar classroom was gone.

In its place stood a massive circular chamber of white stone.

Towering pillars lined the walls, each engraved with glowing runes. Floating crystals illuminated the room with soft silver light, and at the center beneath their feet was another magic circle—far more complex than

the one at school.

The entire group of students had been transported there.

Gasps and cries filled the chamber.

“W-Where are we?!”

“This is insane!”

“Oh my god…”

Some students panicked immediately.

Others stared around in awe.

A few looked almost thrilled, their faces lighting up with excitement.

“Dude... this is real magic.”

“No way. No actual way.”

Ashton stood slowly, slipping his book into his bag as his eyes surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings.

His classmates were reacting exactly as expected.

Some were terrified.

Some fascinated.

Some oddly calm.

It wasn’t surprising.

After all, their generation had grown up consuming fantasy stories, anime, games, and novels about

magical worlds.

The concept of another world wasn’t foreign.

It was fantasy made real.

And because of that, many adapted far faster than they should have.

Standing before them on an elevated platform were figures dressed in elaborate robes.

At their center was a woman holding a crystal staff, her silver eyes observing the students carefully.

She stepped forward.

“Welcome,” she said, her voice clear and elegant.

“You have been summoned to the Kingdom of Elaris.”

A wave of whispers spread through the students.

The woman continued.

“You were chosen because each of you possesses extraordinary potential. Talent that this world

desperately needs.”

Her gaze swept across the crowd.

Then, for the briefest moment—

It stopped on Ashton.

And for the first time since arriving—

His calm expression shifted.

Just slightly.

Because in her eyes, he saw something unsettling.

Recognition.

As though she had been waiting specifically for him.

The moment Ashton met the woman’s gaze, his body froze.

An immense pressure suddenly pressed down on him.

It wasn’t physical—not something he could touch or see.

It was something far deeper.

A suffocating force that made his chest tighten and his instincts scream.

For the first time since arriving in this strange world, Ashton felt something he rarely ever did.

Unease.

His fingers curled slightly at his side as he stared back at the silver-eyed woman standing atop the platform.

She’s not ordinary.

That much was obvious.

But it wasn’t just her.

The robed figures surrounding her carried the same unnatural presence. Their very existence felt heavy, like standing too close to a storm you couldn’t yet see.

And somehow…

Ashton had the strange feeling they were observing him more closely than everyone else.

The silver-haired woman stepped forward gracefully.

Her long robes flowed behind her as she gave a slight

bow.

“I welcome all of you to the Kingdom of Elaris.”

Her calm voice echoed through the chamber.

“My name is Seraphine Valcrest. I am one of the senior instructors of the Arcane Academy.”

The students exchanged uneasy glances.

Another figure stepped beside her—a broad-shouldered man with short dark hair and a reassuring expression.

Unlike Seraphine’s cold and unreadable aura, his felt

steady and grounding.

“I’m Instructor Darius Thorn,” he said, raising a hand.

His voice was firm yet oddly comforting.

“I understand many of you are frightened and

confused. Please remain calm. We will explain everything.”

A few students visibly relaxed.

Others remained tense.

Ashton said nothing.

He simply watched.

Darius gestured, and glowing spheres of light floated into the air above them.

Images began forming inside them—maps, symbols, landscapes, creatures.

A magical presentation.

“This world is known as Elyndor,” Darius began.

“A realm where magic exists as naturally as air itself.”

Gasps spread through the students.

Even those who had already guessed this was another world couldn’t hide their amazement.

Darius continued.

“Magic in Elyndor is categorized into six primary branches.”

The floating images shifted.

Streams of water spiraled through the air.

Flames erupted.

Massive stone pillars rose.

Cyclones twisted violently.

“These are the four elemental affinities—Water, Earth, Fire, and Air.”

The images changed again.

A radiant golden light bloomed across the chamber.

“This is Light Magic.”

The brilliance was almost blinding.

“It is the rarest naturally occurring affinity and is considered a divine blessing. Those born with it are often believed to be chosen by the gods themselves.”

Whispers broke out immediately.

“Main character energy…”

“No way…”

Then the light vanished.

Darkness spread across the floating sphere.

A strange black mist twisted unnaturally, warping the air around it.

“And this,” Darius said, his expression growing serious,

“is Black Magic.”

The room became silent.

“It is often called useless.”

That earned confused looks.

“Why?” someone asked.

Seraphine answered this time.

“Because Black Magic is extraordinarily difficult to learn. Its principles are complex, unstable, and unlike any other branch of magic. Very few can even begin to

comprehend it.”

The black mist shifted unnervingly.

“Only one in a million possess an affinity for it.”

A low murmur spread.

Most students looked unimpressed.

After all, hearing “rare” meant little if it was labeled useless.

Ashton, however, narrowed his eyes.

For some reason, the black mist felt… familiar.

As though something deep within him stirred at its

presence.

The feeling unsettled him.

The magical display shifted again into a sprawling map of kingdoms.

At its center glowed a silver crest.

“The kingdom you stand in,” Darius explained, “is Elaris.”

The map highlighted a large territory surrounded by forests, mountains, and neighboring nations.

“Elaris is prosperous by common standards.”

Seraphine’s tone remained composed.

“But it is not the strongest kingdom.”

Several larger territories lit up around it.

“The neighboring kingdoms of Vaelcrest, Solmara, and Drakenholde surpass us in military might, magical advancement, and economic growth.”

The students exchanged looks.

“So basically…” one muttered.

“We got summoned to the weak kingdom?”

A few awkward laughs followed.

But Seraphine’s expression darkened.

“Elaris stands on the edge of collapse.”

Silence.

The map changed.

Dark red markers spread across Elaris’ borders.

“Three months ago, massive monster outbreaks began appearing throughout our territory.”

Images of grotesque creatures filled the floating spheres—towering beasts with twisted forms, glowing crimson eyes, and unnatural bodies.

Gasps erupted.

“The attacks devastated our defenses.”

Darius’ voice lowered.

“Our strongest warriors fell in battle.”

The image shifted to a grand castle draped in black banners.

“His Majesty, King Aldric Elaris, died leading the final defense of the capital’s outer walls.”

The room fell deathly still.

“And with him,” Seraphine added, “many of our greatest mages.”

The students’ excitement began fading.

The reality of their situation finally sank in.

This wasn’t some fantasy adventure.

This was desperation.

Seraphine’s silver eyes swept across them.

“With our kingdom weakened and our enemies watching, we had no choice.”

The giant summoning circle beneath their feet glowed faintly.

“So the royal mages performed an ancient forbidden ritual.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“We summoned talented individuals from another world.”

No one spoke.

No one laughed.

The weight of her words settled heavily upon them.

“You were chosen,” Darius said firmly, “because each of you possesses extraordinary potential.”

His expression softened.

“We do not expect immediate greatness from you. You will be trained at the Arcane Academy, where your abilities will be awakened and developed.”

Seraphine stepped forward.

“Your power may very well determine whether Elaris

survives.”

The chamber was silent.

Some students looked terrified.

Some inspired.

Some conflicted.

And Ashton—

He remained still.

But deep inside, that strange unease only intensified.

His eyes drifted toward the dark image of Black Magic

still floating faintly in the air.

And for reasons he could not understand…

It felt like it was calling to him.

Chapter 3: The Calling

There were thirty-one students in total.

Thirty-one ordinary teenagers ripped from their world and thrown into one ruled by magic.

The atmosphere inside the summoning chamber had grown heavier after Seraphine and Darius finished

explaining their situation.

At first, the students had been shocked.

Then fascinated.

Then came the inevitable question.

A boy near the front raised his trembling hand.

“How do we get back home?”

The chamber fell silent.

Darius’ expression tightened.

Seraphine lowered her gaze for a brief moment before speaking.

“We... do not know.”

The words hit harder than anyone expected.

“What?”

“What do you mean, you don’t know?!”

“You brought us here!”

Panic spread instantly.

Students began shouting over one another.

“This has to be a joke!”

“You can’t just kidnap us!”

“I have family back home!”

Darius raised his hands, trying to calm them.

“The summoning ritual used to bring you here is an ancient forbidden spell.”

His voice was grim.

“The royal mages who conducted it exhausted their life force to complete the process.”

Seraphine finished for him.

“They are dead.”

Silence.

The room seemed to freeze.

“Their bodies could not withstand the strain. There was nothing left to save.”

The truth crashed over the students like cold water.

Some stared blankly.

Others trembled.

A girl near the back started crying.

“No... no, I want to go home…”

Then a voice broke through the tension.

A boy leaning casually against one of the pillars

chuckled.

“Well, I know the best way.”

Several students turned toward him.

He wore a smug grin, arms crossed.

“In anime, whenever people get summoned to another world, they usually kill the person who summoned them to return home.”

A few nervous laughs escaped.

Others stared at him in disbelief.

“Dude, what the hell?”

“Seriously?”

Even Ashton, standing silently near the back, glanced toward him.

The joke was tasteless.

And the timing made it worse.

Seraphine’s silver eyes sharpened.

“That will not work.”

Her cold voice silenced the room instantly.

“The summoners are already dead.”

The smug boy’s grin faded.

Darius stepped forward quickly.

“We understand your fear.”

He looked across all thirty-one students.

“And we will do everything in our power to find a way to return you home.”

He hesitated.

“But we cannot promise success.”

Murmurs spread.

“For now,” Seraphine said, “the kingdom’s survival must come first. Once stability is restored, we will dedicate every available resource to researching a return method.”

It wasn’t the answer they wanted.

But it was the only one they had.

And deep down, everyone knew it.

Not long after, the students were escorted through marble hallways toward another chamber inside the academy.

This room was far smaller than the summoning hall.

At its center stood a crystal pedestal glowing with soft blue light.

Floating symbols orbited around it.

“This is the Resonance Chamber,” Darius explained.

“Here, your magical affinity will awaken.”

The tension in the group shifted immediately.

Fear was gradually replaced by anticipation.

After all—

This was the moment everyone had secretly been waiting for.

Magic.

Actual magic.

One by one, the students stepped forward and placed their hands on the crystal.

The results varied.

“Earth Magic. Two-Star.”

“Water Magic. One-Star.”

“Air Magic. Two-Star.”

Each awakening caused gasps, cheers, or disappointed groans.

Some students practically bounced with excitement after receiving their element.

Others looked visibly crushed.

“What?! One star?! That’s trash!”

“This sucks…”

Darius sighed.

“Be grateful.”

The room quieted.

“There are countless people in this world who are born without magical affinity.”

He looked at them seriously.

“To possess magic at all is a blessing.”

Seraphine nodded.

“Magic is difficult to master. Talent alone means little without discipline.”

A student raised his hand.

“What do the stars mean?”

Darius gestured toward the glowing crystal.

“Stars represent your innate magical capacity and potential mastery.”

A chart of ten glowing stars appeared in the air.

“One Star indicates basic affinity.”

“Five Stars marks exceptional talent.”

“Ten Stars…”

His expression grew solemn.

“…is mastery. The highest known level.”

The room buzzed with whispers.

“Has anyone ever reached ten?”

“Very few,” Seraphine answered.

“The strongest mages in history were capable of wielding multiple spells simultaneously and shaping entire battlefields alone.”

The students looked awestruck.

Another boy frowned.

“So we only get one element?”

Disappointment spread across several faces.

Many had clearly expected overpowered fantasy abilities.

Darius gave a small smile.

“This is reality, not fiction.”

A few awkward chuckles followed.

“However,” he added, “those with extraordinary talent may awaken dual affinities.”

That instantly reignited everyone’s excitement.

The testing continued.

Then—

“Milvore Crest.”

A quiet, composed boy stepped forward.

Milvore had always been one of the calmer students back on Earth.

Not exactly mysterious like Ashton, but reserved.

He placed his hand on the crystal.

It erupted in blazing scarlet light.

“Fire Magic.”

Three bright stars appeared overhead.

The chamber gasped.

“Three-Star Fire Affinity.”

Murmurs spread instantly.

“That’s strong…”

“No way…”

Even Seraphine looked impressed.

Milvore simply nodded and stepped back, his expression unreadable.

Then came another name.

“Fiona Vale.”

The room shifted.

Several students exchanged glances.

Fiona was known back at school for being quiet, awkward, and often bullied.

Many considered her strange.

Some openly mocked her.

She hesitated before stepping forward.

Her trembling hand touched the crystal.

For a moment—

Nothing happened.

Then a burst of radiant golden light exploded through the chamber.

Brighter than anything before it.

The room froze.

“Light Magic.”

Though only one star appeared—

It was enough.

Gasps filled the chamber.

“No way…”

“She got Light Magic?!”

The jealousy was immediate.

Students who once ignored or mocked Fiona now

stared at her with disbelief.

Fiona herself looked stunned.

Seraphine’s eyes widened slightly.

Hope flickered across her usually emotionless face.

Light Magic.

Even weak, it was a miracle.

And incredibly valuable.

For the first time, Fiona stood taller.

The very students who once looked down on her now looked at her differently.

And she knew it.

Eventually, nearly everyone had been tested.

Excitement, envy, disappointment, and pride filled the room.

But amidst the chaos—

No one noticed Ashton quietly slipping away.

He moved through the academy halls unnoticed.

Something was calling him.

A faint whisper.

Soft.

Persistent.

Like a voice carried through the wind.

It had started the moment Fiona awakened.

And now it was stronger.

The sound drew him outside toward the academy

grounds.

Beyond the polished stone pathways.

Past the towering walls.

Toward the dark forest bordering the campus.

The deeper he walked, the thicker the mist became.

Ancient trees towered overhead, their twisted branches blotting out the moonlight.

Yet Ashton kept moving.

The whisper grew louder.

Clearer.

Calling his name.

Ashton…

He stopped.

His heartbeat quickened.

“Who are you?” he asked into the darkness.

No answer.

Only silence.

Then—

The mist ahead began to move.

It twisted unnaturally, parting to reveal a narrow path cloaked in shadow.

And from deep within that darkness—

A pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.

To be continued...