Yumi then opens up to me, telling me more about her hobbies and dreams. She dreamt to be a doctor, yet didn’t have the money and education needed to become one.
As the banquet continues, a few individuals then approach Yumi out of interest in her divine power. Meanwhile, even though I’m known for having no divine blessing, I also have a few people initiating conversations with me. They are primarily older, single ladies of high status, inviting me to work in their mansions as their attendants or butlers, promising me a luxury lifestyle without me having to do any actual labor work. And of course, I’m well aware of the reason why.
Regardless, I engaged them in conversation. I hoped to gather some useful information from them, but unfortunately, they all didn't know much about the things I wanted to learn, so none of the conversations were fruitful.
“Jack, I’ve decided,” Yumi suddenly comes to me, “I’m gonna go back. I will let the King know.”
“Oh? Are you really sure about that?”
“Yes,” Yumi nods. “Even after coming here, after finally having the chance to remake my life and start everything anew, I just cannot make myself do it. My father… he needs me. I have to be there for him. I have to find a way to save him. After all, if I cannot save my own father, then how can I possibly save the world?”
“Hmm, that really does make sense,” I nod, feeling impressed with the girl’s thought just now. “But life on Earth is going to be hard, you know?”
“Yes, I’m well aware of that. But after the conversation with you, I’ve already felt a lot better. I can do it. I will even aim for med school. So thank you very much, Jack.”
“You are welcome,” I reply with a smile. “But I didn’t really do anything…”
“You said that I’m amazing, and that alone is enough.”
Yumi gives a deep bow, a gesture of genuine gratitude and respect. There's a warmth to her that I've grown fond of in our short time together. With the resolve I see in her eyes now, I'm confident that she'll reach whatever goals she sets for herself back on Earth. That is, IF she makes it back to Earth. I now genuinely hope that the King isn’t actually a bastard like I previously thought, and that I’m just overanalyzing and overreacting to things.
As the banquet ends, Yumi comes to Seraphina and King Alaric about her decision. Hana, of course, wants to go back as well. The King agrees and promises to send them back right away.
However, when I say that I want to stay…
“I’m sorry, Jack, but you have to go back as well.”
“But Your Highness,” I now voice my opinion. “Didn’t you say that I can choose whether I should stay or not? I’m liking it here, I want to help you fight the Demon God. So why do I have to go back?”
Suddenly, when I say that, I hear laughter behind my back and some people are obviously mocking me with some sort of slurs.
“I’m so sorry,” the King sighs. “Without any divine blessings, you are not qualified to become a hero. We cannot provide you anything. To be honest, people without any magic in this world are treated badly, so I highly suggest you go back. It’s for your own good.”
“But what if I still want to stay?”
“Then you would be living a life of hardship, and potentially danger,” King Alaric answers. “You would be viewed as an outsider, and without a divine blessing, you wouldn’t have the means to protect yourself. This isn’t your world, Jack. Here, the world is dictated by power and magic, and those without it are vulnerable. I’m sorry to break this to you, but are you fine being a commoner? Are you fine being the member of the lowest class in our society?”
And with that, the laughter that I hear behind me starts becoming more and more clear.
The King seems to be expressing genuine worries for my well-being, but as I think more about it, something doesn’t add up. If I’m already the lowest of the low, then why should he worry about me like this? Could it be because the other summoned ones are present, and he doesn't want to risk upsetting them? That could be it. Additionally, there's an impatience in his demeanor, a restless energy that suggests he's eager to send me back, regardless of my feelings on the matter. The surrounding laughter and mockery only heighten my suspicions.
There’s no use disobeying the King just now, so with no other option, I give in to his demand.
“Then, when can we depart?” I inquire.
“These knights will escort you to the reverse summoning chamber,” the King answers, “so please go with them,”
On cue, two towering knights clad in gleaming armor step forth.
The King then gives his final speech to all the people in the banquet room, ending the event. We say goodbye to Hiroshi and Takumi. And then, as Seraphina takes the two boys away, me and Yumi and Hana go with the knights.
The two knights lead us down a deep, spiraling stair.
Something’s not right. Aren’t we supposed to go up? To the same room that we were summoned into?
When I ask the Knight, they just remain silent and not say anything.
However, even though they are trying so hard to hide, I can still clearly see the evil grin stretching on their faces.
Yumi then opens up to me, telling me more about her hobbies and dreams. She dreamt to be a doctor, yet didn’t have the money and education needed to become one.
As the banquet continues, a few individuals then approach Yumi out of interest in her divine power. Meanwhile, even though I’m known for having no divine blessing, I also have a few people initiating conversations with me. They are primarily older, single ladies of high status, inviting me to work in their mansions as their attendants or butlers, promising me a luxury lifestyle without me having to do any actual labor work. And of course, I’m well aware of the reason why.
Regardless, I engaged them in conversation. I hoped to gather some useful information from them, but unfortunately, they all didn't know much about the things I wanted to learn, so none of the conversations were fruitful.
“Jack, I’ve decided,” Yumi suddenly comes to me, “I’m gonna go back. I will let the King know.”
“Oh? Are you really sure about that?”
“Yes,” Yumi nods. “Even after coming here, after finally having the chance to remake my life and start everything anew, I just cannot make myself do it. My father… he needs me. I have to be there for him. I have to find a way to save him. After all, if I cannot save my own father, then how can I possibly save the world?”
“Hmm, that really does make sense,” I nod, feeling impressed with the girl’s thought just now. “But life on Earth is going to be hard, you know?”
“Yes, I’m well aware of that. But after the conversation with you, I’ve already felt a lot better. I can do it. I will even aim for med school. So thank you very much, Jack.”
“You are welcome,” I reply with a smile. “But I didn’t really do anything…”
“You said that I’m amazing, and that alone is enough.”
Yumi gives a deep bow, a gesture of genuine gratitude and respect. There's a warmth to her that I've grown fond of in our short time together. With the resolve I see in her eyes now, I'm confident that she'll reach whatever goals she sets for herself back on Earth. That is, IF she makes it back to Earth. I now genuinely hope that the King isn’t actually a bastard like I previously thought, and that I’m just overanalyzing and overreacting to things.
As the banquet ends, Yumi comes to Seraphina and King Alaric about her decision. Hana, of course, wants to go back as well. The King agrees and promises to send them back right away.
However, when I say that I want to stay…
“I’m sorry, Jack, but you have to go back as well.”
“But Your Highness,” I now voice my opinion. “Didn’t you say that I can choose whether I should stay or not? I’m liking it here, I want to help you fight the Demon God. So why do I have to go back?”
Suddenly, when I say that, I hear laughter behind my back and some people are obviously mocking me with some sort of slurs.
“I’m so sorry,” the King sighs. “Without any divine blessings, you are not qualified to become a hero. We cannot provide you anything. To be honest, people without any magic in this world are treated badly, so I highly suggest you go back. It’s for your own good.”
“But what if I still want to stay?”
“Then you would be living a life of hardship, and potentially danger,” King Alaric answers. “You would be viewed as an outsider, and without a divine blessing, you wouldn’t have the means to protect yourself. This isn’t your world, Jack. Here, the world is dictated by power and magic, and those without it are vulnerable. I’m sorry to break this to you, but are you fine being a commoner? Are you fine being the member of the lowest class in our society?”
And with that, the laughter that I hear behind me starts becoming more and more clear.
The King seems to be expressing genuine worries for my well-being, but as I think more about it, something doesn’t add up. If I’m already the lowest of the low, then why should he worry about me like this? Could it be because the other summoned ones are present, and he doesn't want to risk upsetting them? That could be it. Additionally, there's an impatience in his demeanor, a restless energy that suggests he's eager to send me back, regardless of my feelings on the matter. The surrounding laughter and mockery only heighten my suspicions.
There’s no use disobeying the King just now, so with no other option, I give in to his demand.
“Then, when can we depart?” I inquire.
“These knights will escort you to the reverse summoning chamber,” the King answers, “so please go with them,”
On cue, two towering knights clad in gleaming armor step forth.
The King then gives his final speech to all the people in the banquet room, ending the event. We say goodbye to Hiroshi and Takumi. And then, as Seraphina takes the two boys away, me and Yumi and Hana go with the knights.
The two knights lead us down a deep, spiraling stair.
Something’s not right. Aren’t we supposed to go up? To the same room that we were summoned into?
When I ask the Knight, they just remain silent and not say anything.
However, even though they are trying so hard to hide, I can still clearly see the evil grin stretching on their faces.
