"It worked!" the man yelled before I crashed onto the stone floor. I won't lie, it hurt. A lot. It was like I'd been dropped from a height and then pressed down on top of it. I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes, but didn't scream. I just lay there, feeling the cold stone suck away my body heat, the pounding still echoing in my chest. Although it's a bit pleasant when the cold penetrates your body. Especially when you're going to sleep.

  "Are you okay?" came an adult voice directly above me, calm but with a hint of alarm. I slowly raised my head, my neck muscles aching with tension. Everything around me looked pale, faded, like an old photograph. The walls were gray, the stone beneath my palms was cold and smooth. I couldn't even really see who was standing in front of me. Just a tall silhouette, dark, motionless. The voice was unfamiliar. Deep, confident, but definitely not familiar. I hope it's not some thief...

  Wait... I only just realized I was in a place unfamiliar to me. High stone vaults, the dim light of torches somewhere in the distance, the smell of old stone and smoke. How did this happen? I was on the bus with my classmates! How did I end up here?!

  I tried to remember what had happened before. But as soon as I started digging through my memories, my head exploded with a sharp pain, as if someone had stabbed me right in the temple. Instinctively, I grabbed the back of my head, pressing my palm against it, my fingers trembling, my temples throbbing. It's not much use, I know, but it's either a reflex or a habit I have to do when I have a headache.

  "What's wrong? Are you in pain?" the man asked again, closer this time. He crouched down, and his face finally became visible.

  My vision returned abruptly, as if someone had flicked a switch. Brown pupils, alert but not angry. His dark hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, his beard neat and medium-length—not groomed, but not unkempt either. His clothes were strange. Something between a coat and a jacket, dark fabric with metal inserts on the shoulders, belts, buckles, and high boots. It looked old but sturdy, as if it had been worn for years. He was taller than me, and probably taller than Kichirou-kun. Broad shoulders, calm posture, but there was something in his eyes... not quite human? Or just very tired?

  I remained silent, still clutching my head. The pain was slowly receding, but my temples were still pounding. He waited and didn't rush me. He simply crouched next to me and watched, as if he were used to such situations.

  "Speaking of Kichirou-kun, Tadashi-kun. Where are they? And where is everyone else?" I finally asked, looking around at the stone walls, the torches, the silence. Of course, I should check myself for wounds first, but I was alive, so I was worried about these two.

  "Tsukuyomi: Mister, do you know where my friends are?" The man answered quickly, calmly, as if he was asked such questions every day.

  "Xerxes: I don't know who you're talking about, but if you're talking about the people who arrived with you, they're still asleep. You're the first one to wake up. By the way, it's commendable that you're worried about them first." "Um, thank you? Right."

  That calmed me down a bit. But I still didn't know where I was, and that really irritated me! Plus, I can't see them, so I can't trust his words.

  — Tsukuyomi (already standing, rubbing the back of his head, his legs shaking slightly): And where are they right now?

  — Xerxes: They're behind you. I'm still surprised they're still asleep even after they fell to the floor. I'd explain to you what's going on here, but I think it's best to wait until your friends wake up. By the way, what's your name, young man?

  — Tsukuyomi (promptly, his voice a little firmer): My name is Tsukuyomi Raiden, mister. He smiled warmly at this, but with a hint of irony in his eyes.

  — Xerxes: Your name is certainly strange, forgive the old man.

  — A good start to an acquaintance, don't you think?

  — And my name is Xerxes, King of the Land of Landjetsa. "Who has a weird name now?... Wait. Did he say 'king'?"

  — Tsukuyomi (immediately bowing, his back tensed): Nice to meet you, Your Majesty! "A king, indeed. Now I'm absolutely certain we're in the Middle Ages... It scares me a little that I so calmly accepted that we're in the Middle Ages."

  — Xerxes (gently, raising his hand for me to straighten): Less formally, please. And you don't have to bow to me.

  I slowly straightened, feeling my cheeks burn with awkwardness. He stood calmly, arms crossed, looking at me with a slight smile, as if accustomed to such reactions. And behind him, on the stone floor, lay the bodies of my friends. Kichirou-kun, Tadashi-kun, and the others. They were breathing evenly, but not moving. Still asleep. As if nothing had happened.

  I remained silent. Too many questions swirled around in my head, but none of them wanted to come out. Only one thing was clear: this was no longer our world. And this was only the beginning. While I waited for them to wake up, I'd rather reflect on how I got here.

  "A FEW MINUTES"

  Everyone woke up one by one while I waited for them in a separate room. It was stone, with high vaults and the dim light of torches on the walls. At first, there were quiet groans, then questions—"Where am I?", "How did we get here?", "What's going on?" The voices were confused, sleepy, sometimes panicked. I had been sent here temporarily to avoid the crowd in the main hall, and after a while, the door opened. Two more people, who had just woken up, were sent to me. They were my friends. It was strange that these two of them had come to me.

  First, Kichirou-kun ran in. His eyes were wide, his hair disheveled, and he immediately rushed toward me, almost knocking me over. Tadashi-kun followed him, more slowly, but with the same expression on his face. A mixture of fear and disbelief.

  — Kichiro (grabbing me by the shoulders, shaking): Tsukuyomi-kun! This is a prank, right? Tell me it's a prank! We're not dead, right?!

  — Tadashi (standing slightly behind, arms crossed, but his voice trembling): If this is a joke, it's a very bad one. Where are we? And why is everything so... strange?

  They both looked at me, waiting for an answer. What can I say? This is a perfectly normal reaction for a person. You wouldn't believe someone who told you, "Magic exists, and I used it to transport you here," right? I wouldn't believe it myself. I reassured them, my voice quiet but firm, trying not to show how I was still shaking inside.

  — Tsukuyomi: This isn't a prank. King Xerxes will explain everything later, when everyone wakes up. Just... wait. Everything will be fine. — But who are they if not my friends?

  — Kichiro (shouting in my ear, grabbing my throat and shaking me harder): I'm too young to die! — I died and was reborn into this world, and this idiot wants to send me to the next world a second time! Man, that's too much!

  I grabbed one of his hands and squeezed hard, but not painfully, so he'd let go of my throat. I think it worked! A soft groan escaped his lips, his face twisted, and he was clearly uncomfortable. I relaxed my grip, and he immediately pulled his hands away, took a step back, and looked at his palm, rubbing it on his pants as if it had been burned.

  — Kichiro (piteously, rubbing his hand): Why are you doing this to me? It hurts! He looked at me with a sad expression, his eyes wide, his lips pursed. Are you serious?

  — Tsukuyomi (clutching his throat, voice hoarse): It's your own fault, you shouldn't have grabbed me by the throat!

  — Kichiro (indignant): It wasn't intentional, it was instinct!

  air smelled of old stone, wax, and something metallic. At the far end stood something resembling a throne. Massive, made of dark wood and stone, with carved armrests and steps on either side. Long shelves flanked the throne, filled with books and thick leather-bound tomes, some with clasps darkened by time, others with gold embossed spines. Everything looked majestic, but a little dusty and abandoned, as if no one had entered here in a long time.

  "I request your attention, heroes from another world. My name is Xerxes, King of the Land of Landjetse." The king's voice was deep, but it trembled, albeit barely noticeably, but I heard it. He stood before the throne, his hands clenched into fists at his waist, his shoulders tense. He wore a heavy, dark red robe with gold embroidery, a simple but massive crown. His eyes were tired but determined.

  "We were doing well, until the Demon Lord appeared. As soon as he appeared, monsters and his minions began roaming the land, destroying our settlements. People are suffering from them and cannot live in peace. Settlement after settlement, city after city... We tried to do something, but it was all in vain. Please save our kingdom from the hands of the demon!" "No, this is just nonsense. There's nothing new here, since the antagonist is the Demon Lord again. It's a cliché, not isekai." He said this with the utmost seriousness. His voice broke on the last word, and his hands trembled more intensely. I saw the fear in his eyes. Not just the fear of death, but the fear of losing everything he had. I increasingly feel like I'm in some manga. It usually starts like that, and that's what worries me most. Out of habit, I placed my hands on my chest, trying to calm myself, and I just wanted to process everything that had happened in the last few hours. The explosion, the darkness, this hall—as the king continued his speech.

  "Right now, you're weak against him because you don't yet know your stats and are inexperienced—Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean, stats? Are you sure I'm not in some anime with a system?"

  "And for that, all you need to do is touch the magic ball, which will be brought here right now!"

  As soon as he raised his hand and pointed to the center of the hall, there was a momentary shimmer, and a colorful ball appeared, hovering above a stone pedestal. It was the size of a soccer ball, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. Blue, green, purple, and gold colors slowly shifted within, colliding with each other and creating new hues. The light from the orb was soft yet bright. It illuminated everyone's faces, casting multicolored reflections on the walls.

  I don't mean to be rude or anything, but it looked... not very pretty. I expected more. Like flashes, lightning, special effects, like in anime. But here it was just a orb that appeared out of nowhere and now hung there, shimmering like a cheap nightlight. Ah, well, what we have is what we have.

  — Kichiro (stone-faced, looking at the orb): What is that ???

  Why were you even making that face? Hmm, it seems he was just as disappointed by the special effects of the orb's appearance as I was. Tadashi-kun, however, looked at the orb in surprise, his eyes widened slightly, his mouth slightly open. Or maybe he was just in shock or something. He doesn't watch anime or anything, after all. Sometimes I'm surprised he's Japanese and doesn't watch anime. I think he secretly watches anime without us, but I can't prove it.

  "Come on, check your stats!" the king said calmly.

  I hope I get some useful ability, like in anime—like "500% EXP," "Skill Copying," "Infinite Mana," and so on. After all, abilities like that are usually only gained by outcasts in their own world, if I'm not mistaken... I just insulted myself, didn't I? Oh well, time to begin.

  Our class representative, Masanori-kun, was the first to come out. And why am I not surprised? -_-. He approached the magic sphere without hesitation. His step was confident, his shoulders squared, and then he placed his hand on it. A second later, the sphere began to glow even more intensely, and the colors inside swirled like a rainbow after rain. Suddenly, a flat screen appeared in front of him, blue in color, translucent, hanging in the air. There were some writing on it, but due to the distance between us, I couldn't see what it said. Besides, Masanori was standing with his back to me, his broad back blocking my view.

  — Tsuyoshi (rudely, stepping forward): What's that you wrote there? Maybe you could show it to us? He looked rather aggressive. His brows were furrowed, his lips twisted into a smirk. Why can't you just shut up for at least one day?

  — Masanori (turning to us, confused): Huh? Oh, sorry, guys, I was just lost in my thoughts. It's just a little... hm... unusual?

  He turned to face us, the blue screen now hanging below his neck like a hologram. There were some inscriptions there, and of course I wanted to read them and find out Masanori-kun's stats. But the words were mirrored to us, the letters reflected backwards. It's a good thing my class likes to ask questions and inquire about things.

  At first, I thought the first person to ask him to read the stats screen would be one of my friends, or our bully Tsuyoshi, or at least one of Tsuyoshi's lackeys. Three shots, and three bullets missed their target.

  Shimuzu-san, the most modest and shy girl in our class, raised her hand. If our school had a competition for the most modest girl (which I highly doubt), she would definitely take first place easily. She stood a little to the side, nervously fiddling with the hem of her skirt, her eyes downcast, her voice quiet:

  — Shimuzu: Ryota-san... c-can you tell me what it says? W-we don't really understand what it says. — It was the first time I'd heard her talk so much.

  — Masanori (smiling softly): Okay, as you say.

  He turned the screen toward us, and now the writing was legible. I strained my eyes and began to read... and you know what? I didn't even understand what it said :/

  Name: Masanori Ryota

  Gender: Male

  Race: Human

  Height: 183.2 cm

  Weight: 72 kg

  Age: 17

  Level: 1

  Class Type: Tank, Support

  Weapon: Shield and Hammer - Rank E

  (A heavy two-handed hammer with a massive striking part and a large rectangular shield with a reinforced edge. The weapon is simple, without magical effects, but reliable and durable - ideal for a novice tank.)

  Skills:

  - Guardian Angel - Rank F

  Upon receiving fatal damage, a temporary shield is automatically activated, completely absorbing all incoming damage for 1 minute.

  Warning: This skill requires a huge amount of mana, as well as serious mental and physical preparation. Repeated use may result in exhaustion or even loss of consciousness.

  Equipment:

  - Regular Clothes — Rank F

  Simple, everyday clothing with no bonuses, effects, or protection. Only basic fabric, comfortable for movement.

  Stats:

  - Leadership — C

  (Ability to inspire and unite people around him, make decisions in critical situations, and be a role model for others.)

  - Justice — B

  (High sense of justice, willingness to protect the weak, intolerant of betrayal and meanness.)

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  - Hard Work — B

  (Ready to work on himself and the situation to the last, never giving up even in the most difficult circumstances.)

  "That's all, I'm done," Masanori-kun said, walking away from the magic ball and rubbing the back of his head with an awkward smile.

  Everyone immediately started cheering. Some clapped, others whistled. The applause was loud, sincere, but a little exaggerated, as if everyone was trying to show how happy they were for him. Masanori-kun stood in the middle of the hall, his cheeks red, his eyes downcast, his hands nervously fiddling with the hem of his shirt. He was clearly embarrassed by all the attention, even taking a step back, trying to hide behind the nearest pillar, but the crowd wouldn't let him.

  Don't think I dislike him. I'm happy for him, I really am. But not so much that I'm clapping for him as if he just won the Olympics. We'll all get our powers soon, so there's no point. But I'd like to explain this to the people who are now glaring at me. And all this because I didn't clap for him? Seriously?

  I felt those stares on my back—sharp, judgmental, like needles. Someone even whispered loudly, "How cold he is." I simply stood there, arms crossed, looking at Masanori-kun with a slight smile, no applause, no shouts. Just looking. I think that's enough, right?

  I was more interested in his class type and the way the skill worked. Tank and support. A pretty strong combination, and probably weak at the same time. I've encountered tanks many times in different games, and they all had one huge similarity: HP. All tanks had a lot of health and physical resistance, which gave them an advantage against multiple enemies. But at the same time, their damage, let's say, was significantly lower. And then they added a support class, which usually deals minimal or no damage. But I think this drawback can be offset by health regeneration and maybe even mana, which is quite good. Ha, he was lucky, because he got two classes. It's like the game gave him both a tank and a healing branch. Rare, but very useful in a team.

  Okay, let's move on to his skill. I have a question: do I have to activate it myself or will it work passively? Hmm... now another person will touch the orb, it's better not to think about it and lean toward the latter. It's pretty hard to know which attack will be fatal for you, and there's a chance you won't even have time to react, in my opinion. If the skill is passive, it's a lifesaver, but if it's active, it's a gamble.

  Tsuyoshi approached the orb next. I think I can forget about it now. Usually, people with such hot tempers get the most powerful abilities in this world. I'm even a little jealous :/

  I see the light flickering again, and the orb glows, but this time it's dimmer than Masanori-kun's. The light flickered, flickering faintly, like a bulb on its last legs, and lasted less time than expected. A blue window appeared before Tsuyoshi. He laughed contentedly at first, even loudly and confidently, as if he already knew something epic was about to happen. But the laughter stopped almost immediately as soon as he glanced at the screen. The whole class stood in the silence that fell over the room, as if someone had turned off the sound. Everyone waited for his reaction. Some even held their breath. Don't ask who did it.

  Even though I can't read other people's minds, I had a rough idea of what was going through their minds. Like, "He's probably going to start bragging about his ability now." But every coin has its other side. There are people in our class who follow him step by step. Even though I don't interact with them, I've occasionally overheard them calling him "Boss." From this, one could understand the authority he wielded at school. Thank goodness his authority didn't reach Masanori-kun. It's scary to imagine what would have happened if that had happened.

  — Tsuyoshi (a sharp clicking of the tongue was heard): Shh! — Huh? Did he just click, or did I just hear him?

  Tsuyoshi turned toward us slowly, his head down. His fist clenched so hard his knuckles turned white, the veins on his forearm bulging. He said nothing and simply walked past us toward his friends/subordinates, silently. Hmm, I seem to remember telling myself I envied him? For some reason, I want to erase him from my memory.

  —Boss, is there something I can do for you? — His friends/subordinates immediately gathered around him, forming a tight circle. They were asking how he was doing, trying to cheer him up.

  — Tsuyoshi (sharply, voice hoarse with anger): Can you shut up for a minute? My head is splitting because of you! — Did Tsuyoshi just say he had a headache?

  — Tadashi (with a slight smirk, nudging me with his elbow): Whoa, who's looking so happy? :)

  — Kichiro (squinting, leaning towards me): Ho, really, why are you so happy? — What? A happy face? Heh, well, I didn't even notice that.

  I think I'm starting to feel happy that Tsuyoshi isn't well and is suffering... What is this wonderful feeling? While I was floating in the clouds, I had that same '~' smile on my face. Hmm, I definitely have trouble with smiling. — Tadashi (whispering, leaning towards me): Um, maybe I should punch him, in case Tsuyoshi notices? Well, his smile.

  — Kichiro (enthusiastically): Ho, you're right, you idiot!

  — Tadashi (indignantly): What did ^w^ say?

  — Kichiro (giggling): Come on, just give him a good punch, that's easy enough.

  — Tadashi (indignantly): So why should I be the one to punch him? He'll just hit me later!

  — Kichiro (sighing theatrically): That was your idea, idiot! Oh my god, with my right hand, okay, okay, I'll do it myself.

  Kichiro raised his right hand, preparing to hit me right on the head. He swung slowly, for dramatic effect, and with Tadashi-kun nodding... he hits me on the back of the head. Not hard, but loud enough to smack my head with a loud "pak!" I jerked forward, nearly falling, and clutched the back of my head.

  "Ow, ow-ow-ow, what just happened?" I suddenly came down to earth, wincing from the sudden pain in the back of my head.

  I guess I should have stopped imagining Tsuyoshi's pain in my head. But why did my head hurt so much? I grabbed it out of habit, my fingers pressing against the impact site, lightly stroking the painful spot, hoping to ease the throbbing a little. The pain was dull but persistent, as if someone had jabbed a red-hot needle into my temple. So, who did it, pray tell?

  The answer didn't take long to come. A hand appeared in front of me and began snapping its fingers right under my nose, quickly and insistently: snap-snap-snap. Can you guess whose hand this is?

  — Kichiro (loudly, feigning alarm): Do you hear me? The earth calls for Tsukuyomi-kun! I repeat, the earth calls for Tsukuyomi-kun! — Haa, I'm not surprised... Not surprised by your stupidity.

  I rose to my full height instantly, feeling my back creak with tension, and turned to face him. His gaze was heavy, his brows furrowed.

  — Tsukuyomi (voice low, irritated): What's your excuse for today? And tell me why you hit me!

  — Kichiro (smiling innocently, spreading his arms): Oh, I have no excuses, I just wanted to punch you for fun ^W^ – Let's skip the S-rank sarcasm, okay?

  — Kichiro (more seriously, but still smirking): Well, seriously, you were just smiling when Tsuyoshi is in a bad mood right now. You know what will happen if he finds out you were smiling because something terrible happened to him? You don't want trouble, right?

  Well, he makes sense, so I'm partly grateful to him. But that doesn't change the fact that he has the right to hit me with all his might!

  — Tsukuyomi (sighing, rubbing the back of his head): Well, who's next?

  Oh well, let's quickly get our stat windows and get out of here. I don't want to linger here for long. — Homma (raising his hand, his eyes shining with anticipation): Oh, can I have some? I want to see my skills too!

  Homma? Oh, I have a feeling this won't end well. Why? He's just so lucky. Every time our class got into trouble, which I also got into due to inaction, he always got out of it unscathed.

  Before you start saying there's nothing wrong with his luck, I'll break it to you: he REALLY loves to brag about his good fortune. I can't remember a single day he didn't brag about it... well, there is one. When he didn't come to school.

  — Masanori (smiling softly, pointing to the ball): Of course. As you can see, the spot is empty. The orb still hovered above the pedestal, shimmering with dull colors, as if waiting for another person to touch it and grant it power.

  — Homma (approaching the orb with a broad smile, his voice full of anticipation): I'm so lucky no one's here! — Oh, how lucky! Maybe you'll finally come to the orb?

  Homma stood in front of the orb, extended his hand, his fingers trembling with excitement, and touched it. The orb immediately began to sparkle with a variety of colors, brighter than any before, swirling like a cheap kaleidoscope. It made me want to puke. Why did they choose this one of all the effects? The light hurts my eyes! Oh well, let's skip that part, because who am I to tell them what to do and what special effects to choose, right? Even if it looks terrible!

  The lights went out again, and a blue window appeared before Homma. It flashed suddenly, as if someone had turned on a monitor in the dark—translucent, with crisp white letters and small icons of his stats. Homma began quickly reading his stats, his eyes darting from left to right, his lips moving silently. He didn't even turn to look at us.

  "Seriously?" he said out loud. Wait, was he really unlucky with his status? Come on, I don't believe it. That little guy wouldn't have any luck? What nonsense. I'd rather believe that our first opponent will be a dragon than that Homma has no luck. He's been lucky since birth—he's always won the lottery, found money on the street, and got out of any trouble with a smile. If even he has something bad, it means the world has truly gone crazy.

  "Look what I got, guys!"

  Name: Homma Nobu

  Gender: Male

  Race: Human

  Height: 179.4 cm

  Weight: 64 kg

  Age: 17

  Level: 1

  Class Type: Archer

  Weapon: Bow - F

  (A simple wooden longbow with basic arrows. Nothing magical, but accurate and reliable for a beginner—perfect for long-range attacks from cover.)

  Skills:

  Nature's Embrace - Rank E

  When an arrow hits an enemy, they are instantly wrapped in tree roots from the ground, locking them in place and preventing escape. Duration: 5 minutes.

  Warning: If your opponent is higher in level than you, they will be able to avoid the roots or escape early!

  Equipment: Regular Clothes - F

  Simple everyday clothes with no bonuses, effects, or defenses. Just basic fabric, comfortable for movement.

  Stats:

  - Luck — E

  (Sometimes wins life's lottery—arrows hit their target purely by chance.)

  - Confidence — E

  (Believes in herself even when she shouldn't, throwing arrows with her eyes closed and sometimes getting it right.)

  - Laziness — D

  (Prefers to shoot from afar to avoid running. "Why strain yourself when you can just shoot?")

  You've got to be kidding me. Why does he even have "Luck" in his stats? Don't tell me he'll level up purely because of luck. But with the other two, it's a triple combo! I can't believe his luck will work in this world. On the one hand, I'm jealous, so jealous it's making my teeth clench. But on the other hand, I understand what happens to people like that.

  — Homma (with delight): I was so lucky, I got what I asked for! — Ah, so he even asked for this type of class. That's a complete... (No, no, no, that's not allowed.)

  ***

  Time seemed to speed up for me. Everything around me became blurry, people approached the orb one by one, touched it, the orb flashed, a blue window appeared, some were happy, some frowned, some were silent. Upset faces gave way to happy ones, and happy ones to upset ones again. I no longer counted how many times someone clapped, how many times someone sighed. Everything merged into one endless noise. Voices, footsteps, the crackling of torches, the pounding of hearts in my head.

  I don't know if it's day or night. How much time has passed since we arrived in this world. Or maybe time flows differently here, and I don't even notice. My head was pounding, my eyes ached from the constant light of the orb, my throat was dry. My whole body felt like lead, and fatigue fell upon me suddenly, as if someone had turned off the light inside me.

  —Kichiro: Hey, Tsukuyomi-kun, what are you doing, flying in the clouds again!? Come on!

  A soft slap on the back of the head, not painfully but loudly, brought me out of my thoughts. I blinked, rubbed the back of my head, and slowly turned my head. What's the excuse this time?

  Kichiro-kun stood before me, his hand still raised, his eyes shining with impatience, his lips curled into a smirk. He muttered something under his breath, and I heard it clearly.

  — Kichiro (whispering, but loud enough): Maybe I should have hit him instead of slapping him? — I'll definitely remember that. But not now.

  — Tsukuyomi (voice tired but firm): Tell me, why did you slap me?

  — Kichiro (blinking innocently): Slap? Oh, right! Slap! — Can I hit you?* — I did it to bring you back to your senses! — Even a fool could understand that.

  — Tsukuyomi (narrowing his eyes): Can you be more specific?

  — Kichiro (sighing theatrically, but with a smile): Or, more specifically, it's your turn to go to the ball.

  — Tsukuyomi (quietly but firmly): Let the others go. I'll be the last one out.

  I didn't want to go out right now. I really didn't. I didn't want my classmates to watch me receive my power. They'd look at me with hostility, like I'm the class outcast. There are some people who don't think that way, but they're few. Very few. I didn't want to feel their sharp, curious, judgmental gazes. My shoulders tensed, and the knot in my stomach returned. Why is it that when I'm nervous, my heart feels like it's going to jump out of my mouth?

  — Kichiro (snapping his finger and pointing to the center of the room, to the ball): Your wish is my command. Come out!

  — Tsukuyomi (frozen): ...What?

  — Kichiro (smirking, crossing his arms): There's no one here except you and me. And I've already received my power, so you're the only one left!

  I scanned the hall slowly, turning my head left and right. Indeed, there was no one here. Not even the king was visible, only the empty steps of the throne, the shelves filled with books. Everyone else... had disappeared. Or left. Or been taken away. The hall seemed vast and empty, as if the three of us were alone in the center of the world.

  I asked my friend where everyone else was. He laughingly told me they were all behind the door, waiting for us to return, then quickly left the hall, almost running, as if he were late for something extremely important. He answered my questions quite quickly, which was both strange and alarming. It was as if he was in a hurry, a very, very hurry. Only if not... #-г?л(4ю(&к#+&и0__?б?4…… Haaaah, Tsukuyomi, pull yourself together. Now is not the time for this. Don't strain your brain with these things. Just breathe. Breathe and move on.

  Taking one step towards the ball, I unconsciously stepped forward with my other foot, and then with the first, and then with the second again. My legs moved on their own, as if someone was pulling strings. I don't know what's happening, but I felt strange. As if some person was controlling my body, attaching their strings to me. And I, like their puppet, moved only at their command.

  So I came almost right up to the ball. I only had to touch it and I would receive the power that could only be dreamed of and imagined in our world. I slowly raised my hand, and it twitched without stopping, my fingers trembling, as if They wanted to break away and run away. Even though I knew what would happen if I touched him, I still couldn't shake the feeling of fear. My palm was sweaty, and there was a lump in my throat. What if I gain a useless skill? What will happen to me then? What if the people of this world consider me useless and senseless trash who will only waste their precious resources? I've seen how people look at people like that with pity, with contempt, with cold indifference. I don't want to be like that. I don't want to... Although in part it's true,and I am one, but that's not the point!

  I stood there for a minute. A whole minute, pondering possible futures. The most terrifying scenarios swirled in my head: how I'd be kicked out, how I'd be used as bait, how I'd simply be forgotten. But here's the problem: I can't predict the future. No one can. Snorting briefly, angrily, almost with hatred at my own weakness, I finally decided to touch it.

  (Finally.)

  — Tsukuyomi (gritting his teeth): Well, you only live once!

  Putting my hand to the orb, I felt a fierce chill run across my skin. Sharp, burning, as if my palm had been dipped in liquid nitrogen. The light flashed so quickly that I didn't have time to react, and a blinding white beam struck me straight in the eyes. I hope I don't go blind just because of this. I closed my eyes instinctively, but even through my eyelids I could see the light. Bright, piercing, as if someone had shone a spotlight directly on my face. I hope this ends soon.

  As if reading my thoughts, the orb stopped glowing abruptly, as if someone had turned off a lamp. The cold instantly receded, as if it had been cut with a knife, leaving my hand, my body, leaving only a slight tingling and numbness in my fingers. Opening my eyes slowly, blinking away tears that had welled up from the bright light, I looked at the stats screen that had just appeared.

  Name: Tsukuyomi Raiden

  Gender: Male

  Race: Human

  Height: 172.6 cm

  Weight: 61 kg

  Age: 17

  Level: 1

  Class Type: Assassin

  Weapon: Katana - +F

  (A wooden training katana with no magical properties, but a smooth, even blade. Lightweight and fast, it's ideal for continuous attacks, but requires good technique and stamina to maintain control during long combos.)

  Skills:

  Fangs - Deliver multiple continuous strikes that fly straight toward the target like a wave of blades.

  Attack range: 25 meters.

  Warning: After each subsequent attack, the katana becomes heavier, and attack speed is significantly reduced!

  Equipment: Regular Clothes - F

  Simple, everyday clothing with no bonuses, effects, or protection. Just basic fabric, comfortable for movement.

  Stats:

  - Seriousness - +D

  (Takes matters very seriously, especially when it comes to life and death. In combat, he's focused and cold, almost frightening.)

  - Calm - D

  (Keeps his cool even in chaos, but can boil over under intense emotional pressure.)

  - Honesty - +D

  (Speaks the truth even when it's best to remain silent. Doesn't lie to friends or hide his weaknesses, but sometimes comes across as too harsh because of this.)

  Okay, I'll probably read it some other time. The others are already waiting for me... or maybe just a few.

  I closed the stats window with a simple wave of my hand in front of my face, and the blue screen obediently vanished into thin air, as if it had never been there. My heart was still pounding, but now not from fear, but from some strange relief.

  Approaching the door, I took the cold, metallic handle, slightly rough under my fingers, and froze for a second. My heart pounded in my ears. Then I exhaled sharply, almost whistling, and opened the door.

  My friends greeted me. They were standing just inside the threshold. Kichirou-kun leaned his shoulder against the wall, Tadashi-kun crossed his arms and looked at the ceiling, as if he'd long since gotten tired of everything.

  — Tadashi (sharply, irritated): What took you so long!?

  — Kichirou (theatrically spreading his arms): I've been waiting for you five, no, a thousand years! "Those two still haven't... Maybe... it's for the best?" Their loud, familiar, and irritating voices suddenly seemed like the most normal thing I'd heard in hours. I even felt the corners of my lips twitch upward. I have no idea whether they're having a good or bad effect on me.

  — Tsukuyomi (with a slight grin, looking up at them): I was just wondering what kind of power I'd be dealt. So I tried to predict my future.

  — Tadashi (crossing his arms over his chest, feigning respect): Wow, I didn't think you were a seer (someone who predicts the future). I thought you were just an introvert." Kichirou-kun and I looked at Tadashi like he was a complete idiot who couldn't take a joke. Who's going to tell him first?

  — ??? (a calm, even voice from the hallway): If you've all received your abilities and there's no one left in the magic hall, then please follow me, young heroes. – And who's this?

  He was about 180 cm tall. He was dressed modestly: a white shirt inside, a black suit on top, formal and perfectly pressed, without a single crease. His trousers and shoes were the same color. Black, shiny, as if fresh from the box. But his face… I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in this world had a handsome face. Clear cheekbones, a straight nose, calm dark eyes, the classic "courtly handsome man" of fantasy. I nudged my friend slightly to see who this man we were following was. When he noticed me, I glanced at the man walking ahead of us. — Kichiro (whispering, leaning towards me): Don't you know Kumagaya-san? — I didn't mean him, idiot!

  — Tsukuyomi (even more quietly): I asked about the guy we're following.

  — Kichiro (finally realizing who he was talking about): I don't know his name, but Xerxes told us to follow him. He says he'll take us to our rooms. — I see. So he's one of those characters who doesn't have a name, or something?

  While walking down the hallway, I finally spotted the windows. They were quite tall, narrow, with thick glass in metal frames. Looking through, I saw the lights of the city. In each house, tiny, barely noticeable lights were burning, yellow, or orange, sometimes red. Individually, they seemed insignificant, but together they formed one large, living flame, and thousands of tiny lives flickered within it. And the sky was adorned with a multitude of bright stars scattered throughout, as if someone had scattered diamonds across black velvet. And alongside them was the moon, quite large, pale silver, but beautifully illuminating the landscape. So, was the moon really that big?

  The glow of the moon, the twinkling stars, and the silence in the darkness always calmed me. I would have liked to continue admiring this beauty and the wonderful atmosphere surrounding me, but I couldn't keep up with my companions, lest I get lost in this enormous castle. I quickened my pace, casting one last glance out the window, and continued on.

  "A FEW MINUTES LATER"

  "You'll have to share a room for the time being, two or three people per room. Since we didn't plan to summon so many heroes from the start, some of the rooms aren't ready yet." He spoke calmly, but there was a hint of weariness in his voice, as if this wasn't the first time he'd had to explain the rules to newcomers. From the pocket of his black suit, he pulled out a folded piece of paper, thick and slightly wrinkled at the edges. He quickly unfolded it in one motion and scanned the list.

  "Everyone I call by name, please step forward: Kichiro Yuki, Tadashi Takeshi, and Tsukuyomi Raiden. Your room number is 1. Here are your keys."

  He held out three heavy bronze keys, old-fashioned ones, with long prongs and rings engraved with numbers. The keys jingled softly as he placed them in Tadashi-kun's palm.

  So the significance of Kichiro-kun's last name came into play. But I didn't think his luck would be so strong. So strong that the three of us would be roomed together. Just how much luck did he lose this year just for us to end up in the same room?

  — Kichiro and Tadashi (in unison, synchronized): Let the fun begin! — While Tadashi-kun took the keys slowly, with a slight grin, as if he was already imagining all the troubles to come, Kichiro-kun hugged me from the right side, throwing his hand on my shoulder. It was heavy, friendly, but with such force that I almost staggered. A second later, Tadashi-kun joined us and hugged me from the left side, also throwing his hand on my shoulder. Now I stood between them, as if in a vice: Tadashi-kun on the left, Kiichiro-kun on the right, both smiling, both looking at me with equal anticipation. I now had two options:

  1. If I stood still while they both walked, I'd fall face-first into the floor simply because they'd drag me away.

  2. I'd go with them, thus forming that very "GREAT STAIRCASE." A trio that looked like one person with four legs and three heads.

  Don't even mention the third option, where I'd tell them to let me go. It wouldn't work. If I told them that, one of them would grab my arms, the other my legs, and they'd lift me up and carry me to our room. Imagine the embarrassment in front of my classmates. But they wouldn't care; they're the ones who don't care. In fact, they'd even be amused. I think I'll go with the second option, but before that...

  — Tsukuyomi: Idiots, you didn't even ask where our room is!

  — Tadashi and Kichiro (in sync, blinking): Oh, right! – They did that on purpose!?

  "ROOM NUMBER 1"

  The room was spacious. High ceilings, white walls with delicate silver patterns that shimmered faintly in the dim light, as if they had been painted with luminous paint. Three wide beds stood in different corners, with thick mattresses and heavy dark blue blankets. Each had a small dark wood nightstand. One large wardrobe stood against the wall, carved, with two doors and brass handles. On the floor lay a small rug with beautiful patterns, green leaves intertwined with gold threads, soft and slightly shaggy. A table with four chairs stood in front of the window. Simple but sturdy, with carved legs. Above the table was a floor-to-ceiling window, beyond which night was already gathering.

  But what caught my attention most were the crystals. Embedded in the walls, the ceiling, and even the headboards of the beds, small, fist-sized, translucent, light blue. They glowed softly, dispersing an even, warm light throughout the room. And not just glowing; they emanated warmth. Not heat, but a pleasant, enveloping warmth, like a fireplace, only without the smell of smoke. The air in the room was fresh but cozy, as if someone had deliberately created the perfect microclimate for rest.

  I could just sit here, lie down, close my eyes, and finally exhale. There was just one small problem. Just a tiny bit.

  — Kichiro: This is my bed!

  — Tadashi: Over my dead body!

  Kichirou-kun and Tadashi-kun were already clinging to one of the beds. The one closest to the window. Kichirou-kun was pulling the blanket over himself, Tadashi-kun the pillow, both growling at each other like two puppies over a bone. I stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching this circus with tired resignation.

  — Tsukuyomi: Okay, everyone, let's go to bed. It's getting late for your games!

  — Tadashi (sighing, letting go of the pillow): Okay, Mom, as you say.

  — Kichirou (feigning sadness, but still holding the blanket): And then, will you read us a story, Mom?

  — Tsukuyomi (threateningly): Someone's going to get hurt.

  *Fourteen minutes passed.*

  Everyone went to bed. They fell asleep quite quickly, their breathing even, deep, and quiet. They seemed quite tired today. Well, that's pretty obvious. It's not every day you get teleported to another world. Even I was tired, my eyes were drooping, my body felt like lead. I forgot to check my status, but I'm too lazy to even check it right now...

  I lay down on my bed. The middle one, the one against the wall. The blanket was unexpectedly soft, the pillow perfectly shaped. The crystals above our heads continued to glow softly and warm us, just enough to keep us from freezing, but also from sweating. I looked at the ceiling, at the white one with thin silver flecks

  with delicate patterns that flickered faintly in time with their breathing.

  — Tsukuyomi (quietly, almost in a whisper): Good night…

  The room became completely silent. Only the even breathing of the friends and the faint crackling of the crystals…

  To be continued…

  "#+?&@"?'"&=€×§$??"

  …Are you still here?

  …Why don't you leave? I've already turned off the broadcast…

  There's nothing else of interest here…

  Oh, right, you're seeing it in writing now; it completely slipped my mind.

  Well, bye-bye. :)