As their class was ushered into a spacious, lavishly decorated room furnished with two long tables, Selena instinctively took a seat toward the back, quietly observing as her classmates settled around her. Most of them were openly awestruck by their luxurious surroundings—every inch of the room spoke of wealth and meticulous craftsmanship. From the intricate carvings adorning the polished furniture to the glistening marble floors, everything felt grandiose and slightly overwhelming. Even Pope Ishtar's robes were immaculate, woven from the finest silk and utterly free of wrinkles, as if emphasizing his authority through absolute perfection.
At the head of the tables, Aiko Hatayama took her place alongside Kouki and his core group of four. Despite the subtle tension hanging in the air, no one made a fuss over seating arrangements, likely because they were still processing the surreal nature of their circumstances. Ishtar had skillfully pacified the group earlier, largely thanks to Kouki's gullible yet genuine charisma. Without realizing it, Kouki had already fallen perfectly into his role, providing the priest exactly what he needed to maintain control.
Once everyone was seated, a group of elegantly dressed maids quietly entered, serving drinks with practiced grace. Selena noticed Hajime's eyes wandering toward the maids before inevitably drifting to Kaori at the far end of the table. Kaori wore a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes—it was forced, like an actress caught in an awkward performance. Unable to hold back a soft giggle, Selena found amusement in the unfolding scene. Deciding to play along, she exaggeratedly ogled the maids herself, prompting Hajime to elbow her sharply in the side.
When she turned in confusion, Selena caught sight of Shizuku's glare—a look clearly conveying, Really, Selena? You too? Chuckling softly, Selena offered a playful wave in return, earning an amused shake of the head from Hajime.
Leaning slightly toward him, she whispered mischievously, "Can you imagine Kaori in one of those maid outfits?"
Hajime paused, his cheeks reddening slightly as he briefly considered the image before quickly shaking his head and muttering, "Cut it out."
Before their exchange could continue, Ishtar cleared his throat and began explaining the world they had been summoned into—Tortus. It was a realm inhabited by three distinct races: humans, demons, and demi-humans. He described how humans occupied the northern half of the continent, while demons had long established dominion over the south. The demi-humans, meanwhile, lived far to the east, secluded within an enormous, mystical forest.
Their host painted a vivid image of a centuries-long war that had perpetually strained relations between humans and demons. Demons, though fewer in number, compensated through sheer individual strength and tactical prowess. Complicating the conflict further were the monsters—once ordinary creatures transformed by prolonged exposure to mana. These monsters posed an immense threat, capable of wielding magic and driven by feral aggression. Strangely, humanity had yet to fully understand their biology or abilities, whereas the demons had already mastered the art of taming them.
At some point during Ishtar's elaborate explanation, Selena began to drift away mentally. Nearby, Aiko was attempting—rather adorably—to negotiate with the priests, earnestly demanding they send everyone home. Selena had always found it amusing how Aiko earned the affectionate nickname Ai-chan, given her petite stature and deceptively youthful appearance. Yet beneath her cute facade lay an unexpectedly fierce disciplinarian, notorious among students for handing out detentions like they were candy.
A few of their classmates, reaching the limit of their patience, began voicing frustrations loudly:
"Send us the fuck home!"
"I don't want to fight!"
"I just want to see my mom again!"
But Ishtar maintained his calm demeanor, insistent that their summoning was an honor. To him, being chosen by the god Ehit was a privilege deserving gratitude rather than anger or fear.
Hajime glanced back at Selena, his expression curious as he noted her distinct lack of reaction. If only he knew the myriad thoughts swirling through her head—the unease, the uncomfortable familiarity, the heavy burden of memories from her past life.
Predictably, Kouki soon rose from his seat, conviction radiating from his posture and voice. With unwavering resolve, he proclaimed his determination to aid Tortus in its plight. Almost immediately, Kaori, Shizuku, and Ryutarou rallied behind him, their expressions resolute. They had long ago accepted Kouki's leadership, and their support only served to solidify Ishtar's control over the situation.
Ishtar naturally appeared elated—his speech had precisely targeted Kouki's hero complex, and everything unfolded exactly as he'd intended. Kouki's charismatic leadership made the rest of the class's acceptance practically inevitable.
In stark contrast, Aiko's face betrayed visible distress. She clearly didn't want her students dragged into a conflict they scarcely understood. Selena sympathized deeply with her; having lived an entire previous lifetime untouched by war, Selena was no more eager to fight than their teacher was.
Though Selena wished she could intervene, an unsettling feeling crept over her. The sensation of being quietly observed lingered at the edge of her consciousness. It wasn't overt—more like a shadow quietly watching, patiently waiting. She knew she had no choice but to bide her time, endure, and grow stronger until she could resist the cruel destiny imposed upon them.
Her fists tightened involuntarily, trembling slightly until a comforting touch steadied her. Glancing beside her, she saw Hajime offering a reassuring smile.
"It'll be okay, Selena. We'll get through this together," he murmured softly.
His words strengthened Selena's resolve, calming her anxieties. Over the past two years, they'd grown so close that the mere thought of losing him terrified her deeply. Selena silently vowed that she would prevent him from losing his humanity as quickly as he had in the timeline she read about.
As if sensing their silent exchange, Kaori and Shizuku glanced toward the pair knowingly, faint smiles tugging at their lips.
Shortly thereafter, the class was guided out of the church onto a platform high above the world below. The view stole Selena's breath away—mountains and valleys stretching endlessly beneath an impossibly vibrant sky. Without warning, Ishtar began chanting, and the platform beneath their feet descended slowly toward an imposing castle.
Witnessing magic firsthand filled Selena with awe and anticipation. Could she possibly harness it herself, despite having wished specifically for chakra?
Upon reaching the castle, they were escorted inside, passing knights, maids, and royal officials who respectfully bowed as they moved by. Eventually, they entered the grand throne room, Selena's eyes immediately drawn to the royal family—and especially Princess Liliana.
Liliana stared at their mismatched group with innocent wonder, clearly overestimating their capabilities. Selena had to suppress a snicker; she found the sight oddly endearing.
However, when Selena's gaze shifted toward the king, she watched him humbly kiss Ishtar's hand, oblivious to his own insignificance in the greater scheme. Selena nearly grimaced openly, disgusted by the spectacle. He was merely another pawn, easily manipulated by Ishtar. Once his usefulness ran dry, he would inevitably be discarded.
As Selena stood silently taking in the scene, the weight of their situation truly sank in. It was now clearer than ever—this wouldn't merely be a test of strength or skill. It would be a ruthless game of survival, cunning, and patience.
One wrong move could cost them everything.