Tanimoto burst out laughing as his previous concern was forgotten once he saw an opportunity to tease Yuto.
"Of course, you don't have any special skills!" He wheezed between laughs. "That's classic Yuto, always the weak link."
The others in the group joined in, their expressions more stern.
"Guess you'll be sitting this one out. We can't have someone in our group fight against Azathoth without any powers." Said Akari, the green-eyed student.
Yuto's face burned with embarrassment as his worst fear became true.
He had always been the target of Tanimoto's bullying, and now here it was again.
"I... I can still help somehow!" He protested weakly, trying to defend himself. "Even if you accidentally brought me here, I can still be useful!"
The princess observed Yuto's discomfort with sympathy and guilt.
Her initial mistake had caused him this situation, but it was better than dying.
"Actually, there may be another way..." She spoke hesitantly.
"What, are you gonna train him on how to be bait? Because that's about the only thing he's good for."
Tanimoto scoffed, earning laughter from one of the other heroes behind him.
Yuto hung his head low, fighting back tears of frustration.
His self-doubt was growing with each cruel remark.
He thought he and Tanimoto could become friends, but he was still acting as the same confident douchebag, all thanks to being weak once again.
"Maybe we should kick him out." One of the group members suggested unkindly. "He'll just get in our way."
Alicia's expression hardened at their harsh treatment of Yuto.
She stepped forward, placing a protective hand on his shoulder.
"That's enough! Yuto may not have a special skill, but he's been brought here with you all, whether you like it or not! We'll find a way to make him useful." She declared firmly, surprising everyone with her change in demeanor.
Yuto's shoulders slumped even further as he looked up at the princess with defeated eyes.
"I'm just... a burden." He whispered quietly. "Maybe you should have left me to die. I don't belong here." Alicia's expression softened with sadness as she heard his self-deprecating words.
"No, Yuto... that's not true! You belong here just as much as anyone else. We'll find a way to make you shine."
She insisted gently, squeezing his shoulder.
"All of this is my fault, so I'll make it right! You matter just as much as everyone else here."
Akari and the others exchanged uncomfortable glances, now replaced by an awkward silence.
Even though they could tell they'd gone too far, Tanimoto continued grinning.
"You should all be ashamed!" The princess suddenly turned on the group with a voice sharp with anger. "He's been through just as much as you have! Yuto will be part of this group, and that's final."
Yuto stared at the ground, fighting back tears as conflicting emotions churned inside him.
Part of him wanted to believe her, but the other part believed their harsh words about his worthlessness.
Deep down, he knew Tanimoto was right.
Without a special skill, he was practically useless in their mission against Azathoth.
"No." Tanimoto stepped forward aggressively. "I disagree. Yuto is dead weight. We can't waste time babysitting someone who's useless." He spat out harshly. "Here I was, thinking that his determination to fight back was pretty cool, but in the end, he's nothing more than a waste of space. I got my hopes up for nothing but a loser."
The princess turned to him with a stern glare.
"You will show respect in my presence. Everyone has a role to play, whether they have special skills or not." She declared, approaching Tanimoto.
Yuto flinched at Tanimoto's words as his body trembled in cowardice.
The familiar cruelty was like a knife to his already fragile self-esteem.
"I... I can try harder..." He whispered weakly.
The woman placed herself protectively between Yuto and Tanimoto while her patience clearly wore thin.
"Please, enough. Do not make our matter worse." She stated, addressing the bully.
The group had already fallen silent long ago as their previous statements about Yuto crumbled under the princess's authority.
Tanimoto knew when to shut up.
"Hmph, whatever." The jock crossed his arms, averting his gaze from Alicia.
The princess's commanding presence seemed to break the tension.
She straightened her posture, regaining control of the situation.
"Now then..."
A gentle sigh escaped her lips as her smile returned.
"Since all of you are grouped up, we can begin our journey to the Grambosia Kingdom."
One of the students, a girl with long brunette hair, stepped forward.
"Princess Alicia, uhm... if you don't mind me asking, how far is Grambosia from here?" She seemed a bit shy, stepping back after asking her question.
"Oh, very good question, Shizuka! It's approximately 100 kilometers from where we are standing right now." Her words struck the heroes with surprise as their eyes widened at once.
"Are you fucking serious? That's way too far, even for athletes like me." Proclaimed Tanimoto, scowling at the princess.
"Ah, do not worry, I prepared something in advance with a special skill. Please, stay together."
Snapping her fingers, a magical circle suddenly appeared beneath their feet, shrouding them in an ethereal light.
Particles of mana suddenly fluttered around them.
"This is a Rare Skill within the world of Algunita, known as Dimensional Shift. Make sure to ease your minds, this teleportation skill can be disorienting for newcomers."
The princess warned them with a mischievous grin as the magic circle began to glow; its energy swirled around them as the world began to shift and distort.
"Hold on tight!"
She called out just as everything dissolved into bright white light.
All of them materialized within a castle courtyard as the heroes stumbled forward; some of them clearly disoriented by the sudden teleportation.
"Easy now... give yourselves a moment to adjust." The princess advised, watching as they steadied themselves.
Yuto felt a wave of dizziness pass through him as his knees wobbled, he even clutched his stomach as nausea threatened to overwhelm him. "I-I think I'm going to be sick..." He managed to say weakly before his face turned pale.
Tanimoto shot him a look of annoyance, but even he seemed affected by the magical transportation.
The castle guards around them were already eyeing the new arrivals with interest.
"This place is... incredible." One of the heroes breathed out in awe, gazing up at the castle's towering spires and gold accents.
Multiple flags were hung up around the courtyard interior with an unfamiliar symbol.
Alicia nodded with pride.
"Welcome to Grambosia. My father has been waiting for your arrival, so please follow me to the throne room." She led them forward while her heels clicked against the polished marble courtyard.
"Whoa... that was intense." Tanimoto stumbled with his confidence momentarily shaken.
They walked through the courtyard as the guards in front of them bowed their heads before the princess, proceeding to open the doors.
The heroes walked through the grand castle halls as Yuto tried to focus on his stunning surroundings.
The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries and glittering crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, including mounted dragon heads.
Yuto couldn't help but widen his eyes at the sight of the beautifully crafted walls and decorations.
He felt a strange sense of wonder at being in this unfamiliar place.
"This is... beyond anything I've ever seen." He whispered in awe, momentarily forgetting his earlier anxieties.
The castle was riddled with magical energy; enchanted suits of armor, and crystal statues emitting a soft, glowing light.
Everywhere they looked, the architecture was a perfect blend of fantasy and elegance.
"Those are magic-infused crystal sculptures. Each one has its own unique power." Alicia explained, gesturing to a particular sculpture that seemed to emanate energy.
"Hmph." Tanimoto was looking around with visible suspicion and annoyance. "This meeting with the King better be worth our time. I didn't sign up to be a tourist."
Alicia shot Tanimoto another stern look as her patience clearly wore thin with his constant attitude.
"Be on your best behavior. My Father is waiting in his throne room."
Alicia continued leading them through the castle corridors as Tanimoto tried to maintain his tough exterior, but even he seemed impressed by the palace's grandeur, eventually.
The others followed behind in awe, each taking in their surroundings with varying degrees of worry. "Here we are." As they approached the massive golden doors of the throne room, two guards stepped forward to announce their arrival.
"Presenting Princess Alicia and the heroes chosen by Odin!"
The guards announced loudly as the doors swung open dramatically, revealing an expansive chamber.
"Behold, the king!" The guards called out, stepping aside to reveal an imposing figure seated on an ornate throne.
The king was an impressive sight - his regal robes flowed with iridescent magic, and his eyes showed wisdom and power.
He stood up gracefully, facing the door with a stoic expression.
"Ah, my beloved daughter, I've been eagerly awaiting your return." His deep voice resonated through the chamber.
"Hello, father." Princess Alicia bowed her head gracefully. "I've brought the heroes into our world, just as the Sisters of Fate requested."
The king's gaze swept over the group, his expression curious as he studied each of them.
"Hmm..."
When his eyes landed on Yuto, there was a sign of something—surprise perhaps.
"This one doesn't have any Heroic Skill. What's going on, Alicia?"
The princess widened her eyes before closing them, ashamed.
"Father... I'm sorry... but I've accidentally brought him here into this world. I've mistaken him for someone else, and the other hero that I was supposed to bring ended up dying in his place." Alicia held the hem of her dress, regretting her actions.
"What? You ended up getting one of the ten heroes killed, for this useless boy?"
Jubilius frowned in disappointment.
"You brought an outsider into this sacred Kingdom, knowing very well that he cannot be of help?"
He shouted, facing his daughter.
"Do you understand what this means? You've possibly doomed us all, Alicia!" His voice boomed across the chamber, making several of the guards jump in alarm as the heroes cringed at the sudden change of tone.
Yuto flinched at the king's furious voice as his heart sank with familiar shame.
The other heroes glanced at each other as their faces twisted with worry.
"I... I can explain!" Yuto mumbled out loud as he stepped forward. "It's not Princess Alicia's fault! She got my name mixed up with someone else from their odd similarities!"
Yuto made up an excuse, even though it was a lie, he couldn't just stand watching Alicia get yelled at from his own existence.
The king's eyes widened in shock and then flashed with anger as he approached the boy.
"Watch your tongue, boy. You have no place here, among the heroes. If you weren't chosen by Odin, then you cannot stand in my presence."
Jubilius pointed an accusing finger at his daughter as his eyes burned with anger.
"You've endangered us all, Alicia! If these heroes don't have what it takes without a tenth, then our world is doomed."
The group became uncomfortable while Tanimoto smirked at the scene unfolding before him.
He enjoyed watching Yuto struggle as if he took pleasure in it.
"Take him away, immediately!" The king ordered the guards with his commanding voice. "This mission requires heroes, not... ordinary humans!"
"F-Father, wait!" Alicia tried stepping forward, but Yuto held out his hand and stopped her.
"Please don't, Princess Alicia! I-It's fine... I don't belong here... I'll just get in the way."
Yuto's shoulders slumped in defeat as the guards gripped his arms, dragging him away from the throne room.
His head hung low, accepting his departure as Alicia watched with heartbroken eyes.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of use... do your best everyone." He turned around, facing them with a cowardly smile.
"Yuto... I'm sorry..." The princess watched helplessly as he was led away.
Her expression was that of regret.
She had tried to keep him, but her attempt had only made things worse.