The classroom door creaked open and slammed shut as Kaito and Haruto stepped in. The atmosphere was heavier than usual, as if the very air was aware something had shifted.
Yuna sat at her desk, her head down, arms folded beneath her like a shield against the world. Her shoulders trembled ever so slightly. Silent tears soaked the fabric of her sleeve. Her friend beside her reached out gently, but Yuna didn't move.
Akari walked in moments later, fixing her collar, her eyes red from the confrontation. As she sat down, her friend leaned in.
"What happened?" she whispered.
Akari didn't answer. She simply looked straight ahead, refusing to meet Yuna's eyes.
Kaito exchanged a glance with Haruto. Both of them moved to their seats, the tension between the four of them crackling, unspoken but undeniable.
Then — it happened.
A faint hum, barely noticeable at first.
Haruto turned his head slowly. "Kaito… do you feel that?"
Before Kaito could answer, a light flared beneath his desk.
Then, the entire classroom floor erupted in glowing symbols.
The same magic circle from the ground reappeared — only now, it was massive, detailed, and alive with pulsing blue energy. Runes moved like clock gears, each click resonating through the air.
Screams rang out.
Students jumped from their seats.
Kaito and Haruto dashed to the door. They grabbed the handle — but it wouldn't budge.
"Locked!" Haruto shouted, yanking hard.
"No," Kaito muttered, pushing with his shoulder. "It's not just locked — it's sealed."
Desks vibrated. The air shimmered. Light spilled from the circle on the ground.
Yuna raised her head slowly, eyes wide. Something had appeared beneath her hand — a symbol, pulsing brightly under her desk.
The glow intensified.
"Everyone, close your eyes!" Kaito shouted.
Too late.
The light burst like a silent explosion.
A single second stretched into eternity.
And then — nothing.
When they opened their eyes, the classroom was gone.
Silence fell, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the rush of wind.
One by one, the students sat up.
A few screamed.
"Where are we?!" someone shouted.
"Is this a dream?"
"No way — this isn't real!"
Kaito sat up quickly, shielding his eyes from the sunlight. It wasn't the same sun as before. This one was softer, golden. The sky above was a surreal shade of violet-blue.
Mountains stretched into the horizon, snow glittering atop their peaks. A river shimmered nearby, filled with fish that gleamed like living gemstones. Trees unlike any they'd seen — with silver leaves and glowing fruit — swayed in the breeze.
Haruto slowly stood up beside him. "What… the hell?"
Yuna sat up, looking disoriented. Her eyes darted across the landscape.
Kaito stepped toward her, kneeling beside her.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently.
She nodded slowly. "I… I think so."
Their classmates gathered around in disbelief. Some touched the grass, expecting it to vanish. Others stared at the sky, lost in awe.
"This is impossible…"
"Where are we? What is this place?"
Then — a burst of white light appeared in front of them.
Everyone froze.
From the glow stepped a tall man, cloaked entirely in white. His hair was silver, tied behind his back, and his eyes held the calm weight of centuries.
In one hand, he held a long staff, topped with a crystal that pulsed faintly.
The students gasped.
"Who… is that?"
He raised a hand.
"Do not be afraid," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You are safe. For now."
Kaito stepped forward. "Where are we?"
The man looked at him. "You are no longer in your world."
Gasps echoed.
"Then where?" Haruto demanded.
The man glanced at the horizon. "This is Elyndor — a realm of magic, spirit, and fate. And you… were summoned."
Murmurs rippled through the group.
"Summoned? For what?!"
"Is this a joke?!"
"I want to go home!"
Yuna stood beside Kaito, eyes narrowed. "Why us?"
The man looked at her thoughtfully. "Because the seals have broken. The veil is thinning. And each of you carries within you a fragment of something ancient… something dangerous."
Kaito's breath caught. The dreams. The visions. The monster.
"Wait," Akari said suddenly, pushing through the group. "You expect us to believe this fairy tale?"
The man turned toward her, unblinking. "You already crossed the veil. Do you still believe this is a dream?"
Akari's mouth opened… but no words came.
"Each of you has a choice," the man continued. "Learn. Grow. Unlock the truth within you. Or remain afraid… and be consumed."
The ground rumbled beneath them. Distant thunder rolled.
"Time is short," he said. "You must prepare."
The light around him pulsed — and he vanished.
Silence fell again.
No one moved.
Then Haruto exhaled. "Well… this is gonna be fun."
End of Chapter