The hall they'd been led into was massive — again. Oliver had already lost count of how many great halls they'd passed since arriving, but each one looked like something out of a royal fantasy novel.
This one, though, had a more functional layout. Long dining tables — at least ten meters each — stretched across the length of the polished stone floor. Candle-lit chandeliers floated above, casting a warm, golden glow. Intricate murals decorated the domed ceiling. Ornate furniture, gilded trim, handwoven carpets — even a clueless kid could tell everything here was top-tier craftsmanship.
It looked like the kind of place used for royal feasts or secret meetings of old, bearded men with crowns and grudges.
Everyone began taking seats along the tables. In the seat of honor sat Selene, radiating elegance with an almost lazy grace. Beside her, still clearly tense, sat Miss Evelyn — arms crossed, eyes sharp, like she was trying to figure out which of the wine glasses she could smash over someone's head if needed.
The rest of the students trickled into place. Daniel took the center seat near the front, naturally surrounded by the more popular kids. Oliver slid into the last seat on the far end, near the wall.
Of course. The leftovers go to the corner.
Nobody said much — not yet. There was too much tension, too much curiosity. They were all waiting for answers.
That's when the doors at the side creaked open.
And the maids entered.
Dozens of them, pushing silver carts stacked with covered trays, bottles, and tall crystal glasses. But what made the room fall dead silent for a few seconds wasn't the food.
It was the maids themselves.
They were beautiful. Not "cute waitress at a café" beautiful — dream fuel beautiful. Silken black dresses clung to their hourglass bodies like a second skin. Corsets squeezed their waists tight, lifting their ample breasts up into nearly sinful displays of cleavage. Stockings ran up flawless thighs, peeking just slightly beneath short, frilly skirts. Lacy chokers and gloves completed the image.
Fantasy. Fulfilled.
The male students were frozen, wide-eyed, some with their mouths slightly open. Most didn't even realize they were staring.
The female students, on the other hand, were not amused.
Cold glares flew across the table like arrows.
Oliver did his best not to stare — really, he tried — but his eyes kept wandering to the bouncing chests and swaying hips of the maids as they gracefully placed plates in front of each student.
And then… a chill ran down his spine.
He didn't even look up. He knew one of the girls — or maybe Miss Evelyn — was glaring a hole through his skull.
He straightened his back and stared directly at his empty plate like it held the secrets of the universe.
'Just food. I'm here for food. Nothing else. Perfectly normal food.'
'Gods, they're everywhere. Don't look at the thighs. Don't look at the—!'
Meanwhile, up at the front, Selene was watching the spectacle with a hidden smile behind her wine glass.
'Men… in any world, they're all the same, she thought, amused.'
'So easy to steer. So easy to control.'
Once everyone had a drink in hand, and the first course was served, Selene gracefully stood. The room quieted immediately.
"I'm sure you all have many questions," she began, her voice smooth as silk and twice as seductive. "So allow me to formally explain your situation. Please, I ask you to listen to everything before reacting."
She took a slow sip of her wine, then placed the glass down with a soft clink.
"I am Selene Ashthrone, Royal Mage of the Valemont Empire — the largest and most powerful human nation in Lunera."
Her words echoed through the hall. They were rehearsed, polished, and clearly delivered hundreds of times before — but with her poise, they still felt captivating.
"Our world faces a dire threat. The demon hordes grow stronger by the year. Our armies are stretched thin. Our lands burn. And so…" she paused, dramatic as ever, "…we turned to the divine. And the Goddess Synthia answered."
'It was a hella long-ass explanation from the hot goddess.'
'But since she was the hottest woman I'd ever seen, I listened anyway.'
'I'm not gonna bore you with every word she said.'
'Here's the gist of it:'
We were now in a country called the Valemont Empire — apparently the biggest and most powerful human nation on the continent of Lunera.
Biggest didn't mean safest though.
A war was going on. One that had lasted for centuries. On one side were the Humans, and on the other, the Demons. And somewhere in the middle were the Demi-humans, who lived off to the east in forests and wilderness, keeping to themselves like the world's neutral Switzerland.
The Demons and Humans had been going at it for generations, but things were getting worse.
Really worse.
According to Selene, even though Humans outnumbered the Demons, the Demons were just better. Physically stronger. More magic affinity. Tougher bodies. Smarter tactics.
The only reason the humans hadn't been completely wiped out yet was sheer quantity — numbers that made up for quality.
But that balance had shifted.
Why?
Magic Beasts.
Selene's expression had turned cold when she brought them up. Creatures born from wild animals that absorbed raw magic, twisted into monstrous, terrifying forms. Creatures that could cast spells, maul through steel, and ignore pain.
Normally, they were just wild, unpredictable threats lurking in the deep. Taming one was rare. Controlling them? Nearly impossible.
But somehow, the Demons had found a way to command armies of them.
Which meant… the human race had lost their one advantage.
So yeah. Empire in crisis. Demons growing stronger. Magic Beast stampede looming.
And then comes the big kicker—
Selene stood from her seat again, placing a hand to her chest.
"The one who summoned you here… was Goddess Synthia."
Everyone's heads turned. Even the whispering stopped.
"She is the Goddess of Light — the divine guardian of humanity, and the Supreme Creator of Lunera. It is by Her will that you were brought here… to save this world."
She said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"We believe the Goddess foresaw our extinction. The Demons rise too fast. If left alone, they will overrun every city, burn every home, and destroy our civilization. But the Goddess… She gave us you."