Silence fell over the grass like a heavy curtain.
Kai's shout was still echoing in the air, but no one answered him. The wind moved through the tall green grass, making it sway gently. It felt strangely cold.
Sopharie looked at Kai. Her eyes were calm—too calm.
Sopharie: I'm sorry… but I'm afraid that is impossible.
Her soft voice felt like a knife stabbing into Kai's chest.
Kai: …What did you just say?
His eyes widened. His hands shook with anger. Cold sweat ran down his back. In his mind, there was only one thought: go home.
Sopharie: Moving such a large number of people uses a great amount of energy and resources. Also… I cannot change the fate of everyone just because of one person.
Those words were the last straw.
Kai rushed forward without thinking. He grabbed Sopharie's collar and pulled her closer. Some students screamed in fear.
Sopharie (still calm): Now, now… there is no need for violence.
Duke: Kai! Calm down! You don't have to do this!
Kai: Am i !?
(He shouted, looking at Duke, then back at Sopharie.)
Everyone here is confused! Everyone wants to go home! And you dare say it's just because of me!?
Sopharie frowned slightly.
Sopharie: Everyone…?
Kai froze.
He turned to look at the crowd.
Hundreds of people were standing there—students and teachers. But no one spoke for him. No one agreed with him. Many avoided his eyes. Some looked unsure… and some even looked hopeful.
Even the three "musketeers" were silent.
Kai slowly let go. Sopharie calmly fixed her cloak.
Kai stepped toward the crowd, his voice shaking but still loud.
Kai: Hey… don't tell me you all really want to stay here?
Whispers began.
"She said going back uses too much energy…"
"Maybe it's better here…"
"At least… we're still alive…"
Kai: IDIOTS!
The field became silent again.
Kai: What about your families!? Your parents and brothers and sisters!?
(His voice broke.)
How can you be so sel—
Smack.
A small stone hit Kai on the forehead.
He stepped back, surprised.
Suddenly, angry voices shouted.
"Who do you think you are!?"
"You're the selfish one! Asshole!"
"Stop forcing your opinion on us!"
A few more stones rolled near his feet.
Kai gave a dark laugh.
Kai: you…fuckers…
Duke and Mike quickly ran to him and helped him stand.
Duke: Stop it… you can't convince them right now.
Mike: Yeah… you're only making it worse.
Kai said nothing. He lowered his head. His fists were tight and white.
After a while, Sopharie clapped her hands gently. The sound was not loud, but everyone slowly became quiet.
Sopharie: Enough. We will not argue anymore.
Now, I will take you to the capital to rest. It is your first time… so please try not to vomit.
Hajime: Vomit? Why?
Sopharie did not answer.
She raised her hand and spoke a spell in a strange language. The ground shook lightly.
A huge magic circle appeared under everyone's feet. Green letters shone brightly and covered the whole field.
Sopharie: Teleportation.
A bright light exploded.
It felt like their stomachs were pulled upward. Their ears rang. Their vision spun. Some students screamed. Others felt sick.
Then everything disappeared.
—
In just a moment, they were standing somewhere completely different.
Sopharie: Welcome… to the capital of Solarpunk.
The sight in front of them made everyone silent.
Houses covered in green plants. Walls mixed with wood and vines. Giant windmills turned slowly in the clear sky. Solar panels shone under the soft sunlight. People walked around calmly, their faces peaceful.
The world looked strange… but also beautiful.
Sopharie: From now on, this will be the place where you live and study.
Daniel: Study…? Study what?
Sopharie: Even though you are chosen, your knowledge and experience are still limited.
So, we will use the method your world knows best to teach you — school.
Chad: …You mean we still have to go to school?
Sopharie: Yes.
Some students sighed.
Sopharie: To help you at the beginning, each of you will receive a small amount of money to buy a house and live for the first week.
Everyone lined up. Sopharie and the black-cloaked people gave each person a small cloth bag.
Inside each bag have 33 gold coins.
Sopharie: A small piece of advice — it is better to live in groups of three or more.
—
At the back, under a large tree, Kai sat quietly. His eyes looked empty as he stared at the ground.
Duke and Mike walked over.
Duke: I got a bag for you.
Kai did not take it immediately.
Kai: Don't tell me you two are accepting this too…
Mike: Of course not.
(He spoke softly.)
But right now… whether we like it or not, we have to survive first.
Duke: We also want to go home… but we don't have another choice.
Kai stayed silent for a long time.
The wind blew gently, carrying the smell of grass and sunlight from a world that was not his.
Mike: So how much do we have?
Duke: 99 gold coins. Let's find a house before there's none left.
Kai slowly nodded.
Kai: …Yeah.
In his eyes, hope was gone.
Only emptiness remained—
and a quiet feeling of despair began to grow inside him.