The airship docked on the floating grounds of the Institute of Magic and Training twenty minutes later, presenting us with yet another spectacle of this fantastical new world.
Towering structures made of brick and painted a light blue rose up into the sky, teachers and students were conducting practical classes out in the wide-open schoolyard. Some professors were organizing sword drills with groups dressed in chain mail, while others tutored the sets in cloaks holding wands. The view, in short, was breathtaking.
As the three of us climbed off the airship and headed into the building, we continued watching with amazed excitement. Elizabeth walked beside me, while Tyler, the blue-haired guy in glasses and an expensive-looking suit, waved to the crowd of onlookers. Students briefly stopped their training to gaze at us with curiosity, and I could see not all of them were completely human. Some had pointed ears, portraying their Elvin race, while others had horns, tails, and even wings.
They were all smiling, cheering, and welcoming us. I wasn't sure why they were doing that. Maybe they already knew who we were, and where we came from. Regardless, I was deeply excited to be there, and the thought of enrolling as a student filled me with immeasurable joy.
Soon, the three of us found ourselves standing in what resembled a throne room.
"So, these are the hero candidates, huh."
"Yes, Lord Director."
"Hm. They don't look like much. Have you checked their stats yet? Seen what powers and abilities each one got?"
"No, Lord Director. We have yet to do so."
We stood dumbfounded: Elizabeth, Tyler, and me. From the way the room was decorated, we had expected a king, a queen, maybe a prince or princess. But this wasn't a palace. It only partially resembled one. Instead, this was the office of the Director, the person in charge of the entire Institute of Magic and Training. He looked no older than his twenties, with stylish white hair, a black tunic, and golden buttons.
"Alright then. Go get the thing so we can see how strong they are," he ordered, and Elder Roland, the high-ranking priest who had been bowing at his feet, quickly jumped to attention and obeyed.
There was a brief moment where we all just stared at one another. Us, and the Director. Nobody moved. It was starting to get a little awkward.
I noticed he was mostly focused on Elizabeth. His gaze traveled up and down, taking in every detail of her appearance. Grinning, he licked his lips. Elizabeth, now visibly uncomfortable, shot a nervous glance in my direction.
If only she knew this was the kind of behavior I sometimes showed to girls in my previous life before the summoning, I doubt she'd want to be anywhere near me, let alone ask for my help. No way I was allowing myself to repeat those degrading habits, that's for sure. New world, new man. And I was sticking to that policy.
A minute later, Elder Roland returned, carrying what looked like a giant golden mirror. He held it up in front of the other boy's face, startling the blue-haired high schooler.
"Yo, what gives?" Tyler asked, moving back a little.
"Relax, kid," the Director said, lounging on his throne. "He's just checking your stats with it. It should tell us how powerful you are, and whether you're a good fit for the Institute, or even a hero candidate."
Hearing that, Tyler visibly settled. Elder Roland raised the mirror again, and a second later, his results appeared.
__________
Name: Tyler Jacob
Class: Hero, Swordsman
Level: 90
Strength: 200
Defense: 200
Magic: 200
Special skills: Energy Blade Strikes, Language Recognition, Sally UI Interface: Active
__________
"Whoa…" Tyler trailed off, staring at the glowing text on the mirror.
"Not bad, kid," the Director said. "Even without considering your level, you're already one of the strongest in the Institute. Alright, do her next." He pointed at Elizabeth.
__________
Name: Elizabeth Olive
Class: Hero, Healer
Level: 90
Strength: 200
Defense: 200
Magic: 200
Special skills: Mana Manipulation, Language Recognition, Bruce UI Interface: Active
__________
Elizabeth was speechless at the sight of her results. Other than the special skills section, all of her information was nearly identical to Tyler's, in the sense that both were very high.
"Very good," the Director commented. "I could tell you were already a pretty strong young woman from the moment you walked into my office." He added this while letting his eyes fall from her face, to her chest, to her thighs.
Elizabeth looked very uncomfortable. Elder Roland acted oblivious, pretending not to notice what was happening. I was just embarrassed.
The Director was a spitting image of the person I used to be, and the very person I desperately wanted to change going forward. How was the man even considered for such a position in the first place?
"Alright, check him next."
It was finally my turn. Elder Roland held up the mirror to my face, revealing my very average looks back to me. Black hair, black eyes, nothing unique to write home about.
As the mirror began swirling with magic, I wondered what class I was going to get, or even what special skills I might receive. The anticipation was killing me, and when my information appeared I immediately began reading.
__________
Name: David Coby
Class: Hero
Level: 1
Strength: 1
Defense: 1
Magic: None
Special Skills: Absorption, Language Recognition, Rachel UI Interface: Inactive
__________
It was like a knife to my chest. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Was there some kind of error? Was the magic in the mirror glitching out? Why were my stats so low? And why was one of them completely inactive?
"That's odd," the Director said, rising from his seat and walking toward us. Even Elder Roland had a shocked expression on his face, as did Elizabeth and Tyler.
"Run the test again."
At the Director's orders, Elder Roland held up the mirror to my face once more. But the results were exactly the same.
__________
Name: David Coby
Class: Hero
Level: 1
Strength: 1
Defense: 1
Magic: None
Special Skills: Absorption, Language Recognition, Rachel UI Interface: Inactive
__________
Nothing had changed. Why was this happening to me? Why wasn't I as powerful as the others? We were all summoned together, right? We were all chosen as heroes, right? Then shouldn't we be equals in all aspects? Why was I so weak?
As I inwardly continued to panic, the Director and Elder Roland shared a look. It seemed they didn't know what to do with the situation either.
Elizabeth and Tyler were standing together, looking at me with pity. I noticed how close they suddenly were. Was she already distancing herself from me?
"Alright, I'm going to need the three of you to go get settled into your rooms while we deal with this," the Director said. "There are maids out in the corridor who will help you with the moving process. Our final decision will be made by tomorrow. Two of you have already been cleared for the Institute, while the other," he paused for a second as his eyes shifted to me. "Is still undecided at the moment."