Several hours later, I was in my room, preparing to turn in for the night. But I couldn't sleep. I lay on the enormous bed the Institute had provided, staring up at the stone ceiling and reflecting on the day I had just experienced.
Soon after the Director had dismissed us from his office, a few women dressed in maid outfits showed me to my room and insisted on waiting at my every beck and call. They refused to leave no matter how many times I told them I didn't need anything. Only after their allotted fifteen minutes with me were up did they finally leave on their own.
Afterward, I went on a short tour around the campus.
Elizabeth and Tyler were being swarmed by a crowd of academy kids, all eager to talk with the prospective candidates destined to become two of the most powerful students in the school.
People barely glanced in my direction. They had already heard the news from Tyler: I was the weakest hero candidate among the three of us, and my chances of being enrolled at the Institute were slim at best. It was my previous life all over again, a loser with no friends or future. I was confused. Why was all of this happening to me? Wasn't I supposed to be important in this world? Wasn't I supposed to be winning?
The next day, Elder Roland and the Director met us while we were eating in the cafeteria. After breakfast, I was asked to rendezvous with them in the south courtyard.
When I arrived, several professors of the Institute attempted to test my Absorption ability. Even though my other stats were low, if my special skill had some value, I might still be kept on as a regular student.
A bowl of water was placed before me, and I was asked to put my hand inside and do something. Anything. But nothing happened.
"Hmm. Maybe he can only absorb mana from a living creature," one of the professors said. "Come here, boy, shake my hand."
I did as the man asked, proceeding to walk towards him before reaching out to hold his palm. Again, nothing happened.
"Perhaps he is only able to absorb magical energy," a woman suggested. She strutted toward me with a crystal ball, took my hand, placed it on said orb, and waited. Still, there was no surge of energy, no jolt of electricity. Nothing to indicate the presence of magic.
"Elemental energy?"
Another test, same result.
"Crystallized energy?"
Still no.
No matter what the teachers and professors tried, it seemed I was truly stuck with a useless skill that did absolutely squat. To make things worse, both Tyler and Elizabeth were watching me as I repeatedly failed. They stood side by side, and she was even holding his hand.
By the afternoon, a decision was made. I was called to the Director's office and handed a letter. Elder Roland stood beside me as I picked it up and began reading.
___
Unfortunately, we cannot accept you into the Institute of Magic and Training at this time. Your stats are far below average, and your special skill has proven to be useless, borderline inoperable.
...
Something in my chest sank into the deepest pit of my stomach at the opening paragraph, but I forced myself to continue on. At least, I already knew this wasn't going in the direction I hoped for.
...
As it stands, you are no different from a regular powerless citizen of Velgrath. And at this school, we only train exceptional students. We apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused by bringing you here to this world.
Please note that you will be compensated, as we do not have the means to return you to your reality at this moment. An airship will be waiting outside this afternoon, along with a small treasure chest of gold. Your new home has already been prepared in a small town on the islands below. Take the gold, leave, and begin your new life.
___
As soon as I finished reading, everything happened so fast. I was escorted out of the building and onto the waiting airship. Through the porthole window, I saw students and professors gathered to watch me leave. Among them were Tyler and Elizabeth, already dressed in the Institute's elegant blue uniforms. They looked incredible. Elizabeth, in particular, looked absolutely beautiful.
I wanted to stay. I wanted to train with them as a hero candidate, to finally become someone important in this world. I didn't want to end up just another background character. That was my old life, and I didn't want any of that. But the Director had already spoken. There was no place for me here.
The airship lifted off the grounds of the Institute and slowly descended through the clouds. Still looking out the window, I could see trees, mountains, landscapes, and villages coming into view far below. Despite my sadness, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of this world. And a few minutes later, I was dropped off in a small town, right in front of a wooden farmhouse.
Fresh grass covered the ground, a pond reflected the sunlight nearby, and a few neighbors stared back at me with awkward confusion.
"I think he was dismissed from the Institute," a woman whispered as she leaned toward her husband. "It's the middle of the semester. Why else would he be down here with us? He's another one of those failed heroes."
"You should stop jumping to conclusions, Cheryl," the man replied. "I swear, you and your gossip. Hey there!" he suddenly shouted, waving at me. "Welcome to our little town! Please, introduce yourself. What brings you by?"
I hesitated. I wasn't sure how to explain everything that had happened. My life before this world, the summoning, my rejection from the Institute because of my failed hero status—how could I possibly put that into words they'd understand?
If the reactions of the students back at the academy were any indication, there was a real chance I might end up isolated and ignored by the wider community. And after suffering through that in my previous life, I wasn't looking forward to such a fate again.
Still, I eventually came clean.
I told them everything: Earth, the ritual that brought me here, my failure to secure a spot at the Institute—all of it. At first, they seemed to hang on every word, even appearing to sympathize with my situation. They nodded when I asked if they understood, and they shook their heads with pity during certain parts of my story. I spoke with energy, gesturing wildly and rambling nonstop. But when I finished, my worst nightmare was realized.
Silence.
Some looked at me with disappointment, others with pity. I was left standing there, confused. Soon, the small crowd that had come out to see me began quietly drifting back into their homes, mumbling to themselves. Even the man who had greeted me barely spared me another glance. And in less than ten minutes of my arrival, I was completely alone.
"Huh? What...? What just happened?"