A New World
Michael's jaw throbbed painfully as he groaned, pushing himself up from the cold, unforgiving floor. Disoriented, he blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of his surroundings. This was not his school—far from it. The familiar bustle of hallways and the chatter of classmates were replaced by an eerie silence and a stark, alien environment.
Valencia and Ethan lay unconscious beside him, their bodies sprawled on a pristine, white marble floor. The stark contrast between their still forms and the immaculate surface only heightened Michael's sense of unease. The floor was polished to a mirror-like finish, reflecting the soft light that filtered through the massive, dome-like ceiling above. The ceiling itself was a marvel, adorned with intricately arranged gold plates that shimmered as they caught the light, casting a warm, golden hue across the room.
Michael's heart pounded in his chest as his gaze darted from Valencia, ensuring she was unharmed, to their strange new surroundings. They were in a vast circular depression, surrounded on all sides by towering flights of stairs. The sheer scale of the place made him feel insignificant, like a bug caught in a glass jar.
As he scanned the area, he noticed rows of humanoid figures seated above them, their eyes locked onto the three unconscious teenagers below. Some of the figures stood tall, others knelt in reverence, while a few were being attended to by what appeared to be healers. Their collective gaze bore into Michael, filling him with a deep sense of foreboding.
Before long, the sound of footsteps echoed through the chamber, drawing Michael's attention to a young man descending the stairs. He was flanked by large, muscular guards, each clad in medieval armor and wielding an assortment of deadly weapons. Michael's instincts screamed at him to run, but there was nowhere to go. The man spoke as he approached, his words a string of incomprehensible sounds, utterly foreign to Michael's ears.
The man halted a few meters away, his guards forming a tight circle around the students. Michael's muscles tensed, his mind racing as he considered his options. The man then stepped forward, pulling a small blue orb from his pocket. He held it out toward Michael, who hesitated before reluctantly accepting it.
As soon as Michael's fingers closed around the orb, a glowing screen appeared before his eyes. The text on the screen was in a language he couldn't decipher, but one phrase stood out: "Would you like to learn language 'Xylaric'? [Yes/No]." With no other options, Michael willed himself to accept.
Instantly, a torrent of information flooded his mind. The pain was excruciating, as if his brain was being torn apart and reassembled. He collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony as the knowledge of a new language seared itself into his consciousness.
When the pain finally subsided, Michael struggled to his feet, his body trembling from the ordeal. The man before him—now smirking with a mix of arrogance and satisfaction—spoke again, this time in a language Michael could understand.
"My name is Caius Valemont, the 87th king of the kingdom of Valthorne," the man declared, his voice dripping with authority. "Otherworlder, you will fight our enemies because I, your new king, command it! Kneel before me, and I shall grant you anything you desire!"
Michael stood in stunned silence, his mind reeling. The reality of being summoned to another world, only to be immediately conscripted into servitude by an egotistical king, was almost too much to process. As he struggled to grasp the situation, Valencia and Ethan began to stir, slowly waking from their unconscious state.
"Oh, it seems your comrades are awake," Caius remarked, his gaze shifting to Valencia. A lascivious gleam flickered in his eyes as he added, "That woman is beautiful. I shall make her my queen!"
A surge of anger ignited within Michael, burning away the fog of confusion. The king's brazen claim over Valencia, spoken without the slightest hint of restraint, was infuriating. Caius handed the blue orb to Ethan, who took it without hesitation. Like Michael, Ethan soon collapsed, writhing in pain as the language was forcibly implanted into his mind. Watching Ethan suffer brought Michael a strange, unexpected sense of satisfaction, though he was bewildered by his own reaction.
Caius then approached Valencia, who instinctively backed away. Reluctantly, and at Ethan's urging, she accepted the orb. Unlike the two boys, Valencia remained standing, her face a mask of intense concentration but not pain. The knights and the king exchanged shocked glances, their attention now fully focused on her.
"You otherworlders can understand me now, correct?" Caius repeated, his tone more impatient. "I am King Caius Valemont, the 87th king of the kingdom of Valthorne. Kneel to me, otherworlders, and submit to your new king!"
All three students were overwhelmed by the surreal turn of events. The idea of bowing to a king—an archaic concept from a world with no such rulers—was almost laughable. But Caius's growing impatience was palpable.
"Urg, fine. Anyway, I summoned you three to fulfill a purpose for me," Caius continued, his tone now tinged with annoyance. "Our war with the other races is faltering, and we're losing ground on all fronts. You otherworlders are said to possess powers that surpass anyone born in this world. I expect you to help humanity by eradicating all races inferior to ours!"
The students exchanged bewildered glances, disbelief etched on their faces. How could this king expect them, teenagers barely younger than himself, to fight a war on multiple fronts? They had no knowledge of this world, no experience in warfare.
Caius fished a purple orb out of his pocket and held it up. "This orb will show your status screen. After you see it once, you can open it without this orb. We also need to see your class and stats to assign you personal trainers."
Ethan was the first to grab the orb. As he did, a large holographic screen appeared, displaying his stats for all to see:
---
Ethan Parker
Nickname: Most Handsome Hero
Level: 0 (0/1000)
Race: Human
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Class: Hero
Subclass: Charmer
Health: 280/300
Mana Capacity: 300/300
Strength: 120
Agility: 70
Defense: 100
Magic Defense: 40
Luck: 20
Skills: Selected Weapon Mastery, Advanced Mana Recovery, Limit Breaker, etc.
Equipment: Heroic Weapon [No weapon selected] (Soul Bound)
Titles: Humanity's Hero
---
Gasps echoed through the chamber as everyone took in Ethan's stats. A standard human at 17 years old had an average total stat of 100, yet Ethan's numbers far exceeded that, especially in health. Caius grinned with satisfaction before handing the orb to Valencia.
---
Valencia Sterling
Nickname: Blooming Yandere
Level: 0 (0/1000)
Race: Human
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Class: Holy Saint
Subclass: Radiant Enhancer
Health: 100/100
Mana Capacity: 2000/2000
Strength: 10
Agility: 30
Defense: 20
Magic Defense: 50
Luck: 50
Skills: Aura of Empowerment, Guiding Light, Empowerment Channel, etc.
Equipment: Staff of Empyreal Herald (Soul Bound)
Titles: Glass Cannon, Magic Genius
---
Once again, the room buzzed with astonishment. Valencia's mana was off the charts, making her an invaluable asset—perhaps even more so than the hero himself. However, the nickname "Blooming Yandere" left many puzzled.
Caius, practically beaming with excitement, eagerly handed the orb to Michael. Expecting to see stats that rivaled those of Ethan's , Michael's hopes were immediately dashed when his own screen appeared:
---
Michael Elliott
Nickname: Accidentally Summoned Hero
Level: 0 (0/1000)
Race: Human
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Class: Necromancer
Subclass: Runesmith
Health: 45/50
Mana Capacity: 1000/1000
Strength: 5
Agility: 10
Defense: 1
Magic Defense: 4
Luck: 250
Skills: Bone Chill, Advanced Mana Recovery, Undead Resurrection.
Equipment: Defensive Brooch, SoulForge Coffin (Soul Bound)
Titles: Rule Breaker
---
The atmosphere in the room shifted abruptly as the word "Necromancer" appeared on the screen. The hostility was immediate and palpable. Caius's eyes narrowed in fury.
"Kill him now!" the king bellowed, and his guards leaped into action with terrifying zeal.
A spear shot towards Michael's heart. With his pitiful agility, he couldn't possibly dodge it. But by sheer luck, the spear glanced off the defensive brooch in his pocket, embedding itself in his arm instead. The brief reprieve was short-lived as a rapier plunged into his ribcage, puncturing a lung.
Blood filled Michael's mouth as he crumpled to the ground, his vision darkening around the edges. Pain seared through his body, each breath a struggle as his punctured lung refused to cooperate. The world around him seemed to slow, sounds muffled and distant. He could vaguely make out Valencia's horrified expression as chaos erupted in the grand hall.
Before Valencia or Ethan could fully process what was happening, another guard lunged forward, sword poised to deliver the fatal blow. In a split second, Valencia's eyes blazed with a fierce determination. An intense, radiant light burst forth from her body, enveloping the immediate area in a blinding glow.
"Stay away from him!" she screamed, her voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance.
The force of her outburst sent the attacking guards stumbling backward, their armor clattering as they struggled to maintain their footing. The sheer power emanating from Valencia was unlike anything anyone in the room had witnessed before. Her new abilities as a Holy Saint now manifested in full force, driven by her desperation to save Michael.
Caius shielded his eyes, taken aback by the sudden display of power. His confident smirk faltered, replaced by a mixture of surprise and anger. "Seize her! Don't let her use that magic!" he commanded, his voice betraying a hint of panic.
More guards rushed forward, attempting to break through the barrier of light surrounding Valencia and Michael. Ethan continued to stay in his spot, seemingly rooted with fear.
Valencia closed her eyes, focusing her energy as intricate symbols and patterns began to weave themselves into the air around her. The light intensified, and a soft, melodious hum filled the room, growing louder with each passing second. The attackers hesitated, clearly uncertain about proceeding in the face of such raw, untamed power.
"Divine Shield: Sanctuary!" Valencia cried out, her voice echoing with authority.
A translucent, dome-shaped barrier erupted from the ground, encompassing Valencia, Michael, and Ethan. The barrier shimmered with ethereal light, pulsing rhythmically as it solidified into a protective fortress. The guards slammed against it futilely, their weapons bouncing off harmlessly.
Inside the sanctuary, Valencia dropped to her knees beside Michael, her hands glowing with a gentle, healing light. Tears streamed down her face as she assessed his grievous wounds.
"Stay with me, Michael," she whispered urgently, placing her glowing hands over his chest and arm. The warmth from her magic seeped into his wounds, slowly knitting torn flesh and repairing damaged tissue. Michael gasped as relief washed over him, the crushing pain subsiding to a dull ache.
Ethan stood still, absolutely in shock about what was happening. The soldiers around the king started to drag him away somewhere, seemingly trying to protect him from the battle as well as keep him on their side.
Outside the barrier, Caius's frustration boiled over. He paced angrily, eyes darting around as he searched for a way to penetrate the sanctuary. "Bring the court magicians! Now!" he barked at a nearby attendant, who scurried away promptly.
Moments later, several robed figures hurried into the hall, their hands already glowing with arcane energy. They circled the sanctuary, chanting in unison as complex magic formations materialized in front of them.
Valencia looked up, her face etched with exhaustion. "They're trying to break through," she murmured, her voice tinged with worry.
She started to panic, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. This was all new to her. She didn't even know she could use magic.
As the court magicians intensified their assault, cracks began to form on the surface of the sanctuary, small fissures spider webbing across the once-impenetrable barrier. The harmonious hum that had filled the space now wavered, growing unstable.
Desperation clawed at them as options dwindled. Suddenly, Michael felt a strange surge within him—a cold, dark energy that contrasted sharply with Valencia's warm light. Images and symbols flashed through his mind, foreign yet somehow familiar.
"Maybe I can help," Michael said, his eyes flickering with a faint, eerie glow.
Valencia looked at him uncertainly. "Your magic... It's dangerous. They attacked you because of it."
"Exactly," Michael replied, a newfound resolve in his voice. "If they're so afraid of necromancy, maybe we can use that to our advantage."
Michael closed his eyes, focusing on the dark energy swirling in his veins. He extended his hand outward, pulling a seemingly limitless energy source away from his heart. Dark mana began to pool and coalesce at his fingertips, forming into a dense, but simple triangular formation.
Outside, the sanctuary shuddered as the magicians' spells grew more potent, chunks of the barrier beginning to crumble away. The onlookers watched with bated breath, anticipation and fear mingling in the air.
Drawing upon every ounce of strength he had left, Michael uttered a single word that resonated through the hall:
"Rise."
The dead soldiers on the ground convulsed and took shape, morphing into skeletal figures that stood tall and imposing. A dozen undead warriors materialized within the sanctuary, their hollow eye sockets glowing with a ghostly light. The sudden emergence of these beings sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.
Caius stumbled backward, his face pale. "Impossible... How can a newly summoned necromancer wield such power?"
The undead minions moved with uncanny coordination, positioning themselves along the weakening edges of the sanctuary. As the barrier finally shattered under the relentless assault, the skeletal warriors lunged forward, engaging the stunned guards and magicians with ferocious intensity.
Chaos erupted as the clash of steel and bursts of magic filled the hall. The undead fought with relentless determination, their unnatural strength and resilience taking the royal forces by surprise. Screams and shouts echoed off the marble walls as the carefully maintained order of the court dissolved into pandemonium.
Seizing the opportunity, Valencia started to drag Michael across the floor. "Now's our chance! We have to get out of here!"
Valencia hesitated, looking back at the undead warriors holding back the tide of enemies. "But what about them? Will they follow us?"
Michael, his face strained but resolute, replied, "They're buying us time. I don't know how long I can maintain this, so we need to move. Now."
Supporting Michael, Valencia dashed toward an archway that led out of the main hall. The path was chaotic, with panicked courtiers and soldiers scrambling in all directions. The trio weaved through the confusion, adrenaline fueling their escape as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the palace.
Behind them, the sounds of battle began to fade, but Michael could feel his connection to the undead weakening with each passing moment. His energy reserves were nearly depleted, and he knew they had little time before their pursuers regrouped.
Bursting through a set of ornate doors, they found themselves in a sprawling courtyard illuminated by the evening sun. Lush gardens and trickling fountains created a serene backdrop that sharply contrasted the turmoil they had just escaped.
Valencia scanned the area, spotting a series of stables along the far wall. "There! If we can get horses, we might be able to put some distance between us and them."
Michael laid on the floor, blood seeping out as he nodded his head as he was dragged away.
As they made their way across the courtyard, shouts erupted from behind them. A squad of guards had emerged from the palace, their armor glinting as they raced to intercept the fleeing trio.
Panic surged through Michael as he was seeing the formidable army.
Valencia's grip tightened on Michael's arm, her heart pounding as they neared the courtyard's edge. The guards were closing in, their shouts growing louder with every step. Michael, weakened and bleeding, struggled to keep his eyes open as Valencia half-dragged, half-carried him forward.
But just as they reached the exit, a guard broke through the chaos, his sword drawn and aimed directly at Michael's heart. Valencia's eyes widened in horror as she realized they were out of time.
Without thinking, Valencia released Michael and threw herself between him and the incoming blade. The sword pierced through her side, her body jerking as the cold steel drove deep into her flesh.
"Valencia!" Michael screamed, his voice breaking as he watched in utter disbelief.
Valencia gasped, blood spilling from her lips as she turned to Michael, her face etched with pain but also with a fierce determination. She forced a smile, her eyes meeting his one last time. "Run... Michael," she whispered, her voice trembling with effort. "Live... for me."
Before Michael could react, Valencia's legs buckled, and she collapsed onto the ground, the sword still embedded in her side. The world around Michael seemed to slow to a crawl as he stared at her seemingly lifeless body, the horror of what had just happened paralyzing him.
Tears blurred his vision as he reached out to her, his fingers trembling. "No... no, no, no!" he cried, his voice raw with anguish.