Light exploded beneath their feet...!
Their familiar classroom vanished; replaced by towering marble pillars, glowing runes beneath them, and robed figures flanked by intimidating knights clad in regal armor...!
"W-what the—?!"
"Huh...?!"
"Wh-where are we...?!?"
Confusion spread like wildfire.
This group of college students had been spirited away—snatched from their world and surrounded by unknown figures; their faces hidden beneath heavy robes and veils...!
But then—
"WELCOME! Chosen heroes summoned by the will of the Divines!!!"
A voice boomed from the far end of the grand hall...!
All heads snapped toward a regal figure that approached them, draped in a pure white robe, adorned with glowing golden ornaments from head to toe...!
An old priest stepped forward, carrying himself with the weight of authority.
"We have summoned you from the other world... in hopes that you will help us vanquish the Evil Demon King!"
"WHAT?!?"
Their eyes widened. Mouths fell open. The 'summoned heroes' reeled in shock!
A few minutes ago they had just been your average college students...
And now, they'd suddenly been "summoned" to another world to defeat the 'demon king.'
It was natural for all of them to be bewildered—panic even—as these people expected them to just throw themselves at what could be a dangerous entity.
"W-w-wait, hold on!"
"Defeating 'what' now?!"
"P-please explain—"
"AND NOW!"
The priest cut them off—! Brandishing his authority over the confused 'heroes'...!
"Please step forward to the Appraisal Stone and reveal your Divine Job Class!"
One of the robed attendants wheeled in a cart. Resting atop it was a perfectly round, glass-like crystal ball that shimmered faintly with magic.
However, no one dared to take a step...
All eyes were on them, but none dared to even take the initiative.
"Please, do not be afraid, my children."
The old priest said reassuringly; arms outstretched as if to gently herd them toward the clear orb.
They were still hesitant... but—
Someone stepped forward!
"A-Arthur?!"
"H-hey, dude! What are you doing...?!"
The blonde, broad-shouldered young man ignored his classmates' protests...!
He approached the pedestal with determined steps, his eyes locked onto the old priest waiting beside it.
"Ah, a valiant one, I see," the priest smiled. "Come closer, child. Place your hand on the Appraisal Stone."
"...Okay."
Arthur reached forward and pressed his hand to the crystal—
A brilliant white light burst from it!
"WONDERFUL!!!" the priest cried, overcome with joy!
The robed attendants then gasped and began praying aloud, and even the holy knights murmured in awe.
"As expected of such a noble soul!" The old priest commended. "Truly, you are blessed by the Divines!"
"A-a divine... soul...?"
"INDEED! The Appraisal Stone reveals the color of one's soul—and yours is among the brightest I have ever seen in my life!!!"
Arthur blinked, still overwhelmed.
But... he couldn't help but feel the spark of pride rising in his chest.
"And now..."
The priest also touched the glowing stone—and suddenly, a floating window appeared above it!
"W-what in the—"
"TRULY SPLENDID!!!"
The priest's voice cut off Arthur's bewilderment; his shout echoed through the hall as he read aloud:
"Arthur Layfang... your Job Class is—
'Hero of Light'!!!"
Collective gasps erupted throughout the grand summoning hall, then followed by heavy cheers...!
"The Hero of Light?!"
"The chosen one!"
"Oh, thank you, O Gods above!"
The robed priests fell to their knees in gratitude. The knights cheered and clapped their gauntlets together.
The summoning hall filled with praise and celebration.
And Arthur... just stood there, stunned.
The other students were equally baffled as well—still trying to make sense of what they just witnessed.
Their classmate, Arthur… was the supposed 'Hero of Light.' It was quite the grandiose job class that it almost felt like it was fated.
The rest of the students looked at each other for clarity.
"S-so... is this really another world?"
"We're not in some kind of prank... r-right?"
"I-I don't think so..."
"I-I mean... Arthur received his 'job class' and all, so... maybe..."
Their hesitation was evident to the old priest, already anticipating such uncertainty.
"Please, dear heroes," he beckoned with a smile, "come forward. Let us see the divine role that the Gods have bestowed upon each of you."
Some still hesitated; their legs rooted to the floor.
But then—
"I'll go...!"
A tall girl stepped forward—calm, but with fire in her eyes.
The priest welcomed her with a nod.
"Another brave soul. Go on, child."
She reached out—touched the crystal.
A soft glow... Not as bright as Arthur's, but still clear...!
"Elaine Bright. Your Job Class is... Inferno Wizard!"
Gasps echoed again, along with a chorus of awe from the young woman's peers...!
"Whoa..."
"A wizard...?"
"That... sounds powerful...!"
And thus... their fear began to dissipate.
"I'll go!"
Another boy stepped forward.
"—Sword Master!"
Then another.
"—Shield Champion!"
And another.
"—Axe Hero!"
The priest continued his announcements, each one ringing through the chamber like the toll of a bell...!
"—High Priestess!"
The Appraisal Stone flickered with every touch—some lights stronger than others—but the reactions became routine.
"—Ice Sorcerer!"
"—Beast Tamer!"
"—Martial Artist!"
The room buzzed with rising energy.
Cheers. Laughter. Pride.
One after another, the students lined up, each getting their moment, each hearing their "divine role" shouted with grandeur.
And before long...
All of them had stepped forward.
...Except for one.
Just one person remained near the back.
A young man... his dark bangs veiling his hesitant expression.
While the others had received their "blessings," he remained still—uncertain.
His eyes scanned the robed figures and regal knights surrounding them, every movement sharpening his suspicion.
And when his gaze landed on the old priest—
"What's the matter, my child?"
The priest offered that same gentle smile... but he could tell—it wasn't genuine.
Something in his gut kept whispering that something was wrong with all of this.
None of these people felt real to him. Behind the holy facade... he could sense it—manipulation.
To them, he and his peers weren't 'heroes.'
Just pawns.
Disposable.
"..."
"Come now, dear hero," the priest urged him, "step forward and reveal your divine role."
He was still hesitating... but—
"Zane! Come on, man!"
Arthur, his classmate who went first, called out to him with a genuine smile.
"Yeah, dude!"
"Show us what you got, Zane~."
"Let's beat the demon king together!"
One voice after another followed, each one louder than the last.
'...No point in resisting now, I guess...'
He let out a small sigh, stepping forward and deciding that for now... he'd just go along with it.
Zane slowly turned toward the appraisal stone before him.
He stopped in front of it... but his hand clenched slightly.
A part of him still hesitated...
But eventually, he reached out and touched the stone.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
FWOOM—!
A burst of eerie, dark purple light exploded from the stone!
The entire chamber gasped; shocked!
"W-What in the Gods' name...!?"
The old priest's eyes widened as the purple glow reflected off his face.
"This... I've never seen such a color before..."
But he quickly shook his head, fixing his expression into that same 'gentle' smile.
"Ahem... h-how... fascinating," he tried to praise, though his tone betrayed a hint of strain, "y-your soul shines with... quite the unique color, my child."
He then slowly reached out and placed his hand on the stone.
Another status window materialized—floating right before them, just like the others before, before the old priest would read out aloud:
"Zane Ashfield... your Job Class is... 'Chimera King'...???"