Ray, who'd been sitting all the way in the back, quietly sipped his water.
'Alright… let me sum it up again, just in case.'
'We were dragged here because this world's about to get steamrolled. The humans are in a stalemate with demons, so they decided to go: "Yeah, let's yank some kids from Earth. That'll fix it."'
'Really cliché, yeah.'
At the center of the stage stood Isolde Thalora — the so-called Royal Mage of the Seraphis Empire — playing the part of a pleading saint. Hands clasped, eyes shimmering, her every move rehearsed to perfection.
"If we work together, we might have a chance to defeat the Demon King," she said, lowering her gaze just slightly. "I humbly implore you… please, help us."
'She's really milking the damsel act.'
Her voice trembled just enough to sound desperate, but her posture never faltered. Even her sadness looked beautiful.
Then, a sharp voice cut through the room.
"Please don't joke around!"
It was Miss Amy.
Her heels clicked furiously against the marble as she marched forward. "In the end, all you want is for these children to participate in your war! That's absolutely out of the question!"
She stood there — small frame, shaking shoulders, fists clenched tight. "Let us go back immediately! Their families must be worried sick! What you're doing is no different from kidnapping!"
Her voice cracked on the last word.
Ray couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration. She was only twenty-three — barely older than them — but she stood up anyway. Brave, or stupid. Maybe both.
For a brief moment, hope flickered in everyone's eyes.
But Isolde only smiled faintly. A smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I understand how you feel," she said softly. "However… it is impossible for you to return now."
The words fell like stones.
Silence spread across the hall — thick, suffocating.
Even the air felt heavy.
"I–Impossible?" Miss Amy stammered. "W–what did you just say?! If you can summon us, then surely you can send us back!"
Isolde's voice remained calm, almost motherly.
"As I stated before, even the first Emperor failed to find a way back to your world. So, there truly is no method to return to… Earth."
"T-That's…"
Amy's knees buckled. She sank into her chair, trembling. The spark in her eyes dimmed into dread.
'She really thought she could argue with a world-class manipulator. Cute.'
And just like that — the room broke.
"No way! We can't go back?!"
"This has to be some kind of prank!"
"I don't wanna die here! I haven't even been on a damn date yet!"
The panic spread like wildfire. Chairs scraped, people shouted, some even cried. A few clung to each other, desperate for reassurance.
Ray just watched.
'There it is. Total meltdown.'
Of course, not everyone looked horrified.
In the far corner, a group of self-proclaimed otakus were practically glowing. Whispering excitedly, like they'd just won the cosmic lottery.
Then — clap!
A clear sound cut through the chaos.
Isolde had clapped her hands once. The noise was light, but the air obeyed.
"Listen," she said smoothly, voice carrying effortlessly across the chamber. "There's no use panicking. I said there's no way to send you back now. But later? Perhaps."
The uproar dimmed, curiosity flickering back into terrified faces.
"Our magical research has advanced far beyond the days of the first Emperor. New spells are developed every year. With enough time and cooperation, I'm certain we can discover a method of two-way dimensional travel."
A pause — just long enough to let hope stir again.
"But," she continued, her lips curving into the faintest smirk, "our mages are needed at the frontlines. We cannot afford to divert them for research while the war rages on. So…"
Her tone softened — falsely gentle.
"I propose a mutual arrangement. You help us turn the tide of this war… and we will devote every possible resource to sending you home. A fair trade, don't you think?"
Her eyes gleamed. A snake's smile hidden behind an angel's mask.
Ray leaned back, eyes narrowing.
'Gotcha. That was the hook.'
'And judging by the faces around me… she already reeled them in.'
The air had grown heavy — thick with dread and disbelief.
Most of the students sat in stunned silence, faces pale as the gravity of their situation began to settle in.
They were trapped.
In another world.
With no way home.
But just when that grim reality began to take root among those still capable of sane thought—
A cluster of nobodies stood up.
They were the kind of guys no one ever noticed back on Earth — quiet, awkward, invisible. The ones who huddled in the back of class, whispering about anime and power systems while everyone else lived normal lives.
Now, they stood tall, puffing out their chests as if destiny had finally called their names.
"Don't worry, Miss Isolde," one of them said, his tone brimming with self-importance. "I'll help you fight off those demons."
"Yes," another added, nodding fiercely. "I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing what atrocities those monsters might commit if they win."
"Indeed," said a third, adjusting his glasses with exaggerated seriousness. "As fellow humans, we cannot allow demons to triumph over us."
"And besides," the last one chimed in, "you said the Emperor's ancestor was from Earth, right? That makes us… brethren!"
One by one, their voices rose — foolish, passionate, and painfully sincere.
Ray couldn't help but sigh.
'Idiots. Absolute idiots.'
'I'm sure these guys spent their whole lives praying for an isekai. And now that they've got one, they're treating it like a dream come true.'
"Y-you idiots!" Miss Amy's voice cracked as she shouted. "Sit down and stop spouting nonsense!"
The four turned on her, puffing up even more.
"Miss Amy, this isn't your classroom anymore," one sneered.
"Yeah," another added. "You can't order us around here."
"We'll do whatever we want!"
"That's right! We're not kids anymore!"
"You idiots!" Amy snapped, nearly trembling with frustration. "Do you think this is some kind of game?!"
Her words hit the wall — and bounced right off their thick skulls.
Then, before she could continue, a calm voice interrupted.
"I think you all have much to discuss."
Isolde's smooth tone silenced the room in an instant. She smiled faintly — the kind of smile that never reached her eyes.
"When you've reached a decision," she said, "inform the maid stationed at the door."
And with that, she turned gracefully on her heel.
Darius and the other knights followed, their armor clinking softly as they exited. One by one, the remaining mages and attendants filed out until only the students — and Miss Amy — were left in the vast hall.
The heavy doors closed behind them with a deep, echoing thud.
The sound carried finality.
They were alone now — cut off from everything familiar.
Ray exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair.
'Great,' he thought.