The floating platform hummed softly beneath their feet, an almost musical vibration that resonated through the soles of their shoes. Hajime felt the tone of it more clearly than anyone else—the mana channels beneath the disk were singing, guiding the descent along rails of contained light. The movement was smooth, so smooth it felt unreal compared to the mechanical elevators back on Earth.
The wind brushing past them grew sharper the further they sank down the Divine Mountain. Thinner, colder… cleaner. Every inhale tasted faintly of mana, like breathing in purified air with a hint of ozone.
Ryutarou was nearly pressed to the shimmering barrier encircling the platform.
"Bro, we're really high up… This is insane."
Aiko-sensei clung rigidly to the interior railing, looking like she might faint.
"If… if that barrier vanishes… we'll— we'll—"
"Please relax," the priest said from the front without turning. "It won't disappear unless you insult Ehit-sama. In which case, only you will fall."
Aiko made a sound somewhere between a squeak and a whimper.
Hajime exhaled a quiet breath through his nose. The view was beautiful—distant lights, drifting clouds, a whole world stretched open beneath them—but his attention kept drifting toward things no one else could perceive.
Mana lines criss-crossing the mountain face.
Wards embedded in the rock like glowing roots.
Detection fields overlapping in semi-transparent sheets.
A country this fortified isn't peaceful, Hajime thought.
His Soul Core pulsed in soft acknowledgment—like a tiny sun dimly aware of the world around it. The Infinite Resonance stirred with each passing ward, analyzing, cataloging, humming with invisible interest.
Kaori clasped her hands in front of her chest, eyes wide as she looked over the edge.
"It's still so surreal… We're really not on Earth anymore…"
Shizuku murmured, "Feels like we fell into a fantasy setting."
You have no idea, Hajime thought. If only it were just that simple.
The disk slowed and glided elegantly toward a receiving terrace halfway down the mountain. Stone met stone with a smooth thunk, and the barrier dissolved into glittering motes of light drifting away on the wind.
"Step off. Don't run. Don't wander," the pope commanded. "You're about to meet people who believe you literally descended from god's front yard. Try to look respectable."
Kouki puffed his chest. Hiyama scoffed. Ryutarou nodded vigorously.
Hajime slipped his hands into his pockets and followed quietly with the others.
The terrace opened into a wide courtyard surrounded by white marble pillars carved with feathered figures—angels, maybe. Lines of armored knights stood in formation, their polished armor shining like silver mirrors.
One guard whispered, thinking the students couldn't hear, "By the radiance of Ehit-sama… they truly brought them down…"
Another quietly murmured, "Those clothes… strange fabrics… Are those garments from their realm?"
Hajime ignored their looks, but he noticed something important:
The awe wasn't really pointed at him.
Eyes fell naturally toward Kouki—heroic aura, bright posture, perfect protagonist framing. Kaori received gentle, almost reverent glances; Shizuku garnered respectful ones. Even Ryutarou was studied with mild curiosity.
When gazes passed over Hajime, they slid off almost immediately.
Good, he thought. Stay that way. I like being invisible.
Ishtar motioned sharply.
"Forward. We're crossing into the upper royal district."
A broad stone bridge stretched ahead, connecting the terrace to the elevated city levels. As the group walked, Hajime noticed how the air changed—more wards, more mana, thicker protections woven subtly into the landscaping.
The royal district was a fortress disguised as a garden.
White walls adorned with divine symbols.
Floating crystals orbiting slender towers.
Silver-leafed trees arranged in mathematically perfect patterns.
Hajime's Resonance trembled at the heavy magic thick in the air.
This whole district is one big barrier node…
They reached the first gate—tall, elegant, secured by two layers of guards. A captain stepped forward, helmet under his arm.
"Your holiness ishtar, These are…?"
"Knight capten meld was it? And yes they are Summoned guests from the Divine Mountain," ishtar replied.
The guards behind meld stiffened instantly.
"F-from the sanctum itself!?"
"Yes," Ishtar said. "So mind your posture."
Every knight slammed a fist to their chest and shouted in unified thunder,
"WELCOME, CHOSEN OF EHIT-SAMA!"
Half the class jumped out of their skins.
Kaori stumbled; Hajime instinctively caught her elbow.
She flushed. "T-thank you…"
The younger knights nearly turned red by the cuteness of a modern "saint-like" girl.
The heavy gate slowly opened, revealing pristine gardens that looked curated for divine guests. Flowers glowed softly, forming sigil-like patterns. Floating lamps drifted like lazy fireflies.
Maids lined both sides of the path, bowing in perfect synchronization.
Most kept their eyes down, but a few stole glances—mostly at Kouki.
"He resembles the hero in the old murals…"
"His aura is bright… Perhaps Ehit-sama's chosen?"
Kouki straightened even more.
Shizuku sighed. "Your ego is inflating again."
Hajime walked half a step behind them, perfectly unnoticed, and used the moment to study the environment.
Silver lines laced the flowerbeds—mana channels.
Trees held faint internal nodes.
Fountains had concealed magic arrays.
Pretty. Paranoid. Efficient.
Someone designed this place like a battlefield waiting to happen.
A group of ministers passed them. None of their thoughts were revealed—just their subtle reactions.
One whispered, "Church-sent assets… The power balance will shift."
Another replied, "His Majesty already agreed. We must adapt."
Hajime pretended not to hear but filed the tone away. Calculations. Concern. Political maneuvering.
So they're worried too…
Eventually, they reached the final gate—massive, gilded, engraved with the royal crest. An usher stepped forward and announced loudly:
"Presenting the summoned guests of the Divine Mountain!"
The doors opened.
Hajime had seen fantasy throne rooms in anime and games, but reality still overshadowed the imagination. Sunlight filtered through stained glass depicting Ehit's heroic deeds. Massive pillars rose like divine guardians. Banners draped across the walls fluttered softly with unseen magic.
Knights stood along the edges like statues.
Ministers lined raised platforms in organized factions.
The air carried a subtle blend of incense and mana-rich stone.
At the end of the hall stood the dais of three thrones.
The central throne held a man with gentle brown eyes and a calm, sincere expression—King Eliheid S.B. Heiligh. He radiated dignity without excessive sternness.
To his right stood Queen Luluaria—warm, poised, her presence like a soothing hearth.
To the king's left, Princess Liliana—composed, refined, with intelligent eyes.
A younger boy, Lundel, peeked curiously from behind the queen's sleeve.
The students slowed instinctively.
"Walk Straight, Don't clump." Meld whispered helpfully..
They obeyed.
Once they reached the designated point, the king rose and proceeded to introduce himself and his family first then continued.
"Children of another world," Eliheid said, voice calm and carrying easily through the hall. "On behalf of the people of Heiligh, I bid you a warm welcome."
His gaze swept over each of them Kouki, Kaori, Shizuku, eri, shizu, Aiko, etc.
His eyes landed on Hajime briefly, then moved on, Just like the others.
Hajime bowed with the rest.
Invisible as ever. Perfect.
"We apologize for the fear and confusion your sudden summoning must have caused," the king continued. "You were torn from peaceful lives into a land troubled by war. I cannot imagine the shock."
Several students visibly softened at the sincerity.
Kouki stepped forward, his "protagonist aura" shining.
"Your Majesty, we don't fully understand this world yet… but if our being here can help, we want to do what we can." ( What do me by we you self centred prick )
Of course you'd say that, Hajime thought with a tiny sigh.
Eliheid smiled gently. "Your resolve brings hope, Amanogawa-dono."
Queen Luluaria stepped forward gracefully.
"This is not your homeland, but think of this castle as your shelter. Should you have needs or concerns, do not hesitate to voice them."
Liliana added, "We will prepare tutors for language, history, and magic. Adapting may be difficult—please rely on us."
Aiko-sensei bowed deeply.
"Your Majesties… I beg you not to rush them into danger. They are still children in my care."
A few ministers stiffened, but the king merely nodded.
"A valid concern, Hatayama-dono. We will not throw untrained youths into battle. You will first learn about our world—and then choose your own roles."
Choose your own roles… Hajime's Resonance pulsed at the phrase, as if sensing the invisible obligations behind it.
A minister stepped out.
"The western guest wing is ready for them, Your Majesty. Their accommodations follow your specifications."
A priest added, "The chapel annex is prepared for status plate creation."
Status plates, Hajime thought. So it begins.
The king concluded with a calm gesture.
"For tonight, rest. Tomorrow, you will begin learning magic, history, and combat according to your aptitude. For now, welcome to Heiligh."
The audience ended. They bowed again before following the attendants out.
As Hajime walked, he felt gazes brush over him.
"Which one do you think is strongest?" one minister whispered.
"The boy Amanogawa was it?, and the saint-like girl beside him," another murmured. "The rest… seem ordinary."
Hajime nearly smiled.
Good. Keep thinking that.
The corridors grew quieter as they moved deeper into the palace, the tension slowly fading into exhaustion.
Kaori walked beside him. Shizuku followed close, occasionally checking the others' conditions. Kouki naturally took point.
Finally, the attendant priest turned and said:
"Once you've settled into your rooms, we will proceed to the chapel annex for your status plate creation."
Hajime's fingers twitched.
So the interface comes next.
He glanced briefly at his surroundings.
Throne room. Red carpet. Stained glass. First impressions.
Next step: the system behind the magic of this world.
And tomorrow, training begins.
But tonight—
Status plates.
Hajime exhaled slowly, his Soul Core thrumming softly in his chest.
This world is built on rules. Numbers. Structures.
And something inside me doesn't belong to those rules.
His Resonance shimmered faintly, like a distant bell being struck.
Whatever happens next… the system will react.
And he would have to react back.