The next morning dawned with a strange stillness. Despite the chirping birds and golden rays spilling over the castle walls, a nervous tension hung in the air. None of the students had slept well, and the novelty of being in another world had already begun to chip away under the weight of uncertainty.
They were guided from the royal guest chambers after a quick breakfast, led through marble corridors and sunlit courtyards by the ever-composed Saint Seraphina. Her flowing white robes and unshakable grace made her seem more like an apparition than a real person.
Their destination was the Grand Church—a towering structure nestled within the outer grounds of the castle. It wasn't just a place of worship; it felt like a fortress in its own right. The main structure stretched into the sky like a spear of light, its walls a pristine white stone that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. The building's domes and arches were adorned with gold and silver inlays, and stained glass depictions of angels, saints, and battles against shadow lined the upper walls.
It looked like a second castle inside the castle—easily rivaling the palace itself in grandeur. The message was clear: religion in this world wasn't just important. It was everything.
As they passed under an archway into the main courtyard of the church, they were met with the serene gaze of a towering statue. It stood at the center of a shallow reflecting pool, its base covered in fresh petals and softly glowing runes.
The statue was of a goddess, no doubt. She had a soft, maternal expression, with long flowing robes and a pair of angelic wings unfurled behind her. Her hands were outstretched, palms facing upward as if in welcome—or perhaps judgment.
The group slowed to a stop in front of it, uncertain whether to admire or fear it.
Seraphina turned to face them, her silver-white hair catching the morning light. "This," she began, gesturing toward the statue, "is Aravellia, the Goddess of Light. She is our patron deity—the one who blessed the world with life and balance. It is by her divine will that you were summoned."
No one spoke. The group simply stared, caught between awe and disbelief.
Seraphina continued, her tone gentle. "You all will now receive your status plates. These will reveal the blessings granted to you upon your arrival. They are a sacred tool for heroes such as yourselves."
She motioned toward a set of white-robed attendants, all women—nuns, perhaps—but unlike any nun from their world. Their outfits, while adorned with holy symbols, clung to their forms and revealed more skin than expected. Short skirts, thigh-high boots, and decorative ribbons were paired with traditional veils and shawls. The juxtaposition was jarring.
Still, the students didn't protest. Most were too busy trying not to stare—or failing entirely.
One of the nuns stepped forward, carrying a tray with thin metallic plates that shimmered with ethereal light. Each one was no larger than a smartphone, but the symbols etched into them looked ancient and alive.
Seraphina smiled faintly. "Step forward, one at a time."
Renji, never one to be patient, shoved Shunpei lightly toward the front. "Go on, dude. See what kind of fantasy shit you received."
Shunpei stumbled a little but caught himself. His smirk was shaky as he stepped forward. "Yeah, yeah, I'm going. Don't push me, man."
He approached one of the nuns, trying not to make eye contact as he reached for the plate she offered. Her smile was soft, almost teasing, and Shunpei's ears turned red as he looked away quickly.
He turned back toward the group, holding the status plate awkwardly in both hands. "So, uh... what now?"
Seraphina took a step closer, her voice calm. "To see your status, simply drop a small amount of your blood onto the plate."
Shunpei blinked. "B-Blood?"
A chuckle rose from the back. Renji and Daigo exchanged a look before breaking into laughter.
"Dude, don't tell me you're afraid of blood," Renji called.
Even some of the girls giggled, covering their mouths politely but clearly entertained.
Shunpei's face flushed deeper, his confidence wobbling. "I'm not afraid," he muttered under his breath.
He hesitated for a second longer before biting down on his thumb. He winced—clearly not used to pain—and squeezed the pad until a single drop of blood welled up.
With a grimace, he let it fall onto the plate.
The moment the blood touched the metal, the symbols on the plate flared with light. Lines of glowing text began to appear, written in the same flowing script they'd seen on the summoning circle yesterday—but somehow, they could all understand it.
Shunpei's eyes scanned the plate, and he read aloud:
"Name: Shunpei Sato. Level: 1. Class: Hero. Strength: 12. Speed: 7. Agility: 7. Elemental Affinity: Earth."
A soft gasp echoed among the students.
Seraphina nodded, pleased. "As expected of the summoned heroes. Even at level one and no training, you are already stronger than an average adult in this world."
Shunpei let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, a shaky grin forming on his face. "Not bad huh? That's kinda cool."
Daigo clapped him on the back. "Told you it'd be worth it. Now let's see what the rest of us got."
Noa remained silent, watching the exchange. Miyu stood close beside him, her eyes fixed on the status plate in Shunpei's hands.
"You going up, Noa?" Miyu asked, her voice soft.
Noa shook his head slowly, eyes still on Shunpei's glowing status plate. "Nah... I'll wait a bit."
Miyu nodded and smiled faintly. "Alright. Then I'll wait with you."
Next was Renji. With his usual swagger, he stepped up and grabbed a status plate with both hands, flashing a grin at the group. He bit his thumb without hesitation, like he had something to prove, and let a drop of blood fall onto the plate.
The glowing script shimmered to life.
"Name: Renji Kuroda. Level: 1. Class: Hero. Strength: 15. Speed: 7. Agility: 9. Elemental Affinity: Fire and Earth."
Renji burst out laughing, loud and proud. "Hahaha! Aren't I the coolest? I've got two affinities! Two!"
He spun around to face the others, puffing out his chest like a rooster in front of hens.
Seraphina gave a calm nod, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Indeed. It is quite rare to possess dual elemental affinities. You should be proud."
One by one, the students stepped forward to receive their status plates. Each brought a mixture of nerves and curiosity, some smiling with relief when their stats appeared, others frowning with uncertainty. A few didn't seem to have any elemental affinity at all.
Seeing the concern in their eyes, Seraphina raised her voice gently to reassure them. "Do not be disheartened. For those of you without an affinity, it does not mean you are without hope. Affinities can awaken through training, emotional resonance, or even divine blessings. This is but the beginning of your journey."
The tension in the group eased slightly at her words. But not everyone looked satisfied.
Renji scowled, his arms crossed. "Then what's the point of saying I have two affinities if anyone can awaken theirs? Doesn't that make mine less special?"
Seraphina turned to him with an even expression, her tone calm but firm. "There is a difference between natural dual affinities and those awakened through effort. Natural affinities are innate—they resonate more deeply, respond more strongly, and often grant higher potential in combat and magic. They are exceptionally rare."
Renji clicked his tongue but didn't argue further. Still, he stood a little taller, satisfied that he wasn't just another face in the crowd.
Takeshi stepped forward next. The moment his blood touched the plate, it blazed brighter than anyone else's had before. A hush fell over the group as glowing letters formed on the surface:
"Name: Takeshi Hoshino. Level: 1. Class: True Hero. Strength: 20. Speed: 12. Agility: 8. Elemental Affinity: Fire, Water, Wind, and Light."
Gasps echoed around the courtyard. Even Seraphina's serene expression shifted into one of genuine surprise.
"A True Hero... and four elemental affinities," she murmured. "Such a blessing is incredibly rare. Perhaps once in a generation."
Takeshi scratched the back of his head, clearly overwhelmed. "I-I guess that's good?"
Next came Riku. Towering over the others, he grinned as he took a plate and dropped his blood without hesitation.
"Name: Riku Tanegashima. Level: 1. Class: Hero. Strength: 22. Speed: 6. Agility: 5. Elemental Affinity: None."
He blinked. "Huh. No element, huh? Well, strength's all I need anyway."
A few chuckles rippled through the group. It was classic Riku.
Aiko approached more quietly. Her touch was delicate, and she flinched slightly as she pricked her finger. The plate shimmered.
"Name: Aiko Kirishima. Level: 1. Class: Hero. Strength: 8. Speed: 15. Agility: 18. Elemental Affinity: Wind."
Aiko smiled softly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Wind... I like that."
Murmurs of admiration spread. Each step forward revealed more about who they were—and who they might become.
One by one, the rest of the class received their status plates, each revealing their unique blessings. Murmurs, gasps, and the occasional cheer rippled through the group with every new result. Eventually, only two students remained.
Miyu stepped forward with a steady breath. She glanced over her shoulder at Noa, her eyes meeting his. "I'm going. Wish me luck."
Noa offered a gentle smile, though there was a nervousness in his eyes he couldn't hide. "Good luck. You've got this."
Miyu turned back, her steps confident but not hurried. The nun held out the plate with the same serene expression, and Miyu accepted it with both hands. She hesitated for only a moment before pricking her thumb and letting a drop of blood fall onto the surface.
Light flared instantly, the plate glowing a soft blue, white, and silver. The letters appeared, radiant and unmistakable:
"Name: Miyu Tachibana. Level: 1. Class: True Hero. Strength: 18. Speed: 16. Agility: 10. Elemental Affinity: Water, Wind, and Light."
A hush swept through the crowd again. Another True Hero.
Miyu's brows lifted slightly in surprise, but she composed herself quickly, turning to Noa with a proud yet humble smile. Her eyes shimmered—not with pride, but quiet resolve.
Noa exhaled softly, awestruck. "You're amazing," he whispered, though only she could hear.
Seraphina clasped her hands together, her voice rich with reverence. "This is a blessing beyond words. Two among you have been revealed as True Heroes. The Goddess smiles upon us today."
Then it was Noa's turn.
Miyu turned to him and gave a small, encouraging smile—the kind that only someone who truly knew him could offer. He felt the warmth of her hand brush his, steadying him as he stepped forward.
The nun handed him the plate, her expression unreadable. Noa accepted it with both hands, swallowing hard. With a shaky breath, he bit his thumb and let the small drop of blood fall onto the surface.
The plate flickered, the glow dimmer than before. The text appeared slowly, as if even the magic hesitated:
"Name: Noa Itsuki. Level: 1. Class: - . Strength: 2. Speed: 3. Agility: 2. Elemental Affinity: - ."
Whispers stirred in the group. A few exchanged confused glances. Some looked away, uncomfortable.
Renji and his two friends, Daigo and Shunpei, burst into laughter. "Guess a loser is a loser no matter where he ends up," Renji sneered, his voice laced with cruel amusement.
Noa stared at the plate. He didn't even get a class.
For a split second, Seraphina's calm mask faltered. Her lips tightened, and her eyes flicked with something—disappointment? Disgust? But just as quickly, she composed herself again, offering a kind smile.
"Don't worry," she said gently, though her words felt distant. "With effort and discipline, you may still grow. Strength is not only granted—it can be earned."
Noa didn't say anything. His grip tightened slightly around the plate.
Miyu stepped forward without hesitation. She reached for his free hand and squeezed it. Then, without a word, she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
He blinked, looking at her.
"You're not alone," she whispered.
And just like that, some of the weight on his shoulders eased—if only a little.