Week after week, the students trained tirelessly under Commander Corvik on the training grounds, pushing themselves through physical exercises, weapons training, and archery. In their next sessions, they sat in the classroom and learned about magic, monsters, history, and the world they had been summoned to, taught by the lead mage, who served as their instructor.
The next day, Commander Corvik stood at the edge of the training field, watching as the students practiced their skills. A few of them sparred, testing themselves against one another with swords and magic. Teba then approached Corvik and stopped beside him, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Are you certain they're all ready, Commander?" Teba asked, looking at Corvik.
"Half of them are ready to face the enemy they're about to face. The others, however, still have a long way to go."
Corvik looked over at Hirito in his casual garments, who sat cross-legged with his sword resting across his lap. His hands remained firmly on his knees as a brilliant golden aura erupted around him, making his hair levitate slightly with the overwhelming power of his mana.
"Hirito is the most talented of the students. Since arriving in this world, he has shown exceptional control over mana and remarkable skill with the sword. He is a natural-born prodigy. It would seem the gods have favored him above the others."
Corvik then turned his gaze toward Tatsu, who was practicing archery. Tatsu released an arrow that narrowly missed the center of the target. With a sigh, he reached behind his back and drew another arrow from his quiver.
"Tatsu, on the other hand, is the exact opposite of Hirito. He may have practiced archery in his own world, but his skills are hardly enough. His mana is practically nonexistent, and his physical condition is even worse. He fainted during his second lap and couldn't hold a plank for ten seconds. Frankly, I don't see him surviving against a horde of monsters."
"I'm... sure he'll spontaneously become stronger someday, Commander."
"Perhaps. The ready students will be sent out in groups, while the others remain here until they have completed their training."
"Right, and... Commander."
"Hmm... what is it?" Corvik turned to Teba, giving him a questioning look.
"It's just... must we really send them out there? They're still only children."
Corvik let out a weary sigh. "You know as well as I do how desperately we need more soldiers to fight off those monsters."
"I mean... a destined hero from another world? What kind of made-up story did Darius pull out of his hat? And time in their world supposedly remains completely still while they're here in ours? I may not be a mage, but I know for certain that's impossible. Not even the gods possess that kind of power over time. I fear they are not ready to face the horrors that await them beyond those walls! For all we know, they could meet their deaths the moment they set foot outside! Have you forgotten what happened to our soldiers? Those creatures shredded them into minced meat!"
"That's enough, Teba." Corvik sighed. "I don't like this any more than you do, but the king needs them. Now, gather the students who are ready and organize them into warrior groups. They'll be departing tomorrow morning." Corvik turned and walked toward the castle doors.
Teba looked down, clenching his right fist tightly. He snorted quietly, wiped his beak, and whispered to himself. "This is ridiculous." Then he followed Corvik.
Unbeknownst to them, a student stepped out from behind the crates. It was Haru. His eyes were wide, his pupils trembling with fear as he struggled to breathe. He had heard everything, the entire conversation between Corvik and Teba, and now knew the truth.
Meanwhile, Tatsu continued practicing archery, yet once again, his arrow missed the center of the target. He clicked his tongue in frustration. Reaching behind his back, he drew another arrow from his quiver and nocked it onto his bow. He pulled the string back, steadied his aim, and focused on the target before him.
"Hello, Tatsu."
A female classmate with a brown, milk-tea-colored bob haircut approached him. She was the same girl Tatsu had often found himself staring at back in their world. Tatsu immediately lowered his bow, his aim faltering as he turned toward the girl standing beside him.
"Ah! Aoi! H-hey."
Tatsu looked at Aoi, dressed in flowing white mage's robes trimmed with gold, with a matching cape draped behind her. In her hand, she carried an ornate staff crowned by a brilliant cyan magic crystal, its glow shining through the steel frame that held it in place. A golden pommel adorned the base, while delicate metallic filigree ran along the staff, giving it an elegant and regal appearance.
"Wow... you got your own mage robes... and even a staff..."
Aoi nodded excitedly. "Mmm! I've always wanted to wear this kind of clothing! I even went for something similar to a saintess's attire because of my expertise in healing magic and other support spells! It's kinda like the ones in those RPG games we used to play... What was the name of that game again?"
"Ah! The World of Erasia Online, right?!"
"Oh yeah! That one!"
"You played that game too?"
"Of course! The game is pretty fun. I'm not really good at combat, so I decided to go with a support build and help my friends."
"Oh, I see."
"You and your friends played The World of Erasia Online too, didn't you?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, we did play that."
"I was wondering... once we're done saving this world, maybe we could play The World of Erasia Online together? I heard you were pretty good at it, too... You even knew the bosses' attack patterns and stuff."
"Eh?" He blinked several times, then pointed at himself in disbelief. "W-with me?"
Aoi nodded happily, her smile growing brighter.
Tatsu nodded. "Y-yeah, we can do that." He glanced down at his bow, his expression becoming a little downcast. "If only I could keep up with you guys..."
"Ah, awesome! And don't worry about that. You'll do just fine, okay? I'm sure you'll grow stronger in no time!"
Tatsu became flustered, his face turning slightly red. "Th-thanks, Aoi."
"Mhm!" Aoi turned and walked toward her friends, giggling as she realized she'd finally dared to ask him to play a game with her, once they were finished saving the world.
Tatsu watched Aoi walk away, a smile spreading across his face as he scratched the back of his head. Suddenly, Kenji came up from behind and wrapped an arm around Tatsu's neck. Kenji now wore a bandana around his head, with combat gauntlets covering his hands and forearms and steel greaves protecting his legs. A steel armor plate covered his torso, while a black tailcoat hung loosely around his waist.
"Hahahaha, Tatsu! My man! You finally got yourself a girl now?!"
Then, Daiki came up to them. "Really, Tatsu?" Daiki was dressed in brown mage robes decorated with purple cross-shaped patterns along the trim. Gold bracelets adorned his wrists, while a spellbook hovered magically at his side.
"It-it wasn't like that! She just asked me if I'd play The World of Erasia Online with her after all this was over!"
"Yeah, sure, man. She's totally into you. How do you not see it?" Kenji said.
"But..." Tatsu let out a sigh. "I don't know. What could she possibly see in me? I'm the guy with the lowest mana, and I can't even hit the center of a target. Seriously, man... I don't get it."
"Hey, bro! Come on, we can't know that for sure. Maybe she sees you as cute, smart, or something else entirely. You'll find out from her eventually. But whatever happens, just know that we'll be there for you. That's what bros are for, right?"
"Yeah, man! Bros for life, right?" Daiki said, holding up his fist between them.
Kenji held up his fist between them. "Bros for life?" Looks at Tatsu.
Tatsu chuckled softly, then raised his fist to meet Kenji's. "Bros for life."
All three of them bumped fists together and shouted at the top of their lungs. "Yeah! Bros for life!" They laughed among themselves for a moment, but their laughter soon faded when Haru approached them, his eyes wide and his face deathly pale. Daiki immediately noticed the fear in Haru's expression and said.
"Haru, where were you, man? You just missed everything!"
"Yeah... are you okay, Haru? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
Haru stammered nervously, trying to tell them what he had just heard during Corvik and Teba's conversation. He was on the verge of revealing the truth when Darius's voice suddenly rang out across the training grounds, cutting him off.
"All students are to gather in the king's court at once!"
Tatsu and his friends exchanged curious glances as they looked toward Darius, wondering what awaited them in the king's court.