Tom's vision swam as he fought off the lingering dizziness from the summoning. The world around him felt distorted, like he had just been yanked from one dimension and forced into another. Blinking rapidly, he steadied himself and took in his surroundings.
A grand hall stretched before him, ornate pillars adorned with gold lining the massive room. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting an ethereal glow. The floor beneath his feet was pristine marble, polished so thoroughly that he could almost see his own reflection staring back at him. Around him, murmurs of confusion and panic rippled through the gathered students. He could hear frantic whispering and the tell-tale voice of panic rising. His gaze shifted to Hajime Nagumo, standing beside him, wide-eyed and already looking overwhelmed.
A group of men clad in regal robes stepped forward, their expressions solemn yet filled with anticipation. One man, clearly someone of high standing, addressed the bewildered group. "Welcome, Heroes. You have been summoned to aid our world in its time of crisis."
Tom's mind raced. Of course, the classic summoning scenario. His gaze sharpened as he looked at the nobleman. The man's words were flowery, well-rehearsed, and carefully crafted to ensure cooperation.
Another noble spoke. "Several kingdoms around the world have been summoning heroes to aid in the upcoming war against the demon forces. Kingdoms like Melromarc have already called upon the Four Legendary Heroes, and even smaller towns have begun summoning heroes in preparation."
The students murmured amongst themselves, some excited, others nervous. Tom, however, remained silent, absorbing the information. So, this isn't just one kingdom gathering heroes? This is a full-scale war effort.
After a long briefing, they were each assigned rooms within the castle. Tom remained deep in thought throughout the night, analyzing everything he had learned. The system he had been granted, akin to Solo Levelling's interface, fed him data on his surroundings, allowing him to plan accordingly.
The next morning, they were escorted to a massive training ground. The open field was lined with sparring dummies, magical circles, and armed knights observing their progress. The royal instructor, a burly man clad in heavy armor, stepped forward. "Today, you will learn the fundamentals of your magic. Each of you has been granted unique abilities. We will assess them and determine your training regime."
One by one, the students activated their magic. Fireballs, wind gusts, and light-based abilities erupted in controlled bursts. Cheers and excitement filled the air. Then came Hajime's turn.
"Transmutation," the instructor announced, his tone noticeably unimpressed.
The students snickered. "A crafting ability? That's useless in battle," one of them muttered.
Hajime clenched his fists, clearly trying to hold back frustration.
Then it was Tom's turn. He stepped forward, raising a hand. Shadows coiled around his fingers, twisting unnaturally. The moment he activated his magic, an oppressive aura filled the field.
The instructor's eyes widened. "A… Shadow Monarch?"
The other students backed away instinctively. Even the knights tensed.
Tom smirked. So, I wasn't given an ordinary skill.
The king's advisors exchanged wary glances. One of them muttered, "He may be too dangerous to control."
Tom knew what this meant. He had been given immense power, but that also meant he was a threat. He would need to play his cards carefully. Hajime looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
This world sees us as pawns, Tom thought. But I refuse to be controlled.