Aaron's blonde hair swerved left and right with his frantic movements, his expression painted with confusion.
"W-what the hell is going on?" he stammered, panic lacing his voice as his eyes roamed the surroundings—a place that looked like a church or temple.
Behind him, the other four weren't much better off. They stared at the crowd before them, and at the headless corpses of inhuman beings lying at their feet.
Their hearts filled with confusion, fear, and uncertainty.
A hooded figure stepped out of the crowd, his posture hunched, betraying the identity of an elder.
A frail arm pushed back the hood. The elder was obviously old—grey hair, golden eyes—but strangely enough, his face bore zero wrinkles. If not for his posture, he could have passed as a youth.
The elder addressed them. "Welcome, great heroes, to our world and your new home—Vertia!"
Jake, one of Gray's former students, seemed to realize something. His eyes went wide as he blurted out, "G-guys… I think we just transmigrated…"
The elder smiled and nodded. "Indeed you did. We humans of the Kingdom of Reinhardt summoned you to bring us victory."
Layla's expression twisted ugly as she asked bluntly, "Can you send us back? You summoned us against our will and brought us here to do God knows what."
Despite her rude tone, the elder remained smiling. The other gold-robed figures behind him stayed silent.
"You see, dear heroes, when it comes to returning, it is up to you. Once you reach the required strength, you can naturally break the void and return to your mortal plane…"
The elder's eyes glinted. How many heroes over the centuries had cried about wanting to go back? Yet the truth was that once they acquired near-immortality, deified status, and unimaginable wealth, none ever sought to return to mediocrity.
"Anyways, follow me. His Majesty awaits."
The hunched elder turned, leading them at a slow pace. The gold-robed men parted to make way.
After a short walk through a long, narrow hall, they arrived before two massive doors.
The elder's frail arm rose, a golden stream abruptly flowing from it. The cadence coiled around the colossal structures as gears cranked and joints creaked.
Slowly but surely, the massive doors swung open.
Aaron, Layla, Kim, Jack, and Jake all froze for a second.
They glanced at each other, gazes carrying shock—some even a hint of excitement—as realization dawned.
They had truly transmigrated. And this world definitely had magic.
A huge hall came into sight, towering golden pillars carved with soaring mythic dragons. Armored guards lined the path to the throne, nobles of different heights and regal looks standing behind them.
Finally, before them were two grand thrones, finely crafted and intricately inscribed.
On the right throne sat a man plated in rose-gold armor, runes glinting across the metal frames, powerful gems embedded in various areas.
His violet hair flowed down his back like a waterfall. His silver eyes gleamed, his face as handsome as his presence was commanding.
On his head sat a finely crafted crown with jagged tops, proclaiming his identity as king.
On the left throne sat a fair maiden in a flowing gold gown. Her violet hair bloomed like his, her silver eyes shining the same. Her pale skin glowed, cheeks lightly blushed.
On her head sat a slim crown adorned with gems, proclaiming her regal presence as queen.
By now, the five were already before the thrones. The elder quickly thudded to his knees, hands clasped in prayer.
The transmigrators frowned at the act but did not follow suit.
The king swept his gaze across them, his face stoic, betraying no emotion.
Finally, after a brief tense silence, his lips moved as he rose to his feet.
"Welcome, great heroes. I know you must be confused and conflicted, so I will give it to you straight.
You have been summoned to fight great evil. Every century in Vertia, a new Demon King rises, and we summon heroes to help us conquer these vile dark kings.
You will have our kingdom's forces behind you. You will also have wealth, status, power—whatever you desire.
But first, it all starts with an affinity test."
The king ended his speech, beckoning his guards. They carried forth a table, upon which sat a gleaming orb on a stand.
The king pointed. "Touch it, and your affinities will be revealed."
The elder, still bowing with clasped hands, urged the five. "What are you waiting for? Hurry."
They glanced at each other hesitantly, until Aaron kicked Jake forward.
"You go first."
The poor guy clenched his teeth, aggrieved, but not daring to lose his cool. He suppressed his emotions and stepped forward.
Under the suffocating gaze of the king and everyone else in the room, his trembling hand reached out.
It rested on the cloudy orb. Jake's heart raced, sweat oozing from his pores as panic set in when nothing happened.
What would happen if he was a useless hero?
He had watched too many anime and read enough manga to know things wouldn't end well. There were only two choices: discover a golden finger later… or die.
Thankfully, the silence lasted only a few seconds. His thoughts eased as the cloudy orb began to rattle furiously.
The stormy cloud within swirled as blue currents filled the orb, lightning crackling inside. A stormy wind followed, this time affecting reality.
Jake's black hair billowed, his amber pupils constricting, as a mini tornado filled with streaks of lightning materialized around him.
The phenomenon lasted only a brief second before dying down.
Gasps and exclamations rang out across the royal hall. The queen leaned forward with newfound interest.
And the king, for the first time, revealed a smile as he announced:
"A hero with wind and lightning affinities! Hahaha, my kingdom will surely prosper!"
Kim frowned. She glanced at her teammates, still gazing at the orb with renewed interest.
Her frown deepened. Was she the only one who realized the king proclaimed prosperity for his kingdom—not for humanity?
Glancing around the room, meeting the fervent gazes of nobles and royalty, a stifling sense of fear crept into her heart.
It seemed things weren't as simple as battling a Demon King. There was definitely more politics at play here…
"NEXT!"