Chapter Six — The Flow of Power
The throne room finally settled into uneasy silence as the king rose from his seat once more. His crimson cloak swept behind him like a rolling tide, catching the dim morning light that streamed through the stained glass windows.
"Students summoned from another world," he addressed them, voice steady but firm. "Before you are permitted to leave the palace, two final steps must be taken."
The massive doors at the far end of the hall creaked open. Two figures stepped forward—one a tall, armored knight with a calm, authoritative expression, the other a robed woman with soft silver hair tied neatly behind her. Their presence quieted the room almost instantly.
"These are your temporary escorts," the king continued. "Sir Ardon will guide the males. Lady Veyra will guide the females."
The knight, Ardon, bowed his head. "I will ensure your safety and order. Please follow me when instructed."
Lady Veyra mirrored him with a gentle smile. "And I will attend to the young women. There is no need for fear."
The king's gaze swept across the students—all anxious, all uncertain.
"Before you depart," he said, "my mages will examine each of your mana flows. Only then can we determine the stability of your bodies and the nature of the abilities you may unlock."
Nora perked up at that, glasses shining with fascination. Others—Jordan included—looked like they were two seconds from fainting.
The king lifted a hand for silence.
"You must understand something important. Mana capacity differs from person to person. Some of you may possess immense reserves. Others may hold only a trace. This disparity affects everything—your potential strength, the duration of your abilities, and how deeply you may draw from your power."
He let the weight of that sink in.
"No matter how powerful an ability you awaken, if your mana capacity is insufficient, you will tire quickly... or worse. Mana exhaustion can be lethal if pushed too far. The earlier rule still stands."
His gaze hardened.
"The greater the power, the greater the weakness that accompanies it."
A shiver passed through the students.
Roman stayed still, expression unreadable, though he absorbed every word.
Finally, the king concluded, "You will be given new clothing suited for training and life within the kingdom. Afterward, your examination will begin."
Ardon took a step forward. "Boys, with me."
Veyra gestured to the girls. "And girls, this way."
The group split, murmuring amongst themselves as they followed their respective escorts out of the throne room.
⸻
The Boys' Corridor
The hallways of the palace stretched long and grand, filled with carved marble pillars and flickering magical lanterns that hovered without chains. The boys of the class walked together, footsteps echoing faintly against the immaculate floors.
For once, the atmosphere wasn't panicked—just quietly tense.
Evan ran a hand through his sandy hair. "Well... I guess this is happening. We're really here. In a castle. After getting isekai'd. Never thought I'd say that sentence seriously."
Jordan groaned. "Yeah, well, I didn't think I'd be living my favorite anime trope while also wanting to throw up."
Darius shot him a flat look. "Stop complaining. At least no one's dead."
"That's not exactly comforting, big guy!"
Talia wasn't here to tease him back, which only made Jordan's dramatic energy worse.
Aiden walked near the front, hands in his pockets. "Still... the king's explanation was helpful. Mana capacity, weaknesses... We should take this seriously."
"Agreed," Evan added. "We need to stay level-headed."
Nora wasn't here, but her energy lived on in the group's sudden barrage of questions.
Liam—usually the quiet one—finally spoke. "Do you think the exam hurts? Like... do they stab you with something? Drain your blood? Test your organs?"
Jordan spun on him. "Bro. BRO. Stop. I'm fragile."
Roman almost smiled. Almost.
Tobias chimed in confidently, "I bet I'll have tons of mana. Athlete, strong body, excellent lung capacity—"
Jordan smacked the back of his head lightly. "Mana isn't cardio, genius."
Darius snorted quietly. "Wouldn't bet on it."
From further back, Kazuki stretched lazily. "Honestly, low mana sounds kinda nice. Less responsibility."
"Some of us actually WANT power," Tobias fired back.
Darren shrugged. "Relax. We're getting checked anyway. No point stressing."
Evan nodded at that. "He's right. We're all stuck here together. Might as well make the best of it."
A few of the boys looked toward Roman then—subtle, curious.
He hadn't spoken yet.
He rarely did.
Finally, Jake nudged him lightly. "You good, Roman? You're quiet even for you."
Roman's crimson eyes flickered, calm and steady. "Just thinking."
Jordan raised a brow. "About what?"
"About what comes next," Roman replied simply. "And how we're supposed to live here."
The hallway fell silent for a moment—not heavy, just thoughtful.
Evan crossed his arms, expression easing. "Well... we've got each other. That's a start."
Darius nodded once. "Yeah. No one's going through this alone."
Aiden gave a small smile. "Then let's stick together. No matter what the exam says. Agreed?"
A chorus of "yeah," "sure," "obviously," and Jordan's dramatic "as long as we don't die," echoed through the corridor.
And for the first time since arriving in this strange world...
It felt like the beginning of something real.
Friendship.
Brotherhood.
A new chapter in lives they never asked for—but would have to face all the same.
Ardon stopped before a set of ornate wooden doors.
"Here," he announced. "This will be your changing room. Clothing suited to your new environment awaits inside."
Roman took a slow breath.
Their new lives... truly started the moment they stepped through those doors.