Part2
While they waited for the Church members preparing the summoning altar, the five teenagers exchanged cautious glances, still processing what they had just heard.
After the pontiff's words, something in their eyes changed... as if, little by little, they were beginning to understand.
They had been summoned into the game they had been playing.
—I'm guessing you guys were playing Celestaris on your phones too? —asked the red-haired girl, her tone curious.
—Yeah... this all feels very familiar —answered the brown-haired boy, adjusting his glasses—. In my case, I was doing a main quest when a flash of light brought me here.
—I took my brother's phone without permission —said the smallest girl, a bit embarrassed—. I just wanted to try it... everyone at school was talking about the game.
—What's your name, little one? —asked the redhead with a kind smile.
—I'm Mio Tsukino... and I'm in sixth grade.
—Nice to meet you, Mio. I'm Miharu Takatsuki, third year at an all-girls junior high —she replied proudly, then added with a playful grin—. Captain of the karate club.
She followed up with a playful elbow to the gray-haired boy beside her.
—Yeah, uh... I'm Kouya Arisato. First-year junior high student and captain of the regional soccer team —he said, returning the smile with confidence.
—Ah, athletes —commented the last one to speak, adjusting his glasses.
—I'm Hayato Aizawa, third-year in the science division of high school.
—Aren't you a little young to be in high school? —Miharu asked, raising an eyebrow.
—I skipped a few grades —Hayato replied calmly—. I've always been smarter than most kids my age...
A brief silence followed.
—And you? You're awfully quiet —Kouya asked, looking seriously at Kaito.
Kaito, who had been lost in thought until then, snapped back to reality.
—Ah... sorry. I was just thinking about how amazing you all are.
He gave a small bow.
—My name is Kaito Amakawa. I'm a first-year junior high student, and to be honest... I'm not as special as the rest of you.
—Maybe... this time will be my chance to prove I can actually do something for others —he added in a low voice, clenching his fists as the memory of his parents crossed his mind.
Mom...
—I need to talk to her —he murmured, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone.
The screen was on, but only a loading symbol appeared.
No bars. No connection.
—Did you really think you'd get cell signal in another world...? —Kouya said with a sideways grin—. You're such a dumbass, man.
The high pontiff stepped forward, noticing the concern on their faces.
—Do not worry —he said in a calm voice—. Everything you wish to know about your world will be answered by His Majesty, King Raiden, in due time.
He paused for a moment.
—The ritual is ready and about to begin. Please step onto the altar when your name is called, to receive your divine armament.
The marble altar began to glow brightly, bathing the hall in silver light descending from the central stained glass.
The runes etched into the floor lit up one by one, as if responding to a higher force slowly awakening.
Each of the five chosen stood before a circle engraved with lunar symbols.
Kaito swallowed hard. His heart was pounding.
—Now, you shall receive the blessing of the goddess Mizuki —announced Marcel Delacroix, arms outstretched—. The Lunar Blessing Altar will select a divine weapon in resonance with each hero's soul.
Kaito looked down at his circle. It was slightly cracked around the edges, as if the marble had been patched a long time ago. It struck him as odd, but he didn't think much of it.
—Miharu Takatsuki —called the pontiff.
The red-haired girl stepped forward. She placed her hand at the center of her altar, and a burst of red light engulfed her. From that energy emerged two metallic gauntlets that clamped onto her arms as if they had been waiting just for her.
Affinity confirmed: Breaker Gauntlets – Combat Heroine confirmed.
The murmurs of the acolytes echoed with admiration.
One by one, the summoning continued.
Hayato placed his hand on the altar, and a floating grimoire emerged in a shower of golden sparks. Its pages turned on their own, covered in ancient runes. A panel appeared instantly.
Affinity confirmed: Chronoscroll Grimoire – Hero of Wisdom confirmed.
Kouya was next. When he touched the altar, a dark bow appeared, surrounded by a faint aura that seemed to absorb the light around it. The atmosphere fell into an eerie stillness.
Affinity confirmed: Shadowpiercer Bow – Hero of Leadership confirmed.
Even the smallest one, Mio, was recognized. She touched the altar with trembling hands, and a slender wand manifested in the air. A tiny golden bell at its tip gave off a soft chime at her touch.
Affinity confirmed: Lunar Veil – Heroine of Healing confirmed.
Kaito smiled.
Now it was his turn.
—Kaito Amakawa —said the pontiff.
The boy stepped forward, took a deep breath... and placed his hand on the altar.
Nothing.
A second passed. Then another.
No light.
No reaction.
No voice.
Only silence.
Kaito looked at his fingers, then down at the altar. He pressed again. The marble was still cold.
—Is it... working? —he murmured.
Marcel frowned. One of the clerics began flipping through an ancient, dusty tome.
—It should be immediate. There are no precedents recorded in the texts —he said, concerned.
—Just wait —said another—. Maybe it's still searching for the weapon that resonates most with his soul.
Then, very slowly, a figure began to materialize above the altar.
A sword.
Rusty.
Cracked.
Completely dull.
The blade was broken.
The guard, plain.
The grip, nearly falling apart.
No status panel appeared.
—What's going on? What divine weapon is that? —asked one of the acolytes, confused.
—No affinity detected —reported another, staring at the blank screen—. This weapon... it's not cataloged.
A new line floated into the air, written in faint letters:
Affinity not detected — Class unassigned
Kaito continued staring at the sword in his hand.
He didn't feel power.
He didn't feel warmth.
But he did feel something...
A faint vibration. Like a deep echo, pulsing from the center of his chest.
—Is this... a mistake? —he managed to say.
The high pontiff watched the scene in silence. His expression was no longer solemn—but severe.
—This boy... is unfit to be a hero.
Kaito blinked, confused.
—And... if I wasn't chosen? Can you send me back home? —he asked quietly, barely breathing.
Silence was the first response.
Then came a phrase that etched itself into his mind:
—Only the goddess Mizuki knows how to return the summoned… and that will happen only once their mission is complete.
Kaito lowered his gaze.
Not a hero here.
And unable to return there.
The words didn't hit like a blow.
They were worse.
They fell like a void.