A Sudden Departure

My name is Haruki Nakamura, a second-year college student. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, lazy glow over the campus. I walked across the familiar grounds, exhaustion weighing heavily on my shoulders.

'I feel sleepy,' I thought, stifling a yawn. The last lecture had dragged on, filled with the monotony of endless slides and droning explanations. I couldn't help but think, *'That lecture was sure long and boring.'*

As I strolled through the campus, I passed by groups of high school students, their laughter and youthful energy a stark contrast to my own solitary existence.

'High school, huh,' I mused, my mind drifting back to my own high school days. Memories of loneliness and missed opportunities flooded in. 'My high school years were full of boredom and loneliness, and I didn't make a single friend. Well, it's too late to regret that now, I guess.'

A peculiar sensation interrupted my thoughts. A soft, ethereal light appeared before me, gently pulsating as if beckoning me closer.

*"Hm,"* I muttered, bewildered by the mysterious glow.

*'What's up with this light?'* I pondered, taking a step toward it, curiosity piqued. However, before I could react, an overwhelming force enveloped me, and the world around me dissolved into a blinding whirl of colors.

Moments later, I found myself inside a grand castle, surrounded by five high school students who appeared equally dazed and disoriented.

"Sir, we have successfully summoned the heroes," announced a handsome knight, his armor gleaming in the castle's dimly lit hallway.

"I see. Now, please follow me, sirs and madams," he instructed, leading the bewildered group further into the castle.

As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the high school students trembling with fear and uncertainty. The weight of our newfound destiny hung heavily in the air.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the castle's opulent throne room, where a regal king and his royal family awaited us.

"I welcome you, heroes, to my kingdom," declared King Avalon Windsor, his voice resonating with authority.

Queen Genevieve Windsor and Princess Aurora Windsor introduced themselves in turn. Each member of the royal family exuded an aura of nobility and grace.

Feeling the weight of tradition and courtesy, I knelt before the monarchs, demonstrating respect.

"My name is Haruki Nakamura, your majesty," I said, my voice steady.

The other heroes followed suit, introducing themselves one by one, their names echoing with varying degrees of confidence.

""It seems that you heroes know proper etiquette," King Avalon noted, his eyes studying us. With a regal demeanor, he continued, "Ahem... I have summoned you heroes you to stand as our last hope in defeating the looming threat of the demon lord, a peril that threatens our world."

During this exchange, a subtle delay in the king's response did not escape my notice, causing a sense of unease.

'This guy is lying,'* I thought, my skepticism growing as I pondered the king's intentions. *'Does he want to use us as weapons for his country, manipulating our abilities to serve his own hidden agenda, all under the guise of saving the realm?'* My doubts about King Avalon's true motives deepened, casting a shadow over the grandeur of the throne room.

My suspicions continue to deepened as the mages of the palace initiated an appraisal of our abilities. They began with Kaito Suzuki, revealing his extraordinary status:

**Kaito Suzuki**

- Level: 1

- Job: Hero

- HP: 1000

- MP: 1,600

- Skills: Sword mastery, thunder magic, fire magic, wind magic, light magic, earth magic, inventory, appraisal.

As the mages displayed Kaito's impressive attributes, the king inquired about the findings.

"What is his status?" he inquired, his interest evident.

The mages then turned their attention to Renjiro Takahashi, uncovering his unique abilities:

**Renjiro Takahashi**

- Level: 1

- Job: Guardian

- HP: 2,000

- MP: 780

- Skills: Shield mastery, hardening, taunt, resistance, damage reduction, disruption, inventory, appraisal.

The reveal of Renjiro's robust statistics garnered nods of approval from the royal court.

Next, the three girls were appraised:

**Ayumi Kawaguchi**

- Level: 1

- Job: Sage

- HP: 700

- MP: 2,000

- Skills: Magic mastery, magic affinity, wind magic, fire magic, earth magic, water magic, spatial magic, barrier magic, inventory, appraisal.

**Hana Yamamoto**

- Level: 1

- Job: Saint

- HP: 900

- MP: 1,100

- Skills: Heal, regeneration, purification, revitalize, protection, blessing, inventory, appraisal.

**Sakura Tanaka**

- Level: 1

- Job: Assassin

- HP: 890

- MP: 900

- Skills: Dagger mastery, stealth, shape-shifting, disguise, backstab, ambush, inventory, appraisal.

Finally, my own appraisal unveiled my stark reality:

**Haruki Nakamura**

- Level: 1

- Job: Caught in a hero summoning

- HP: 450

- MP: 150

- Skills: Appraisal, inventory, cooking.

Renjiro couldn't resist a chuckle as he glanced at my minimal skill set.

"Seriously, just three skills?" he quipped.

Kaito, ever the voice of reason, admonished, "We should not laugh at someone this stats."

*'These guys,'* I thought with a wry smile. *'On the other hand, I'm really glad that I am a weakling. With this, I can get out of this castle.'*

With determination in my heart and a plan forming in my mind, I raised my hand, seeking a way out of this predicament.

"Um, King Avalon, please pardon me for my actions," I began, careful to show proper respect. "But may I request to leave?"

The king, curious but accommodating, inquired, "Why?"

"Because I am weak," I admitted with candor, "and I don't think that I am that useful, as you can see from my status."

King Avalon granted my request with a nod, allowing me to exit the palace. However, my quest for freedom didn't end there.

"Also, may I ask for some funds to sustain myself until I find employment?" I added.

The king generously granted me thirty gold coins, and with gratitude, I bid them farewell.

"Thank you for your kindness, King Avalon."

I ventured into the bustling streets of the kingdom, intent on starting a new life, far away from the mysteries of the castle.

As I explored the city, I stumbled upon a vendor and approached with a question on my mind.

"Um, ma'am," I began, addressing the vendor, "can you do me a favor?"

She smiled warmly and agreed, "Sure, what is it?"

"Do you know where the inn is?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

The vendor give directions where the inn is, and I thanked her with a small tip before continuing my exploration.

As I ventured deeper into the city, searching for clothing that would help me blend in, I couldn't help but reflect on the extraordinary turn my life had taken. Choosing a simple polo shirt and black pants might have seemed ordinary, but it was a practical necessity to avoid drawing attention, considering the grandeur of the castle and the unfamiliarity of this world.

*'This outfit reminds me of the clothes I used to wear back home,'* I mused.

With my purchase made and my appearance less conspicuous, I decided it was time to consider my options.

As the day transitioned into evening, exhaustion weighed heavily on me. I found a the inn and, with curiosity, walked inside. The innkeeper, a girl around older than me, greeted me warmly.

I approached her and asked, "How much is it to rent a room for two days, including food and access to the bathhouse?"

"To rent a room for two days, it's 40 silvers in total," she explained.

I contemplated the prices, unfamiliar with the currency, and politely asked, "Um, ma'am, can you do me a favor?"

"Of course, what do you need?" she replied, her tone friendly.

"What is the value of each coin in this kingdom?" I inquired, realizing I needed to understand the currency system to make informed decisions.

The innkeeper kindly provided a detailed explanation, and I thanked her for the valuable information, leaving her a small tip.

*'So, it's like this, huh,'* I thought, mentally converting the currency into a scale I could grasp. *'The currency exchange rate in the kingdom was straightforward: one iron coin equaled to 10 yen, one Copper coin equaled 100 yen, one Silver coin is equivalent to 10,000 yen. Gold coin held significant value, as one Gold coin equated to 100,000 yen, while Platinum coin, the highest denomination, was worth a staggering 1,000,000 yen.'*

With the knowledge of the currency system now firmly in my grasp, I made my decision and approached the innkeeper.

"Okay," I said with a smile, "I'll take a room for one day, including food and access to the bathhouse."

She nodded and collected the appropriate payment, handing me a small, rustic key.

"Your room is upstairs, third door on the left," she directed.

"Thank you," I replied, making my way to my temporary sanctuary.

As I settled into the cozy room, I couldn't help but reflect on the bizarre turn my life had taken. I closed my eyes and allowed exhaustion to wash over me. Sleep came swiftly, offering a temporary escape from the enigmatic world I now found myself in.

The night was still, broken only by the soft sounds of the inn's patrons and the occasional distant laughter from the streets below. Inside the modest room, Haruki's thoughts raced as he lay on the unfamiliar bed.

*'What am I going to do now?'* he wondered. The escape from the castle had been a success, but he was well aware that the challenges of this new world were just beginning.

His thoughts drifted to the high school students he had left behind in the castle. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

*'Should I have stayed and helped them?'* he pondered, but quickly dismissed the idea. He knew he wasn't the hero type, and the palace seemed full of intrigue and ulterior motives.

Determined to carve out a new life for himself, Haruki decided he needed to find a source of income. He knew that 30 gold coins wouldn't last long in a world where even a simple meal and a night's stay cost a substantial amount.