Chapter 1: The Hero’s Summoning
A sharp ringing filled Kaito’s ears.
His body felt weightless, as though he were being dragged through an invisible current, his consciousness barely holding on. It was suffocating—like being trapped between waking and dreaming, unable to move or breathe.
Then, in an instant—light exploded all around him.
Kaito's knees slammed onto cold marble, the impact rattling through his bones. He gasped, coughing violently as a wave of dizziness crashed over him.
His vision was blurry, but as his eyes adjusted, he realized he was inside an enormous cathedral-like hall. The air smelled of incense and old parchment, the flickering light of golden chandeliers casting eerie shadows across the massive stained-glass windows.
The place felt like something out of a medieval fantasy RPG, except this was painfully real.
A regal man in long blue robes stood before him, his face wrinkled with both age and wisdom. His trembling hands clutched a large staff, the crystal at its tip still glowing—as if it had just been used for a powerful spell.
Around the hall, rows of knights in full plate armor stood in formation, their silver helmets gleaming under the candlelight. Each of them gripped the hilts of their sheathed swords, their postures stiff with discipline.
But what unsettled Kaito the most was the throne at the far end of the chamber.
There sat an elderly king, his body draped in a red and gold robe, a jeweled crown resting on his head. His expression was one of calm authority, yet his sharp eyes analyzed Kaito with unsettling precision.
Before Kaito could even form a sentence, the robed man stepped forward. His voice rang out with ceremonial reverence.
"It worked! The Hero has been summoned!"
A wave of cheers erupted from the knights, their gauntleted fists clanking against their armored chests in salute.
Kaito’s heart nearly jumped out of his throat.
"Hero? Wait… WHAT?"
Before he could even ask where the hell he was, the king raised a hand, silencing the room.
"Welcome, Hero," he spoke, his voice deep and commanding. "You have been chosen by the gods to save this kingdom from destruction."
Kaito blinked.
"The gods? Save? Hero? What?"
His brain struggled to keep up.
A few minutes ago, he was a normal high school student, walking home after another boring school day. One second, he had been about to cross the street—the next, a sudden force had dragged him into a glowing void.
And now, he was kneeling before a medieval king, being hailed as a hero?
His inner nerd screamed that this was exactly like an isekai anime, but the rational part of his brain yelled that this had to be some kind of hallucination.
Unfortunately, it felt way too real to be a dream.
Kaito swallowed hard. His throat was dry.
"Uh… I don’t know if there’s been a mistake, but…" He hesitated. "I don’t know how to fight."
The court magician—the old man in blue robes—smiled as if he had heard that a thousand times before.
"Do not fear, Hero. As one summoned from another world, you have been granted the gift of power beyond normal men. You will awaken your true strength soon."
"Wait, wait, wait—gift? Power?"
Before Kaito could protest—
[Ding!]
A sharp chime echoed inside his head. His body froze as a strange sensation rippled through his mind.
Then, out of nowhere, a blue translucent screen flickered into existence in front of him.
The glowing text hovered in the air, unreadable to anyone but him.
> SYSTEM INITIALIZING…
Status: Dormant Mode Activated
Basic Combat Proficiency Unlocked
Kaito’s breath caught in his throat.
He barely had time to process the words before a surge of knowledge poured into his mind—
How to grip a sword. How to parry an attack. How to move his feet for balance.
He suddenly knew things he shouldn’t. His body felt stronger, his muscles tighter, his reflexes sharper. It was as if he had trained in combat for years—and all of it had been downloaded into his brain in an instant.
Kaito stared at his hands, his fingers trembling.
"What the hell was that?"
But his confusion was short-lived.
The king gave a slight nod, and one of the knights stepped forward. He was a towering man, his armor polished to perfection, his cape embroidered with the royal insignia.
The knight unsheathed his steel longsword, the sound sharp and menacing.
"Your Majesty," the knight spoke, his voice deep. "Shall we test the Hero’s abilities?"
Kaito’s heart skipped a beat.
"Test? Wait, hold on—"
But before he could object, the knight lunged.
A full-speed sword strike—coming straight at his head.
Instinct Awakens
Time slowed.
Kaito should have panicked—should have frozen in fear—but instead, something clicked inside him.
His body moved on its own.
He twisted sideways, barely dodging the blade. His foot pivoted, his weight shifting with perfect control.
The knight followed up with a second strike, swinging the blade toward Kaito’s chest—but Kaito’s arm shot up instinctively.
With unnatural precision, he caught the knight’s wrist mid-swing, redirecting the momentum just enough to throw the attack off-course.
The knight stumbled back, his eyes wide with surprise.
The entire room fell silent.
Kaito panted, his heart hammering against his ribs. He stared at his own hands in disbelief.
"How did I do that?"
The System’s words echoed in his mind.
> Basic Combat Proficiency Unlocked.
His body felt like it had been trained for battle his entire life.
A long pause followed—then, the king chuckled, clapping his hands together.
"Indeed… the gods have blessed us."
The knights muttered in awe, their eyes filled with respect and admiration. The court magician nodded with approval, while the king’s lips curled into a pleased smile.
Kaito swallowed hard, his thoughts racing.
"I’ve really been summoned to a medieval kingdom… as a warrior… to fight in a war."
He clenched his fists.
He didn’t know what was waiting for him in this world.
But one thing was certain—his new life had just begun.
---
Chapter 2: A Hero’s First Doubts
Kaito lay on the large, luxurious bed, staring at the intricate patterns on the ceiling of his new quarters in the royal castle.
The events of the past few hours still felt surreal.
One moment, he had been an ordinary high school student in Japan. The next, he had been summoned to another world, hailed as a hero, and tested in combat. His body now carried combat instincts he never had before, thanks to the mysterious System that had awakened inside him.
Yet, despite all the grandeur—the golden chandeliers, the velvet carpet, the personal servants assigned to him—he felt uneasy.
"I was summoned to fight in a war… but I don’t even know what I’m really fighting for."
Sitting up, he let out a deep sigh. He had too many questions—about this world, about the kingdom, and especially about the war itself.
But first, he needed to get some fresh air.
The Hero’s First Walk
Kaito stepped out of his chamber, walking through the long stone corridors of the royal palace. The architecture was breathtaking—tall arched windows, walls lined with ornate golden engravings, and portraits of past kings stretching back centuries.
He passed by armored knights who saluted him with respectful nods. Servants bowed as he walked past, murmuring, “May the Hero bless our kingdom.”
"Hero, hero, hero… they keep calling me that," he thought, feeling uneasy.
Did they see him as a person—or just a weapon?
Still, he brushed the thought aside. His curiosity burned. He wanted to see the city.
A City of Beauty… and Chains
By late afternoon, Kaito finally stepped out of the castle gates. The moment he set foot onto the royal capital’s main street, his breath hitched.
It was beautiful.
White stone buildings stretched toward the sky, their rooftops adorned with vibrant red tiles. The cobblestone roads gleamed under the setting sun. Merchants called out from bustling market stalls, selling exotic fruits, shimmering fabrics, and enchanted trinkets. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat skewers.
Children laughed, running through the streets. Performers played flutes, dancing as crowds cheered. The city felt alive, rich with culture and prosperity.
Kaito couldn’t help but smile.
"This place is amazing…"
But then—
His smile vanished.
At the edge of the market, he noticed something that made his stomach twist in disgust.
A group of people, chained together, were being marched through the streets like cattle. Their wrists and ankles were bound in thick iron shackles, their clothes tattered, their expressions empty and hopeless.
They weren’t human.
They had horns, tails, scales—some had small wings, others animal-like ears.
Demons.
Kaito’s hands clenched into fists.
"Slaves…?"
A merchant, grinning widely, stood near a wooden platform, where more chained demons were lined up. His voice rang through the air.
"Fresh stock from the southern front! Strong backs for labor! Obedient women for housework! Cheap prices today!"
The crowd murmured approvingly, some placing bids as if they were buying livestock.
Kaito felt nauseous.
He had seen slavery in history books and movies, but to witness it in person—to see actual people in chains, treated like animals—was something else entirely.
His chest tightened with anger. His first instinct was to intervene, to break their chains, to do something.
But he hesitated.
If he acted rashly, would it cause trouble? Would it jeopardize his standing in the kingdom? He still knew too little about this world.
Still, he couldn't ignore what he had just seen.
He turned on his heel, marching back toward the castle.
The Conversation with the King
The moment Kaito returned to the royal palace, he demanded an audience with the king.
It wasn’t long before he stood once again in the lavish throne room.
The king, still seated on his grand golden throne, raised an eyebrow at Kaito’s expression.
"You seem troubled, Hero. What weighs on your mind?"
Kaito took a deep breath.
"I visited the city today," he started, his voice steady. "It was beautiful, but…" He narrowed his eyes. "I saw slaves."
The king’s expression didn’t change.
"Ah, yes. The demon slaves. What of them?"
Kaito clenched his fists.
"It’s wrong," he said, his voice firm. "No one should be treated like that."
The king studied him for a moment before letting out a deep chuckle.
"You are kind-hearted, Hero," he said, his tone almost amused. "But you must understand—those creatures are not like us. They are demons. It is natural for them to serve humanity."
Kaito’s stomach churned at those words.
Natural?
"Are they not people?" he challenged, his voice sharp. "They have emotions. Families. The ones I saw today—many weren’t even warriors. Some were just children."
The king’s face darkened slightly, but his voice remained calm.
"They are monsters, Hero. Their kind has waged war against humanity for centuries. If we do not subjugate them, they will rise against us."
Kaito frowned deeply.
"That sounds exactly like the justification used in history for slavery back on Earth…"
But he knew arguing now wouldn’t change anything.
This world’s morals were different. To these people, demons were enemies, not equals.
Still, a seed of doubt had taken root in Kaito’s mind.
The kingdom had summoned him to fight for their cause. But was this cause truly just?
The more he learned, the more he wasn’t sure.
And deep inside, he felt it—the first crack in his loyalty.
Chapter 3: The Knight’s Training
Kaito stood in the royal training hall, arms crossed, staring at the king.
"You’ll be heading to the front lines soon," the king said, watching him closely. "Before that, you need proper training. Strength alone won’t keep you alive in battle."
Kaito already knew where this was going. He might’ve gotten some combat instincts from his system, but instincts weren’t enough. He needed real experience, and the king clearly wasn’t going to let him sit around in luxury.
The king gestured toward a knight standing near the throne.
"Sir Aldric," he said. "You’ll be in charge of the Hero’s training. Make sure he’s ready."
Kaito turned his head as the knight stepped forward.
He was big. Not just in height, but his entire presence felt heavy. His full plate armor gleamed under the torches, and unlike most knights, he wore a helmet that completely hid his face. There was no way to read his expression.
Aldric nodded once. "Understood, Your Majesty." Then he turned to Kaito. "We leave now."
No extra words. No unnecessary conversation. Just like that, Kaito was being dragged into training.
He sighed. "Great. No time to mentally prepare, huh?"
The knight didn’t answer. He just walked, expecting Kaito to follow.
Kaito did.
The Forest Hunt
An hour later, Kaito stood in a thick forest, holding a sword.
Aldric stood beside him, arms crossed.
"This will be your first task," the knight said. "We hunt monsters. If you cannot handle this, you are not ready for war."
Kaito scanned the trees and dense undergrowth around them. It was nothing like the orderly streets of the capital—this place felt wild, untamed. Anything could be lurking in the shadows.
A flicker of doubt crossed his mind.
"This is my first time doing anything like this, you know," he admitted.
Aldric didn’t react. "Fear is natural. Ignoring it is foolish. Overcoming it is necessary."
Kaito exhaled slowly. Not exactly comforting, but not wrong either.
Aldric tossed a bundle at him. Armor.
It wasn’t as fancy as the plate armor the knights wore, but it was solid—a leather chest guard, bracers, and greaves.
Kaito put it on. It wasn’t much, but once he was geared up, the feeling of vulnerability eased slightly.
"Better?" Aldric asked.
"A little," Kaito admitted.
Aldric nodded. "Good. Then let’s begin."
Not long after, they spotted their first target.
A massive wild boar stood near a clearing, its tusks sharp, its red eyes locked onto them.
"Take it down," Aldric ordered.
Kaito swallowed hard. Then, as if sensing his hesitation, the boar charged.
Move.
His body reacted before his mind could catch up.
He sidestepped, barely dodging the attack. The moment the boar passed him, he gripped his sword tighter and swung—aiming for the creature’s side.
The blade connected.
The boar let out a painful screech, stumbling before collapsing. Dead.
Kaito stood there, breathing heavily, staring at the lifeless body.
"...That was easier than I thought," he muttered.
"You hesitated at first," Aldric said. "But you adapted. That is good."
Kaito looked at the boar again. His first real kill. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
Then his stomach growled loudly.
Aldric glanced at him. "...You don’t know how to cook, do you?"
Kaito sighed. "Not even a little."
Aldric turned back toward the path. "Then we’re heading to my home. My wife will handle it."
A Knight’s Home
Aldric’s house wasn’t inside the capital. It was a modest stone home near the forest’s edge, just far enough from the main road to feel isolated.
The scent of cooking meat and fresh bread hit Kaito the moment they stepped inside.
Before he could take in the details, something small and fast came rushing at them.
A tiny girl, no older than five, ran straight for Aldric.
"Father!" she called, grabbing onto his leg with surprising force.
Aldric, the same towering knight who barely spoke more than necessary, lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
"You should be asleep, Aria," he said. His voice had lost its usual cold edge.
The girl pouted. "But you said today was a feast!" Then she turned toward Kaito, blinking up at him with wide green eyes. "Who’s big brother?"
Kaito hesitated. He wasn’t sure how to answer that.
Aldric glanced at him. Then, to Aria, he said, "The Hero. He’s the one who caught tonight’s meal."
Her face lit up.
"Really?! Big brother is amazing!"
Before Kaito could react, the little girl jumped down and hugged his leg.
Kaito blinked. "Uh…"
Aldric didn’t seem fazed. He just placed a hand on Aria’s head.
"Where’s your mother?" he asked. "Tonight is a feast, after all."
"In the kitchen!" Aria beamed. "She said she’s making something extra delicious!"
Kaito glanced at Aldric. The knight, who had been nothing but stern and imposing since they met, now looked… normal. A father. Not just a warrior, not just a knight, but someone with a life beyond battle.
It was the first time Kaito had seen something genuine in this world.
And he wasn’t sure why, but it stuck with him.
—
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