Chapter 1: An Errand to Another World

Summer vacation is usually the time when high schoolers enjoy themselves, being free from the shackles of daily school life the monotonous lessons and drabble of teachers. They either spend it going on outings with friends, swimming on pools or beaches where they can admire the figure of the opposite sex and going to malls spending the meager saving they have accumulated from their daily allowance.

The wise and intelligent ones start off their summer first by doing all their summer homework quickly and efficiently. Giving time to spend the rest of the summer lazing about saving up energy for the upcoming semester. Whatever a person does during this time in their life is of no concern to me just as what I do in my free time is of concern to them, if I can spend my summer comfortably in my air-conditioned home away from the summer heat, I would be content.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

I didn't know what's happening or rather It would be better to say I am stunned by what is happening. While I was out buying ice-cream, why you ask? It was for my cute little sister of course.

But that is beside the point, walking back home from the convenience store a sudden glow enveloped my lower body. Looking toward the source I see an array of intricate circles and symbols connecting these squiggly lines of text for the life of me could not know what language it was from.

If I wasn't already past my chuuni phase I would have thought, they were magic circles. The ridiculous notion only came to my head for a moment, before I started backing away looking for any possible source of the light.

"Where are these coming from" as soon as I spun around to further search for a source before a feeling of vertigo hit me.

Darkness enveloped me, gravity was nonexistent only feeling a slight tug forward. While being pulled through the darkness I knew when I wake up it won't be a pleasant experience and it will change my life from that point on.

In a large conference room of sorts adorned with various ornaments and paintings. At the back of the room, a throne is situated adorned with gold and silver, at the top is a sigil of a lion with a wing on its back roaring toward the heaven.

Sat upon this throne is a middle-aged man no it was a king, crown and all. Wearing a blues dress shirt with blue pants of simple design if not for the silk appearance it gives and the strikingly crimson robe with the same lion crest on the back of the man.

"What are the results?" a dignified voice asked, as the owner gazed on the only other occupant of the room.

The figure, a bearded man dressed long-sleeved blue shirt tucked in black slacks over it is a white robe, with a badge on his chest with six wings as a crest to show his authority and status. Bends down one leg to kneel and answer.

"The summoning was a success"

Looking up toward the king's face to see how he reacts to the news. Seeing no change in the king's facial expression he continues.

"No complications nor abnormalities of the subject, just as before. A boy was summoned this time age around 16 to 17 years of age, the potential is high the same as the other, permission to continue the ritual." Lowering his head on the last sentence.

The king nods in approval, a flash of relief is seen in his eyes. "Good, keep him confined until the others are also summoned" the bearded man stands and nods in understanding with the king's words, bows and starts walking out of the room through two large doors.

"Oh, and good work Stein"

The bearded man now named Stein to turn around one last time and bows to the king before leaving the room to continue his work. Leaving the king to his thoughts, gazing toward the window to view the kingdom. He laments on its future.

After regaining enough motor control to raise my head and look at my surrounding, what I saw surprised me. A lot of oddly robed people. "A cult!?" Circled around the bed I am lying on. The room was made of wooden walls and a stone floor. One section of the room was covered by a cloth curtain likely blocking my view from the door.

Opening my mouth to ask them where I am until I was cut off when one of them started talking

"Hello, young man how are you feeling? Any complications?" The one closest to my right asked, he looks like the head of these cultist posers.

I gave him a nod and grunt as I was surprised they spoke my language, they looked like foreigners with their various skin color and colored hair.

Was I kidnapped and sent to another country? They look like a cult, will I be sacrificed in one of their rituals, a ridiculous notion gathering information should be my first objective right now. The robed men were making a small ruckus as I moved around to seat myself up.

I turned toward the man who first spoke and gave him one of my dead glares "I would like to know where I am, am I still in Japan? If not where? are you kidnappers?" Asking him as I harden my glare at the last part. Knowing it's ridiculous that an average high school loner like me would be taken for ransom by a bunch of foreigners. Well, it not impossible might as well talk as much as I can before they gag me.

The cult leader was startled by my question and started waving his hands in denial as he speaks.

"You misunderstand we are only here to check on your physical and magical condition. You are in perfect health with how your acting, excluding the fact your eye seems to look like a dead fish."

Sorry doctor, I was born with these eyes no amount of medicine can change that, besides cosmetic surgery but I have not nor, will I ever consider that. What if Komachi can't recognize her onii-chan if he looks too handsome? Also, why are you all wearing robes those aren't proper medical wear in this country right?

"Magical Condition?"

A pair of word caught my attention, 'magic' a word popularized in anime the source of all chuunis delusions. Maybe I really was kidnapped by a cult and am now speaking to one of the doctors? Looking around with the corner of my eyes trying to find any window to escape too, finding none that isn't bared with steel bars I once again place my attention on the cult doctor.

"Oh, Did I mention that? Looks like I said too much, no harm you will learn of it anyway. For now, wait for the Head talk to you he will explain it all to you."

The cultist doctor gave me a slight bow before exiting the room, as he closed the curtains that gave me privacy moments later I hear the sounds of opening and closing a door.

"Sir Elrick," a pair of voices said likely greeting the cultist leader. along came the sound of metal clanking with each other.

"Make sure he doesn't wander off, call me if there are any complications." After that, I heard footsteps slowly getting farther.

I look up toward the ceiling trying to figure out the situation I found myself in, with the limited information I got from the doctor cultist named Elrick and my observations of the circle that appeared before I fainted and found myself in my current predicament. A conclusion my finding gets more absurd as I think to myself. This happens in anime DAMN IT! I am also not on of those happy go lucky dense shounen protagonist.

That talk about a magical condition and Elrick's avoidance on the topic cements that fact. While looking up the ceiling I sigh resignedly.

"I've been transported to Another World"

I was correct on my assumption of me being transferred to another world. That bearded guy Stain the so-called Head mage of the kingdom told me he himself attempted the ritual of summoning people from other worlds. The magic ritual was discovered in a ruin long ago by him, it was from a time before the recorded history of this world was started. We were the first batch of summons, and the only ones since the materials needed to have the ritual are extremely rare.

Luckily for me, I wasn't the only one transported to this world, besides me, a few more people were also summoned to this place. Though it's still bad that we were taken from our world to this one to help the kingdom or whatever ridiculous reasons they have. They should learn to clean up their own mess not bring otherworlders as we are called to do all the dirty work.

What is this place I find myself in? Amarein, a world twice the size of the earth with 80% of its surface covered in water. Doesn't matter really it still has more land mass than earth just means the continents are farther apart, resulting in an easier time in spotting potential attack from other kingdoms.

The country we were summoned in is called the Speron Kingdom the world's foremost superpower, sporting the latest technologies in warfare and advancements in magic arts. The place was full of elites.

You know how the trope goes.

A World of magic, besieged by demons, the only way to stop them is to kill the demon lord to ensure the future of the world

We the otherworlders are summoned. Why? We grow faster and stronger than any other human from this world, due to the lack of mana exposure in Earth our bodies grew a thirst for mana once we were transported here making out potential higher than 97% of the world's population. This is not the only thing of course if it was a 50-year-old veteran can do our job with 100% cooperation with the kingdom.

We were summoned because of Gifts we were given. The gifts refer to the unique abilities given to us by the world itself, it is a welcoming gift you could say from the world to show us its joy on our arrival. The gifts vary from person to person, it can only be awakened when we reach a certain threshold of power, making them lie dormant within our bodies. Right now, the gifts are useless to us as we are in game terms just a bunch of noobs entering the game.

But this isn't a game anyone can die without notice, without even knowing. Life can be erased in front of our eyes, as we try to reach out to help them or run as we may be the next one to die.

they want us to join a battle against the demons, so the world may be rid of them. They are trying to convince us of a side, their side, if the side of justice and good while the demons are of darkness and evil.

Just another delusion society wants us to believe for us to follow them like sheep to a slaughter. Having yet to meet any demons I will be unbiased an untouched by their persuasions until so. But do you know what is worse? The fact is that I along with four other sad people were summoned to Amarein as tools and soldiers for the war none of us are the Hero. Why do I say this? Stein that old mage already told me.

There already is a HERO

A vast barren land filled with craters and scorch marks to the east a raging river flows the water red and bloody from all the blood from the battlefield making its way flowing toward it. The land covered in mounds of dirt formerly great stone wall, craters filled with water that came from the ice spears that created them. This is war, this I chaos, this is what I wanted to avoid.

I stand in a large crater spanning 4 square kilometers and 100 feet deep created by the monstrous clashes between me and my opponent, most of which is of its doing since such flashy and destructive magic is beyond me and my preference.

In front of me is a Demon bruised, bloody but unbroken from our fight. Once beautiful dark armor now full of holes and dents, a defining one located at the chest where I tried to thrust my spear through its heart. Only to be negated as its magic activated in time to create a strong barrier to block it in time.

I stand there trying to catch my breath as it speaks to me.

"You surprise me, from what I have heard of you I thought you would have run away by now. Do you stay because of your friends? How admirable"

I don't know what it is getting at, but I need to stall for time to properly read my plan, my enemy the greatest of the demon kings' generals who command over a hundred thousand high tier demons. One that has surpassed the strength of its king but still chooses to follow him. This last clash will have all my card on the table no chance to make a mistake.

"I can't say we are friends we barely interact with each other outside of battle, maybe a few chats during training, discussions when having a meal together but we can't be called 'close' hopefully that will change when this is all over"

Whom am I kidding I Hikigaya Hachiman am a loner such things as companionship a friendship is unneeded and foreign, but with all the battles we've been through we should be able to get along after. Right? I lack any prior experience to define what have with my fellow otherworlders. Maybe..maybe I can finally get what I want what I truly desire, for it, I am willing to change.

Exhaling to get back into focus, from my earlier thought, now is not a time for that. I harden my resolve slowly I get into position as I raise my weapon for the final clash with the demon general. Raising my head, I didn't know I lowered to look into where the demon's eyes would be through the dark metal helmet. The demon notices my change in demeanor becomes alert while bringing its sword up in order meet my spear. It roars with glee, a battle maniac as she is.

"COME"

"Die"

I intercept the sword with my spear aiming toward the center of the blade to negate the force behind it. Since with the wind pressure along can dig trenches and further ruin this broken landscape.

Just as our weapons met I activated my magic, hundreds of weapons suddenly appeared around us pointed against the demon, suddenly they shot off with lightning speed toward the hole on its chest where I nearly pierced through its heart.

Unfortunately, the destructive ability of the demon was too great, suddenly is release a large amount of energy in its surroundings a dome of energy appears covering 10 meters around it, negating the forces of the weapons making them drop to the ground.

But they have achieved their purpose, it was out of mana open for me to end its life. I charge toward it, this startles the demons and raises its sword to block my strike, as preparing to swing my weapon I disappeared from sight. Once again, I am metering away from the front of it with a showdown cast upon my face.

"Sorry"

I told the demon as it slowly fell lifeless from its spot, countless weapons pierced through armor weapons that it had stopped prior to the demon's death.

Shadows start to appear around the demon each holding one or more of the weapons piercing it. Their forms are blurry and dark but still recognizable. Demons, Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Magical Beasts and other races traits can be seen from those shadows.

"Don't worry you can still fight, but no longer for the demon king, no longer for these bloody and senseless wars but for me"

"ARISE"

War

I hate it, find it senseless, wasteful so does anyone else that participates in one. Thousands upon thousands of lives are wasted and what for? To end an 'evil' race? for wealth? for power? for their country? What about me? Why do I fight in this war? I fight the chance to go home, to go and be able to see my little sister's smile and to spend my time with her and her antics. I also wish to see my parents have their hair all become white due to the stress of working as corporate slaves? do they miss their son the one they gave up on? Maybe not but these are the things I look back on.

I must admit I also miss the service club, our time spent in the club room drinking tea during the afternoon. Yuigahama asking random questions on various topics making the room lively with her presence. Mine and Yukinoshita's usual banter with each other, trying to get one over the other through our words. It was also relaxing gazing at them as I sometimes leave my eyes from my novel to see the way they interact with each other, I was admiring them ok? Not perving on them! Not like there is anything wrong with admiring the female form.

But most of all I want to lay down on my bed and sleep the whole day

No training on weapon techniques magical abilities.

Or hunting down demons that were ransacking a town nearby and helping its inhabitants.

Dungeon diving to get rare treasures to make us stronger and to battle experience and materials for making better equipment and tools.

I just want to be lazyyy go into hibernation like a bear.

I would have my fill of Komachi's cooking with she gave her best to make for her onii-chan, thank her with my sweet word and good looks, then go to by den aka room to lay down my bed and sleep for as long as I want

That's the life

" The demon king has been slain!"

While a was losing myself to my thoughts a sudden shout drove me back to reality. A surge of annoyance came upon me, that asshole making such a ruckus while I was in my happy place he should be demoted and assigned to a corner of the continent where he can shout as much as he wants.

"The hero killed him? The hero was able to kill him!"

"Finally, this war will end!"

"Kyaaaa the hero is so cool"

"Drinks are on me today!"

When the sudden commotion started I realized what the first soldier shouted and became ecstatic. That so-called hero finally did his job, I thought some random gut will appear and kill the demon king instead at the rate that guy was going with his travels.

Did the demon king get tired of waiting for the hero and decided to confront the Savior himself? Who cares! If this stupid war ends, we can all go back to our lonely peaceful lives.

I slowly stand up from my chair and head out of the bar. I should probably check this out with the others.

The death of the demon king signified the ending of the war as the demons have lost their figurehead, they started to scatter and form different groups. No longer being unified they were easily cleaned out and destroyed. The demon generals were the only one that gave any proper resistant, in the end, a treaty was formed with the remaining demon generals to avoid more loses from this was.

After all waste resources to kill them all if you can make them work for you while making a profit, also good for the kingdoms public image. The remains of the demon's domain have a lot of natural resources that can be sold and used in the kingdom. The treaty is an agreement to trade resources to the kingdom at 50% the market price, with such a large kingdom focused on its technological and magical development a lot of resources are burned through daily.

To celebrate the end of the war an awarding ceremony was held in the royal courtyard. A few thousand people attended the ceremony, mostly nobles and noble figures during the war. The hero is unable to attend due to his injuries during the fight with the demon king thus he was given his award privately.

As I walk up toward the stage to accept my reward survey the venue. The stage made from sturdy materials, intricately sculpted pillars soundings the stage flowers located just below the stage to not enough to block peoples view but are still seen. King Regis stood at the middle presenting the medals to the people, with his wife pining them to their chest. Looks like a scene right out of a b-rated movie but more real so maybe not b rated.

The thousands of guests are sat on tables clapping and raising their cups to the people on stage to show their appreciation. With these many people it would be usually hot and unpleasant to be here, but with the use of modern magitech of the kingdom, they were able to venue cool and comfortable.

"Hachiman, there is something we need to discuss in private"

Stein called out to me with a serious tone, the head mage now having whites on his head slowly approach me.

"What is this about Stain Sensei, if this is about the party later I do plan to go but only stay until it becomes long enough to become acceptable to leave. "no need to waste free food after all.

He only wryly smiled at my words, as he gestures me to follow him I stand up to do so.

"No, it is something more to do with you and your fellow otherworlders. You will be happy to hear this I promise"

Arriving at a private spot I gazed at him seriously, if the discussion is going the way I think it is I need to listen to this properly. Looking around to make sure we are alone, he coughs into his hand and meets my eyes.

"I have already informed the king of this and it will be announced during the party, but I thought I should tell you first since this has been your goal from the moment you learned magic"

I gulp with the way this discussion it resulted in something I least suspected. I thought this was about where we otherworlders will end up.

"Hikigaya I found a way to return you to your world"

At this point I could only stare at him I shock.

"Although I don't know what might happen to your powers, I can still assure you that you can return a few days to a few weeks from your departure so barely anytime would have passed"

My shock soon diminishes I wanted to ask him questions but I continue to listen to his explaining of our potential return.

"Of course, your physical body will revert in age but luckily your memory will be of your time here will be retained, also the location and condition of your return will be unknown you could be in another part of your world from where you were transferred when you return

Your body will put you in a coma to help in recuperating from the process of de-aging, but nothing sever will happen to you. Now I would like to ask you this question.

Would you like to be a Returnee?"

The answer to the old mage's question is obvious, the main reason I fought in such a grueling war was to gain power and influence to help me find a way back to earth. Now that he has given me this choice there is no way I would deny it. Not only me but all the otherworlders decided to return to earth, our world, our home.

We may have money, power and influence in Amarein but isn't our world to begin with maybe in a couple of decades we won't feel it anymore but right now we feel like a guest that is overstaying our welcome. Now with the war over our use is limited to being used as political tools, or to daily hunt monsters that are too strong for most soldiers.

Family and friend are also reasons to return to earth, we can't just abandon them and worry them on what has happened to us by staying in this world. Unanimously all the otherworlders will return to earth. There was a small amount of regret in losing the powers we worked years for, but it was ignorable in the face of the chance to see our families again.

Walking into the room the Return ceremony would be held I smell the slight scent of scorched earth, a usual indicator of a large amount of magic being used. The group our high-class mages surrounding the corners of the room are the cause of this phenomena.

"So, it's finally time to return huh"

I whispered to myself as I join the others in the magic circle at the center of the room. We have long outgrown our clothes from our world we wore at the time we arrived here, thus we asked some maids to make alternatives. Same design but different materials and size, to avoid being mistaken as cosplayers when we return to our world.

Stain enters the room his gaze turns towards us as he finished inspecting the magic circles and formulas

"Are you all ready? No turning back once we start."

We all nod with determination. Our long-sought retort has finally come, no goodbyes were needed we already said our goodbyes from the day before.

"Good then this is farewell, you have all been a great student I am happy to have seen you all grow to splendid people"

He mostly talks about the terms of magic, since I still have a trashy personality. I wave of dizziness struck me along with light from the magic circle below.

"I will see you again children of Gaia"

The world of Amarein bade us farewell.

Note:

This is a story about Hikigaya returning from a different world, a fantasy like one. I'm not really sure how far I'll take this story, if I don't lose interest it might last for a while.

Anyway, it is my first story in FF so don't expect it to be good at first, I will try to improve as the story progresses.

Thanks for reading!