The big day was finally here. I was waiting in front of these huge doors. As soon as they opened, I would have to walk down and face the gaze of hundreds of people. I could easily hear the crowd on the other side, it didn't calm my anxiety. My heart was beating faster and faster, I kept repeating the same thing to myself over and over: I have to be up to it. But despite these fine words I couldn't help but shake. Anyone would be intimidated in front of so many people, their attention focused on you, the hope that will save this kingdom. I swallow nervously, everything's going to be fine, I just have to stay calm.

The great entrance to the throne room opened slowly, the chatter and exchanges fell silent as I entered. In front of me lay a long red carpet adorned with golden motifs, stretching all the way to the king. He was accompanied on his left by the Queen and on his right by Casthy. Comfortably seated, he observed my arrival in an icy silence. On either side were the inhabitants of Rosefield, they stared at me as if I was a freak. In the midst of this monstrous calm, only the sound of my footsteps could be heard in this immense room.

I was getting closer to the king, a few steps separated the area reserved for the figures of this kingdom and the people. On this level, a little higher than the rest, were the royal knights accompanied by their mentor Stella. They were lined up on either side of the red carpet, their hands behind their backs, gazing far ahead and their chests arched. Not a single one of them stood out from the crowd, they were united under a single unit.

The only person I recognised was Lehia who had a very serious look on her face. She didn't even glance at me as I walked past. She was far too invested in her work as a knightess and I totally get it. But still, seeing her so cold and emotionless didn't leave me indifferent. When we first met, she seemed like a nice girl. Today, one could almost doubt that.

I finally reached the throne, the King stood proudly on it, wearing his most beautiful crown. The Queen also displayed the emblem of her status, they both wore prestigious clothes. They were so majestic but their daughter drew my attention even more.

The Princess seemed to be in her own thoughts, refusing to meet my eyes. I tried as hard as I could to make contact with her but it was useless. I couldn't clearly see her face. But there was no time for all that, I had to bow down to the king. He stood up once my knee hit the marble.

— “My dear subjects, my people. I thank you for your presence here. Today is a magnificent day for our kingdom.”

His deep voice echoed through the hall, making the walls vibrate. He spoke directly to his audience, his words going beyond the front rows. Then he looked at me, smiling as usual.

— “This is Keiji Suzumoto, a brave young man who is ready to save us! He left his world behind to come to our aid. Following his training days, he showed us his determination. His devotion is second to none and he is ready to become the hero we are looking for!”

The whole assembly listened attentively. His presence obviously commanded respect. Then he stopped for a moment and looked at me in particular.

— “But does the kingdom need him? Can he really help us? Can he, my people, take part in the battlefields to fight back against this threat that has been endangering our country for several years?”

He went down the few steps that separated us and began to approach me. At that very moment, all the attention was on us. He dragged his cloak on the ground as the sceptre in his hand. He stopped in front of me and asked me this important question.

— “Are you ready to give your life for Feris?”

I had no choice but to accept. I had to join their ranks to learn more about what was happening to me. I know that this path will not be without risks but I had to take it. 

— “Yes, Your Majesty.” I said, looking down.

A slight laugh escaped him as he walked past me and turned a little more towards his people.

— “Our Keiji…”

He paused at his words and looked at me with that smile he had when we first met. The same smile that made my blood run cold.

— “...is just another pathetic fallen.”

His words hit me like a sledgehammer. What's going on? This isn't what was supposed to happen.

— “W-what...? What are you talking about?”

He put his hand like a caring father on my shoulder and glared at me. His attitude was different, something was off in his expression. His kindness, his paternal aura, everything just vanished. He grasped me a little tighter and clicked his tongue against his teeth.

— “You are nothing but an incompetent. Do you really think we can count on someone like you?”

I didn't understand. What was all this about? Why has this whole hero thing taken such a turn? I continued to look at him, a smile frozen on my lips.

— “But aren't I supposed to be the chosen one you summoned?”

He burst out laughing. His voice echoing through the place, like several stabs in my back. I could no longer think or understand what was happening. I was completely frozen in place.

— “You a chosen one? Be realistic, you ca not even live up to the expectations we had of you. Your level is more than mediocre.”

A brutal blow struck the back of the neck, his sole had just crashed against my head and forced me to strike the ground. My cheek rested against the cold marble, all his weight was pressing against my head.

Casthy's worried gaze turned towards me, she wanted to get up but stopped in her tracks. She wasn't the only one overwhelmed by this situation. I could see Lehia, furious, her fists firmly clenched. All she could do was watch helplessly as I was humiliated and lynched by the king. He pressed his sole against my ear again.

— “Even the people who arrived before you were able to invoke a semblance of magic. They were different from us and stood out but you... You are really special in your own way.”

I could feel all the hatred he had for me just in his voice. So there have been others like me. I'm not the first, I was never their hero. They used me... They made me believe I was unique. Me being here is nothing uncommon, I'm nobody.

I refuse to believe it, it's impossible... Why did they do this? What should I do then? I was desperate, lost and unable to imagine what lay ahead.

— “I-I... I can get better... right? Nothing's impossible if I'm determined, I can do it! Just trust me! Just give me time so I can reach the level of your knights, I'm sure I can do it!”

All his weight rested on my head but I tried as hard as I could to get up. I pushed myself up with the strength of my arms to try and make him move. He finally withdrew his foot so that I could face him. I was now on my knees. I tried to smile in the hope that what I'd just said would force him to reconsider his judgement but one thing struck me and that was the expression on his face. Indifference, everything I'd just said hadn't reached him.

— “You are useless.”

His words echoed through my body. That day, something inside me broke once again. My arms began to tremble and my smile froze. I didn't dare to move. I'm useless... No... That's not true! But what could I do? I was so weak compared to him. He thinks he's superior because of his title, it would justify his words and his behaviour towards me.

But I refuse to believe that his status allows him to crush me as he wishes. I've been through too much to let him use me as his puppet. I'm not from this world, this guy is nobody to me.

I got up, drawing on what little strength I had left. I closed the gap between us without hesitation, my gaze focused straight on him. My anger got the better of me, I could no longer contain my emotions. My hand firmly grasped his collar to pull him towards me. This action was enough for all the royal knights to leave their positions. The king stopped them neatly with a wave of his arm. They remained on their guard, ready to draw at the slightest command from their majesty.

— “And you dare to call yourself a king? You? What kind of king would treat a complete stranger like that! You're pinning the hopes of your bloody kingdom on a complete stranger! You're a fucking idiot!”

I chuckled nervously as I watched the knights' reaction, my next words were for them.

— “How can you call yourselves knights? None of you stepped in! Isn't your role to protect the innocent? You're all nothing but a bunch of scum, unable to discern right from wrong!” 

Several of them frowned as they listened to my provocations. As for Lehia, she simply lowered her eyes. The king looked at me disapprovingly.

— “Are you done?”

He simply didn't care about what I said. I gripped the collar of his shirt tighter.

— “You used me... You made me think I was somebody!”

— “So?”

His cheeky retorts annoyed me more and more. I looked him in the eye again to get a better idea of his character. I quickly realised that he wasn't going to do anything for me, he was completely indifferent to my pain.

— “So send me back to where I came from. I have no desire to stay in a world ruled by someone like you.”

My request made him laugh. He grabbed my wrist and forced me to let go.

— “Your request is unfortunately impossible. Do you have any idea how much magic it took us to summon someone from your world? Under no circumstances will we waste it to bring you back. I have other plans for an individual like you.”

He kept talking to me as he readjusted his shirt.  So there have been many like me, others from my world. They must also have been led to believe that they too were a kind of chosen one. Unlike me, they could summon magic. I'm sure they didn't receive the same treatment as I did. The king had just finished arranging his tunic and came towards me.

— “I can not ignore the affront you just did to me. You would be dead right now if I had not stopped the knights. You dare to disrespect us. But I am going to show you mercy and not inflict the fate that was reserved for you.”

He noticed our height difference and took the opportunity to look down on me.

— “You are banished from the royal territory. If you enter it you will be executed so I advise you to stay away from us.”

He removed his glove and grabbed my wrist forcefully. I could feel a sudden warmth emanating from his palm.

— “Do not think you're free though. You belong to me, if I need you I will call and you better answer. When this seal lights up and is painful, you will have to come back to Rosefield.”

He let go and revealed a burn mark on my skin. It was as if I'd just been branded, this kind of rose drawn on my body symbolised their kingdom.

— “What am I your cattle now?”

He ignored me again as I stared at this new tattoo. His footsteps moved away from me as he returned to his throne.

— “I order you to leave.”

I wanted to continue this discussion but I couldn't. It was pointless, especially now that royal knights were by my side. There was nothing I could do, I was powerless against my destiny. The king is a fake, stubborn and selfish person. How could I hope to get anything legit out of a guy like him?

I left the throne room under the supervision of the royal guard. I felt watched, pointed at by the citizens present during this public humiliation. I had no choice but to be gently escorted to the gates of Rosefield.

Shit... I can't do anything... I bit my lower lip, the taste of blood spreading through my mouth. The frustration inside me was too much. This freaking injustice! I'd been through it before, nothing has changed. 

But I refuse to go down that road again, I won't be pushed around by those who think they can dictate my future. I'm going to prove them wrong about me. If anyone can learn to fight then I can too. Even if it takes me weeks, months or even years. Be someone for yourself Keiji, think only of yourself and prove to them who you really are.