"What happened to the others... the ones you summoned before?"

Yūma looked straight at him, eyes fixed and unblinking.

The man smiled faintly, but there was no joy in that smile.

"I wonder... are you the only one who caught that answer back then?"

Before Yūma's eyes, images appeared, figures of young people, some in school uniforms, others in ordinary clothes. Some fought with swords and guns, others screamed in panic, while others collapsed, lifeless, onto the ground.

"Some died quickly. Others still live, struggling to live the final years. But no one managed to change the course of history."

Yūma frowned. "And if we die? What happens to us back in our world?"

"You'll vanish without a trace. As if you never existed."

The boy let out a breath and turned his gaze away.

"That's great... At least my grandmother won't have to worry," he whispered.

"How much time will pass in our world while we're in yours?"

"One month in my world equals one hour in yours."

"So that means we can stay there for two years without an issue."

The man studied him carefully. "You're different, Sazanami. Most, at this stage, asked about power and about shortcuts. You ask about what might happen and what the consequences will be."

"Because I know everything breaks eventually." Yūma's reply was sharp and unwavering.

"And yet you still stand here. Perhaps that's the reason I summoned you."

A short silence fell.

"You said Gods. How many are there like you?"

"Five. God of Wisdom, Love, Mischief, Sun… and God of Death."

"So, there are other potions created by them?"

"Yes. The quantity is unknown. Not everyone shares their creations."

Yuma simply stared at him.

"Now, I'd like to ask you a few questions. May I?"

"Go ahead."

"Why do you avoid communication with people? Why don't you trust them?"

"I think you already know the answer. Otherwise, you wouldn't be asking me that the first time we meet."

The man's lips curved faintly.

"You're wiser than others think. But understand this: your only chance of returning home is by working as a team. You won't accomplish it alone."

"I know, I know." Yūma's voice carried an air of irritation as he shook his head.

"Send me to them already. Just give us some money for the start, until we figure out where to earn more. You can manage at least that much, can't you?"

"Yes." The man raised his right hand but paused mid-gesture.

"About what you said earlier... I don't call myself God. I know what I'm doing. I summon people from other dimensions to save my world. I know I'm sending them to their deaths, just like I did with you. A true God would never do that. I guess… I'm only a man, trying to fix the mistakes of my past."

Mistakes of the past... What kind of mistakes?

The man waved his hand and completed the gesture. The glow of runes cut through the void, and Yūma's body began to blur into light.

"Sazanami... Sazanami..."

The repeating sound echoed inside Yūma's head. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Riko's face above him, bent close with worry. She held his shoulder, shaking him lightly.

"What happened? We woke up, but you were still unconscious," she said, pulling her hand back.

Yūma looked around. They were in a forest with tall trees with dark crowns, beams of sunlight piercing through the leaves, and birds singing in the distance.

Behind him stood Subaru and Yuna. Subaru had his hands on his hips, gazing toward the open clearing between the trees. Yuna stood beside him, serious, with arms crossed over her chest.

"This must be Parin," Subaru said, nodding at the view ahead.

Yūma got up, brushing off his pants, and followed his gaze. Beyond the line of trees stretched an enormous city with tall towers and red-tiled rooftops. The architecture reminded him of old Europe from centuries past.

On the road leading to the city, horse-drawn carts rolled along, passing pedestrians in simple clothes. Hooves clattered against cobblestones, and wooden wheels creaked. No cars, no streetlights, no technology.

This isn't a dream. He thought that every touch of the grass, smell of the air felt too natural to be an illusion. 

He reached into his pocket and felt a heavy weight. Pulling out a pouch, he opened it to see golden and silver coins shining in the sunlight.

"Let's split it among the four of us," he said, looking at his classmates.

Yuna turned and eyed him suspiciously. "Where did you get that money?"

"I don't know. I woke up, and it was already in my pocket."

He kept to himself the fact that he had asked for the money from the so-called God, along with the entire conversation in the void.

Subaru nodded, accepting it without doubt, but Yuna's eyes stayed on Yūma for a moment longer, as if searching his face for a lie.

"We need to reach the city," she said finally. "Let's get to the road. Maybe we can ask for a ride."

Riko nodded, clutching her bag tighter, while Subaru gave a quick smile.

"Let's hope someone's willing to take us."

The four students stepped onto the road. Many people were traveling toward the city - villagers carrying baskets, farmers leading cattle. Among them stood out a black wagon pulled by an equally dark horse. In the driver's seat sat a middle-aged man in a simple brown jacket, his face is hidden by a wide hat from the sun.

"Need a ride?" he called, pulling the horse to a stop.

"Yes... We have money. We can pay," Subaru answered, stepping forward.

The merchant gave them a long look, from head to toe. He was curious about their school uniforms, which seemed out of place among the clothes in Parin.

"It's ten minutes to the city from here; no need for payment. Climb on, there's enough room."

"Thank you," Yuna said, approaching the wagon first.

Riko climbed up hesitantly. Subaru helped Yūma up and then sat himself at the edge.

The wagon rattled over the stone road, and the city of Parin grew larger before their eyes.

"Wait... how are we even understanding him? That wasn't Japanese," Yuna asked, looking at the others.

"Maybe God gave us the gift of languages and just didn't bother telling us," Subaru replied with a shrug and a smile.

Yūma was surprised as well. But then he remembered that they met God, transformed into another world, and drank magical potions, so really, the small things like this shouldn't even surprise him anymore.

"Kids, where did you get those strange clothes? Haven't seen anything like them," the merchant asked, eyeing their uniforms.

"These are our school clothes from our-"

Subaru cut himself off with a sharp gasp as a sudden kick from Yūma struck his leg under the bench.

"Agh..." he whispered, glaring at Yūma.

Riko blinked at them in confusion, clearly not understanding.

"We're from another country, far to the east. These are our school uniforms. They're common there," Yūma explained calmly, turning his eyes away from the merchant.

He didn't want anyone to know they were from another world.

"Oh, so you're not from Farin?" the man asked, raising his brows.

Farin. That must be the name of this country.

Subaru shot Yūma a look, as if wanting to say something, but stayed silent.

The horse neighed and picked up speed. Towering buildings of Parin came into view.

Five-floor buildings of light stone lined wide streets, their balconies curling with iron and roofs angled with small windows. Fancy details such as sculpting decorated the walls, glowing under the lights. Large stores had bright chandeliers and wooden stalls that offered a variety of goods. Smaller shops, hidden in covered walkways, sold gloves and books, their signs painted with pretty letters.

The road was crowded. Wagons rolled one after another at a slow pace. People carried baskets of fruit, bags of flour, and barrels of goods. In the distance, the faint melody of a street flute floated through the air.

"This is Parin..." Subaru whispered, his eyes wide in wonder.

"So many people," Riko added.

"Normal," the merchant said.

"This is one of the biggest cities in all of Farin. Everyone comes here to sell or buy."

The smell of fresh bread mixed with sweat and horse manure. Laughter, arguments, and merchants shouting prices filled the air.

"Could you take us to a decent place, somewhere we can stay the night?" Yuna asked.

"Of course," the merchant replied.

A few minutes later, he stopped the wagon by a large building on the main street. A wooden sign above the entrance showed a golden lion.

"Here. A proper place. Not the cheapest, but fair," he said, jumping down from the wagon. He gave them his name with a wave before driving off.

"Thank you, Jean," Riko said softly.

The four students stood in front of the building.

Inside, the place was simple but solid, built entirely of wood - walls, floor, and even the reception counter. To the left stood several tables where guests drank beer and ate hot meals. The air smelled of roasted meat, fresh bread, and smoke from the fireplace.

At the counter stood a middle-aged woman in a plain green dress, her hair neatly tied back.

"Welcome to the Golden Lion. Looking for a room?" She asked in a calm, professional tone.

Yuna stepped forward, standing tall.

"Yes, we need rooms for four people."

The woman's eyes swept over them, pausing at their uniforms.

"Where are you from? Your clothes are unusual."

Before Yuna could answer, Subaru smiled lightly.

"We've been traveling from far away. The clothes are... a tradition of our country."

"I see." The woman nodded, not pressing further.

"We have double rooms. Would you like two, or one larger shared room?"

Yūma looked at the others. Riko lowered her head slightly, Yuna's expression stayed serious, and Subaru pretended not to care.

"Do you have single rooms?" Yūma asked.

"Only one left right now," the receptionist replied.

"Then we'll take one single and one shared for three. That works, right?" Yūma turned to Yuna and Riko, making sure they were comfortable staying with Subaru in one room.

The girls nodded in agreement.

"Very well. Here are your keys. The rooms are on the second floor." The woman placed two iron keys on the counter.

Subaru picked them up, handing one to Yūma. Together, the four of them headed upstairs. The floorboards creaked under their steps, the hallway filled with the faint scent of burning wood.

On the way, Yūma spoke quietly but firmly.

"We can't let anyone know we're from another world."

The other three looked at him. Subaru raised a brow, Yuna slowed her pace, and Riko's eyes showed a flicker of unease.

"We don't know if we're the first. We don't know if someone has already tried to stop this gang. That's why we keep it secret. Agreed?"

Silence. Subaru glanced aside as if wanting to argue, but held back. Riko bit her lip and nodded slowly, not fully grasping the weight of his words.

"Tch... I was about to say that." Yuna muttered, turning her head away, though her voice carried a clear note of frustration.

They don't need to know about the others or what became of them. That truth would only break them. Riko, especially, would never stop thinking about it.