Chapter 1
Summoning and Despair
The moment our classroom was swallowed by a blinding white flash, my mind went completely blank.
The blackboard, the desks, even the view from the window—all vanished in dazzling light.
When my vision returned, we were standing in an unfamiliar place.
Boy A: “W-what the hell…? Where are we…?”
Girl A: “Wait, is this… a palace? There’s even someone who looks like a king sitting there…”
Looking around, I saw that all of my classmates were here.
Even our homeroom teacher, Mr. Shinichi Sakurai, had been caught up in this and was trembling, his face pale as a sheet.
Before us rose a massive throne, and sitting upon it was a man in luxurious robes—a king.
To either side stood lines of armored knights, the air tense and heavy.
King: “—Welcome. You who have been summoned to our kingdom as hero candidates.”
At his deep, solemn voice, the students all began to murmur at once.
Boy B: “Wait… seriously? This is…”
Boy C: “An isekai summoning… right?”
Boy D: “Hell yeah! It’s finally happening! I’m totally getting a cheat skill!”
Voices filled with fear and excitement overlapped.
I—Yuto Takamiya—couldn’t stop my heart from pounding, either.
King: “Now, each of you shall undergo appraisal. Show the power granted to you by the Goddess’s blessing, and become heroes who will save this world.”
The first to step forward was the class leader, Renji Saeki—athletic, confident, and admired by everyone, even the teachers.
Knight: “Place your hand upon the crystal.”
When Renji did so, the crystal shone with brilliant light.
Knight: “Attack Power: High. Skill: Sword Saint.”
Boy E: “Whoa! That’s insane!”
Girl B: “Of course it’s Renji!”
Cheers and applause filled the hall. Even the king nodded in approval.
Next was Misaki Himeno, a quiet, kind-hearted girl who always cared about others.
To me, she had always been the one person who shone the brightest.
As she placed her hand on the crystal, it flared up like fire, filling the room with red light.
Knight: “Magic Power: Extremely High. Skill: Flame Mage.”
Girl C: “Amazing…”
Boy F: “Misaki-chan’s totally overpowered!”
Misaki’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she smiled gently at everyone around her.
One after another, my classmates stepped forward, revealing strong and impressive skills—
Healers, holy knights, priests… everyone gained some kind of reliable power.
Then, at last, it was my turn.
Knight: “Next, Yuto Takamiya.”
My name echoed through the chamber. My legs trembled as I felt everyone’s eyes on my back.
I reached out to the crystal with shaking hands.
…But then—
Knight: “…Huh? No skill is being displayed.”
We tried again. And again.
The crystal gave only a faint, dull glow.
Knight: “…All stats are at the lowest level. Skill: ‘Unknown.’”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Boy G: “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
Boy H: “Dude’s totally useless.”
Girl D: “He’s just gonna drag everyone down. They should throw him out now.”
Mockery and disappointment pierced me like arrows.
Even the king looked down at me with cold eyes.
King: “To summon one so worthless… the Goddess must be fickle indeed.”
Misaki Himeno: “…Yuto-kun must have… some kind of power, I’m sure…”
Her quiet words were drowned out by the noise around her.
No one heard them—not even me.
King: “—The useless are not needed here. Begone from my sight.”
With that merciless declaration, I was shoved out of the throne room.
Mr. Sakurai: “W-wait! He’s just a child—!”
My teacher tried to protest, but the king’s cold glare silenced him.
In the end, no one came to my aid.
The heavy doors slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing in my chest.
Thrown outside, I was completely alone.
The evening sky burned red, and a cold wind swept past.
I fell to my knees and bit my lip.
(Am I really… the only one who has nothing?)
Then, from the forest nearby, came a low growl.
“Grrrrr…”
A wolf-like monster with glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows, its sharp fangs gleaming in the dusk.
Yuto: “S-stay back!”
I shouted in fear—but in that instant, a strange voice echoed inside my head.
『Command acknowledged—Initiating Subjugation.』
“…What?”
The next moment, the wolf froze mid-lunge.
Then, slowly, it lowered its head and knelt before me.
Yuto: “W-what the…?”
I could hardly believe what I was seeing.
The monster that had just been about to attack me was now… obeying me.
(Is this… my skill…?)
The power to forcibly make anything I meet obey me—
that impossible ability now belonged to me.
That night, as I sat by a campfire with the wolf curled up beside me,
I was still drowning in despair.
And yet, deep within my heart, a faint light of hope began to flicker.
(I’m not useless… right?)
Author’s Note
Thank you so much for reading!
In Chapter 1, we covered the summoning, appraisal, rejection, and banishment, leading up to the protagonist’s first awakening of his power.
Next time, Yuto begins his journey with the monster he has subjugated—and encounters new allies who will change his fate.
Please look forward to it!
