“I am truly sorry for what has happened to you,” she continued. “I cannot promise anything…”

  Her hands clenched at her sides.

  “But as long as I live, I will search for a way to return you home.”

  “So please…”

  “Help us.”

  Sky stared at her in silence.

  Then—

  “W–Wait… so you’re saying I was summoned like in an anime!?”

  His eyes sparkled. “Does that mean I have magic too!?”

  His despair vanished in an instant, replaced by excitement.

  Despite the heartbreak of never returning home, the reality of his situation began to sink in.

  Another world.

  Magic.

  A hero.

  Just like the anime he used to watch.

  Confusion slowly gave way to anticipation.

  The Empress watched him carefully. She did not understand what anime was, but she understood one thing clearly—he needed answers.

  “To answer your questions,” she said, turning toward her attendants, “we will determine your magical power.”

  “Bring me the Holy Crystal.”

  “At once, Your Majesty.”

  Prophet Gaia stepped forward, holding a perfectly clear crystal that shimmered faintly in the air.

  “Here it is, Your Highness.”

  She then looked at Sky.

  “Young man, place your hand upon the crystal. It will reveal your power.”

  Sky swallowed hard and stared at the perfectly clear crystal, his heart racing. His excitement peaked as he placed his hand upon it.

  The crystal burst into a brilliant white light.

  Then—

  Red.

  Blue.

  Green.

  Every color of the rainbow.

  Gasps echoed throughout the hall.

  The colors shifted—gold, then silver—

  And finally—

  Pitch black.

  Cracks spread across the crystal’s surface.

  And then it turned to dust, vanishing completely.

  Silence filled the room.

  “Y–Your Majesty…” Sky asked shakily.

  “What just happened? Do I even have magic?”

  “Why did it crumble into dust and vanish?”

  An elderly man stepped forward, leaning on his staff.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “I am Serbeno,” he said. “Eldest Councilor of the Empire.”

  He studied Sky with sharp, ancient eyes.

  “The Holy Crystal reveals one’s magical power. Its brightness represents the quantity of magic, and its color shows the element.”

  He stroked his long beard.

  “In my three hundred and twenty-one years of life, I have never witnessed such brilliance—nor so many elements at once.”

  “Most humans possess only one element,” he continued.

  “Exceptional individuals may possess two or three.”

  “There is a legend of an ancient emperor who wielded five…”

  “But even that remains a myth.”

  His gaze locked onto Sky.

  “What you possess is unknown.”

  “But it is undeniable.”

  He exhaled slowly.

  “The crystal crumbling into dust… and vanishing completely… is unprecedented.”

  Serbeno straightened.

  “That is all I can say for now, young man.”

  “I also believe our hero requires rest—and a change of clothes, Your Highness,” Elder Serbeno said, bowing slightly toward the Empress.

  Empress Yanara nodded in agreement. “Thank you, Elder Serbeno. I feel the same. Please escort him to his chambers and see that he is properly attended to.”

  Serbeno’s suggestion was not merely out of courtesy. This would give them time to discuss what they had witnessed—and to begin forming a plan.

  Sky, meanwhile, stood frozen.

  He was completely speechless.

  So many emotions collided within him that he couldn’t tell which one to grasp first. Excitement and wonder surged through his chest, threatening to overflow, yet beneath them lingered an undeniable fear—fear of the unknown, of the fate that now awaited him.

  Still… he was happy.

  He could hardly believe it. He had been summoned to another world—and somehow, he now possessed magical power.

  Just as Sky was about to turn away, Empress Yanara spoke again.

  “Before you go—may we know your name, young man?” she asked gently. “Or rather… our hero.”

  Sky flinched, then scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

  “Ah—right. I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself yet.” He straightened himself. “My name is Sky Seiya Yagami Amain. My friend Maya and my dad call me Sky, and my mom is the only one who calls me Seiya. You may call me whichever you prefer.”

  “Sky Seiya Yagami Amain…” Empress Yanara repeated softly, committing it to memory. “Very well. Please rest for now. We will speak again later.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Your Highness,” Sky replied with a small bow.

  With that, he was escorted out of the hall.

  As Sky walked through the castle corridors, his eyes widened in awe. The interior was vast beyond imagination—towering ceilings, polished floors, ornate walls, and decorations that radiated wealth and authority.

  Everything looked unreal.

  This really is another world…

  The thought echoed in his mind as he was led toward his room, his heart still racing with disbelief.

  Once Sky had left the chamber, Empress Yanara remained behind with the others. The grand hall, still faintly glowing from the remnants of the ritual, felt heavier than before—filled with unspoken doubts and lingering tension.

  Breaking the silence, a man stepped forward.

  “Your Majesty,” said Diego, one of the captains of the Royal Guard, bowing deeply. “Forgive my bluntness, but… did we truly succeed in summoning the one destined to save us? Is he not far too young to be called our hero?”

  Murmurs of agreement rippled through the gathered officials.

  Elder Serbeno struck his staff lightly against the floor. “You all witnessed the ritual,” he said calmly. “The amount of magic consumed—along with the life it demanded—was far too great for there to be any mistake.”

  He lifted his gaze, eyes sharp.

  “And more than that, you saw how the Holy Crystal reacted when he touched it. Regardless of his age, the boy undeniably possesses power—power that lies beyond our current understanding.”

  “That is precisely what troubles me,” Diego replied, his expression tense. “The Holy Crystal should never crumble into dust. What if that boy brings destruction instead of salvation?”

  The hall grew colder.

  “What if,” Diego continued quietly, “instead of a hero… we summoned the very being who will lead us to ruin?”

  Fear spread like wildfire. Some clenched their fists. Others avoided eye contact.

  “So,” Empress Yanara asked, her voice steady and composed, “are you suggesting that Lady Gaia is mistaken about the prophecy?”

  Diego stiffened.

  “I beg your pardon,” Elder Serbeno interjected before he could answer. “I understand Captain Diego’s concerns. However, I sensed no evil within the young man—not even a trace.”

  King Maelyo, ruler of one of the Empire’s kingdoms, nodded. “I agree. If there were malice, I would have felt it.”

  He crossed his arms thoughtfully. “From what I could tell, he is simply a boy—one who was raised with care and love.”

  Empress Yanara smiled faintly. “That was my impression as well.”

  She then turned toward a woman standing quietly at the edge of the hall.

  “Lady Gaia,” the Empress said, “what are your thoughts? What do you see in the young man?”

  Lady Gaia hesitated for a moment before speaking.

  “It is true,” she admitted. “The Holy Crystal turning black—and then crumbling into dust—is something that has never happened before. I was afraid when I saw it.”

  The room leaned into her words.

  “But,” she continued, her voice firm, “I am certain of one thing. He is our hero. I felt no malice within him, nor do I see any future where he brings harm to this world.”

  A wave of relief washed over the hall.

  “I see,” Empress Yanara said softly. “Thank you, dear Gaia. Our prophet has put our doubts to rest.”

  She straightened, her presence commanding the room.

  “Then I hereby declare—the summoning ritual has been a success. You have my deepest gratitude, all of you.”

  She paused. “Are there any further concerns?”

  King Maelyo stepped forward, a grin forming on his face.

  “If I may, Your Majesty. I request that the boy be placed under my supervision. I wish to learn the true extent of his power.”

  He chuckled. “My kingdom lies at the outer edge of the continent. If—in the unlikely event—he proves dangerous, any damage will be far from the heart of the Empire.”

  Elder Serbeno narrowed his eyes. He could sense Maelyo’s true intentions easily.

  You simply want to test his strength… and show off your own.

  “It seems you’re more excited than usual, King Maelyo,” the elder remarked dryly.

  “Ha ha!” Maelyo laughed, fully aware he had been seen through. “Only because protecting the Empire is my duty.”

  After a brief moment of thought, Empress Yanara nodded.

  “Very well. It seems the matter is settled.”

  She turned to the king.

  “We place our trust in you, King Maelyo. Take care of him—and do not let your guard down.”

  “You have my word, Your Majesty,” Maelyo replied confidently. “I will uncover his power and forge him into the hero who will save us all!”

  The Empress then faced another figure—an elderly woman whose presence seemed weaker than before.

  “Elder Graniya,” she said gently, “your power may be gone, but your sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

  “It was my honor, Your Majesty,” Graniya replied with a tired smile. “And… forgive me for your loss. But you were right—the ritual succeeded. None of this would have been possible without Prince Liyelo.”

  “Yes,” Empress Yanara said quietly. “You are correct.”

  Her gaze softened.

  “I do not know what I will say to Liyela when she learns the truth… but I will make sure she knows her brother died a hero.”

  She turned back to the assembly.

  “Once again, thank you all. This is only the beginning. Let us not rely solely on our summoned hero—let us lend him

  our strength, guide him, and ensure he fulfills the purpose for which he was brought to this world.”

  With that, the council reached its conclusion.

  The ritual had succeeded.

  And the fate of the world had begun to move.