Man, so here we are...At school.
Today was the big competition.
Well, Akube seemed excited about it.
Even though our school had plenty of competitive students, Akube stood out on his own. Last year, he was practically the reason we won. I didn't even participate, but with him on the team, the other schools never stood a chance.
A faint smirk tugged at my lips.
The school courtyard buzzed with excitement as students gathered around the buses.
At the front stood the principal.
She adjusted her glasses before raising her voice.
"Now that everyone is present, today marks the Arcane Competition!"
The crowd immediately quieted down.
"We have been victorious five years in a row and remain undefeated. Today, we shall take the victory home once again."
Pride shone in her eyes.
"I am deeply proud of every one of you."
She raised her fist high into the air.
"Now, go and win this competition with love and might. My beloved pupils, go forth and dominate!"
The entire school erupted with energy.
"YES, MA'AM!"
Cheers echoed throughout the courtyard.
Soon, everyone boarded the buses and began their journey toward the competition grounds.
The engines roared to life.
One after another, the buses rolled forward, carrying the students' excitement, confidence, and nervous anticipation.
I rested my chin on my palm and stared out the window.
"I just hope this competition gives me more of a challenge than the last one."
Beside me, Akube let out a dramatic sigh.
"Ahh, me too."
He stretched lazily before grinning.
"I've been bored lately. We keep winning like, five in a row."
He proudly pointed at himself.
"What a powerhouse we are! Hahaha!"
"Yeah, yeah."
I rolled my eyes.
"Don't flatter yourself. It's just that the other schools aren't impressive."
I glanced at him.
"You guys aren't that much better than them."
Akube clutched his chest as though I had stabbed him.
"That's harsh."
Then he laughed.
"Nah... compared to you, we're rookies. I mean, the other schools hate facing you."
"What a joke."
I turned back toward the window.
"Anyway, I hope this one is more challenging than the rest."
The moment those words left my mouth...Something felt wrong.
My eyes narrowed.
The sunlight outside had vanished.
The bright sky rapidly darkened as if someone had draped a black curtain across the heavens.
Students began murmuring.
"Huh?"
"What's happening?"
Crackling energy suddenly spread through the air.
The bus trembled.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Oppressive.
Almost suffocating.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Wait"
I slowly rose from my seat.
"What's going on?"
Outside, the sky had become completely black.
Not dark.
Black.
As though the world itself had been swallowed whole.
Then it appeared.
Beneath every bus.
A massive glowing teleportation circle.
Ancient symbols ignited one after another.
Blue.
Gold.
Silver.
The students screamed.
"What is that?!"
"Someone stop the bus!"
"What the hell is happening?!"
The energy exploded outward.
And in the blink of an eye everyone vanished
They had been summoned to another world.
The Zeikuverse.
A realm ruled by godlike beings known as the Grandmasters.
Beneath them existed countless races and powers monarchs, demon lords, demi-humans, spirits, humans, dragon kings, and many others.
Every creature in this verse was born to dominate.
Born to challenge fate.
Born to leave its mark upon existence itself.
At the center of all creation stood the Zeikuverse World Tree.
A colossal pillar of unimaginable power that connected every realm and every race.
Here, reality itself could be bent.
Fate could be rewritten.
Destiny could be conquered.
If one possessed enough strength.
And now...Dranexx,Akube and their classmates.
Had been dragged into this world.
Summoned for the entertainment of the Grandmasters.
None of them knew it yet.
But this game would soon become their greatest nightmare.
The moment they arrived
Their dormant power began to stir.
Power that was already broken.
Already dangerous
Student 1 looked around nervously.
"Where are we...?"
"I have no idea."
Another student's voice trembled.
Lisa frowned deeply.
"What the hell is going on?"
She spun around.
"I thought we were on our way to the competition! So what are we doing here?!"
"It's weird"
One student swallowed nervously.
"It's like we're in a completely different world."
He looked around.
"I can't even see anything properly."
Akube suddenly snapped his fingers.
His eyes widened with excitement.
"Hold up!"
Everyone looked at him.
"Don't tell me this is one of those light novels where characters get summoned to another world with insanely broken skills?!"
His grin grew wider.
"Ooooh my gosh!"
Lisa immediately smacked the back of his head.
"Be serious, Twerk."
She glared at him.
"Don't bring your dull manga nonsense here."
"I think he's right"
A student raised his hand cautiously.
"I've read novels like this."
He looked around uneasily.
"It usually starts exactly like this."
A heavy silence fell.
Then he continued.
"Guys... I think Akube is right."
His voice became shaky.
"I think we've definitely been summoned to another world."
"Wait."
Another student's face turned pale.
"Tell me this is a joke."
He clenched his fists.
"If it's true... doesn't that mean we died in the real world?"
"Not likely."
A different student shook his head.
"I think our bodies came with us."
His expression darkened.
"We were summoned against our own will."
Everyone immediately fell silent.
Fear slowly began spreading through the group.
Meanwhile, Dranexx calmly observed their surroundings.
Unlike the others, panic never appeared on his face.
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"From what I've understood"
Everyone turned toward him.
"This isn't a normal realm."
A strange pressure lingered in the air.
"It feels like a heavenly palace."
His gaze lifted upward.
"A place where higher, godlike beings reside."
For a brief moment...
Silence.
Then
"Oh?"
A voice boomed across the heavens.
The very space around them trembled.
"I see we have a promising one among them."
The students froze.
Their bodies instinctively tensed.
Before them...Upon a magnificent throne floating above the void...Sat one of the Grandmasters,Radiating power beyond mortal comprehension.