[World: Tortus]
It had been 2 weeks since the students from Shinjuku Pillager Academy had been summoned to the world of Tortus on the prospective hope of becoming heroes. One person however, wasn't particularly lucky in that regard.
At night time, Hajime Nagumo was sitting at his table in a room provided by the royal kingdom, reading a book. While he was thinking to himself everything that happened before now
[Flashback Start]
In an arena-like area, the students of SPA were gathered in front of a well-built middle aged man with a scar on his face and armor with a red cape. This is Meld Loggins, Knight Commander of the Heiligh Kingdom's army, as well as the overseer for the Summoned Heroes
"Alright everyone listen up. You've been given a portable device known as a status plate, its job is to show you what your Job Class is as well as what abilities you have from that Job Class. It can also show your physical attributes, such as strength, speed, endurance, etc," Meld said informatively. "To activate them, take the needle handed to you to draw a small amount of blood, then drop it onto the plate. Then say 'Status' and you should see your Class. When you've completed that, tell me the Job Class."
Everyone did as instructed. When Hajime opened his Status Plate, he saw that the job he was given was Synergist. He also saw that his physical attributes were at 10. 'Nice, almost everything's at 10,' he said happily. That is until he heard Meld's voice again.
"On average, the people from this world have 10 as their physical attributes, but you heroes should have a higher number than that."
When Hajime heard that, his heart sank, '10 is the average number?! So I have average stats despite being one of the people summoned to this world?! What kind of cruel joke is this,' he thought in despair.
Then Kouki's voice was heard, "Captain Meld, mine says 'Hero.'"
At that, everyone looked at Kouki in astonishment and satisfaction. Meld immediately went over to Kouki's Status Plate and saw that the Job Class was indeed Hero, with his physical attributes being at 100 despite his level being 1.
"Hero huh? Impressive! You're going to be one hell of a force to be reckoned with once you get some training in," he said with a smile, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes as well that no one caught.
"Hey Hajime, let me see what your job is," Daisuke Hiyama said while smirking.
Hajime wanted to say no and walk away, but Hiyama snatched his plate from him and looked at it, "Huh? Synergist? Hey Captain, what's a Synergist?"
Meld put his hand under his chin and spoke, "A Synergist is one of the basic job classes this world has and is pretty common. Synergists are known to use their magic to make weapons, but that's about it."
After hearing that, Hajime grit his teeth as Hiyama started cackling, "Bwhahahahaha! Seriously?! Then that means our boy Hajime is the weakest of the bunch even in another world! He's got Synergist as his job class! Hahahahaha!"
Most of the others looked towards Hajime with a look of either disappointment or smugness, "Why don't you be a good boy and make our weapons for us," one of Daisuke's crooks said with a mocking smile, sharing Hiyama's laugh.
"What? No way, don't make him create our weapons, we'll die," another one said, also laughing.
Hajime took his plate back from Hiyama and glared at the boys who were laughing themselves silly, 'Hiyama, I really hate you,' he thought.
"And here people have the nerve to call you 5 heroes. Picking on someone because their job class isn't as cracked up as one thought? Have you no shame in yourselves," spoke another voice with a disappointed and scolding tone.
The boys stopped laughing and turned to the source of the voice and flinched. Sargon was staring them down with a very pointed glare while walking up to them, or more specifically, to Hajime.
"If you boys are done being sorry excuses for 'heroes,' leave him alone now," he said sternly.
Hiyama clicked his tongue, then smirked, "Fine. But only if you tell us your Job Class, foreign freak."
Sargon rolled his eyes before pulling out his own Status Plate and showed it to the 5 boys. On the plate, it said, "Enchanter," and the physical attributes he had there weren't too bad either, none being any less than 45.
"Happy? Now move along," he said, shooing them away.
The boys didn't take too kindly at being shooed, but they knew what happened the first time they tried to do something about his attitude and walked away.
Sargon then turned to Hajime and said gently, "You're not the only one with a non-combative skill, you see."
Hajime looked at him gratefully and smiled. Aiko then walked up to the 2 and spoke in an effort to comfort him too, "Hey Nagumo, look. Mine isn't combative either. It says farmer."
Nagumo looked at her Status Plate and saw that it indeed said Farmer, but the moment that job class was heard,
"Famer?! I've never heard of that one before! Notify the townsfolk, we might've found a way to ensure better food quality," Meld said excitedly.
Nagumo looked a little depressed, Aiko looked alarmed and a little guilty that her efforts were in vain, and Sargon patted Hajime on the back.
[Flashback End]
Hajime sighed again at the memory of practically being no better than an average person, even in this world. But at least he has a couple of people looking out for him.
*Knock knock knock*
Hajime looked to the door in confusion, wondering who could be knocking on his door this late. As he got up and opened the door, he saw 2 individuals standing there, Kaori Shirasaki and Sargon Kaze. Kaori smiled with a little head tilt,
"Hey Hajime. I know this is a little late, but we wanted to talk to you for a little bit. Well, I did, actually. I just brought Kaze-kun along," she said.
Sargon nodded with a small smile, indicating her telling the truth. Hajime also returned the smile, albeit, a bit nervously, "Oh, yeah that's fine. Come in, you 2," he invited. They accepted the invitation and walked in.
"Sorry I can't make this any more comfortable for you 2," Hajime apologized.
Kaori waved her hands in an effort to ease him, "No worries. It is kind of late, so we're the ones–no, I'm the one who should apologize for doing this on such short notice."
"Alright, well, what did you want to talk about," Hajime asked.
Sargon looked at her as well, intrigued on what she wanted to say. Kaori looked down for a moment, then looked back up at Hajime and equally Sargon, "I probably should've mentioned that this concerns you too, Kaze-kun. But, I want you 2 to stay and wait in the town."
Hajime and Sargon were surprised by the sudden request, the former even more so, "Huh? Why," he asked.
Kaori put her hands close to her chest, visible worry and concern etched onto her face, "I had a nightmare. One where I was constantly calling both of your names, but you both didn't respond and you kept getting farther and farther away from me. No matter how much I ran, I couldn't keep up. Then you both vanished," she said.
Hajime didn't know how to take the context of the nightmare, even Sargon frowned in thought. "I'm scared. I don't want anything happening to you 2," she said, trembling a little.
Hajime recovered quick enough to attempt to comfort her, "Don't worry Shirasaki, it was just a dream. Captain Meld and the other strong people will be there. If there's anyone you should worry about, it's our enemies," he said with a smile.
Kaori looked at him for a moment and then smiled. Sargon also shared the same smile, "You know. When you said strong people, I'm reminded of that time where you were kneeling on the street."
Hajime was startled by her words, then smiled wryly, "Ah, yeah, I think I remember that. *Sigh* I honestly should've just minded my own business, but my body moved on its own. I don't know what came over me, to be honest."
"Well whatever it was, you ended up being someone who I admire," Sargon said with a smile.
Hajime looked confused, "What do you mean? You were there too," he asked.
Kaori clapped her hands a bit while smiling, "Yeah that's right! You were the same person who gave those 2 thugs the money to leave right?"
Hajime's eyes widened and he turned his head towards Sargon, finally recognizing him. "No way! That was you," he asked, incredibly shocked.
Sargon chuckled at Hajime's reaction and nodded, "Yes, that was me. I'm glad you finally remembered Nagumo."
Hajime looked with his jaw dropped, he then got up from his chair and bowed towards him, "Thank you so much from that time. I'm sorry I haven't gotten to repay you yet, but I will someday, I promise."
Sargon raised his hand, "Please Nagumo, there's no need for that. I'm just glad you're still doing ok. Well, for the most part, at least."
Hajime raised his body from the bowing position, "I still want to pay you back for that assistance," he said seriously.
Sargon sighed, "You aren't going to budge on that are you? Then how about you repay me by allowing me to continue being your friend from now on," he said with a smirk.
Hajime blinked and stared at him. "Is that truly all you want," he asked unsure.
Sargon stood up, "I'm positive. I'm sure you heard me before we got summoned here, I choose who will be a waste of my time or not, and you Nagumo, certainly are not," finished with a kind smile.
He then outstretched his hand towards him, "Will you accept, Hajime Nagumo?"
Hajime looked at him in shock and disbelief, before huffing and smiling and taking his hand, "Of course. Feel free to just call me Hajime from now on."
Sargon nodded, "Likewise and you can call me Sargon."
Kaori stood up from her chair as well, "Great! I'm glad everyone's getting along! So does this mean I can start calling you 2 by your first names," she asked as she leaned over a bit.
Sargon nodded, "Of course you can. Well, I can't speak for Hajime, but you are free to use my first name if you want."
Kaori looked towards Hajime with puppy dog eyes and her hands clasped forward, "Please?"
Hajime looked taken aback and caught off guard by her action, but eventually sighed and turned away, "Alright alright, you can call me Hajime too."
Kaori smiled and pumped her fists, "Yes!"
Sargon chuckled while covering his mouth, amused by their dynamic. He then spoke up again with a suggestion, "Hey Kaori, I have an idea on how to perhaps alleviate your worries about the nightmare you had."
Kaori looked towards him with her head tilted, "Oh? What do you have in mind," she asked. Hajime looked at him quietly too, interested in his idea.
Sargon continued, "Why don't we lend him our protection? I know mine isn't necessarily combat oriented, but that doesn't mean I'm actually helpless. I can fight too," he said confidently.
Kaori nodded immediately afterward, "Yeah! That sounds like a great idea. We'll protect you together Hajime-san, and before you say anything, this isn't something you can just say no to," she said with a smirk and a finger towards him.
Hajime just sighed and rubbed the back of his head, "I know. You guys aren't going to budge on this one, so I won't bother trying to dissuade you," he said with a wry smile. "I'll be counting on you both from here on out."
Kaori smiled, "Just leave it to me!"
Sargon shared her smile, "We've got your back, Hajime," he said as he extended his fist.
Hajime smiled and bumped his fist with Sargon's, solidifying a vow, bond, and friendship with 2 people he'll gladly call his friends.