Upon hearing those words, silence fell over the room. No one understood what Vaingard meant.
"Wait… What do you mean I'm not the first?"
The people in the house were still shocked, questioning the meaning of "not the first." Did it mean that before Angga, someone else had been summoned to this world?
While the others remained frozen in silence, still processing his words,
Vaingard walked slowly toward the round table in the center of the room and pulled a book from a shelf overflowing with tomes. After selecting it, he opened the book to the middle, revealing a yellowed image—a magic circle identical to the one in the ruins. Lys reacted immediately upon seeing it. "That circle… It's the same as the one in the basement!"
"Correct. That circle was created by the elf ancestors thousands of years ago. They believed that beyond this world, there were souls who could bring about great change for our people. However… not all those summoned met a good end."
Angga swallowed, slightly shocked by Vaingard's explanation. "What do you mean… not all met a good end?"
Vaingard gazed at him intently, sensing the human's curiosity. "You don't need to know that. Besides, it happened a long time ago." And the magic circle hasn't summoned anyone since the Second Holy War ended."
Lys sat down slowly in an old chair, trying her best to help the stranger she'd just met. "Master Vaingard, is there a way to return him to his world?"
The old elf shook his head. "No one can leave without the circle's own will. And if the circle is extinguished… then their fate is bound to this world."
"Unless… fate wills it otherwise."
Silence once again enveloped the house in the middle of the forest. Outside, the night wind continued to blow, the sound of falling leaves rustling.
Angga stared down at his hands. He had no idea how—or why—he'd been chosen. He could only lament his inability to return home.
"So… I really have to stay here," he muttered, resigned to his forced circumstances.
Úlrey approached Angga, still slumped at the table.
"Can we stay here tonight? Tomorrow, we'll head back to the City and think about our next steps. If people find out about you, we'll all be in danger."
"Why does all this feel like a war? I just want to go home."
"Plus, I can't do what the MCs in Isekai anime can do!" His expression was hard to read—somewhere between anger, sadness, frustration, and resignation.
Úlrey approached Angga again, who was still muttering angrily, and said,
"Hey, Angga~ It's okay. I'll help you adjust. You're human—it should be easier for you anyway."
"Wait, you two stay here for now."
"It's better if you stay put for a while."
"It'll be dangerous if you go out so suddenly."
Úlrey was somewhat confused by Vaingard's decision. What danger? Vaingard seemed to know what was going to happen.
"Why? The western part of Vento District is still safe from the Church's burning. We should be safe."
With a sharp gaze and calm yet firm tone, he warned again, "That district is indeed safe for now, but the situation in southern Mergorian is very unstable right now."
"Especially since the Mergorian Council is purging the remaining Arkana users."
"Even if you can't use magic, it's still… very dangerous if you're too naive."
"If something happens to you, I won't be able to help."
After hearing Vaingard's lengthy explanation, they had no choice but to stay at his house. For how long, they didn't know.
POV Angga.
After that long, draining night, I'm still reeling from the idea that I might be stuck in this world. But I… I might try to accept it.
Right now, I'm having breakfast with the others. I'm not used to the food here. It looks like roasted chicken—but without any seasoning.
This morning, I only saw Úlrey and Lys. I don't know where Vaingard went, and it doesn't really matter; he can take care of himself.
They're currently eating birds cooked by Vaingard before he went out.
Úlrey is eating with gusto, as if she hasn't had a decent meal in a long time.
"Goodness!, finally, something truly edible. It's been so long since I've enjoyed this!"
Lys, though smiling at Úlrey's enthusiastic eating, seems… Angga can see a hint of sadness in her expression.
After breakfast, I tried to learn about life in this world. Though I'm a little horrified by the history Lys told me. She seems to know everything about this world, or maybe she's even experienced it herself.
While I'm being serious, Úlrey keeps bothering me because she doesn't know what to do. "Hey Angga, you can fight, and with your body, we'd be a great team…"
"Why should I be your partner? If you can use magic, teach me."
"Honestly, you're asking the wrong person. You should ask your teacher."
"Besides… I thought humans couldn't use magic?"
Lys, hearing Úlrey's sudden question, is a little confused, as she's never heard of humans using magic.
"Of course, they can."
A strange voice came from outside. The door slowly opened, revealing Vaingard, who had just returned.
"Master Vaingard, where did you go?"
"Just taking precautions. It would be very troublesome if the Church found this place."
Vaingard walked calmly over to the table, answering Úlrey's question about whether humans could use magic.
"All beings in the universe have Arkana in their souls. So, indirectly, humans can also use magic, although not as powerfully as elves. Because the capacity of human Arkana isn't as great as that of elves."
"But…? Why do humans forbid the use of Arkana energy?"
"If they can use it?"
Vaingard sighed and finally answered her question in more detail about why humans, especially those under the rule of Mergorian, forbade the use of magic.
"Humans used to use magic too. In everyday life and in the military."
"However… since the teachings of God Ropthus became more widespread and influential in Mergorian politics, a fatwa was issued stating that anything related to magic is allied with demons."
"And many became victims of that fatwa."
"And the culmination came after the Second Holy War, with the victory of the alliance allied with the Mergorian Kingdom. They passed the Anti-Arkana Law, completely prohibiting all use of magic. Violators would be burned alive."
Angga and Úlrey, having learned the history in more detail, shuddered at the events. They didn't expect that although magic could be used, it was forbidden because it was considered to be allied with demons.
"Alright, I think that's enough."
"You should get ready."
Lys seemed to understand that Vaingard wanted to take them somewhere. Úlrey and Angga were a little confused by Vaingard's sudden decision to take them all somewhere. They didn't know where they were going.
"Why are you suddenly telling us to get ready?"
"Has something happened?"