______________

Location: High School

3rd Person Pov

The classroom buzzed with the usual energy of restless students, their chatter filling the air as the final bell rang. Kuden Richach sat quietly at his desk, fiddling nervously with the hem of his oversized sweater. As always, he tried to make himself invisible, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might call attention to him.

Kuden: "Just another day... if I can get through this, I can go home and read."

He glanced at the clock, his icy blue eyes betraying a flicker of hope. But before he could gather his things, a sharp voice cut through the noise.

Classmate: "Hey, Kuden! You think you're better than us because you're quiet all the time?"

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the pale-haired boy. Kuden froze, clutching his books tightly against his chest.

Kuden: "N-No, I don't think that..."

The class erupted into laughter, and Kuden's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He kept his head down, wishing he could disappear.

Later that afternoon, as the school day ended, Kuden walked through the empty halls, heading to the library for a moment of peace. He passed a room where faint chanting caught his attention. Curious, and against his better judgment, he peeked inside.

A classmate stood in the center of a glowing circle, strange symbols etched into the floor.

Kuden: "What... what are you doing?"

The classmate turned, startled, and the glow of the circle intensified.

Classmate: "Kuden! You shouldn't be here!"

Before he could react, the symbols erupted with light, pulling Kuden into the circle.

Kuden: "Wait! Stop! What's happening?!"

The world around him twisted and blurred. He felt weightless, like a leaf caught in a storm, until he landed with a thud on soft grass. Dazed, he opened his eyes to a sky that shimmered with hues of violet and gold, unlike anything he had ever seen.

Kuden: "W-Where... am I?"

He sat up, his heart pounding, and looked around. A sprawling academy loomed in the distance, its spires piercing the sky. Creatures of all shapes and sizes-beastkin, orcs, and even vampires-walked the grounds, their conversations blending with the hum of magic in the air.

Kuden's hands trembled as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. Then, out of nowhere, his locket began to glow. A burst of light erupted from his palm, and before him appeared a fully armed tank, its turret swiveling as if alive.

Kuden: "What... what is this?!"

The commotion caught the attention of nearby students, who stared in shock.

Student (Beastkin): "Is that... a machine from another world?!"

Student (Orc): "This human summoned it... Who is he?"

Overwhelmed by fear and confusion, Kuden stumbled back, his breathing quick and shallow.

Kuden: "I... I didn't mean to..."

Unbeknownst to him, this was only the beginning of his journey in a world where magic and steel would collide, and his quiet life would be forever changed.

{To Be Continue}

________________________

Next Chapter: A New World, New Life.