Another student, this one with long bangs and a very serious tone, spoke up right after.
"It's true. We were brought here without our consent. But now that we know what's happening, can we really just ignore it? Humanity is on the brink of extinction. Turning our backs after hearing that would feel... wrong. Wouldn't it?"
He turned toward Selene. "Lady Selene, if we help your world… is there truly a chance we can return home afterward?"
Selene gave a gentle, practiced smile — all purity and poise.
"Of course. The Goddess is magnanimous. If you fulfill your role as Saviors, I have no doubt she will grant your return."
'Magnanimous, huh? After kidnapping a whole damn classroom? Real generous of her.'
"But how are we even supposed to help?" Amy — the busty class rep — stood up. Her arms were crossed, her brows furrowed. "We're just high school students. Not warriors. Not soldiers."
"Oh, don't worry about that." Selene chuckled, a graceful hand to her lips. "Your world ranks far above ours in terms of magical energy density. That means each of you should possess exceptional abilities here — several times stronger than anyone born on Lunera."
'Cheat codes enabled. Isekai protocol confirmed.'
"In that case—" Daniel took a bold step forward, his voice ringing with purpose, "I'll fight. I'll protect the people of this world… and help everyone return home. It doesn't matter what world we're in — I'll save them all."
He clenched his fist and flashed that dazzling, perfect smile.
'Yep. There it is. The shounen protagonist speech. All we need now is background music and some sparkles.'
But — it worked.
Some of the students who had been frozen with fear now looked up. Their eyes flickered with hope. Daniel's confidence was contagious.
Even Amy — tough, snappy Amy — faltered for just a moment… then let out a sigh.
"Ahh damn. Once you put it like that, it would feel wrong to just let you go alone. I'm in."
"Amy…" Daniel looked at her, touched.
"You're not the only one with a sense of justice, you know." She smirked. "Besides… I'll look better than you doing it."
Another girl stood. "I can't just sit back either… I'll fight."
"I'll help too."
"Me too…"
The usual group of overachievers quickly fell in line. And like a rising tide, the rest of the class followed — some hesitant, some reluctant, but most just going with the flow.
Miss Evelyn looked around, her face pale with disbelief. Her voice cracked as she cried, "No! Stop! You're just children! This isn't your—!"
But her words were swallowed by the building momentum.
One after another, the students agreed. A wave of naive enthusiasm washed over the room, sweeping up even those who didn't fully understand what they were agreeing to. They were all in — willingly or otherwise.
As a result, the entire student body would be participating in the war.
Perhaps they didn't truly grasp what it meant to fight. Perhaps it was just easier to play along than to stare reality in the face and break apart under the pressure.
Oliver leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting across the crowd of students — classmates laughing nervously, giving each other forced high-fives, or just trying to look brave. It was like watching lambs cheer for the honor of being led to slaughter.
Then, something caught his eye.
Selene.
She was watching Daniel.
Not politely — but closely.
That look on her face... that's not admiration. That's satisfaction.
She hid it well, but there was a glint of quiet triumph in her icy blue eyes. A slight curve to her lips that hadn't been there earlier. It vanished quickly — but not before Oliver caught it.
She predicted this. All of it. She knew exactly which buttons to press.
He looked over at Daniel, still standing there like the face of some holy campaign poster, basking in admiration. The charismatic "hero" with the shining heart and polished smile.
And Selene?
She'd played him like a harp.
While she spoke of tragedy and danger, her gaze always lingered on Daniel. Her words were carefully chosen, each one pressing deeper into his ideals — tragedy, helplessness, injustice.
Textbook manipulation. Classic cult-level rhetoric. Guilt them, praise them, then hand them a sword.
Oliver crossed his arms, expression unreadable.
Of course, someone like her would sniff out the most influential person in the group. And of course, it had to be Daniel. The shining symbol of justice, loyalty, and women's phone numbers.
He glanced around. Most of the students were focused on the shiny fantasy of power and purpose.
Not a single one of them noticed.
Not yet.
Oliver made a mental note right then and there.
Selene Ashthrone — dangerous.
Beautiful? Yes. Divine? Maybe. But absolutely, one hundred percent dangerous.
He wouldn't forget the look on her face.
And he wouldn't trust her for a second.