"...The ritual was successful..."

'What is going on? Am I dead? I am feeling so sleepy'

"Welcome our hero"

'Hero? What hero? I am not a...'

***

"What happened where am I?"

Nate opened his eyes and looked around. He was confused since the place he woke up in was clearly not a hospital. It more or less looked like he was in a very luxurious hotel.

"What is this place? Wait! My leg grew back? What the f*ck!?"

He stood up from the bed and confirmed that he somehow had his leg back.

'My burns are also gone as if that explosion never occurred'

"What is going on?"

Nate's thinking was disrupted by the sound of a door opening. He turned his head and noticed a young girl in a maid outfit walking in.

"Oh! Sir is already awake I will go and notify the Grand Priest!"

"Wait! Wher- am I?"

Before he could ask his question, the maid stormed off and left. Nate simply decided to sit on the bed and wait for the maid to come back.

'Did she say something about a Grand Priest? Am I in some sort of church? But... didn't I die? What is going on?'

Nate was very confused about his situation but in the end he simply decided to wait and ask the 'Grand Priest' what is going on. He didn't have to wait long; the maid quickly came back with a group of men. They all were wearing priest like robes.

Nate's attention was caught by the man at the front. He looked old yet lively and what distinguished him from the rest was his very unique and decorated white robe.

"Oh... so you're finally awake... You were asleep for an entire day and I was starting to worry. Haha"

The white robed priest casually spoke and even chuckled a bit.

"Are you... The Grand Priest?"

"Ahh! Forgive my manners, you are correct. My name is Peter Cornelius, the Grand Priest of the Valencian Empire in the name of High Goddess of Light Kali"

'???'

"I thank the Goddess that the ancient ritual was successful and you arrived safely"

'???'

"The continent is in a dire state since demons are walking more and more brazenly"

'???'

"But since you are here a part of my worries is already gone and I-"

"Wait up! I am a bit confused. My last memory is of me dying and not being summoned to some sort of fantasy world. Could you perhaps first explain what happened to me so I could comprehend what the hell is going on?"

The Grand Priest looked a bit shocked but nevetheless he cleared his throat and started to explain things a bit more clearly.

"Forgive me, your confusion is a given. Let's perhaps start with the ancient isekai ritual"

"Isekai ritual!?"

"Yes, according to the ancient records the isekai ritual summons a fallen warrior of another world with insane potential and something called a 'plot shield' I am unsure what those ancient words mean but it is unquestionable that the summoned warrior will have the opportunity to change the course of history and help humanity in dire situations"

'Yep, that confirms it, my life is in fact a joke'

"Sigh... I doubt I am the person you are looking for. I am not a warrior but someone you could call a scholar"

"No, even if this is true the records state that the person summoned is someone with an immeasurable potential. Your talent will make you strong so don't worry"

"This... can't you just summon more people? It would've been easier that way"

"Unfortunately, that's not possible. The ritual can be performed only once a thousand years"

'Why am I not surprised?'

"But... I am really not a warrior. Tsk..."

Nate was starting to get angry. He died suddenly when his life was about to turn around and now someone is telling him he has to spend his new life suffering as a mere soldier?

"Hmm... didn't you say you were a scholar? Maybe you will give learning magic a shot?"

"MAGIC!?"

He suddenly straightened his back and put a big smile on his face. His attitude changed a 180 degrees.

'Magic? Of course! What kind of fantasy world doesn't have magic?'

"I am interested please elaborate"

The priest was once again shocked by the behaviour of the 'new hero' but ultimately was feeling relived Nate expressed interest in learning magic. He was slowly starting to worry that the ancient records were false and that he summoned someone that wouldn't be of help.

"Yes, magic... the power that can destroy mountains when mastered and is limited only by the ability and imagination of a magician. To become one a ton of time and resources are needed but if you are interested, I am sure the Empire and the Church will support you fully. In exchange however you will have to put your heart and soul to defending humanity from demons, are you willing?"

At that question Nate started to wonder.

'Tsk... after all I went through, you want me to serve you? I am tired of people telling me how I should live and I bet you just want to use me for your own gain. Am I a joke to you? Hah... I almost forgot my life is a joke but If my life is so funny why shouldn't I have a laugh as well?'

Nate stood up from the bed and looked straight at the priest and replied with a smile.

"Of course, if humanity is in danger shouldn't It be a responsibility of everyone that can help?"

"Hahaha! You're right it is! Haha!"

The Grand Priest seemed happy with the answer he got and was laughing while Nate was simply standing quietly with a smile on his face. Peter was concerned about the demons invading the mortal realm but with a young hero that aspires to become a powerful magician he is obviously very happy. He was so happy in fact that he did not notice something important.

The answer of the new 'hero' was accompanied with a tint of insanity in his eyes...