Arifureta (Main Series)/Light Novel/Volume 1

This is the first volume in the Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest light novel series.

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Hajime Nagumo is your average, everyday otaku. However, his simple life of pulling all-nighters and sleeping in school is suddenly turned upside down when he, along with the rest of his class, is summoned to a fantasy world! They're treated like heroes and tasked with the duty of saving the human race from utter extinction. However, what should have been the wet dream of any otaku quickly turns into Hajime's darkest nightmare. While the rest of his class are blessed with godlike powers, Hajime's job, Synergist, only has a single transmutation skill. Ridiculed and bullied by his classmates for being weak, he soon finds himself in despair. Will he be able to survive in this dangerous world of monsters and demons with only a glorified blacksmith's level of strength?

Prologue
On a certain Monday morning, Hajime Nagumo arrives at first period class seconds before the bell rang and he was immediately made into a laughingstock by Daisuke Hiyama and his gang. Kaori Shirasaki addresses Hajime, softly admonishing him for his tardiness while Shizuku Yaegashi greets him, which he returns. Kouki Amanogawa scoffs at him for his far-too-casual greeting while Ryuutarou Sakagami gives him the stink-eye, although Kaori tries to calm the situation. Shrugging off Shizuku's apologies for Kouki and Ryutarou's actions, Hajime proceeds to fall asleep when class began as normal.

During lunch, Kaori addresses Hajime yet again, inviting him to eat lunch with her to which he denies stating that he had already finished his packaged lunch just prior. Kouki suggests to Kaori that they should eat lunch together which Kaori rebuffs by asking why she needs permission to share her lunch. Hajime sighs as he earnestly pleads for the four to get sent to another world and when he stood up, about to give his evasive excuse, he spots a magic silver circle at Kouki's feet. Slowly, the other students also spot it which triggers its expansion. Suddenly, the entire classroom disappears, the only evidence left behind were the scattered objects of students during lunch break.

Chapter I: Summoned to Another World with a Commonplace Class
Upon opening his eyes, Hajime observes the chamber he and his classmates were summoned in but before this, checked Kaori's condition as she was slumped on the ground. He averted his eyes from the massive mural after giving it a once-over before a man dressed in priestly robes introduces himself as Ishtar Langbard, the Pope of the Holy Church, and welcomes Hajime and his classmates as heroes to the world of Tortus. He then leads them to a separate room which Hajime describes to be some sort of banquet hall where he has a group of maids deliver refreshments to them before beginning his brief.

After completing his brief, Aiko Hatayama, the teacher, earnestly protested to the fact that the students would be sent to war when they had next-to-no experience, however, the pope, unfortunately, states that it is the work of Ehito who had brought them here and as such, he cannot send them back. The students begin panicking before Kouki declares that he will fight for the cause that Ishtar had laid out, which results in a domino effect as Ryuutarou, Shizuku, Kaori, and the other students begin resolving themselves.

Ishtar then promptly leads Hajime and his classmates down the temple in which they were summoned in through a ride using a magic pedestal and into the capital city of the Heiligh Kingdom where Hajime and his classmates would be trained. They are escorted through the city which warrants glances of awe from the citizens before being led into the royal palace where the king, queen, the princess, and the prince are introduced to them. They are then treated to a lavish feast before being sent off with provisions and a place to stay in the palace. Being tired, Hajime immediately falls asleep on the bed, despite feeling antsy from the ostentatious fanciness.