The One Branch of The Tree

I died in a very unheroic way. Not saving someone, not fighting a villain, not getting hit by a truck like most isekai protagonists. 

I died of exhaustion after staying up three nights in a row for schoolwork. I drank too much coffee and then passed out on the way home. It was truly embarrassing.

The last thing I remember was the sound of a horn, blurry vision, and then darkness. I thought it was all over, but it wasn't. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in a vast white room, marble floors, golden pillars, and a ceiling that never seemed to end.

Around me were many familiar faces—about thirty of my classmates. They were all wearing the same high school uniform and all looked confused.

"What happened?"

"Where are we?!"

"I had an accident earlier"

The atmosphere was starting to get tense, and I rubbed my temples. So it wasn't just me, it was the whole class? Great, if this was a prank, the cost would be outrageous. 

Suddenly, a golden light descended from above, plunging the entire room into silence. A tall figure appeared, clad in a golden-white robe, his features too perfect to be human, his long silver hair, his holy aura, and his presence clearly divine.

He looked at us with a calm expression.

"Welcome." His voice echoed throughout the room.

"You have died in the original world."

Some people immediately panicked. Some cried, some got angry, and some were in denial. The standard human response to bad news, I just sighed.

Okay. Dead. Makes sense. The god continued.

"You are chosen to be reincarnated into a new world."

That sentence made everyone freeze. Then the room exploded.

"SERIOUSLY?!"

"Is it really possible?!"

"GOOD GRIEF!"

Some of the boys actually seemed excited, truly a fast-adapting species. Dewa raised his hand, and everyone fell silent again.

"In the new world, you will receive classes and blessings."

Well, now everyone was really focused. Light screens appeared in front of us one by one, much like a game's status system. Fascinating.

The gods began to call out names.

"Kevin." My friend stepped forward, the light coming down.

A notification appears.

Class: Flame Knight

The room immediately became excited.

"WOOOAH!"

"Crazy!" Kevin laughed out loud.

"Good!"

Next.

"Sinta." Class: Saint Healer

Again the voice of amazement.

"Reno." Class: Thunder Spearman

"Alia." Class: Spirit Mage

More and more cool classes are appearing, like swordmaster, elementalist, paladin, assassin, beast tamer, and necromancer. The gods seem especially generous today. Everyone is getting more and more excited, their faces filled with anticipation of adventure, power, and new worlds. It's like every fantasy lover's dream, and then my name is called.

"Raka." I stepped forward, 

All eyes were on me. Okay, time to see my fate. The light descended, warm. The status appeared. I read it and froze.

Class: One Tree Trunk

...

I blinked once, twice and still the same.

One Tree Trunk

The room was silent for a few seconds. Then

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The laughter erupted so loudly, so unempathetic, Kevin even slapped his thigh.

"What is that?!"

"Tree stalk?!"

"Not a Tree Mage or a Druid?"

"Literal stalk?!"

Even some of the usually quiet ones laughed. Amazing, school friendships are so fragile. I stared at the screen in my hand, and something appeared. A small stalk, really just a single stalk, about a foot long and a dull brown color. No aura, no effect, nothing. Just a single tree stalk? I stared at the god.

Seriously?

Is it true?

This?

Dewa just stared at me expressionlessly, not helping at all. Kevin approached with a grin.

"Bro, is your weapon for sweeping?" Laughter again.

I sighed.

"Funny."

"Thank you for your contribution." He laughed even more. 

God spoke again.

"Class doesn't always determine the future."

Ah yes, the standard motivational line, usually appearing when someone is clearly having a bad outcome, not very convincing. 

Everyone began to be led to the portal one by one. Before I entered, I saw many stares. Some mocking, some pitying, some thinking I was finished. 

Interesting, how quickly humans judge others. I gripped the handle in my hand. Okay, if this is my class, I'll figure out how to use it, or at least hit someone creatively.

The portal opened, light enveloped my body, and my vision darkened for a moment, before I emerged into a new place: a forest. Large trees, cool air, the scent of wet earth, birds chirping in the distance—a fantasy world confirmed. Several classmates appeared not far from me. Everyone looked around in awe, but upon seeing me, their expressions changed. Kevin grinned, and trouble quickly arrived.

"Hey, Raka."

His tone was unpleasant. I looked at him.

"What is it?"

Kevin crossed his arms.

"We had a little discussion."

"You're a burden." Direct. Efficient. Brutal. 

I chuckled.

"Wow. Your villain adaptation is fast."

One of my friends stepped forward.

"We can't bring people with trash class."

"The monsters here are definitely dangerous."

"If you come along, you'll just be a burden."

Honestly? It makes sense, but the way it's delivered is still annoying.

"I didn't ask to come with you," I replied.

I thought that was enough, but it wasn't. Kevin shook his head.

"That's not enough."

Oh? I squinted.

"Explain."

Kevin's smile widened.

"We don't know if resources will be limited."

"It would be safer if the problem was resolved now."

The room immediately felt colder as I looked at them one by one. There were about six of them, and some seemed to agree, even not hiding their intentions. It was incredible, just an hour into the new world and there was already a murder plot, rapid progress.

“I understand now,” I said softly.

Kevin laughed.

"Good."

He drew his sword, flames blazing on the blade. Flame Knight, of course.

"Any last words?"

I gripped my handlebars, my heart beating fast. The situation was dire, but I was oddly calm. A little angry, a little disappointed, but mostly cold, so this is how my classmates are. People stay the same, even if the world changes, but not the people. I smiled faintly.

"Yes." Everyone waited.

I looked at them carefully, memorizing their faces one by one, and then said.

"I will remember this."

Kevin's expression changed slightly, perhaps he didn't like my tone. Good, he attacked me, turned around, and ran into the forest.

"CHASE HIM!" A shout was heard behind him. 

The small stick in my hand felt so light, so weak, so useless or maybe I just didn't know how to use it yet. 

As I ran, a tree branch hit me in the face, a root almost making me fall. The sound of footsteps grew closer, they were chasing me seriously, they really wanted to kill me. 

Interesting, well, if this is how the world is meant to start, I'll play by the rules. I'll survive, I'll thrive, and one day they'll regret this decision, very much.

In my hand the small stalk suddenly throbbed very slowly as if responding to my emotions, I looked down. 

What? Then a notification appears.

Skill unlocked: Devour Root

I smiled for the first time. Oh, so you're not completely trash. Interesting, I continued running deeper into the dark forest, and before I knew it, my first steps towards becoming a real monster had just begun.

[END CHAPTER 1]