This is Isekai Quartet fanfic, primarily focusing on Subaru's and Kazuma's perspectives. I wanted to have a somewhat serious take on Isekai Quartet, at least when it comes to overall plot and characters' attitudes/behavior. First chapter recounts the first season and a bit more from Kazuma's POV, as well like establishing the setup. With 4th chapter I will introduce other isekai characters, from not originally featured animes/LNs, with probably one chapter for each isekaied. Formatting might change, depending on reception.


Today is the day everything became even more complicated. Two days ago, Subaru and his gang, including Roswaal and everyone from Lugnica in Class 1, disappeared for the whole weekend. We assumed they've got back home for good, but then they returned this morning, more of them and changed. There was a new person in our class and few others were sent to class 1.

It was an aggressive-looking blonde, who sized up everyone while walking, searching for a place to sit. Darkness squirmed in seat behind me... I don't want to know what is going on in her head. Well, the guy looked like a trouble, a "beat you up for a wrong look" kind of trouble, so I can agree with her on that. Subaru gestured towards the seat to the left of him. Unsurprisingly, the guy looked at Subaru approvingly. Oh yeah, yet again that lucker snatched someone else's loyalty to get through his life even easier than before...

But Subaru didn't look easy. I mean, he smiled back reassuringly towards blonde, but I could see he is stressed, compared to what he was just few days ago. His clothing also changed, looking similar to what Reinhardt wore. Something happened in these 2 days. I am willing to bet my knife, that he got briefly returned to his world, things happened there and then he somehow ended back here.

It didn't align with what we know. Hell, if both my assumption and part of Roswaal's explanation were true, it meant my worst fears have been realized. I needed to talk to Subaru. I wasn't alone in that thought, I silently exchanged glances with Tanya. Judging by Subaru's behavior, he haven't forgotten us, so unless he is specifically restricted in talking about it, we will get our answers.

...

It all started at least a month ago. We were getting back to our usual quest routine after a visit to Crimson Demons, when a red button appeared. I knew something was off about it, it looked like a trap for stupid people. Megumin agreed and pressed it regardless, transporting us to a school yard and thus kicking off my weirdest life experience so far. Strange imposing guy commanded us to go in the class for a lesson, and before we know it, we were roped in some school bullshit.

The "studying" part of this "crossover" was abominable. I can't quite compare with what it was like before I got isekaied, but back then it sure made more sense. But now it was ridiculous! Me –an accomplished adventurer, self-made person and almost a grown man already – being tutored in 7th grade math problems or basic biology!

I wanted to ditch this from day one, and frankly, that's what I did, by paying as little attention as possible, except occasions it forced showing someone's abilities. From what I gathered, many others had similar approach, especially prominent with Soldierbros. But the damned Ainzlings were insufferable! They tried to ace everything, competing with each other and also probably every other group, despite literally nobody else caring.

"Chores" weren't limited to studying. At this point, it was clear, that the main purpose of all of this was social interaction, and in some kind of "equalizing" setting. It's not a coincidence, that the leaders of each group were isekaied from Japan. It was obvious with me and Subaru, Ainz and Tanya reluctantly told their own stories some time later.

Everyone had to choose or were assigned to do certain tasks, ranging from being a school announcer to a giant hamster caretaker. Or a disciplinary committee member, in my case, as if Tanya and Demiurge needed my help. At first I thought my position would protect me from anyone but teachers, but in reality, she proceeded to abuse me almost exclusively, disguising it as "getting Kazuma up to the public servant standards"! Really, all she did was finding a reason to make me do exercises or write essays about ethics. We got along better after the Field Day, but she and Demiurge are still looking down on my behavior.

But it was fun for a lot of other people, although all of those "jobs" were useless in the great scheme of things. It just provided opportunity for cooperation and conflict, with both of which I have to be in a special mood to engage in.

Despite my initial spite towards Harem-Having-Bastard and natural clash of personalities with Tanya, overall I got along with most. Ainz was scary but alright, especially for a local Devil King or whatever he was back in his world. Soldierbros were the easiest to handle, though they themselves had been tight friends with each other, which made it a bit awkward to hang out with all of them. Obviously, I still have Aqua, Darkness and Megumin, as well as Dust and Chris in another class, but it would be wasting opportunities, spending time with people who already know you.

Initially, I thought getting out of Belzerg was a blessing. Out of danger and with no debts hanging, going to school instead of working or chasing frogs. Also, my new "class" had few beautiful girls, that unlike Axel's ones couldn't possibly heard anything bad about me. I could brag all I want, even if slightly embellishing stories, but who would call me out, right? I just have to avoid doing it when my gir... that almost sounded bad. Ehem, when my party is in earshot.

Of course, in actuality, tables were turned. I didn't make a good impression. My companions didn't help either, altogether we've been looked upon as freaks. AND THAT'S WITH THE GROUP OF LITERAL DEMONS AND THE WARBAND LED BY VILE LOLI! Subaru's gang was the only one that looked somewhat "typical isekai", and to my chagrin that meant the fucker had super lucky life in another world. I mean, he probably had some hardships, but this simpleton had achieved way more than he deserved, and was on his way to "capture" a royal half-elf. God, I wish I could get involved with royalty... Even in innocent way! Belzerg had a crown prince and a princess, getting along with either of them would set me for life.

I was somewhat shut down by my disappointment, but I still managed to enjoy relatively stable life, even securing first friends outside of my group. That was, until the Mobile Fortress Destroyer appeared as the final boss in a competition, despite supposed to be blown up in Belzerg. I even served a sentence for it! It was the day I understood, that troubles followed me here, even if a different kind of troubles. Of "artificial" kind.

The explanations for the event ranged from bad to worse – either whoever runs this "crossover" replicated the Mobile Fortress design, or they could literally recreate anything from at least my world, or perhaps even any other. And it was all for training of sorts, but for whom and for what? I clearly got nothing but goosebumps out of it.. I doubted that they were OK with anyone dying here. But... Judging by Chris's and Aqua's words, this world didn't quite welcome resurrections, so if deaths happened on "accident", everything could go horror-flick way pretty fast.

Then we finally had a conversation with all 4 of isekaied at once, set up by Subaru soon after Roswaal revealed a promise about getting home was hollow. The elf-fanboy was the most agitated about it, ending up curtly retelling his life in Lugnica. While at it, he himself was jarred at how lucky it made him look, claiming he actually worked a lot for each time anything good happened.

Yeah, right, having Reinhardt, Emilia, Wilhelm, other royals, Roswaal and twin maids helping out with each complication. Subaru must have sold his soul to a devil, to gain so much with so little to start with. Such fascinating plot armor... It made me want to rant so much I barely held myself back. At least that prompted Tanya and Ainz to tell their stories in greater detail, though, both stating they withheld the most private parts.

Clearly, not even Subaru had talked about his adventures out and out. So why should I have had? Well, I didn't outright lie, but what is so wrong with having a bit more favorable twist on my actions? Especially compared to my troublesome companions, whose lack of common sense proved to be an excellent foil? I jumped on a chance to improve my image at least with "main characters".

Telling stories wasn't just a sport for me, since that one time I was duped into bragging about my achievements and then had to uphold my image, embarking on stupid quests... I have planned out several ways of telling most of the things I could potentially be asked about, from wildly braggart to completely belittling, just in case I have to face Devil King or other dangerous authority one day. Of course, I also had one that would align with public knowledge in most cases, while slightly amplifying my role as the leader and the brain of the party.

...And apparently it didn't land that well. Tanya couldn't quite believe that I was a respected adventurer, getting out of fights with enemies so much stronger than me. And that's despite me dying several times and her admitting my resourcefulness! I also said several times, that my party (under my guidance) could be effective! Ainz and Subaru weren't that scathing, but the lucky boy snickered when I was talking about how much of a famous humble hero I have become.

Anyway, the point of interest were teachers. Roswaal, Vanir and Rerugen were the three most prominent ones. Rerugen was a typical bureaucrat, always trying to do what was best in this situation, lacking much ambition outside of his expertise, but he did, allegedly, command some kind of suggestion power in this world. He doesn't use it often, apparently, and haven't misused it so far. Vanir was a scummy guy, he was interested in all things despair, along with other negative emotions, but his long-term interest was building a dungeon. He would easily take any executive position to abuse the hell out of people, but it doesn't look like it was his master plan all along. Roswaal, on the other hand...

You would have guessed he is a hidden villain from his first LN illustration, right after character introduction. Especially since Subaru's story was a classic "a talentless nobody gets his wishes fulfilled because he wants it badly" type, almost inherently simplistic in its plot. I could easily see some authors placing Roswaal as some kind of double-bait villain, in an attempt to subvert expectations (but not really). Clown make up, hereditary "most powerful mage from the old family" title, extravagant and mysterious, with no justification for his actions besides abstract shit or amusement. He must be either a villain, even if a minor one, or a comedic relief, and Roswaal was too creepy to be funny. The only reason an ordinary reader wouldn't place his sights on Roswaal is a "meta" reason – it would be too obvious.

The point is, Roswaal was singled out in every regard even back in Lugnica, if we to believe Subaru (and we did). In this "space-time bubble", as Demiurge christened it, Roswaal called the shots, engaged in most lessons and was the one to give a very big promise, albeit it was hollow. Even if he wasn't originally a part of whatever is happening, he definitely was the most involved now. If anyone had any answers about the purpose of it all, he did.

We had to confront him. Not with direct force, but rather as troubled colleagues or even as companions in misfortune, as Subaru had put it. The boy was the most driven to get back to Lugnica, he hardly explained why, he was basically just paranoid this "crossover" detour had real-world consequences.

But Tanya's concern was involvement of Being X and whether eventually things get dangerous because of him. Ainz's stance was unclear, sometimes I even think he got no stance and just goes along with whatever plan is brought to him.

We agreed to catch Roswaal after the class. We had a list of questions, Subaru would talk first, explaining our predicament, then Tanya should take over the conversation and reel it in. Ainz could just stand, looking serious, unless something bothered him in Roswaal 's story. Me? I was just... I don't know, I don't even remember what I was supposed to do? Well, among us, I disliked the guy the most. Heh, at least at the time...

Perhaps, I was supposed to be silent, but that's not what happened.