Chapter 2: Unexpectedly, A Person Declines
Some people have strong psychic abilities. It's nothing new.
However, it is only after they reach a certain age that they are accepted when they tell others about seeing spirits or other bizarre phenomena, and they are convinced with the single phrase, "Highly psychic".
If a baby is reaching for nothing in the air day after day, or staring at an empty space, and then suddenly starts laughing happily, most parents wonder about it.
Most parents wonder when a child who can talk a little now mumbles to himself or talks animatedly in the direction of no one.
And if it doesn't stop after a few years and they learn from the child's story that it is apparently talking to something they can't see, most parents fear it.
His parents feared it.
What his fearful parents did was to subject their children to exorcism, exorcism of possessions, and all manner of exorcism, regardless of religion.
After doing it a few times, he was approved by someone with a little psychic ability.
There is no doubt that he can see things that other people cannot see.
His parents didn't want that approval. They wanted to take the invisible away from him.
His parents desperately summoned psychics who claimed to have powers. But his parents' wishes were never fulfilled. There is no one in the world who has the ability to do that perfectly. For it was he himself who was calling something unseen.
As a result, what his parents did was callously erase some of his friends and send them to a place where he would never see them again.
Of course, his parents did not do this directly. They were done by some real psychics hired by his parents. But he didn't want that. To him, they were his friends.
And that thought led to a tragedy.
Another friend was forcibly pulled away from him. He would not allow that to happen that day.
He let something flow through the band of light that clung to his friend. That something flowed through the band of light to the psychic who was trying to erase his friend.
At that moment――― the psychic ended up fainting, bleeding from every hole in his body. It would have been better if that had been the end of the matter. But being a child, he made a fatal mistake.
"You deserve it. I won't let you erase my friend."
With these words, his parents knew it was he who made the psychic bloody.
From this moment on, their fear shifted to him, not to something invisible. From that day on, his parents began to look at him as if he were a monster.
How did he really feel growing up when his parents looked at him not with love but with fear?
Only he and his friends know.
◇◇◇
The day after being summoned to another world. The hero candidates were gathered in the chapel.
Bishop Mikhail appears in front of the hero candidates sitting on chairs in the chapel, nervously wondering what is going to happen. He was accompanied by a clergyman holding a silver disc, which they did not know what it was for.
“Good morning, everyone. First of all, today I will ask you all to inscribe your abilities on the status board. The status board will tell us a little more about the blessings you have been bestowed. And as you all grow, other information will add to it."
"A guild card?"
"That's how it is, right?"
After listening to Bishop Mikhail's explanation, the students started talking. Even though he looked a little surprised, Bishop Mikhail opened his mouth again to stop the chatter.
"Please be quiet! The explanation is still in progress!"
"""…………"""
At the sound of his voice, all the students fell silent at once. Their obedience brings a smile to Bishop Mikhail's face.
"You know the guild card very well. Do you need me to explain it in detail?"
"Yes, please."
It was Shizuru who answered.
"I see. The status board is one of the magic tools. By engraving a person's name and dripping blood on it, the person's status is engraved. And once it is engraved, it updates the person's information on its own."
"What do you mean by status?"
"There is various information, but basic information such as first name, last name, gender, age, race, etc. In addition, there are titles, suitable occupation, and other information."
"What about HP and MP?"
Another male student interrupted.
"What are you talking about? I don't know what you mean."
Bishop Mikhail did not understand the boy's question.
"Umm... It's a numerical value of physical strength and magic power. Also speed and intelligence."
A little bewildered, the male student explained the meaning.
“Can you see those things in numerical values in another world?”
As he thought, Bishop Mikhail did not understand. He looked at him strangely and asked him the question.
"No, we can't see it."
"Then why do you think there is such a thing?"
"...Because there was such a novel in our original world so I thought it might be possible."
It is only knowledge from novels and games. It doesn't work in the real world.
“It certainly seems convenient, but… I don’t really see the need for it.”
Bishop Mikhail even denied that the parameters could be quantified.
"But if we can evaluate them numerically, we can tell if we are strong or weak before we fight."
"What will you do if you find out? Are you going to stop fighting because their numbers are higher than yours?"
"Is it wrong?"
The correct answer is to avoid fighting an enemy who is too different in level. If it is a game.
“There are times when you have to fight even if you know you will lose.”
In the real world, a hero cannot say, "I have to run away because the enemy is too strong". That is not considered a hero.
"……Yes"
"And can you tell how strong they are by comparing numbers?"
"Compare?"
“If a person has a strength of one hundred and a person has a strength of ten, is the person with a hundred absolutely the winner?”
"I can't say for sure, but there's a pretty good chance that the one with a hundred will win."
Inwardly, the boys think that the one with a hundred will definitely win. But this thought is blown away by Bishop Mikhail's next words.
"Even if the one with a hundred is holding a sword for the first time that day, and the one with a ten, for that matter, has been through battle a hundred times?"
"...It is the ten who win."
"I was being a little mean, but the point I was trying to make is that you can't tell the winner by comparing the number. So how many numbers should we compare? Even if you have a lot of numbers, what if you are sick or injured at the time? There is no end to it."
"Yes……"
"So I don't see the need. Now, are there any other questions?"
No one raises their hand. They want to know their status sooner than that. That's how most of the hero candidates feel.
But Bishop Mikhail, though he felt it, did not immediately proceed with it.
"Now let's do a quick check before we start engraving on the status board."
"Check?"
"Confirmation of your will to live as a hero. After that, we'll move on to the engraving."
"Oh, that's what you promised. How is it done?"
"It's easy. Just listen. Then we will begin."
Even though he said it was easy, Bishop Mikhail paused at that point. He closes his eyes and bows his head as if in prayer.
It took more than ten seconds before he looked up again.
"I ask you. Those who want to live as a hero. Show your will by raising your hands."
A solemn word, as if delivered in a ceremony. In response to these words, all of the hero candidates raised their hands in unison.
"I confirmed everyone's intention. I will ask again. Those who refuse to live as a hero, show your will by raising your hands."
This time, the question was asked in reverse. No one raised his or her hand in response... it was supposed to be.
"Wha?"
A hand was raised straight up in the back seat.
"The person with his or her hand up! Stand up!"
Bishop Mikhail's voice startled the candidates. At this point, there was no advantage in declining to be a candidate. They all thought that if they were to withdraw, it would be at the time of their graduation from the academy.
In such a situation, a hand was raised. It was a small boy who stood up at the voice of Bishop Mikhail.
"You... are you sure, Ren-kun?"
"Yes"
A commotion spreads among the hero candidates who heard it.
"Why did you raise your hand?"
"Because I have no intention of becoming a hero."
"No, I understand. Here's a question."
"Yes"
"But do you understand that it is not necessary to declare your refusal at this point, right?"
"I do not understand"
Ren denied Bishop Mikhail's question.
"Are you sure? Even if you say you want to become a hero or not does not change the fact that you will go on to the academy."
Bishop Mikhail explained that it would make no difference which one he chose.
"Yes. I understand."
Ren knows that. He knew and he refused.
"Then why?"
"...Are you telling me to lie to my heart here, Bishop-sama?"
Without answering why, Ren replied with a question.
"That's……"
Bishop Mikhail thinks that Ren was asking, "Are you asking me to lie before God?". Then Bishop Mikhail, a clergyman, would have no say in Ren's actions.
"I acted honestly with my feelings"
"……Yeah, you are right"
"Then there should be no problem."
“…………”
Bishop Mikhail couldn't immediately come up with the words to say. Many people wondered if Ren's actions, which refused to become a hero, were approved, but an unexpected person interfered.
“Takashiro, isn’t that too selfish?”
It was Yuya who spoke.
"...It's none of your business, I am talking to the bishop."
"It doesn't matter! We were summoned together as companions!"
"When did you and I become friends?"
Facing Yuya, Ren answered the question with a cold voice.
"What!?"
"I'm sorry if I'm misremembering, but have you and I ever talked?"
"……There... is."
There was a pause in Yuya's answer.
"What kind of conversation?"
"We have exchanged greetings."
"What kind of conversation?"
Ren repeated the same question. He has no intention of accepting this silly deception.
"...Exchanging greetings when we passed each other during physical education class"
"What kind of conversation?"
"It doesn't matter!"
In other words, they never had a conversation. In the first place, no one among them can be said to be close to Ren. There were only a few people who had conversations that seemed like conversations. Ren Takashiro was such an existence in the class.
“Yes. It doesn't matter. So I don't want you to talk about it."
"I can't do that. As a hero, I have the responsibility to guide everyone correctly."
Yuya got the title of "Hero Egg". There is no way that those around him would take it as a sign that he is aware of this.
"You may be a hero, but I'm not."
So does Ren. He is looking at Yuya, who is getting worked up, with the same cold eyes.
"Even if so"
"Bishop-sama heard it. Whether or not I intend to become a hero. I wonder if all of them answered that they would."
"Isn't it natural that they should say so?"
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because we were summoned as heroes."
"No. As a hero candidate. It's just a candidate, and there's no way all candidates can become heroes."
"That's……"
Without hesitation, Yuya was outwitted by Ren. Yuya is good-looking and athletic, but his head is a bit inferior to those around him.
Otherwise, the result would be the same. This would soon be proven.
"Hey, Takashi-kun."
The next person who intervened was Shizuru.
"You have nothing to do with it either."
“…Certainly, we are not close friends now. But it is true that we are classmates.”
"So what?"
"I'd like you to at least listen to me."
"……Sure"
“Right now, there is no need to say that you will not become a hero. What will you do if there is a disadvantage by declaring so?"
This is the same thing Bishop Mikhail told him at the beginning.
"……Is that all?"
"Eh?"
"Is that all you have to say?"
"There's still more. It may be difficult to become a hero. But I want to do my best with everyone. I don't want to give up, even if it's just one person. I'll help you too. So let's do our best together."
"No"
"Eh?"
"I said no"
"Hey! Takashi! You're getting too carried away!"
"That's right! Don't you feel sorry for Tojo-san!"
Even the people who bad-mouthed Yuya when he was outwitted didn't express it when the other party is Shizuru. Shizuru is the object of admiration for all the boys in the school, let alone the class.
"I'm the bad guy for not listening to you. Is that good enough for you?"
"What's good about it?"
"The atmosphere of working hard together. People who disturb the circle should be removed."
"I'll take care of that."
"It's annoying"
"No way..."
“Takashi! You, that's enough!"
"I'll ask you then. Are you aspiring for Tokyo University?"
"Eh? That's... why are you asking that?"
Ren's question was directed at the male student who had complained. Because of the suddenness, even the male student couldn't reply immediately.
"Fine. Do you want to go to Tokyo University?"
"...I'm not that smart"
"Then, where?"
"Private school. Sorry about that."
“Then, what would you do if you were told to study for Tokyo University even though there is no possibility of you getting into it?”
“Such a waste of time. I'm going to a private university, but I'm going to a good one. Properly, I......."
Even the male student knew what Ren wanted to say.
"I'm sure you get the point. I'm the same way. If I'm going to work hard to become a hero, I want to learn to become something I really want to be. And I'm starting from scratch in a world I don't know at all. I don't have the confidence to say that four years is enough."
"I see"
"That's what I mean"
Ren turned to Shizuru and said.
“…………”
No words came out of Shizuru's mouth.
"I hope you finally understand."
Now no one could complain anymore. In fact, the thought that they too could live as they want was even spreading. Bishop Mikhail, who had been watching the proceedings, became impatient.
“Ren-kun!”
"Yes?"
"I want to respect your opinion, but I don't think it's necessary to make a decision at this point."
"Wouldn't the result be the same if we postpone it?"
"No, there is a difference. The status board is actually very valuable. They are not allowed to be used by those who refuse to be a hero candidate."
"If that were the case, there would be no need to use it on me."
"No, you should know your status correctly. Whatever you're going for, wouldn't it be good to know that?"
"Well. If it's valuable, it's not worth wasting it on someone like me."
"No, that's... I said something unnecessary. Anyway, for your future, I think you should engrave it. What do you think?"
“…………”
Bishop Mikhail's persuasion, which could be said to be too enthusiastic, made Ren think. He had been silent for a while, but he turned his face to Bishop Mikhail and opened his mouth.
“If Bishop-sama insists, I will obey for the time being.”
"I see... that's right. Then let's do it."
――It took a lot of time due to Ren's unexpected refusal, but somehow everyone managed to finish the engraving. Seeing their own status on the status board, the hero candidates are happy and sad.
After all of this was done, everyone's status board was collected and the meeting was adjourned.
After all the candidates had left the chapel, only Bishop Mikhail and his assistant, a priest, remained in the chapel.
"How is it?"
The priest approached Bishop Mikhail, who was checking the contents of the status board he had retrieved.
"As expected, Yuya Kisaragi is number one. Even though it's an egg, the title of a hero is not ordinary."
"What do you mean?"
“The number of special skills is extraordinary. Swordsmanship ++, increased strength, small magic resistance, growth compensation, light attribute magic.
"Five from the start..."
Special skills increase with training and experience. The priest is surprised that he has five of them without doing anything.
“Yes. However, I am concerned about the growth compensation. If there is a difference between him and the others, even in growth."
"Is it unshakable? Is there anyone who can compete?"
"Jin Takamiya has swordsmanship ++, defense correction, and light attribute magic."
Although he has multiple skills, it is clear that he is inferior to the hero.
"The holy knight is no match for the hero. What about the saint and the great mage?"
"The saint egg, Shizuru Tojo, has light attribute magic, mana amount correction."
“She specializes in assisting. Is that what a saint is like?”
"I guess that's the way it is. If anyone can compete with the hero, it seems to be the great mage. Mei Katsuragi's special skills are fire aptitude, water aptitude, wind aptitude, and earth aptitude."
“Aptitude for all four elemental attributes!?”
It is rare to find someone who has an aptitude for more than one attribute. When it comes to all four elemental attributes, it is unheard of, even in rumors.
"That seems to be the case. In addition, there is mana recovery correction and mana amount correction."
“Completely specializing in magic? But in terms of combat power, it's going to be terrifying."
“I am interested in how effective the mana recovery correction is. If it is possible to continue to release magic without running out of mana, the hero will indeed have a hard time."
If it is possible to continue releasing powerful magic without running out of mana. It is just like fighting with a gun that never runs out of ammunition. Although guns don't exist in this world.
"As expected, that's not possible."
“Well, it's unlikely. Still, it could be a strong opponent."
"Yeah. Does anybody else stand out?"
"No. Right now, these four stand out."
Unique titles are endowed with unique powers.
"Speaking of which, what is his status?"
"Ren-kun?"
“Yes. It's a sudden rejection. It's intriguing to see what kind of status he has in a different way."
"He is... well. I'll let you have a look."
Bishop Mikhail presented the status board to the priest.
"Eh? Is there something wrong?"
The priest was surprised that there was something special about the fact that the bishop took the trouble to show it to him instead of explaining it orally.
"All I'm interested in is the title. Anyway, take a look."
"......[The One Who Calls]. Is this a title?"
There was indeed something special about it. But the priest did not know what it was.
"It must be a title, since it is written in the title section of the status board."
"That's true. But, the meaning..."
“I have a vague idea of what it means by his occupation.”
"Occupation... Necromancer? Eh, is that what it means?"
"Do you still think so?"
"Seance, calling spirits, as it is. I see, he shouldn't think about becoming a hero with this."
You can't fight the enemy just by calling spirits. You can't become a hero if you don't have the skills to fight the enemy.
"As an occupation, though, it is quite rare."
Although rare, necromancers do exist in this world. So it's no surprise to see Ren's status board.
"Is that so? But wasn't the grave keeper a necromancer, as I recall?"
"Since it's the church capital. Grave keepers in other countries rarely have necromancers."
"I didn't know that. But his path is set, isn't it? His special skills are poison resistance, paralysis resistance, mental resistance, and sense +. I'm not sure about the sense +, but if he can learn light magic or, if that's not possible, fire magic, it will be perfect."
"I agree"
Necromancers also occasionally fight. It's a battle against the undead, monsters born from the dead. Light attribute or fire attribute is effective against undead. This is why the priest says it is perfect if he has one of the two.
"He can handle spirits and is resistant to undead attacks. I can't think of any suitable job other than a grave keeper."
"Me neither."
The two of them did not understand at this time. In terms of the number of special skills, Ren Takashi was not inferior to the four others whom the two of them said were outstanding. They knew, but did not understand, that titles change as one grows and that the number of suitable occupations also increases as one grows.
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