Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 40

 

Chapter 40: Realization

 The dismissal of the knight commander was immediately known to the hero candidates. It was only natural. The knight commander was Yuya's mentor and his mansion was his place of residence.

 When he was ordered to move out, Yuya learned of this fact. Upset by the unexpected situation and without understanding the reason, Yuya was moved to a new place to live. It was the residence of Simon Fouchet, the deputy commander of the Kinghts Order of the Church.

 Although this was a surprise, it was the only thing that actually affected Yuya. The training will be the same as before, and the knights will be his sparing partners. Since it is the same knighthood, the lineup is the same. The only thing that made the treatment worse was that the house was a little smaller. Even so, Yuya was trembling with anger.

"I can't believe it! Why should master take responsibility!?"

"Because it is he who is responsible."

“It wasn’t master who had failed!”

"But he's the one in charge."

“It's wrong to put the blame on master alone, even if he's the one in charge!”

"...That's right"

 Shizuru says that it is natural for him to take responsibility because he is the one in charge, but Yuya does not get it at all. It's troublesome, so she decided to end it with a nod.

"Right?"

"Yes……"

 Further consent was sought.

"So what do you want to do about it, Yuya?"

 A voice came to the rescue of the fed-up Shizuru.

"......Mei. You're here."

 Yuya had not seen Mei for a long time. Mei had been training at the Mage Order for a long time because she hated the pointlessness of the classes at the academy.

“Yes. Thanks to the blunder of the Knights, the Mage Order is also being sent out."

"What do you mean?"

“Master is going to be part of the escort mission. I'm not going to be able to do my training thanks to the knights. What are you going to do about it?"

 Mei's complaints were directed at Yuya.

"It's not my fault."

 Yuya, who was on the receiving end of the blame, instantly lost the momentum he had a while ago.

"It's the order's fault. The knight order are your masters, aren't they?"

"Not all of them are."

 No wonder.

"Even so, isn't it a little cowardly?"

"What?"

"Your new master won't be assigned to guard duty, will he?"

 Simon Fouchet, deputy commander of the Knights Order of the Church, will not be in charge of escort missions. However, this was in the sense of house arrest, not that he was suspended, but that he was removed.

"I don't know"

"I'm not the only one. Everyone in the Mage Order is annoyed."

 The Mage Order would perform escort missions as an organization. It was not only Mei's mentor who would be sent out, but also the mages who were teaching the other candidates.

"If you're going to hold a grudge, don't hold it against me, hold it against the dropouts who get attacked so easily."

"Shift of blame? That's great."

"It's true. If they didn't get hurt, master wouldn't have to take responsibility, and the mages wouldn't have been made to escort them."

"So?"

"It's not my fault."

"...Enough already. No matter what you say, it's useless."

 The scary thing about Yuya is that he truly believes this. If that is the case, nothing she says will be understood.

“Will you stay at the academy from now on?”

"I don't know? Master said that it would come off once the initial arrangements were made."

"Then it shouldn't be much of a problem, right?"

“There is also the idea of living in the dorms again. It would be easier for the guards to protect them."

 The mage's training, in particular, will be greatly restricted if this is the case. The facilities are different between the Mage Order and the academy. It limits the magic that can be used for training.

"The guild."

"No. This came up while the Knights and Mages were discussing escort methods. But the guild has not yet decided to accept the escort request."

"Is that so?"

"You don't know this either, do you?"

"What?"

 Due to the dismissal of the knight commander, Yuya had no information at all.

"It seems that there is a key person in the guild taking on the request. The key person told them that he promised not to get involved with the hero again. Yuya is the hero, right?"

“Me? I don't know about that promise. You must be mistaking me for someone else."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I don't remember at all"

 Yuya is seriously thinking like this, which is, in a way, amazing.

“I've heard a lot of stories and thought about it, and I think that key man is him. He seems to be a hero candidate."

"...He who?"

 This is not serious, but he is mentally slow. When he found out that the key man was Ren, Yuya finally started to remember.

"Even though you know. You made a promise, didn't you?"

"I didn't. We fought, but we never made a promise...... but why is he the key man?"

"It seems he was in charge of the Adventurers' Guild's security detail."

"What?"

 He should have gotten a lot of information from the former knight commander who was his mentor, but he didn't know this. It means that the information given was selective.

"During the two months the guild was escorting us, they were preventing raids without our knowledge."

"That's a lie."

"It's true. Culprits have also been caught. Although it was an attempt."

“…………”

 If that were true, it would be really inconvenient for Yuya.

"That guild's escort was abandoned due to the unreasonable request of the former knight commander. You know how that turned out."

"That's a lie"

"You don't have to believe it. The problem is that the knights couldn't prevent the attack, so the mages were involved."

“Do you really want to make the knights responsible?”

"Isn't that true for the side that got involved?"

 Knights and mages traditionally don't get along in any country, not just the church country. Both of them were completely tainted by their respective masters.

“The two of you haven't seen each other in a long time, so don't fight.”

 When the atmosphere turned grim, Shizuru interrupted.

"We're not fighting."

"But……"

“What about Jin? Hasn't he been to school?”

"Jin is..."

 Shizuru was at a loss for words at Mei's question.

"Yeah. That's right."

 From that reaction alone, Mei knew where Jin was.

“It's been a while, so why don't we go see him?”

"...It's fine. If I do go see him, I'll go alone."

"Why?"

"Because you're going to use me as an excuse to make up, right? And I'm not sure I should refuse to do that, but I don't want to get caught in the middle when you screw up."

“…………”

 She hit the nail. But there are people who are really convenient at times like this. Only in terms of forcing things forward.

"No, let's go"

"Huh?"

"It's not good for me to see strange misunderstandings spreading. I have to make it clear that it is a mistake."

 It is not a misunderstanding but a fact, and what is clear is that Yuya is to blame, but it seems that Yuya does not understand that.

"I see you're not going to see Jin."

"Come on, let's go."

 Without checking to see if Mei and Shizuru were following him, Yuya left the classroom and headed for Class C. Even though many of them knew from the start that it was not going to end well.

◇◇◇

"Takashiro! I have something to say!"

 Yuya shouted as soon as he entered the Class C classroom. Naturally, there was no way anyone would respond to that.

"Where's Takashiro?"

 Reluctantly, Yuya asked a nearby student where Ren was.

“Takashiro is not in the class. Don't make me explain every single thing."

"...Ren?"

"He's not here. I rarely see him in the classroom these days."

 As this student said, Ren rarely shows up in the classroom. He cuts off his ties with other students and concentrates only on what he wants to do.

"Where is he?"

"Even if you ask me. I'm not close with him."

"What about you?"

"He's a general admission student who has nothing to do with the heroes. One of the noisy and annoying students."

"... I'm sorry."

 Unlike Class A, there are many students like this in Class C. A student who entered the academy purely to study, resenting being in the same class as a hero candidate.

 In the end, Yuya ended up asking Jin who was in the classroom. He should have done so from the beginning.

"Where is he?"

"Why should I tell you that?"

"I have something to say"

"I don't think Ren doesn't want to. It's just annoying. Stop it."

 It's as Jin said. Ren doesn't even want to be in the same room with them, let alone talk.

"There's a strange rumor going around."

"Rumor?"

"Rumor has it that it's my fault that the Adventurer's Guild doesn't want to take the escort request."

"...I haven't heard such rumors."

 That's right. That was the story that Mei had just told him. Yuya saying this to other classes is like spreading rumors himself.

"It may spread from now on. Before that, I want to clear up any misunderstandings."

"What misunderstanding?"

"I didn't make any strange promises to him."

"If it is Ren, then he promised, right?"

"No"

"Don't play dumb. I heard it right in front of me."

 Jin was also there. From Jin's point of view, he feels greatly annoyed by Yuya's foolishness.

"……That's a lie."

"I don't think so, but don't you understand what Ren meant?"

"What he meant?"

"I'm amazed. You didn't know anything and you made such a promise. Well, I can't speak for others either. I only found out yesterday."

"What do you mean!? Explain it to me!"

 Knowing that there was something he didn't know, Yuya asked Jin for an explanation. It was an attitude that did not seem to be that of someone who was being taught.

"I just told everyone."

"I didn't hear it!"

"Don't worry about it. Do you think anything is allowed if you're a hero?"

"...You can tell me, right?"

“Jin, I want to ask too.”

 Here comes another selfish person. Jin didn't think so before, but now he clearly feels that way.

"......You too. Yes, that's right. I can see that now. You're a woman who doesn't feel comfortable unless everything goes your way."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing. Anyway, for your own convenience, can you please not get in my way?"

"Get in the way."

 Shizuru doesn't have the awareness of being a hindrance. It is troublesome to be so.

"Isn't it a hindrance to interrupt me when I'm talking to my friends, right?"

"Jin, what's wrong? It's cruel to say that."

"How can you not understand? We're having an important conversation right now. Is it strange to tell you not to interrupt it?"

“…………”

 Jin's words froze Shizuru. It was the first time she had been so clearly rejected by Jin. In fact, besides Jin, Ren was the only other person who had ever rejected her.

"The way you say it, Jin, is harsh. We don't mind. We can always talk."

"Kazuki. You don't have to worry about that."

 Jin knows that if he tries to be nice to them, they'll just take advantage of it. It is Jin who has always been by their side.

"I don't want to hear Jin say hurtful things."

"...I'm sorry."

 Hearing this, Jin had no choice but to apologize.

"The person you apologize to is wrong."

"Ah. Yuya, Shizuru, my words were a little too harsh. I'm sorry."

"No, I'm not... wait?"

"What?"

"Are you two dating by any chance?"

"Huh?"

"No, I don't know. It's just..."

"That's a misunderstanding. Kazuki and I are just friends."

"Is it my mistake?"

 Yuya immediately thought so, but Shizuru who was beside him didn't think so. He sensed Jin's thoughts in the way he said, "There is no choice".

"Rather than that, let's talk about what you said you wanted to hear."

"Yeah"

"Just... don't get angry, okay?"

"Eh?"

 Jin was going to tell Yuya something that would make Yuya angry.

"I'll tell you if you just take it as fact."

"...Yeah. I understand."

 He has no choice but to reply. Because otherwise, he would not be able to hear what he had to say.

“Ren, as an adventurer, was on an escort mission for us. Do you know this?”

"...Mei told me."

“Mei?”

 Jin is a little surprised when he hears Mei's name, but he looks satisfied when he sees Mei enter the classroom.

"Long time no see"

"Have you been outside all this time?"

"It was hard to get in. You guys suddenly start arguing."

 The development up until now was just as Mei expected. Mei did not go into the classroom with them because she had expected it.

"I see. You didn't come to school because of your training?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You're very dedicated."

“I have so much to learn. I mean, is Jin really in a position to be admiring people?"

“Well. I just decided to go on my way. It may be a little roundabout, but I don't think I made a mistake."

"Yes. It depends on each person. I think it's good."

"Yeah"

"...What about our conversation?"

 Yuya seemed a little dissatisfied with Jin and Mei's conversation, which had a completely different atmosphere from his.

“That’s right. Probably Ren didn't accept the escort request because he wanted to do it. But he still had a strong sense of responsibility, so he must have been taking it seriously. Who interfered with that?"

"Me?"

“Yes, that's right. But that's still good. It was what you said to Ren that offended him."

"What did I say?"

 Yuya, who was complaining about whatever came to his mind, didn't know what he said or what made Ren angry.

“Ren doesn't want to stand out. He wants to be left alone. But people around him get involved with him on their own. Well, I'm one of them."

"……So?"

"You told Ren he wants to stand out and act suggestive."

"...I remember that."

“You told him to stop that kind of behavior. So he did. He had been reluctant to socialize with others he barely had with other people."

"……What's that?"

 Yuya, who does not know Ren well, does not understand what Jin is saying. Ren says that he stops associating with others, but he does not know what he means.

"Simply put, [Do whatever you want. I have nothing to do with you guys. I don't care what happens]."

"What!?"

“I told you not to get angry. As for Ren, he wants things to be the way they are now. He had always wanted to stay away from people. But here we are about to have another situation that is going to anger Ren."

"...A situation that will make him angry?"

“It seems that they will make a request to the guild again. And they asked for Ren."

"I heard that too."

"You don't think it's a good idea?"

"What?"

 He doesn't think anything of it. Yuya judges Ren only by his own sense of value. He has no idea what kind of person Ren is.

"Forcibly drag him out and tell him to withdraw. And withdrawing like that, they'll try to drag him out again. Don't you feel anything about that?"

"That's... it's not just my fault."

 Even though he doesn't understand Ren, he knows that what Jin is saying is wrong. Once he understands that, Yuya is trying to evade responsibility again.

"That's true. But you are also responsible. Why won't you admit that?"

"...I'm a hero"

"What?"

"I, the hero, couldn't have made a mistake."

 Yuya spoke with a thoughtful, yet intoxicated expression on his face. This made Jin feel frightened.

"……What are you saying?"

"I'm righteous, I'm not wrong"

“…Are you seriously saying that?”

 Even justice can be wrong. In the first place, Jin couldn't understand why Yuya was righteous.

"What do you mean, [seriously]? It's true that I'm a hero."

"It's not that."

"What do you want to say? Look, I am the only true hero who was summoned to this world. The title says it all."

"The title, yes."

 The conversation between Yuya and Jin is getting more and more disjointed.

“Normally, everyone around me is the one who has to work hard to support me, the hero. And yet, there are even those who misunderstand me and see me as a rival."

“…………”

 Furthermore, Yuya even started making remarks that could be considered abusive to the students around him.

“Furthermore, wouldn’t it be strange for a mere mob character to compete with me?”

"Are you talking about Ren?"

"That's right."

"Is this world a game?"

 Yuya's statement sounds like he's delusional. It's almost as if he's lost his mind.

"I didn't say so. But I've already become a full-fledged hero now that the apprenticeship is over. My success begins here. Why don't you wake up soon and come back under me?"

"...I don't intend to. I can't walk with you."

"...You'll regret it."

"No, I won't regret it"

"I see... Do whatever you want. Shizuru, I'll go back to the classroom."

"Eh, ah, I understand."

 Yuya was about to leave the classroom with rough steps, but his steps stopped at the exit. Turning around, Yuya's gaze fell on Mei, who was still standing in front of Jin.

"Mei..."

“I will return after I talk to Jin. That's why I came here in the first place."

"...I see. Then, do whatever you like."

"Yes, I'll do whatever I want. I'm not your follower."

“…………”

 Yuya returned a sharp gaze to Mei's provocative words, but he left the classroom without saying anything. After that, Shizuru chased after him with some hesitation.

 The classroom where the two disappeared was wrapped in an indescribable atmosphere.

"...What was that?"

 Jin's mutterings represented the feelings of everyone.

"Are you asking me that? I don't know what Yuya thinks."

"Maybe so, but is that Yuya?"

"Then, who is it? The content of what he is talking about is strange, but the way he thinks is like that from the beginning. He doesn't like it when he is not the center of attention."

 Yuya has always had self-centered thoughts. Mei, who was always with him, knows that.

"That's right"

 The same goes for Jin, who was also with him.

"That feeling became stronger. He was summoned to another world and became a hero. As long as there are no other heroes, it's not surprising that he considers himself the main character."

"Certainly. I wouldn't call myself the main character either, but I felt like I was a character in a story. Do you still think that?"

 This is something that has happened to other hero candidates to a greater or lesser extent. There is a clear difference in ability nowadays, only a very limited number of hero candidates think this way.

“Actually, me too. But Yuya and I have a different kind. I'm working hard to make myself the hero."

"Mei, even you."

"What? Are you saying it's strange? Each person has their own life, so it's only natural that each of us aims to be the main character."

"That makes sense."

“Did you think that because you're the hero, the people around you exist for you? I'm not that stupid."

"But Yuya might think so."

 Yuya's remark just now was exactly what Mei had said. I am a hero and others support me.

"Because he's stupid. Even if you can study, it doesn't mean you're smart. Finally, I understand that."

"That's tough."

"It's true. Mages must always remain calm and act objectively. That's what I learned in this world."

"They teach you that? That's very different from mine."

"Because I'm a mage. There's a code of conduct or a rule of thumb. However, some have self-righteous thoughts and can't be accepted."

"I suppose."

 Jin was satisfied with Mei's explanation. It's not like Jin didn't know anything about mages either.

"Do you know?"

"My master said that mages are all grumpy weirdos and that he doesn't really want to hang out with them."

"Knights were said to be nothing but thoughtless fools."

"...They don't get along."

"That's not good with the escort mission."

 In Mei's mind, anxiety about the negative effects of a confrontation with the knights is far greater than the sense of security that the Mage Order will be part of the escort.

"Mages will do the escort?"

"Yes. I came to the academy because master was busy and I had some free time."

"...Can I ask you something?"

"What?"

“Is the Mage Order still a talent supremacist?”

"Where did you get those words from? But it's a good question. That's right."

"I see……"

 The Mage Order also thinks the same way as the Knights. Jin is depressed, but it is natural. It's the way the world works.

"What about it?"

“The escort will be given priority to the Class A hero candidates, and there is a possibility that the Class C will not be properly escorted.”

"Why would you go that far?"

“Actually, in the previous attack, the knights left  their post to escort the Class A students, which allowed the attackers to approach."

“…………”

 Mei, who heard Jin's story, fell silent with her eyes wide open.

"It's true. Master told me."

"……It is not like that"

"What?"

"Jin, are you okay?"

"Did I say something strange?"

"That's not like you. Didn't you think about what people in this class would think if they heard that?"

"Eh?"

 Jin panicked and looked around. Kazuki and the others by his side are looking a little worried and troubled. But the problem is the hero candidate in the distant seat. One of them was glaring at Jin with a hostile expression on his face.

"Who is that Class A student?"

 The student whose eyes met Jin's inquired.

"That's……"

"If you know, tell me! I almost died because of him!"

 This hero candidate was the student who was seriously injured after the attack.

"No, it was not the student's fault! It was the guard's fault."

"...Takamiya is also Class A too."

"What do you mean?"

"It means you are not like us, the dropouts."

"What's the difference?"

"The treatment is different. It's just that you received better benefits than us."

“…………”

 It's a bitter irony. Just as the other person said, Jin didn't make any effort to get the blessing. He just went into a cave and was blessed by an angel he met.

“You guys were just lucky, right? So why should we be so discriminated against?"

"Hey! It's not right to blame Jin!"

 Kazuki snapped at the boy who was blaming Jin.

"......It's more ridiculous for the same dropout to cover for him."

“Jin came to us for advice because he was worried about our protection. That alone sets him apart from the others."

"What about it? You're the only one that would be helped by that, aren't you?"

 The anger that was once ignited will not subside even if the other party is also a Class C student.

"What did you say?"

“Women are good, aren't they? Even if they don't have any talent, they can have a good time if they flatter men."

"What did you say!?" "Excuse me!?" "Apologize!"

 It was a complete blunder. All the girls stood up at once and began to complain to the boy.

"No, no. I didn't mean everyone..."

"You said [women]!"

 Riko added another blow to the upset male student.

"Alright! I'll correct it!"

 The boy was not prepared to make enemies with all the girls. He immediately corrected it.

"Well then, do it."

"That woman is good. Using seduction."

"Ah……"

 Just because he avoided making all the girls his enemies didn't mean he stopped attacking Kazuki.

"I feel sorry for Takamiya, too. You're being deceived. That woman will go for any man."

"Shut up! You shut up!"

 Riko's yelling interrupts the boy's words.

"Huh!? It was Riko who told me to rephrase!?"

"Don't call me by my nickname! I don't want you to call me that!"

"What did you say!?"

“You have no right to be angry! Apologize to Kazuki first!”

"I was just telling the truth!"

"That's not true!"

"But!"

"Just shut up! If you bully Kazuki any more, I'll kill you!"

"Kill me..."

 Riko's radical statement weakened the boys' momentum at once.

"Riko... it's fine. Don't be so angry."

“But Kazuki!?”

"...The past will not disappear. I know that. But I want to correct one thing."

 Kazuki's last words were addressed to the boy.

"What?"

"Jin is not someone who would be fooled by me. He genuinely cares about all of us."

“…………”

"Understand that."

"......Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry. I took it out on you. Please forgive me."

 Having received Kazuki's sincere words, the male student apologized as if he had calmed down.

"It's fine"

"What do you mean? What are we talking about?"

 Jin, who doesn't understand the situation, is a little confused.

"That's……"

"Ah, the mood is kind of bad. I think it's time to go back to the classroom. Hey, Jin."

 Kazuki was about to say something, but Mei invited Jin to return to the classroom. Mei knows about Kazuki's rumors.

“Mei, wait a minute. I am talking with Kazuki.”

"It's okay, Let's go back. It's a nuisance if we from Class A stay here longer."

"No, but."

“I also have something important to talk to you about. I don't know when I'll be back next. You'll let me talk to him, won't you?"

"……I understand."

 At Mei's insistence, Jin leaves Class C with a reluctant look. As soon as he entered the hallway, Mei started talking to him. It is true that she needs to talk to Jin.

"Do you like her?"

"...Don't ask."

"That's your answer. Well, that's good."

"Is it important?"

"Yes. It's hard to talk when we go back to the classroom, so I'll talk here."

"Yeah."

 Yuya and Shizuru should be in the classroom. Jin understood that.

"Maybe it's the result of my training, I've grown too."

"I see."

"I also learned a new special skill"

"Of course."

 If you repeat training, your special skills will also increase. Jin has also experienced it.

"One day, all of a sudden, it felt like the fog in my head had cleared."

"What are you talking about?"

“I really wanted to talk to Ren-kun, but I don’t think I will be able to meet him. Besides, Jin should know, so I'll tell you."

"……Yeah"

"My new special skill is mental resistance. It's a defense against attacks on the mind. Mages are supposed to be able to train their mental abilities, even though it doesn't show up in the numbers, and they'll get it at some point. In my case, I got a double plus out of the blue, so people were surprised."

"I don't understand your story at all."

 This alone sounds like nothing more than a brag.

"The day I learned it was the same day my head cleared up."

"……What do you mean?"

"There's no evidence for this. Maybe we are being attacked mentally?"

"What did you say!?"

"It might be better to call it brainwashing."

 On the day she gained resistance to mental attacks, her head cleared. It's only natural to wonder about the relevance.

"...I can't believe it. Assuming that's true, for what purpose?"

“I don’t know much about that part, but I was just wondering, was it to dye us with the Church's ideology?”

"You mean, the church? That's absurd. It can't be true."

 Jin cannot believe what Mei is saying. Nor can he believe that this incredulity is the result of an affected mind.

"Do you think so? I know, I didn't have any doubts until that day. But you know what's strange?"

"What?"

"That you don't think it's strange."

"……Strange."

"We went to a high school that we could brag about to others. Yet, ever since we came to this world, we've been living our lives like livestock, following instructions. Can you understand if I tell you that we have given up thinking?"

"......When you put it that way, it feels that way."

 Finally, doubts began to grow in Jin's mind. He remembered what Ren had told him many times, albeit in a roundabout way. That they have no idea what they are doing.

“I started to think straight from that day on. But I'm back to normal now."

"...Is Yuya an exception?"

"I think not. I understood it from today's talk. Perhaps the one most affected is Yuya. The reason for Yuya's selfishness comes from the fact that he is a hero. In other words, he thinks he deserves special treatment because of his superior talent."

"Indeed."

"That's what Jin said about talent supremacy."

"...That's what Ren said."

 Talent alone determines a person's worth. The only irony is that Ren was the only one who saw what everyone else around him took for granted.

"I knew it. Ren-kun is the same as me now. No, he hasn't been influenced in any way from the beginning. He's the only one who has always had a will of his own.'"

"That's right."

"I didn't think it was right, I thought it was strange. When I realized that, I trembled with fear."

"What are you going to do?"

“If my thinking is correct, the other party is the church."

“…………”

 It means that they are in unspeakable danger.

"That's why I wanted to talk to Ren-kun. What is he trying to do?"

"...I understand a little"

"What?"

"If Ren is going to do something, it's only for himself. He never does anything for anyone else."

"I'm sorry. I can't blame him for that right now."

 Mei is the same as Ren in that she only thinks of herself. She thinks she can't save herself by worrying about others.

"……I see."

"We talked, but don't say anything else. Especially to them."

"Why"

"What are they worth to the talent supremacist church?"

"……I understand."

 The truth Mei realized was only one of many facts. Still, she may be lucky to have realized it. Even if it only prepares her for the time when she will know the truth.