Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 6

 

Chapter 6: Training Ground

 In the end, the classes at the church did not satisfy the hero candidates.

 There were no practical skills at all. Just a priest who played the role of a teacher stood on the podium and ended up explaining in words the common sense of this world, magic, and other concepts. And even that was over in less than a week.

 It was the sixth day after the summon. On this day, the hero candidates were to leave the church and move to their homestay families.

 Following Bishop Mikhail's instructions, the hero candidates gathered at the main entrance of the church. They are waiting to be picked up from their homestay families.

 In this pick-up, many hero candidates will be shown the talent disparity in this world.

 The first person to appear in front of them as they waited to be picked up was a man of mature age dressed in a shining knight's outfit, who arrived in a luxurious black carriage. The man got out of the carriage, looked around at the hero candidates gathered at the entrance, and then slowly opened his mouth.

"Who is Yuya Kisaragi?"

"Ah, yes, it's me."

"Hmm... you. I'm Jules Auguste Bernard, the head of the Church's Knight Order. From today on, you will be staying at my residence."

"You will be my sword instructor?"

"Well, that's right. Other knights will be training opponents besides me. They are all excellent knights. They will be good teachers for you."

"Yes"

"Then, let's head to the mansion immediately. Get on the carriage."

"Yes!"

 Yuya got into the carriage through the door which was opened by the attendant standing in front of the carriage.

 The door was immediately closed and the carriage began to move slowly. The front, back, left, and right of the carriage were surrounded by horsemen. What a grand welcome.

 The future hero should be treated accordingly. That's what it means.

 Then the next carriage arrives in front of the church. From the carriage, women dressed in white alighted. An old woman stepped forward from among them.

"Who is Shizuru Tojo?"

"Yes. It's me."

"You... I see. I'm Noelia, director of the monastery of the Church of the Holy Heroes. You will be living with us at the monastery from today."

"At the monastery..."

"I'm not asking you to become a priest. I heard that you have an aptitude for light attribute magic and have been given the title of [Saint Egg]."

"Yes"

"It means that the monastery is suitable for raising you."

"Yes"

"Since it's a monastery, life will be simple, but that's what training is all about."

"No, it doesn't bother me. Nice to meet you."

"I see. Then get in the carriage. I'll guide you."

"Yes"

 Shizuru also gets on the carriage and leaves the place. Soon the next carriage arrived in front of them. This time, a woman dressed in a black robe, the opposite of what the one had been wearing earlier, gets out.

"Where's Mei Katsuragi?"

"It's me"

"Heh, you... well, that's fine. I'm Sorenne Louvier, Vice Commander of the Mages Order. Pleased to meet you."

"Yes. Nice to meet you."

"Then let's go"

"Eh, yes"

 Without hearing Mei's reply, Sorenne Louvier got into the carriage. Mei hurriedly followed her and got into the carriage. When the door was about to close, the carriage had already started moving.

 Another carriage was already on its way.

"Jin. Who is Jin Takamiya?"

"It's me."

"You. I've come to pick you up. I'm Cyril Bertin, a Thousand General of the Order of the Church. Can you ride a horse?"

"N-no."

"I see. I should have asked properly. It can't be helped. Then we'll walk. It's not that far."

"Yes!"

 Jin followed on foot behind the knight pulling the horse.

 From then on, the treatment was completely different. Many people appear in front of the church to pick them up and start calling the names of the students.

"Um, Kentaro! Takahiro! Hiroyuki! Are you there!?"

"""Yes!"""

"You guys will be living in my residence. I'm Allen, a knight of the Church. Nice to meet you."

"""……Yes"""

"Yuko! Haruna! Mizuki!"

"Yes!" "Yes~!" "Yes! It's me!"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Marianne, a Church Mage. Nice to meet you."

"""Yes!"""

 Two or three people are taken together. From the names given, there was no sign of any position attached to the person who was to receive them. It is obvious that they are treated differently from the previous four.

 However, this did not generate much discontent. It was better than being taken to a stranger's house alone.

 The students who had been waiting in front of the church soon all disappeared from the place.

 There was one person who was treated even more differently than those students. He was Ren.

 Ren was the only one who did not wait in front of the church, but went around to the back of the church and followed the path leading ahead. He stopped at the end of the path and looked back.

(Around here?)

 Perhaps they were going to see them off, but the spirits were following him all the way. Ren's question directed at the spirit refers to the distance the spirit can travel. Among the spirits, there are many that remain in this world as earthbound spirits. The spirits by his side are similarly bound by the church.

(...What should I do? Shall I send you guys?)

 In response to Ren's question, the will to deny came back. Sending, to be released from earthly bound and ascend to heaven, but the spirit refused to do so. Whether it is because it still holds a grudge or because it still has difficulty separating from Ren, Ren does not know the reason for this. He does not intend to ask.

(I see. Well then, I guess we'll see each other again, since I hear it's just around the corner.)

 The will of consent is also returned from the spirit. After saying goodbye for a while, Ren continued down the path.

 Before long, a cemetery with a vast area came into view ahead.

 His destination was not the cemetery, but the building standing in front of it. He looked relieved when he saw its exterior. When he heard that his homestay was at the grave keeper's house, he had imagined a much older house, but the building in front of him was unexpectedly beautiful.

 He stood in front of the entrance and knocked on the door.

"It's open! Come in!"

 The voice of an old woman came from inside. Hearing this, Ren opened the door and entered the building. When he opened the door, he found himself on a dirt floor. On the right side, an old woman was working on something.

"...Nice to meet you. I'm Ren."

"Yeah. I've heard about you. I have a room for you on the second floor. It's at the top of the stairs."

"Yes"

“I'm busy preparing the meal, so you're on your own. I'll call you when the meal is ready."

"Yes"

 Following the old woman's words, he climbed the stairs and went up to the second floor. At the far end. When he entered the room he was told, he found a desk and a bed. It's such a small room that it would fill up on its own.

 Going over the bed to the window. When he opened it, there was a cemetery on one side.

(...I see. That's right)

 The sight of the cemetery spreading out is not a beautiful landscape. Even so, for Ren, who has been in a building since he came to another world, even though it was a cemetery, the scenery that showed was the first scenery in another world that made him feel a sense of liberation.

(...It seems that I can make more friends.)

 And for Ren, the cemetery is also a place where friends often hang out. As a homestay, it's a perfect place. As expected, there is only a cemetery, and some figures are already vaguely visible.

(There are a lot here. I'd like to say hello to them as soon as possible, but I guess that's not going to happen.)

 He'd like to walk out to the cemetery right now, but he held back. He didn't know how the old woman, who was supposed to be a necromancer, felt about spirits.

 To Ren, most psychics are enemies who want to eliminate his friends. And for psychics, Ren is a sinister presence that brings spirits to him even if he did nothing. The old woman is likely to think so, too.

 Because of the old woman, he has no choice but to put up with dealing with spirits until he can confirm the person.

 Then, there was nothing left for him to do. He has no choice but to lie on his bed and spend time doing nothing until the old woman calls him.

 How long will the boredom last? This thought will soon disappear.

 Somehow he sensed a presence, and when he got up from the bed, he saw someone who should not have been in front of him.

"...Tojo-san, that would be impossible.... Is it Luna?"

 A woman who looked exactly like Shizuru. Even looking at it, Ren knew it was the spirit Luna.

"Nhh"

"What's with that face?"

"I adapted it to Ren's taste"

"...That would be wrong"

 It's upsetting to him that people think he has a liking for Shizuru's face.

"Is it wrong?"

"What makes you think I like her face?"

"The woman in Ren's memory. The darkest among them."

"...I understand somehow. It's not that Tojo-san is my favorite, it's that there aren't any other women who I strongly remember."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I don't have much contact with other people."

"...I'm troubled"

"You don't have to imitate anyone, just be Luna."

"...I don't know if it's Ren's taste."

"I don't judge people by their looks."

"...Hmm. Then I'll do it."

 The spirit that had Shizuru's face instantly changed to a different face. The silver hair that extends to the shoulders, the translucent white skin, the amber-colored slitted eyes, and the red-colored glossy lips under the well-defined bridge of the nose.

 Cute and sexy. Such simple words cannot describe this beautiful girl.

"......Is there a man who doesn't like that face?"

“Is it to Ren's liking?”

"It's very beautiful, even beyond my taste."

"I got complimented"

 Luna smiled happily after being told by Ren that she was beautiful.

"Isn't the fact that you disappeared from me mean that you didn't like me?"

"No way"

"Then why did you suddenly disappear the other day?"

"Because I'm naked"

"Huh?"

"If I materialized like that, Luna would be naked."

"Ah, is that embarrassing?"

"Yes. And..."

"And?"

"I wanted to materialize the way Ren liked."

"That's a nice thing to say."

"Happy?"

"Yeah, that's right. I can't help but be happy to be favored by a beautiful spirit like Luna."

"Fufu"

"So, what's up today? What do you want?"

"Hmm"

 Luna's face instantly turns pouty at Ren's words. Luna has a neat face, but when her cheeks are puffed out, she looks childish. Something must be different from human appearance.

"Um?"

"Together forever"

"With me?"

"Yes"

"Uh... I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean."

"Luna with Ren."

"I see... does Luna need food?"

"I don't need food like humans"

“I see. I don't make a lot of money, is that okay with you?"

"...Pfft"

"What is it?"

"Luna is a spirit. Spirits don't need money."

“Is that so? But I'm a houseguest too. Does Luna have to look like that all the time?"

"No. I'm fine with not having to materialize."

"I see"

"But when I'm with Ren, I like it this way."

"...It's fine when it's just the two of us, but what about when there's someone around? Sometimes it just might not work."

"Then when we're alone"

"Well, if it's someone who doesn't know anything about us, we might be called brother and sister. My hair and Luna's hair are the same color."

"Hmm?"

"This is because I dyed it black. My actual hair color is the same silver as Luna's."

"Same……"

“That's right. We could be brother and sister."

"Married couple"

"No, it doesn't matter what color my hair is for that. And think about my age. Do I look like I'm old enough to get married?"

"……I can not see"

"Look. Siblings are more natural, right?"

"……Nhh"

“Well, we'll figure it out then. Take care of me from now on."

"……Likewise."

 Luna looks at Ren's attitude strangely. She wonders about Ren's attitude of accepting the spirit as a mere friend, even though the spirit has told him that she would be by his side.

"What will Ren do now?"

"From now on? For the time being, it's decided that I'll be entering school a year from now. Until then, I guess I'll have to train myself in various ways."

"Train?"

"Yes. I have to acquire the strength to protect myself."

"Luna protects Ren"

"I'm happy about that feeling, but there may be times when it's difficult for Luna alone. I need to get stronger, too. Let's protect each other."

"Each other……"

“For that, I should first find a mentor. Hopefully a good one."

"……Where would that be?"

"Luna. Do you know what's outside the window?"

"Lots of Graves"

"There are so many graves, and this is the cemetery at the foot of the church. There are many famous people in various fields, right?"

"You will be taught by spirits?"

"Yes"

"...Can it make you stronger?"

"When I say they're going to teach me, They're only going to teach me how to become stronger. Once I learn that, I have to train myself. I did a little of that in my former world, so I don't think there's anything I can't do."

"Heh"

"But I'm aiming for something much higher. I have to try it to see how far I can go."

"Luna will do her best too."

"Yeah. Let's do our best together."

"Yeah"

 For a while after that, Ren and Luna were killing time with casual conversations. The conversation is all about the world where Ren grows. Ren consciously chose that topic.

 The fact that they stay in this world in spirit means that they have dark thoughts that have to be so. The spirits do not like the attitude of trying to hear them out. Ren thought so.

 And he was right. The reason why Ren was liked by the spirits was because such thoughtfulness was conveyed to the spirits. Therefore, the spirits would not do anything to harm Ren. If they were about to do so, they would leave him on their own.　

 Knowing this, Ren also appreciates the spirit's thoughts. In this way, Ren has been nurtured.

 The same kind of compassion for the spirit (soul) is extended to Luna, the spirit. Luna does not have dark thoughts like spirits (soul), so she does not actually need them, but she has no choice but to treat Ren, who comes into contact with spirits for the first time, with the same feelings. And this results in a better relationship between them, but that is yet to come.

 Soon, the old woman's voice came from downstairs. She said that the meal was ready.

 Hearing this, Ren goes downstairs alone. Luna, who looked a little dissatisfied, understood that she could not go with him, so she stayed in his room.

 When he came down the stairs, the old woman had already prepared all the food.

"Here, sit down. We'll eat right away."

"Yes"

 He sat down on the chair indicated by the old woman. In front of him was a bowl of soup with various ingredients and bread. That was all there was to eat. It was a far cry from the food served at the church, but without a hint of dissatisfaction, Ren folded his hands and finished his meal with a prayer.

"...What is that?"

"It is a custom of some people in the other world to pray before meals."

"Is there such a thing in another world? You must be hungry. We'll talk about it as we eat."

"Yes"

 He picked up the spoon and brought the soup to his mouth. The hot soup tasted far better than he had expected.

"It is delicious"

"Is that so? I just put in the proper ingredients and simmered it."

"Even so, it's delicious."

“Well, I don't feel bad about the praise. However, don't expect to see more of it in the future. This is the kind of soup you'll be having every day."

"I don't mind."

“I'd appreciate it if you'd say so, even if it's not.”

"No, it's not"

 By nature, Ren is not attached to food.  It's not important to the old woman either. No matter what he said, it would not change what he was eating.

"Well, that's fine. I've heard about it to some extent. Your job is a necromancer."

"Yes"

"...What do you want me to teach you?"

"I was just told to take care of you here."

"No. Do I need to teach you? You already know to do necromancy, right?"

"...I haven't mastered the technique."

 The old woman's words made Ren change his perspective a little. The old woman's ability to say that just by looking at him was astonishing.

"You haven't mastered it... but you can see it, right?"

"……Yes"

"And communicate."

"...Ah, so that's how it is."

 Here, Ren finally understood how the old woman had discovered his ability. He caught sight of the spirit that was hiding behind the old woman.

"...He has already found you. You're not hiding properly."

 The spirit looked down a little at the old woman's words. It was a young woman.

"Is she your daughter?"

"...Can you read that far?"

 As Ren says, the spirit is the old woman's daughter. The old woman is surprised by Ren who sees through it.

"Unless the other party refuses"

"I see. Is it natural?"

"Yes. I've been able to see and speak to them since I was born. Before I can remember, it's from what my parents told me."

"...Exorcism?"

"No"

"That means you can do it."

"...I just send them to heaven without exorcism"

"That's... haa, I see."

 The words of the old woman who questioned the meaning changed to words of conviction in mid-sentence. Before Ren could say anything, the spirit gave her the answer.

"Is that so? Exorcism is an act of erasing a spirit, is it different from sending them to heaven? I didn't know until now. I feel bad for the spirits I've exorcised so far."

"……Yes"

"So you are better than I am at exorcising spirits, or rather, sending them to heaven. After all, I have nothing to teach you."

"But I can't do necromancy."

"Hmm?"

"I can't bring spirits that are no longer in this world back into this world."

"...I can't do that either."

"Yes?"

 Now it was Ren's turn to be surprised by the old woman's words. He was supposed to be here to train as a necromancer, but the old woman, who was his teacher, said she could not do it. That would not be training, Ren thought.

"Necromancy is a lie. You can talk to the spirits in this world, but you can't call them back once they have ascended to heaven. Once they ascend to heaven, the only way they can return back is through reincarnation. That is not a feat that a human can do."

"Then?"

“Neither of us can perform necromancy. We are the ones who can remove spirits...... exorcisms? In fact, it seems to me it was the same as expulsion."

"You mean fighting evil spirits?"

"That's right. Since you say that, you've fought them before, right?"

"...I've fought more than I can count. And when I say evil spirits. They are vengeful spirits."

"Vengeful spirits?"

"A monster. In this world, would that be a demon?"

"I see. I understand what you want to say. A spirit that has lost its reason as a human is no longer called a spirit. That's what you mean."

"Yes"

 If a spirit loses its reason as a human being and its memory of being a human being, it is no longer a friend to Ren. Through his past experiences, Ren has come to believe so. Or perhaps he should say, he has come to think so.

"It seems that there is no difference between this world and another world when it comes to spirits. Well, I can't find more and more things to teach you."

“Then may I spend my time as I please?”

"That's fine, but what are you going to do?"

"I would like to learn various things. Swords, magic if possible, and other knowledge. Anyway, I would like to learn everything I can."

"...From the spirits?"

"Yes"

"Is there such a method? But can they tell you honestly?"

"It depends on compatibility. To put it simply, whether they like me or not."

 To Ren, living people and spirits are no different. If they like you, they will be kind to you, and if they don't like you, they won't do anything for you.

"...Do whatever you like. I am no match for you on this path. We have different ideas about spirits."

"Is that so? I think it's the same."

"No, I can't see the spirit as a person.."

"You did in your daughter's spirit. Just spread it to other spirits."

"...I see, that's right."

 She just doesn't want to accept the death of her daughter. The old woman thought so, but even so, it does not change the fact that she can see them as human beings.

"After all, anyone can do it. It's just that you don't believe in it and don't want to do it. That's what I think."

"...I'm starting to feel like calling you Master."

"Huh?"

"Anyway. You can do what you want while you are here. There is nothing I can do to teach you, so that is all I can say."

"Thank you. And what should I call you?"

"Oh, it's fine with Babaa"

"No, that's rude."

"Why?"

"Babaa"

“Barbara. That’s my name. Some people call me Old Barbara, and I don't like it, so I'm Babaa.

"...Babaraba, Baabaraba, Babaa huh?"

"Is it necessary to find out?"

"No"

"Then don't think about it."

"……Yes"

 With his training as a necromancer no longer required, Ren also had a good place and time to train himself. It's as if he was set up with some kind of guide, and the environment couldn't be better.

 Instead of inspiration, a genius has acquired a destiny. And Ren has the talent for hard work to make the most of it.

 He has the opportunity to demonstrate his true potential to the fullest.