Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 27

 

Chapter 27: Rank Up Tricks

 The training ground in the headquarters of the Adventurers' Guild is smaller in size than that of the Academy, but its facilities are far superior. The most outstanding feature is the magic barrier that covers the entire training ground.

 The barrier is quite strong and is said to be unbreakable even when hit directly by advanced magic. Thanks to it, the guild's training grounds allow the activation of offensive magic. Adventurers can train to their heart's content in order to hone their skills.

"So, you don't have to worry about using offensive magic."

"......It really can't be broken by advanced magic?"

"I don't know. I haven't actually seen it tested."

"I see."

"It's not just that it doesn't matter where. Target the big tablet over there. Stay away from the tablet because other adventurers will use it. And the stake to the left of it is a target for bow training."

"Okay."

"Training swords is over there. Don't cut it using a real sword even if you make a mistake."

"Yeah."

“If you want to try cutting with a real weapon, ask for a straw roll at the reception desk. If you need a bow and arrow, you can borrow that too. Of course, there is a fee. There's a lot more, but you'll have to check it out for yourself."

"……Yeah."

 It was as if they were at a sports club. There is something not otherworldly about these places. It is only natural that they charge you money.

"I don't think it's necessary, but you can ask for an instructor."

"Instructor?"

 There was also an individual instructor service.

"Yes. Guild staff will teach you how to fight. However, reservations are required."

"What kind of teaching?"

“If you tell them what you want to learn, they will choose someone who fits your needs. But you don't know who it will be, because it will be whoever is available at that time."

"Are they strong?"

"That again? I don't think strong people are necessarily good at teaching either."

"...That's true."

"So much for explanations, huh? I know they won't be here today because it's a day off, but be careful not to get into trouble with the other adventurers."

"I'm different from Yuya."

"Sometimes the other side gets involved. Not all adventurers are good people."

"I see. I understand."

"Okay then, feel free to do what you want."

 Jin would have liked to match swords with Ren if he could, but before he had time to say so, Ren quickly left the place.

 Jin cannot call out to him because he feels as if his back is rejecting him. Having no choice, he decides to move his body alone, draws his sword, and takes a stance.

 With a large swing, he swings the sword down with a step of his right foot. The opposite foot is brought forward, and the sword is swung up from below. Then he returns the sword to the middle position and readjusts his stance.

 This is one of the basic forms of Hiiro-style swordsmanship that Jin is learning. There is five basic kata in Hiiro-style swordsmanship. There are also defensive kata, offensive kata, and more advanced kata, and the basic training is to repeat these kata over and over again to immerse oneself in them.

 He has already learned all the kata of Hiiro-style swordsmanship. All that remains is to master them. Jin is performing one kata after another. Sweat soon began to pour out of his body.

(...So soft)

 Jin thought so when he saw Ren's figure come into view. Ren, who was at a distance, was doing flexibility exercises, and now his upper body was flat on the ground from a position where his legs were opened to one hundred and eighty degrees like a sumo wrestler's crotch split.

 Next, he raised his upper body, turned his body to the right, and spread his legs forward and backward. Even in that position, both feet are stuck to the ground. From there, he bends his upper body forward and attaches it to his right leg.

(That far? Did he also do gymnastics?)

 When the right is finished, it's time for the left. Ren continued his careful flexibility.

 Finally, he stood up and began to walk. As Jin looked on to see what he was going to do, he began to walk faster and faster, and eventually turned into a jog. Then he began to swing his legs wide, jump on both feet, and so on, one movement after another.

(Warming up? It's kind of like a club activity.)

 With this thought in mind, Jin took his gaze away from Ren's training and immersed himself in his own training.

◇◇◇

 He was concentrating on his training when he noticed that the bell was ringing to mark the seventh hour of the day. Two hours had passed since he had started training. It had been a long time since Jin had been able to train with such concentration. After swinging the sword so hard, he could feel the sweat pouring down his face.

 He looked a little further ahead and saw Ren lying sprawled out on the ground.

(Is it the end over there too?......)

 That's what he thought, but he soon realized that he was wrong. Ren, who had rolled onto his side and was now on his face, got further down on all fours from there, and from there he slowly stood up, staggering, with one foot on the ground. Even from a distance, he could see that his entire body was covered in sand.

 He continued on his unsteady steps toward the corner of the training ground. At the end of the path was a log as long as Ren's body.

 Carrying it on his shoulders, he wobbles further, but continues to move forward step by step.

(Is that the kind of training he does?)

 He looks as if he might collapse at any moment, but Ren's feet never stop and he keeps moving forward. When he reaches the end of the training ground, he reverses and heads to the other end. That is how he went back and forth, over and over again.

 It continued for half an hour until Ren, who had fallen several times, was unable to stand up.

"……Are you okay?"

 Worried about Ren who couldn't move at all, Jin called out to him as he approached.

"……Well."

"You're overdoing it."

"...It's my daily routine."

"You do this every day!?"

 Jin was surprised to learn that he wasn't special just because he was in the guild.

"I can't do it when I'm at work, so it's not every day."

"Even so... since when?"

"After coming to this world?"

"That's right. Since when?"

“The day after we left the church?”

"……I see."

 He didn't know what his strength is. However, Jin knew that he was losing to Ren in terms of effort.

"If you have time to care about people, why don't you keep training yourself?"

"No, I'm done."

“I see. Then go back. If anyone returned, I would appreciate it if you could tell them that I will be there at about the eighth hour."

"You're still continuing until the eighth hour?"

"I haven't finished my daily routine yet."

"...Not yet? But you're not in a state where you can move, right?"

"The only thing that can't move are my legs."

"I see……"

"And I'll be able to move after a bit of rest. I mean, I can already move."

 After saying this, Ren slowly stood up. Even if he can move, it's just barely.

"...Well then."

 Even in such a state, Ren tried to pick up the log lying on the ground.

“You are still doing it!?”

"Just cleaning up"

"Then I'll carry it for you."

"I can do it."

 In fact, it seemed quite painful, and instead of lifting the log, he rolled it by hand and carried it back to where it was originally.

 After standing still for a while, he starts walking again.

 When Jin looked at him to see what he was going to do, he picked up a sword that appeared to be for practice in the corner of the training ground and began to swing it.

(That is...)

 From Jin's point of view, it was a very poor swing. Ren's swinging is just standing and swinging the sword with only the strength of one arm. He can't cut anything with that kind of swing.

 Still, Jin looked at Ren to see if there was some meaning to it. That meaning became clear when Ren switched the sword to his left hand.

(Not a practice swing, but muscle training?)

 Knowing that, Jin decided to leave the training grounds. He knew that looking any further would get him nowhere.

◇◇◇

 Leaving the training ground, Jin headed upstairs to the cafeteria. To see if anyone was returning. When he looked into the cafeteria, he saw that some students had actually returned.

"Harumoto, are you alone?"

"...Why are you here?"

 Kazuki, who was called out, is puzzled because she doesn't know why Jin is here.

"I've been thinking of accepting a request, but there's no good request."

"I see."

“Takashiro is at the training grounds. He said he would be back around the eighth hour.”

 As requested by Ren, he told Kazuki about the schedule.

"It's Ren. If you call him Takashiro, he'll ignore you."

"......I've been wondering for a while now, why is he so obsessed with it?"

"I don't know."

"I see……"

 The conversation between the two was somewhat awkward. Not because they are Jin and Kazuki, but because this is how it is now between the A and C Class hero candidates.

"Did the request go well?"

"Yes. It was a great success."

 Jin's question finally brought a smile to Kazuki's face.

"What kind of request was it?"

"Babysitting."

"I see."

"You're mocking me, aren't you?"

"No, I'm not."

 He's not mocking her. He just thought he couldn't do it.

"Taking care of kids is hard work, but it's a relatively good request."

"Where?"

"It's for a short time. It doesn't require you to babysit the child all day."

"I see."

“And if the child likes you, your chances of being nominated next time will increase.”

 Nomination requests. When you have a number of fixed customers like this, you can get a steady stream of good work.

"I see. Does that mean he/she misses you?"

“Yes. So much so that they would not let you go home."

"That's not a very good request, is it?"

 It would be different from the first time he said that babysitting should be a short time.

"It's good. I didn't want to leave either."

"Do you like children?"

"Yes. I dream of being a nursery school teacher."

"That's... that would be.."

 The conversation finally started to pick up momentum, but Jin felt hesitant to say what he was thinking and stuttered.

"Do you think it's impossible since we came into this world, right?"

"There's no nursery school, you know?"

“Probably not. But there are requests for babysitting. They don't seem to be many, but there are people who are looking for that kind of thing."

“……No way, are you trying to become a nursery teacher in this world?”

"Is that bad?"

 Kazuki is thinking about that.

"No, it's not bad, but how?"

"I'll think about that later."

"It's not in your apt occupation, is it?"

"My occupation is a decorator."

"What is a decorator?"

“Hmm, a designer? That's a bit of an oversimplification, isn't it?"

"I see."

 Does the world need designers? This thought came to Jin, but he could not say it in front of her.

"You're making a fool of me."

"No, I'm not. But what about the fact that you want to become a nursery school teacher when you are a designer?"

"I thought so too at first, but Ren."

"……He said something?"

 Ren's name came up. If Ren said something, Jin would be very interested in what he said.

"I asked if I shouldn't aim for it if I wasn't suited for it. He said, in the original world, you don't know what the right job is. So what's the problem?"

"He said something like that. That's not what I expected."

"With cold eyes."

"Eh?"

 Jin was going to continue, saying that he was kind, but Kazuki, perhaps sensing this, interrupted him.

"Maybe he's really being nice because he puts it into words. But I think he doesn't like me."

"Why do you think so?"

"Gaze. The way Ren looks at me..."

 Kazuki couldn't say anything beyond that.

"I'm also looked at with cold eyes."

 He's not lying. Or rather, Ren looks at most people with a cold gaze. He just doesn't notice it because he doesn't talk to others in the first place.

"I think he's incredibly shy. If you can talk to someone like that, isn't Harumoto not hated, but even liked?"

"Thank you for comforting me. But Ren is taking care of us because he was asked to."

"By whom?"

"By Yuka."

"Yuka?"

"Yuka Saegusa, who was in Class C."

"...Who died in the forest?"

 After hearing her last name, Jin finally realized who it was. It was the female student with whom he had little or no contact. The same is true for Kazuki.

"Yes. It seems that the dead Yuka asked him."

"You mean by a ghost?"

"Ren's occupation is a necromancer."

“…......I don't believe it for a second. I can't help but think it's all a sham."

 Before talking to spirits, Jin could not believe that they existed.

"Most of them are a sham."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I don't mean Ren, I mean those people in the original world."

"Most, you mean there are some who are not?"

"That's right. And Ren was able to see spirits when he was in our original world, and he was able to talk to them."

"You're kidding, right?"

“That's how a lot of people react. They are amused by TV or stories, but when they are actually shown in front of them, they refuse to acknowledge the fact. On the contrary, they deny it with all their might. That's why they say the real ones never want to come out into the open."

"......What about Saegusa's ghost?"

 Still skeptical, but putting that to the side for the moment, Jin decided to listen to what Ren had to say about it.

"He didn't give me any details. This is my guess, but there was something going on that we were not supposed to know about."

"If it was that important, shouldn't we know even more?"

"Even if you want to know, Ren won't tell you. I'm sure Ren knows a lot more, but he never talks about it to us."

"Do you think so too, Harumoto?"

"Takamiya-kun too?"

"Several times, I was told something suggestive. Yuya said that he was trying to get attention, but I don't think so."

"Takamiya-kun is right about that."

"What made Harumoto think that way?"

 There was someone who thought the same way as he did, and who clearly admitted it. That made Jin happy.

"I can tell when I hear Ren talking to people from this world. People in this world are hiding something from us. And Ren knows it."

"...You don't know what he's talking about?"

"I don't know."

"Are you okay about that?"

"What?"

"Don't you feel uneasy about not knowing?"

 Jin himself can't help but feel uneasy. That's why he wants to hear from Ren, but he hasn't been able to do so.

"...Just being in this world makes me uneasy."

"That's..."

"Takamiya-kun may not understand. I will definitely not be chosen by any country. That's why I have no choice but to live in this world on my own. And until then, there are only two years left."

 In two years, she has to choose a path to move forward. This is different in weight from deciding on a career path in the original world. If you make the wrong choice, you may not be able to survive.

"...I feel uneasy too."

"That anxiety is about the ranking, isn't it? You wondered if you'll be evaluated the highest. It's different from me."

"That's……"

 She was right. Jin's anxiety is that he will never be able to catch up with Yuya. It is completely different from Kazuki's anxiety.

"I'm sorry. It seems like I'm blaming you. It's not Takamiya-kun's fault. It's my fault for falling behind."

"…………"

"Don't be so down. If Takamiya-kun is depressed, what am I supposed to do?"

"I guess so."

"Hey. Isn't that terrible?"

"Ah, my bad."

"I don't mind. Let's stop talking about dark things. Takamiya-kun, why did you want to accept the request? I heard that people in Class A gave up."

"Yeah. I thought it wouldn't affect my training if it was in my spare time."

"To kill time?"

"No, it's not like that..."

 He wouldn't go so far as to say that he was killing time, but it was true that he wasn't that enthusiastic. Unable to say it honestly, Jin was at a loss for words.

"Heh. A bit unexpected."

"What?"

"Takamiya-kun can do anything, so I thought you are more confident and had a clear opinion on everything."

 It's an impression from their original world. The four people, Jin and the others are admired by those around them. For Kazuki, they are from a different world. Even though they were classmates, she didn't know the real Jin.

"I don't."

"You seem rather embarrassed."

"Don't tease me."

"I'm not teasing you. I'm just being honest. Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Ha? Of course not."

"How could that be?"

"Then, do you have one, Harumoto?"

"You want to know?"

"...Not really."

 In response to Kazuki's question, Jin answered without hesitation. He was embarrassed.

"Look, you're embarrassed after all."

"D-don't tease me. What I'm saying is that I can't think of love in this situation."

"But if you're going to live in this world forever, someday, right?"

 In addition to love, you may get married and have a family.

"I do, but I honestly don't feel that way."

“......Me neither. Even now, I still feel like it's just a dream. I wonder if one day we'll go back to the world we came from."

"Do you want to go back?"

"...I want to see my family, but."

 Kazuki's answer is vague.

"Don't you want to go back?"

"...I think it would be nice if I could start over."

 There are things that Kazuki wants to prioritize more than returning to their original world.

“Shizuru said something like that too.”

"She did? What would she redo in her position?"

 From Kazuki's point of view, Shizuru was quite blessed. So she doesn't know what she wants to redo.

“She said it was her relationship with Takashiro, but now I'm not so sure.”

"Her relationship with Ren. That's quite different from my do-over."

 Hearing Jin's words, Kazuki looks astonished.

"Do you know what it is?"

“She… I’ll stop here. I don't want to sound like I'm talking behind her back."

"There's no need to worry just because you're on good terms. Lately, I've been wondering about Shizuru a little myself."

"Wondering?"

“I thought Shizuru was a very good-natured person, who treats everyone without any differences."

 This is not just Jin's, but the evaluation of many students towards Shizuru.

"I think so too. But the question is, what is she doing it for?"

 Kazuki also approves. However, Kazuki has an idea about Shizuru that Jin does not.

"That is?"

"I won't say any more. I am too small-minded to speak ill of others."

"Is it that bad?"

"Anything the other person doesn't want you to say is bad."

"……That's true."

 For example, Jin's assessment of Ren. But unfortunately for Ren, this never crossed his mind.

"I guess we're done with this topic. Now what shall we talk about?"

"That's unreasonable."

"You called me because you wanted to talk, right?"

"Eh?"

"I'm not being arrogant. Because I know it could have been anyone."

"......Why, do you think so?"

 He was not surprised because he had no intention of wanting to talk. He wondered how Kazuki knew how he felt.

"I just kind of thought it when you sat down. Because there was no need to sit down."

"I see."

"Do you want to distract yourself? Or do you want to talk about your worries?"

"Both."

 To be honest, he has a problem, and he wants to talk about it because he wants to distract himself from that worry.

"Then tell me what's bothering you."

"No, it's not going to help."

"You won't know unless you talk to me, you  know?"

"I won't."

"That's because Takamiya-kun is looking down on me. There's no point in talking to someone like me."

"……That's not true."

 Jin really doesn't feel that way. At least that's what he intends to do.

"That's a lie. I'm different. You think so, right?"

"......No, that's not it."

 When Kazuki changed the way she said it, Jin was unable to deny it clearly. There is a feeling that he is different from others.

"You don't have to force yourself to deny it. It's not just Takamiya-kun. Everyone in Class A is like that."

"That's because Harumoto is a prejudice person."

"That's not true. We've been taught to be that way."

"......What do you mean?"

 Like Ren, Kazuki told Jin something he was not aware of.

"Didn't your master or the people around you tell you that you are a special being? You have special powers that are different from those around you."

"They told me that."

"You didn't think it was strange?"

"We are hero candidates. It's true that we have special powers."

“That's true. But when we accepted it, didn't they say this? You are special, you must be treated accordingly. It is your natural right as a hero candidate."

"...I was told. No, I'm still being told."

"Do you think that is correct?"

"What?"

 Jin didn't understand the meaning of Kazuki's question. The fact that he doesn't know is proof that he's different from Kazuki.

"Because we are taught to be greedy, right?"

“......There is a talent gap in this world. Since we came to this world, isn't it necessary to follow it?"

"Do you think so, Takamiya-kun?"

"Harumoto, do you think differently?"

"I couldn't accept it because I felt somewhat uncomfortable. I'm a dropout, and I'm glad it turned out the way it did. But even if I wasn't a dropout, something was different about it."

"...I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"What do you mean, what?"

 Kazuki tried to continue, but the conversation between the two ended.

"Kazuki! You were here!"

 The voice that came from the stairs was Kou's. Following that, the other members of Class C also appeared.

"Everyone. Are you done?"

"Yeah. We met at the reception desk. And then... Geh! Takamiya!"

 Kou never thought he would see Jin from Class A. He reacted brilliantly.

"...That reaction is terrible."

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean, I'm registered as an adventurer. I thought I'd accept a request."

"You didn't find anything good?"

“Yes. I was going to take it at random, but Takashiro stopped me."

"It's Ren."

 Kou also pointed out the wrong way of calling Ren.

“…You are calling Takashiro, Ren too?”

"We all decided to call each other by their first names. I'm Kou, Satoko is Riko, and Kazuki and Manami are the same.

"I see……"

 Although they don't have nicknames, Jin is used when Yuya and the others call him. But there are no more feelings there now. He thought it was the opposite of Kou and the others who were thinking of shortening the distance from now on.

"And what about Ren?"

"He's in the training ground. I think it's about time he came back."

"I'm already here."

"Whoa! Ren! Don't scare me!"

 Suddenly, Kou was startled by the voice coming from behind him and shouted loudly.

"I didn't scare you. It's worse if you don't notice."

"...As usual, I didn't notice it."

"So what about your request?"

"Perfect. I was praised properly."

"Anyone else?"

"Yes." "Me too."

 It seems that both Riko and Manami were satisfied with the result.

"Then it's fine. If you don't let your guard down like that, you'll be able to move up to E in no time."

"Takashiro!"

 Ren's explanation just now was something Jin couldn't ignore.

"Well, you've got this."

 But Jin's call was completely ignored by Ren.

"……Ren."

 Jin tried to call him again.

"What?"

 Ren responded to the call, which was much smaller in voice than the first one.

"...I want you to tell me what you mean just now."

 Jin asked what he wanted to hear, even though he was a little taken aback by his insistence.

"As long as you are doing the request, you must do your best to satisfy the client, the customer. That's all."

"So what happens when you do that?"

"The reputation of the guild will rise. If the reputation rises, the guild will be happy. It means that you have contributed to the guild."

"...So you'll get promoted faster?"

 The evaluation of the promotion is much more ambiguous than what he has heard so far. Jin was surprised by this.

"It may happen. Even if it doesn't, it's always good to have a few customers you are familiar with."

"Well."

"Because of that, please don't drag your feet."

"Me?"

"Who else?"

"What do you mean by that?"

 Jin had no idea that he would be the one to hold them back.

“In this world, word of mouth is the only form of general information that spreads. It is not easy to spread. But if the four of them work hard at the same time, they may be able to successfully spread the word."

"Why?"

“A young adventurer with black eyes and black hair is very polite in his or her work. Rumors like this should spread far more easily than the name of an individual adventurer.”

"I see."

"If rumors of a useless black-eyed, black-haired young adventurer get mixed in there, everything will be wasted."

"...So don't hold them back."

"Yes."

"I won't. Is there anything I should be careful about?"

"Keep your cool with clients and never cut corners on your work. That's all."

"I see. Understood."

 There is a question in Hitoshi's mind as to whether there is really any point in doing this. But this time, he decided to put this question aside and do as Ren said.

 He thought that if he learned the outcome, he would be able to understand something about Ren, even if only a little.