Chapter 72

When I first saw Sylvia's body, it was simply amazing. Her abs were faintly defined into six, her limbs were taut, and where they should be, they were plump and soft. Her well-proportioned body was like that of a top athlete.

Whether status manifests in the body or the body manifests in the status, or if there is no relation at all, I'm not sure. But in any case, her body was beautiful enough to make me think that it's better to train.

When I honestly expressed my thoughts, Sylvia said, "Second-sama is more beautiful." I hadn't noticed because I didn't usually look in mirrors, but apparently, my body was in a similar state. Well, considering the rigorous training I've been through, it's not surprising. My diet is also completely managed by Yuki, so perhaps it's natural that all of us have bodies like athletes.

"Good morning."

The next morning, when I woke up, Sylvia was right next to me. She greeted me with a smile, "Mm," and she was indeed beautiful.

Suddenly, last night's events came to mind. Unlike Yuki, who was incredibly passionate, Sylvia was a gentle and contented girl who seemed satisfied just by being held. For me, who was exhausted from the intense battle with Yuki, it was a pleasant surprise. Thanks to that, I had plenty of time to dote on her.

Sylvia and I went downstairs and had breakfast together. Strangely, I hadn't received any team-limited communication from Yuki. There must have been some kind of agreement between Yuki and Sylvia. Ignorance is bliss.

"Second-sama, by the way, we made contact with the Third Knight Regiment yesterday."

"Oh, how was it?"

"They were overjoyed. They said this is exactly the information the regiment needs the most."

"Are they suspicious of betrayal?"

"I'm not sure. But our usual behavior has been quite good."

"If Sylvia were to betray... I'd probably become distrustful of humanity."

"Stop it. I will never betray Second-sama!"

She whispered, "There's nothing more terrifying than having Second-sama as an enemy." I think that's the right answer.

"From now on, we are to report regularly to the Third Knight Regiment. We are to gradually provide information that will benefit us, as Winfield said. Also, in parallel—"

"Search for official documents and originals, right?"

"Yes. It's more like information gathering. The information we can get directly from the Third Knight Regiment is significant. After all, they are the parties who signed the agreement with R6."

"They must be hiding something, or they've been told to hide it."

"Exposing that is our primary goal, I suppose."

Sylvia seems very enthusiastic. It's no wonder, given her love for justice. This job is a treasure trove of fulfillment for her.

"Well, I'm off to work."

I never thought I'd use the word "work" in my life, but the fact is, I'm now a special temporary lecturer for the First Court Magician Regiment, and I'm getting paid for it. This is definitely work.

After paying for the accommodation and meals, I left the inn. Sylvia said, "Goodbye," and blushed while giving me a peck on the cheek.

"See you later—"

---

"Today, I'll be watching your usual training."

As soon as I arrived at the training ground, I declared this and plopped down on the spot.

The members of the First Court Magician Regiment remained in formation, showing no signs of moving. They were either waiting for the captain's orders or had no intention of following mine. Probably both.

While I was sitting and thinking about what to do, a man and a woman approached me. Captain Zephyr and Cherry.

"Stop messing around."

Cherry, as usual, was glaring at me with hostility.

"I don't know what you usually do, so I can't point out anything."

"That's not an excuse. I don't need your criticism."

"That's a problem."

"Then be troubled."

"---No, wait. Cherry."

As Cherry and I were bickering, Captain Zephyr interjected. His face was stern, but not in a way that suggested he was about to scold me. He seemed like someone who would understand.

"Boy. The magic you used when you left yesterday, was it the third form of the lightning attribute?"

"The fourth form."

"---Is that so."

He suddenly called me "boy" and asked a question, then nodded and started thinking. What's with this guy? Is his brain bald too?

"Fourth form? Stop lying. There's no such thing as lightning attribute magic, and there's no way someone like you can use the fourth form."

"Ah, um..."

Behind the continuously criticizing Cherry, a woman hesitantly appeared. I think her name was Aroma. She had chestnut semi-long hair, droopy eyes, and a gentle face. She looked ordinary. I thought she was a serious person, but was she here to complain about me? If so, it would be a shock. I braced myself and listened to her words.

"Second-sama... Can I have your autograph?"

I nearly fell over. Now, here, and now? What is this?

"Sure, but why?"

"My sister is in the magic school, and she's a big fan of Second-sama. When I talked about Second-sama at home, she was overjoyed... and said she absolutely must get an autograph."

"Oh, I see."

I acted coldly, but in truth, I was incredibly happy.

In my previous life, when I was the world's number one, autographs, handshakes, and photos were a daily occurrence. It was quite a challenge to maintain the image of the "strongest number one" that they expected, but since coming to this world, I had forgotten about that struggle. The glory of being the world's number one seemed to have returned for a moment, and I felt an indescribable sense of nostalgia.

"What's your name?"

"Ah, yes. Aroma."

On the autograph paper she brought, I was about to write "seven" out of habit... but at the last moment, I corrected it to "Second." Close call.

The final result was "The world's number one man, Second." I thought it might be too much, so I added "eventually" before "world's number one." At the end, I wrote "To Aroma" and, on a whim, added "Airi &" above it.

"Here you go."

I handed the paper to Airi and smiled. A smile is for moments like this. If you smile when they ask for an autograph, it's a letdown. It's better to be cold at first and create a gap. The value of a rare smile increases because you don't smile often. I learned this from fan service in my previous life.

"A-A-Thank you very much."

Airi blushed and bowed deeply before leaving. It seemed to be a critical hit.

At that moment, I noticed that some of the female members around her were sending envious glances. I thought I wasn't welcome at all, but apparently, a few people were favorable towards me. That's nice. On the other hand, I probably won't gain support from the male members for a while.

"......"

Cherry looked at me with a cold stare. She probably thought I was getting cocky just because I looked good. She's easy to read, which is good.

...Still, to smoothly carry out my duties as a lecturer, I might need to show my true strength. If they didn't understand from yesterday's demonstration, I can't think of anything else but to unleash the fourth forms of the four major attributes.

As I was thinking this, Captain Zephyr spoke up.

"Understood. I'll give the order."

"Captain!?"

"Cherry. This boy's strength is real. It's time you acknowledged it."

"Wh-What...?"

Cherry was stunned to be dismissed by the captain she thought was on her side. Her face looked like a sound effect of "Gah!"

"From now on, proceed with regular training! When the lecturer is here, prioritize responding to questions! Begin!"

At the captain's command, the previously lackluster members of the First Court Magician Regiment started moving briskly. Cherry was no exception. The captain's orders are absolute in the regiment.

However, calling me "boy" one moment and "lecturer" the next, the captain must be harboring a grudge over my "55 years of waste" comment from yesterday. I might have gone too far, but it's the truth, so I don't plan to retract it. I'll apologize when his arrogance is broken.

...

A few hours later.

Let me be blunt.

"It's no good."

I had some expectations for the Court Magician Regiment, the kingdom's top mages. I had an idea of the answer yesterday, but I still held out hope for a one-in-a-million chance.

But what do you know? "Is this a playtime activity?" is my honest impression.

"Isn't the Court Magician also called to war?"

"Yes."

"Do they move as a group of mages? Or individually?"

"Annihilation, guerrilla, support, and assistance. They do it all."

"Randomly?"

"No. They change formation according to the battle situation."

"Oh, I see..."

Their training mainly involved forming and breaking formations based on signals. They memorized various tactics like "use this formation and this magic for this signal" and tried to apply them in battle. It's ridiculous.

"What about the actual magic?"

"They do it individually."

"Huh?"

"Each mage has their own specialty. It's impossible to train in unison."

"No, no, that's not what I mean. Don't they go hunting monsters?"

"H-Hunting for experience? Once a week, they go to the mines or the great forest."

"Huh...? That's it?"

"Yes... Is there a problem?"

Come on, are you serious? Is this a leisure activity? This isn't a weekend deer hunt. The more powerful monsters you hunt, the stronger your skills become.

"Why don't you go for more experience?"

"It's dangerous. There are many objections. There's also a budget issue. And there's no immediate need. Therefore, experience training is left to individual discretion."

Ah, I see. If you force experience training, it becomes "black." I understand... or so I'd like to say, but no. You're soldiers, not regular employees. Show more enthusiasm for getting stronger.

"Just to be sure, when was the last war?"

"Twenty-two years ago."

"Got it. No more talking."

Most of these people were kids back then. Cherry wasn't even born yet. No wonder they lack enthusiasm.

"Fundamental reform is needed."

In my previous life in Mevion, there was a game called "Team Battle." It's a war simulation between teams, and it's quite deep. You need to balance different types of soldiers—swordsmen, archers, spearmen, and mages—each with their strengths and weaknesses, and develop a detailed strategy to win. Major team battles are like real wars, with hundreds of players clashing on vast fields, creating an impressive spectacle.

I was busy being the world's number one individually, so I was a novice in team battles, but I had some knowledge. I had planned to form the strongest team and become the world's number one in team battles too, but that dream didn't come true.

Even with my novice knowledge, I could see that the First Court Magician's training methods were "wrong."

The fundamental premise is wrong.

They do everything—annihilation, guerrilla, support, and assistance—and change formation according to the battle situation. It sounds good, but it's not the job of a mage.

A mage is a "mid-range attacker with high firepower over a wide area." When they hit, the damage is significant, but they can't handle the sudden attacks of close-range soldiers like swordsmen, and they can be easily taken down by the focused attacks of long-range soldiers like archers. In other words, "one or two mages are enough for firepower," and "they need to be protected by close-range soldiers like tanks."

If you form an annihilation team with only mages and move as a group, they'll be instantly overwhelmed by the enemy's close-range soldiers. If you use them as guerrillas, they'll be finished by concentrated attacks from archers without a tank. For support, the main firepower of the fourth and fifth forms covers a wide area, so if the coordination isn't precise, they'll hit their allies. Using them for auxiliary purposes is convenient but wasteful for a mage.

Do they not understand this, or is there a reason they can't change? I can't understand why they focus so much on formations.

Then, I remembered something. Cherry's words. "There's no way someone like you can use the fourth form."

...Could it be?

"Be honest and raise your hand. Who can use the fourth form? Any attribute is fine."

Slowly, about 20 out of 200 people raised their hands. Wow...

"Who can use the fifth form?"

This time, only Captain Zephyr raised his hand. Seriously!?

In team battles, to use mages effectively, the fourth and fifth forms are essential. Ideally, you need an "INT mage" who has mastered all five forms of the four major attributes. The strength of a mage lies in "high firepower over a wide area"—a mage who can't do this is just a burden.

...In the current state, I can confidently say that the First Court Magician Regiment is a collection of new recruits who are useless in team battles.

The enemy country's mages are probably at the same level, and they've been fighting like children for the past twenty-two years. But as long as I'm the lecturer, I can't allow a mud fight.

But then, what? Should I teach each of them the fourth form? No way, I can't handle that much trouble.

I need to find a way to make them useful as they are.

Somehow, somehow...

...

"Can this be fixed! I'm going home!"

"Boy! Where are you going!"

"I'll be back tomorrow!"

---

"---Don't move."

The sudden voice and the cold sensation on my neck made my body freeze. Perfect timing. I wouldn't have been able to make a sound even if I were killed on the spot.

"W-What do you want? Do you need something from me?"

I played the role of a pitiful beggar. This is the back of the Camer Church. Beggars and churches go together. Even in a tattered robe, I wouldn't stand out. To hide a tree, you need a forest. I had been moving from church to church across the kingdom. There was no way I could be found... or so I thought.

"Whoa!"

The restraint suddenly loosened. I deliberately made a commotion and ran forward, then turned around.

A figure in black, blending into the darkness. A voice that couldn't be identified as male or female, and a stance without a single opening. This is an "assassin."

"Damn... Who are you? Do you know my true identity?"

I no longer needed to pretend. I removed my hood to improve my vision.

"Indeed. It's Biside-sama."

"So what? Old man"

"Kyubero-sama is waiting for you."

"---!!"

A name I hadn't heard in a long time. A name I never forgot for a single day. The name of our R6 leader.

"Is the boss alive?"

No, wait. This could be a trap to lure me out.

"Where is the boss?"

"At our base."

"Base? ...!"

As I took a step forward, a thread was stretched in front of me. [Thread Manipulation], this is troublesome.

"...Who are you?"

"One of the ten elite maids serving Second Fastest-sama, led by Eve, who is also an assassin. As an assassin, I cannot reveal my face, voice, or name. I apologize."

"Wait, can an assassin reveal their master's name?"

"Our master is not so weak that he can be taken down by such a thing."

"Hmm..."

"Besides, there's no need to hide it."

"Huh? What do you mean—Gah!?"

The impact from behind made my consciousness fade. There was more than one assassin, of course.

...Boss, please be alive.

Thank you for reading.