The encounter with the five people who, like the Fuji Rangers, shared the surname Fuji and were enthusiasts of special effects dramas, was more precious than I had initially thought.
After all, they were like characters straight out of a story.
Hearing about their individual backgrounds was an experience that made me realize just how diverse people could be.
“Eh!? You do that sort of thing as a detective too?”
“Yes, or rather, I’m an exceptional case. It’s more accurate to say I was made to do it than that I chose to.”
“By twisting your waist like this, you can throw a punch with considerable power even if it looks compact.”
“I see, like this?”
Kitamiya listened to Sato’s story with surprise as she recounted the details of her past work. Katsu, meanwhile, was being taught how to throw a punch by Goto, a former professional boxer.
Masquerading as a man to draw out a stalker was a story like something from a novel.
The scene was one of surprise as Katsu, mimicking Goto’s punch, managed to generate more power than the former pro himself.
“Mmm, you… You should probably spend some time on your studies and athletic training for a while, okay?”
“Why!? I’m asking about love divination, why are you saying this!?”
“I’ve lost…!?”
“Um, I was pretty cornered! Keep going!”
It was a competition held while holding a smartphone, resulting in Endo as the winner and Minami as the loser.
Amelia was trying to have her love life troubles divined by Ito.
Despite subtly using a bit of body reinforcement, her opponent displayed the presence of a champion and secured victory. Amelia lamented the reality that didn’t align with her expectations.
The fact that we could naturally become friends just by talking revealed their good nature.
Of course, this warmth extended to our own circle as well.
“Is that really the kind of training you have? Or rather, it makes me want to ask, is that even considered training?”
“You can’t believe it?”
“It’s more accurate to say I don’t want to believe it.”
“I suppose, if I heard that from someone else, I’d think the same thing. It sounds good to call it practical training, but it was just actual combat. I don’t even remember how many times I broke my bones.”
“We have fewer unbroken bones than broken ones. If it weren’t for magic, we would have been in real trouble. And the amazing thing is, those instructors don’t break bones that shouldn’t be broken.”
“It was a training session so sad that I couldn’t say they were misusing the word ‘retaliation’.”
“Hahaha, hearing that makes me think our training, while tough, was at least normal.”
I was explaining the content of our initial training to Kato along with Kaido.
Even Kato, who came from the Self-Defense Force and was rumored to have rigorous training, could only manage a wry smile and frequent shifts in his facial muscles under the guidance of Instructor Fushio and Instructor Kio.
The conversation had started amicably.
Kato had simply been curious about the kind of training the new recruits had undergone this term.
While my own experiences were too extreme to be of much use, Kato’s group first underwent a series of aptitude tests, followed by interviews with employees and career counseling, based on their preferences.
And astonishingly, they had apparently experienced a variety of jobs.
There were some voices that questioned the practice of forcing unsuitable individuals into front-line roles, even while ensuring a balance and avoiding the over-reliance on back-liners seen in the previous term.
I suspected the source of these voices might be the Ogre Yakuza and the Skull Gentleman, as I listened to Kato’s account.
“Yours is normal, and normal compared to ours. It’s strange to even compare.”
“Besides, we didn’t get to experience as many different things as you did. Honestly, I’m envious.”
“Rather than ‘various things,’ it felt more like we experienced all the basic professions. For front-liners, it was hand-to-hand combat, and the basic weapons like swords, spears, and daggers.”
From what Kato described, the combat-related training involved hands-on experience to accurately assess each individual’s aptitude.
Thanks to this, there was no imbalance as seen in the previous term, and as far as Kato knew, the ratio of professions among the new recruits was just right.
“I see. It might be a bit inefficient, but it’s good that nothing was overlooked.”
“Yeah, and it’s also good that fewer people are forced to try things they’re not good at.”
This made me feel relieved, thinking that we, the first term students, wouldn’t have to experience such a situation again.
“Was it that amazing?”
“Seventy percent of the first term students were mages, twenty percent were healers, and about ten percent were archers or other miscellaneous roles. Only two of us, including myself, were in positions capable of being front-liners.”
“What? Is that okay?”
“It wasn’t okay. While we managed at first, the lack of people to support the front line was fatal.”
“Yeah. By the time I joined, there were few operational parties capable of tackling dungeons properly.”
Kato’s expression shifted to one of disbelief as he reacted to our words, having learned about the dire situation of the first term students.
“That’s why the number of senior testers is currently so low compared to the new recruits.”
I made a joke, shrugging my shoulders in feigned exasperation, and Kato let a smile grace his lips.
“In that case, it’s an opportunity for us. While a lack of pioneers is certainly tough, from another perspective, it’s a chance for advancement.”
“That’s resilient of you.”
“Yeah, it might be a black company mindset.”
“Haha, the Self-Defense Force is also a black company in a sense. It depends on the unit, but the competitive nature is the same everywhere.”
“That place is like the mecca of vertical hierarchy and the athletic club culture.”
Kato’s positive outlook brought smiles to Kaido and me.
When I shared my own rather arbitrary impressions, Kato remarked with a touch of sadness that it was surprisingly accurate.
We all burst into laughter for the third time.
Everywhere you looked, it was black companies.
Where could we find a white company?
As we continued our conversation, time flew by.
Accompanying the new recruits, attending the report session, and engaging in casual conversation consumed the day.
“Oh, senpai, it’s this late already.”
“Oh, we’ve been talking for a long time. My apologies, Kato.”
“No, I found this conversation very valuable as well.”
Kaido glanced at his smartphone, as if just remembering, and noticed it was nearly dinner time.
“Oh yeah, Mr. Tanaka, we’re all going out for drinks. Would you like to join us?”
The conversation naturally led to this topic.
It was a welcome invitation, and I had no objections.
In fact, I was grateful to be invited.
However, unfortunately, I couldn’t accept such an invitation so readily.
Suele’s face flashed in my mind.
While the trend of “drinking to bond” was becoming unpopular, it was still alive among a certain demographic.
Hadn’t we all been told as working adults to communicate effectively?
However, for those with families, it was natural to want to return home early.
Looking at Kaido beside me, I saw a similar expression on his face.
“Ah, that’s right. Will it be alright if the number of people increases? I was hoping to invite about three or four others.”
“Well, I think it’ll be fine when it comes to young Mr. Kato, and it’ll be alright with me too? Probably about three more people will be joining.”
So, if that was the case, I asked for permission to invite Suele and the others.
Given the time, Himik should not have started dinner preparations yet.
If I contacted her now, there should still be time.
Kaido seemed to be thinking the same, and upon confirming this.
“In that case, I’ll contact the restaurant. Kanou found a good place in the basement, and it was quite large, so I think it’ll be fine.”
“As expected of a detective, you’re already checking on it.”
“That’s a healthy use of your abilities.”
Impressed by Sato’s abilities, we agreed to reconvene at the entrance of the underground facility after a brief dispersal.
Minami and the others also agreed, deciding to meet after changing their clothes.
As we emerged from the training facility.
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
We bumped into the faces of four people we knew, and one person we had just given guidance to that morning.
Judging by their casual attire, they were likely heading out for a meal.
At this point, thinking “why not,” I turned to Kato.
“Sorry, but is it okay if a few more people join?”
Kato nodded with a smile, and I thought to myself that he truly was a good guy.
The scene then shifted to a restaurant in the underground facility.
We were led to a large hall, and by the time we realized it, we had become quite a large group compared to the initial attendees, yet the venue still demonstrated ample capacity.
The only problem was.
“Hey, hey, hey, Jiro, how dare you invite me to a drinking party and not tell me? Huh?”
“Indeed. I have no recollection of instructing you to do such a thing, do I?”
From somewhere, two people who had heard the news appeared. The new recruits were visibly intimidated by their powerful presence, and a sense of tension filled the air.
The slight tension was probably due to the fact that the pressure was directed at me.
Even though they wore grinning smiles, the faint aura of magic emanating from them indicated a slight displeasure.
“Fool, do you not realize that if you two show up, the new recruits will be intimidated into silence?”
“Evia, you’re in no position to say that.”
“Indeed, there’s not much difference between you, me, and the Master.”
Evia, as if to dispel her own magic, uttered a reprimand. However, we and Suele and the others watched the instructors’ childish exchange with the nonchalance of those accustomed to it.
But that was only because we were used to it; the new recruits, glancing at us, couldn’t hide their nervousness, wondering if they’d be alright.
If I had to explain the current situation, it would be like a casual drinking get-together between seniors and juniors suddenly joined by their supervisors.
“No difference, the power of the Oni King, the Undead King, and Evia is the same in front of the new recruits.”
“Machine King, you are no different from us either.”
“Denial. My appearance tends to make people wary.”
To add to that, the fact that these supervisors were top-tier executives.
Instructor Fushio and Instructor Kio, having heard the rumors from who-knows-where, joined the party.
Evia and Amili-san, upon being contacted, made time to join us.
“I never imagined it would turn out like this.”
“Indeed.”
“Ah, the Masters will be fine, but the others are likely not accustomed to this.”
Evia sat to my left, Suele to my right, followed by Memoria and Himik.
The new recruits knew they were my fiancées, as I had introduced them.
When I introduced them, they had looked astonished, as if thinking “Seriously?”, but since there were countries overseas with polygyny, they weren’t viewed with too much oddity.
“Oh, Shiik. I heard it was a lively gathering, but it seems quiet.”
“Yes, Miik. Tadashi mentioned he wanted me to meet a new tester, but this is rather dull.”
Next to them, the Twin Angels sat lined up, followed by Kaido and Amili-san.
I introduced her to Kaido in the same way I had introduced the others, but Kaido received a slightly more curious glance.
After all, their appearance was quite striking. Even if they were within an acceptable age range, their looks remained an issue.
Perhaps the new recruits perceived this as an indication of Kaido’s peculiar tastes.
However, no one pointed this out.
The presence of the two instructors seated opposite me cast a considerable shadow.
Initially, other new recruits were meant to sit in the seats in front of Kaido and the others, but no one dared to approach, and eventually, the usual members ended up occupying them.
“Instructors, could you perhaps tone down the pressure a little? It’s fine for me since I’m used to it, but the other new recruits aren’t.”
If you’re going to use me as the standard.
“What are you talking about, acting all high and mighty? We were just teasing a little, weren’t we? Don’t get so worked up about it.”
“Kaka, Jiro, don’t take away an old man’s fun. What, isn’t this a no-holds-barred gathering? Just enjoy yourselves without worrying.”
The instructors, like children chided for their mischief, snickered.
Resigned, I said,
“Ah, my apologies, Kato. So many more people have joined.”
“N-no, it’s quite alright.”
I apologized to Kato, who had prepared this gathering for us.
“Thank you for coming, Benny and the others too.”
“Hahaha! Is there any way I could refuse Master’s invitation? Right, everyone?”
“O-oh! That’s right!”
I also thanked Haruna and the others, whom we had coincidentally met earlier.
Next to them was Ishan, who had been trying to eat alone.
As for Katagiri, Haruna informed me that he had left in a full dash for home with his cashed-out reward, so he wasn’t present.
Thinking how free-spirited he was, I stood up to propose the toast.
Normally, Kato, as the organizer, would do it, but asking him to do so in front of the instructors and Evia would have been too cruel.
“Well, as Instructor Fushio just said, this is a no-holds-barred gathering. Please drink and mingle to your heart’s content. However, be mindful not to overdo it. Especially you instructors.”
“We know, we know!! Just let us drink already!!”
“We understand the limits without needing to be told.”
So, as a substitute, I raised a mug of beer and proposed the starting words.
“To celebrate the completion of the new recruits’ training, and in wish for their future development.”
It might be cliché, but it was fitting for the occasion. I raised my beer mug even higher.
“Cheers!”
This welcome party, brought about by chance encounters and involving various species, commenced with those words.
Today’s word: Cherish communication.
Thank you as always for your feedback and for pointing out any typos.
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*The first volume of this novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content includes revisions and additions to the material originally posted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, along with the inclusion of previously unpublished interlude chapters.
We hope you will also consider purchasing the new releases!
A comic adaptation is currently being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
We hope you enjoy that as well.
Thank you for your continued support of this work.
