It is natural for people to feel special, whether it’s a desire or a self-awareness.
As children, we often have dreams and hopes that lead us to think this way. Even as adults, we might feel special after achieving something significant.
However, there is one thing to be cautious about regarding this feeling.
At that moment, you are merely “special,” not necessarily at the “pinnacle.”
Think about it.
Are there any things in this world that can be mastered with just a single factor?
At least, I don’t know of any.
To give an example, let’s say there’s someone exceptionally good at baseball, even among young or high school players.
Their talent is undoubtedly top-tier in youth or high school baseball.
They might be quicker to learn than anyone else when they start, or their superiority over others might be conspicuous.
People might call them geniuses or special, differentiating them.
Indeed, those descriptions are not wrong.
From my perspective, they are correct.
But even with such talent, it doesn’t mean that player can pitch with machine-like control from the start, nor can they hit home runs that can fly out of the stadium, nor can they steal bases that no one can prevent.
Furthermore, it’s utterly impossible to reach that level with just one try.
If such things were possible from the beginning, this world would surely have more geniuses on the public stage.
It is precisely because they have talent that they spare no effort and reach the pinnacle.
No effort, no results.
A talented person, a genius, simply has a shorter path.
Never.
“You may be special, but you are not the strongest. There is always someone stronger. Let’s remember that.”
Just because you’ve become stronger than your past self doesn’t mean that stage is the end.
Even gaining a special power like a Magic Crest simply means you’ve stepped into a higher realm.
“Special” is just that—special.
In this company alone, there are numerous individuals in that next higher realm, too many to count.
I understand your excitement, but it would be better to calm down.
In my case, I fought against beings close to the strongest from the very beginning, so instead of getting arrogant, I was suppressed into the ground.
Or rather, before that, I was beaten up by Suella, so I didn’t have time to get carried away.
“Wh-what are you saying? Me, to a mere Japanese person?”
Thinking about it, the reaction of this black man seems quite amusing.
His desperate attempt to deny reality, to stand up, is admirable for its grit, rather than being seen as impertinent.
He has the advantage in physique and likely confidence in his strength.
Given his rough personality, he has probably experienced his share of brawls and battles.
Depending on his Magic Aptitude, choosing a greatsword suggests he could become a good frontliner if trained.
His mildly racist thinking is something that can be corrected, so it’s not a problem.
The only few minutes that this man was putting on a show were during the fight.
The black man, who brought out a greatsword fitting his nearly two-meter-tall physique, was swung around by its weight and quickly exhausted his stamina.
All I did during that time was:
“So? Are you satisfied?”
Without moving an inch from my spot, I continuously deflected his attacks with the Sword Breaker in my right hand.
With a cool expression, using only one hand.
I even had the luxury of idly twirling it and re-gripping it, sweating not a drop.
However, this Sword Breaker is quite good.
It’s easy to use, as the Giants put their heart into making it.
I might want one for myself as a supporting weapon.
I even have the余裕 to think unnecessarily that it’s excellent, as long as one doesn’t resort to gimmick plays.
“Damn it, you’re underestimating me!!”
That’s quite natural. Compared to Evia-san and the instructors, his attacks, while not completely stopped, are as different as a pedestrian and a jet fighter.
There’s no need to say which is which; it would be problematic if one couldn’t defend against such an attack.
His desperate attacks were easily dealt with.
I acknowledge his spirit for attacking despite his ragged breath and the feeling of his body being heavy.
Still, reality does not change.
While glancing away, I deflected the descending greatsword, grabbed the black man by the collar as he staggered back, and, without minding his difficulty breathing, pulled him in and held the blade to his throat.
“Nguuuu!?”
“Well, this means I win.”
It took about five minutes. Including the previous woman, about ten minutes total.
In this time, I could have tested five weapons.
“I haven’t lost yet!!”
“No, you lost.”
The black man, slow to understand what had happened, became enraged and lunged at me, so I had no choice but to throw him towards the demon guide.
“I’ll leave the catch to you.”
“Understood.”
And they catch him perfectly.
Despite the significant size difference, the demon guide handled him as if he were a balloon doll, with ease.
With that, the second person is finished. The last one remaining is:
“Finally, it’s my turn!! The main act always comes last!!”
It’s Benny.
He joyfully draws his sword from its scabbard.
Judging by its length, it seems to be a wakizashi. He draws it quite smoothly, so he must be accustomed to it?
He kept shouting “Samurai, Samurai,” so he must like swords, and perhaps that’s related to his training.
However…
“Hey, Hands. I might ruin this sword.”
There’s something about it… a strange feeling.
His posture when drawing and wielding the sword is refined, but what is this feeling?
“Oh, oh, that’s also a splendid test item, you know.”
“Don’t say that. The sword would be honored to be used so happily.”
“Jeez, I guess so.”
While feeling that strangeness, I thought he might be an incredible newcomer, so I became cautious and chose a sword similar in length to the Ore Tree, which I’m used to.
With Hands’ permission, I decided to get a little serious.
“Well then, for the last one, please.”
“Yeah! Here I go!”
There was no lie in my words to Benny; after this, I would return to the testing work.
However, unlike before, I didn’t intend to finish it quickly. Instead, I wanted to teach him something.
Though it felt bothersome after all, I could think of it as a change of pace.
Simple tasks become terribly boring when you lack variety.
I decided to end it with an Iaido stance. The moment Benny swung down, I’d draw my sword and cut through his blade.
I regulated my breathing, focused my consciousness, synchronized my pulse, and my nerves became so sensitive that I could perceive every drop of blood.
Slowly, or rather, my perception quickened.
Benny’s movements slowed down, and I watched his every action as if in slow motion, anticipating the single stroke he would bring down from an overhead swing.
To match him, I also channeled power into my legs.
“Ah.”
“Eh?”
My normally outward-stepping foot remained relaxed, and I found myself staring with a vacant expression.
Because…
“Ow, ow, ow.”
Benny spectacularly tripped and fell.
It was a magnificent fall.
I had watched the entire process from raising his sword to bringing it down, and he fell with such spectacular fashion.
And then, I realized the source of that strange feeling.
Having realized its nature, I walked over and gently approached Benny.
“Mage, good luck.”
“Why!?”
I crouched down and gently patted his shoulder.
That’s right. This guy is as bad as Minami, or even worse, at anything involving coordination.
At first glance, he looked athletic, so I was fooled. But his movements just now clearly weren’t intentional.
That’s why I offered him the kindest smile I could muster and said that.
“Yeah, well, here, um, there seem to be many things I can do?”
“Ah, what is it? Don’t worry too much, okay?”
“Where did your attitude from before go?! Was I so terrible that you have to be this nice to me!?”
Even the two people who had been hostile towards me until moments ago seemed to think that his recent movements were terrible.
They probably saw him searching for a weapon with a childlike smile.
Because he had admired it, he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
Seeing the result, they couldn’t help but laugh, and even the woman with a tough personality and the man who was just furious looked at Benny with surprisingly sympathetic eyes.
As for me.
“Hey, Hands. Let’s continue, let’s continue.”
“Yeah, hey, bring me the checklist.”
“You’re leaving now?!”
As if my role was over, I signaled the demon guide and returned to my work.
“Wait, please! I took this job because I want to become a samurai!! It’s meaningless if I’m a mage!”
Even with him clinging to my legs, begging, I was at a loss.
“No, I understand your reason for wanting to be one, but why do you have to be so fixated on it?”
I could shake him off right now, but he would be a colleague later.
It would be problematic to act cold here.
“You ask because you wish to know!!”
So, thinking I should at least hear his reason, I asked him back.
“Because samurai are cool!!”
“Hey, Hands. What’s the next weapon?”
“This hammer.”
“And why are you leaving?!”
“Conversely, why did you think I would stop you?”
One might be able to do a job out of admiration, but most people eventually clash with reality and end up quitting if they can’t compromise.
Regarding Benny, who only saw the superficial aspects, I couldn’t help but let my true feelings show.
Is this guy like those who are inspired by historical dramas or taiga dramas?
“You’re Japanese, you should understand!! The legends of numerous samurai this country has produced!!”
“Yeah. Like Oda Nobunaga or Okita Sōji?”
If that’s the case, I like Sanada Yukimura.
Well, I don’t intend to deny admiration itself.
I have my thoughts, but it can also serve as a trigger.
Some people do turn that admiration into reality.
In fact, I acknowledge their passion, and choosing a profession is free.
Minami, despite everything, has been exercising and can now replicate fighting game movements on his own.
He does injure himself as a result, but compared to the beginning, he has made considerable progress.
Benny might also have a talent that I can’t see.
The possibility is not zero.
“Huh? When you say samurai of this country, it’s definitely ‘Kurogane Masamune,’ right?”
“Who’s that!?”
Is it a variation of Date Masamune?
“What, you don’t know him!? Are you even Japanese!? Look at this! This stylish appearance, and these numerous great achievements!! This is what a samurai is, isn’t it!”
“…He’s a character from a manga. And one I don’t know.”
Benny took out a manga book from his bag, which he always carries.
It was heavily read and quite old.
“My grandfather taught me! He told me to become a samurai like Kurogane Masamune!!”
“I see. Do your best.”
“Aren’t you being cold!?”
Admiring a manga character is fine, but please make it a personal goal.
Rather, consider it an improvement that I even offered words of encouragement.
In my memory, he’ll just be remembered as a memorable character who joined the company.
For now.
“Hands, I’m done here.”
“Yeah, you guys, let’s get to work.”
” ” ” Roger that. ” ” ”
I winked at the demon guide again and had Benny collected, then returned to my work.
“That was a misfortune.”
“Indeed. My body isn’t tired, but I’m mentally exhausted.”
“I heard this year’s new recruits would be interesting, but I never expected them to be like that.”
“Hands, it’s not just their problem.”
With the collected Benny taken away, I bowed my head and saw off the departing group before returning to the test.
Holding the hammer I was given, I swung it to check its feel while talking with Hands.
“Huh?”
“Did you see that guy, Benny? He admired samurai, like Japanese knights, right?”
“Ah, he said something like that.”
“Your department handles swords, right?”
“Yeah, but… no way.”
“He’s probably coming, isn’t he?”
“…How about a cursed sword?”
“Stop him.”
This year, we’ve certainly gotten some very unique individuals.
If the foreign recruits are like that, what about the Japanese ones?
Are they eccentric, or normal?
Personally, I hope some interesting people will join.
“Hands, isn’t this hammer heavy?”
“Two tons.”
“That’s too heavy!”
“I don’t want to hear that from you, who swings that around so easily.”
That’s a future concern.
For now, finishing this job is the priority.
“Alright, next.”
“Yeah, next is from the magic sword corner.”
“Rejected, you idiot. What are you trying to make me use?”
“Tch.”
“He’s clicking his tongue, this guy.”
With the utmost care, of course.
Today’s word:
This is just the starting point.
That’s all for this installment.
Thank you for pointing out any typos and for your feedback.
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*The first volume of the novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was also 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 has been revised and expanded from the version posted on “Shōsetsuka ni Narō,” with the addition of unreleased interlude chapters.
Please consider purchasing the new books!
A comic adaptation is featured in the 9th issue of Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
We hope you enjoy that as well.
We appreciate your continued support of this work.
