Mayuten ~The Demon King and the Hero Reincarnated as Twin Elementary School Students~ - Volume 2 Chapter 8

Volume 2 The Demon King and the Hero Confront the Bully

Chapter 8   The Demon King Makes a Proposal to the Class President

The bespectacled boy who had been pursuing Isumi.

Who is this guy? I glanced briefly at his name tag.

It read, “Class 5-1, Maruki Manabu.”

That name, it rings a bell.

Meanwhile, Isumi tilted her head and asked, “Who are you?”

“Isumi-kun, quit kidding around,” Sora, who believed Isumi had amnesia, said.

“I’m Manabu Maruki, the class representative along with Isumi-chan.”

“I see. My apologies. I’ve been a bit confused due to the accident. I’m sorry, Maruki-kun.”

“I understand. That must have been tough. However, that doesn’t excuse resorting to violence against Sasakura-kun.”

“Sasakura? You mean that chubby boy?”

Upon Isumi’s words, Manabu chuckled and adjusted his glasses with his right hand.

“I wonder what happened to you, Isumi-kun. I may not be able to compare to you, but I thought you were an outstanding student in our class.”

“Well, I appreciate your kind words.”

“Let me advise you; chosen individuals like you and me shouldn’t associate with losers like Sasakura-kun or Aoi-kun. Kageyo-kun may be your twin, so you can’t ignore him entirely, but he’s still a loser. It’s best not to engage with him more than necessary.”

Quite the condescending attitude, I must say. Of course, I won’t let a child’s petty remarks bother me.

Isumi responded to Manabu, “I don’t quite get it, but if we talk about the recent incident, it was Sasakura who started it.”

“I see. So, you claim it was self-defense. True, he’s a bully, so it might be understandable. However, I feel it was a bit too much. Wasn’t it excessive self-defense?”

“…I don’t really get it. What’s wrong with retaliating against an attack?”

Manabu narrowed his eyes at Isumi’s words.

“I see. So, that’s your answer. Disappointing, Isumi-kun. I thought you were the only capable person in the class who could come close to my level. Are you really sinking to Sasakura-kun’s level?”

He sure talks a lot. Although irritating, it’s just childish babbling. There’s no point in paying any more attention to it.

I said to Manabu.

“Manabu-kun, sorry to interrupt, but if that’s all you have to say, could you please let me take my seat for now?”

Upon my words, Manabu sneered with a condescending expression and snorted.

“Kageyo-kun, I don’t want to talk to losers like you.”

“Why do you consider me a loser?”

“Scoring below 80 on tests at a public elementary school? That’s the definition of a loser. Moreover, you always get below 50 points, don’t you?”

“I see, you’re talking about academic performance.”

“If you want to talk to me, at least get all subjects above 80. Well, even then, it wouldn’t matter to me, given that I always score 100, and Isumi-kun scores above 90.”

Manabu chuckled confidently.

I let out a small sigh.

“So, that’s how you see things, Manabu-kun.”

“What’s wrong? Do you have a problem with it?”

“No, I think it’s great that you excel in your studies.”

“Hmph, if you understand that, then keep quiet.”

“However, looking down on others just because you’re talented isn’t a wise approach.”

Manabu squinted his eyes and glared at me.

“What do you mean?”

“If you were truly intelligent, you would understand without needing an explanation.”

“Hmph. It’s probably just some foolish talk about benevolence, where the strong help the weak.”

I didn’t mean it that way, though.

Manabu continued further.

“Due to my idiotic parents’ decision, I had no choice but to attend a public elementary school. But for middle school, I’ll go to a private one. Then, I’ll enter the University of Tokyo, become a bureaucrat, and eventually a politician. And finally, I’ll become the Prime Minister.”

The Prime Minister, huh? I recall that’s what they call the top political leader in Japan.

To have such ambitions at the age of 11 is quite an impressive goal.

However, it’s a bit unfortunate.

As a guide for his future, maybe I should give him some education.

“From my experience, those in leadership positions should focus on the strengths of others rather than their weaknesses. A good ruler knows how to utilize subordinates who excel in different aspects, like those skilled in combat and those in academics, to effectively govern the country.”

This is my insight from leading the demon tribe as their Demon Lord for 40 years.

Reward and punishment are ironclad rules in the military, but that’s only after leaders have assessed their subordinates’ strengths and weaknesses and assigned them to appropriate positions.

“Hmph, I don’t need incompetent people as my subordinates.”

“I see, that’s also one way to think about it. But imagine if there were someone better than you in every aspect, wouldn’t you be better off serving under that person rather than being their superior?”

Manabu clicked his tongue at my words.

“Kageyo-kun, you’ve become quite eloquent. It’s like you’re a completely different person from before the accident. However, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re still a loser.”

Well, well. It seems he still doesn’t get it.

I assume he’s in a state of “a frog in a well who knows nothing of the great ocean,” as the Japanese saying goes.

Well, I guess it’s okay for children to be a bit overconfident.

There’s no point in me saying more.

However, reading Kageyo’s diary has piqued my interest in something.

“Manabu-kun, you’re the class representative, right?”

“Do you really need to confirm that now?”

“No, but if that’s the case, then why did you ignore Sasago’s bullying during the first semester?”

“Hmph, I don’t have time to deal with such a dim-witted person. Whether you’re being bullied or not is none of my concern!”

He certainly seems capable, but it appears he lacks many qualities necessary for leadership.

However, he’s just an 11-year-old elementary school student. There’s still plenty of room for growth.

“I see, I understand now. I’ll look forward to seeing your growth from now on.”

Upon my words, Manabu trembled with humiliation.

“Who do you think you are to talk down to me, Kageyo-kun! Just watch, I’m different from losers like you! I will definitely become a successful person!!”

“Sure, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

I replied with a smirk and a chuckle.