When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master.

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Will was astounded. He thought, ‘So there are many incredible people in the world.’ Candice Elemental was a name he had never heard before. On the other hand, he was familiar with Fish Ocean Fist.

Will had expected Candice to lose, but that wasn’t true. She won with what could only be described as overwhelming strength.
“The world really is a big place…”

As he said this, Will stepped a little away from the venue to take a bathroom break before the next match. That’s when a kind young man approached him.
“Oh, are you… Could you be Will, who placed third in the men’s division yesterday?”
“Uh, yes, that’s me.”
“Wow, that’s incredible. I watched your match, and it was truly magnificent. Oh, pardon me, my name is Carmira.”
“Thank you, nice to meet you…”

(‘Carmira? As in, the Carmira Corporation?’)

The Carmira Corporation had started as a humble enterprise from an ordinary man named Carmira. It was famous for rapidly distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, making a fortune.

“Really, you were fantastic. I was so moved that I almost cried… So, Will, do you study swordsmanship under anyone?”
“Uh, well…”

Will recalled Hero Dan telling him not to disclose their relationship to anyone.
“No, I’m self-taught.”
“That’s even more remarkable… really, you’re self-taught? That’s such a waste. You see, I’m in the business of introductions. I’m acquainted with various fencing instructors, S-rank adventurers, magic specialists, etc.”
“Oh, wow! That’s incredible!”
“So, would you consider coming to my research institute? We’re researching the concept of strength.”
“Researching strength…”
“Yes, you could become even stronger than you are now. Like a hero, even.”
“Really? Are you serious?”
“Yes, of course.”
“…Um, can I take some time to think about it?”
“Of course, I’ll look forward to a positive response.”

With that, the man who introduced himself as Carmira walked away.

“…I’ve been trained by Hero Dan, so it would only be right to receive guidance from someone else if I asked him. That would be disrespectful to Dan… But various swordmasters, S-rank adventurers, magic specialists—I can’t use magic, and a ‘Strength Research Institute’ sounds intriguing… I want to check it out.”

“I have to become like Hero Dan someday… I need to become stronger—”
“—You should avoid it.”
“Huh?”

Turning around, he saw the familiar iron mask and the weighty voice. It was Hero Dan, the man Will looked up to.

“H-Hero Dan!?”
“Stay away from that guy… he smells fishy. Like a rotten gutter.”
“Really? He seemed nice, but if you say so…”
“Yes.”
“Understood! I’ll avoid him!”
“Good. It’s better for you to diligently train within your limits. It’s not about having various techniques or instructors. Everyone has different philosophies, teaching methods, and perspectives. If his teachings contradict mine, you’ll be confused. And what happens if you’re confused on the battlefield?”
“Ah! I—I would die.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m not a fan of having multiple mentors. This isn’t about what I want; it prevents you from getting confused. But if you insist, I won’t stop you. Do as you wish.”
“N-No! I’d get overwhelmed if I tried to learn from multiple people. I should focus on learning as much as possible from the strongest person before me.”
“You’re getting the idea.”
“Y-Yes! I’m thrilled to hear you say that!”
“Good, keep it up.”
“Yes!”

Will forgot about Carmira’s words. He had thought of going to the research institute to become more muscular, but he dropped the idea when Hero Dan told him not to. Weighing the merits of not going and the demerits of going, he began to walk again.

◆◆

“Waaah! Daaan-samaaaa!”
“Calm down.”
“But, but…”

Candy, who had won the match, was crying for some reason. What happened? Was she so happy about winning?

“Th-That was, uhm, not my real self; it’s my blessing’s effect.”
“I’ve heard before that your character changes because of your blessing. The usual, you are the normal one, right? I know today’s mood swings are due to the blessing, so don’t worry.”
“I-If you say so, I’ll stop crying.”

She had been crying a lot, but she managed to stop. Good. It must be tough having a blessing that causes this kind of issue. But perhaps it’s because she’s a girl that she’s concerned about her public image?

“Anyway, well done. Keep it up in the next match as well.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best! By the way, do you know about the Carmira Trading Company?”
“I don’t know.”
“I thought so. I don’t understand, but they approached me before and asked me to become their disciple.”
“I see. Do as you please.”
“…I thought you’d say to stop.”
“How you use your free time is up to you.”
“You’re that kind of person, aren’t you… Well, I refused.”
“I see.”
“Yes, having multiple instructors leads to various ways of teaching. How they teach and see things; each person has different thoughts. If there are two mentors and their teachings contradict, it creates confusion. I don’t like confusion; it can be deadly.”
That’s deep. I should remember that.
“Heh, you understand well. That’s what I wanted to say.”
“As expected! You deliberately let me think for myself to find the best solution!”
I wasn’t really thinking that, but let’s go with it.
“Also, there’s another reason I refused, although I think it’s unrelated. Carmira Trading Company has approached other strong people as well. All those they approached seem to have become stronger.”
“I see.”
“It’s not a problem, but… all the people they approached have become bodyguards or mercenaries for Carmira Trading Company. They all belong to Carmira.”
“I see.”
Could this Carmira person simply have a lot of influence? They say, ‘Become my disciple,’ once you become strong, you also realize how influential Carmira is and decide to stick with them?

Well, it doesn’t matter.
After talking with Candy, I removed my iron mask and walked down the street when I spotted Will. Who’s that? The one trying to talk to him…

I didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but I listened for a moment. Hmm, someone came to scout Will. They must be interested in him after his performance in yesterday’s tournament.
— Good for you, Will.

I know how good it feels to be acknowledged by someone. If a significant trading company comes to scout you because they think you can become even more vital, that’s an honor. I can only watch over you once weekly; you should do what you want. Will, you’ve been doing well. You’ll surprise me by becoming incredibly strong when you return.
You’ve got my support, Will.

…

…Wait a minute. Candy said something. Everyone scouted and became stronger, mercenaries or bodyguards, absorbed into the trading company… What if Will falls for this Carmira person’s charm?
Would he say he’s quitting as my disciple?

“Compared to a hero, I can become stronger with the Carmira Trading Company. And since Carmira-san is such a good person… I’m quitting as your disciple.”
It might turn out that way. To be honest, I have no charisma, no popularity. People are just fooled by my flimsy mask. Things have gone well precisely because they’re deceived.

If Will receives instruction from a genuinely special teacher at this point, my lack of charisma and teaching ability might be exposed.
“I will serve Carmira-san rather than being the Hero’s successor!”
That would be the worst-case scenario. One way or another, I’ve nurtured him up to this point. As a successor to the hero… although Will is still developing among my disciples and can barely place third in minor tournaments, I have some expectations for him as a successor.

Letting him go to a man who appears charismatic might overshadow the dream of becoming the hero’s successor. And if he switches from my instruction to Carmira’s Trading Company, the world may learn about my lack of teaching skills. In that case, my other disciples would also be in trouble. The revelation that I lack teaching skills could lead to questions like, “Wait, I’m also receiving instruction from the hero?” which might even expose my simultaneous commitment to seven disciples. That would lead to a significant backlash.

…Will decline the offer from Carmira Trading Company.

“Someday, I have to become like Hero Dan… I want to become stronger—”
“—Just don’t.”
“Huh?”

That was close; he seemed a bit motivated there.
“Stay away from that guy… he smells fishy. Like a rotten gutter.”

I can’t afford to be fussy anymore. I have to protect my disciple from Carmira Trading Company’s clutches at all costs… but, sorry, Carmira Trading Company, for speaking ill of you!
“Really? He seemed nice, but if you say so…”
“Yes.”
“Understood! I’ll avoid him!”
“Good. It’s better for you to diligently train within your limits. It’s not about having various techniques or instructors. Everyone has different philosophies, teaching methods, and perspectives. If his teachings contradict mine, you’ll be confused. And what happens if you’re confused on the battlefield?”
“Ah! I—I would die.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m not a fan of having multiple mentors. This isn’t about what I want; it prevents you from getting confused. But if you insist, I won’t stop you. Do as you wish.”
“N-No! I think I’d get overwhelmed if I tried to learn from multiple people. I should focus on learning as much as possible from the strongest person before me.”
“You’re getting the idea.”
“Y-Yes! I’m thrilled to hear you say that!”
“Good, keep it up.”
“Yes!”
I managed to save Will from the clutches of Carmira Trading Company at the last moment by showering him with praise. Phew, that was close. You really are my most high-maintenance disciple.

◆◆

“Carmira-sama, Candice Elemental, whom we approached earlier, has defeated Miu, a master of Fish Ocean Fist.”
“Is that so… It’s unfortunate she declined our support. I thought she would make a good example…”
“Do we have other candidates for our samples?”
“Yes, a few. However, the quality of the subjects is generally low. The male competitors from yesterday’s tournament would serve as good samples, but after all, they are only human and fought at a low level.”

Slightly away from the Warrior Tournament venue, Carmira is sitting on a bench. Next to him stands a man in a black robe, seemingly providing some sort of report.

“By the way, I heard that the fake Hero Dan religion, also a source of our funding, was destroyed yesterday. Do you know who is responsible?”
“No, the word is that it was done by Overlord Sakura.”
“That’s not possible. He and I are both evolution-type I Firsts, the closest to gods within the New Human Creation Dorm. Someone of Overlord Sakura’s level couldn’t have possibly done it…”
“Could it be the real hero?”
“That’s also unlikely. He’s said to be weakened due to the curse of the Curse King. Even in his prime, he’d be a challenge, but in his weakened state, could he win? The silver-haired warrior that appeared in the Fairy Nation is more likely.”
“…Is it true that Hero Dan is weakened by a curse?”
“Probably. I’ve heard that the real Curse King attacked him for that reason. That’s why it’s unfortunate. If he were at his peak, I would have surpassed him in a year. I wanted to fight him before he got weak.”
“…That is truly unfortunate.”
“Well, our ultimate goal is the ancient gods and demon gods. The hero doesn’t particularly matter in the grand scheme of things… but, oh well.”
“Shall we look for new samples soon?”
“Yes, some of the recent acquisitions have become unusable… We must set our sights on new samples. There needs to be more experimentation. To get closer to god, we must exhaust every means possible, no matter how cruel.”