Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: 3. Training Begins (1)
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Kati's cat-like eyes turned toward Vivian.
"Uh..."
Vivian's hand trembled as she covered her mouth in apparent shock.
Not a good sign.
"Demonkin...?"
Her voice shook just as much.
So this was how it would go.
I'd expected as much.
Regular folks usually fled in terror at the sight of a demonkin.
Even among superhumans, some ran, while a few tried to fight.
Aria had once tried to kill Kati when she first learned her true nature.
By comparison, Vivian was handling it pretty mildly.
Kati slowly nodded in response to the question about whether she was a demonkin.
Vivian just opened and closed her mouth without saying a word.
No helping it.
I was about to tell her to put the eyepatch back on.
"Whoa..."
...Huh?
That didn't sound like fear.
"I-I've never seen a demonkin up close before... It's so fascinating..."
She was peering at Kati this way and that, full of curiosity.
What was this?
"D-Do all demonkin look like this?"
"......"
Kati stayed silent, not responding.
This wasn't the reaction I'd anticipated at all.
"Um..."
Mercy fidgeted with her lips, looking flustered too.
"Vivian? Aren't you... scared or anything?"
"Huh? Oh, well, I was a bit shocked when I realized she was a demonkin... But if she's with you, Ian, then I figure it's okay to trust her. You two seem to have been together for a while... Plus, it was pretty satisfying watching her take down my old manager earlier."
...Totally out of left field.
Now I was the one feeling flustered.
Was it okay to be this positive?
"Oh, of course, compared to useless trash like me, Kati's way more capable and beautiful, so I wouldn't dare dislike her or anything... Someone like me doesn't even deserve to be by your side, Ian..."
Scratch that positivity.
I needed to fix that self-deprecating habit of hers.
"Enough, enough. I get it. Kati, you can put the eyepatch back on now."
"Yes."
Why was she acting like this?
Kati was smiling right now.
Her face was its usual blank expression, but the corners of her mouth were ever so slightly upturned.
A smile only someone who'd known her a long time would notice.
What had her so pleased?
"Anyway... as long as you don't mind her."
"H-How could someone like me..."
"From now on, no more 'someone like me' talk."
"Ugh... It's just so habitual... B-But I'll try. Sorry..."
"'Sorry' is banned too."
"Eek..."
She grimaced in distress but nodded anyway.
Good listener.
If she kept this up, she'd be perfect.
All that was left was for her to get through the training ahead.
"B-But, um... what are Kati's abilities? Demonkin each have their own special powers... Oh, no, I shouldn't pry... Eep! I mean..."
She was getting on my nerves.
Kati glanced at me, so I nodded.
"Show her."
Kati immediately transformed into a white cat.
She had plenty of other abilities, but this was the only one suitable for showing off in public.
"Ears...! So cute... Adorably cute..."
Vivian crouched down almost prostrating herself, staring at Kati.
"C-Can I pet you...?"
Kati aloofly scratched her chin with her hind paw.
Ambiguous—could be yes or no.
When Vivian gently stroked between her ears, Kati didn't move.
"Hee... heehee..."
But only for a moment.
She soon shook her head and turned away.
"Aww... So close..."
"That's enough. Let's go."
"Where to?"
I scanned Vivian up and down at the question.
"Hey now, don't look at a lady like that."
"Just sizing her up for clothes."
Mercy's clothes were baggy on her, even if we'd accounted for some future weight gain.
Their heights were different anyway.
Vivian wasn't short, but Mercy was tall to begin with.
Her old rags were basically useless, so we'd need to buy her several full outfits.
"I-I do have my old clothes..."
"Those aren't clothes. They're rags."
"Eek..."
"Try it yourself. Rags."
"R-Rags..."
Ah, that felt refreshing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The capital had more than one square.
The one nearest the training grounds offered all sorts of supplies for heroes.
We found the largest, flashiest shop there.
It dealt in fabrics and leathers—clothing.
We blended in among aspirants and managers like ourselves.
"Welcome... Oh, Ian?"
A woman spotted me the moment we stepped inside.
Her speech was elegant and refined.
But her simply tied-back long hair and casual shirt-and-pants combo contrasted with her voice.
"Taylor. Long time no see."
Ruby Taylor.
The owner of this massive clothing emporium—and someone who knew my secret.
"What brings you here? What about your party?"
"Got kicked out."
"Pardon?"
She frowned in surprise, then burst out laughing.
"I knew those brats were rude, but I didn't think they'd go that far with you..."
All four of their outfits had been custom-made here.
Even in my second go-around, Taylor's reputation was top-tier, so I'd commissioned her early at a bargain before she blew up.
Those temperamental heroes had been picky every time.
This and that, endless demands.
The results were great, but I'd heard Taylor and her staff suffered for it.
"Oops, did I say something I shouldn't?"
"Nah, that's all in the past now. It's fine."
"Good to hear. Mercy, Kati—been a while, huh?"
"Yeah! Nice to see you."
Mercy beamed and shook hands; Kati just gave a slight nod.
"And who's the one behind you? New face."
"Uh, um..."
I introduced her instead.
"This is Vivian. She's joining the new party I'm putting together."
"Yeah, I get the vibe. Sis, come here a sec?"
Vivian timidly stepped forward.
Taylor unhesitatingly measured her shoulders, waist, and legs.
Vivian's face flushed deeper with each touch.
She'd match her hair color at this rate.
"A bit skinny, but those breasts... I'm jealous."
Oh, almost there.
"She'll fill out quick, right?"
Taylor glanced at me.
She knew the drill by now, inferring my plans effortlessly. Handy.
I just nodded.
"Got it then. We'll account for that. Man, this hair color... Once it gets some shine back, it'll be a work of art."
"Oh, uh, it's just too eye-catching for no reason..."
"Nah, no way. I'll make something that suits it perfectly. How many outfits?"
"Three each for training, combat, daily wear, and sleepwear."
"Twelve total? Noted."
Taylor jotted it down and called toward the back.
"Girls, come measure this sis up."
A few staffers came over and led Vivian away.
She kept looking back at me like she was being dragged off.
"How much for the payment?"
"Come on, Ian. What're you saying? Between us?"
Taylor grinned and elbowed me.
At the same time, I felt Kati's gaze pricking the back of my head.
I couldn't see it, but I knew.
My nape was burning.
"The money you bring in covers it. How could I charge you?"
Fair point.
The spacious shop was packed even now.
No other clothing store in the capital—or the entire empire—matched its size.
Or its crowds.
All because the 1st Hero Party got their gear here.
Aspirants and even regular folk came to get fitted or browse.
They idolized them and wanted to emulate.
"You'll regret not taking my money."
"Pass. Just bring your next party members here too. Everyone knows a party you manage will skyrocket to fame."
"That's the plan."
"Then we're good."
Hanging with celebrities had honed my business savvy.
Deals weren't always about cash.
Trading trust and goodwill like this counted too.
"Thanks again then. When will the clothes be ready?"
Hero outfits were bespoke—no same-day pickup.
"For you, I'll rush it. Two days sound good? Where to?"
"Training center, main building, room 302."
"C Wing 302. Place has changed a lot, huh?"
"Almost didn't recognize it."
Just then, a ragged Vivian returned with the staff.
I'd heard screams echoing from afar during the measurements.
She looked more exhausted than ever.
"Sis, take these too."
Taylor shoved something into Vivian's hand.
Hair ties and a comb.
"Th-Thank you..."
"See you in two days! Great seeing you, Ian!"
"Until next time, Taylor."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We were heading back with a worn-out Vivian in tow.
A crowd had gathered at a fork in the road.
There was a bulletin board there too.
Smaller than the one for famous parties like the 1st.
Had that always been there?
I tried to pass by, but Vivian stared at it intently again.
"What's that? First time I've seen it."
"Oh, that's where they post people who passed for temporary hero."
Temporary heroes too?
Bulletin boards had gotten specialized.
Curious, I peeked through the crowd.
It listed everyone who'd passed the latest exam.
Citizen reactions were noted beside them, with a few names mentioned most.
Seemed even temporary heroes were spawning celebrities now, not just official ones.
Vivian's eyes looked somehow forlorn.
Unlike when she'd gazed at Sylvia's name.
Old memories resurfacing, probably.
"I'll get your name up there too."
"Huh?"
"On that board. Vivian's name."
"Someone like me really... Eek, oh, no."
Vivian covered her mouth and gave an embarrassed smile.
"I'll believe you. Ian."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back at the dorm, I sat Vivian down.
Time to explain the training plan.
But first.
"How'd you train on your own?"
"Well, I'd repeat spells or read theory books. Sometimes ask advice from other heroes."
Standard stuff.
That's how most did it.
But my methods were far from ordinary.
They didn't align with common practices here.
The 1st Party members had argued it was nonsense when they first heard.
But I guaranteed results.
Vetted them on my own body in the second round.
"The training I'll teach you from now on will be different from anything you've done. But you have to trust me and follow along."
"Yes. I'll do my best."
Good.
Her self-deprecation was fading already.
Progress.
"Alright, first training exercise..."
I slowly explained the initial regimen.
Vivian's face twisted in utter bewilderment.