The Original Body and the Talent Test
"Upsy-daisy..." I sat up in bed. Moving around in this body still felt awkward no matter how many times I did it. For some reason, I was far more comfortable in my clones than in my original form. Was it because I'd spent so much time controlling them?
"Hmm... Yeah, I really don't like this." I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and studied my reflection. The black hair and red eyes were identical to my clones, but... was I really under 160 centimeters? What the hell! I wasn't a kid anymore. This body seemed smaller than I was in middle school. Couldn't I just live as one of the clones instead? They were tall, packed with muscle, and overflowing with strength. And they even... Ahem. Never mind.
"What is this..." I looked down at my soft, squishy frame. Not a single muscle in sight. The contrast with my clone bodies was extreme. It was always worse going from good to bad than the other way around—the feeling of loss hit much harder.
"Sigh. What can I do? This is my real body, after all."
I grabbed my coat, threw it on, and stepped outside.
"Whoa. Look at this weather. Absolutely killer." Today was another pitch-black night. There seemed to be even more stars than yesterday. I loved stars. Since I controlled my clones during the day and only used this original body at night while they slept, my real self naturally lived on a nocturnal schedule. It was strange, though. I spent way more time in my clones these days. Honestly, shouldn't this body be the clone instead?
Step by step, jingle—
Anyway. I made my usual stop at the village library. I never used to be much of a reader, but with nothing else to do, books had become my escape. Besides, this body spent more than half the day sleeping, so I wasn't tired at all. I'd started reading to kill time, but learning about this world's knowledge turned out to be surprisingly fun.
"Let's see... what should I read today?"
Yesterday I'd finished a book explaining the cuisine of this world. I'd expected it to be awful compared to Earth's, but it was better than I'd imagined. Of course it couldn't match Earth's overwhelming technology, but it was still pretty decent. They had beer and plenty of snacks, after all.
I wandered through the shelves lined with countless books until one caught my eye.
"A monster encyclopedia? This looks interesting."
Monsters. This world apparently had creatures called monsters—beasts that attacked people indiscriminately. There were countless species, including some particularly unusual variants. Alright. This is what I'll read today!
I pulled the book out and headed to the counter.
"U-um... excuse me... could I... possibly... borrow this?"
The librarian stared at me with a blank expression, took the book, scribbled something down, and handed it back without a word.
"Th-thank you... Have a good day..."
"......"
The still-expressionless librarian gave a tiny nod. Satisfied, I left the library.
You might wonder why I spoke so timidly. I'm a hikikomori, okay! Talking to people isn't easy for me. Personally, it was harder than reaching the top rank in a game. It was genuinely difficult!
"Man. No matter how many times I see it, this village scenery never gets old."
As I walked home, I burned the familiar view into my mind once again. The place where I lived was Treia Village, a small coastal settlement. I gazed out from the cliffs at the ocean. Moonlight beautifully illuminated the water's surface, lighting up the endless sea. Stars floated above it like they were pouring down from the sky, packed so densely they seemed within reach. The whole scene was more than a painting—it was a masterpiece. No matter how many times I saw it, I never grew tired of it.
"Up we go."
As always, I settled onto the small bench that overlooked the breathtaking view and opened my book. The faint sound of waves. The chirping of insects decorating the deep night. The refreshing sea breeze blowing gently across my skin.
I would probably never get tired of this view, even if I stared at it for the rest of my life.
Rustle— I turned another page, gazed at the horizon, turned another page, completely losing track of time as I immersed myself in the book.
"Ah. Time to wake up soon."
The sun was beginning to rise over the edge of the sea. It was time... to return as the commander of the Ska Mercenary Group. I hurried home, lay down in bed—the softest, most comfortable one I'd experienced since coming to this world—and closed my eyes.
"Today was the day we recruited new members, wasn't it?"
I wondered what would happen. My heart was already racing with anticipation. It felt like I had truly become the commander of the Ska Mercenary Group. Like I was stepping directly into a game and writing the story myself. It was incredibly fun.
"Haaam..."
It was time to wake up. I didn't resist the wave of drowsiness and let my eyes close.
My eyes snapped open. A cozy house and the feeling of elastic, powerful muscles. I had awakened as Venice, commander of the mercenary group.
"......"
I immediately got up and checked the time. 9:20. I was supposed to meet Cerise at the Ska Mercenary Group headquarters at 10, so if I got ready now and left, I'd arrive right on time.
Creak— thud.
What man needs much time to get ready? I finished preparing in no time, stepped outside, and headed for the headquarters.
Leria Village was as peaceful as ever. There was just one difference.
'Why are there so many people?'
Leria Village wasn't small. It was large enough to be called a city, but there were usually few pedestrians. Today, however, the streets were packed. Most of them weren't ordinary civilians—they were all wearing equipment of some kind.
"No way."
Every single one of them was walking in the same direction. And at the end of that path stood the Ska Mercenary Group's headquarters.
"...Commander."
Despite my growing unease, Cerise greeted me at the headquarters with her usual blank expression.
"Vice-Commander Cerise. Are all these people really here to apply?"
"...Yes, Commander."
Cerise looked at the crowd gathered in front of the headquarters with a slightly uncomfortable expression. She had probably experienced this many times before. Yet the group had only ended up filled with thugs. She seemed worried the same thing would happen again.
"Vice-Commander Cerise, could you make numbered tickets on small pieces of paper?"
"For what reason...?"
"Managing this entire crowd one by one for the entrance test would be too troublesome, wouldn't it? If we make numbered tickets and have them burn the mana in the paper when their number is called, it'll signal their turn. It's the fastest and most efficient way."
When this many people gathered chaotically without order, the most effective solution was numbered tickets. It was also the fairest and most reliable method.
"Here they are, Commander."
"Thank you."
"........."
Cerise had produced several hundred numbered tickets in the blink of an eye. How could her hands be so fast? Anyway. I began infusing each ticket with mana in numerical order.
"Commander. May I ask why you're infusing mana into the paper?"
"Ah. Having all these people just stand around waiting would be incredibly inefficient. If I let them scatter around the village and they burn the mana in their ticket when their number comes up, it'll let us know it's their turn."
"Ah...! Such a method...!"
Cerise's usual blank face cracked slightly, replaced by an expression of genuine admiration. This was probably something unimaginable in this world. Taking a number, checking it like an appointment on a phone, and showing up at the right time. Latecomers could simply be disqualified after a short grace period. It was such an efficient, excellent system! There was no wasted time at all.
"Then, Vice-Commander Cerise, please distribute these tickets starting with those who arrived first."
"Understood, Commander."
Cerise took the tickets and began handing them out quickly and efficiently. The recipients looked confused at first, but after Cerise explained, they nodded in understanding, expressed admiration, and began to leave one by one.
"Vice-Commander Cerise. Are you ready?"
"Yes. I am always prepared."
"Good. Then let's begin."
When I burned the first numbered ticket with mana, the first applicant entered the training ground shortly after.
"...What should I do?"
"Just stand still."
The first applicant laughed as if he found it ridiculous. Well, I had the fastest method available.
'Talent Discernment.'
"Failed. Please leave."
"What? Hey..."
Rumble—
"Is there a problem?"
"...Tsk."
The first applicant looked like he wanted to say something, but when I raised my mana and stared at him, he left the training ground without making a sound.
"Commander. Is it really alright to judge them just by looking?"
"Don't worry. I have a plan."
No potential at all? Immediate failure. Unless they had at least two potential stars and additional unique abilities, I absolutely wouldn't let them join. I planned to run the Ska Mercenary Group as a small group of elites. A useless ally was more terrifying than a competent enemy. I had no intention of accepting useless allies.
"...Should I really just stand here?"
"Yes."
"Failed."
Unfortunately, you cannot join us!
After that, a parade of endless rejections unfolded. At first, Cerise looked like she wanted to say something as she watched me, but she soon wore a resigned expression and simply observed.
"...Failed."
"...Passed. That concludes everything."
"I'm not sure if this is correct, Commander..."
Whew. The hours-long parade of failures had finally ended. Cerise wasn't sure if this was right? Of course it was! I looked at the successful applicants standing at attention with nervous expressions.
'...Average of three potential stars each, with at least two unique abilities apiece. Excellent.'
Even though they looked clumsy, every single one of them had outstanding potential. This was more than enough.
"Trust me, Vice-Commander Cerise. The revival of the Ska Mercenary Group has only just begun."
"Sigh. Yes, understood."
Don't make that defeated face. It hurts my feelings. There will definitely be good results. I'll prove it with the outcome!
"Everyone, pay attention."
"...Attention!"
Good. I liked how quickly they responded. This was how it should be if I was going to train them.
"As of today, you all belong to the 'Ska Mercenary Group.' Be proud of it."
At those words, everyone basked in happiness. From the looks of it, most of them were desperate for money, so the mere fact that they could earn some made them this joyful.
Good. Shall we begin, then?
"That's enough celebration. From now on, I'll tell you what you need to do."
"Yes!"
They all stared at me with eyes full of equal parts tension and anticipation. What did they need to do? That was obvious...
"Everyone run 300 laps around the training ground. At full sprint."
There was an old saying that stamina was national power. Stamina provided a solid foundation no matter the situation.
"..........???"
"Did you not hear? I'll say it again. Run 300 laps around the training ground at full sprint."
Why are you looking at me with such blank faces? I said run.
"Um, Commander... this is a bit..."
One brave mercenary spoke up. Well, suddenly being told to run 300 laps did seem a bit much?
"Is there a problem? If you have complaints, leave the group. I have no need for members who don't follow orders."
At my words, the members finally realized something was wrong and began sprinting with sick expressions on their faces. Well. If you don't like it, then leave. What can you even do? This is all building your foundation. Got it?
".......Hah."
Cerise watched the clouds of dust rising thickly from the training ground and let out a hollow laugh. The commander was the strangest, most bizarre person she'd ever met.
'I can't predict him at all.'
What kind of eccentric behavior would this man show next? She truly couldn't see even an inch ahead. Without realizing that anticipation was blooming in a corner of her heart, Cerise stood silently beside the commander, watching over the members.
"Look at that speed! Are you even running properly?!"
Of course, Cerise was enjoying it a little too.