Following Todo-sensei, I was led to a room I recognized instantly from the game. It was the Honor Hall-the place students were summoned to time and again to be recognized for legendary achievements. Everyone just called it the "Award Room."
"Now then, I've called you here for one reason," Professor Todo said. "You lot achieved the highest marks during the Aptitude Test. Well... one of you is an exception, but I think the rest of you here understand why, so I'll skip the lecture."
The others gave a collective nod.
Wait, what? Am I the only one who doesn't get it? Since I was the one actually involved, could he maybe not skip the explanation? But I didn't have the stones to speak up in an atmosphere this tense, so I just stood there like a complete pushover.
"I've scouted the other classes," Professor Todo continued. "A few came close, but none surpassed you. Therefore, by my authority as Grand General of Valhalla¹, I hereby appoint Todoroki, Saionji, Hyouga, and Doumeki-the Big Four²-as the first-year Royal Guard³. And…"
The room went still.
I knew it. The Big Four of the hero's party... this was the moment they'd start being idolized by the rest of the grade.
"Wait a second, Sensei!" Todoroki shouted. "Why isn't Reo on that list?"
"I have to agree," Saionji added, his voice tight. "I know the Royal Guard slots are limited, but leaving Reo out is a mistake I can't overlook."
"He's right!" Misuzu-san cried. "Reo's test scores were low, but anyone with eyes can see that wasn't his real power. Someone like you should know that better than anyone, Sensei!"
"Seiya-sensei. I, too, find this decision very difficult to reconcile."
Wait-wait-wait! Why is the hero's party losing their minds!? This never happened in the game! Even I, the guy they're defending, think this is totally normal! Misuzu-san, that was my real strength! (Even if that S-rank in stamina was a total fluke!) And Liesha-san, why are even you pouting!?
"Shut it and listen to the end," Professor Todo growled. "Sakaki-you're going to be the first-year King⁴."
The silence that followed was deafening.
The King!? Wait, hold on... what!? The King was that one hidden character, right? The mysterious figure whose identity was never revealed! The "King of Kings" who wiped out entire armies with god-tier strategy and power! And now... that role was being handed to a background character like me?
"Geez, Sensei," Todoroki said, letting out a breath. "You should've just led with that."
"Hmph... if that's the play, then I have no complaints," Saionji muttered.
"I knew it!" Misuzu-san beamed. "That's our Todo-sensei! You really do see everything!"
"So that was the plan," Liesha-san said softly. "Please forgive my doubt, Seiya-sensei."
Why are you all just okay with this!? This is way out of my league!
"Professor Todo," Liesha-san said, turning back to him. "I understand that Todoroki-kun and the others are Sakaki-kun's Royal Guard, and that Sakaki-kun is the King. But why was I summoned?"
"Ah. Right. Liesha Edelheit."
"Yes?"
"As of today, I'm naming you my official successor," Professor Todo declared. "We'll skip the formalities since it's just us, but the short version is: you're my disciple now."
Liesha-san froze. "Are... are you certain, sir?"
"Yeah. You've got the talent, and you've already fought by my side. All that's left is to pass down my techniques. I'm officially granting you the title of Sword Saint⁵ here in Valhalla. Don't make me look bad, Liesha."
"Yes, sir!" Liesha-san replied, her voice cracking.
Tears welled in her eyes. I could guess how much that meant to her-being recognized by the person you admire most. I felt a bit of that myself, honestly. I'd managed to become friends with the very characters I used to spend my life stanning.
"That settles it," the Professor said. "You lot, pin these to your uniforms. They are the medals of the Royal Guard."
As they pinned the medals on, they looked incredible. Even over standard school blazers, they radiated a heavy, military coolness.
"And for Liesha... I don't have a certificate, but I'll entrust you with this instead."
He unbuckled his personal blade. It was Amenonohabari⁶, one of the legendary Holy Swords. Just seeing it out in the open, its aura was staggering. I could actually see the torrent of mana radiating from the steel; it was so bright it made my eyes ache.
"Thank you... truly," Liesha-san whispered. "I shall borrow it for a time, Todo-sensei."
"Borrow it? Hmph. Just make sure you master the damn thing, Liesha."
"I will!"
It was a beautiful moment between master and pupil. I was nodding along, feeling moved, when the entire group suddenly turned their eyes toward me.
"Uh... what is it?" I asked.
"Sakaki. I have my reasons for making you King," Professor Todo said, his eyes narrowing. "But the biggest one is those 'Evil Eyes'⁷ of yours. You've been keeping them active this whole time, haven't you?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah. I guess."
The Big Four looked like they'd been hit by a truck.
Wait, is that a problem?
"…Good grief," the Professor sighed. "You really are clueless. No wonder your mana rating was an F. Listen, Sakaki- 'Evil Eyes' normally drain a massive amount of energy. The fact that you can keep them running 24/7 without even noticing means your actual mana capacity is S-rank or higher."
"What!?" I yelped.
"I've heard those with 'Evil Eyes' can see the world in mana-colors," he continued. "Is that true?"
"Yeah. I mean... fire magic looks red before it's cast. Traps glow purple. I can basically tell what anything is just by the color."
The room went silent again.
Was that not normal? I mean, fire being red and water being blue was just common sense back home...
"Kid... you really don't get how broken that is," the Professor said. "If you know what's coming before it happens, you can counter anything. If you see the traps, you're untouchable. Even if you can't fight, it doesn't matter. That's what the Royal Guard is for. You're the only one here fit to be King."
I was reeling. How many bombshells was he going to drop? To think a background character like me had that kind of power...
This is a prank, right? Someone please tell me there's a hidden camera.
Summary:
Reo and the Hero's Party are summoned to the Award Room by Professor Todo. In a shocking move, the Big Four are appointed as the Royal Guard, while Reo is named the 'King,' a role traditionally kept secret. Reo's hidden potential is revealed to be linked to his constant use of 'Evil Eyes,' implying a massive mana pool.
Trivia:
- The 'King' role was an 'unknown person' in the original game's lore.
- Reo's mana test resulted in an 'F' only because his Evil Eyes were constantly draining his output.
- Liesha was officially named as Todo's successor and the 'Sword Saint'.
- Reo can perceive magic and traps by color, which Todo considers 'broken' (overpowered)
Character Insight:
Reo's imposter syndrome peaks as he is thrust into the highest position of power. Meanwhile, the Hero's Party shows unexpected loyalty to him, refusing to accept the Royal Guard positions unless he is included.
Behind the Scenes:
The 'King' reveal subverts the typical 'Mob' trope by making the protagonist the literal center of the power structure, even if he doesn't want to be.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Valhalla: The name of the elite military academy where the story takes place.
2 ↩ Big Four: The central hero group from the original game world (Shitennou).
3 ↩ Royal Guard: The personal protectors of the King within the academy's hierarchy.
4 ↩ King: A secret, high-ranking role in Valhalla, historically the strongest warrior and strategist.
5 ↩ Sword Saint: A prestigious title (Kensei) representing the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
6 ↩ Amenonohabari: A legendary 'Holy Sword' based on Japanese mythology.
7 ↩ Evil Eyes: A rare ocular ability (Magan) that consumes immense mana but grants advanced perception.
Notes:
• Reo - Reincarnated HS dude who grinded 'Brave Fantasy' 100+ times, now a bland mob in the game world—black hair, Class E #6 by the back door, F-rank stats but plot meta-knowledge + magic flow reading to sideline-support heroes. Lil' bro to Saki & Taku, survives as background bro.
• Liesha Edelheit - A student in Class E. Known as the 'Sword Saint' and the strongest sub-character. A young girl with S-rank strength and speed. She was saved by Todo Seiya in the past and blamed herself for his injury. She approaches Reo at the end of the chapter. Beautiful girl with silver hair that shimmers in the sunlight, long slender limbs, and an idol-like face. She admires Todo Seiya.