*Note: This time the story is from Katsuragi Saizou's point of view.
"Blehhh......blehhh......urrrgh......" I gagged.
"What's wrong, Saizo, you already worn out?" Tokuda called out.
"Allow it......I'm not done yet......" I spat back.
I'm running around the outside of the Training Ground while throwing up everywhere......actually, I'm just pretending to run at a pace that's no different from walking, wobbling along.
The reason I'm showing off such a pathetic sight is because I know that if I can't move, I'll die.
Ever since I got Summoned to this world, I've been bluffing left and right to enjoy the Other World life I always wanted.
Of course, I'm aware I've been making people dislike me.
Luckily, when it comes to Magic aptitude, I've managed to show that I'm head and shoulders above the others who got Summoned with me, but who knows how long that'll last.
Besides, if we're going out to hunt Evil Dragons and monsters, not being able to move makes the chance of dying shoot way up.
Even if I attack with Magic, I first need a body that can dodge and run.
So, in exchange for teaching Magic, I asked Tokuda to train me on building up my physical condition.
Tokuda is a serious mixed martial arts guy, so he never skips training to keep his body in shape.
I stroked his ego about always keeping his body ready for a fight, and Tokuda happily offered to coach me.
The Magic lesson from the day before also played a part in this.
The Magic Tokuda got is wind attribute, and his Magic Power value is 1800 Mete1.
His Magic Power value is about 500 Mete lower than mine2, but even so, from the locals' point of view, he's a monster-level threat.
However, Tokuda, who has devoted himself to fighting with his own body until now, had a hopeless lack of talent for using Magic.
"Tch, if all it can do is make a big fan, it's useless......" Tokuda grunted.
"Nah, that's not it. Wind's force is invisible, innit. Stuff you can see, you can dodge, but stuff you can't see, you can't avoid. Say you blast compressed air straight into someone's eyeball?" I explained.
"You'd blind 'em!" Tokuda realized.
"Hideki's fighting instincts are proper mad. Just throw off your man's stance a bit, blind him, catch him slipping, then in close combat you're unbeatable," I pressed on.
"I see......so it's all about how you use the weapon," Tokuda nodded.
In fact, just by getting a tiny bit of Magic support, Tokuda's viciousness went up by a ton.
He already had high physical ability, but with Magic he can land hits from positions he couldn't reach before, and he can shoot down the opponent's Magic.
Once Tokuda realized that just taking my advice easily raised his combat ability, he started seeing me as a capable trainer.
The reason he puts up with me during physical training is probably because he thinks I'm someone he can't do without.
There's another reason I'm showing off such a pathetic sight.
It's to build an alibi against the people watching us.
Right now, we're seen as useful for hunting that Evil Dragon, so we're allowed to get away with some selfishness.
If it turns out we're all talk and completely useless, of course their attitude will change.
Of course, if they turn hostile and try to harm us, I intend to fight back without mercy, but I'm not about to start a fight that doesn't need to happen.
If I make them think I can use powerful Magic and am preparing to hunt the Evil Dragon, at least they won't attack us.
"Alright, Saizo. That's it for today, nice fight!" Tokuda shouted.
Just as I finished the planned laps, Tokuda called for me to stop, but I stepped into one more lap.
"One more......" I panted.
"Nah, man, your body's completely out of shape. Doing any more just gonna get you hurt, it's pointless. I respect the guts, but that's it for today," Tokuda stopped me.
"Say less......pathetic......" I muttered.
"Hey, don't trip. I'll whip you into shape in no time," Tokuda grinned.
"Yeah......or I'm gonna get left behind by the strongest warrior," I chuckled weakly.
"Damn right, we gonna rule this world as the strongest warrior and the strongest Magic user, don't fall behind," Tokuda laughed.
"Haah......that's mad," I sighed.
"Ahahahaha......" Tokuda cracked up.
The Yankee Group throws hostility at any outsider without discrimination, but once you're one of them, it's way more comfortable than you'd expect.
They seem to think I'm necessary and someone to protect because I've shown combat ability with Magic, teaching skill for Magic, and negotiation power with the Soldiers.
But on the other hand, there are also people who throw hostility at me.
"Katsuragi, got a minute?" Uda called out.
Just as I was washing my face at the well and about to head back to the lodging, Uda from the Fulfilled-Life Group called out to me.
He's the star scorer of the Soccer Club, a bit dumb but a social butterfly and the center of his group.
When we came to this Training Ground, the Yankee Group and the Fulfilled-Life Group got separate lodgings.
"What do you want?" I asked coldly.
"Ah, I want you to change your attitude toward the Soldiers a bit," Uda demanded.
"No need......" I dismissed him.
"Don't screw around! Because of you, we're getting hated on too!" Sakuma snapped, grabbing my collar.
"Stop it, Koji3......" Sakuma muttered, trying to pull Uda back.
Sakuma, who grabbed at me, is a defender on the Soccer Club, and always follows Uda around like a goldfish's poop.
The other one, Tanuma, who's smirking down at me, is on the baseball team, and these three are the core members of the Fulfilled-Life Group.
"Are you lot dumb or what......" I muttered under my breath.
"What'd you say, you!" Sakuma barked.
"I'm drawing the Soldiers' hate toward me. You lot need to work your way in smoothly and get better treatment. Got more girls on your side, so do a proper job. Ain't no point in me standing out otherwise," I explained sharply.
"You......" Sakuma stammered.
Seeing Sakuma's grip loosen in surprise, I roughly shook him off and shoved him away.
"Make the Soldiers believe we ain't linked, that we're the problem ones and you're the group they can actually talk to. On top of that, do what you need to do, but demand proper treatment in return. Use your head a bit, you muscle-brains......" I continued calmly.
"Sorry, I didn't think you were thinking about all that......" Uda muttered.
"Dumb youth! What were you listening to? I just said we ain't linked! We don't know where the Soldiers are watching from. What are you getting all friendly for? I'll say it again, act like we ain't linked, dumbass!" I yelled back.
To make sure it was safe even if a Soldier heard, I cursed them out in Japanese, then used Magic to draw a line of fire between me and the three.
"Use your head, talk in Japanese so it's calm if you're overheard, and pass on the message like you're cussing each other out. Protect the girls properly, you dumbasses!" I added.
"Sh-shut up, you better not get taken out by the Soldiers yourself!" Sakuma shouted back.
"Make sure you demand better treatment! There are probably people struggling mentally from the change in environment, so don't forget to care for them too!" I called over my shoulder.
"I never even thought of that! Thanks!" Uda called back.
We passed on our messages while trading insults, then turned our backs and walked off to our separate lodgings.
Of course, it's not like I'm being hostile to the Soldiers with that kind of plan in mind.
I just don't want to be looked down on, and I'm doing whatever I want.
It's because the people who don't join the Fulfilled-Life Group get lectured at with that holier-than-thou attitude like this.
We got amazing Magic, so why would I live like a good little kid following all the rules? It's too stupid to bother with.
I'm gonna have fun in this Other World with Tokuda and the others.
Trivia:
- Saizo's internal monologue reveals that his entire relationship with Tokuda is built on mutual strategic benefit: Tokuda sees a competent trainer, Saizo sees a protector and alibi.
- The line of fire Saizo draws between himself and the Fulfilled-Life Group serves double duty: it physically separates them and visually reinforces the "we are not comrades" narrative for any Soldiers watching.
- Saizo's real reason for hating the Fulfilled-Life Group is not strategic but personal: they lecture him with a holier-than-thou attitude, and he refuses to live like a good little kid despite having incredible power.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ A fictional unit of measurement for Magic Power in this world, similar to a numerical power level system. The exact scale is unclear, but 1800 Mete is considered monster-level by local standards.
2 ↩ This is roughly 500 Mete lower than Saizo's own Magic Power value, placing Saizo at approximately 2300 Mete.
3 ↩ A Japanese male given name, used here by Sakuma to address Uda.
Notes:
• Saizou - A classmate with an enormous magic value over 2300 Mete, more than ten times that of an average adult man. He is calm, sharp, and quick to see through the kingdom's scheme to collar the summoned students. He negotiates directly with the Queen and demands an apology and fair treatment as guests. He openly plans to enjoy the other world and agrees to cooperate in defeating the evil dragon. The narrator describes him as a dramatic fat otaku with a smug face.
• Saizo - Classmate who was given fire magic. Normally a quiet otaku in class but seizes the spotlight during the summoning. Uses dramatic chunibyo poses and shows off his power to gain leverage in negotiations. Takes charge of questioning the queen.
• Tokuda - Central figure of the yankee group. Close to 180 centimeters tall with heavily trained muscles. Reportedly practiced full-contact martial arts. Demonstrates physical strength through his grip when shaking hands. Listens seriously to Souza's advice after witnessing his power. Pragmatic and eager to enjoy the new world without restraint.
• Uda - The star scorer of the Soccer Club and a central member of the Fulfilled-Life Group. Socially dominant but not particularly intelligent. Confronts Saizo about the group's strained relationship with the Soldiers.
• Sakuma - A defender on the Soccer Club who follows Uda around constantly. Quick to anger and physically confrontational. Member of the Fulfilled-Life Group.
• Tanuma - A member of the baseball team who smirks down at others. One of the core members of the Fulfilled-Life Group.