This world is truly bizarre.
Even the name of the town hints at something unusual, but the strangest part is undoubtedly the Heroic Spirits.
Calling them Heroic Spirits isn't entirely accurate. They are neither the actual figures from the Throne of Heroes nor Servants summoned in spiritual bodies. Instead, they are just ordinary people.
They don't possess earth-shattering power or the enmities from myths and legends. They won't fight to the death upon encountering each other.
The only similarity they share with the Heroic Spirits in Eiji's memories is their appearance and personality.
His mother, Minamoto-no-Raikou, and his younger sister, Okita Souji, are prime examples of this.
Though their bodies and faces are identical to their past selves, and their personalities bear some resemblance, there is nothing beyond that.
It feels as if someone forcibly pulled them down from the Throne of Heroes, erased their past memories, and let their previous lives vanish like drifting dust, granting them an utterly ordinary second life.
Not just them—over the past 15 years, Eiji had discovered that there were quite a few such Heroic Spirits in the town of Kinoko.
Without exception, they all had only the past of ordinary people—growing up normally in this town, then getting married and having children like anyone else.
Had he accidentally stepped into some kind of comedic world?
At first, Eiji had countless speculations. But as time passed, he gradually got used to it and stopped bothering with such absurd things.
However, after synchronizing memories with his counterpart in the Rakudai world last night and awakening his true spirit, he found himself caring about it once again.
His counterpart in the Rakudai world was currently rushing toward Hagun Academy, having temporarily cut off their synchronization, hoping he would make it in time.
Meanwhile, this version of him was burdened with the task of training. If both of them trained together, their progress would be much faster.
Now that he had regained his memories, he also shared that same obsession and desire to become stronger.
Class 1-A.
Located at the farthest end of the second floor after a left turn—the third classroom.
There were around thirty students in the class. When Eiji stepped through the door, the usual awkward silence followed, and then a group of boys and girls eagerly came up to greet him.
His charm, which could rival Freya's, was truly absurd. Regardless of gender or species, people were drawn to him like he was a black hole.
"We're in the same class!"
Not long after, an orange-haired girl entered Class 1-A, smiling as she approached Eiji.
"Thanks for helping me out just now! My name is Suzuka Gozen. Let's get along from now on!"
She smiled politely, greeted him, and then walked away, keeping a respectful distance.
Unlike the others who were overly eager, she left a good impression on Eiji.
Even if they weren't actual Heroic Spirits, they still felt different from ordinary people.
Of course, it wasn't just because her skirt was flowing too much, making it seem like there was nothing underneath.
Sigh.
Life is always about gaining something and losing something in return.
For instance, after gaining unparalleled charm, Eiji could no longer experience the woes of being unpopular.
"Yo, Ali, what are you looking at?"
Eiji idly gazed out the window.
He had instinctively chosen a seat in the back row by the window.
Sensing his mood of not wanting to talk, no one lingered near him, which he found quite relaxing.
Before long, the chair in front of him screeched as someone pulled it back and plopped down.
"Afoot, what a coincidence! You're in this class too?"
Eiji withdrew his gaze and looked at the boy in front of him.
The boy had messy green hair, sharp and determined eyes, and well-defined facial features. Even through the school uniform, his solid muscles were apparent—a true rugged and handsome guy.
With a bright and cheerful smile, he slouched in his chair, exuding a carefree demeanor. He looked unruly, but in reality, he was quite loyal.
"Can you stop calling me that nickname?"
"Why should I? Isn't it fitting?"
"I mean, yeah, I'm fast, but you could call me 'Achilles' or 'Lys.' 'Afoot' just sounds weird."
Achilles furrowed his brows, clearly uncomfortable.
Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall and built like he was on steroids, he was also 15 years old like Eiji and a student of Class 1-A. Back in middle school, he had been the star athlete of the track team and one of the rare physically talented idols in the school.
"By the way, what were you looking at just now?"
"The school gate. Looks like some new student arrived with quite a grand entrance."
From his seat by the window, Eiji had a clear view of the school entrance.
A long line of black cars was parked at the gate.
Dozens of men in black suits stepped out of the vehicles and immediately began working, carefully rolling out an expensive red carpet from the car door all the way to the school building.
What an extravagant waste! Shameful!
From the longest limousine in the center, a butler-like man got out of the front seat and respectfully helped a blonde girl out of the back.
What a remarkable coincidence!
Eiji, utilizing his Level 4 vision, immediately identified the girl walking into the gate with a commanding presence.
Lavish, dignified, and full of style!
The moment he saw her face, he recognized her.
There were a few students on campus who looked somewhat similar to his sister, Okita Souji, but ones with such a fateful connection? Not many.
"That's the daughter of the Roman Financial Group!"
Achilles also noticed her.
He clicked his tongue in amazement and sighed in envy.
"If I were rich, I'd totally do the same one day!"
That overwhelming aura of superiority made Achilles jealous.
"The Roman Financial Group…"
Eiji fell into deep thought.
Heroic Spirits hidden in plain sight weren't limited to Kinoko City.
In reality, traces of Heroic Spirits could be found in all aspects of this world.
For example, the Roman Financial Group was founded from scratch by none other than the legendary "Emperor of Commerce," Romulus Quirinus. In less than twenty years, he had turned it from a fledgling company into a dominant economic force in the country and an internationally renowned business empire.
"Achilles, why would the daughter of such an international conglomerate's chairman come to a middle-of-nowhere town like ours to study?"
"You're asking me? Who should I ask?"
Fair point.
No need to dwell on such details.
It's anime logic—things don't always have to make sense.
"Oh, right, Eiji, do you know who our homeroom teacher is this year?"
"You know?"
"I do."
Achilles' face suddenly twisted in pain.
"All I can say is, she's the school's infamous 'Queen.' She's a strong advocate of Spartan education. One mistake, and you'll get penalized. We probably won't be able to skip class anymore—"
"Everyone, sit down properly! Anyone who fails to do so will be thrown out immediately!"
Before he could finish his sentence, a domineering female voice cut in, leaving no room for argument.
Her presence instantly struck fear into everyone in Class 1-A.
Both boys and girls alike displayed sheer terror.
"We're doomed… Why is she our homeroom teacher this year?!"
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹