This World Needs a Hero - Chapter 3

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Chapter 3

As soon as someone got off the carriage, it was confirmed.

“Professor Ted Redeemer!”

“Welcome to Rosenstark Academy!”

All the servants immediately bowed their heads and roared loudly.

The professors were no exception.

A brief silence passed.

A pleasant voice responded to the greetings.

“Yeah, nice to see you all.”

Those who couldn’t dare to look at him finally lifted their heads slightly.

A young man with ash-colored hair stood motionless, gazing up at the professor’s building.

‘…Is that the Hero?’

Those who had never met him all had the same thought.

‘Surprising, isn’t he?’

A well-groomed, handsome face.

With round glasses on top, he seemed more like a young and capable scholar belonging to some society rather than a reversal Hero.

The giant greatsword behind him felt awkward.

But because of the Hero’s physique, the impression given by his face quickly reversed.

“What a physique…”

One of the maids unintentionally murmured.

Well-defined muscles, like well-fitted armor, enveloped his body seamlessly.

Due to near-perfect proportions, his body looked elastic and beautiful like that of a wild animal.

However, it was still too early to be surprised.

“…Are those scars?”

People sighed quietly.

It was because of what they saw beyond the half-rolled-up sleeves of the Hero.

Numerous scars, like fish scales, covered his forearms as they intertwined like the tail of a fish.

‘No, does he have so many wounds on his arms?’

The professors who handled swords couldn’t help but be amazed.

The arms were a critical area that needed to be protected along with the internal organs.

Because nerves and tendons were intricately entangled, any injury could immediately hinder combat.

‘If there are so many scars on his arms, how many more on his torso?’

People once again realized.

The man before them, a swordmaster who had traversed a battlefield unimaginable to them.

Tada!

A cheerful footstep shattered the silence.

“Hero! How long has it been!”

It was Yussi.

She wore high heels that exceeded a palm’s width and trotted skillfully.

Yussi’s cheeks, which arrived in front of the Hero in no time, turned red.

“Long time no see, Yussi.”

“Have you been well? Wasn’t it uncomfortable coming here? What about meals? Oh, those glasses you used to wear! They still suit you well.”

“You’re still as noisy as ever.”

“This is also for your reference.”

The academy servants doubted both their eyes and ears at the same time.

But the Hero’s subsequent reaction was even more peculiar.

“I prepared a modest welcome party…”

“Next time.”

“Oh, then how about a tour? The structure has changed a lot since you used to attend…”

“That, too, we’ll postpone to later.”

“Hero!”

“I’m tired.”

The Hero walked past the neatly arranged maids and professors, entering the main building of the professor’s quarters.

Even among them was a senior professor who had taught him in the past, but a brief nod was the extent of their interaction.

People watched in bewilderment as the Hero’s broad entrance disappeared into the building.

Alone, Yussi smiled subtly.

“Disperse.”

People hurriedly scattered in all directions.

* * *

The lodgings were arranged on the top floor of the professor’s quarters.

It was a space so dazzling and luxurious that it was astonishing.

As soon as I entered the room, I locked the door and drew the curtains.

‘…Much better.’

Unlike the institute, there are too many new figures here.

I had done as much preliminary research as possible, but contacting others could be postponed until a thorough plan was in place.

“…Rosenstark.”

I looked down through the curtains at the vast academy grounds spread out endlessly.

Suddenly, the words of the Hero from the past came to mind.

“Humans die too easily, and talent is endlessly needed. If it weren’t for Rosenstark, we would have been defeated by the demons long ago.”

“Even from a functional perspective, it’s undeniably a gem-like place.”

He, who rarely had any change in expression, would often smile when talking about Rosenstark.

It was probably because he had met most of his precious comrades here.

‘Certainly an extraordinary place.’

One of Doppleganger’s habits is ‘observation.’

Understanding the target was necessary for polymorphing, so it was only natural.

I briefly observed the faces of the professors who had just passed by.

Most of them seemed more intense than expected.

If it had been before training with the Hero, I might have felt considerable pressure.

‘…There were quite a few who looked at me with subtly hostile eyes.’

“Human relationships can gradually improve.”

I was once a wanderer who traveled across the continent.

With the insights and adaptability derived from those numerous experiences, handling oneself in a group was quite effortless.

Actually, there are urgent matters to attend to.

“There are things to prepare for before the start of the term… Let’s see.”

From now on, I am unquestionably a ‘professor.’

I have to teach students as soon as the term begins.

The level of students entering Rosenstark is on a different dimension from an ordinary academy.

Especially this year’s freshmen, boasting the highest level ever, thanks to the news of the Hero’s appointment.

To take on the role of teaching these monsters, thorough preparation was essential.

Tock!

I adjusted my glasses.

▼
‘Operation the Iris of Laplace’
▲

The story goes back to before I became acquainted with the Emperor.

After the Hero left the world.

The Iris of Laplace operated normally.

Further explanations were added to confirm the proper transfer of authority from the Hero.

▼
The previous user, ‘Ted Redeemer,’ has been confirmed as ‘deceased’.

According to the emergency sequence, a new user is designated.

Rebooting…
▲

Some kind of guidance.

They continued to scroll down, irrelevant to my understanding.

▼
– The artifact, ‘the Iris of Laplace,’ automatically displays comments based on the information set saved by previous users.

– In addition to comments directly written by previous users,

comments virtually generated based on their thoughts and knowledge are also mixed in.

– It is also informed that the current user can learn and grow based on interactions with phenomena or situations.

– Some functions and information are currently locked.

– The automatic bind-summon function is executed.
▲

I read the explanations slowly.

The experience of reading letters floating in the air was quite unfamiliar.

Wearing it alone, a magic that interferes with the user’s vision to show virtual objects.

It was a highly advanced level of magic not easily found.

I waited eagerly for the next guidance.

Its content was quite simple.

‘Recommended completion of the tutorial.’

The tutorial introducing the functions of the artifact was short.

However, I couldn’t leave that spot for a while.

“…What exactly is this artifact?”

* * *

Now back to the present.

I, wearing the Iris of Laplace, looked at myself in the mirror.

Now, even this extraordinary performance has become quite familiar.

As I focused my mind, comments began to fill up above my face.

Now back to the present.

Wearing the Iris of Laplace, I looked into the mirror.

Now, even this extraordinary functionality has become quite familiar.

As I focused my mind, comments began to fill up above my face.

▼
Doppelganger

Hardworking

Adaptable

Skilled in improvisation

Powerful acting
▲

And so on.

The comments continued endlessly.

Through these comments, I could clearly see how the previous user, the Hero, had ‘perceived me.’

It was one of the functions of the Iris of Laplace.

A function that displays ‘comments’ based on the information the previous user stored in the artifact’s ‘information set.’

In simple terms,

This artifact, just by using it, grants the ‘perspective’ and ‘knowledge’ of the previous user.

‘Getting the eyes of a Hero.’

This was why I confidently volunteered for a position as an academy professor.

But the functionality didn’t end there.

“…Let’s start gradually.”

Activating the Iris of Laplace wasn’t just to see simple comments.

“…It might also be helpful for direct training.”

Holding the Hero’s greatsword, I walked to the center of the living room.

The structure was such that one floor was entirely dedicated to the living space, and the ceiling was so high that even raising the sword wouldn’t touch it.

The space was ample.

Taking a deep breath, I thrust the greatsword diagonally forward.

“Hup!”

Throwing my weight forward, I stabbed.

I incorporated rear slashes, parries, downward strikes, punches, and kicks during the recovery.

Imagining a virtual opponent, I moved my body vigorously.

It was the basic swordsmanship the Hero had taught me.

The swordplay continued until my shoulders became stiff.

I straightened my waist, breathing heavily.

“Hoo, hoo. Is it done?”

Text quickly appeared in the empty space.

The amount was too much to read at once.

▼
1 Second Stance – Excessive force on the front paw

3 Second Stance – Imbalance in the right pelvis

Overall – Unstable posture during directional changes

Overall – Improvement needed in balance sense and muscular strength

Overall – Insufficient abdominal pressure

Currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation…

Searching for appropriate training methods in the information set…

Comprehensive Evaluation: Appears perfect at a glance, but lacking substance
▲

The Iris of Laplace was said to generate comments based on the information, thoughts, and knowledge of the ‘previous user’ stored in the information set.

Therefore, this artifact seemed to be reproducing criticisms similar to those I received from the Hero.

“Even the comments… are harsh.”

This too was quite similar.

The Hero was a very strict person when it came to swordsmanship.

Thanks to years of effort, I could perfectly replicate the basics to the point where it was difficult to distinguish him, but receiving satisfactory praise from him was not easy.

…Anyway, this is the essence.

Wearing this allows me to borrow the vast knowledge and keen insight of the Hero.

‘Truly a specialized item for teaching students.’

Just wear it and observe; the guidance on how to teach will flow effortlessly.

No matter how genius the kids might be, in the eyes of the Hero, their level would likely be far from sufficient.

Teaching them should pose no challenge.

Moreover, this artifact has many additional functions.

▼
Searched for training methods suitable for the user

– Would you like to initiate ‘Avatar Sparring’?

– Set ‘High-Level Demon, Agni’ as the sparring avatar
▲

It was equipped with various functions necessary for getting stronger.

‘All right, let’s give it a try.’

Of course, I also know.

No matter how much I train, it will be difficult to match the extraordinary strength the Hero possessed.

However, the stronger I become, the lower the probability of this fake Hero role being exposed.

Recalling one of the comments that appeared above my face, I continued to wield the sword.

▼
Trustworthy.
▲

The feeling of fatigue quickly faded away.

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