This World Needs a Hero - Chapter 42

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Chapter 42

Focused expression.

With strands of hair cascading down, the Hero sweeped through the items in the cart meticulously, down to the smallest details.

He recalled the conversation from a minute ago.

“Excuse me. Can I take a look at these?”

Despite the abrupt request, I responded without hesitation, wearing Archbold’s characteristic friendly smile.

“Oh, student, these are the items that need repairing.”

“I know. That’s why I wanted to see them.”

“Hmm?”

“…Is that not okay?”

“Haha, there’s nothing that can’t be done. Feel free to take a look.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded slightly, acknowledging her gratitude.

Surprisingly, it was a very courteous attitude.

Suddenly I remembered yesterday.

“I can’t understand why I got a score of 1.”

…Well, you were only being blunt with me.

‘…Well, she was asking me for a favor quite insistently.’

I realized.

The Hero, who seemed a bit upset for a moment, could quickly understand her intention for coming here.

Probably because of the words I uttered after yesterday’s class.

“Understanding the power, habits, equipment, strengths, and weaknesses of fellow comrades, even the smallest details, is a prerequisite for good party play.”

Her purpose was to examine what kind of equipment other students used for training.

With Leciel’s level of skill, just by looking at the traces left on weapons or armor, she could gather meaningful information about the owner.

‘Admirable.’

A faint smile spread across the Hero’s lips.

Witnessing a student taking advice and guidance to move in a better direction was a very satisfying experience.

“Oh, by the way, the Hero must be pleased. Even after the lecture, you’re working so diligently.”

“Ah…”

A stiff expression.

Her murmured words with an awkward expression were heard clearly.

“Whether he likes it or not…”

…The Hero became a bit more disheartened.

* * *

The next destination was the “Garden of Letters.”

It was a shop that sold various high-quality office supplies and also used one side of the store as a café.

The interior was quite luxurious, but due to the lack of customers, it was relatively quiet.

“Here you go.”

I ordered necessities such as parchment, sealing stamps, ink, quills, and more.

I didn’t realize it when using them in the research lab, but ordering all these items at once amounted to a considerable quantity.

Moreover, the amount of paperwork that Pia and I handled in a day was enormous.

“Is this for the Hero?”

“Oh, yes. That’s correct.”

“You’ve been working hard. The other assistant always looks tired. Still, it’s fortunate that a young man who seems to put in some effort has come this time.”

…Is it notorious in this place too?

I suddenly felt sorry for Pia.

Even if other assistants were strict about their requirements, having at least one temporary assistant would be beneficial in many ways.

While pondering these thoughts, a familiar voice from the corner of the café caught my attention.

“Get yourself together, Evergreen! You need to receive the outstanding academic scholarship!”

“We’re planning to go out for some fun this weekend! Other kids will be studying, you know!”

It was a familiar face—Evergreen Solintail.

She was always diligent in class.

We were scheduled to go out together for an expedition this time.

Judging by her strained expression, it seemed like she was going through a tough time.

… However, I think it would be better not to mumble to yourself.

“Ugh…”

Even the moaning sound from her mouth seemed to indicate that she had reached her limit.

I glanced at the book she was holding in her struggling hands.

It was easy to recognize from a distance—it was a book I had written.

“Ugh.”

Evergreen, who struggled with demonology, eventually collapsed.

The coffee cup on the table was empty.

The owner, who had quietly approached with the ordered items piled up like a mountain, muttered disapprovingly,

“Why are you taking so long with just one cup? Sigh. It’s already tough running this business, and you’re not helping.”

“….”

“It’s a myth that only the rich enroll. It’s just an old saying. I should close this business quickly and go somewhere else.”

It seemed that dissatisfaction wasn’t limited to just the assistants.

There were people struggling with the rudeness of the nobles, and unexpectedly, there were also merchants who felt resentment towards poverty.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

I didn’t say much. I had no intention of causing unnecessary trouble in this polymorph state.

While leaving with my belongings, I glanced at Evergreen.

It didn’t seem like she would easily get up.

The problem was the owner, who was staring sharply around with a cutting gaze.

He seemed ready to give a rebuke.

“….”

After leaving my belongings in the office, I returned to the Garden of Letters.

“Hero?”

The owner greeted me with a beaming smile that made me wonder if he wasn’t the same person I’d just met.

“What have you brought to my shop… the honour of a lifetime, nay, of a family.”

I didn’t answer, but looked around.

Evergreen was nowhere in sight.

“Thank you for your hospitality. By the way, I’d like to help with some refreshments for the children.”

“…Yes?”

“It’s a list of students from
. I want you to give them anything when they come into the shop. Writing utensils, drinks. As much as you want.”

The shopkeeper had a dumbfounded look on his face and couldn’t answer.

He hadn’t expected the Hero to come in and say such a thing.

He looked at me in disbelief.

“….”

I didn’t say anything more.

The owner seemed unable to grasp why the Hero would suddenly make such a request.

After a while, he asked with a puzzled expression, “Wh-Why all of a sudden…”

I responded without showing any emotion.

“I don’t want anyone to say that the students don’t have money.”

“…”

He couldn’t bring himself to answer and just nodded slightly.

I had no intention of a lengthy conversation.

I dropped a gold coin in front of him.

“It’s the tuition for the first semester. Is it not enough?”

“Th-that can’t be, right?”

“Alright, stop the nonsense.”

“Yes, yes.”

He trembled as he picked up the gold coin.

At least this time, I got the reaction I wanted.

“As per your orders, I will do it!”

Without any further response, I left the store.

In the distance, a silhouette carrying a heavy backpack was walking briskly.

“…Evergreen Solintail.”

If we use ‘Extreme’ as a benchmark, her talent would be about average.

However, she was an incredibly hard worker. Always focused during class and never hesitated to ask when she didn’t understand.

It was unacceptable that such a student faced academic hindrance due to a lack of money.

“It’s not a big deal, but I hope it helps.”

I posted a message on the ‘Garden of Letters in ‘Extreme,’ encouraging everyone to use it freely, and headed to the next destination.

* * *

“What, what is all this?”

Pia exclaimed, her mouth agape, looking at the items filling one side of the research lab.

The Hero casually replied, “It’s a gift.”

“Pfft!”

She couldn’t hold back her laughter.

The ‘Hero’s gift’ included a premium bedding set, scented candles, magically enchanted sleep mask, blackout curtains, and more.

All the items for a good night’s sleep were gathered together.

“Sleeping on a desk is uncomfortable, right?”

“Wow, is today my birthday? You even took care of my tasks, what should I do in gratitude?”

The Hero, looking at Pia’s blushing face, responded briefly,

“I guess it’s me who is thankful.”

“…Professor.”

At the sincerity of the words, Pia couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

A small chuckle escaped her lightly parted lips.

The Hero spoke casually, “If the workload gets tough, how about hiring an office assistant?”

“…An office assistant?”

“I thought it would be a good idea to ask Extreme children to do assistant work.”

If you participate in at least part of the process of creating a lecture, you will learn a lot.

Understanding the meaning behind his words, Pia nodded slowly.

“That sounds good.”

“Well, when the opportunity arises, I’ll suggest it to the students.”

After their conversation, they both returned to their work.

With approximately an hour until the ‘appointment,’ the Hero’s hand naturally reached for the connector.

– ‘Extreme’ Professor
– Rating: ★ 4.2 / 5.0

The lectures utilizing Simulacrum received positive responses.

The overall rating increased by 0.1 point to 4.2.

Moreover, right after the lecture, he shared the design of Simulacra with the academy workshop.

(Seeing how busy he is today, I feel a bit sorry.)

“The dean approved, so make a few and place them in the common practice room.”

Of course, they wouldn’t match the quality of Pia’s personally synthesized originals.

Individual characteristics of each student couldn’t be applied.

Nevertheless, it was sufficient for strategic practice.

For other students who had been envious, it was like a welcome relief.

– I just tried it, and it’s on a completely different level from reading tactical books and solving examples.
– Wasn’t there already a mock battle machine? What’s the difference?
└ That’s for you alone. This one allows practice for party play.
└ Oh.

Thanks to this, even students not enrolled in ‘Extreme’ were showing a very favorable response.

Negative posts that occasionally appeared were buried to the point of being hard to find.

-Thank you for coming before I graduate, Hero. Sniffle.

-Ted Redymer, my light, my inspiration, my flame… me.

A smile lingered on my lips for a bit.

If they appreciated it this much, preparing the lecture was truly worthwhile.

‘…This is enjoyable.’

The emotions I felt watching Leciel and Evergreen today resurfaced. Teaching children turned out to be more rewarding than expected.

I prepare the lessons with care.

As the children grow and progress with each lesson, it’s a strangely heartwarming feeling.

‘Was the true goal for me to reap the rewards of this?’

Of course, with the fate of humanity at stake, I shouldn’t let excessive attachment grow.

Yet, the satisfaction and affection for my disciples became one of the driving forces faithfully fulfilling the main purpose.

‘As long as I guard against excessive attachment.’

One peculiar post caught my eye at that moment.

-Wow, just ate 100 bread in the Garden of Letters.
└Gotta lie convincingly.
└No, it’s true. I stacked them up and ate them like a tower.

-It’s not a lie. I saw it too.
└The owner must be happy there.

…Happy?

A small grin formed on the Hero’s lips.

‘That can’t be.’

A gold coin.

It would be more than enough as tuition for a semester; in fact, it would be considered excessive.

However, this story was for someone who didn’t have to eat a farm every morning.

“Um, Professor?”

The Hero covered the connector and looked directly at Pia, who had finished packing.

“I was about to go in. Aren’t you leaving work? Today is unusually light, so you should take a break….”

“Ah, you go ahead. I-”

The Hero’s gaze lingered briefly on the bottom drawer of the table.

“I have an important appointment later, you see.”

At 8:00 PM.

Euphemia convened an emergency meeting of the Dawn Knights.

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