1-5 Bullying the Weakest

--Shinji’s POV--

When I arrived at the training courtyard, there were already many students there. Some of them were chatting while others were doing some free practice.

The students from the magician side were asking questions to their instructors while others were practicing their weapons that they were given.

Seem they’re working harder than I thought. However, the next scene made me very unsettled.

(Yaiba) “Come on~! Hora!”

(Hisao) “Ugh!”

(Genjiro) “Weak~ Then how about this?”

(Hisao) “Gah!”

(Ryo) “You’re so weak, Ashitaba~ You will only dragging us down with that useless effort. Let me will help you with this!”

(Hisao) “Aah!”

What I saw was Yaiba and his lackeys bullying the poor Alchemist, Hisao Ashitaba, as they keep swinging and attacking him with their sheathed weapons at an unpopulated area of the training courtyard. All of the classmates labeled him useless after they saw his stats and his progress after two weeks and the bullies took this chance to satisfy their sense of domination.

I have seen this scene several times whenever I came here and their excuse was that they helping him to train better. However, they are no doubt torturing that poor boy.

Even with this brutal scene, the classmates who noticed this turned a blind eye to this. Despite we are in the same class, there is no actual relationship between us and Hisao has no friends back at Earth so he’s struggling against their assault.

Seeing that they are getting more violent with their methods again, I walk over there to stop them. Although I have no relationship with Hisao, this kind of violence upsets me so I’m only doing this for myself.

(Shinji) “Hey, knock it off. I think he has enough of your training (bullying).”

(Yaiba) “Yo, Fujiki. How rare for a slacker like you came to this area.”

(Genjiro) “Yeah! Although this guy is useless, he’s doing something, unlike some lazy bum we know.”

(Ryo) “We’re training to fight the Demons yet all you ever did was goofing off!”

Three of them mock me while throwing some insults which I ignored. That's the title my classmates labeled me since most of the time that I went out to town. They didn’t see me training hard like the rest of them and very displeased about it, even the nobles and knights look at me with distraught eyes whenever I walk through the palace.

This is the kind of setting I’m hoping for. I didn’t tell them what I’ve been doing these weeks and show them my fake level and status. That way, it might be easier for me to leave this country in peace without causing any suspicions.

(Shinji) “What I do has no business with you all. Anyway, stop this your so-called ‘training.’”

(Yaiba) “Why on earth for a slacker like you has any right to tell me what to do? However, since you’re already here, how about you joined our little training section instead?”

(Genjiro) “Good idea. It’s time for you to finally get some training.”

(Ryo) “You’re way behind from the rest of us, but we’ll help you with that. Hehehe…”

Those guys have evil grins on their faces as I didn’t say anything and composedly stick my hands in my pockets. Normally, I will refuse and continue to tell them off which they further insult for being a coward. However, this happens too many times so I decided to mess with them a little for once.

Seeing that I didn’t refuse, Yaiba struck his fist towards me side which I dodge easily. His lackeys surrounded me and swing their stealth weapons to each side. I step back a little as they didn’t hit anything which Yaiba tries to attack me again.

Those three didn’t hesitate to get violent as they increase their attacks, but I also increase my speed as I effortless dodging their maneuvers.

(Genjiro) “What the hell?! Did he get faster all of the sudden?”

(Ryo) “Quit dodging coward! This won’t be training if you keep doing it all of the time!”

(Shinji) “Knowing your enemy's attacks and evading count as training.”

(Yaiba) “Tch! Then how about this!? ‘Fireball!’”

Seeing their efforts are wasted, Yaiba decided to use magic as he cast one of his Fire magic, ‘Fireball,’ towards me. I move away from the incoming ball of flame when Ryo activated his magic.

(Ryo) “‘Windball.’”

That guy made a small ball of wind that doesn’t look like it will hit much before flinging towards me. Sensing that its power is enough to knock a strong man and it is faster than ‘Fireball’, I hurriedly dodge the attack at the last second as it passes over me.

(Shinji) “Oi, Oi. Are you getting intense now? This is just practice.”

(Genjiro) “Shut it! ‘Earthball!’”

Feeling provoked from my words, Genjiro cast a spell which made a small clunk of rocks into a sphere. That looks like it hurt someone severely, but he doesn’t seem to care about that with an angry face of his. It appears that I might hurt his pride a little.

Before sending the attack, a girl’s voice filled with anger rang out.

(Kiyoko) “What are you doing?!”

When those thugs heard that voice, they stopped their attacks and looked nervously at Kiyoko who has an angry expression on her beautiful face. She came along with Hikaru, Mariko, Daiki, and Aki too.

(Yaiba) “No, please do not misunderstand. We were just helping Fujiki with his special training…”

(Kiyoko) “Fujiki-kun! Are you alright?”

Kiyoko totally ignores Yaiba’s excuse as she rushed over to my side. I chuckle inwardly when I saw his displeasure on his face while calming down Kiyoko.

(Shinji) “I’m fine, Miyamoto-san. Although you might want to check on Ashitaba’s wounds first. He doesn’t look so good.”

(Kiyoko) “Oh right! Sorry, Ashitaba-kun. ‘Heal.’”

Hearing my response, Kiyoko finally noticed Hisao and start casting her healing magic on him. Honesty, the moment that I’m around, nothing else matters to her. I really don’t know how to handle this.

(Mariko) “Special training? More like you’re attacking him one-sided.”

(Yaiba) “No, this is…”

(Daiki) “And before Fujiki came, you guys are being rough on Ashitaba. I don’t care what your excuse is, but it is getting troublesome.”

(Hikaru) “Even if Ashitaba can’t fight, he is a fellow classmate, and so is Fujiki. Don’t do something this to both of them again.”

Three from the popular group told those thugs off with a warning. The delinquents laughed deceptively and hastily left to avoid the argument. Kiyoko seems to have finished healing Hisao as I walked over there.

(Shinji) “How’s he doing?”

(Kiyoko) “Most of his wounds are healed so he will be alright. But Fujiki-kun, have they always been doing this to you? If so, I’ll…”

(Shinji) “No, it’s not always like this. Anyway, Ashitaba, do you need a hand on getting up?”

(Hisao) “N-No… I’m alright… Thanks for the help though, but I’ll manage…”

I let out my hand towards him which he refused. Then he unsteadily gets up and walks away as if he doesn’t want to get involved with me.

I didn’t say anything as I knew the reason that he was bullied frequently was because of me. When I’m not around in the courtyard, those thugs inflected their dissatisfaction towards the loner instead. I bet he properly resent me about his treatment.

Still, I've admired that guy’s determination. Despite being called useless due to his job class, he tries to get involved in the war as he’s desperately training hard and accumulating knowledge.

(Mariko) “Fujiki-kun, if there is anything just feel free to tell me. Kiyoko will help out too.”

(Shinji) “Don’t worry about me. I’ll manage myself.”

(Hikaru) “But you should train harder, too. I heard that you went out a lot in town. You should that time to train yourself seriously so these guys won’t bother you again.”

(Shinji) “Why are you saying it like this is my fault that I bought this situation?”

(Daiki) “Now now. Hikaru is trying to advise you. He didn’t mean any harm.”

I shrugged about this as Hikaru tilted his head over his friend’s words. Hikaru was a person who believed in the good of others, so he thought that everybody would act out of kindness. This was why he gave such an advice to me.

That guy seriously believed there is no evil in humanity and thought there was a good reason for them to act that way. I hoped that reality didn’t come to bite him too hard when he enters the war.

Sensing that the conversation was about to end, I tried to walk away when Kiyoko nervously calls out to me.

(Kiyoko) “Uno… Fujiki-kun! There’s something I want to ask you…”

(Shinji) “Hm? What is it?”

(Kiyoko) “Um… Are you coming to the banquet tonight?”

(Shinji) “Banquet?”

(Mariko) “As I thought, you didn’t hear about it. The party was to celebrate Princess Lapis’s birthday. There will be a lot guests coming to congratulate her, most of them were famous in different parts of this world. Of course, we are invited to come as Heroes, but you’ve been going out in town so many times that Kiyoko worried that you might not come.”

Is that right? I look at Kiyoko who’s fidgeting a little for some reason. Mariko make a wry smile towards her best friend while Daiki and Aki made the same expression also which only leaves Hikaru confused over their friend’s action.

Hearing that the party is for that gaudy-looking princess, I’m hesitant to go over that banquet. However, the part that many famous individuals will be coming caught my interest. I might be able to learn some people that I might connect for my travels while avoiding the ones that look troublesome.

(Shinji) “... Sure, I will go. It sounds interesting.”

(Kiyoko) “Really?! Great! The party will be at the Banquet Hall. See you there!”

I make a wry smile towards the happy Kiyoko who let out a bigger smile than normally. Before being hit by my classmate’s stares again, I went back to my room to get ready for the party.

……………

I have arrived at the brightly glittering party hall where there are a lot of people wearing fancy dresses and a lot of food piling up on the table. The hall was large, many places were gorgeous and decorated well. It was in the form of an all you can eat buffet.

The guests in this party were very important people whose name was well known throughout the country. Not only royalty, famous writers and musicians, painters and chefs, and even famous adventurers were included as well.

I also dress up nicely in a simple black suit as I watched the people going on with their business until I heard Kiyoko’s voice.

(Kiyoko) “Fujiki-kun! You made it to the party!”

(Shinji) “Hey there, Miyamoto-san.”

I replied back to Kiyoko who’s coming here with her friends. When I saw her appearance, I daze at her absently and held my breath momentarily before regaining my composure.

Kiyoko was dressed in a slender line dress which did nothing to hide her voluptuous breasts and completely exposed her shoulders. Her outfit is styled like a Chinese dress along with the brightness of her glossy black hair, which caused her sex appeal to show and eyes unintentionally turned towards her.

Her friends also dressed up for the party which the female side was gorgeous enough to not lose to the daughters of the nobles while the men look more handsome than usual. If I stand next to them, I’m only plain compared to them.

(Shinji) “It seems that most of our classmates have shown up.”

(Kiyoko) “Yeah. Um… What do you think of my look?”

(Shinji) “It looks good on you. Better than the rest of the female nobles around here.”

(Kiyoko) “Really? Hehehe…”

I've carefully how I speak about her look in order not to cause any confusion around my surroundings, even though it is mostly true. Nevertheless, my response seems to make her feel glad as she fidgeting in happiness. The men look at me with envious stares which I ignored once again and Kiyoko didn’t notice this either.

(Hikaru) “Yeah! Kiyoko, you look more beautiful than usual!”

(Kiyoko) “Thanks, Hikaru-kun.”

Hikaru let out an ikeman-like compliment with his refreshing smile. If the maids, noble ladies and Hikaru’s fans of our classmates heard him, they would without a doubt start going red in the face and releasing heated sighs of fascination. I heard those who had made advances on Hikaru already numbered in nearly reached triple digits…but due to his extreme denseness, their approaches were just those of “warm and friendly people” to him. His denseness level is already compatible with those ikemen characters in several mangas and novels.

While his words may sound like flirting, he was being honestly completely serious about it yet Kiyoko replied to her childhood’s comment calmly without being frustrated unlike before. I was speechless at the differences of her reaction until someone came over to this side.

(Guy?) “Are you enjoying my sister’s birthday, Heroes?”

(Kiyoko) “Ah, your Highness. Yes, it is very lively around here.”

(Highness?) “I’m thankful for your compliment.”

(Shinji) “Who’s this?”

(Mariko) “That is Prince Gatsby, the second son of the King.”

Mariko whispered to me about this guy’s identity which made me remembered about the royal family. The 2nd Prince Gatsby is the second son of King Yvain Aureolin VII and in charge of the military of this kingdom.

What in front of me is a boy that looked 1 or 2 years younger than us and wearing a military outfit that looks proper? He has blonde hair and blue eyes like his older brother and the king. However, unlike those two, I felt the sense of gracefulness coming from him which took me by surprise.

(Shinji) “My apologies. I heard about Prince Gatsby, but this is the first time I saw your appearance.”

(Gatsby) “There’s no need for apologies. Rather, it should be us and the Kingdom should be apologizing for dragging all of you Heroes into our problem.”

Gatsby says that as he bowing deeply his head towards us which Kiyoko and the others try and comfort him in hurry. I was surprised once more at the humility he’s displaying and there are no false lies in his words. He’s really different than the nobles in this kingdom.

I heard later that Prince Gatsby took the initiative to get to know the students, and it had not been long before they became well acquainted.

(Gatsby) “You must be Shinji Fujiki, isn’t it? I heard some things from your fellow comrades.”

(Shinji) “Well, I’m sorry for disappointing you. However, I just want to look around town. After all, it’s not every day that you can experience in a different world.”

(Hikaru) “He’s right. The people here are very kind and good-mannered folks which is why we should train even harder to fight against the Demons!”

(Gatsby) “I’m very grateful for hearing the Hero’s words. And Fujiki, I don’t think you need to apologize for anything. Yes, the people are important to our kingdom. However… Not all nobles felt the same…”

Prince Gatsby said that as he glares at his Prince Darwin who’s flirting with the noble ladies while Princess Lapis, the main star of this party, is hanging out with some handsome men. I sense that the royal family didn’t get along so well.

The prince continues to talk with us a few times before leaving. Hikaru and the gang went to join the fun as well. Kiyoko tries to get me to join, but I politely refused and tell her to enjoy with her friends. She looks disappointed before Mariko drags her away as I standing at one corner of the hall, sipping my black tea.

I watched how my classmates interacting with the guests. Hikaru was surrounded by many ladies as they want to dance with him while Daiki is dancing with his girlfriend. Kiyoko and Mariko are talking to some noble ladies friends they made during two weeks. Some of the students are eating the food, dancing with their partners, and even a few like me are watching the party.

The people here are really having fun in this party. However, I felt uneasiness as I continue to watch the celebration. They are in a crisis of the incoming war with the Demons yet they didn’t any concern about it and the stuff around here look expensive to waste. Really, it makes me find it hard to believe their word even more.

Feeling not wanting to stay here any longer, I went around the area for a few moments until I heard an angry outburst outside on the balcony.

(Gatsby) “This country cannot survive if we continue like this!”

(Man?) “I understand your concerns, my Prince. Calm your temper.”

(Gatsby) “I’m sorry, Bastion. I just need to let out my dissatisfaction for the moment.”

Prince Gatsby from earlier was talking to his servant named Bastion who has an expressionless face. It seems there’s something going on the prince side as I stand behind the curtains on eavesdropping on their conversation.

The Prince and his servant talk some things that are not likely to reveal to the public. According to them, not only the magic around the kingdom is fading, the higher-ups begin increasing taxes near settlements in their territory. Also, the nobles keeping wasting the money on clothing, jewelry and other expensive things which nearly depleting kingdom’s incomes.

Prince Gatsby’s plan was to make a peace treaty with the Demons to avoid the war. I heard that the previous Demon King has died three years and a new Demon King took the throne and stopped the war. There are also some several letters for peace that were sent from the new Demon King, but the King didn’t take heed of them as he wanted to take the Demon’s territory.

The situation is just as I feared. This kingdom is corrupted and starting to collapse itself. They want the Heroes to start the war against the Demons for their own greed.

(Gatsby) “At this rate, it won’t be long until the Heroes were sent out to battle. This should be our problem to deal with.”

(Bastion) “But those are the orders of the King. We can’t just simply against it.”

(Gatsby) “I know! If I was born first, I might be able to prevent the incoming tragedy but…”

Gatsby held tight on the bars of the balcony as his servant silently watches. It seems there some heredity issue among the royal family. It not like I can go out and said that I want to help him out. I’m just one man with the lowest position among the group.

I’m feeling sorry for the prince. I had a good impression of him about caring the people of his country, but I hoped that he succeeds his objective.

Do your best. I silently give my regards before leaving the party.

……………

--Third Person POV--

(Hisao) “Huh… My future looked very bleak…”

Hisao Ashitaba let his sigh which is increasing every day as he walks through the corridors of the Royal Palace. He didn’t attend the party like the rest of his classmates as he wants to avoid the harsh stares from them and the nobles.

His days in the different world were the worse when they found out his weak status. Since that time, most of his classmates were ignoring his existence and the thugs were motivated to bullying the poor loner.

The reason that he is a loner because he was a genuine otaku. He simply likes to read light novels, manga, or web novels every day back on Earth. He hid his hobbies from his classmates because of the criticism that otaku’s receive from his world is strong so he usually avoids talking much to his fellow students.

When he was summoned to a different world, he becomes excited at the thought of becoming a cheat character like the ones in his novels and manga. However, cruel reality pours over him when he looked at his weak status. Despite this, he wants to become a Hero like his classmates and trains harder than the rest of them. During his non-training days, he spends time on books related to his skills and magic.

(Hisao) “I’ll never be as strong as the rest of them… If this continues, I might have to resort to using this…”

Hisao is despairing over his situation as he pulls out an item from his pocket. It is a purple gem-like orb that shines ominously as he remembered the time that he brought it.

One day, after finishing his training, he went out to town to find something that helps him in the upcoming battle against Demons. Then he met a suspicious merchant that sell him the orb in the first place.

The man said that this item will increase a normal man’s status go beyond the limits, making him stronger than the Hero himself. Hisao has initially doubted his claims, but with the recent mistreatment of his situation and hating his weakness, he reluctantly purchases the item for 1 silver coin.

He never uses the item after he brought it as he already felt suspicious of this orb. He read a lot of scenarios about buying suspicious power-ups and that ended badly for the user. Despite his reasons, it seems that he can’t discard the item easily due to the vexation to himself how weak he was and was wavering over on using it or not.

(Yaiba) “Ah~ Those were some of the tasty foods that I ever had!”

(Genjiro) “Yeah! This kind of thing we can only experience because we are special than those weaklings in this place.”

(Ryo) “Hm? Isn’t that Ashitaba over there?”

While Hisao is pondering over his decision, Yaiba and his goons were walking back from the party after finished eating the buffet. Hisao say “Crap!” when he noticed them as he hastily put back the orb into his pocket.

However, his actions have already been seen by those thugs as they grew interested in his strange action. They cornered him after seeing no one is in the area and start questioning him.

(Yaiba) “Hey, Ashitaba~ What are you hiding?”

(Hisao) “U-Uh… Nothing! I was just putting away my stuff!”

(Genjiro) “Really? If it was nothing, then will you show us what it is?”

(Hisao) “I-I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well at the moment so I better-”

(Ryo) “Hey! Check this out! He had some kind of jewelry!”

(Hisao) “Ah! Don’t take that!”

Hisao is making excuses to them when Ryo rudely stuff his hands into the loner’s pocket and took out the orb. Hisao panicked and tries to get it back, but Ryo didn’t let him as he give the item to Yaiba who look at it with great interest.

(Yaiba) “What this, Ashitaba? I didn’t know that you have this with you.”

(Hisao) “G-Give it back! It’s mine!”

(Yaiba) “No way~ This thing looks a bit expensive so I might sell it at a good price.”

(Hisao) “No! You can’t sell it! I need it to increase my status!”

(Yaiba) “Huh? Increasing your status? Well, that is very interesting~ Mind telling me what this is?”

Hearing those words, Yaiba’s interest in the orb grew even further as he pressures Hisao for more information. The Alchemist boy immediately regrets saying those words and feeling the intimidating aura, he reluctantly tells them about the effects of the orb.

Yaiba’s evil grin grew even wider after hearing Hisao’s explanation and decided to take the orb for himself.

(Yaiba) “What a nifty item you have gotten there. However, you shouldn’t use shortcuts to make yourself stronger. That is not good sportsmanship. You must use your efforts to become useful to everyone, even though you are a weakling. That’s why I decided to take this.”

(Hisao) “Liar! That’s mine! I bought it fair and square!”

(Yaiba) “That’s rude~ I’ll give this back to you when you are stronger than us, although that might take forever!”

Yaiba laughs at this and kicked Hisao in the stomach, causing the poor boy in pain. He and his lackeys let out their vulgar laughs before walking back to their rooms, leaving the pained Hisao on the floor as he despairing over his predicament.