"Vivian?"
'You're not Sylvia.'
That voice, which had poked at the truth she wanted to ignore, called out to her.
The voice and face were exactly the same as before.
That face, with narrowed eyes smiling thinly as it criticized people without hesitation.
"Really that Vivian?"
"Ah, um, th-that's…"
"Surely you're not here as an aspirant again, someone like you…"
Casual and natural criticism.
Though it was just one remark, to Vivian, it wasn't just one.
All the past criticisms she had heard revived with that single word.
The scars that had barely healed from being stabbed by words and cut by people burst open.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
Vivian barely stood, leaning against the wall.
Her unfocused eyes scanned the floor mercilessly.
Even seeing her precarious state, the manager remained calm.
He was rather annoyed.
"That hasn't changed either. Your irresponsibility, trying to brush it off with just an apology without any achievements."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
"Looks like you came to beg or something?"
Vivian's appearance was indescribable.
Ragged clothes and shoes no better than rags, revealing skinny limbs underneath.
Dry, split hair.
Grime on her face like she'd rolled in a sewer.
Even a foul smell.
It wouldn't be strange to mistake her for a beggar.
"You said you wanted to become Sylvia so badly, starting as a beggar?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry… I'm not Sylvia, I'm sorry…"
"Get out of here. Before I tell the guild and they kick you out…"
"Vivian?"
A questioning voice came from behind Vivian.
Immediately after, life returned to Vivian's eyes.
The manager peered behind her curiously.
A man with a fierce impression, looking tired and annoyed.
His build looked substantial under the loose cloak, and he was tall.
What stood out more was his companions.
An elf sat on his shoulder, and right behind was a maid with a black eyepatch and long silver hair flowing.
For a moment, the manager's gaze was stolen by that maid.
Perhaps because of the eyepatch, she exuded a more mysterious charm.
"What are you doing here? Why aren't you going into the room?"
The man said.
Could he be Vivian's manager?
"Ah, that's…"
She still looked anxious, but vitality returned to Vivian's face.
Whatever happened, it seemed this man had brought Vivian back here.
'There are idiots without an eye for talent… They probably jumped into this cutthroat place without knowing much.'
The manager snorted.
In his eyes, which had raised promising aspirants multiple times here, their future was obvious.
Miserable failure.
Vivian was that kind of woman, and managers without insight usually ended up like that.
For the future of managers, he couldn't withhold advice from an incompetent junior.
"Are you Vivian's manager?"
"Yeah."
"You seem to have become a manager recently. Joined the guild?"
The man scratched his chin annoyedly and replied.
"Neither."
He tossed that out and grabbed Vivian's wrist.
"Let's go. Don't stand here."
"Y-Yes…"
It was blatant disregard.
The manager's mind changed.
He'd meant to advise as a senior, but now just wanted to screw him over.
"You'll regret it. Vivian, I used to…"
"Yeah, take care."
Regardless, the man tried to pass by with Vivian.
His insides boiled.
Even though managers' status had risen since the Managers' Guild was founded.
There were still too many who gave themselves airs without properly recognizing that value.
Irritated, the manager reached for the man's shoulder.
"Can't you listen when someone's talking…!"
Right as he reached out.
"Aaack-!"
His wrist twisted, and the pressing force slammed him to the floor.
"Guh…!"
He hadn't even seen what happened.
All he could barely grasp was that his arm was twisted as if it would be torn off.
Looking at Vivian and the group, the maid was gone.
"Kati."
"…Yes."
"Hold it a bit longer."
The maid named Kati kept his hand twisted and pressed down.
"Guh…!"
The pain was so intense he couldn't even say stop.
"Maybe one finger…"
The man said indifferently, and the maid's other hand gently gripped the manager's thumb and twisted it.
The slow, gentle motion made him imagine what came next.
Terror that it would snap like this overwhelmed him.
"Guhk…!"
"No, that's enough. Let go now."
"Yes."
As soon as the man spoke, Kati released her hand.
"Hah, haah…"
The manager clutched his wrist while sprawled on the floor.
While held, he'd imagined his arm dislocating and fingers breaking hundreds of times.
It was a miracle nothing actually happened.
But he probably couldn't use his hand properly for a while.
"Huuh, fuu…"
By the time he came to his senses and looked up, Vivian and the group had entered the room.
His temper wanted to follow and argue, but he couldn't.
That maid who technically controlled the pain's intensity.
Thinking of her made his wrist hurt again.
"That bitch Vivian…"
He just inwardly cursed the innocent Vivian and her manager.
Then, suddenly, a smile came to mind.
If Vivian was challenging for temporary hero again.
He'd meet her at the upcoming exam.
He had a few aspirants he'd been eyeing lately.
'I'll humiliate her even more, make sure she never sets foot here again… We'll see then.'
The manager's ambition blazed fiercely.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Is that your previous manager?"
I asked even though I knew, just to confirm.
I'd heard the whole conversation from upstairs while climbing the stairs.
The criticizing man and Vivian repeating only "I'm sorry."
"Yes… He was in charge of me before… Felix…"
"Hmm. Don't mind it. Just ignore him if you run into him."
What an unusual guy.
Did he really need to say all that to Vivian?
Especially that squinting smile reminded me of Penny, so annoying.
Moreover, that Felix guy had his eyes extremely narrowed.
Not like Penny who actually keeps her eyes closed, but imitating it.
Why do that…?
"Yeah, yeah, he's not one of us anymore! Better to forget bad pasts!"
Mercy chimed in from the side.
As an elf would, she was friendly.
On the other hand, Kati hadn't said a word, but Vivian looked at her very favorably.
She'd been wary at first, but probably felt grateful from earlier.
"Yes, I'm sorry…"
"Go wash up first. We're heading out soon."
"Hoo…"
Mercy glanced at me with interested eyes.
"Don't look at me like that. You stay here, give her spare clothes, and come to the next room when ready."
"Okay, got it."
I left Mercy and Vivian and exited the room.
From beyond the closed door, playful Mercy's voice came.
"Come on, let's wash together!"
"Y-Yes?! U-Um, that's…"
"We'll be comrades from now on, what's wrong with that! It's fine to show a bit of body!"
That personality doesn't change.
But thankfully Vivian is docile.
Previous party members often reacted coldly to Mercy's jokes, making it awkward.
"Want to wash separately? Should I step out?"
I asked Kati who followed me to the next room.
She expressionlessly shook her head and transformed into a cat.
A small white cat with pumpkin-colored eyes sparkling like beads.
"Meeow-"
I really can't get used to her.
Even after almost 4 years knowing her, it still makes my head spin.
Hard to dismiss as completely different beings.
But she acts so brazenly as she pleases, just like a real cat.
"Want me to hold you?"
I reached out, she climbed on, and started biting my finger.
Knew it.
"That hurts, you rascal."
No matter what I say, she grips with front paws, bites, and kicks with back paws.
Fine, if you're satisfied, that's good….
A knife wouldn't scratch, but Kati's bite stings a bit.
Demonkin bodies are superhumanly strong, and Kati at her level is no pushover.
Meaning her teeth are sharp and hard enough to nick my body.
Last time playing, she bit hard and drew blood, so we're careful now.
Leaving the heroically sacrificing finger, I looked around the room.
Spacious, as it's for 4 people.
Four beds.
Desks next to each bed.
A clean room with just the essentials, but what caught the eye most was the calendar on the front wall.
Training schedule neatly written.
Class times, meal times, instructor lists, overall training ground map, etc.
Surprisingly systematic.
They even provide food?
Wonder how the food is.
But what draws the most attention is something else.
'Temporary Hero Promotion Exam.'
The exam held every 2 months, the one Vivian failed 10 times.
Next one in about a month.
Time is tight, but if Vivian follows well, she should pass smoothly.
Worried about severe malnutrition.
But superhuman body, so tough.
Trouble if she collapses from exhaustion.
Managing so that doesn't happen is my job, so gotta do well.
*Knock knock.*
"Ian? Can I come in?"
"It's open."
"You never know. Maybe you and Kati are doing something…"
Kati hopped down and turned human.
"Just come in already."
The door opened, and grinning Mercy peeked in.
Ugh, annoying.
Vivian followed Mercy in.
Hair still dry, but overall clean after washing and changing clothes.
Skin with black stains gone was as fair as Mercy's.
Clothes loose from thinness, but she'll gain weight quickly.
Advantage of superhuman body: absorbs and uses everything well.
Vivian turned her head, embarrassed by her current state.
Red hair and blushing face.
Once she gains some weight, her looks will be outstanding.
Since hanging the 1st Hero Party portraits, heroes' appearances matter too.
Some heroes got famous just for being pretty or handsome.
Later, hire expensive painter for proper portrait and promote…
Applications and interest would pour in.
"Vivian. Before we go out, I have something important to say."
"Yes…"
Will that dejectedness improve with time?
"More like something I want to confirm."
In the serious atmosphere, Vivian gulped.
It's quite important, so can't help but be grave.
"From now on, look at Kati. Kati?"
"Yes."
"Remove the eyepatch."
The eyepatch knot slowly unraveled.
No matter what, Kati is a demonkin.
Different for me, but still a being opposing humanity.
1st party members disliked demonkin Kati.
Natural since heroes kill demons, but inwardly disappointing.
What about Vivian?
When she learns Kati is a demonkin.
Need to check her reaction.
Won't kick her out if she dislikes.
Natural for humans to fear or reject demons.
But how she treats during future training.
My policy will change accordingly.
Finally, the thick eyepatch fully came off.
Vertical-pupiled pumpkin-colored eyes met Vivian's.
I watched Vivian's reaction closely.
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