Basically, I look down on other people.
However, that doesn’t mean I underestimate them.
If they can do something, I’ll evaluate it for what it is, without denying reality.
Honestly, living in this vast society with the internet and social media, if you can’t acknowledge others’ superiority, you’re insane. The kind of lunatic who wraps their head in aluminum foil.
I am superior.
In knowledge, intelligence, spirit, physique, and appearance.
But in this world, there are lunatics who are freakishly good at just one thing, like drawing. Think of that guy who cut off his ear, for example.
Then there are idiots who, despite their lack of brains, have the stamina to handle menial labor. Even blue-collar workers without education possess skills that sustain society’s infrastructure, so looking down on them doesn’t mean I can dismiss them.
Speaking of which, even in the 21st century, there were craftsmen producing products that couldn’t be replicated by industrial machines. Craftsmen may lack formal education, but their skills deserve respect.
I’m perfect, a flawless being, but that doesn’t mean that having more people like me would make a dream team.
If I want to, I could do many things, or if I trained, I could master them too. But instead, I properly train the world’s useless masses or those somewhat competent…
Train them well and delegate work to them.
This is what society is.
I’ve heard somewhere that there’s a world of difference between “can’t do” and “can do but won’t,” and that’s true. The real elite deliberately choose the “can do but won’t” path.
Just because I can, would I work as a barista at a coffee shop? Would I take a part-time job at a convenience store? The opportunity cost would be massive. That’s just not happening.
The same goes for companies on Earth.
Top-tier companies can probably do most things themselves, but trying to do everything would cause various problems. So, they outsource…
Although multilayer subcontracting isn’t ideal, it’s inefficient to have employees do jobs that even part-timers can handle.
… Well, lately, there are companies that have outsourced so much that their IT employees don’t even understand IT anymore, but I’d like to believe that’s an exception. It’s better for my mental health that way.
Anyway, that’s why I’m scouting freshmen who seem like they could become employees in the future…
“Exas-sama, this is my younger brother! Please take him under your wing!”
“Please take care of my sister too! Help her reach the pinnacle as a mage!”
“Please teach my cousin as well!”
… Or so I thought, but even without recruiting, people have already gathered.
The kids from the secret society introduced their relatives to me.
Honestly, once you experience my educational program and the preferential treatment from joining the secret society, there’s no going back.
It’s simple: even if you think practically, learning with me will increase your magic’s power, range, and variety much faster than what’s taught at school. Why wouldn’t you?
Naturally, they’d want to give those benefits to their beloved relatives.
In fact, my new magic style is becoming the de facto standard. Even idiots understand that those who can’t use it will be in trouble soon.
Right now, those not using my new magic are either diehard royalists or cowards who I’ve beaten down and are now too scared to come near me.
Anyone with any sense is bowing to me.
It’s unheard of in noble society, but that’s how revolutionary and valuable my new magic is.
Besides, it’s obvious that any family would be ruined if they missed this big wave.
“Very well! To all interested freshmen, I’ll distribute Magia Pads and Magia Tablets for magic learning!”
Meanwhile, on this side… the Aurora Group is more focused on recruiting people than loyalty to the organization.
If you throw money around, people will come.
You can’t expand a company’s scale all at once. It has to be done gradually…
So, while gathering people and starting their education… I also study.
Recently, old man Kuljes said, “Training with the same subordinates all the time won’t help you grow,” and took Fran and the others away from me, pairing them with others for training.
I accepted it since, honestly, he’s right. I also wanted to practice educating and managing average talents, not just geniuses.
Now, I’m doing strength training and muscle-building exercises at the academy’s training grounds…
“Exas, I’ve always wanted to ask, why do you call the Aurora Group a secret society when it’s not secret at all?”
The one cooling off and asking me while drinking water from a well is Zess Howl, a young man with brown hair and sharp, intimidating eyes.
“Oh, I originally planned to engage in lots of illegal activities, but the laws in this country are so lax that even with shady moneymaking schemes, there’s no regulation. So, we’re just a ‘secret society’ in name only now.”
There’s no enforcement of antitrust laws, labor standards, consumer protection, intellectual property, or even environmental regulations. Turns out, I was a fool for seriously trying to exploit legal loopholes.
Besides, Ada wanted to play secret society too.
Well, we’re still young, so we’ll just have fun with it for a while.
“I see… It seems our country has internal issues. I regret that I’m of the military class and know nothing of politics…”
Muttering that, Zess resumes practicing his sword swings with a wooden training sword.
“Ha, you’re serious, Zess. You’ve got a cute face, so you should relax your shoulders and hips a bit.”
The one commenting while doing weightlifting is a well-built man with short black hair, Holman Carpenter.
This dark-featured guy is the son of the Carpenter Viscount, an openly gay family.
Apparently, he’s gay too.
“Don’t say such repulsive things, Holman. I have a fiancée.”
“So do I. Even with my preferences, as a noble and a mage, I’m obligated to leave a next generation.”
Holman spits this out…
“Holman’s fiancée… that Gorii-san? Wow, you’re amazing to be able to handle that.”
Making a teasing remark while doing stretches is the flamboyant, bright blond Hector Coleland.
“Gorii is the best woman I’ve ever chosen! If only she had something hanging between her legs…”
“So, she’s practically a man then… Well, Exas also keeps a male courtesan by his side, so it’s the same, right?”
“Alan? That guy messes with his hormone balance and… well, continuously casts something like a forbidden curse on himself to make his body closer to that of a woman. He’s basically somewhere between a man and a woman now.”
“That’s… kind of unsettling…”
As Hector cringes, Holman, doing squats while holding a large stone, responds.
“More importantly, both Exas and I are exclusively tops. Even if we engage with men, that’s not how our relationship works.”
Also…
I add after Holman.
“To be precise, I prefer women. I just happen to be willing to sleep with good-looking men.”
“Ew… I don’t find sexual activity fun at all.”
“It is fun.”
“Yeah, it’s enjoyable.”
“Well, I’ve had to do it for training in my family… so I’m not a fan.”
Ah, that’s right. The Coleland family deals with the underground world.
They probably have training or cautionary lessons to ensure they don’t fail due to being seduced by pleasures.
But anyway, that’s enough of that.
“You lot! Focus on your training!”
“Yes, sir!” “Yeah, yeah.”
And so, under old man Kurugel’s command, we continued our physical training…
