I was reincarnated as the carefree duke’s second son, and somehow, my random remarks got me treated like a hero
《Side Julia》
I want to become stronger.
That’s why I wanted someone to tell me how I could become stronger.
“You want to become stronger? Well, I’m just an ordinary person, so I’m not sure if I can teach you the strength of a beastman. Is that okay?”
“Even so, I want some hints.”
…Because there’s no one else I can rely on besides Fly.
“Alright, I got it.”
No matter how tough or difficult the training might be, I was prepared to endure it if Fly, who’s smart, was the one teaching me. But what Fly suggested wasn’t as difficult as I expected.
“First, show me how you can partially transform.”
I did as I was told and transformed my right hand into a beast’s.
“Gah?! It’s a fluffy doggo arm! This is dangerously cute! It’s too adorable!”
“Are you messing with me?”
I wanted to become stronger, but Fly prioritized thinking and understanding the meaning behind things.
“No, haha. I’m not messing with you. Hmm, so beast transformation can strengthen muscles and increase the amount of fur, right?”
“And I can also strengthen my claws and fangs.”
“Right. Essentially, beastmen are a mix of human and beast genes, and beast transformation is the act of manipulating the beast genes through magic to enhance specific parts of the body.”
Fly muttered to himself, thinking about complicated things. I didn’t understand it, but I think he was considering how to use partial transformation.
Just by seeing my arm transform, Fly seemed to understand something and started muttering to himself.
I think Fly was organizing his thoughts out loud to explain things to me in a way I could understand.
“Alright. In short, it’s all about how you use beast transformation. Julia, do you understand why you can’t fully transform into a beast?”
“No…”
I shook my head.
“Simply put, you lack the genes needed for full beast transformation. In other words, your body isn’t capable of full beast transformation.”
“I can’t fully transform…”
Hearing it stated so bluntly made me feel down.
“Well, don’t be discouraged. On the other hand, having a body that can partially transform is rarer than being an ordinary beastman.”
“Really?”
“Probably. Have you ever heard of beastmen being able to stop their transformation midway?”
When Fly asked me that, I remembered what my mother had told me.
“Uh, there are three stages of transformation: human, beastman, and full beast.”
“Right. So, if we consider everyday life as the beastman state, you can either become human or fully beast. But Julia, you can exist in between. That’s amazing.”
As I listened to Fly’s explanation, I started to feel like I might actually be incredible.
But how does that connect to strength?
It’s true that I can’t fully transform. But being able to transform just my arms or legs is amazing in its own way, though it doesn’t directly lead to strength.
“Muscle enhancement, increasing the amount and quality of fur, strengthening claws, improving durability, and even enhancing fangs and bite force—you can freely adjust all of that. It might be harder to master than full beast transformation, but if you can do it, it could become an incredible power.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Let’s test each one step by step.”
Fly taught me how to become stronger.
I was able to understand my own abilities.
The power I thought was weak was actually a unique talent only I possessed.
“Listen. You can become stronger than other beastmen.”
Strength lies in how you use it, in your unique talents, and in understanding what it takes to grow stronger.
Fly taught me how to use and train each of my abilities.
“Fly… sir, I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve given me so much food, let me take warm baths, dressed me in clean clothes, and now you’ve given me strength.”
Fly had given me so much.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just doing this because I enjoy research, and I’m just saying whatever comes to mind.”
Even though he was talking about such complicated things, he said it was just casual? That couldn’t be true. He must be trying not to make me feel indebted to him.
But I’m a slave. If I’m caught, I’ll either be killed or forced to work.
The thought of never seeing Fly again scares me, and I feel like crying.
“You don’t need to worry about that. There’s something I need your help with.”
“You need my help?”
“Yeah. I’m planning to fight a little. Are you ready?”
“I am!”
I want to be useful to Fly.
I don’t know what we’re going to do. Maybe we’ll fight monsters, and I’ll be used as bait? That might be possible, but if it’s for Fly, I’m okay with it.
I followed Fly, and he led me into a suspicious alleyway with a wooden sword in hand.
“Is this okay?”
As I started to feel uneasy, Fly turned back with a smile.
“It’s fine. Hmm, there are rule-breakers everywhere, right? And it’s a classic trope in light novels that evil should be punished. I used to love stories like, ‘The bandits stole my wallet!’”
Fly laughed happily, as if reminiscing about something, and for a moment, he seemed like someone far away.
Then, we arrived at the place where I was supposed to be sold—the slave trader’s shop.
“Fly!?”
“Ah, don’t be scared. Just watch.”
“Huh?”
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Fly freed the slaves and punched the slave trader.
“You bastard! Do you have any idea what you’re doing?! I’m just running a legitimate business as a slave trader!”
“Yeah, yeah. You might think that. But the slaves you bring in are obtained through kidnapping and illegal trade, right? I’ve done my research. And this is the Empire. I’m the son of a duke here. Nothing a mere merchant says holds any weight. It’s just a spoiled noble’s whim, and a pitiful merchant is going down.”
Fly’s face was smiling, but it was also a little scary. I could tell he was angry—angry at the slave trader, and angry for the sake of weak people like me.
This person is strong, but he gets angry for the sake of the weak.
“Gonzalez! Gonzalez, go!”
What appeared was a bear beastman. He looked strong and big, but also like he had suffered as a slave.
“Julia, it’s your turn.”
“Huh?”
“Go defeat that bear guy.”
“Me?!”
“Yeah, you can do it. I’ll settle things with the slave trader in the meantime. Julia, strength comes from how you use your head. You’re not weak. Think.”
Following Fly’s words, I transformed my arms and legs into beast form.
Even if I can’t fully transform into a beastman, I can still become stronger through partial enhancement. That’s what Fly taught me.
“Got it. I’ll try.”
“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”
Fly entrusted the fight to me. I’m happy. I’ll definitely win!
