Chapter 35 Trash-san’s Lesson
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A few days had slipped by in a blur. I spent my time teasing Maggot-san with playful, borderline inappropriate remarks, or letting her take care of me when boredom struck. Trash-san, wrapped head to toe in bandages like some kind of mummy, stopped by the hospital to visit, bringing a strange sense of calm to my otherwise chaotic days.
Lately, I’d gotten hooked on Maggot-san’s… well, let’s call them special services. She had a knack for making things exciting, diving right in without hesitation, while Trash-san, ever the serious one, would scowl and protest. It felt like a secret, thrilling connection—something raw and forbidden. Naturally, I was careful. Getting caught would ruin everything.
Trash-san had been upfront about our relationship, confessing with a resolve that could’ve moved mountains. But when she learned Maggot-san had already crossed that line with me, things got… tense between them. Awkward, even.
There was this one time Trash-san walked in on Maggot-san mid-act. What happened between them afterward? No clue. They didn’t talk about it, and I wasn’t brave enough to ask. The thought of digging into it made my stomach twist.
Maggot-san was part of the clerical group, while Trash-san belonged to the Field Unit, so they didn’t cross paths much anyway. Even with me at the center of their world, the Imperial Guards weren’t exactly a tight-knit crew. They served the same master, sure, but these were elite warriors—proud, competitive, like rival retainers vying for a lord’s favor.
”If I told them to get along, they’d probably fake it for me,” I muttered.
”Mmm… mmm… Are you feeling alright, my lord?” Maggot-san’s voice was muffled, her face buried in my lap.
”Yeah, almost there. Thanks, as always.”
”Mmm… it’s starting to…”
I patted her head gently, her hair soft under my fingers. Treating her like some seasoned professional left a pang of guilt in my chest. But really, it was a win-win for both of us.
* * *
”There’s a blessing that lets men defeat monsters, too. I’d like to tell you about it, Young Master. It concerns you directly.”
Elder Sister—Trash-san—sat poised on a chair in my hospital room, her voice steady and clear. Her bangs were neatly styled, her clothes crisp and pristine. The battered sword she once carried had been replaced with a gleaming new one. She was a polished, radiant version of herself.
The bandages were starting to come off, and the scars crisscrossing her body were fading, as if some kind of magic was knitting her back together.
She’d recovered far faster than me, making a point to visit the hospital at least once a day, usually after lunch. During my afternoon naps, she’d spin tales like Scheherazade from One Thousand and One Nights, lulling me toward sleep with stories. The last one was about the black veins in fava beans, a folktale rooted in ancient Japan. Her stories always felt like they came from some primal source, untouched by time.
As my condition improved, she seemed eager to share something important.
”A blessing for men to defeat monsters?” I tilted my head. “I mean, I’ve never even fought a monster myself.”
And I had no plans to start. Was this really about me? Trash-san usually avoided talking about dungeons or monsters—women’s work, as far as I was concerned—so her bringing it up felt… unusual.
She didn’t miss a beat, as if she’d anticipated my skepticism. “Let me explain, Young Master. Are you aware that Imperial Guards like me grow stronger each time we defeat a monster?”
I frowned, thinking back. “You mean, like, killing them gives you experience points or something?”
I stared at her, perched confidently on the chair, her bandages still clinging to patches of skin.
”Experience points?” she echoed, puzzled.
”Oh, uh—like your body gets tougher, or you awaken some kind of Psionic Power, like the Exploration Squad.”
She nodded, her expression calm but firm. “Yes, that’s correct.”
”Okay, I think I get that part.”
”Then let me cut to the point: there’s a chance you’ve already awakened a Psionic Power, Young Master.”
I blinked, my jaw dropping. “Wait, what? Psionic Power? Like the thing you do, making objects multiply?”
”Exactly.”
”But I’m not a woman. Me? Really?”
Trash-san, my mysticism tutor for the day, leaned forward with a confident glint in her eye. I tilted my head, my mind swimming with question marks.
I vaguely remembered something about the Oath of Fealty Ritual granting humans—well, women—a kind of RPG-like status. Superhuman strength, Psionic Powers, that sort of thing. Defeating monsters earned them experience, making them even stronger. But that was supposed to be a woman-only deal.
My confusion must’ve been written all over my face, because Trash-san jumped in to clear it up. “The Oath of Fealty Ritual grants abilities to the master as well. However, that power lies dormant, buried deep. It only awakens when you face a monster’s defeat.”
”Huh…” I leaned back, processing. It was a wild idea—mystic, sure, but not entirely unbelievable, given all the weirdness I’d already seen. Still, why hadn’t she mentioned this sooner?
”Escaping that sunset beach was equivalent to defeating a monster, maybe even more,” she continued. “You may not realize it yet, but it’s likely some Psionic Power has already begun to manifest.”
”Seriously?” I scratched my head. “I mean, I don’t feel any different. My body’s still as weak as ever.”
Apparently, Imperial Guards started at level one, but masters like me began at zero, so I hadn’t noticed any change. Trash-san, having leveled up significantly from the same ordeal, figured I must’ve gained something too.
I glanced down at my hands—small, soft, no grip strength to speak of. Just a regular elementary school kid’s hands.
Trash-san pressed on, her tone patient but firm. “The fever you had for a while? That’s proof.”
”Fever?” I frowned. “I was pretty out of it, but… that means something?”
”When Psionic Power first awakens, it happens to all of us—me, C*mslut, everyone in the Exploration Squad. It’s a rite of passage, your body reshaping itself through the ritual.”
”Hmm.” I nodded slowly. That fever had been brutal, unlike anything I’d felt before. But now? I was back to normal, or at least as normal as a bedridden, frail kid could be. The muscle aches I’d had were long gone, replaced by my usual weakness.
I tilted my head again. “I don’t know… I can’t think of anything weird happening. I didn’t even know guys could have powers like that.”
”Oh, they could,” Trash-san said, raising a finger still faintly stained black from some old counterfeiting mishap. “In the past, men used these powers actively.”
She looked every bit the battle-hardened mercenary, scars and all, but with an elegance that made her seem like a stylish older sister. According to her, the Oath of Fealty Ritual and the Exploration Squad system started with men and their female companions. Back then, male-led teams ventured into dungeons, hauling back mystical artifacts that helped their nation win wars. That success sparked a wave of similar efforts across the land, back in the dawn of dungeon exploration.
”So, guys used to dive into dungeons too?” I asked, eyes wide.
”Exactly. Ambitious men flocked to it, but the death toll was so high the practice faded. That’s why we don’t usually tell men about this anymore. My apologies.”
”Whoa…” I shivered. “That’s intense.”
The thought of routinely venturing into a place like that? I was glad I wasn’t born in that era. If someone told me to go back and do it again, I’d probably cry my eyes out—even if it meant unlocking some unbeatable power-up.
”Even if a man awakens a Psionic Power, his body doesn’t get much stronger,” Trash-san said, her voice tinged with a warning. “The danger is on a whole different level.”
”Yeah, no kidding,” I replied, scratching my head. “That just makes me even less eager to rush into some deadly dungeon.”
”And yet, it must’ve been thrilling back then,” she said, her eyes distant. “Men bared their hearts, daring the world to strike them down, and pressed on with their explorations. The rare success stories lured others to their doom. Most of those women now lie beneath the earth.”
So, basically, almost everyone died. Trash-san’s tone carried a sharp edge, like she was furious at how carelessly men were treated in those early dungeon days.
Back then, the death rate was insane. Some men were dragged kicking and screaming into dungeons. Others were locked away, their nerves severed, turned into limbless tools to churn out Exploration Squads. A grim history, now faded but not forgotten.
Thanks to that, guys like me—men who’ve racked up enough experience to awaken a Psionic Power—are rare. Less than one in ten, Trash-san said. The few who exist are mostly old-timers who survived the world war era. In developing countries or remote regions, who knows?
”Has anything felt… different since the beach?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with expectation.
”Uh, no, not really…” I mumbled, caught off guard.
I racked my brain as she stared at me, her gaze practically glittering with anticipation. Geez, talk about pressure. Trash-san loved this mystical stuff—probably more than she cared about my actual well-being. I got the feeling her curiosity was the real reason we were having this talk.
So, today’s main topic? She wanted to see my Psionic Power in action.
With her expectations weighing on me, I groaned and muttered, trying to summon something. Come on, awaken, my hidden power. Stop time! Make clothes disappear! Conjure cash!
”…Yeah, nothing,” I sighed.
I tried for a bit, even pointing my palm at a cup like some wannabe superhero, willing it to move. You know, that thing everyone’s done at least once, hoping for a sudden burst of superpowers. Predictably, nothing happened.
”Young Master?” Trash-san prompted, leaning forward.
”Nope. Zilch.”
”Nothing at all?”
”Nada.”
”I see…” she said, her voice trailing off.
Her face fell, like a kid who didn’t get the toy they wanted. Was that… disappointment? Trash-san never showed me attitude, but when it came to her favorite hobby—mysticism—she was a different person.
”Why not try a bit longer?” she urged. “It’s a great chance to stand out from your peers!”
She sounded like a motivational manga character. In her mind, my epic success story was already unfolding.
I sighed but gave it another shot, grunting with effort. Still, no dice. No spark, no tingle, no nothing.
Ugh…
…Wait, was that something?
”Nope, still nothing,” I admitted, slumping back.
Oh well. I’d try again when I had more time. I’d put in enough effort to satisfy Trash-san for now. Honestly, I wasn’t chasing some grand success story—I was more interested in a sexy story.
”I’m done,” I said flatly. “I don’t even care that much about Psionic Powers.”
”What?!” Trash-san gasped, looking horrified. “That’s such a waste!”
Her reaction made me feel a tiny bit guilty, like I was throwing away something precious. But come on—I wasn’t here to fight. I was just a boring guy happy to coast through life with some fun times with women. Power? I’d rather let the people around me handle that. With Trash-san’s rare ability to duplicate valuables, I was already set for life.
She looked so devastated, practically clinging to me, that I relented. “Fine, fine. Is there, like, some kind of trick to this?”
”Psionic Powers are born from your deepest desires and the bonds of loyalty with those who serve you,” she said earnestly. “What do you wish for, Young Master?”
”My wishes?” I blinked. “Uh…”
I paused, searching my mind.
”C*mslut and I found our Psionic Powers by facing our own desires,” Trash-san continued. “At a certain point, your body starts to guide you. It’s about self-discovery.”
”Self-discovery…” I echoed, feeling like I’d stumbled into a philosophy class.
This was getting complicated. I vaguely recalled some old psychologist—Freud, maybe?—saying all human conflict came from unfulfilled desires. Was that me?
Trash-san pressed on, undeterred. “Another clue: women’s Psionic Powers tend to be personal, while men’s often affect others.”
That caught my attention. “Wait, what was that?”
”Men’s Psionic Powers typically influence the entire Imperial Guard,” she explained. “In the past, men served as support for exploration teams—”
”Hold up,” I interrupted, my brain lighting up like a neon sign. “So, my power might let me… control women however I want?”
Like, say, making them fall for me. Or tossing out their sense of ethics and reason.
Trash-san’s eyes widened, and she waved her hands frantically. “N-no, that’s a bit extreme! A kind-hearted Young Master like you wouldn’t have such desires!”
”Why not?” I shot back. “Didn’t you just say it’s based on what I want?”
”That’s… oversimplifying it,” she stammered. “You can’t just control your deepest desires like that. And I know you’re not that kind of person!”
Oh, come on. She could say what she wanted, but I knew exactly how much of a pervert I was. There was still hope.
”Dang, now I’m pumped!” I grinned. “You should’ve led with that, Trash-san!”
Erotic powers. That’s what I was talking about. Forget combat—there had to be Psionic Powers tied to my kind of wishes. This town alone was overflowing with women I’d love to get closer to. Even the other guys’ Imperial Guards had me holding back out of respect for society’s rules. Without those pesky ethics, I’d be a one-man romance machine by now.
I crossed my legs on the bed, focusing my energy like some kind of chakra master. Cosmic vibes, yoga, whatever—I was ready.
”Here we go… Hypnosis, come to me!” I declared.
This time, I was serious. As I meditated, something shifted. My body tingled, goosebumps prickling my skin as if my deepest desires were sparking to life.
”Whoa… whoa!” I gasped.
What was this? A powerful aura, unlike anything I’d felt before.
I felt good. I wanted others to feel good too. My desperate wish to connect, to share those feelings, was answered by my Psionic Power.
”YES!” I shouted.
”Young Master!” Trash-san cried, her eyes wide with excitement.
A rush of exhilaration flooded through me, like I was standing in a concert hall, basking in thunderous applause. Something was reaching out, welcoming me, urging my desires to take shape.
”Young Master, have you grasped it already?” Trash-san said, practically bouncing. “Such incredible talent!”
”I get it!” I yelled, riding the high. “I’m unlocking my true potential!”
Hypnosis was the way to go—classic and perfect. Maybe something like boosting affection or tweaking how people saw me. Make them think I’m their fiancé, or convince them they’d die without… well, you know. That kind of skill was what I needed!
”Whoa… whoa… wait, what?” I stammered, my voice trembling with excitement.
”Young Master!” Trash-san gasped, her eyes wide.
A floating sensation washed over me. I was still on the hospital bed, but my body felt like it was lifting off, rising from the room itself. It was as if I were a baby bird, instinctively flapping its wings for the first time, certain of a power I didn’t fully understand.
This… this is it.
I could tell right away: this power messed with others. Not exactly controlling women’s feelings, but… close. Something in that ballpark.
”It’s like I’m floating…” I murmured.
My heart pounded, each beat echoing in my chest. My consciousness drifted further, pulling away from my body. Trash-san’s shocked face grew smaller, like I was watching her from above. My own body came into view, slumped on the bed, as if I were hovering over the hospital room. Then, just as suddenly, my perspective snapped back to first-person.
What the heck was that?
The scene around me shifted, like a movie cutting to a new shot. One moment I was in the hospital room; the next, I was somewhere else entirely.
I had no idea what was happening. It felt like a vivid daydream.
”Uh… I’m really lost here,” I said aloud. “Where am I?”
My voice echoed in my head, but it lacked weight, like the words never reached the air. My throat didn’t vibrate, yet my senses—my sight, the feel of the air on my skin—were as sharp as ever. My body, though, felt light, almost like it belonged to someone else.
Never seen this place before. An office? Looks like some company, with papers and a vase on the desk.
I found myself in what looked like a modern office, neat and orderly, the kind of place you’d expect in any corporate building. Desks were lined up, documents stacked neatly, a half-eaten piece of bread left crumbs in a corner. It looked like someone had been hard at work here until recently.
Sunlight streamed through the window, filtering through lace curtains to reveal a stunning view of a seaside horizon.
Better not wander too far, I thought. Don’t want to get lost in… whatever this is.
I crept closer to the girl, cautious. Waking her might be a bad idea. I don’t even know where I am or who she is… Wait, hold on. I think I know her.
I stepped right in front of the sleeping girl, then, on impulse, reached into her suit jacket and touched her chest.
”Mmm… mnya…” she mumbled, still asleep.
Yup, that’s my hand. I can feel it.
”…Ngh… wha…?” she stirred faintly.
The softness under my palm felt… well, nice. I kept going, curious, but she didn’t wake up.
This feels kinda wrong, I thought, a twinge of guilt creeping in.
”Mmm… huh…?” she murmured again.
Might as well check her skirt while I’m here.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I grabbed the hem of her skirt, lifting it slightly. “Chilly… s-stop…” she muttered, still out cold.
White, huh? Our town’s Imperial Guards don’t wear skirts, so this is kinda cool.
I frowned at her slightly worn underwear, then let the skirt fall back into place. She must’ve been pulling an all-nighter. I felt a little bad for peeking.
Then I noticed a heaviness settling in, like I was running out of time. Crap, am I hitting the limit? First time using this power’s taking a toll. Gotta get back.
”…Kuu… kuu…” the girl snored softly.
One last touch for the road, I thought, giving her chest a playful pinch.
”…Ow! Wha—?! Hey, what’s that?!” she yelped.
The book slid off her face with a clatter as she bolted upright, drool still clinging to her chin. The twin-tailed girl blinked, her face pale with shock.
”Hey! I’m exhausted here! Who’s messing with me?!” she shouted.
See ya, Yukari-san. Catch you later.
”W-what… no one’s here?” she stammered, trembling.
That’s right—Yukari-san, the twin-tailed Imperial Guard I’d left behind in that dresser, living her sweet, carefree life. Somehow, I’d ended up in her office.
I pulled my hand back, her dark hair bouncing as she flailed. “This isn’t funny! A ghost?! Hey, someone! Anyone! Help!” she shrieked, panicking.
As she started yelling, my consciousness slipped away from her, fading back to where I belonged.
Notes:
• Psionic Power – Mental energy concept in Chapter 35’s lecture. Trash-san teaches it to strengthen the protagonist’s mind after dungeon ordeals.
• Yukari – Dora’s imperial guard, the one who hide in MC’s wardrobe. Twintail.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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