Stark—that was the name of Eisen's student.
From Eisen's description, Stark was a boy with red hair and red eyes, with a scar on the right side of his forehead.
But Shichen and the others didn't need to rely on a description to find him. The guy was famous around here—he was a "hero."
"Big brother, why are you looking for Sir Stark?" The one leading them was a little girl.
All Shichen needed was a smile and a piece of candy, and the girl was completely charmed.
"We're friends of Stark's. We came to see him," Shichen said with a grin, ruffling the girl's hair.
"Oh, I see." The girl believed him immediately.
After all, he was a gorgeous guy—so he had to be a good person.
In this world, there weren't many bad people. The only truly evil ones were demons.
Even though the Demon King had been defeated, the demons hadn't been wiped out completely. They were still humanity's common enemy.
Human society had only just begun to develop—there hadn't even been time for "ordinary" villains to emerge.
The reason Shichen hadn't exterminated all demons back then was simple: this world needed a shared enemy.
If there was no external threat, internal conflict would inevitably arise.
That's just how things develop. No amount of guidance or education can completely prevent it.
It's a basic truth: the human heart is unpredictable.
That's where an outside enemy mattered. It couldn't erase evil entirely, but it helped.
And this world still had monsters that could stir fear and chaos—people didn't even need to "choose" to become bad.
When bad people did appear, it was usually because they were desperate and turned to banditry.
But in a world with magic, bandits weren't much of a threat.
What—bandits can use magic?
Not everyone can use magic. If they could, why would they become bandits?
Following the little girl, Shichen and the others reached the edge of the village, near the canyon. A tall cliff wall stood there.
And in the middle of that wall was a deep gash—like it had been carved open by a single strike.
On a stone block near the crack sat a boy, calmly watching them approach.
Red hair, red eyes, a red coat with black roots in his hair, a clear scar above his left eyebrow, and a huge axe lying beside him.
"Big brother, that's Sir Stark," the girl said, pointing.
"We know. Go play," Shichen said, handing her a lollipop.
"Thank you, big brother!" She ran off happily.
Shichen and the others kept walking toward Stark.
"Who are you?" Stark asked in a low voice.
"Eisen sent us," Shichen replied.
"Master?" Stark froze, studying them uncertainly.
"Don't believe me? Then you at least recognize her, right? The mage—Frieren." Shichen nudged Frieren forward.
"Frieren… the hero party."
As Eisen's student, Stark had obviously heard the hero party's legends.
"Then… are you the mysterious one?"
"Sounds like Eisen told you a lot." Shichen nodded.
"He only told me you and Frieren were a couple—and that you loved showing off and being all lovey-dovey… I guessed from how close you two are."
"...So Eisen talks nonsense behind my back too, huh."
"And her?" Stark looked at Fern.
"Take a guess." Shichen pulled Fern into his arms.
"Shichen-sama…" Fern got a little embarrassed.
This was the first time he'd been affectionate with her in front of an outsider—but she was secretly happy.
"Like that… don't tell me she's your daughter with Frieren?" Stark blurted out, shocked.
"Daughter, my ass!"
Shichen let go of both Frieren and Fern, stepped forward, and flicked Stark hard on the forehead.
"Ow—!"
"Is this guy… stupid?" Fern asked in disbelief, her expression darkening.
"I think so too," Frieren added.
Seriously—she looked like she could give birth to Fern?
Not even close!
What kind of daughter outgrows her mother like that?
And she was an elf—what part of Fern looked like an elf?
She's huge!
"I'm starting to think Eisen beating you up made perfect sense," Shichen said with a snort.
"Huh? He told you that too?" Stark rubbed the back of his head, eyes watering.
Shichen hadn't held back with that hit.
But hey—talk nonsense, get consequences.
"Your master cares about you. He asked us to take you in and train you."
"You're stronger than my master?"
"Didn't he tell you?"
"He did."
"Then why ask?" Shichen smacked him again.
This guy's head was like a watermelon—perfect for bonking. And his personality was easy to push around.
At first glance, he seemed like the type people could easily fool.
"You can really teach me?" Stark still didn't believe it.
"Follow me and you'll beat your master with ease."
"No way."
"Want to test it right now?"
"Test what?"
"Making you stronger." Shichen glanced at the giant crack behind him.
"How?"
"There's a Red Mirror Dragon down there, right? Come on—we're going to kill it."
"How do you know that? You can really handle a Red Mirror Dragon?"
"I heard about it on the way here. That dragon's been wrecking the village—you're the one who scared it off, right? And you've been sitting here because you want to protect the village."
"How do you know everything?" Stark's eyes went wide.
"It's not hard. I even know you didn't actually fight it—you just scared it off."
"Huh?"
"Because you were too scared to make a move."
"..." Stark went silent.
"So you're saying he isn't really the village's hero?" Fern twisted the knife.
"No—he is a hero." Shichen shook his head, smiling.
"Huh?" Fern blinked, confused.
Even Stark looked up, puzzled.
"Come on. I'll prove it to you." Shichen patted his shoulder and started walking.
Frieren and Fern immediately followed.
Stark stared at their backs for a moment, hesitated… then stood up and followed too.
"Prove what?"
"That you're a hero."
"I'm not a hero…"
"I said we're proving it. Stop denying it."
"But—"
"Shut up."
"Yes…" Stark wilted, then hurriedly added, "I just have one question. Just one."
"Ask."
"You really know everything?"
"I do."
"That's amazing!"
"Then from now on, do what I say."
"Got it, boss!"
Having successfully recruited a new lackey, the first thing Shichen needed to do was build his confidence.
Stark's strength wasn't the problem—if even Eisen, a member of the hero party, could feel intimidated, Stark clearly had the goods.
But Stark lacked confidence.
Confidence was the key to bringing out real strength. If you don't believe in yourself, you're basically useless.
Leaving the village, Shichen led Frieren and the others up to a cliff, carefully peeking down at the Red Mirror Dragon below.
It lived up to its name—its entire body was covered in crimson scales. Even asleep, it radiated power and authority.
Dragons were powerful in any world.
"So that's a dragon…" Fern said, fascinated. It was her first time seeing one up close.
"B-boss… what are you going to do?" Stark asked, legs trembling.
"Not me. You." Shichen grinned at him.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"It's simple."
Shichen grabbed Stark by the collar, lifted him, and yeeted him straight toward the Red Mirror Dragon.
"AAAAAAAH—"