"...So, what is the meaning of this!?"
A few hours later, Marcos found himself standing inside a building echoing with bright, boisterous voices.
The place was a chaotic whirlwind of squeals, shouts, and crying—in its own way, an environment every bit as hectic and noisy as a battlefield. Surrounded by a swarm of children, Yugo gave him a beaming smile.
"What? This is the request. We’re here to babysit these children at the Kindergarten, so let’s give it our all!"
"Why has it come to this?! Based on the way things were going, I assumed we would be competing to slay Magic Armor Beasts or investigate some dangerous zone!"
"Don't be a dummy! There’s no way I’d take Fee on a dangerous job like that! You’re such a klutz!"
"Gah, stop messing around! Why does the academy even offer jobs like this as a request...?"
"Apparently, it's important to interact with the local community. Anyway, stop complaining and play with the kids! We’re deciding the winner based on who they like more by the time the work is done!"
"...How did it come to this? Why must I, a proud noble, be reduced to such a task?"
On the verge of tears, Marcos slumped his shoulders and let out a miserable groan.
He had thought he’d been given a chance to clear his name, only to be forced into playing nursery teacher at a Care Facility. He was utterly disgusted by the nature of the work, finding it beneath his station as a noble, when a powerful slap to his back sent him into a fit of coughing.
"Ack! Cough! Wh-What was that for!?"
"Honestly, no slacking off! You accepted this as a request, so do your part!"
Marcos moved to protest the sudden violence, but he was silenced by the sharp scolding of Melt, his fellow participant.
A group of girls laughed happily around her; it was obvious that Melt was taking her responsibilities seriously.
Fee also seemed to be enjoying himself. Though he looked a bit bashful and shy about being treated like a big brother for once, he was doing an admirable job looking after the little ones.
As for Yugo...?
"Alright, kids, watch closely! Move your arms like this! Then like this... and freeze right here! Then... Transform! Yah!"
"Whoa! So cool!"
"How did you do that?! Do it again! Do it again!"
Striking a series of mysterious poses before equipping his Blaster, Yugo was performing a transformation show for the children.
The sight of him donning a cool armor-type magic item with such sharp, practiced movements clearly appealed to the kids. A large crowd had already gathered around him.
As boys and girls alike watched Yugo's transformation show with sparkling eyes, Melt giggled and turned to the stunned Marcos.
"See? If you don't step up, you're going to lose to Yugo. You'd better make friends with the kids!"
"Ngh...!"
Marcos groaned at her teasing, but he knew she was right. This was a contest between him and Yugo.
Furthermore, having accepted the request as a job, he had a duty to see it through.
I am the proud Eldest Son of the House of Borg, Marcos Borg. No matter the task, I shall execute it with perfection... Just as he steeled his resolve, Yugo called out to him.
"Hey, Marcos! Get over here!"
"Don't address me so casually! And stop giving me orders!"
Despite his huffing and puffing, Marcos did exactly as he was told. As he approached Yugo and the surrounding circle of children, Yugo flashed a smile and a thumbs-up.
"Listen, the kids say they want to see your magic item. Go ahead and show it to them."
"How did the conversation even lead to that?! My Giga Scissors is not a plaything for children!"
"I know that! But just look at them... Look at their faces! They're all full of anticipation, aren't they?"
"Nuu..."
When he looked down at the children, he saw that every single one of them was staring up at him with wide, shimmering eyes.
The sheer intensity of their gaze felt like a heavy pressure, but Marcos refused to flinch. Taking a deep breath, he struck his usual insolent pose and shouted to the crowd.
"Hmph, very well! Behold the golden brilliance of the House of Borg's ancestral magic item—the Giga Scissors!"
He cried out, thrusting his left arm into the air and flooding it with magic power to deploy the device.
As the golden armor encased his arm and the massive blades snapped into place at the end, Marcos struck a theatrical pose. The children erupted in cheers and swarmed him.
"Whoa! It's so shiny!"
"It's sparkly! So cool!"
"Bwahahaha! So you can recognize the nobility of the Giga Scissors? You children have a discerning eye! Ah—hey! Don't touch the blades! You'll get hurt!"
"Let's use the scissors to cut paper!"
"What should we make? I'll go get some gold origami paper!"
"...He's actually pretty popular. I'm surprised."
"You think? I actually thought he'd be suited for this."
Yugo and Melt chatted pleasantly as they watched Marcos struggle with the clamoring mob of children.
Melt murmured in disbelief that the Marcos she knew could be so adored. In response, Yugo gave a knowing, almost proud smile, his eyes fixed on his rival.
"Unlike Rush, Marcos's followers actually rushed to his side the moment he lost his duel. That told me they weren't just a rabble looking for a handout; they truly admired him. His obsession with beating me probably suppressed his better qualities, but I think this is who he really is."
"Whoa..."
To Melt, Marcos had always seemed like a caricature of an arrogant noble. But when compared to someone like Rush, his genuine character became much clearer.
She nodded, convinced by Yugo’s insight after having seen him duel both boys. Meanwhile, Yugo laughed heartily.
"He’s in the additional warrior position. You know, the type who starts out as a jerk, then starts doing comedy halfway through the series and ends up becoming a fan favorite."
"...What does that even mean?"
"Don't worry about it. Just thinking out loud."
She didn't understand what he was talking about—then again, Yugo often said things she couldn't wrap her head around.
Regardless, she was glad the work was going more smoothly than expected. With a smile, Melt returned to her own task, joining the circle of girls waiting for her to play house.