“That’s right... You guys probably don't know, but there was another one named Isaac. He was used, and after doing whatever he wanted, he was eventually erased...”
“Zenon was also terrible at first, though he’s gotten better now. Thinking about it that way, wouldn’t it be more accurate to call them ‘problem children’ rather than ‘Hero Candidates’?”
Anhel and Melt joined the conversation with Setsuna and the others, reflecting on the Hero Candidates they knew and the various misdeeds they had committed.
As Yugo looked back on the history of the candidates mentioned so far, he wore a sour expression and let out a soft murmur.
“Maybe... they just let that early success go to their heads.”
“Spoken with the true authority of a man who got disowned for doing exactly that.”
“Hey, Marcos! Don't bring that up! I mean, you’re right, but still!”
Yugo retorted to Marcos’s jab with a self-deprecating laugh, prompting a wave of chuckles from his companions.
While Yugo’s expression remained complicated, Ryuga—who had been silent until now—finally spoke up.
“There is no doubt they were the problem, but perhaps the people around them were just as much at fault. By being blindly put on a pedestal, they likely became more arrogant than they ever needed to be.”
“True enough. Back when Zenon defeated Yugo, the students at this academy were practically delirious. There was an atmosphere of treating him like a hero, and he had his share of fanatical believers.”
“Still... Zenon was definitely strong back then, and I think Cyan was good at seeing through our aptitudes and giving the right orders. There’s no doubt that they were talented.”
“Which is exactly why they're so troublesome. Well, thanks to their repeated blunders, they aren't being completely affirmed like they used to be. For the ‘Lord Hero Candidates,’ I suppose the real test begins now.”
Between Egos's rampage, their total inaction during the Zaraki incident, and Cyan’s recent series of foolish moves and minor failures, the students who once looked at the Hero Candidates with yearning eyes seemed to be finally removing their rose-colored glasses.
Just as Lamy, who used to push the Hero Candidates as her favorites, now treated them as nothing but nuisances, there were likely many other students who had become reversed antis.
If this would at least rein in their reckless behavior, it would be for the best... While everyone was lost in these thoughts, Peewee clapped her hands together to get their attention.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough of that! Right now is for celebrating Neries passing her exam, isn't it?”
“You’re right. A lot happened, but let's just sum it up by saying it’s great that we can all continue to spend time together at the academy.”
Following Peewee’s lead, Misery wrapped up the conversation, including the talk about the Hero Candidates.
Thinking that it was fine since there wasn't much more to say about Cyan and the others anyway, Yugo turned his attention back to Neries and the group.
“By the way, you guys decided to form a party together, right? I’m looking forward to seeing what you do!”
“Yes! We’re all going to work hard together!”
“With so many companions joining at once, I feel encouraged as well. As fellow disciples of Master Yugo, I look forward to working with you all.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s great! ...Hm?”
“Oh? Is something wrong, Yugo?”
“No... I just feel like I’m forgetting something important...?”
Yugo was happy that those who had become friends through this incident would form a party and continue their activities together, but then he suddenly realized something was bothering him.
Something... yes, he felt like he was forgetting something vital. Something very important that he must never forget.
As Yugo strained to remember with all his might, he clapped his hands as the realization hit him.
“Ah, right. I forgot about that guy!”
“—And so, these are the people who will be joining our party starting today. Please get along with them.”
“Eh? Ah? Huh...?”
Dozens of minutes later, Misery had brought Neries, Verda, and Peewee along to introduce the three to her partner, Hex.
Having the three introduced so abruptly and being told by his partner—who remained expressionless but looked strangely pleased—that they would be joining the party, Hex could only stand there in a daze.
“Eh? Wait a minute. Didn't you say just a little while ago that you were going to be busy with something Yugo asked you to do? How did it turn into this?”
“I’ll explain the details eventually. For now, we’re suddenly going to be a large group starting today, so let's work hard together.”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait! This is too sudden! Way too abrupt!! I can’t wrap my head around the situation!!”
“It’s okay. You can handle it, Hex.”
“Don’t just try to push it through! Are you kidding me? Is it this pattern again!?”
Steamrolled by Misery, who never listened once she made up her mind, Hex wore an indescribable expression of despair.
Since everything had already been decided without him, he shouted his pent-up frustrations at the top of his lungs.
“Please, stop moving things forward while leaving me out of the loop! Be thorough with your reporting, contacting, and consulting!!”
Hex Ono—a long-suffering man who remained relatively obscure despite his hard work.
His suffering was destined to continue for a long time to come.