In the heart of the Kingdom of Sinfonia’s capital, standing prominently along the main thoroughfare, was a massive building with an undeniable presence. This was a branch of the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company—arguably the largest commercial enterprise in the world—and standing before its doors, Akari and Kazuya Miyama wore expressions of grave determination.
Today marked their first day as technical interns. Even though the first year was primarily dedicated to classroom learning, this was their first real job since arriving in this other world, and the two were understandably tense.
"It’s finally time, dear."
"Yeah. Given how generous the pay and benefits are, the training is bound to be just as demanding. But no matter how hard it gets, we have to keep up!"
"Right! We’ve already been issued our... technician’s uniforms, was it? I’ve got our writing materials, and I made sure to bring the lunch boxes Illness-sama prepared for us."
"That’s a relief. Knowing her cooking, I might actually manage to avoid a stress-induced stomachache during our break."
"Dear?"
"Ah, no, I just meant I’m that nervous. Haha..."
After exchanging some light banter to soothe their nerves, Akari and Kazuya steeled their resolve and stepped into the massive facility.
When the morning’s classroom sessions ended and the lunch break finally arrived, Akari spoke softly to Kazuya as they sat together.
"So... what do you think?"
"Otherworlders are incredible," Kazuya replied, clutching his head. "They're on a completely different level."
It wasn't that the material was too difficult. Quite the opposite.
"They taught everything so slowly and respectfully," Akari noted.
"I know. And that backup system? There were multiple assistant instructors in the room just to help anyone who fell behind."
"Even the textbooks were full of illustrations and easy to follow. They only give you the material for one month at a time so it isn't overwhelming, and then you get a fresh book the next month..."
"The amount of money they invest in personnel training is staggering. 'People are a company's greatest treasure'—it's a common cliché, but seeing them actually practice it like this makes me realize how truly advanced they are."
Indeed, they had expected the path to becoming magic tool technicians to be a grueling ordeal. In reality, the instruction was incredibly thorough and supportive. The curriculum didn't cram information into them; it focused on building a rock-solid foundation. The two hours of learning had been so enjoyable that they wondered if elementary school classes back home were stricter than this.
"Well, putting that aside... Kaito did mention it, but there really are a lot of women here, aren't there?"
"Yeah. We can't say our limited experience is the world standard, but the male-to-female ratio feels like it’s about three to seven."
Kaito had warned them beforehand that women outnumbered men in this world. True to his word, of the ten interns in their group, seven—including Akari—were women, and most of the instructors were as well.
As they were reflecting on the cultural differences of this world, a woman of the Elf Race, distinguished by her long ears, approached their table.
"Hello... If I remember correctly, you're Akari-san and Kazuya-san, right?"
"Um... Leonora-san, was it?"
"Yes! I look forward to working with you. I was thinking all the new interns should head to the dining hall together to get to know one another. Would you like to join us?"
Leonora offered a gentle smile. Akari and Kazuya shared a brief look before smiling back.
"Yes, we'd love to."
"Thank you for the invitation."
"Wonderful! Then let’s get going."
As the couple stood up to follow Leonora, the other newcomers welcomed them with a warm, friendly atmosphere. Watching the group, Akari and Kazuya felt a sense of relief, realizing they would likely have a very pleasant time here as they made their way to the dining hall.
After some light chatter and brief self-introductions along the way, the group secured a table and began their lunch.
"If I recall, Akari-san and Kazuya-san are a married couple, right? Akari-san, you must be a wonderful cook... Those lunch boxes are beautiful."
"Oh, no, well..."
"Pfft—!"
"Dear?"
"S-Sorry, excuse me."
Leonora was looking at their matching lunch boxes with an expression of pure admiration for their exquisite quality. However, Akari hadn't made them. After shooting a sharp glare at Kazuya, who had accidentally snorted at the mention of her being a "skilled cook," Akari spoke up with an awkward expression.
"Actually... a maid made these for us."
"A maid!? Oh, come to think of it, you do have a family name. Are you nobles?"
The other interns nearby overheard and joined the conversation.
"No, we aren't nobles. And we aren't the ones employing her... it’s, well, our son..."
"Your son? Wait... please excuse me if I'm overstepping, but I have to ask. During the introductions, you said your family name was 'Miyama,' right?"
"Eh? Yes, that's right."
Kazuya tilted his head in confusion as Leonora’s demeanor suddenly shifted to one of visible agitation. She shifted her gaze around for a few moments as if trying to process something before speaking in a hushed, nervous tone.
"By any chance... is your son's name Miyama Kaito-sama?"
"Yes, it is... but why did you say 'sama'?"
"I knew it!"
When Akari nodded, Leonora’s face filled with overwhelming emotion. At the same time, the two other Elves among the newcomers began to tremble visibly.
In the midst of the sudden, heavy atmosphere, Leonora stood up from her chair and clasped her hands together as if in prayer.
"Oh, Creator God-sama, World King-sama... I thank you for this incredible blessing. To think that, even by chance, I would meet the parents of Miyama Kaito-sama!"
"Um, Leonora-san?"
"Ah! My apologies. I simply... got a bit carried away."
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by her intensity, Akari spoke up, and Leonora sat back down with a sheepish blush.
"Leonora-san... do you know Kaito?"
"No, hardly! It would be far too presumptuous to claim I know him... Miyama Kaito-sama is the Hero of the Elf Race!"
"Hero!?" the parents cried in unison.
Indeed, while Akari and Kazuya—and even Kaito himself—didn't realize the full extent of it, Kaito was a legendary figure among the Elves of Rigforresia.
He would likely clutch his head in embarrassment if he ever found out, but a series of books with him as the protagonist had already reached Volume 8, and there were even stage plays and songs dedicated to his exploits.
Among young Elves in particular, he had a massive, fanatical following, and Leonora was a prime example. She owned three copies of every first-edition volume, had seen every play multiple times, and could sing the songs of his journey from memory.
Given that Kaito was an Otherworlder, she had initially assumed the matching family name was a coincidence... but these were his actual parents. Expecting her to stay calm was asking the impossible.
"Yes! In Rigforresia, Miyama Kaito-sama is a figure so great he is spoken of in the same breath as the World King-sama! The books about his adventures are incredibly popular!"
"Books!?"
"Um, if it isn't too rude of me to ask... if it's possible... could I... p-perhaps get Miyama Kaito-sama's autograph?"
"Autograph!?"
The news that their son was being hailed as a hero and had a book series written about him hit them like a bolt from the blue. Akari and Kazuya could only stare in stunned silence.
Of course, to reiterate—this would be a bolt from the blue for Kaito as well.
"When I Reincarnated in Another World, My Son Had Become a Hero" — by Akari and Kazuya
Serious-senpai: "It looks like the Activity Report revealed Lindwurm’s character design and the highlights for Volume 8. I suppose we can look forward to it, especially since there are some serious additions this time."
???: "Wait, never mind that. What was that last bit? Kaito’s 'evil hand' reaching for Serious-senpai? What’s that supposed to mean?"
Serious-senpai: "..."
???: "Come to think of it, you haven't told Kaito to 'explode' or called him your 'natural enemy' lately, have you?"
Serious-senpai: "I... well... it’s not like he’s 'conquered' me or anything. It's just... he’s not a bad guy... and saying such mean things all the time would be... pitiful..."
???: "She’s totally fallen for him..."