Episode 92: Those who want to become slaves, raise your hands

The location was some sort of staff meeting room.

The room, which had been covered in dust for a while, now served as the venue for their daily routine meeting.

"Well... that's all I wanted to say."

Having finished reading the pre-prepared 【Reroku Skill Summary MEMO】, I glance around at everyone's expressions.

At that moment, nearly everyone belonging to this community had gathered in this place.

"Skill 'Subjugation'... 'Slave,' huh?"

Mr. Sasaki muttered, his frog-like face crinkling even further.

The other adults wore roughly similar expressions.

"Can't we change that name—'slave'—somehow?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible..."

"Can't we phrase it like 'Supermanization' or 'Soldierization'... something along those lines?"

"If you'd like to rephrase it in softer terms, that's perfectly acceptable."

The bitter expressions on everyone's faces seem to spread directly to me.

"…As I've explained, both the benefits and drawbacks are exactly as described."

"It's like a deal with the devil—your strange powers come at the cost of your obedience to me."

"Yes. That's why we won't force anything upon you."

There's one thing I forgot to explain. What is the quota for those who can become "slaves"?

"Huh? Oh..."

Just now, I contacted Sotome-san and proposed enhancing the skill, and they readily agreed.

――"Slave Mastery V"… Grants the "slave" the abilities of "Combat Technique (Advanced)," "Natural Healing (Strong)," "Skin Reinforcement," "Fire Magic I–II," "Water Magic I–II," "Lightning Magic I," and "Sexual Techniques (Beginner)," and allows control of up to ten "slaves" simultaneously.

This is what my "Slave Mastery" skill looks like.

Currently, the people under my "slavery" status—counting both Natori-san and me—are four: Odai-san,明智-san, Sankou-kun, and Hayato-san.

That means the number of people who can now use the newly acquired "Subjugation" ability is—

"Six people."

Immediately raising their hands were:

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Me, me, me! I want to use magic too!"

Imano Rintaro-kun.

Following right after him, three of his friends raised their hands as well.

Hibiya Kousuke-kun.

Tada Ritsuko-san.

Kimonami Asuka-san.

"...Then, me too."

After seeing his son raise his hand, Hibiya Norio-san also raised his hand.

Five people.

Yeah, more than I expected...

Just as I was thinking that, at the next moment—

Everyone around me suddenly started raising their hands all at once.

"...Me too," "Me too," "Me too," "Hey, me too!" "Me too!"

Among them were Teacher Suzuki Asaka and little Rika Asada.

"Eh... Eeeh?"

Honestly, this was completely unexpected.

I had hoped at most a few people might enthusiastically agree to come along.

"Just to confirm once more... we're talking about 'slaves,' right? They'll absolutely obey my commands, without question?"

As I said this to the surrounding crowd, Ms. Sasaki gave a wry smile,

I can't picture you giving orders to someone else.

murmurs.

...Does that mean everyone's been taking advantage of me all along...?

Well, that's fine too.

Well then... um. I guess we can't exactly rely on drawing lots, can we?

It doesn't matter.

"Then, we'll go with the first five who raised their hands... The remaining one will be held over."

In conclusion, the chosen Ritaro-kun gave a triumphant fist pump, shouting "Yosh!"

On our end, it's lucky that things went more smoothly than expected.

▼

After that meeting, several people approached me, saying, "Please, give me the remaining spot."

It sounded almost as if their very lives depended on it.

After all, there's real danger involved, isn't there?

I'm not entirely sure they fully understand that part...