What you need to be a mob
After a long wait, Cid Kanegou had turned 15 and was finally enrolled in the school of magical swordsmanship in the capital of Midgar. This, by far, is the best magical swordsmanship school on the continent, where it is noted that there are promising swordsmen not only from this country but also from many others, studying at the facility. Although he also possessed a decent level in magical research, he simply did not stand out as much as his neighbors. In this prestigious environment, Cid Kagenou, the perfect self-fulfilling mob, began the titanic task of establishing the scenario where the archetype of eminence among the shadows would have the most impact. After a task of reconnaissance and compilation of his new environment, he intuited the thread of his character's new story.
The days passed with the monotony of any start of classes, new friendships, acquaintances, and his new habitat.
Before he knew it, it had already been 2 months since Cid Kagenou started living in the institutional dormitory, with a fairly normal position tending downward, as an extra. The uninteresting school routine camouflaged the young man's senses of intrigue and uncertainty. However, the city awaited more secrets and colorful characters than he expected to hear. His most reliable source, represented by a book-devouring asocial, did not even make an effort to contradict him and explain one or another nature behind the ruins.
First, it seems, the nighttime population was thrilled by the presence of para-police forces that fought crime; their exploits were recounted from the humblest bars to the very introductory classes of the professors. Among several of them, a crimson-clad night watchman stood out, an expert at guarding the streets at night with unbeatable swordsmanship and indescribable magic. And, unlike those who later appeared, he was never defeated or his identity revealed.
Second, his partner in adventure, Hikigaya Hachiman, told him that he was enrolled in the second year of the academy, only, in the division of magical researchers, which is why he was locked in the library. His integration in magical research paid off as he had hoped. It would be a pity if he had not prospered, although that was perhaps how he saw it in the regular class. However, I could still find him in some courses on military tactics and the history of magic. Their interactions were not far from the past when he entered Chiba's flagship high school. Although now she couldn't boast about belonging to a club and still be an extra in the recounts of the life of her favorite Shinto reincarnation.
Third, but most importantly, he received a brief letter in which the girls he knew mentioned his upcoming visit. Without specifying the day or time or the number of people. This news gathered the greatest amount of nervousness and concern as Cid did not know who exactly would be coming. Cid prayed that it would not be Delta; although he knew that the gods themselves hated or ignored him whenever they were his requests.
And while Cid wanted to face the mysterious Batman parody, he had to refrain from it to concentrate on surviving. After all, just because the academy gives you free housing doesn't mean they'll give you food. And, after experiencing accidental debt from an unfortunate accident on the way to school, the young rural student didn't have much money to his name. He even helped out with the cleaning chores in order to earn a few coins from lazy employees.
It is worth noting the deceitful life in the capital city as the quality of life was more expensive compared to his rural home; therefore, the allowance received by his parents was not even enough for a week (Cid's complete fault for receiving his money in person and spending it on the first meals he had in front of him after being discouraged by the previous loss). With morale low and an insistent sister telling him to go live with her (an impossible fact unless he is disowned by the other, mainly male, students and draws attention to himself), he would visit his last resort, Hikigaya Hachiman, hoping she would invite him to dinner to discuss his new capital discoveries or perhaps pass him some zenis, meanwhile, comment on other regular happenings.
Sometimes, however, he could not find him. Those bitter days were hard to forget at first as the lack of food nagged him. Returning his steps to the academy meant more tiredness and much more hunger. On those fateful days, he would sacrifice some of the high-class delicacies he kept in his room. With tears, he would taste the exotic delicacy and swear that Hachiman would pay for not helping him in times of need.
Fortunately, though, it wasn't all bad news. From time to time, Yuki-onna 2.0 and Dog-girl 2-0 were visited, plus copies of some faces from the past. Today, to her luck, is one of those days.
After leaving his one mandatory class for the day and setting off for Hachiman's stay, a stern-looking woman greeted him. Her modern attire did not match the rustic architecture of this house on the outskirts of the capital, near a small lake.
As soon as she saw him, however, her countenance changed to a smile from ear to ear. She is Jemenu. Adult, with dark green hair, taller than him, of generous proportions. Her energetic and eccentric attitude is widely known in Shadow Garden as it is in Mount Divine. However, if someone wanted to feel the adrenaline of a 21st-century transport, she was the perfect combination of chases and crazy rides.
She wore a black shirt along with an office girl's skirt, heels included, albeit with a lab coat as a final addition. Her figure, for some strange reason, reminded him extremely of a certain adult from her former world. Like Hachiman's other friends, Jemenu seemed to be brimming with extraordinary abilities, beyond having suffered from demonic possession.
"What happened, boy, did Hachi-kun leave you any errands?"
"Good morning, Jemenu-san. I wanted to talk to Fish-chan but apparently, he's not in."
"It's a pity he's not available, isn't it? I wanted to go out for a walk with him, but he says that boring library is more interesting."
Unlike other people, Jemenu san was more money-conscious and promptly always gave her extra for accompanying her on some ride beyond human understanding. In this case, after a few runs through the wastelands far from the capital, he got a few thousand zenis more. Plus some sense of reflection on her current situation.
These rides, worthy of a contemporary action adventure story, served as a massage for the sluggish and annoying environment Cid experienced on a daily basis. If it weren't for his robust physique, G-forces would knock Cid down as soon as the vehicle drove through space. The sensation of going beyond the human limit refreshed that image of a fantasy scenario necessary for his role: an eminence in the shadows, able to manipulate everything so that the forces of good outweigh the evil of the opposing side, with a spoon of gray and mysterious justice. Twisting his knowledge to confuse science with magic would always be the zenith of a presentation.
Conversations such as "magically, this is impossible, how can I do it?", "Impossible, this magic was forgotten in ancient times, how can you use it!"; answers of that nature, on the part of the villains, would only add to the aura of mystery and impotence of the protagonists. This would boost their growth exponentially without the need to be contacting them directly.
So, on the earthly plane, how was it possible to reach absurd levels of speed without drawing attention to themselves as a whole?
Just as Hikigaya absorbed colossal amounts of magic from those nearby, Ua cut off the supply of magic for rhythmic instants, Senu influenced others with aural emotions, etc.; Jemenu-san materialized pure magic almost instantly. With this ability, he could move three-dimensionally even in a transport. It's like a magic Tetris, where she could place "solid" magic in space. There was no shortage of occasions when they would go round and round through exciting and challenging circuits. Thus, seeing Jemenu-san refreshed him and kept him in a good mood. A far cry from his usual interaction with his close circle of friends and acquaintances. A way to satisfy that human instinct to run just for fun, even if it was in a vehicle, without risking his role as a mob. And it reminded him of Hikigaya's disgusted face when driving Hiratsuka sensei along the shores of Chiba.
After that emergency visit to get money, Cid headed for the academy cafeteria in search of food. Along the way, he reflected on his inquiries about the student population. Cid already had several people in his sights who met the requirements for the role of a leading or supporting actor of the highest caliber.
One of them was Princess Alexia Midgar. Arguably, this was one of the most important in essence. Cid had heard countless information about both princesses, and other notable profiles, but even a monkey would know that she was really important just by her title. Although, first before her, there was Princess Iris Midgar, who was also another important person. However, and unfortunately, she had graduated months earlier so she was not on track for the classic academy commencement.
In addition, she maintained a closer relationship with her adventuring partner, so, for one thing, she escaped his sphere of intervention. Perhaps a future spin-off would take place with her later incorporation into the plot. That possibility increased when I considered that Hachiman mentioned that he would introduce her to him when necessary.
[It is worth emphasizing that the setting where the main story occurs, poorly formulated by Cid's schizophrenia, always takes place in a place where he can intervene].
So, after thinking about the actual possibilities and discarding the extra material, Cid Kagenou decided to choose Princess Alexia for his big initiation event as a mob. Although to be more specific, it was something he had to do after losing a bet. Yes, actually, it was a fairly common event in a mob's life. "Propose to the famous girl after losing a bet" would enter into the first few scenes chosen for the introduction of some heroine or the background monologue of some plot-heavy character. While as a mob, he should not interact significantly with any main character, he needed to be on the same stage as them and not be total strangers.
In conversations with Hachiman, he came to a conclusion: the power capacity of the plot is the main dividing measure to go unnoticed. If its level shown was insufficient, it would stray too far from the main developments. It would even raise doubts as to how it follows through with them. Doubts that threatened its mob position. On the other hand, if he exceeded the minimum remarkable, either through evaluations or fortuitous events, he would be elevated to the secondary character that, although it did not affect the plan much either, an eminence among the shadows would be easily pointed out from this position. Truly, only a mob-fu expert would be able to overcome these challenges and come out on top!
As a result of his planning, he was in the most famous park to propose to someone from the school, some distance away from Princess Alexia. His silver hair was perfectly slicked back, his red eyes were so beautiful and his uniform shone in the sunset.
With a serious face, his annoyance and bewilderment at the young man's presence was evident, perhaps because he did not look as enraptured as the others or because the last rejected young man had not yet left his sight. Unfortunately, and because of Alpha and the others, Cid Kagenou was already tired of seeing beautiful women, so the feeling was mutual. Truth be told, right now, in agreement with Hachiman, he would rather see the more sour personality than the calmer, perfectly proportioned face.
Since Cid was not the only stupid challenger here, it might even be considered protocol to try chance in this specific place. Obviously, given his position, in the 2 months so far of classes, it was obvious to observe how the princess has already received the confession of more than 100 fools and dupes like himself. Information corroborated by rumors and defeated looks accompanied the back part of the academy. And yes, they were all cruelly rejected. Likewise, this park became the confessional par excellence, not only for conceited princesses but for any possible confession.
"I'm not interested in you." Princess Alexia would say with a pitiful look on her face and then launch into dialogues, sometimes, giving a false hope of friendship. Other times, she would simply withdraw immediately with a disguised look of annoyance.
She already has an arranged marriage to consummate after graduation; that is the tragic fate of royalty. Those kinds of thoughts were most easily deduced from Cid's chuunibyou experience.
Although the nobles who have declared themselves to him suffered from the same situation. Most of them have arranged marriages for after graduation. Thus, the time at school was, so to speak, their fun time in terms of experiencing love. However, no matter what, it was nonsense from the unhappy people who do not know the world of shadows, which served as nothing more than background examples for Cid to follow his role as eminence behind the great plot curtain. That and he had no partner thanks to his low position of nobility.
As for the main event, the natural thing is that as a good mob, Cid had a duty to participate in this event. Confessing to the school idol and then being cruelly rejected, could there be a more mob event than this? Passing this event will serve as the first step to being an Eminence in the Shadows, at least in his capital stay. Truly, the mastermind in the shadows acted in suspicious and well predictable ways at times.
So, after going over the innumerable plans brought by his lucid mind, he found the routine aimed at the most mob-like character possible. He thought of everything: the words, the rhythm of his body and the tone he should use as a mob, and after his last rehearsal yesterday, he would finally complete the test today. The more than a thousand tears shed on the green floors of the park served as experience to fail with greater success.
A decisive battle both for him and a difficult confrontation for the others.
Yes, this was a categorical battle for a mob. Just as an Eminence in the Shadows has its own way of fighting, mobs also have their own way. So here and now, he had to prove his determination. He would surpass the level expected of an extra without seeming so tangible that the protagonist, Alexia, would not remember his face, but would remember the feeling that he was always there, watching.
With a raised brow, Cid stepped forward, the resolve in his gaze overflowing like the almost imperceptible aspect of his presence.
On her side, Princess Alexia stood with a careless expression, lost in the horizon of the unknowable... but, if Cid took his sword seriously, he could blow her head off his neck. After all, she was no big deal. Yes, those questionable thoughts kept popping up as he continued on his way. Though before that, Hachiman would show up to stop him and trip him up, or he was confident that would happen as he remembered his history of failure. Anyway, Cid proceeded with shaky steps towards the distracted woman.
Therefore, admire! This is the best confession a mob can make! (Cid Kagenou's patent pending).
"Pli...Plincess A...aa...Alexia."
LESSON ONE...
First, a scaling of A, a, and A with a nervous tone, raising and lowering the pitch of your name, and finally saying your title wrong. As icing on the cake, exclaim your love in a loud and very fast shout for an excellent confession. Also, if it goes well, you'll have to repeat it with a nervous face. The effect falls on causing confusion and strangeness while still being shocking for someone so "forgettable".
LESSON TWO...
"I-I like you!"
Cid's gaze drifted to the floor upon which Princess Alexia was standing, then caused his knees to tremble. Erratic breathing and movements of his hands further accentuated his nervousness.
LESSON THREE...
"W-would you like to go out with me...?"
The sentence itself, meant to go normal, then escalates into awkwardness, while the tone, pronunciation and form of the words at the end, go elongated to create confusion.
ENJOY YOUR SUCCESS
It was perfect...! (Cid Kagenou certifies the ISO 7007:2025)
This is the perfect form of the mob A that was built by the 3 most brilliant minds of all time. Pride did not cease to swell Cid's spirit. After perfecting his approaches to his female classmates at Sobu High School, the last meeting between the master swordsman, the reincarnated god, and the eminence among the shadows issued the best procedural document to achieve a perfect false confession. Needless to say, the first to offer to use it was the reincarnated god. Unfortunately, Cid couldn't prove it before the train crash. Why didn't the high school hire better transportation!
"All right, let's go out."
"Hmm?"
Cid was satisfied with his perfect execution. Impossible to fail because of the wisdom of experience, divine consultation, and occult nature. So, after looking both ways to choose his escape route with quick, uncoordinated steps, a certain auditory illusion reached his ear.
"Excuse me, what did you say?"
"I told you it's okay...let's go out."
"Ah, well."
The whole scenario was too bizarre for the conditioned brain of a mere mob. His mind underwent a forced reboot as reality seemed to betray his expectations. In disbelief, he forced an alternative.
"F-For now, how about we go back together?"
After that, Cid returned to the bedrooms along with Princess Alexia, and after saying a "see you tomorrow" with a not-at-all-forced smile, he went straight to his soundproof room and shouted at the mirror.
"What the hell am I doing going into the romantic lead route! WHAT FAILED? WHAT THE FUCK FAILED?"
A strange memory began to itch the back of his neck. Such as when he was going out with Kaori Orimoto, curls-chan, to accompany Hachiman on service club activities. Something didn't add up. The smirk on his adventure partner's face began to irritate him.
"Don't you think it's bizarre! It's very strange."
"Yes it is weird."
"Very weird."
At lunch the next day, Cid recounted everything that had happened yesterday to his mob friends while they were eating. As a result, the 3 of them concluded that it was all weird. Although the strangest character of the group was yet to arrive, the opinion seemed immovable.
"To be perfectly honest, I don't see enough in you to date Princess Alexia. Maybe there's something behind it."
"What's more, even for me it would be complicated, you know? My parents would give me a celebration, but I wouldn't live with all
that pressure on my back," said Hyoro, the second son of Baron Gali's house.
Although at first glance, he looked like a slender and fashionable boy, in reality, he had terrible taste in everything. Although looking from a distance he might seem like an attractive boy... nah, no way. But Hyoro Gali of course, didn't have what it takes to date Princess Alexia either.
After all, he's a mob friend chosen by Cid Kagenou and approved by Hachiman. Double certification.
"But, if he agreed to date you, then even I would have had a chance. Aaaah, I would have confessed to him earlier."
This time the speaker was Jaga, the second son of Baron Imo's house. At first glance, he is short and round. He's like the typical daddy-looking guy in the typical baseball club, only more exaggerated. If you see him from afar, or if you see him from up close..., no matter which way you look at him, he doesn't have a single trace of being attractive.
So, he was another genuine mob who could never be near Princess Alexia. Cid doubted he knew anyone who could hobnob with royalty or, at the very least, didn't mind talking condescendingly to them.
In addition to those two, Hachiman pops up there from time to time to comment on the odd detail. After using one of his one hundred and eight techniques, he always causes a scare to Jaga or Hyoro with his non-presence. Today on one of those days where he usually has lunch with them. His resentful remarks and so on usually enliven the state of the group. Complaints about the education system are the highlight of the table.
Finally, if they find themselves with no companions other than their shadows, Cid and Hachiman converse about anything novel or important, more him unleashing a sea of information that Cid ignores outright with his "Oh, I get it" face only to continue devouring the other's wallet.
Hachiman Hikigaya carelessly proclaims his name. This is the name he uses at the academy. It sounds a bit silly as he sticks out like a sore thumb and as soon as the Japanese or Korean protagonist shows up, everything is going to get out of hand, but that's his business. With his mob image, Cid is opposed to Minoru.
"Ya, but I don't think this is a good thing. I'm afraid there's some kind of conspiracy going on behind the scenes. We live in different worlds in the first place."
"Well, that's what I thought. Like me, you don't have what it takes either. I'd say you'll last a week at most."
"I say 2 days, look around you."
Cid, I listened to Jaga and looked around. The people in the dining room were all looking at him, whispering everywhere.
"Look, it's him..."
"Really?! Well, he looks quite normal..."
"It couldn't have been a mistake...?"
"Maybe that investigator guy has something to do with it..."
"Isn't he an acquaintance of Princess Iris...?"
"Ah, I might like him..."
"Eeeeeh?!"
And the like. Though troubling statements were filtering in among so much repeated garbage.
"It seems like he's taking advantage of her with threats... or so I was told by a guy named Hyoro Gali or was it Jaga Imo?".
"Really? That bastard, he's unforgivable..."
"Let's make it look like an accident..."
"If we don't, we wouldn't be real men..."
"I don't think we should... he's a protégé..."
"No one will remember him...let's just give him a scare."
"Scaring him is enough..."
And blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...
Cid has a good ear, so he heard almost everything they said. For the moment, he retaliated with a glance at Hyoro. Cid definitely wouldn't lend him money or his shoddy notes to help him. Not maybe he could give him some lousy notes and fake money. An imperceptible smile graced his face at his next scam victim. As for Jaga...just let his own perversion step on his tail.
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Mob friendship sure is fragile and ephemeral. Without so many restrictions of formality, but very volatile. That's why it's perfect. Because no matter the scenario, it will always come back together. Even if not, gray plus other shades of gray always results in an unnoticed color.
"But now, seriously, what do I do? It would be weird if I'm the one who suddenly wants to break up with her having confessed to her yesterday."
Rejecting a princess is nothing of mobs, moreover, dating one per se, was already over the line. The identity crisis was slowly knocking on Cid's door.
"Come on, what if you just date her? It might not turn out as bad as you think." Hyoro said while smiling.
"It's true. Even if it's a mistake, dating a princess is an excellent thing to do. It's worth doing, even if there are obstacles."
"I know, the problem is that I really can't do it..."
As long as this situation continues, rumors about Cid will spread and the mob A figure he wants to create will move away from him. In addition to it being impossible to return to his character lane at this rate.
"But now that everything turned out like this, we will have to hide the fact that it was because you lost a bet," Jaga said.
"Right. If they find out, everything will get even worse, so keep quiet. Especially you, Hyoro."
"Me? Do you think I'm that much of a gossip? Better tell that to Jaga."
"Lies, you weren't even there... I mean, of course, I won't say a word either, I'm a grave."
"I'll take them on."
Cid let out a small sigh and then started eating his cheap 980 Zenis lunch. He really wanted to get this over with and get the hell out of this uncomfortable dining room. But at that moment, with that atmosphere and with all eyes on him; he would undoubtedly connect with a bullying event. If that happened, his fate would be irrevocable and he would fail as a mob. absolutely, he would avoid it!
"Still, you could wait for Hachiman, he's an investigator, he's sure to give us an answer."
An idea popped up. Hachiman could be of help, for once, in an improvised plan. Simply, he was to fight for the princess's hand (simple thing to frame) and then win (losing on purpose is consistent). Thus, Hachiman would rise to a secondary character and could find his way back home. Perfect development.
"Yes, Hyoro is right. He's a scholar, so he should know what to do."
"I don't think researching magic is a good indicator to solve this, Jaga."
"We're at our wit's end, Cid. Oh, that sounded very learned."
Even if Hyoro is the one to say it, I'm going to write that sentence down.
"Tch. A stroke of luck that no one heard, Hyoro."
"Come on, Jaga, if it happened once, it can happen again."
As the two continued to discuss about each other's luck, Cid thought about how to get Hachiman to initiate a duel between them. Then, before expressing his initiative...
"Boy, he sure is lively today."
A young man in stereotypical magical student attire appeared at the most convenient time
"Hachiman."
"Yo...Well, who did you confess to today?"
Straightforward, Hikigaya Hachiman sat in the middle of Jaga and Cid.
"Sharp, like any investigator" Jaga insisted on his earlier remark.
"That he is an investigator is not necessary. Everyone is talking about it." Hachiman replied without hesitation. Meanwhile, he divided his steak into the 2345 zenis lunch.
"Come on, Hachiman, it can't be on everyone's lips after a few hours."
Considering that they spread the rumors less than half an hour ago, Cid ignored their comments.
"So, when is the wedding?" Hachiman dropped the usual routine bombshell.
"wee...wee... wedding?"
"It must be a privilege any normal person would take advantage of, right? Trying to climb the ranks is any nobleman's dream."
Hachiman's reasons pointed to the common sense of anyone born in medieval times. In a state society, any opportunity to move up would be grabbed tooth and nail.
"Now that you mention it, you have a point."
"Yes, Cid, couldn't you introduce us to other girls in higher grades?"
Jaga and Hyoro began to fantasize about grabbing hold of their friend so they could improve their social and political standing.
"Hmm, Cid, I'm just warning you, she must be a girl worthy of me,"
"You saw how you've led them astray, now even my friends won't help me."
"Every decision has its consequence, as long as it's not 0%, you can win."
Before they replied, on the seat in front of Cid, was a super expensive 10 thousand Zenis lunch prepared by professional maids.
Before they took a plan of action, it just happened...
"May I sit here?"
Princess Alexia made her appearance. Yes, indeed, Cid, he knew it would happen, that's why he tried to eat fast.
PD: HELLO THERE! IM BACK!