My Disciples Think I’m Strong

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Awakened from dozing off at my desk by the sound of intense knocking on the door. Blinking my heavy eyes, I focused my blurry vision.

“Ugh. Crap!”

I must have fallen asleep while sorting magic scrolls by type.
I wiped the drool off a magic scroll. It was a fire-shaped scroll. The activation word was ‘ignite.’

“The magic effect won’t disappear just because it got drool on it, will it?”

I didn’t want to waste the scroll I paid good money for. I watched as the drool stain disappeared when…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

What’s going on again today for this to happen?
Sighing, I tore the magic scroll and picked up the sword I had propped up beside the table.
Strapping it to my waist, I walked towards the front door.

“Mmm… Master, what’s going on?”

One human girl rubbing her eyes.

“It’s noisy, Master.”

One fox girl frowning.

“It feels refreshing to see you in the morning, Master.”

One elf girl yawning.

“I don’t recall being called ‘Master’ though.”

I retorted to the three girls.
For now, I was just their temporary caretaker, not their master – helping them grow steadily.

Bang! Bang!

The knocking on the door didn’t stop. Kicking them out seemed to be the only option.

“Haa, just stay hidden.”
“Okay~!”

The girls answered and peeked their faces out from their room. Is that considered hiding?
I sighed, looking at the silly three sisters.

“Who is it? What’s the matter—”

I unlocked the wooden lock and opened the front door.
There stood a burly man raising an axe high into the air.

“Die!”

Die? Right off the bat? That’s too much.
Our eyes met as he swung the axe down at me.

Thunk!

The axe aimed at my head got stuck in the door frame.
Luckily, it seemed the axe man made a mistake and hit the frame instead of my head. That was a close shave.

“You, you, you are wha, what?”

His body trembled as if having convulsions. Unable to even speak properly, as if feeling an overwhelming pressure.
With no intention of retrieving the axe he swung down, he slowly backed away.

“I’m just the owner of this house.”

I pointed my thumb inside as I spoke.

“Bu, bu, but I heard the owner is powerless!”

Powerless, huh…
Well, that’s not wrong.

“Just what are you?! Why do I sense the same aura as the Imperial Knights from your body?!”

He shouted in panic. Spouting insults right after meeting me.
As I glanced at him, he shuddered. Ah, here we go again…

“Guh! Wha, what is this inexplicable presence?!”

To keep distance from the retreating man, I stepped outside. I didn’t forget to close the door behind me.
Glancing behind the axe man, I saw some silhouettes preparing to ambush at any moment.
Hmm. I should say something about that.
‘Hey, I can see you guys hiding over there. Don’t bother and just leave, alright?’
“Sorry, but I’m a little sensitive when it comes to staying alive. Come out now. Or you’ll all die by my hand.”

…What’s with this filter?
Is it really going to be like this every time I speak?
The silhouettes flinched at my provocation. Reluctantly, I placed my hand on my sword.
Since it’s come to this, I’ll have to bluff.

“Hiiee! Sp, spare me!”

Seeing my movements, the man rolled on the ground and frantically crawled into the woods.

“Ignite.”

The moment I drew my sword, the blade glowed red-hot and burst into flames. The surrounding area was illuminated by the soaring flames.

“There you were, hiding!”
“Crazy! What is that?!”
“Damn it! Everyone run!”
“We can’t beat that!”

Those who were concealing themselves fled.
Once I was certain there were no more movements around, I blew out the sword’s flames with my breath.

Running away from bluffing flames that grew larger with more magic power. Hmph.

I calmly sheathed my sword as if nothing had happened from the start.

“…Alright, then.”

Got one done today.
I almost got my head chopped off by that axe. Didn’t even react.

“Woaah~! Master is so cool!”
“I didn’t really do anything.”
“I want to be that cool too! How do I do that?!”

The human girl asked in admiration, her fists clenched so tightly they were trembling. Seeing that, I wanted to ask what kind of misunderstanding she had.

“As I thought, I respect you, Master. I hope I can become a shield that blocks any attack like you do.”
“I didn’t block anything.”
“!”

The fox girl made a surprised expression at my response.

“I… see. That imposing presence that doesn’t even let the opponent think of attacking! That must be the ultimate defense!”

What is she talking about…?
The fox-eared girl clapped and her eyes shone. She clearly had an epiphany, but I think she misunderstood something. Sorry, but you got it wrong.

“As expected of you, Master. To handle fire so skillfully, it’s sexy. I almost fell for you right there.”
“That was just the effect of a magic scroll.”
“I see. Those people weren’t even worth using real magic on. That’s why you used a scroll. I wish I could quickly assess my opponent’s capability like you, Master.”

The elf girl pondered seriously. Hey, are you even listening to me properly?

It seemed like all three of them were lost in their own little worlds, with no intention of listening to me.

“Are you listening to me right now?”

“Master, Master!”
“…What?”
“I can cut down that whole meadow in an instant right now.”

She pointed at a massive ravine that had split a mountain range. That’s a bit too large to be called a meadow, isn’t it?

“How much weaker am I compared to you if I can do that?”

What’s with the comparison? You’re already superhuman level.
Don’t compare an extra to a weakling like me.

As I alternated looking at the three of them, the human girl suddenly spoke up.

“Master, I can block not only Tina’s sword techniques but all of Maria’s magic as well. Would that be enough to defeat a Demon Lord?”
“Well, I wonder…”

Taken aback by my ambiguous response, the fox girl asked:

“Does, does that mean I’m still insufficient? Then please tell me what I need to do! I’m willing to do anything to become stronger!”

I don’t know either. How would I know?
I’ve already told you everything I know.

“Master! What should I do going forward?”

This time, the elf girl tugged persistently on my arm. Ow, my arm. Stop pulling, you’ll dislocate it.

“Please show me the way. I haven’t learned the ultimate technique of any element yet. I haven’t even dropped a meteor from the sky, you know? I can easily lift the mountain Tina cut, though.”

…That was easily lifting it?

“You guys… Do you realize you’re only thirteen years old?”
“If this is all I can do at thirteen, then I’m lacking, right? Look at Iris, she blocks all my sword strikes!”

The human girl pointed at the fox girl in frustration, claiming it was unfair.
That just means Iris is amazing. But it didn’t mean Tina was falling behind at all.

If I sent her to the capital right now, the Imperial Knights would try to scout her as a sword prodigy.

“You said great mages had already mastered all magic by the age of ten, Master. I’m still lacking in comparison!”

Sorry, but that was a different setting. The mage was even a regresser, in fact.
I only mentioned those settings as jokes before. Didn’t I say I was just kidding?
You remembered that part but not the part where I said I was kidding?

“Master, tell me!”
“Master, please tell me!”

You’ve all already grown far more abnormally than I had expected.
How can girls who have just turned thirteen be able to cut mountains and lift them up?!

“…I see.”

When I didn’t respond, the elf girl muttered:

“You’re saying I haven’t grown enough for you to reveal the next step.”

The elf’s words made the human and fox flinch. Three pairs of eyes looked up at me.
The moment our eyes met, their pupils dilated. Their bodies trembled.

“I see. Tina and I are still nowhere near your level, Master…”

Biting her lower lip, she clenched her fists tightly.

“I’ll put in my full effort.”

What are you talking about? You’re already stronger than me. I can’t cut mountains like you.

“I’m sorry, Master. I spoke foolishly. But please acknowledge this. I will definitely become stronger, as you wish.”

It would be nice if you got stronger, but don’t compare yourself to me, alright?

“I agree. To become someone worthy of you, Master, I will master all the elements without fail.”

I looked back and forth between the three of them.
Though dejected, they were burning with passion at the prospect of still having room to grow.

They were admirable and adorable kids.
But you know…

Why do you think I’m strong?

I’m weak, you know?
Driving off those thieves earlier was just my ‘Intimidation’ skill.
The sword flames were thanks to the ‘Magic Scroll.’

So why do you think I’m strong? We’ve lived together for 3 years, you should have realized by now, right?

As much as I wanted to ask in frustration, the ‘Poker Face’ skill automatically activating prevented me from showing any emotion.

“…Alright, go ahead and try.”
I replied indifferently and turned to leave. Their passionate gazes burned into my back.
Honestly, it stung a little.