The parents, who should be chatting away about their noisy children, start quietly glancing over at me instead. Regalia quickly deduces the reason.
In front of her are two individuals posing as her parents—Eight and Arima—and their disguises are just too perfect. They didn’t just mimic the appearance; they copied Regalia’s superpowers to boot!
‘They even copied her superpower… now they really look like parents!’
Regalia’s superpower is the Majesty of Kings. Even at a young age, it’s what allows her to command the Evilus Corporation. That majesty radiates from the two of them, too.
Of course, unlike her who grew up handling her powers naturally, these two seem to be just flaunting their force without knowing how to control it. But the fact that they can mimic her powers is impressive in itself.
So, in essence, it feels like three kings are gathered in one place. It’s no wonder the other parents, mere company employees, seem cowed by their overwhelming presence.
“…Eight. You’ve prepared something strange again.”
“Call me Dad. Lia.”
“…There’s nothing else, right? I’m currently disguised as an ordinary student…!”
“Of course. It’s all for our Lia.”
Watching Eight’s performance, Regalia lets out a sigh of relief. They look just like her and have even copied her superpower, but—she realizes they’re fake.
There’s not the slightest resemblance to her real dad from her memories. Not in appearance, nor in behavior.
“Don’t cause any trouble… I’m trusting you…!”
“Don’t worry, Lia.”
“Ugh…!”
However, the fact that he doesn’t resemble her father is what makes Regalia feel anxious.
Even if he looks like a noble aristocrat, what lies beneath is a scientist.
Carrying her anxieties, Regalia returns to class.
* * *
During break time, after chatting with Boss, I realize the quiet atmosphere in the classroom isn’t natural.
The cause? It’s me!
‘Could it be that Boss’s superpower has been replicated too?’
This was an unexpected side effect, something I couldn’t have anticipated. Who would’ve thought replicating chromosomes would result in copying superpowers?
In essence, I seem to be unknowingly exuding Regalia’s power, the Majesty of Kings, and so is Arima beside me.
While modern folk don’t care much for nobles or kings, this superpower doesn’t discriminate, applying pressure whether or not the other party notices. Considering that I don’t even know I have it, it means the people in class are feeling the overwhelming presence of two kings…
‘Guess I feel a bit sorry now.’
As I’m feeling bad for the people in class, someone from the parents tentatively approaches me.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“…Yes. Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Dodolph, Adolph’s father over there. I run a small company that directly receives contracts from Evilus Corporation.”
As Dodolph introduces himself, I give a light nod. After all, the Majesty of Kings isn’t some mind control or brainwashing thing. With a bit of courage, anyone could break through the pressure.
Besides, unlike in the medieval era where chatting up an aristocrat could lead to a beheading, in modern times, it’s quite safe, isn’t it? He probably thought there was no harm in talking to someone who radiates a certain presence, especially because he’s a company owner.
“I’m Lia’s dad. Just an ordinary employee.”
“Eh? What does that mean…?”
“Just an ordinary employee.”
Upon hearing my predetermined response, Dodolph’s expression suddenly turns stern. Does he not believe me? Honestly, I can’t fault him—if I saw someone radiating that atmosphere claiming to be a mere worker, I wouldn’t believe it either.
However, whether he believes me or not, there’s only one thing I can insist on. I’m an employee. Technically, I am a worker of an evil organization! It’s not a lie.
As I insist I’m merely a company worker, Dodolph silently distanced himself from our conversation. A wise choice.
“Alright, then. Shall we present our homework? Who wants to go first?”
At the teacher’s direction, none of the students raise their hands. Watching this from the sidelines, Regalia sighs again before quietly raising her hand. The teacher promptly points her out, and Regalia steps forward with her already prepared homework.
“My parents are ordinary company workers.”
“…Ordinary?”
“They love and care for me so much. I miss you, Mom and Dad. I love you.”
“Uh, hmm… Yes, well written. But…”
The teacher begins to glance over here and there. Catching her gaze, she lets out a yikes and shrinks back.
But perhaps it’s part of the curriculum, she avoids looking away and continues to speak.
“C-Could Lia’s father step forward for a moment…?”
When the teacher calls upon me, I lock eyes with Regalia. After seeing Boss lightly nod, I step forward. With each step, the kids’ breaths seem to be sucked in. I start to feel a little guilty for being in the classroom.
So, when I step up, I introduce myself as I did to Dodolph earlier.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lia’s dad. Just an ordinary employee.”
Hearing me say I’m an ordinary employee, many people visibly doubt me, but the kids seem to buy it.
And some of the kids who have more impressive parents than a mere employee seem to loosen up and even start to play around.
“Hey, sir! What exactly do you do?”
“I’m a researcher.”
“A researcher? Can you make robots and stuff!?”
With the kid’s innocent question, I nod lightly. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a square object. As I do, Boss flinches, but doesn’t try to stop me.
Interpreting this as permission, I turn on the toy robot I had brought with slight modifications from the prototype I made after arriving in this world.
As it powers on, the rectangular box transforms just as it was programmed to do so. Unlike the minor villain I had, I adjusted it to transform into the most popular robot among kids.
“U-woah!”
“It’s a cool bot!”
As the kids realize what the robot is, they all scream in excitement. Truly, toys are the best in the eyes of children!
Even Boss, captivated by the toy, fidgets nervously at the desk. I flash a wink to reassure him before introducing the toy.
“I work at a company that makes things like this.”
“C-Can I touch it!?”
“Go right ahead.”
Confident that it wouldn’t break no matter how roughly they handled it, I handed it over to the kids. They exclaim in awe at the self-moving toy robot.
While the kids giggle and play with the toy, the expressions of the parents darken. For some reason, I can’t quite understand why.
Just when I was about to put the toy away after it made its round through the kids’ hands, one suddenly shouted.
“But the cool bot is huge! Why is this one so small?”
“That’s right! On TV, it was big! Is it fake?”
Hearing those comments, I paused, about to tuck the robot away. Why is it so small? Is it fake? Well, it is fake, but I can’t shatter the children’s dreams like that.
I glance back at Arima, who gives me a light nod. Taking that as encouragement, I walk to the window and open it.
“Ei- Dad…?”
Amid Boss’s worried voice, I quickly throw the toy robot. As the kids are shocked by what I’m doing, the thrown robot begins to grow, infused with Arima’s magic.
Suddenly, it grows to the size seen on TV and emerges in the middle of the playground.
Boom!
The ground shakes as the massive robot reveals itself, causing the kids to cheer wildly.
Between their gasps and cheers, I casually declare, “Of course, it’s real.”
I can’t let Boss’s daughter have a lying parent!
I smile at Boss, whose face is also filled with joy.
