*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
The door swung open.
"Ah, Roy-san, please come in."
"Genos, have you moved in?"
"Yes, starting today, I'll officially be learning from Saitama-sensei and will be your neighbor. Roy-san, please take care of me."
"I see."
Although Roy wanted to tell Genos that individuals couldn't be generalized, especially not humans and cyborgs.
Saitama indeed possessed combat power beyond most people's imagination, but that didn't mean he would teach. Roy had conversed with Saitama before, and he only knew the facts but not the reasons behind them. He knew he had incredible power, but he didn't know where it came from.
All he could remember was the three years of practice, doing 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day.
But according to Roy's data, Saitama was, in fact, an anomaly among humans.
According to Dr. Genus's theory, there was a limiter in individuals. Roy introduced the concept of growth on top of this.
In the biological world, races and individuals within races were different. Their differences in growth were determined by both nature and nurture. In simpler terms, no one would think that Kryptonians and humans were the same on Earth, right?
Using Marxism terminology, it was the relationship between quantitative change and qualitative change. In other words, developing one's growth potential was a quantitative change, while breaking the limiter was a qualitative change.
To be honest, the wonders of this world lay in the ability to break the limiter.
The essence of the limiter was actually the species itself.
No matter how hard humans trained, they couldn't beat an African elephant in pure strength.
In other words, breaking the limiter was actually a form of evolution. This would lead to massive genetic mutations, changing the form of life.
This was also the reason for the emergence of monsters.
But the fundamental reason for triggering the limiter breakthrough had not yet been found. Surface-level factors such as extreme training, mental stress, and emotional extremes could lead to this change.
But it couldn't be simply assumed that this was the reason.
To some extent, Saitama was an observational subject for Roy. He was the only person who, after breaking the limiter, didn't become a monster... or rather, didn't look like a monster.
But all of this seemed unrelated to Genos.
Because Genos had also broken the limiter to some extent... he had become different from ordinary humans through cyborg modification. Whether this artificial human had the potential for a second breakthrough remained unknown, as there were currently no cases of a second breakthrough among existing monsters.
So, was there anything for Genos to learn from Saitama?
Hmm... perhaps he could learn about Saitama's philosophy of heroism?
Of course, this was Genos's and Saitama's affair. Roy had no intention of interfering. Not being the party involved, he couldn't know what they were thinking. If he made a misstep, it wouldn't be good. Good intentions can lead to bad outcomes.
Entering the living room, Roy found Saitama shirtless, watching TV.
Roy casually remarked, "Saitama, are you reading manga again? Can you do some work? Go patrol outside."
Compared to the lazy Saitama, Roy was much more diligent.
In the days since becoming a professional hero, Roy had been patrolling outside... actually just strolling around. Even if you called it a date, it didn't matter. Fubuki, that girl, showed up at his door every day, so he had no choice but to hang out with her.
Of course, if he encountered individuals endangering public safety, Roy would take care of them.
Today was no exception. After walking around for a while, fulfilling his daily hero duties, Roy thought about Saitama's usual idleness. He had no choice but to enter Saitama's house and remind him.
"Bothering me."
"I'm talking to you, didn't you hear?"
"Can't you stop bothering me?"
"I've only said a few words, and you're calling me bothersome... Um, wouldn't it be strange to continue this conversation?" Roy felt like something was off somewhere, so he sat down and started chatting with Saitama. "It's been five days since becoming a professional hero, Saitama. Haven't you done anything?"
Lazy Saitama, lying there, peculiarly asked, "There's no disaster on TV that needs me to intervene..."
"Saitama, have you forgotten your position?" Roy raised an eyebrow. "Indeed, you possess overwhelming combat power, but... you are still a C-Class hero."
Saitama suddenly got angry. "What's wrong? What's wrong with being a C-Class hero? Just because you're an S-Class hero or a B-Class hero, think you can stand above me?"
Genos interjected, "Although I think this is unnecessary, Saitama-sensei, the lecturer the other day mentioned that if a C-Class hero doesn't engage in hero activities within a week, they will be removed from the hero registry. Are you okay?"
Saitama froze.
He nervously got up and stared at Genos.
"Uh, is that... is that true?"
"Yes, it is. It was also mentioned that there are many C-Class heroes, and their standards are low, so those who are useless will be removed from the list in order."
"Saitama, your ranking is C-Class 388th, which is bottom-tier. If you don't complete any hero activities in two days, you will be removed." Roy said nonchalantly, sipping his tea. "But it doesn't matter, right? Your strength is still there, so you can still engage in hero activities if you want."
"I believe in you, Saitama-sensei!" Genos encouraged Saitama. "The work that C-Class heroes mainly engage in is dealing with human internal enemies such as robbers, bandits, and criminals. With your strength, it will be a piece of cake!"
"Ah, yes..."
Saitama could only respond vaguely.
Unaware of Saitama's discomfort, Genos continued, "To be honest, being a C-Class hero is quite tough, because C-Class heroes must actively and frequently engage in hero activities, otherwise it's difficult to survive in this industry. And I heard that if C-Class heroes don't produce results like office workers, no one will pay attention or evaluate them."
Saitama, sweating profusely after hearing Genos's words, roared as he stood up, "Now is not the time to reading manga!"
Seeing this, Genos was about to stand up, but Roy pressed him down.
"Let Saitama go alone. Both of us following him won't help his hero activities."
Saitama said, "He's right!"
"But..."
"No buts!"
Then, Saitama ran off.
Setting down his tea cup, Roy said, "Genos, do you know what Murphy's Law is?"
Genos shook his head.
"It's that if something can go wrong, no matter how small the possibility, it will happen." Roy said. "I guess Saitama will probably come back empty-handed today."
"It can't be that bad..."
Roy continued, "What Saitama lacks isn't hero activities, but activities that are recognized by others. There are always many monsters appearing in this area, and Saitama has dealt with many of them. He deserves an S-Class hero title based on merit, but these records have never been attributed to him. Instead, they have been credited to other professional heroes who clean up the remnants of discovered monsters."
"What? Is that true?!"
"Don't get so worked up."
"Saitama-sensei's achievements have been taken by others. I will definitely seek justice for Saitama-sensei."
"But this is only my word. You can believe me, but why would others believe it? Do you have evidence?" Roy's question silenced Genos. "And even if Saitama knew about this, he probably wouldn't care much. He has always been carefree. Despite his current urgency, deep down, he doesn't really care. So, there's no need to worry too much about him."
Genos calmed down.
Roy was actually doing something similar to Saitama, encountering the same situation of having achievements attributed to others.
But since they both didn't care, there was nothing they could do.
Glancing at Genos, Roy asked, "Genos, why do you want to apprentice under Saitama?"
Genos hesitated for a moment before answering, "Why do you ask? Saitama-sensei is so strong, it's only natural for others to want to apprentice under him."
Roy said, "Don't equate his strength with his ability to teach others. Saitama is indeed powerful, but it doesn't mean he will necessarily teach. Remember at the House of Evolution, you asked about Saitama's secret to becoming strong? Do you think that method would be effective for you?"
Genos was momentarily at a loss for words.
With Roy's reminder, he recalled the incident at the House of Evolution. He had always regarded Saitama's words as a joke, but now, looking at Roy-san's demeanor, could it be true?
"Of course, I'm not against you apprenticing under Saitama, but have you really thought it through?"
Genos nodded and said, "I've been observing Saitama-sensei for over a week."
"I see."
No wonder why he had always felt like there was something lurking on the rooftop of the empty building across from him. But because the target was not himself but Saitama, Roy chose to ignore it. Unexpectedly, it was Genos spying on Saitama in secret. Honestly, it felt a bit like a stalker.
But since that was the case, Roy had nothing more to say.
"Then let me leave you with a saying, Associate with the wise, learn from them. Associate with the foolish, be like them."
With that, Roy left Saitama's room.
He would visit Saitama after Saitama returned.
...
As expected, Saitama returned around dusk, having achieved nothing.
Roy happened to be standing in the hallway playing on his phone when Saitama bumped into him and they both entered Saitama's room.
He complained, "Usually, I don't mind, but this city is so peaceful. I've been running around all day, and I didn't encounter a single case."
Genos nodded and said, "So it's Murphy's Law."
Saitama didn't understand. "What law?"
Roy explained, "It means maybe something good will happen tomorrow."
"You're a B-Class hero. Of course, you can't understand the difficulties we C-Class heroes face!"
"Are you already labeling yourself... And although I'm a B-Class hero, I'm much more diligent than you. I'm basically on duty every day, and I even called you, remember? But you brushed it off."
Saitama recalled and realized it was true.
Damn it, he wanted to make Roy feel guilty and then mooch off him for dinner.
With this outcome, he couldn't blame Roy anymore, could he?
Genos added, "Roy-san is already a popular newcomer in the top ten of the B-Class heroes, and he ranks in the top three in popularity surveys! By the way, I'm seventh."
"Damn it..."
Genos looked at Roy and asked, "Roy-san, have you decided on your hero name?"
"It doesn't matter."
"If the Hero Association arranges it, they'll probably start with your features." Genos said. "For example, in my case, it might be Demon Cyborg."
Saitama chuckled. "Then wouldn't I be Caped Baldy?"
"That possibility can't be ruled out."
Saitama was embarrassed and weakly said, "It can't be..."
Roy gave Saitama a smile, leaving him to ponder.
"So, Saitama, how do you feel about being a professional hero now?"
Saitama remained silent for a moment before answering, "Anyway, let's just maintain our status as professional heroes first. How about you? I remember you never mentioned wanting to become a hero before."
"Being a professional hero and being a hero are two different things. Professional heroes are essentially just civilian security forces. Putting on the glamorous hero cloak adds the burden of being an idol, but in reality, it's still just a job."
Saitama's expression was blank, revealing nothing of what he was thinking.
Roy didn't care and continued to express his views, "Personally, as a practitioner, don't have too high expectations for the internal situation of this profession. It's unrealistic to expect every professional hero to be bright, just, and noble. Of course, in terms of results, the emergence of professional heroes does indeed maintain public safety."
"You seem quite familiar with the situation of professional heroes."
"I just don't like fighting unprepared battles. And most of the above are just my personal thoughts. Since we've already entered this big pit, it's necessary to have a basic understanding of it instead of going in blind. Saitama, I think sometimes you should pay more attention to things related to yourself. Intelligence can be strategically significant."
"Hmm, got it."
Looking at his indifferent attitude, Roy didn't bother to persuade further. After all, if Saitama really suffered later, he wouldn't be harmed in any way. With such confidence in his strength, even if he really lost, it wouldn't be a big deal.
Genos, preparing dinner, nodded to himself, feeling that he had gained a lot of insights.