In this Second Chance at Life, where I can see skills as clear as day, everything feels like a breeze. And to make it even better, I’m spending my days joyfully with my First Love. - Chapter 50

At the vocational training school, transitioning to high school didn’t involve a formal entrance ceremony or a significant influx of new students. Since the day the gods granted humanity professions, there hasn’t been a dramatic increase in the number of individuals receiving professions. Due to the school’s specialized nature, student turnover is minimal compared to typical academic settings.

As a result, even in high school, the special class remained largely unchanged. While there were a few student swaps, Ichika, Koumei, and Saotome were still in the same class.

Ichika, of course, is my constant companion, and Koumei remains a rare and invaluable friend who isn’t intimidated by my Intimidation skill.

In middle school, Koumei had the look of a boyish, handsome “shota,” but as a high schooler, he’s grown into a cool and elegant young man, standing three centimeters taller than my 170 cm.

Academically, he’s a monster, tying with me for first place, even though I have the advantage of past-life knowledge and countless brain-enhancing skills.

On top of that, Koumei is second only to me in the number of dungeons conquered by students. Unlike me, however, his good looks have earned him the nickname Adventure Prince, making him wildly popular.

Annoyingly, compared to my past life, he’s a flawless, superhuman figure in every way.

Naturally, Koumei chose to sit behind me during our first police training class.

“…Wait a second, Koumei. Didn’t you choose the Adventurer Program?”

“Well, yes. But honestly, I’m more surprised that you chose the Police Program, Sashima. I was sure you’d say something like, ‘There’s nothing for me to learn,’ and boycott it.”

“Well, I mean… yeah, that was the plan.”

“Though, come to think of it, there’s nothing left for you to learn in the Adventurer Program either.”

“True. Honestly, I guess there’s not much for you to learn there anymore, either.”

“Exactly. Besides, I want to go wherever you go, Sashima.”

“O-Oh…”

Hearing such pure admiration from someone I’d just begrudged moments earlier was flattering yet oddly unsettling. Still, considering his focus on dungeon and skill mastery, Koumei’s reasoning probably had some merit.

After all, I had told Koumei about my Appraisal skill, which lets me view the stats and skills of others.

Meanwhile, Saotome sat behind Ichika, undoubtedly wanting to stick close to her as usual.

The first session of the Police Program focused on obtaining a License for the Active Arrest of Individuals Abusing Professions or Skills.

Typically, civilians can only make arrests if they catch someone in the act. However, with this license, individuals are granted special authority to arrest criminals who misuse their professions or skills, provided they have a warrant issued by the courts.

To qualify, one needs a foundational understanding of relevant laws and a certain level of strength. Fortunately, I’m not bad at studying, and I’m more than confident in my strength. I mean, I’m pretty sure I could fend off an alien invasion single-handedly.

After a few days, Ichika, Koumei, Saotome, and I successfully obtained our licenses. Almost immediately, we were tasked with confronting Cherished Star, the infamous group that had recently made headlines.

In addition to legal and theoretical training, the Police Program is supposed to teach tactics for dealing with criminals in combat situations. However, Commissioner Sumida told me:

“There’s no strategy that can surpass your Intimidation. That alone is more effective than anything we can teach.”

It seemed the police were eager to resolve the Cherished Star situation as quickly as possible, and thus, we were thrust into action.

The group known as Cherished Star is a militant faction operating under the ideology that they, as individuals chosen and favored by the gods, are destined to rule over the rest of humanity and the Earth.

“Ugh… once again, we’ve been rebuffed by Lord Sashima. If only Lord Yasushi would agree to lead Cherished Star, our ultimate goal would undoubtedly be achieved. Why, oh why, does he refuse to cooperate with us? Damn those lowly pests who keep meddling with him… It’s all their fault!”

The founder and acting leader of Cherished Star, known as Akaboshi, ground his teeth in frustration over yet another failed attempt to contact Yasushi. Akaboshi believed wholeheartedly that Yasushi’s continued rejections were due to the interference of other groups, including the government and foreign organizations that sought to meddle with Yasushi themselves.

Incidentally, Akaboshi’s title of Acting Leader stems from the very ideology of Cherished Star, which dictates:

“The person most favored by the gods is Yasushi Sashima, the first individual ever to be granted a profession. The voice of the gods makes it clear that under Yasushi’s leadership, those of us with superior professions should govern the rest of humanity.”

The police, however, were entirely unaware that Cherished Star was, at its core, essentially a cult devoted to Yasushi Sashima.

And when they requested Yasushi to assist in the suppression of Cherished Star, they had no idea just how ironic their decision truly was.

Finding the headquarters of Cherished Star turned out to be laughably easy.

In fact, I didn’t even have to look for it—they approached me.

A group of individuals dressed in black uniforms with a distinctive red star embroidered on the back came up to me and said, “We are Cherished Star. Lord Yasushi Sashima, we humbly invite you to join us.”

Though I had no idea who they were, I vaguely recognized their uniforms. Oh, right—I think I’d come across them before and casually intimidated them into submission, leaving them in a park. I don’t remember exactly when it happened, though. It was just another day in the life for me.

Thus, Ichika and I allowed ourselves to be escorted to their headquarters.

“Comrades of Cherished Star! We have brought Lord Yasushi Sashima with us!”

“What?!”
“No way!”
“It’s him! The real deal!”

The moment they laid eyes on me, every single member of Cherished Star dropped to their knees and prostrated themselves before me.

Huh? What… what is this?

I was completely dumbfounded by the sudden and unexpected display of reverence.

“Um… so, who’s in charge here?”

“That would be me! Until now, I have served as the Acting Leader of this organization. However, as of today, the leadership of Cherished Star belongs to you, Lord Yasushi! We pledge our unwavering loyalty and devotion to you!”

I glanced at Ichika, silently asking if they were serious. She nodded in affirmation.

What… what is happening? Am I supposed to subdue people who are bowing before me like this?

Nope. I can’t do it. And besides, I don’t even know what crimes Cherished Star has committed.

Still, they’re a group notorious enough to be labeled a terrorist organization, and it’s clear they’ve caused harm. I can’t just let them go unchecked—it would mean more innocent people might get hurt. But turning them over to the police after this feels… wrong.

If they were ordinary criminals coming at me with fists or weapons, this would be much simpler.

With no other options, I decided to try reasoning with them. Considering their reverence for me, they might at least hear me out.

That said, Cherished Star’s core ideology revolves around supremacy. Telling them, “You’re wrong to believe you should rule over others” probably wouldn’t be effective. I needed a different approach.

“Members of Cherished Star! The mere idea that your strength qualifies you to rule over humanity is utterly shallow!”

The atmosphere instantly shifted as tension filled the air. I lightly pressed them down with my magic.

“Anyone who dares claim they are not weak, raise your head and look me in the eye!”

Many of them flinched and attempted to comply, but under my magic’s pressure, none could move.

“Let me be perfectly clear: You are weak! Pathetically so! Compared to me, there is no difference between you and the so-called villagers you claim to be superior to! If you truly believe you are worthy of ruling over others, then prove it—raise your levels to at least 300! Only then will I even consider entertaining your claims!”

With every word, I infused a sliver of my Intimidation into my voice. Some fainted on the spot; others lost control of their bladders. Not a single person dared to refute me.

“Akaboshi. Until you and your group reach level 300, I leave this organization in your hands. From now on, refrain from theft and violence and dedicate yourselves to humility and self-discipline. Your time should be spent solely on self-improvement and training. That is all I have to say.”

In other words, I told them to start working out.

Given what I’ve seen of monsters since the Trial of the Gods, the highest level I’ve encountered was around 40. And since experience gains diminish when fighting weaker opponents, these guys will likely never reach level 300, even if they trained for their entire lives.

With this, Cherished Star has effectively been rebranded as a group of fitness enthusiasts and dungeon explorers.

If they ever cause trouble again, I’ll deal with them myself.

Thus, my first assignment as part of the Police Program ended… as a complete failure.

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