No matter how much the Samsaras gossiped or complained across their worlds, none of it mattered to Fenric.
That night, laughter and warmth filled the villa.
Under Skynet's direction, the group prepared a sumptuous dinner. The dining table was packed with food, the air rich with familiar aromas.
For Saitama, it was the happiest he'd been in years.
Tasting Skynet's cooking again — that same familiar flavor from his training days — brought back countless memories.
However, his peaceful joy didn't last long before Genos broke the mood.
"Teacher!" Genos said suddenly, his tone earnest as ever. "Please show me how to become stronger!"
Saitama froze mid-bite, his smile stiffening. A headache instantly bloomed.
"Uh… Teacher," he said helplessly, glancing at Fenric for help.
Fenric chuckled, waving his hand. "He's your disciple, Saitama. You teach him."
He wasn't about to get involved. After all, Genos was a cyborg — someone who grew stronger through technological upgrades, not muscle training. That was far beyond Fenric's field of expertise.
Saitama scratched his head awkwardly, looking trapped. Then, after some hesitation, he turned to Fenric.
"Teacher… can I tell him the method you taught me?"
Fenric smiled. "Of course. It's up to you."
Receiving permission, Saitama immediately straightened up, his expression becoming solemn.
"Genos," he said, "the secret to becoming strong was taught to me by my teacher. I'll share it with you — but you must never tell anyone else, understand?"
Genos nodded vigorously, excitement flashing in his mechanical eyes. "Yes, Teacher!"
Saitama took a deep breath. "To become strong, you must do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and run 10 kilometers every day. If you stick to it for three years, you'll become stronger — no matter what!"
"...?"
Genos froze. His face stiffened as his processors struggled to interpret what he had just heard.
That's it?
Push-ups? Sit-ups? Squats? Running?
Could it really be that simple?!
He looked as if his entire existence had been questioned.
Then, suddenly —
"Pffft!"
A quiet laugh escaped Fenric.
Saitama turned to him curiously. "Teacher, what's wrong?"
Fenric waved a hand quickly, struggling to keep a straight face. "Nothing. I just… choked on my food."
And with that, dinner continued — though Genos spent the rest of it staring blankly at his plate, his world turned upside down.
…
After dinner, Genos finally came to a conclusion.
The master must think I'm not ready yet.
That training routine must be a test — a way to see if I'm truly determined!
He clenched his metal fists. "I'll do it, no matter what!"
Fenric could only sigh inwardly if he had heard those thoughts.
…
The Next Morning
The household woke early.
Saitama and Genos left together to take part in the Hero Association's official evaluation test.
Fenric, on the other hand, was heading to the Association headquarters in A City to begin his own new mission.
Before leaving, Fenric reminded his disciple:
"Saitama, during the Association's test — you'll be fine with the physical portion, but watch out for the written exam. Remember what I told you: when you choose answers, think from the perspective of the Hero Association. Choose the ones that make them look good. Understand?"
"Eh? Oh—got it, Teacher!" Saitama replied obediently, though his expression clearly showed he didn't understand a word of it.
Still, what the teacher said was law. And Saitama was nothing if not a dutiful student.
Fenric could only shake his head helplessly.
At this rate, I'd better give him a little help from behind the scenes.
After all, what would it look like if the number one S-Class hero's disciple only ranked C-Class?
Embarrassing, that's what.
"Then, see you later."
As soon as he said that, Fenric lifted off the ground and shot into the air.
BOOM!
A massive sonic boom thundered through the sky as he vanished into the clouds.
Genos's pupils contracted in awe.
He broke the sound barrier so easily… truly incredible!
Even Saitama looked up enviously. "Man, flying looks convenient."
He couldn't fly himself — but his jumping ability was so absurdly powerful that, in theory, he could probably leap straight into space if he tried.
With a shrug, he turned to his student. "Come on, Genos. Let's walk. The test site isn't far."
"Yes, Teacher!"
As they walked down the street, Genos suddenly asked, "Teacher, between you and Master… who's stronger?"
Saitama didn't hesitate for a second. "Of course my teacher is stronger!"
Genos stiffened, eyes widening.
To him, Saitama was already terrifying — a being of absolute power.
If the Master is even stronger… then he must truly be invincible!
At that moment, Fenric's image in Genos's mind ascended to godlike status.
If Fenric had known, he would've blushed in embarrassment.
My own student… the Bald Demon King himself… I can't even beat him right now, he thought ruefully.
…
Meanwhile, high above the city, Fenric streaked across the sky like a comet, reaching A City in less than twenty minutes.
He descended gracefully outside the towering Hero Association Headquarters.
Three years had changed everything.
The building now stood like a steel fortress — its walls reinforced, its structure gleaming in the sunlight, exuding an aura of authority and strength.
Fenric entered through the main gate.
A polite young receptionist greeted him with a bow. "Welcome, sir. Who are you here to see?"
"I'm one of the Association's heroes," Fenric replied mildly.
Her smile brightened. "Ah, I see. May I ask your hero rank, sir?"
Fenric blinked. "My rank?"
"Yes," she explained. "Only heroes ranked B-Class or above may enter the headquarters building."
"So C-Class heroes aren't allowed in?"
"That's correct, sir."
Fenric nodded thoughtfully. In the original timeline, he recalled a similar rule — and how Saitama had once been mocked by a certain young lady for not qualifying to enter.
The receptionist continued, "This way is the passage for B-Class heroes, and this corridor is for A-Class heroes. Please note that some areas are restricted to higher ranks."
Judging by her tone, she clearly thought Fenric was a recently promoted B-Class hero visiting the headquarters for the first time.
After all, she knew the faces of every S-Class and A-Class hero — and his wasn't among them.
"I see," Fenric said calmly. "Then, where's the entrance for S-Class heroes?"
The woman blinked. "Pardon?"
"I'm asking," he said evenly, "where's the passage for S-Class heroes?"
Her polite smile faltered.
She took another look at Fenric, trying to see if he was joking — but the man before her radiated such calm confidence, such quiet authority, that she hesitated.
Still, procedure was procedure.
"Sir," she said stiffly, "this is the headquarters of the Hero Association. Impersonating a hero, especially an S-Class, is a serious offense."
She had clearly decided he was bluffing.
Fenric could only sigh helplessly. "I'm not impersonating anyone," he said, rubbing his forehead. "I really am an S-Class hero — Mundo, ranked number one."
"..!"
The woman froze.
Then, she stared hard at his face — and in that instant, recognition hit her like lightning.
Her eyes widened, her jaw dropping as she finally connected his appearance with the posters that had once plastered every street in the country.
Her breath caught.
"You… you're…"
Her voice trembled with disbelief.
"You're Mr. Mundo — the first S-Class hero!"