"Can you… tell me your secret training method?"
When Tatsumaki's words left her lips, Fenric froze in surprise.
So that's why she had been staring at him and following him around all this time?
Was she really frightened by Saitama's power… and now wanted to learn his so-called "training secret" to become stronger?
"My method of training disciples might not suit you," Fenric said calmly.
"I don't care! I want the secret!" Tatsumaki replied, her tone sharp and tsundere as ever.
Fenric sighed. This woman...
Well, if she wanted to hear it, he'd tell her.
"My disciple's training regimen is very simple," he said with a completely straight face. "Every day — one hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred squats, and a ten-kilometer run. Rain or shine. No exceptions."
Tatsumaki blinked. "That's it?"
"That's it," Fenric confirmed.
"You're lying!" Tatsumaki snapped, her expression darkening. "No one could become that strong from that! Are you mocking me?"
Fenric simply shrugged. "Believe it or not."
Leaving those words behind, he turned around and walked away.
Behind him, Tatsumaki's indignant voice echoed through the restaurant.
"Damn you, Mundo! You stingy ghost!"
Fenric ignored her completely and walked over to Saitama, who had just finished eating.
"Teacher," Saitama asked curiously, glancing back at the fuming Tatsumaki, "what's wrong with her?"
"Nothing important," Fenric replied, waving it off.
"She's so rude! Want me to send her flying?" Saitama asked innocently, clenching his fist.
Fenric's expression instantly stiffened. He hurriedly raised a hand. "Don't. Let's just go."
"Oh, okay."
Saitama obediently lowered his fist. Whatever the teacher said, he'd follow.
The two were just about to leave the restaurant when the doors opened — and the chairman entered, accompanied by several high-ranking officials.
"Mr. Mundo!" the chairman greeted with a warm smile. "Did the food suit your taste?"
"Not bad," Fenric replied casually.
"There's something we'd like to discuss with you, Mr. Mundo," the chairman continued. "Perhaps we could speak in my office?"
Fenric nodded. "Sure."
…
In the Chairman's Office
The group gathered once again.
"Here's the situation, Mr. Mundo," the chairman began respectfully. "Regarding your disciple, Mr. Saitama — we've been struggling to determine a suitable evaluation. So, we'd like to hear your opinion directly."
Fenric immediately understood.
Ah… kicking the decision to me, huh? Clever man.
He thought for a moment before replying, "With my disciple's strength, giving him an S-Class ranking shouldn't be excessive, right?"
"Not at all!" the chairman said quickly. "With Mr. Saitama's ability, an S-Class evaluation is completely justified!"
"Good." Fenric nodded. "Then tell me — how many S-Class heroes are there right now?"
The chairman thought for a moment before replying, "Currently, there are seventeen S-Class heroes — including yourself. Oh, wait — with one new exceptional promotion today, that makes eighteen."
Fenric smiled faintly. "That exceptional case wouldn't happen to be Genos, would it?"
"Huh?" The chairman looked genuinely surprised. "Mr. Mundo, you know Genos?"
"Yes," Fenric said with a smirk. "Genos is my disciple's student — which, by seniority, makes him my disciple as well."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
The chairman and the other executives nearly fainted on the spot.
Genos — the promising cyborg hero who had single-handedly destroyed the House of Evolution — had already been on their radar for recruitment. And now, to learn that he was connected to Mundo himself?
This was beyond unexpected.
"Mr. Mundo," the chairman said with genuine admiration, "you truly are a teacher of legends!"
Fenric waved off the flattery. "Since Genos will be ranked eighteenth among the S-Class, my disciple Saitama shouldn't rank any lower than him."
"Of course," the chairman said quickly. "That makes sense."
Fenric nodded. "Then let's make it simple — place Saitama as the eighteenth S-Class hero, and move Genos down to nineteenth."
The entire room froze.
The executives exchanged dumbfounded looks.
Eighteenth place? That low?
Given what they had witnessed earlier — Saitama effortlessly destroying a meteorite the size of a mountain — this ranking seemed absurd.
"Mr. Mundo, forgive me," the chairman said cautiously, "but don't you think that's… too low? With Mr. Saitama's strength, he could easily be in the top three."
"Yes, yes!" one of the executives chimed in. "It's far too modest!"
Fenric smiled knowingly. "I understand your concern, but my disciple isn't someone who cares about status. In fact, he dislikes unnecessary attention."
He looked out the window, his tone calm and thoughtful. "If you place him too high, it'll create resentment among the others — and Saitama will only find it troublesome. This way, at eighteenth, no one will complain, and he'll have peace to do his work."
The chairman was stunned.
He wasn't expecting such humility from the strongest man alive.
"Mr. Mundo," he said with sincere emotion, "you truly are a man who considers the bigger picture. You've made a great sacrifice for the harmony of the Association. I respect that deeply."
Fenric simply smiled faintly. "I'm part of the Association too. Naturally, I want what's best for it."
Then he added, "Oh, and one more thing — about Saitama being my disciple. Keep it secret. I don't want people treating him differently because of me."
"Understood, Mr. Mundo," the chairman replied immediately. "We'll keep this confidential."
And with that, it was settled.
Saitama officially became the eighteenth-ranked S-Class hero of the Hero Association.
In the original timeline, he would've been classified as a mere C-Class hero.
But with Fenric's intervention, the entire course of events had shifted.
…
Later — Z City
After leaving headquarters, Fenric and Saitama returned to Z City. It was time to focus on Fenric's next objective.
Of the three missions assigned to him, the second one required slaying a monster — the stronger, the higher the evaluation.
He had already defeated the Centipede Elder, one of the most formidable threats among the monsters. But even that wasn't enough.
Fenric wanted the best result — the highest possible evaluation.
That meant targeting the pinnacle of Kaijin power.
There were only two beings left who could meet that standard:
The King of Snakes — Orochi, the leader of the Monster Association.
Orochi is currently the strongest member of the Monster Association.
In the original storyline, after Orochi was killed by Saitama with a normal punch, he was resurrected and tried to devour Psykos. However, due to Psykos's strong resistance, they merged to form a brand new form that seemed even stronger!
However, Fenric didn't have the luxury of waiting for that event to unfold.
Time was not on his side.
For now, the current Orochi was merely one of Fenric's backup targets.
His primary target… was something far greater.
The Overlord of the Universe — Boros!
According to the storyline Fenric knew— if Saitama, the "Bald Demon King," didn't exist, then Boros would have been the strongest being alive.
He was the only creature capable of surviving — even for a moment — against Saitama's Serious Punch.
When Saitama reduced him to cosmic dust, Boros regenerated his entire body in an instant, roaring in defiance.
He was a being who could destroy a planet with a single strike!
His power was universally acknowledged — a monster in every sense of the word.
Unfortunately for him, his fate was to meet Saitama, the walking bug of existence.
…
Back at the villa, Fenric returned with Saitama and found Genos already waiting outside.
"Teacher!" Genos greeted respectfully, bowing deeply.
"Master!" he added to Fenric, his tone equally sincere.
"Oh! Genos!" Saitama said with a smile. "So, how'd the test go?"
"Yes, teacher," Genos replied proudly. "It's finished. Though… something strange happened."
"Strange?" Saitama tilted his head.
"The Association initially notified me that I ranked eighteenth among the S-Class heroes," Genos explained, "but later sent a follow-up notice saying I'd been moved down to nineteenth."
Saitama chuckled. "Ah, that's because I took the eighteenth spot."
"I see," Genos said, thinking it through. "That makes perfect sense. Given your power, teacher, your rank should be far higher than mine — perhaps even among the top three."
Saitama waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, doesn't matter. A rank's just a number."
Still, even if he said that, there was a faint grin tugging at his lips.
For once, Saitama looked genuinely satisfied.
"Congratulations, teacher," Genos said sincerely. "You've finally become an official hero — you've achieved your dream."
Saitama's smile widened. "Yeah… from now on, I'll fight monsters, protect people, and live up to what my teacher taught me!"
Fenric couldn't help but smile at that. He reached out and patted Saitama on the shoulder.
…
The Next Morning
Genos arrived at the villa early, as usual.
"Teacher! Good morning!"
"Oh, Genos, morning," Saitama replied lazily. "You're up early today."
"From today onward, I wish to train with you, teacher!" Genos said earnestly.
"Alright then," Saitama nodded. "Let's train together."
"Yes, sir!"
The two began their morning training — the same routine Fenric had taught Saitama long ago:
One hundred push-ups.
One hundred sit-ups.
One hundred squats.
A ten-kilometer run.
To an ordinary person, such training was brutal.
But to Saitama and Genos, it was child's play.
Less than thirty minutes later, both of them were done.
"Teacher, is that all for today?" Genos asked.
"Yeah," Saitama said cheerfully. "Once you're done, come help me clean the place up."
Meanwhile, from the kitchen came the smell of breakfast — rich, savory, and comforting.
It was Loli Skynet preparing the morning meal.
Fenric, as usual, hadn't come down yet.
Saitama looked out the window at the rising sun and exhaled softly. Man, it'd be nice if life could stay this peaceful forever.
…
After breakfast, Saitama grabbed his shopping bag and prepared to head out.
"Supermarket day," he muttered happily. "Discount Tuesday."
Just as he was about to leave, Fenric's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Saitama. Come with me."
Saitama blinked. "Teacher? Where are we going?"
Fenric's tone was calm, but there was a trace of intent behind it.
"You've been training diligently for three years," he said. "As your teacher, I'm proud. But it's time to see just how much you've grown."
Genos's eyes brightened instantly. Master is going to test the teacher's power?!
Saitama's expression turned serious. "Yes, teacher!"
"Good," Fenric said. "But this place isn't suitable for battle. Let's move elsewhere."
Saitama nodded firmly and followed.
Genos, however, started to follow as well — only to be stopped by Fenric's raised hand.
"Genos," Fenric said calmly, "this test is between teacher and student. No one else should be watching."
Genos froze, visibly disappointed.
A duel between two monsters — his teacher and his master — would surely be spectacular! How could he not watch?
Still, Fenric's words left no room for argument.
Saitama, however, misunderstood completely.
He looked at Fenric with newfound gratitude, then turned to Genos and whispered:
"Genos, the teacher's probably just worried I'll lose and embarrass myself in front of you. I mean, if your teacher gets beaten badly, it'd be hard to teach you afterward, right?"
Genos blinked. "Ah… I see!"
He straightened, his expression understanding. "You're right, teacher. I won't watch. I'll wait here."
"..."
Fenric, standing a few meters away, froze mid-step.
What? That's not what I meant at all!
If anyone was about to lose face here, it was him, not Saitama!
Because what he was about to do next… wasn't going to be very honorable.
He needed to find a way to cheat, or at least restrain Saitama long enough to fulfill his third mission.
Still, if the two of them wanted to misunderstand, so be it.
At least this way, he wouldn't have to explain himself.
Fenric sighed softly and thought with mild resignation:
Sometimes, being the teacher of a literal god is a full-time headache.