I was Reincarnated as an Incompetent Leader with Zero Popularity who met his downfall early on. Instead of banishing the hidden cheat Protagonist, I decided to embrace him, and somehow, I ended up being treated like a Hero instead. - Chapter 8

Before I realized it, my appearance had changed from that of a plain middle schooler to a red-haired young man.

True to her earlier claim of being able to play at being a god, Elena had transformed from a teacher into a goddess. She now wore a pure white toga, and her ears were elegantly pointed like an elf’s. A circlet adorned her forehead, set with a large blue gemstone.

She looked stunningly mystical and beautiful.

However, the glasses remained, lending her a slight cosplay vibe.

Still, her cool, intellectual beauty suited the silver-framed glasses perfectly.

As I found myself admiring her appearance, the goddess cleared her throat conspicuously.

“These glasses are a symbol of my role as the Goddess of Knowledge. …Sorry if they look like cosplay to you.”
“Uh…”

I stiffened as her beautiful eyes glared at me from behind the lenses. The panic of wondering if she had read my mind and the fear of having offended a goddess made my reaction overly dramatic.

“However, since you seem to have offered me a high compliment regarding my appearance, I’ll let it slide this time.”
“Th-thank you very much.”

The tips of her pointed ears turned slightly red as she accepted my apology. She made no effort to hide the fact that she could see through my thoughts.

I was glad I hadn’t entertained any strange fantasies about her transformation from a sharp-suited teacher to a goddess clad in a light, flowing garment. She had a slender yet curvaceous figure that suited both outfits. She was, in every sense, the epitome of what one might call a model figure—a perfect match for her self-proclaimed title as the Goddess of Knowledge.
However, my wandering thoughts earned me another sharp glare from Elena.

“Stop thinking about me and focus on your own future!”
“Yes! I’m terribly sorry!”

I bowed my head repeatedly in apology. She was right—I should be thinking about my situation instead of her appearance. Otherwise, I might inadvertently provoke a harassment claim and invite divine punishment.

Making a conscious effort to keep my thoughts on track, I opened my mouth to ask a question.

“Um, about that ‘Savior of a Failed World’ title earlier—what does it mean?”

I decided to ask about what had piqued my curiosity. Elena answered without hesitation.

“It’s likely that you earned that title because you saved the world I, as a goddess, was about to destroy.”

“Just from that simple interaction?”

I hadn’t defeated a demon lord or protected the world from any great threat. All I’d done was stop Elena from resetting the world.

To my confusion, the goddess nodded as if to say, Yes, exactly.

“Even so, it’s a fact that you saved the world.”

“It’s also true that you were the reason that world came into existence and that you prevented its destruction. While no one in that world knows this, it doesn’t change the truth,” she explained in her clear, resonant voice.

“If you’d like, I could inform the kings and high priests of that world in their dreams, letting them know that Alva Grayblood is their savior.”

“You’d likely be hailed as a hero worldwide from that day on.”
Elena’s words made me pause for a moment, but I eventually shook my head.

“No, that’s unnecessary. I don’t feel like I’ve done anything to deserve it.”

Even if I were temporarily treated as a savior or hero, it would only lead to disappointment if I didn’t live up to the title.

Elena seemed a little dissatisfied, muttering something about how saving the world was still a fact. However, her expression soon brightened as if she’d thought of something clever.

“In that case, as a personal decision, I’ll grant you the blessing of the Goddess of Knowledge.”

“Wait, what?”

“Don’t worry—it’s purely beneficial. It’s not such an extreme blessing that it’ll make you stand out.”

“At most, a few people might think, Oh, this person is favored by the goddess. Also, this is separate from the high-level skills you were offered earlier, so there’s no need to worry about overlapping effects.”

With a warm smile, the bespectacled goddess reassured me. Unable to argue, I could only nod in agreement.