Episode 162. The Witch of the Night (3)

Several days passed without any progress regarding Lanes Malam or Aaron Baek.

“Alright, everyone, take a seat.”

The classroom door creaked open, and Professor Lucas entered.

Lately, professors had been busy with meetings, so there hadn’t been many classes—just repeated self-training. His face was a welcome sight.

“So, how’s it been? Did you enjoy yourselves without me?”

Professor Lucas grinned as he looked around at the candidates.

No one answered, just awkward smiles and averted gazes.

Professor Lucas chuckled and continued.

“Today’s class… no, this week’s class is a ‘mentoring’ session with the 4th-year candidates to improve your combat skills.”

“Mentoring class?”

“With the 4th-year seniors…?”

The candidates tilted their heads, unfamiliar with the concept.

Of course, it was my first time hearing about it too.

‘As expected, the curriculum has changed from what I knew.’

I had anticipated this since the professors suddenly started holding daily meetings.

A new class had been added—one I hadn’t experienced in my past life either.

“Well, the class is simple. Each of you will join a 4th-year candidate party and head outside the school to hunt monsters.”

“W-wait, outside the school?”

“Does that mean…?”

The candidates stiffened at the mention of “outside the school.”

“That’s right. This isn’t a training curriculum set up by the school—it’s real combat.”

“……!”

Professor Lucas’s bombshell caused a stir among the candidates.

Even though the class was called “Combat Training,” until now, the school had always provided minimal safety measures.

During mid-term evaluations, they herded monsters of appropriate difficulty into a specific area.

During final evaluations, it was golems created by the Republic, not monsters.

But this time…

“There are no safety measures. If you’re unlucky, you might run into a high-level monster or even fight a Mine instead of a monster.”

“…….”

Tension flickered across the candidates’ faces.

Combat.

They knew it was something they’d have to face someday as heroes, but now that it was right in front of them, their bodies couldn’t help but tremble.

Professor Lucas smirked as he watched the stiff candidates.

“Well, we’re not just throwing you out there to fight. The main purpose of this class is for you to observe and learn from the 4th-year seniors as they hunt monsters.”

The candidates’ expressions softened slightly at Professor Lucas’s follow-up.

Even though it was only a one-year difference, the thought of accompanying the 4th-year seniors, who were about to graduate, eased their anxiety.

Moreover, the current 4th-year class was said to be exceptionally talented, with candidates who were considered the best in history.

Watching them hunt monsters up close would undoubtedly be a huge help.

“Each party will consist of four 4th-years and one 3rd-year. Since the numbers don’t match, the schedule will be adjusted for each class.”

“Um… will the party assignments be random?”

“No. They’ll be divided based on overall ranking.”

Professor Lucas manipulated the magical tool on the lectern, displaying a hologram as he continued.

“Candidates with lower rankings will join parties with higher-ranked 4th-years, and vice versa.”

“W-wait! Doesn’t that mean higher-ranked candidates are at a disadvantage?”

One candidate protested with a look of injustice.

Professor Lucas nodded and continued.

“To some extent, yes. But if we grouped the top-ranked together and the bottom-ranked together, the risk would be even greater.”

“Ugh…”

The candidates swallowed their objections, unable to argue.

“Higher-ranked candidates might have to carry the team, but… well, that’s also a kind of experience. Accept it humbly.”

At Professor Lucas’s words, the lower-ranked candidates smiled brightly, while the higher-ranked ones let out deep sighs.

“Alright, let’s divide the parties. Come up one by one.”

And so, the mentoring class party assignments began.

The 4th-year party I ended up in was…

“Ah, right.”

Professor Lucas looked at me, pressed his forehead as if he had a headache, and let out a deep sigh.

“This kid was last place…”

And so.

My mentoring class would be with the highest-ranked 4th-year party.

* * *

“Hahaha! So you’re the infamous weirdo 3rd-year? The one who deliberately gets low grades, right?”

“…….”

Faced with the silver-haired handsome man laughing heartily, I swallowed a bitter sigh.

‘How did this rumor spread?’

Given what I’d been doing, it was hard to deny, but I couldn’t help feeling wronged.

“I’ve been curious for a while. Is there a special reason you insist on being last place?”

“Ah… well.”

It’s not like I did it on purpose.

I swallowed the words rising in my throat and forced an awkward smile.

“It just kind of happened.”

“Hmm. Must be some story, huh? Haha. Well, if it’s a secret, I won’t pry.”

“…….”

I’m so done, seriously.

“Anyway, it’s an honor to meet the infamous last-place hero. I’m Aaron Baek.”

“Dale Han.”

“Ah, now that I think about it, we’re both from the Republic, right? Hahaha! Let’s get along, fellow Republic citizens!”

Aaron, as his appearance suggested, smiled warmly and extended his hand.

As I shook hands with Aaron, a brown-haired woman suddenly popped her head in.

“Hi, junior! I’m Bella Leonhart!”

Bella Leonhart waved her hand with a bright, bubbly voice.

I nodded slightly toward her, my eyes shining.

‘Aaron Baek and Bella Leonhart.’

The Spear of Stars and the Demon Sword.

Both were candidates destined to rise to the top of the hero rankings in the near future.

‘This is good.’

I thought maintaining my last-place position was pointless, but who knew such a golden opportunity would roll in like this?

‘If I can get close to even one of them, it’s a win.’

After all, weren’t they destined to become lovers in the future?

If I could win over one, the other would likely follow.

‘Alright, then…’

Charm mode: ON.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Senior Aaron. You’re famous among the juniors as the hero who will surpass the ‘Divine Spear.’”

“Ahaha. How could I ever surpass my ancestor?”

“Thanks to Principal Raonel’s achievements, the Liu family’s status has risen in the Republic, but… I still think the traditional Baek family is the greatest in the Republic.”

“Ahem! R-really?”

Aaron’s expression perked up at the mention of family.

‘Of course, he’d be interested.’

Traditionally, the Baek family had higher status, but recently, the Liu family had been gaining ground.

The Liu family had Raonel Liu, an outstanding hero, while the Baek family had lost its center after Aaron’s father passed away.

From Aaron’s perspective, as someone who had to shoulder the family’s future at a young age, it was only natural he’d be drawn to praise for the Baek family.

‘And next…’

“By the way, are you and Senior Bella in a relationship?”

“Huh? Ah, no, we’re not…”

“Why? Do we look like we’re dating?”

Bella Leonhart’s eyes sparkled as she bit the bait.

I tilted my head, giving her a look that said, ‘Isn’t it obvious?’

“Was I wrong? I thought you two looked like a perfect couple when I saw you together…”

“Ahaha! Really? You thought so~?”

Bella’s lips curled up as she elbowed Aaron’s side.

“Our junior has a good eye, don’t you think, Aaron?”

“…Ahem.”

Aaron’s face turned red as he avoided Bella’s gaze.

“It’s an honor to be in the same party as such outstanding seniors. I’ll learn a lot from your expertise during this class.”

“We’ll do our best to teach you. Let’s work well together.”

“Our junior is so well-spoken~ I like you!”

Good.

‘First impressions are good.’

I smiled inwardly as I watched Aaron and Bella grinning.

“Don’t believe a word that guy says.”

A gruff voice interrupted.

I turned my head toward the voice and saw Rios Liu glaring at me.

‘That guy’s in this party too?’

Just as I thought things were getting complicated…

“Rios! What’s that tone with our junior?!”

Bella frowned and scolded Rios.

Rios flinched at Bella’s scolding and immediately shrunk back.

“Ah, no. I was just…”

“Don’t pick fights with our junior for no reason.”

“…Sorry.”

“Honestly, you’re so twisted… Junior! Don’t mind Rios!”

Well, it seems I don’t need to step in.

I smiled faintly as I looked at Aaron, Bella, and Rios.

‘This is definitely a top-tier party.’

The Spear of Stars, the Demon Sword, and the Thunder Emperor.

With this lineup, they were stronger than most active hero parties.

‘By the way… who’s the last member?’

For balance, a support-type would fit perfectly.

But no name came to mind.

“Hmm… she’s late.”

“She’s always like that.”

Aaron frowned as he checked the Hero Watch.

Just as he was about to contact someone…

“Haah, haah! S-sorry I’m late…!”

A purple-haired woman appeared at the meeting spot, breathing heavily.

Her slender frame, which looked like it might break if touched, contrasted with the large backpack she carried, her legs trembling under its weight.

“I-it took too long to pack…”

“Always with the excuses. Couldn’t you have packed earlier?”

Bella frowned, giving the purple-haired woman a cold look.

“S-sorry…”

“Tch, whatever. It’s better than showing up early and annoying everyone else.”

“…….”

The purple-haired woman flinched and bowed her head.

“Bella, that’s enough.”

“…Hmph.”

“Sigh.”

Aaron let out a short sigh and approached the purple-haired woman.

“This is the last member of our party, Lanes Malam.”

“Ah… you’re…”

“Huh? Do you know Dale?”

“N-no.”

Lanes hesitated, then approached me and bowed respectfully, as if I were her superior.

“Ah… hi?”

“…….”

For some reason.

A foreboding feeling that this party wouldn’t go smoothly flashed through my mind.