One of the outdoor training grounds prepared at Minerva Academy.
This was the location I had booked for today’s class.
After leisurely enjoying breakfast, I arrived on time and was greeted by a view even more impressive than what I’d imagined.
“Starting with an outdoor class on the first day, huh?”
“Guess that means it’s going to be close to real combat style, right?”
“Looking forward to it. Just hoping it won’t be too brutal!”
“You signed up without even preparing yourself for this much, didn’t you?”
Gathered in small groups, the students were chatting animatedly. Their numbers were so vast that the outdoor training ground almost felt cramped.
Am I supposed to manage all these kids alone?
No way. Even jokes shouldn’t be this terrifying.
“Hmm… maybe I should’ve compromised after all.”
Just looking at the massive crowd made my head spin.
Of course, as the classes progress, some will surely drop out. Especially since latecomers aren’t graded anyway.
That thought gave me a bit of relief.
I slowly revealed myself before them and shouted:
“Everyone, quiet!”
Infusing mana into my voice ensured immediate silence across the entire training ground.
What now?
There’s no way I can teach according to the original plan when there’s such a difference between old and new students.
Running separate classes would require two of me, which obviously isn’t possible.
Still, they came here to learn from me, so I do want to give them something…
“Why is the teacher not saying anything?”
“Is this part of the lesson…?”
As I momentarily got lost in thought, whispers began again.
Ah, clearly I need to establish authority first.
I grinned and summoned my aura.
“I said, be quiet!”
“…!”
Two students who met my gaze instantly paled.
All I did was recall my days as a frontline commander and casually use ‘intimidation tactics.’ Nothing special.
The role of a vanguard is simple: break the enemy’s morale.
Whether through single combat, night raids, or preemptive strikes, the goal remains the same—show them the gap in strength.
“… Ugh!”
“……!!!”
I simply kept projecting my aura, suppressing the surroundings with an unrelenting stream of energy.
In subculture terms from my past life, this would probably be called ‘fighting spirit.’
Though usually, it comes with a dash of killing intent. But that might be too harsh for rookies like these.
Alright, now that I’ve effectively demonstrated the power gap, what’s next?
Show them the difference between veterans and newcomers. Once they realize their own skill levels vary, things will flow smoothly. After all, hierarchy exists for a reason, doesn’t it?
Who should I pick?
After a brief consideration, I called out the only ‘commoner’ in my class.
“Reinhardt!”
“Yes!”
True to his seniority, he immediately understood my intentions and responded loudly. Clearly, this level of pressure doesn’t faze him.
“You’re my assistant today. I’ll hand over control of the wood golem. Teach the new students how to deal with shadow snakes.”
“Understood!”
His confident demeanor was good, but handling everything alone might be tough. I gestured toward the other students.
“Except for the graduating class, everyone else help Reinhardt. Of course, I’ll assist occasionally too.”
“Yes! Please follow me, everyone!”
With a spirited reply, Reinhardt quickly took charge of organizing the group. Given his swordsmanship skills comparable to Ariana, he’ll do just fine teaching them.
Still, perhaps I should apologize…
“Sorry, but since I only have one body, we’ll have to conduct classes this way until the new students catch up. If you’re dissatisfied, feel free to leave. It won’t affect your grades anyway.”
The students looked somewhat disgruntled.
I quickly raised my voice.
“However! I promise those who stick till the end will definitely improve their skills. At least enough to handle monsters effortlessly!”
Anyone who heard rumors about the graduating class from the Island of Wisdom knows my words aren’t exaggerated. If it weren’t for that cursed heresy, they would’ve passed exams without any issues.
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
Truly, these students seeking improvement are full of passion in their eyes. In this perilous world, having the ability to defeat monsters opens doors to endless possibilities. These elite minds must have calculated it wouldn’t be a waste.
As the students followed Reinhardt, only familiar faces remained before me.
“Hm~ Is this what they call ‘side-job handling’?”
Approaching me with a sly smile was Ariana, the girl with striking blue-black hair.
I sighed lightly.
“So, you want to relearn everything from scratch?”
“Nah, not really. Just curious how you planned to handle this.”
“This was my best option. Reinforcements should arrive soon. Things will change then.”
I sent a letter to the sage already, but…
When the reply will come is anyone’s guess.
It’d be great if they arrive before the newbies catch up.
“Then, what are we doing today?”
“Won’t this make us fall behind Reinhardt’s group?”
Amy and Senna tilted their heads questioningly.
I smiled faintly.
“You’re in the graduating class, aren’t you? You need to prepare for the midterm substitute assignment.”
“… Eh?”
“Then…”
“…”
Smart as they are, they seemed to have grasped the meaning of my words accurately. Otherwise, there’d be no reason for them to suddenly distance themselves from me.
I adjusted my aura to match their level precisely.
“Come at me. Whether it’s the academy championship or whatever… we’ll sweep the board.”
Since they’re my students, they should rightfully claim the top four spots, shouldn’t they?
As they charged at me in various forms within moments…
I smirked viciously.
*
After the incident on the Island of Wisdom,
My disciples undoubtedly clenched their teeth and trained hard, even without their clumsy mentor around.
Otherwise, there’d be no reason for me to sweat this much.
“… Are they still alive?”
“Never seen Amy collapse like this before.”
“Even the imperial princess spared no mercy…”
“Is he a ghost?”
Murmurs from afar reached my ears.
Should they act this way?
If this happened during my class…
“Don’t look away on the battlefield!”
“Ack!”
“Aaaack!”
Before my thoughts finished, screams echoed thanks to Reinhardt’s excellent discipline. His superior skills must stem from getting beaten up by me frequently.
“Looking away gets you killed!”
“How are we supposed to block that!”
“Then dying is inevitable?”
“Craaagh!”
Hmm, pushed them too far?
For some reason, their attacks targeting my openings radiated immense anger…
I blinked awkwardly.
“Opening!”
While I glanced aside for a moment, Ariana thrust her sword at my neck. I easily dodged and tripped her leg.
“Tsk, frustrating!”
Covered in dirt, Ariana gritted her teeth. Still, as someone suited for front-line duties, she possessed the best stamina among them.
The others were already sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.
“Already tired?”
“I, how are we supposed to… endure this…”
“Can we rest a little…?”
“…”
Oh dear, Lux can’t even speak anymore?
Perhaps I should start with physical conditioning? Even mages need basic stamina, after all.
“Meh… but if you polish this much further, you’ll do fine. Let’s wrap up for today…”
Just as I was about to end the session, a peculiar energy flared up in the distance.
Clearly, amidst the clash of powerful energies, there was a familiar mana signature.
“… Earl?”
There’s no way I could mistake the mana of someone I fought alongside on the battlefield.
Why is Earl’s mana detectable here at Minerva?
Though dangerous, it was certain.
“I have somewhere urgent to go. Class ends here. Please relay this to the others.”
“What? What’s going on?”
“Isn’t it dangerous again?”
“Surely not…”
Oops, was I too hasty?
Their expressions darkened instantly.
I needed to remember they hadn’t recovered fully from the last major event.
Smiling gently, I calmed down.
“Don’t worry. Seems like guests from afar have arrived. One of them is Earl.”
“Earl?”
“Why is Amy’s brother here?”
Apparently, clarifying helped as Amy and Ariana exchanged puzzled looks.
I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Dunno. Maybe he got lost. I’m going to help him out. So, sorry, but I gotta go ahead.”
Confirming their understanding with nods, I immediately dashed towards the source of the energy.
Even as I moved farther from the training ground, the clash continued.
“This feels like master-level power… Who on earth…!”
Suddenly, a chilling killing intent hit me.
“… Can it be?!”
The familiar killing intent, though at a different level, was unmistakably etched in my memory.
Simultaneously, three figures locked in a standoff came into view.
Earl’s mana was accounted for, so moving on.
The towering figure visible even from afar was undoubtedly Leo of the Leo house.
And the dark figure opposing them…
“Black Wolf…?”
From head to toe clad in black—an outdated memory, but judging by that fashion nightmare, it had to be Black Wolf.
Why on earth is he fighting the Leo siblings here, at the academy!
Without wasting time pondering, I leapt between the two, shouting:
“What exactly are you two doing?!”
Spreading my aura to neutralize their energies, I quickly explained to Leo, who still had his sword pointed at Black Wolf:
“He’s not the enemy. This is Black Wolf, an operative from Blackwater. Would you please lower your sword?”
“Hmm, if you vouch for him…”
Leo reluctantly sheathed his sword with an oddly disappointed look. Does this guy just want to swing his sword regardless of friend or foe?
Clutching my throbbing head, I turned my attention to Black Wolf.
His murderous intent vanished the moment I appeared.
Though reaching Master rank is certainly commendable, celebrating now isn’t wise given the situation.
“Allen”
Calling my name with an expressionless face and monotone voice, Black Wolf greeted me.
Unbelievable as it may sound, he’s genuinely glad to see me right now.
His extreme emotional restraint in front of others hasn’t changed since the past.
Recalling old memories, I shook my head and asked:
“Why are you here? On vacation?”
“Vacation? No, I quit.”
“Wha… You quit Blackwater?!”
Was Blackwater ever an organization one could leave voluntarily?
As far as I know, it wasn’t that lenient…
But since the person himself says so, there’s nothing left to argue.
“Putting that aside… why were you fighting here?”
“I said I was coming to see Allen, but this guy blocked me. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“… Haa”
A sigh escaped involuntarily at his matter-of-fact tone.
Upon reflection, Black Wolf does have a habit of hiding instinctively.
I could vividly imagine the scenario.
Probably, Leo mistook his stealthy approach for assassination and intervened, leading to this situation.
What a headache. Shaking my head, I spoke:
“Looks like this will take some explaining. Let’s move locations.”
Where should I take these people…
After a brief deliberation, I headed toward the principal’s office.
My battle-honed instincts pointed me there.
Glancing around, I noticed several broken areas.
… Repair costs will have to be billed to Leo. The Golden Way Zodiacs must have plenty of funds.
