The Headmaster finally approached Rena on the school field, crossed her arms, and looked at the confused teachers with squinting eyes.
Just take this kid for training.
Hearing that, Rena was excited. Without paying any more attention to the Headmaster, she immediately went around introducing herself to every student there, forcing them to shake her hand.
I'm Re-na!!
I'm Rena!
Seeing this, some teachers slowly backed away. Their faces showed reluctance. And of course, the Headmaster knew why. She crossed her arms and thought.
Ah… they must have analyzed Rena's abilities…
Right… her mana is minimal.
Then one of the teachers—the ponytailed one—stood still without speaking. She looked at the Headmaster with a wide smile while scratching her head, then suddenly spoke.
Headmaster, let this kid join our mage group!!
The Headmaster's cheeks lifted as she crossed her arms and glanced at the other teachers who had been silently refusing.
That could work… yeah… even though I actually wanted her to go to the marksman group…
Then, with a wide smile—this time without crossing her arms—the Headmaster pointed at the ponytailed teacher.
Alright then… I'll leave her to you, okay…
The ponytailed teacher immediately bowed her head reflexively, still scratching her head.
Yes, Headmaster!!
Then the ponytailed teacher, scratching her head with her cheeks lifted, called out to Rena from a distance—Rena was still busy introducing herself.
Hey, new student! Come here!!
Rena immediately rushed over to the same spot—the eastern field with the ponytailed teacher in the mage group. Full of spirit, eyes sparkling, Rena wanted to speak loudly.
Huff…
I—
But before she could say her name, all the mage group students said in unison.
Yeah…!!
We know your name, Rena!!!
And so, finally, she was together with the other students on the training ground.
The ponytailed teacher then directed them, scratching her head with her cheeks lifted.
Alright, students!!
Now get into pre-formation positions!!!
The ponytailed teacher's students answered in unison.
Yes!!!
The teacher's voice echoed loudly.
The students immediately moved, forming groups quickly and neatly. The energy of magic began to fill the air—strong, dense, almost pressing.
Rena moved too… a little late. She tried to imitate the mage students' movements, muttering and clenching both fists tightly.
Hmm..!!!
Okay!!
Like this!!
The ponytailed teacher watched and calmly observed all her mage students—they were truly in sync. Then her eyes darted around as if missing something. She scratched her head in confusion and thought.
Where is that Rena kid??
Rena saw the teacher's confusion and called out, her cheeks lifted, waving one hand.
I'm here!!!
The teacher finally spotted Rena—standing way in front, but also off to the side, and also far behind the other students. Her brows furrowed as she scratched her head, then thought.
Is this kid really talented?
Rena noticed the teacher's strange expression—even silence—and her eyes darted around looking at the formation, then she thought.
Am I in the wrong formation??
The mage students who noticed Rena were a little shocked. Some whispered while staring at her.
Hey… is this kid really talented?
Doesn't she even know what pre-formation is??
Strange?? Why is she so far away? What's she trying to do?
How did she get into such a famous school??
Ah, I just realized—her clothes look like someone from the lawless outer territories.
One student even said loudly, half hiding.
Tattered clothes… hufftt!!
Hearing that, a few other students laughed a little, holding it in.
The ponytailed teacher immediately acted, even finding exactly who said it, while scratching her head.
Hey!! Come here!!
What you did is not appropriate, you know!!
Now admit it was you—don't disgrace your noble name over something like this!!
Meanwhile, Rena had been daydreaming a little, clenching both fists.
Earlier, she had noticed the students' strange stares and the teacher's confusion, and it made her confused too. But when she snapped out of her daze, there was now an older girl—around her age but taller and bigger—being guided by the ponytailed teacher, wearing a large robe. Seeing that, Rena was amazed by the girl's outfit. Her eyes sparkled and she muttered.
Wow… so nice!!
Then the ponytailed teacher firmly guided the girl—who was now silent and couldn't say anything anymore—using her left hand, while scratching her head with her right.
Okay!!
Now, Rena… what punishment do you want for this girl??
Rena snapped out of it, eyes sparkling, and pointed at the large robe.
What that girl said was true—my clothes are tattered.
I forgive her!!
The girl who was about to be punished smiled a little, then spoke in a haughty tone, sticking out her pointed nose.
See, Teacher?! She doesn't even mind!
Her clothes really are tattered!!
Hearing that, some students wanted to laugh again but held it in, waiting for the teacher's decision.
The teacher just stood silent. Before she could speak, Rena continued, looking at the girl.
In that case, can I have your large robe?
I don't have any other clothes.
Hearing that, the girl hesitated at first, but after thinking it over and seeing the other students staring at her, she nodded without speaking and handed over the large robe. She thought to herself.
Yeah… it's fine. At least my reputation is safe for now!!
Rena was overjoyed, eyes sparkling, hugging the large robe with both hands.
Wow!!!
This robe is so nice!!!
Cool!!!
But before Rena could truly enjoy the robe, not far away, one of the marksmen approached the mage group's training ground. He walked with a very confident attitude, grinning, and gave two thumbs down.
Hey, Teacher, can our marksman group have a match? Use you guys as punching bags? Our teacher is sick, hehe…
Hearing that, the ponytailed teacher was a little offended—especially by the choice of words. She scratched her head and stared sharply at the student.
Hey, kid!!
Watch your words. If that's your attitude, then of course I refuse!!
Meanwhile, the mage students stared in shock—not because of what he said, but because of who was saying it. Even the girl who had mocked Rena was stunned. Then some of the ponytailed teacher's students whispered.
Isn't that marksman kid the one who's been the hot topic??
Yeah, that boy. I never thought I'd see him this close.
Is he still single?
I want to be his friend.
If only he were a mage too, it would be so fun!!
Then the marksman lowered both hands and spoke properly.
Alright, Teacher.
Will you allow a marksman vs. mage match?
Then he muttered a little, grinning.
Even if it ends with you guys being punching bags anyway… hehe…
Hearing that boy's words, the ponytailed teacher lifted her cheeks, scratched her head, and said.
Of course!!
Let's go to the sparring field.
Seeing the teacher and the mage group start following her from behind toward the sparring field next to the knights' training ground, Rena was still hidden behind the shadow of her new large robe. Meanwhile, the marksman boy called his members still waiting on their training ground.
As everyone walked toward the sparring field, the marksman boy gave a thumbs down.
Hey, Teacher, how about the center field? We're already here.
I mean, knights are old-fashioned anyway. There's probably no student who wants to be a knight anymore.
Rena snapped out of her daze upon hearing that. Before answering, she put on the large robe properly.
Then, with steady steps, Rena approached the marksman boy. She clenched her left fist, then picked up a slightly dull, rusty sword lying in the center field. With sharp eyes, she pointed the dull sword at the marksman boy.
Sorry!!
But… I'm a new student here, and I've registered as a knight, you know!!
Hearing that, the ponytailed teacher was shocked by Rena's statement. She scratched her head and thought.
Knight??
Don't tell me this is the kid the Headmaster was talking about??
Hearing Rena's words, the marksman boy just laughed lightly. So did the marksman friends he brought. Then the boy said.
Pftt?!!!
A knight??!!
In this day and age?!!
Are you out of your mind?
Then, with a firm stance and an intimidating texture, the marksman boy posed, showing off his armor—which looked different from the rest of his marksman group—and his bow, which was much more polished than his group's.
Can't you see what I'm wearing and the weapon I have!!
Seeing that, the mage students could only whisper in admiration.
True, that kid really is the hot topic!!
He can kill a goblin in one shot!!
Amazing!!
And this Rena?? Has she lost her mind???
Hearing those mocking words, the ponytailed teacher wasn't about to stay silent. She wanted to protect Rena, but before she could speak, Rena—still standing right in front of the boy—turned her eyes back and looked at the teacher just as she was about to speak. Rena simply nodded, as if giving a signal that she was ready.
Seeing that, the ponytailed teacher remembered that signal. It wasn't just about someone being ready—it was also a signature move the Headmaster often used when she was a knight. The teacher then concluded and spoke loudly.
Alright!!! Everyone!!
Then as the teacher, I approve. We'll have the match in this center field!!
And with sparkling eyes—and this time without scratching her head—the ponytailed teacher looked at Rena once more.
And Rena!!
As the only knight here, that means this will be a mixed-class match.
Then, with sharp eyes, she looked at the marksman boy.
Does your group want to add any other roles besides marksman?
The marksman boy just gave both thumbs down and said in a mocking, laughing tone.
You'd better bring an extra healer for that wannabe knight—just in case she gets seriously hurt, hahaha!
Hearing that suggestion, the ponytailed teacher looked at Rena. But Rena didn't respond. She just stayed serious, moving with her mage group into pre-formation in the same position as before. The marksman group also entered their pre-formation.
Then the boy slowly stepped back, rejoining his marksman group's pre-formation with a wide smile.
I'll be waiting for your start call, Teacher!! Hehe!!
Seeing that, the ponytailed teacher stepped away for a moment. She took the initiative to order some healers who were training at the edge of the field. With a slight scratch of her head, she said.
Hey, please heal that kid standing at the very front outside the mage line, okay!!
And so, now it was just a matter of waiting for the match to begin…