The sun finally reached its peak.
The midday heat fell fully onto the field—hotter, more piercing than before. The dust that had been swirling earlier now slowly settled, leaving traces of the battle on the dry, finely cracked ground.
The sparring match was over.
The marksman group began to leave the field, heading back to their own training ground, carrying their broken bows—including Lawo, who was still in shock over what had happened.
Meanwhile, the mage group under the ponytailed teacher was still catching their breath. They had been too excited for what was supposed to happen, but the opposite had occurred—the marksmen surrendered.
Elsewhere, the other mage, marksman, and healer students—taught by different teachers—whispered among themselves, discussing the match while continuing their own training. Even the teachers from other groups could only question what had happened in their heads, staying professional and carrying on with their lessons.
Rena walked a few more steps, then stopped right in front of Lawo, who had surrendered earlier. Her lips parted slightly, and she muttered.
That's it??
Didn't you say you were going to attack until someone died??
Can you just say "surrender" and that's it??
With her lips still slightly parted, Rena slowly turned around. She looked at the ponytailed teacher's mage group, occasionally glancing at the teacher herself. Her brows were furrowed in confusion about the match rules, and she could only stand there silently.
Seeing Rena's somewhat strange expression—confused—actually made the ponytailed teacher's mage group and the teacher herself feel a little creeped out, but strangely… it was also cool.
Rose, too, just watched Rena, analyzing her while sticking out her pointed nose, and thought to herself.
That broken sword is still in her hand.
Her breathing isn't fully stable yet. Sweat runs down her face.
Dust clings to her clothes, making her look much rougher. Even a mage could easily clean their dirty clothes with magic.
What kind of power was that??
Is she really someone who wants to learn to be a knight???
Suddenly, the mage group members—without Rose—from the ponytailed teacher's class ran toward Rena with sparkling eyes and lifted cheeks.
Rena!!!!
Did you really… defeat all those marksmen?
With just makeshift equipment??
Are you serious??
I analyzed your mana as low, you know…
Hey, don't say that…
But how is that possible??
Why were you so brave at the front…?
Do all knights have to stand in the front??!!!
The voices of the crowd approaching Rena grew very loud.
Not mocking.
More like… trying to understand.
In the distance, the ponytailed teacher stood with her arms folded—not because she was thinking, but trying not to scratch her head too hard, because what Rena had done wasn't something she often saw or found reasonable.
Meanwhile, the healer who had been assigned to heal mana just looked confused, holding her cheek worriedly.
If it's like this… will I still get a grade from my teacher later???
Meanwhile—
The ponytailed teacher's gaze remained fixed straight on Rena. Then she spoke, her cheeks lifted, eyes sparkling.
…Interesting.
The Headmaster's choice is indeed strange…
But not in a bad way..
Among the students, one thing was becoming clear.
Rena was not a mage.
Nor a marksman.
And certainly not a healer.
And in this magic school, which had long forgotten the word "knight,"
that meant something strange.
Something that… had no place.
The ponytailed teacher saw Rena being crowded and spoke loudly, scratching her head.
Hey, students, give Rena some space to breathe!!
Then, with slow steps, the ponytailed teacher approached Rena, smiling cheerfully with squinting eyes, and said.
Well then…
Rena…
For the time being…
Do you want to study with us??
I mean, I'm not a knight teacher or anything…
And the Headmaster seems to be away for a while…
So… how about it??
Hearing that, Rena's face showed confusion, her lips slightly parted.
Then she spoke to the ponytailed teacher with teary eyes, her left hand tucked into her large robe pocket.
Can I kill my opponent in the next match???
Shouldn't killing give extra points??
Like how Lawo said he wanted to kill me??
Hearing that, the mage group was shocked. So was the ponytailed teacher, her brows arched upward, a little sweat dripping.
Ah… Rena… sorry, but I think you misunderstood…
Eh… how do I explain this??
Explaining it in a short time probably won't make everything clear…
Hearing that, Rena looked sharply at the broken sword in her right hand and said seriously.
Don't worry, ponytailed teacher…
I have time to learn so I can still get lots of points in the next sparring match!!!
And so, for the time being, Rena would study with the ponytailed teacher and the ponytailed teacher's mage group.