Peace Hunter

The next day.

In the morning, we trained in the first-year training ground as usual. There, Charles, Noa, and Kotaro were lying on the floor.

"Damn, even the three of us can't beat him," Noa said.

"Hahaha, isn't that obvious? Besides, the one we're up against is the winner of the previous academy tournament, which means he's currently the strongest student in this academy," Charles said.

"As usual, you're amazing, Rid," Kotaro said.

I stood in front of the three of them, who were slowly getting back to their feet, holding my sword in my right hand. I pointed my left hand forward, directly at them.

~Heal~

I healed them, and they recovered.

"You're not done yet, are you? How about we fight again?" I asked.

"Of course," the three of them said.

Then I resumed my fight with Charles, Kotaro, and Noa.

Meanwhile, Julie, Leandra, and Lily watched from the other side of the training ground.

"They've already fought three times and they want to fight again? They're so excited, even though the outcome will be the same. And on the other side......" Julie said, looking to the other side of the training ground.

Irene and Chloe were also fighting. They were engaged in a fierce close-quarters battle. Irene was using her rapier as usual, while Chloe was using her two daggers made from fire magic. They were taking turns attacking each other with their respective weapons.

"Chloe and Irene look really excited too," Julie said.

"Instead of just watching, wouldn't it be better if we join in the sparring too?" Leandra asked.

"Which side do you want to spar on, Lea? Participate in the sparring between Chloe and Irene, or the sparring between Rid and Charles, Noa, and Kotaro?" Julie asked.

"They seem very comfortable with their current sparring sessions, so I won't choose between the two. I want to create a new sparring group. Do you want to join?" Leandra asked Lily and Julie.

"I'd love to, but if we both participate in this sparring session, wouldn't it be three people? That would be a one-on-two format. Who wants to be the one person?" Lily asked.

"I don't want to, I'm still too weak to fight both of you at once," Julie said.

"I didn't say it would be one-on-two just because there are only three of us. We'll fight each other. It's a one-on-one sparring session. How about it? Do you guys want to?" Leandra asked.

"Okay, it sounds like it'll be fun sparring in that format," Lily said.

"If it's like this, it'll be fair for all three of us. Then I'll join in too," Julie said.

"Okay. Then let's start sparring," Leandra said.

The three of them began sparring. The training ground was filled with sparring players divided into three groups.

-

About an hour later.

We ended our morning training and left the training ground together.

"Damn. No matter how many times we fight Rid, we can't hurt him even once," said Noa.

"Hahaha, you're right. Rid's reflexes are so fast he can dodge our attacks. Plus, he can even use healing magic. Even if we do manage to hurt him, he'll immediately heal them with his healing magic. Defeating Rid has been incredibly difficult from the start," said Charles.

"I don't care about defeating him because I know I can't. I want to at least injure him, even just once. It seems the only academy students who have been able to hurt Rid so far are Princess Irene and the former chairman," said Noa.

"I was only able to injure Rid by chance back then. The proof is that I haven't been able to injure him again in sparring," said Irene.

"Even so, you still managed to hurt Rid, Princess Irene," Noa said.

I just kept quiet as they were talking about me.

"Let's end this conversation about Rid. Instead, we'll start studying again at the academy tomorrow and become second-year students, huh?" Charles said.

"Yes. By the way, are we going to have morning training again tomorrow?" Noa asked.

"Of course. To get stronger, we have to train every day. Even Rid, who's already strong, still trains," Charles said.

"But the question is, which training ground will we use? Will we still use the first-year training ground, or are we allowed to use the second-year training ground?" Noa asked.

"Hmm, I think we'll still use the first-year training ground. We can only use the second-year training ground after we officially become second-year students. Since we train in the morning before we leave for the academy as second-year students, that means we're still using the first-year training grounds. Perhaps on the second day of our second-year studies, we'll be allowed to use the second-year training grounds for morning practice," Charles said.

"I see," Noa said.

We arrived at the academy lobby after leaving the first-year training grounds.

"The entrance exam for prospective academy students concluded yesterday. There's probably another exam today for students with the same points as last year," Charles said.

"I was wondering if there are any first-year students I know," Noa said.

"If Javier or Alfred, your opponents in the third phase of the entrance exam, passed and became students at this academy, you'd definitely know them," Charles said.

"That's not who I'm talking about. Besides, I don't expect them to pass this entrance exam if they take it again, especially Javier. Although Rid said he wouldn't mind if Javier became an academy student because he could just beat him up if he caused trouble. But I think it would be troublesome, especially if I had to deal with him every day. It would be very troublesome," Noa said.

"Well, you're right. Besides, we don't know if he's taking the entrance exam or not, although it's highly likely he will," Charles said.

Then we left the academy lobby to return to our respective dorms. When we arrived in front of the academy lobby, we saw quite a few people walking towards the academy gates carrying their bags and belongings. It seemed like they were people who had failed the entrance exam yesterday and were preparing to return home.

"They're people who failed the entrance exam, huh? It's sad to see them fail like that, but this failure could be a turning point for them to become stronger," Charles said.

"Yes, you're right. Hmm, that's it..." Noa said.

Noa pointed to someone among the group of people preparing to go home. We looked in the direction Noa was pointing. It turned out to be Javier. He looked gloomy, carrying his large bag. Alfred was also beside him. I remembered him because he was Noa's opponent in last year's entrance exam.

"Javier and Alfred, it turns out they're taking the entrance exam again. And judging by those people, it looks like they failed again this year. Since they've already failed the entrance exam twice, they won't be able to take it again and they're definitely not going to be able to become students at this academy," Charles said.

"It's a relief to see them fail again. This way, that troublemaker won't bother us at the academy," Noa said.

We continued to look at Javier and Alfred as they headed toward the academy gates. At first, they didn't notice us looking at them, but Alfred suddenly looked toward the front of the academy lobby. Alfred realized we were looking at him. Alfred patted Javier on the shoulder.

"S-Sir Javier, that's..." Alfred said, pointing to the front of the academy lobby.

Javier turned to the front of the academy lobby. Javier was immediately shocked when he saw what was in front of the academy lobby. In front of the academy lobby was Rid Archie, the target he had to eliminate for trampling on his dignity a year ago. Javier, initially gloomy, began to look angry.

"RID ARCHIE!!!!!" Javier shouted.

Noa and the others were shocked to hear Javier shout like that.

"Damn, I think he saw Rid. This academy has just been restored after being damaged by the previous attack, so we can't let him run amok and destroy it again," Noa said.

"Yes, you're right, Noa," Charles said.

Charles and Noa were preparing to face Javier, wielding their weapons. The others were also readying theirs, including Irene. Meanwhile, I hadn't decided to wield my sword, even though I knew Javier was targeting me.

~Flame Armor~

Javier created an armor of fire to protect his entire body. Even his head was covered in flames.

~Flame Sword~

He also created a flaming sword from his fire magic. People who were initially near Javier began to distance themselves from him after Javier used his magic on the academy grounds.

"Even though I didn't manage to become a student at this academy, at least I managed to find you. I'LL KILL YOU, RID ARCHIE!!" Javier said.

Javier immediately shot towards me. Charles, Noa, and the others prepared to attack Javier. But before Javier could reach me, I also shot towards him quickly. I managed to get close, surprising Javier.

"Wha-," Javier said.

Before he could finish, I grabbed his head with my right hand and slammed it into the street. I hit his head so hard that it severely damaged the street.

*DUMMMMMMMMMM

The sound of me hitting Javier was incredibly loud. It probably reached the entire academy. After I slammed Javier into the street, he fell unconscious. The ~Flame Armor~ protecting him slowly began to disappear, as did the ~Flame Sword~ he had created with his magic. Javier's head slowly began to bleed after being smashed into the street.

After realizing Javier was unconscious, I released my grip on his head. I noticed my right hand had suffered burns from gripping Javier's head while he was wearing the ~Flame Armor~. But I immediately healed my right hand with healing magic. After that, I looked at Javier, who was still unconscious.

"Instead of making a fuss, you'd be better off staying quiet like this," I said.

-To be continued