A few days later, at the training ground. We practiced to hone our combat compatibility with each other. What if one of us can't continue to fight? What if the enemies see through the plan? What if the crucial role on the team can't function properly?
"Good! There's no such thing called perfect strategy. Does that mean you don't need a strategy in the first place? Absolutely foolish question. A strategy is just a guide. Remember that!"
"Yes, Instructor!"
The more they fight, the more they understand their role perfectly. They realized they can't substitute someone's role even if they believe they can. Because 'perspective' everyone has on each role is different, hence the difficulty.
"Okay, enough! Today's training is done. Good work"
All of them instantly sat down, with exhaustion finally reaching their mind.
"It's already looking good for now. I can confidently say that you can fight individually more effective than before"
A staff member then approached us, bringing a message.
"Instructor Denallie, the Headmaster, called for every instructor to attend a meeting this afternoon. If you have any other business you can't leave to, please tell me"
Meeting? Is it about the dungeon already? Or maybe a special guest?
"Thank you. Please tell the Headmaster I will attend the meeting after this training"
The staff member bowed, and then left.
"You all heard that? Okay! Let's train from the beginning!"
"Yes, Instructor!!"
If my prediction is correct, that annoying person must be the special guest. I just hope that my disciples can somehow hold out against that kind of opponent.
…
After taking a break, I arrived at the meeting room. For such an institution, the meeting room is surprisingly modest. Of course, the spell covering the room is nonetheless powerful enough to rival the palace's protection spell.
"Good afternoon, Headmaster. It seems I'm the last one to arrive. I hope you can forgive me for this?" I said.
Some teachers looked at me with a scornful gaze, another found it funny.
"Hahaha, it is no problem, Instructor Denallie. I guess you're taking some time to arrange a report about your students, yes? I will read it later after this meeting"
"Student report? Why would she do that?" asked a teacher with a ridiculing tone.
That tone…she must be someone from the Magic Tower family.
"Is that a problem, Miss Agnes? Or, is it such a foreign concept even for someone like you?" I said, smiling directly at her.
"H-hmph, I just saw something rare, of course I would question it"
*(Knock knock)
The Headmaster knocked his staff, telling us to sit down and start the meeting.
"I will begin with the First Class agenda, the dungeon training"
Mr. Rudy then stood up. Rudy Agnasia von William, the most arrogant teacher in the academy, mainly because of his family and his 'magnificent' talent. Sadly, that arrogance of his that brought death to his soul early.
"Yes, Headmaster. The First Class decided to train in Orc Valley Dungeon. It's not far from the academy, and has a suitable monster for the students to train their combat abilities. That's why I chose this dungeon"
Orc Valley Dungeon, huh. Just as I expected. Yozita said that she sensed some mana fluctuation inside the dungeon. That kind of mana fluctuation can't be happening if there's only orcs inside. That means, the Red Feather really made their move through that dungeon. I should compliment Yozita for her excellent work.
"May I say something, Headmaster?" I said, raised my hand.
"This is not your agen-"
"I will allow it" said the Headmaster, interrupting Rudy.
"About this dungeon, there's a strange mana fluctuation inside it. I know I'm asking too much to change the dungeon when you are already prepared for it, but I hope you will reconsider choosing this dungeon. That's all"
Rudy then just laughed a little, mocking me.
"You sensed what I didn't? Stop this pathetic joke and stick to your own class"
While some of them joined in and laughed, the Headmaster seriously considered it.
"Very well. I know how much effort the First Class already did to prepare, so I want Instructor Denallie to accompany the First Class to the dungeon. Considering her strength alone, I hope you don't mind, Mr. Rudy?" asked him.
Although still reluctant to accept it, he still obeyed the order.
"Oh, can I bring my students too? I want to train them about things in the dungeon"
"You have my permission"
Mr. Rudy then glared at me.
"I hope you do not interfere with my class so much, Instructor Denallie. Promise me that"
"I promise. Until you yourself begged me to, I will not do anything to interfere with your class" I said.
"I hopefully wish that won't happen, Instructor"
Just wait, and you will definitely do that.
"Now, the next agenda"
The Headmaster skillfully switched to other things. The meeting went normally as usual, until he mentioned the special guest.
"About the special guest who will train our students, I already got a reply that she will come. I hope the students can learn so much from her experience at the frontline"
Experienced at the frontline? Don't tell me…
"May I ask who this person is?" asked a teacher.
"The Hunter Knight, Lady Brielle"
*(Cough)
Her?! I know she's an expert when it comes to strategy, but why her?
"Are you perhaps acquainted with this person, Instructor Denallie?" asked the Headmaster.
"Ahem, yes. We've met once before she began her duty" I said.
"Oh? I hope this will be a good reunion for you"
"Yes…"
I just hope she's not gonna mess with my students…
After that, the meeting went on normally. Not much surprising information I could gain. The overall progress of the academy went exactly like I expected. Concluding the meeting, the Headmaster told all of the teachers to always take care of their students. Just like that, the meeting is done.
…
A few days later, the day 'she' came to the academy arrived. The Headmaster already told the teachers that she will only train students from the First Class, but he 'coincidentally' chose the time where my class is also on the training ground. Conniving old man.
"Instructor, is there something wrong? You look somehow, uneasy" asked Leiron.
Oh, I forgot to tell them.
"There's a special guest coming to to the training ground today. She will train the First Class…if things going well"
Valeria, finished her warm-up, joining the conversation.
"Huft…is she someone acquainted to you, Instructor?" asked her, trying to regain her composure.
"Well, I met her a year ago. She mistaken me for an assassin trying to ambush her. We fought a little bit, then resolved the misunderstanding. She became my sparing partner for a while before she decided to go to the frontline. I haven't seen her since then"
I still remembered the way she fights me. I will never, ever forget that, honestly.
"Oh! Is she strong enough compared to you?" asked Ushmila, along with Gavesha and Idaline who just finished their sparing.
"Although I can definitely beat her, she's the most annoying opponent I've ever had. Even a high ranking monsters more enjoyable to fight than her" I said, clenching my fist.
Brielle, a simple name. However, if you say that name among the demons, they will absolutely know the terror that came with that name. There's three bases at the frontline in the Central Continent. At one of them, there's a walking disaster for the demons. The first time she arrived there, she instilled fear and awe in both allies and enemies. With her, it's not a war anymore. The whole battlefield turned into a hunting ground. Hence her title.
"What did she do?" asked Gavesha.
"Just hunting. That's it. She pushed the demon's force far back by hunting every single demon she encountered"
Although her method, I better not tell them. I'll just let them experience it exclusively.
"...she doesn't fight like you when you use magic, right?" said Leiron, looking at me.
This guy…
"What do you mean?" asked Idaline.
"Do not, ever, ask her to fight with magic included. She's the most troublesome person in any fight that includes magic" said Leiron, remembering his past fights.
"You know how magic spells work, right? Form a spell with neutral mana, and then infuse it with your own. She used that method as her basic"
"That's normal, though?" said Valeria, confused.
"Let me ask you this. Is it normal, to form a spell right in front of your face, and infuse the mana by condensing it, and punch it through?"
All of them fell silent. They imagined the scene so vividly.
"You can't always expect your opponent to cast a spell normally, okay? That's why I did that. You'll thank me for that later" I said, proudly.
"...that is a good reason" said them, in unison.
"Now, to the main topic. I'm sure you've been informed that we will go to a dungeon. I don't need to tell you the basic information, right? It's just another magic-formed place with monsters inhabited it"
Valeria raised her hand.
"The fact that you mention it again, is it another information about that dungeon that differentiates them from the normal ones?"
"Hm, is it mana fluctuations? Abnormal increase in monsters' numbers? Demonkin movements? Or is it turned into a neighboring country's hideout?" said Idaline, pondering the answer.
Let me explain it at least, please.
"The first one is correct. The second and third one is a possibility. The last one is definitely not possible. The detailed explanation will wait until the day we go there. Understood?"
"Yes, Instructor!"
It looks like they can take a rest before she comes here.
"Take a break and discuss your performance with each other for now. Leiron, Dineshcara, follow me"
"Thank you, Instructor!"
…
Leiron and Dinesh followed me to another side of the training ground. This place makes sure there's no ear listening, as long as I'm here too.
"From both of you, is there anything weird happening around lately?"
If what the report I received is correct…
"Weird?...you mean the talk that hinted at commoners' privileges that suspiciously rising?" said Leiron.
"You noticed it too? I thought it's a recent trend among the literary group so I didn't mind it too much. I will ask Yozita for more information regarding this" said Dinesh.
As expected, the rebels are already spreading the seed of conflict in the capital. The progress went a little bit held back by Yozita, but they still managed to come here.
"Leiron, ask Father first about how the situation will unfold according to his plan. Mother will act only if Father is certain of their motive. As for Dinesh, tell Yozita to come to me after you collect enough information. Do not show any suspicion when the topic comes up, okay?" I said.
"Understood"
With that, we went back to the training ground.
…
At the Headmaster office…
"Welcome, Lady Brielle. It's nice to meet the rumored knight herself" said the Headmaster.
In front of him, the said lady wearing a normal uniform, smiled at him.
"Nice to meet you, too. Those rumors are exaggerating things about this old lady. Don't pay attention to it"
She then sat on one of the chairs.
"For a headmaster of such an academy, you sure are cunning. So, what kind of disciplinary acts should I give them?"
The Headmaster only laughed.
"You're a special guest here, Lady Brielle. That kind of thing is under the Disciplinary Committee's jurisdiction. You just need to do some special training with the First Class. That's all you need to do. Perhaps even add some advice for them. They need it, to be honest"
The lady just laughed hearing his answer.
"Coincidentally put my schedule matches with her class, with both of the students present, I will surely do my part of this hahahaha"
"Thank you for your cooperation, Lady Brielle. The rest is up to you"
"Sure thing! Denallie and I need to have some serious conversation now hahahaha"
…
A few moments later…
The First Class just started their own warm-up. Meanwhile, my class already went to the discussion time.
"So, if you sense the monsters, kill them instantly only when you're the most confident on doing it. If not, learn their patterns, look at your surroundings, and improvise if needed. There's no absolute plan like I said, but you need it as a guidance. I hope you will take that into your mind if something happens"
All the students listened really well.
"Any question?" I asked.
Leiron then raised his hand. I nodded to him, giving him permission.
"If we somehow encounter a tribe from the demonkin, is there a room for a talk with them?"
A tribe. A community who attached themselves to the demonkin. Although not all of them are associated with the Demon King.
"Being cautious is good, but it will come off as rude if you show it openly. As long as you sense there's nothing off, you can talk to them. But, some of the tribes have different forms of talking. Either they will test your strength first, your knowledge, or even your wits. Just be very careful of what you do when you meet them"
Then Valeria raised her hand.
"I know my role is an assassin, but what should I do if there's nowhere to hide when facing an opponent?"
An interesting question.
"Nowhere to hide? Since when did you believe that you must hide 'somewhere'? You just need to hide 'yourself'. Even if you're in front of them. Let me ask you, when I'm standing here, do you feel my presence?"
Valeria suddenly realized what I'm saying.
"Your purpose is to strike the enemy without them noticing you. If you mask your presence well, you can assassinate whatever you want. I'm sure you have the means to achieve that, so I'll leave it there"
Valeria touched her eyes, understanding my words.
"Although some of you still have a question, I think our time is up. Oh, get behind me for a moment"
As soon as the students moved behind my back, I casted a barrier around. Suddenly…
*(Boom)
…someone jumped to the training ground.
"Boss Llie!! Long time no see!!"
.
.
.
"Brielle…you crazy old lady"
*.*.*.*
To Be Continued...