Layla had seriously misunderstood.
Serena hadn't counted her as combat power at all. The six people he referred to were the "Four Heavenly Kings" from the exchange student group and the "Twin Pillars" of Fairy Academy. The final person was Gildarts. Although he hadn't met Gildarts yet, he had heard from the students that his strength was slightly above Descartes'. Since Descartes had already proven his strength by defeating him, Serena trusted that Gildarts' power would be worth relying on.
"That way of putting it..."
"It sounds a bit brutal, but it's not wrong."
Descartes quite agreed with Serena's perspective. He wasn't aggressive by nature, but when the enemies were Zeref cultists who preyed on civilians and committed every atrocity imaginable, "turning them to dust" was actually a conservative approach.
"It seems that if the academy really forms a squad, our combat power will be more than enough to handle a few disorganized dark guilds and wizards who hide from the Council. We might even destroy their strongholds before the Council even arrives."
Despite the potential cruelty of the enemy, Descartes was confident in their "sweep away the darkness" mission, as the individual strength of the cultists was likely low.
The next few days were relatively peaceful. Aside from Serena's loss to Descartes remaining the talk of the town, nothing major happened. However, despite the gossip, no one dared to look down on Serena. They had seen his power with their own eyes; they knew Serena wasn't weak—it was just that Descartes was better.
Furthermore, after his defeat, Serena realized there was "always a higher heaven." He dropped his arrogant attitude, and his personality softened significantly. This caused everyone to change their opinion of him, and after spending more time together, they found him quite interesting, gradually becoming good friends.
Ten days after the exchange students arrived, Gildarts finally finished his mission and returned to the academy. Before he could even rest, he and Descartes were summoned to the Dean's Office.
The person who summoned them was Vice-Principal Chris. However, she wasn't alone; Brain, the exchange students' leader, was also there. Once everyone was gathered, Chris cleared her throat and began a righteous, high-minded speech.
"You are all more or less aware of the friction between Fairy Academy and the Royal Capital Magic Academy. Though we have different stances, there are no irreconcilable conflicts; we are rivals in healthy competition. Therefore, when faced with an enemy attempting to harm national security, our decision is to set aside personal grudges and fight together. This is why the Royal Capital sent this exchange team."
Is it finally happening? Descartes and the others listened intently, having expected this.
"We hope to gather the talents of both schools to create a team that can cooperate with the Royal Family, the Council, and the Magic Guilds to strike at the darkness. The seven of you are the members meticulously selected by the higher-ups of both academies."
"Your code name is: Seven Kin of the Holy Knights!!"
"What on earth?!"
Seven Kin of the Holy Knights?
"Um... I have a question!" Descartes was the first to raise his hand.
"What is it?"
"Who came up with such a cringy, chuunibyou name?"
Chris fell silent, then raised her hand... or rather, her fist.
Thump!!
"Ow! That hurts!"
"I came up with the name. Do you have a problem with it?"
"None at all!!"
Why is this old lady's fist still so powerful at her age?! Descartes rubbed his head and stepped back into line.
"I have a question too!" Gildarts was the second to speak.
"What is it?" This time, Chris's gaze was much colder, as if saying, You'd better actually have a question, or I'll give you a problem. Gildarts' lack of seriousness was famous. Chris knew exactly how he thought—because she was the same way when she was young.
"Ahem..." Gildarts retracted his joke immediately. "I wanted to ask: can I choose not to join?"
"As far as I'm concerned, the answer is no! The situation is dire. Our analysis shows only your combined strength can solve this. Anyone else would just be throwing their lives away. Of course, if you truly refuse, we can't force you. But in that case, we can only watch as poor children, innocent civilians, and weak women are enslaved, their homes destroyed, and their lives taken by villains..."
Wow! Using moral kidnapping at her age!
Sure enough, everyone except Descartes looked as if they had just swallowed bitter melon. Their strong sense of justice made it impossible to ignore the "disaster" Chris described.
Gildarts smiled bitterly. "Can't you just take action yourself?"
Chris shook her head, putting on a look of utter exhaustion. "Sigh... the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I am too old; I can't compete with young people like you. Besides, my magic is only good for changing the weather—making it sunny or rainy in small areas. It's not suited for the front lines."
That is a lie! A total lie!! Descartes screamed internally. I'm the only one who knows the truth! You and the other two at home were hunting Dragon Kings in the Northern Continent before you were twenty! And 'flesh is weak'? My head is still throbbing!
Under Chris's icy, half-murderous glare, Descartes wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.
"So, who is our enemy exactly?" Ur, as the representative of the exchange students, asked the third question.
"Good question!" Chris put on a kind, grandmotherly face again. "Your enemy isn't just one person or one organization. It is every dark force—present and future—within the Kingdom of Fiore that threatens human life and national stability!"