After I shouted for around one minute, a professor appeared.
He was a slim and tall middle-aged man with a military-like short haircut and a deadpan expression.
I did not recognize him from any class, so he must teach a class I don't take.
When the professor appeared, he looked toward the student I incapacitated with a complicated gaze.
"Well done, student Jane. It was a commendable battle."
I furrowed my brows.
"Why did the bracelet not activate? He has been reduced to this state, but the bracelet is not activating yet."
"… It's working normally. Just that it has been judged that he is still able to continue, and he has not conceded either."
I was stunned before laughing sarcastically.
What the hell?
"Really? Do I need to stab my spear through his skull for the bracelet to activate?"
The teacher let out a wry smile.
"No need to get so worked out. How about this? I can see that the student Dio is not in a condition to continue with the dungeon dive, so I will regard him as disqualified. Are you satisfied with this outcome?"
I took a deep breath and nodded.
"That is good." The professor smiled and walked over to Dio.
He then put a hand on his forehead. Dio tried to struggle, but the professor suddenly released a burst of mana, and Dio immediately fell unconscious.
The bracelet on his wrist then shattered, creating a barrier around him.
"Very well, I will be taking him away. Also, a reminder, Dio is not the only student behaving like this, so you should be careful. I advise you against going east, you could meet another one there."
I put on a startled expression, but I quickly understood the professor's underlying meaning.
"How many students are out there like this?"
"Not many, just four more."
"Mm, and what if I coincidentally meet another one and incapacitate them?"
The professor's lips curved up in an amused smile.
"Just call out like now and a professor will appear."
I felt my lips forming a smile similar to the professor's.
"Thank you, professor. I'll make sure to be careful."
"That is good." The professor mirrored my smile before putting the unconscious student on his shoulder and carrying him away.
[What do you plan to do, boy?] The demon asked.
"Is it not obvious?" I gripped my spear and looked toward the east. "It's time to hunt."
…
Harry Lort was a professor at Sanctuary's First. He taught body enhancement and was considered by many one of the strictest professors.
He was in the middle of taking a student called Dio out of the dungeon when his communicator suddenly vibrated.
[Are you sure about this?] A voice came out of the com. [They could accuse you of interfering with their demonstration.]
"Interfering? Me? When?" Harry chuckled with an uncaring gaze. "I just took an unconscious student out of the dungeon and advised another student about how to avoid danger."
The voice in the communicator fell silent for a brief instant before sighing.
[… That is just like you. I just hope the higher-ups don't make a fuss.]
"What is there to fear? At most, I will endure a bit of scolding. They can't do anything else." Harry was nonchalant about it. "Mm, we should give Jane a reward later. He helped us a lot this time."
[I agree. I am quite surprised about how well he managed the situation.]
Harry grinned.
Honestly, when he learned of the entire situation and the intentions of the higher-ups, he was prepared for this dungeon dive to end in a disaster.
He was quite angry that these unscrupulous bastards were using his students as guinea pigs for such an obviously dangerous drug, but unfortunately, there was not much he could do besides guaranteeing the safety of the students.
Although he wanted to interfere and catch the berserk students, he knew that if he tried it, his career would be over. Plus, it was doubtful if he could succeed.
Harry did not know who they were, but he was sure some of the teachers watching over today's dungeon dive were involved in some form or another. Most likely, they would stop him as soon as he shows the slightest sign of interfering.
Thus, he was quite grateful and relieved when Jane easily defeated one of the berserk students.
"Let's just hope that Jane manages to find and defeat the other four."
[Three.]
"Mm?"
[Doris was right. The freshmen this year are truly outstanding.]
"Did anyone else defeat a berserk student?"
The voice in the communicator chuckled.
[Can you guess who it is?]
Harry was startled, but he soon smiled.
"Her, huh." He chuckled. "As expected of that monster."
…
"How?" A girl lay face down on the mud with a despairing expression. "H-How are you so strong?"
"The question should be, why did you dare to challenge me when you are so weak?" Sylvia asked while tilting her head with a finger on her lips. "I mean, did you really think you could defeat me by relying on drugs?"
"Cough… I-It d-doesn't make sense… T-They told me it would make me strong. Stronger than you!"
"How cute, and how foolish." Sylvia looked at her for a few seconds before losing interest and walking away. "I thought I found something interesting, but it was just an idiot with delusions of grandeur. Just stay there. I don't have time to lose with you."
"He… I see... Hehehe… Hehehehe...! DON'T UNDERSTIMATE ME!!!"
Roaring, the girl stood up and charged toward Sylvia's back.
Her mana surged out violently, cladding her body in a tempest-like aura that increased her speed several times over.
It took her less than one second to arrive behind Sylvia.
But before she could brandish her dagger, her body stiffened.
Countless threads appeared around her, tying her up completely.
"Weak."
After these words, the girl's consciousness was cut off.
Before falling unconscious, she muttered a word.
"Mons… ter…"