BEST Free Labor!

"They'll do it, if nothing else to protect their Teacher…" 

Gray had just been talking about his disciples when he suddenly spotted them on the horizon. But then he couldn't help but gasp. There was something wrong here! 

Zhang led three tied-up students as if war prisoners. 

Lizzy had two metallic war carriages following her around. 

Ajax seemed to have looted a Palace, carrying a HUGE backpack.

No, seriously, what the hell had happened?! He had sent them on relatively basic errands, so why did they seem to be returning from a war campaign?

But now, he still had to preserve appearances… 

"I represent this crowd, and we have demands! Where can we talk?"

Gray played the perfect representative, soon heading into the Garden along with his students to "negotiate," the latter utterly confused at seeing such a crowd! 

Then, as soon as the garden's gates were closed… 

"Alright, let's start with Ajax. Did you get her?"

"YES, TEACHER!" 

From his giant backpack, he suddenly started grabbing… bodies?! Yes, bodies plural. As if a nightmarish Santa, he started taking out bound girls, one after the others. 

"….."

"….."

"….." 

Gray had given him a single mission: get Sera! 

Oh, he had gotten her alright, but what the fuck was up with all those other girls?! It was one thing to kidnap his own disciple, but random students?! 

"You, explain yourself…." 

"A-Ah, sorry Teacher, I lost the instructions, and I wasn't sure which room number it was anymore. So… I brought them all!" He explained as he awkwardly rubbed his head. 

Black Hair + Girl → Kidnapped! 

What kind of mess was the Hospital, now?! 

Sighing, he delicately brought Sera to the side… 

"Sigh… bring them back this instant— No, help with the construction outside for 5 minutes, then bring them back, understood? Be as discrete as possible!" 

"YES TEACHER!" 

Then, Gray turned toward Zhang. At this moment, the latter was holding onto three leashed students. The poor trio was scared shitless, then again he too would have been. 

1. Bruised all over: they had been beaten

2. Gagged & blindfolded, they were fifty shades of restrained. 

3. Oh, and they had just learned that they weren't the only victims!

Gray turned a questioning look to Fatty Zhang. 

"They didn't want to come and even attacked me! Luckily, they're pretty weak, so I could subdue them easily. What should I do with them, Teacher?" 

Hearing this, they almost wet themselves, staying silent as Gray removed their gags.

"I'll give you three a choice. Either you can do a bit of very chill manual work, just like the hundreds of students out there, or else you can—" 

"W-We'll cooperate!" 

"YES, for sure!"

"Nod! Nod!" 

They didn't even care for option two: they just wanted this torture to end! Seeing this, Gray nodded. Quite a bad start as far as Teacher/Student relationship went, but whatever. 

Yes, those three were actually his students, aka the BLT trio: Brandon, Louis, and Terry. Somehow, they were even more average than their profiles.

Gray turned to Lizzy: 

"Now, what's with the war chariots?"

"T-That, I simply told them about Teacher's idea, and they were thrilled. They called you a beacon of humility, a model for all mages, and might have mistaken you for Eagleye." 

It seemed like there were a bunch of construction materials, food ingredients, and even drinks?! Still, had she really prioritized getting free stuff over defending his honor? 

"You did well. Great job! As for the rest of you, listen up…" 

He quickly explained the situation outside, chuckles escaping them. Who else but their crazy Teacher would think of something like this?! They couldn't help but be impressed. 

Then, they all exited the garden, Gray already raising his hands in victory… 

"Hehe, everything's resolved. Let's get to work, boys! Even Teacher Gale's Disciples won't stand in our way. So, with the man in jail, we're unstoppable!" 

— Cheers! Cheers! Cheers! — 

That's when the biggest construction work ever began. 

"All this flimsy soil? Blast it until it's as solid as a diamond!" 

"The perimeter? Fatty Zhang's going around placing flags!"

"Teddy, you're up! Stack that wood! We want it tall!" 

"Lizzy, how's the food coming along? Spicy? YES!"

"BLT trio, keep it up! Whatever you're doing…" 

Gray kept shouting instructions, absolutely everyone getting involved! Heck, even Sera, by the side, could be seen motivating the troops even while in a coma. 

Her very presence would encourage the students:

"That's Sera Blake, isn't it? Teacher Gale's victim…"

"Make those walls even taller! No more like her!" 

"Actually, walls won't stop the bastard, no?!" 

Sometimes, a few would come back to their senses. This was utterly pointless, wasn't it? Even if they blocked his house entirely, he could recruit elsewhere, right? 

But whenever someone mentioned stuff like that… 

"Brother, it's a symbol. All of us coming together to protest against him will be far more effective than a meager petition. Do you understand? This is our STAND!" 

Gray would arrive at the perfect moment to inspire them with some more BS, convincing them they were saving the world. 

He even personally went around distributing food.

As they tasted the bowl full of suspiciously red soup and noodles, they'd all burst with joy!

"W-What the hell is this?! Poison?!"

"B-Burning, my mouth's burning help!!"

"L-Leader, I'm gonna die, I'm so gonna die!" 

At first, they'd fear for their lives. But then the spicy and aromatic goodness would mix together to create a taste that was ADDICTIVE! 

They had just discovered… Spicy Ramen! 🔥

"Can you feel it? This is food from the gods to nourish your burning spirit. Stand proud, stand tall, you all are mages I am truly proud of! Can you feel it?!" 

"I can! I actually can!"

"My soul's definitely burning!"

"Burning Soul! Burning Soul! Burning Soul!" 

Gray even gestured toward the surroundings as they clamored: "Look at all we've already accomplished! Amazing, right?"

By now, they had completed the outer walls and were almost finished with the main building. As for why there was even a building in the first place…. 

"Easy, a wall needs an entrance. This way, anyone wanting to visit Teacher Gale will have to go through this building. We'll add signs warning of his misdeeds!" 

"W-Won't he simply remove them?" 

"Hehe. It won't be slander as long as we stick to what's true! As for him removing them? Scoff, wouldn't that mean that he's voluntarily trying to harm students!" 

That was so damn true! Sera's suffering could have been a mistake… but if he really did that, then that would instantly prove his character was lacking! 

"L-Leader, you're so wise! Teacher Gale's finished!"

"Hehe, I can't wait to see his reaction." 

"Well, that's if he gets out of jail…" 

Just like that, they all kept working diligently until Gray's place looked like a goddamn fortress! Classroom yes? But it also had a large palisade defending It! 

[Ding! Congratulations! You've Built a Classroom!] 

[Teacher System now Activating!] 

[1%, 42%, 69%, 77%…] 

Seeing this, Gray didn't even hesitate… 

"Welp, everyone, time to leave! We're done! Be proud, and be assured that I'll take care of the rest. The Academy WILL hear of this! Now, let's all get some rest!" 

This was such a stark contrast?! Mere seconds ago, he was screaming encouragements, and now he seemed so listless. Ah, it was probably the adrenaline running out. 

Well, not exactly. He had simply been reminded of Step 3… 

[Ding! New Mission: Bless the Classroom!]

[Teach for 24 Hours Straight! Good luck!] 

It was time for one hell of a lesson…