-1369- The academy in flames

"————!"

In that moment, Arisuin Nagi's heart turned cold.

From Rozen's gaze, Arisuin Nagi felt completely seen through, as if he had no secrets left.

This might sound exaggerated.

Even though Rozen was that person who could account for everything without missing a detail, it was impossible to know all secrets.

However, that person was famous for having multiple abilities, so having a power of foresight wouldn't be surprising at all.

Given that, it was not impossible for his secrets to be entirely uncovered.

Thinking this, the rest of Arisuin Nagi's heart also went cold.

Could it be that Rozen truly knew everything?

If that were the case...

Arisuin Nagi didn't dare to think further.

However, at that moment, Rozen withdrew his gaze.

"Don't worry."

Rozen then spoke leisurely to everyone present.

"With the World Clock and Yaksha Princess on top, do you think the League will send people to find us?"

It was known that Shinguji Kurono and Saikyo Nene did not invite Rozen and Edelweiss to be instructors without knowing their identities and the feats they had accomplished.

Knowing Rozen and Edelweiss's identities and what they had done before, inviting them while bearing this responsibility was a natural thing to do.

"So, just relax and focus on your own strength."

Rozen's gaze swept across everyone present.

If one was sensitive enough, they could notice that after ten days of intense training, everyone at Hagun Academy, including Ikki and Stella, except for Misogi Utakata, had a change in their aura.

Some became sharp and aggressive.

Some became inflated and powerful.

Some became deep and restrained.

Some became subtle and dormant.

This showed that after these ten days of training, everyone's strength had changed.

This change couldn't be called earth-shattering.

But calling it a transformation was absolutely fine.

At least, in Rozen's eyes, everyone's strength had reached a new level.

For example, Tomaru Renren and Saijou Ikazuchi's strength was now on par with Stella before she awakened her dragon power and Ikki before the transformation of his Device, much stronger than the previous second ranker, Totokubara Kanata.

For instance, Shizuku and Totokubara Kanata, if they previously had the strength to compete for the top four in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, now they could compete for the championship.

And Ikki, Stella, and Todo Touka's strength had greatly improved, needless to say.

If Moroboshi Yuudai, the Seven Stars Sword King, hadn't made much progress this year, then Ikki, Stella, and Todo Touka could easily defeat him.

Even without using their ultimate techniques, Ittou Shura, Dragon Spirit, and Raikiri.

Everyone's progress was that significant.

Fighting against numerous golems for ten days continuously, and in conditions where they were restrained by runes, physically burdened, and had their mana suppressed, now everyone's physical ability and mana control had almost risen a level. If they were to retake their ability tests, it would surely surprise everyone.

Plus, with Edelweiss's relentless teaching over these ten days, it was impossible for everyone not to make significant progress.

Instead, Arisuin Nagi appeared unremarkable, with his aura unchanged, making people wonder if he had truly made any progress.

During training, while everyone else gave their all, Arisuin Nagi's performance never matched the evaluations given by Rozen and Edelweiss, appearing mediocre as if his strength hadn't improved at all, puzzling everyone.

Of course, in such conditions, it was impossible for Arisuin Nagi not to have improved.

This meant Arisuin Nagi had not shown his full strength.

"Interesting."

Rozen muttered this quietly to himself, then smiled.

Rozen's words, though not entirely reassuring, successfully diverted everyone's attention.

"Indeed."

"Now isn't the time to worry about such things."

"The training has finally ended."

"Yes."

"Looking back, I really wonder how I managed to last those ten days, and how I am still alive."

"I've never been through such tough training."

"But the gains are gratifying; we've all gotten stronger."

"Exactly."

The group opened up a conversation, starting to chat energetically.

Rozen had already lifted the runes from everyone, allowing them to feel their rapid progress in strength, each wearing a smile, momentarily forgetting the terror of being tormented by strategic-level golems the day before.

Seeing everyone like this, Edelweiss, as if watching a new generation develop vigorously, catching up with her own steps, squinted her eyes.

But immediately, Edelweiss showed a somewhat pained expression.

At this moment, Edelweiss had only one thought.

That was...

(I hope they can endure the upcoming blows...)

Edelweiss thought so.

Rozen, however, did not notice this.

Because...

"Hmm?"

As if sensing something, Rozen suddenly frowned, his expression darkening.

At the same time, Todo Touka left her seat and clapped her hands in front of everyone.

"Alright, we're about to return to the academy. Since the chairman isn't here, we don't need to report to the office. We can go straight back to the dormitory, but I'd like to inform you all of a few things..."

As Todo Touka was about to make some announcement, she was interrupted.

"Wh... What's that...!?"

Saijou Ikazuchi, sitting in the driver's seat and responsible for driving, suddenly widened his eyes, both shocked and panicked, shouting these words.

"Wh... What's wrong?"

"What happened?"

Everyone was startled.

At this moment, the bus they were on had left the mountains and entered the city, with familiar forests and asphalt roads outside the windows.

This indicated that they had returned to the city, and the academy was just ahead.

However...

"...Impossible."

"...How could it be..."

Everyone noticed the scene in front of the bus, their faces going stiff, their eyes full of disbelief.

They saw, at the end of the bus's path, in the direction of the familiar Hagun Academy, thick black smoke rising gradually.

Flames were burning the buildings.

The ground was ravaged and in ruins.

The academy they were familiar with looked like it had been ravaged by artillery fire, turning into a war-torn wasteland.

Everyone stared at this scene, utterly speechless.

Only three people remained calm, quietly watching.

One was Edelweiss.

Another was Arisuin Nagi.

And the last was Rozen.

Staring at the campus engulfed in flames, Rozen remained silent.

In his eyes, a cold glint flickered.