-1421- Please be our instructor

The next afternoon.

As per yesterday's agreement, Rozen arrived at the squad building, drawing the admiring and longing gazes of the Sky Wizard Division students who had come to participate in squad activities. He made his way to the E601 squad room.

"Shh..."

As the automatic door opened with a hissing sound, allowing Rozen to step into the squad room, he first saw the members of the E601 squad seated in their respective spots just like the day before.

However, unlike yesterday's noisy atmosphere, today Misora, Lecty, and Rico sat in their places, each seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing the three girls like this, Rozen smiled.

"It seems you all thought about a lot of things yesterday."

This was evident from the expressions on Misora, Lecty, and Rico's faces.

Their expressions were tense and slightly anxious, with faint dark circles under their eyes, indicating that they probably hadn't slept much last night.

Even Rico, who usually exuded a self-important air, was unusually low-spirited. Although she didn't yawn, it was clear that her eyelids drooped, and her eyes showed signs of fatigue.

Seeing this, Rozen wasn't surprised. Instead, he seemed somewhat interested as he walked into the squad room.

During this time, Misora, Lecty, and Rico kept their eyes fixed on Rozen, looking as if they wanted to say something but couldn't.

"What's the matter?" Rozen stood at the podium, looking at the three of them as if waiting for something. "Do you have something you want to say?"

This question immediately elicited a response.

"Um..." Lecty unexpectedly spoke first, continuously glancing at Rozen's expression, her voice filled with anxiety. "C-can we call you instructor?"

The first question after coming here was actually this.

But for the members of the E601 squad, this was probably the most important question right now.

Rozen's stay or departure meant a lot to the three girls of E601.

Because this was an important opportunity to realize the dreams they harbored in their hearts.

Therefore, the three of them displayed a tension and rigidity that they had never experienced before encountering Rozen.

Even Rico was no exception.

But Rozen, as if oblivious to all this, responded objectively.

"For now, you can still call me senpai. As for what happens later, that depends on your performance."

Rozen's answer was still the same.

However, this time, the girls didn't seem surprised anymore.

After a night of thinking, the girls seemed to have completely sorted out their thoughts. They were no longer as bewildered and unrealistic as they were yesterday about Rozen's arrival, nor did they passively accept all the circumstances.

Even Misora, who was the most impulsive and reckless, spoke very cautiously.

"Then, Senpai, can I ask you a question?"

Misora looked directly at Rozen, her tone very serious.

"Ask away."

Rozen met Misora's gaze, seemingly knowing what would happen next, with a hint of amusement.

Misora then asked the question she cared about most.

"Can you make us stronger?"

Yes.

Can you make them stronger?

Compared to the differences in their respective statuses, identities, and positions, this was the most important question for the three members of the E601 squad.

Although each had their own story, the three shared a common goal.

That was to become stronger.

Misora wanted to become stronger.

Lecty wanted to become stronger.

Rico wanted to become stronger.

This was their common ground.

Compared to this, other issues could be dealt with later.

And if this problem couldn't be solved, then the other issues might as well be ignored.

Misora, Lecty, and Rico realized this, so they all focused their attention on Rozen.

Seeing this, Rozen, under the girls' gaze, showed a meaningful expression.

Then...

"You might not know, but I can tell you something."

Rozen then told the girls of the E601 squad something important.

"All the members of my squad were actually taught by me."

A simple sentence made Misora, Lecty, and Rico gasp in surprise.

Before this, they had surely speculated about what Rozen's answer might be, right?

But no matter what, the three girls didn't expect that Rozen's final answer would be like this.

Yet, this one sentence was enough to prove Rozen's ability as an instructor.

After all, the three members of the S128 Special Squad were real aces in Mistgun, each reigning supreme in their respective fields.

Rozen's ability to teach such individuals demonstrated his capability as an instructor beyond a doubt.

"By the way, don't think that just because they had greater talent than you, they achieved their current accomplishments and you can't. I can tell you very clearly that in terms of talent and potential, you're not inferior to my teammates. Even the weakest Misora has strengths they can't match. Therefore, your achievements could very well match theirs, perhaps even surpass them."

Rozen spoke with a smile.

"But whether your talents will bear fruit depends on you."

With that in mind, Rozen had allowed the girls to think overnight before slowly answering them now.

This was to give them time to sort out their thoughts and understand what they truly wanted.

In fact, their desires hadn't changed from beginning to end, only becoming more resolute.

Therefore...

"R-Rozen senpai...!"

Lecty was unexpectedly the first to speak, even standing up.

Though she trembled all over, feeling both anxious and nervous, Lecty still mustered her courage, desperately expressing her will.

"P-please teach me how to become stronger...!"

Lecty poured her heart into this sentence, bowing deeply towards Rozen.

Following Lecty, Rico also stood up.

"Though I am flawless, even goddesses have one or two things they want to achieve. Sometimes, relying on others' strength is necessary."

Rico maintained her usual style, neither bowing nor lowering her head, but stared straight at Rozen.

"I'll acknowledge your ability. Show me the potential you speak of and whether it can become reality."

Rico declared straightforwardly.

Lastly, it was Misora's turn.

"...I understand that your arrival is an unprecedented opportunity for us. I also understand that your advice is definitely correct. If I follow your instructions, I believe I can indeed become stronger."

Misora didn't stand but looked at Rozen with a determined gaze, asking:

"But I don't want to be a Magic Artillery user, I want to be a Magic Swordsman. Even so, can you make me stronger?"

Misora's words seemed to come from intense struggle and longing.

This was something Misora absolutely didn't want to give up, right?

If Rozen really told Misora that she had no chance of becoming stronger except by becoming a Magic Artillery user, she would undoubtedly be disheartened.

But even then, Misora wouldn't give up becoming a Magic Swordsman.

Rozen could hear the determination in her voice.

So, Rozen responded accordingly.

"I can."

Rozen gave his answer.

At that moment, Misora completely relaxed, almost shedding tears.

Others might not know, but Rozen's words today undoubtedly redeemed Misora.

Therefore...

"Please be our instructor!"

Misora stood up without hesitation and bowed deeply to Rozen.

"Please!"

Thus, after a night of struggle and contemplation, the three members of the E601 squad made the same choice.

They decided to seize the unique opportunity before them and never let go.

This marked the beginning of E601 squad's transformation.

Watching the three girls, Rozen's lips curled into a smile.