Chapter 97: More Rescues
“Alright, it looks like you all managed to take them down.”
As the Black Lion Demon fell, Yugroot called out. Upon closer inspection, the Black Lion Demon Yugroot had been fighting was already lying on the ground. It seemed he had single-handedly defeated a foe that should have been quite formidable.
(The second-year seniors are no joke… At the very least, he seems stronger than Daniya.)
Even Rest could take down a monster alone if he put his mind to it… but that aside, he checked on those who had been attacked.
“Hey, are you all okay? Any injuries?”
“…Yugroot, is that you? Thank you for coming to our rescue.”
It appeared that the two students who had been attacked by the Black Lions were from the Department of Knights, second-year students. Rest had never met them, but they seemed to be familiar with Yugroot, who was in the same year.
“We were ambushed while fighting another monster… It was almost really bad.”
“I see. Once you’ve received first aid, I’ll take you to the starting point where the Healing Team is.”
“No… we’re fine. There’s no need for that.”
The injured students stood up. Even those who had been down were now able to move after receiving basic treatment.
“We don’t intend to be a burden. We appreciate your help.”
“Hmph… Do as you wish. Just be careful not to get yourselves killed.”
Yugroot didn’t press the matter further and watched as his injured classmates made their way back. Was it really alright to let them go without escorting them to the entrance, especially with injuries?
“Are you sure? You really don’t need to send them off?”
“Not a problem.”
Yugroot replied curtly to Rest’s inquiry.
“They are students from the Department of Knights. Knights are meant to protect people, not be protected. It must be humiliating for them to be rescued like this and then sent back to safety like children. I understand their feelings.”
The Knight Commander was also present at the Plain Entrance as a guest. Perhaps they feared that being seen fleeing under the protection of the Rescue Team would hinder their future prospects in the Knight Order.
“Well, they are knights after all. I get it.”
Daniya agreed with Yugroot’s words. It seemed the students from the Department of Knights had their own sense of pride and dignity.
“I don’t think it’s wise to take your life so lightly, though…”
“I agree with that…”
A student from the Department of Clergy nodded in agreement with Rest’s murmured thoughts.
“Well, enough of that… more importantly, you all.”
Yugroot shot a sharp glance at Rest and the others.
“About that battle earlier… you did well. For first-years, you have potential.”
“Ah, thank you…”
“Keep up that level of effort moving forward.”
Surprisingly… he was praised. Perhaps Yugroot, despite his rough demeanor, had a surprisingly generous side.
〇 〇 〇
Three hours had passed since Rest and the others began their duties as the Rescue Team. Since then, two distress signals had been raised. One was a false alarm triggered by mistake, while the other was a pitiful situation where a first-year, lacking both skill and experience, was being chased by a relatively weak monster.
After that, there had been little work to do, and they spent more time waiting. However… once again, smoke signals for distress rose into the sky, and this time from two locations simultaneously.
“…It seems this year is progressing faster than last year. Rest, can you use healing magic?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Good… Nacua and I will handle the eastern side, while Daniya, Thomas, and Rest will take care of the western side. Once you’re done with the rescue, head over to the other side.”
“Understood.”
The fact that they were allowed to act separately meant that their abilities were recognized more than before. Rest, accompanied by the two knights, headed toward the location where the distress signal had been raised.
“Rest, Thomas! Let’s race to see who gets there first!”
Daniya enhanced his physical abilities with magic and dashed ahead, leaving the other two behind.
“Hey, Daniya!”
Thomas shouted in a panic, but Daniya didn’t stop.
“Seriously… that guy is impossible.”
Rest sighed. If he acted recklessly, he might get scolded by Yugroot… but Daniya showed no signs of slowing down.
“…Well, I might as well give him a run for his money.”
After all, they had just practiced a race not long ago. It was time to show off the skills they had honed.
“Sorry, Thomas… just try to keep up.”
“Huh…?”
“【High Accelerator】”
Rest surged forward, quickly catching up to Daniya and leaving him behind in mere seconds.
“Whoa… hey, wait up…!”
Daniya’s voice echoed behind him, but it was he who had initiated the challenge. Rest left his two companions behind and raced toward the location of the distress signal.
“Honestly, it’s easier to handle things alone sometimes…”
Upon arriving at the designated point, he found a trio of students—a mix of two males and one female—being attacked by a massive bear with black fur and horns protruding from its forehead.
“Help us!”
“Of course.”
The female student cried out in desperation. Rest responded briefly and unleashed magic toward the Unicorn Bear.