**Chapter 97: More Rescues**
“Alright, it looks like you all managed to take them down,” Yuglut called out as the Black Lion Beast fell to the ground. Indeed, the beast Yuglut had been fighting lay defeated at his feet. It seemed he had single-handedly taken down a creature that was supposed to be quite formidable.
(The second-year seniors are no joke… At the very least, he seems stronger than Danira.)
Rest could also take down a foe alone if he put his mind to it, but for now, he needed to check on those who had been attacked.
“Hey, are you all alright? Any injuries?”
“…Yuglut? Thank you for coming to our rescue.”
It appeared that the two Black Lion Beasts had attacked a team of second-year students from the Knight Department. Rest had never met them, but it seemed they were familiar with Yuglut, who was in the same year as him.
“We were ambushed while fighting another monster… It was almost really bad,” one of the students explained.
“I see. Once you’ve received first aid, I’ll take you to the starting point where the healing team is waiting.”
“No… We’re fine. That won’t be necessary.”
The injured students stood up, having completed their first aid, and seemed capable of moving on their own.
“We don’t intend to impose on you any further. We appreciate your help.”
“Hmph… Do as you wish. Just be careful not to get yourselves killed.”
Yuglut didn’t press the matter further, watching 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?”
“It’s fine,” Yuglut replied curtly.
“They are students from the Knight Department. Knights are meant to protect people, not be the ones protected. It would be shameful for them to be seen fleeing to safety like children after being rescued by us. I understand their feelings.”
At the entrance of the plains, the commander of the knight order had also come as a guest. Perhaps they feared that being seen retreating under the protection of a rescue team would hinder their future prospects of joining the knight order.
“Well, they are knights after all. I understand that,” Danira agreed with Yuglut.
It seemed that the students from the Knight Department held their own pride and dignity.
“I don’t think it’s wise to take your life so lightly, though…”
“I think so too…” Rest murmured, and a student from the Priest Department nodded in agreement.
“Well, enough of that… More importantly, you all,” Yuglut said, glaring at Rest and the others.
“About that battle earlier… You did well. For first-years, you seem capable.”
“Ah, yes… Thank you,” Rest replied, surprised by the praise.
“Keep up that level of effort moving forward.”
To Rest’s surprise, he had been complimented. Perhaps Yuglut was more open-minded than his rough demeanor suggested.
—
Three hours had passed since Rest and the others began their work as part of the rescue team. Since then, two distress signals had been raised. One was a false alarm, mistakenly sent up, while the other involved a first-year student who had recklessly joined the fray without sufficient strength or experience, being chased by a rather weak monster.
After that, they had mostly been waiting around, with more downtime than work. However, once again, smoke signals for distress rose into the sky, this time from two locations simultaneously.
“…It seems this year is moving faster than last year. Rest, can you use Healing magic?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Good… Nakua and I will handle the eastern side, while Danira, Thomas, and Rest will take care of the western side. Once you finish your rescue, head to the other side.”
“Understood.”
The fact that they were allowed to split up meant that Yuglut recognized their abilities 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!” Danira exclaimed, enhancing his physical abilities with magic and leaving the other two behind.
“Hey, Danira!” Thomas shouted in a panic, but Danira didn’t stop.
“Seriously… That guy is impossible,” Rest sighed. If he kept acting on his own, he might get scolded by Yuglut, but Danira showed no signs of slowing down.
“…Well, I suppose I could entertain the challenge.”
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 Danira in mere seconds and leaving him in the dust as he sped ahead.
“Whoa… Wait up…!”
Danira shouted from behind, but he was the one who had initiated the challenge. Rest left his two companions behind and rushed 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 One-Horned Bear, its dark fur glistening as it charged.
“Help us!”
“Of course.”
The girl who was being attacked cried out. Rest responded briefly and unleashed magic toward the One-Horned Bear.