Today’s special instructor, Martina Ivanova, seemed quite irritable even before the class began for some reason.

As soon as the class started, she declared, “You guys are done for today,” causing the students to sigh internally.

“Oh no, we’re in trouble today,” they thought.

These students had previously endured harsh teachings from Natalia, who had appeared so kind on the surface during the last special class.

Given that the instructor already looked so displeased, they could only imagine how tough the day’s lesson might be. All they hoped was to survive the class.

So, filled with tension, they began their lesson,

“You fool! Do you think the enemy is a scarecrow? When attacking, you need to always be aware of the enemy’s counterattack! Make your movements concise! Don’t let them interfere with the next action! Do it again!”

“Ah… like this?”

“Yeah! It’s better than before! But you’re still lacking, so go practice over there!”

They were left dumbfounded by the considerably milder intensity of the lesson than they had expected.

This was Martina’s teaching style.

She made students attack her with all their might, responded appropriately to their skill level, and then meticulously pointed out their deficiencies after sparring—an extremely standard teaching method, in a sense.

Of course, since it was a great hero like Martina who was personally instructing them, the students had to give their all, making for a rather challenging class.

However, for those students who had received a brutally physical lesson not too long ago, Martina’s class felt all too manageable.

Meanwhile, Martina, who was conducting the class, thought to herself,

“Ha ha, look at these kids with those dazed expressions. They seem really troubled! …Maybe I should be a little kinder.”

She actually pondered whether it might be better to reduce the intensity of her lessons.

Despite thinking of herself as quite strict, Martina was, at her core, a pretty soft-hearted person.

This was especially true toward those who were weaker than her.

If Natalia stomped on seedlings while smiling, urging them to grow strong, Martina was the type to scold while diligently nurturing them with water and nutrients.

She believed that being a hero would inevitably bring about plenty of unpleasant experiences, so she thought it would be more beneficial to strengthen the basics rather than impose overly tough training too soon.

“Can’t you get your act together? Are you just going to dodge the incoming attack without any regard for what’s behind you? The demonic beast would really relish hitting you from behind!”

“Ugh… I’m sorry!”

“Still, your reaction to the visible attacks is quick, so don’t lose your confidence! Think beyond sight; using your other senses will help too. Next!”

Her earlier claim that “you guys are done for today” was merely a conventional statement aimed at encouraging the kids to take the class seriously.

Of course, it did carry a small grain of emotion, given her clear annoyance with a boy sitting nearby, Yoon Si-woo, who kept glancing at a girl next to him and dazedly dawdling.

However, despite such feelings, Martina was not someone who couldn’t differentiate between public and private matters.

Had she been that kind of person, no matter how strong, she wouldn’t have become the leader of a squad in the first place.

Excluding that incident, she was currently in a rather good mood.

“I can tell you have great talent. But if you keep using your magic like that, you might find yourself in dangerous situations during real combat. Like the fire magic you just used to counterattack me, if you change the structure of the magic circle like this—”

“…Hmm, indeed, that would definitely reduce mana consumption. If I do it like, this, I could apply it to other magic as well.”

“…Oh? Did you understand it just from seeing it once? Quick on the uptake! Then I’ll teach you how to apply it, so practice it!”

She had found many talented kids beyond her expectations.

While every child shone in their own right, there were those who could tank considerable damage and still stand tall, and those who could absorb various magic after seeing it just once.

In her position, where she would someday have to pass the torch, it filled Martina with joy to see these fledgling talents growing so brilliantly.

And although she didn’t outwardly show it, she hovered around joyfully while teaching the kids, until she finally spotted one particular girl.

A girl with red hair, whose name tag read Scarlet Evande.

Seeing Yoon Si-woo captivated, she was certain this girl was her rival.

Of course, she had no intention of treating her unfairly.

Only that she would evaluate her a bit more stringently.

As those thoughts crossed her mind, Martina sharpened her gaze and asked quietly upon noticing an abnormal body part attached to the girl.

“You, what’s with that arm?”

“Ah… that’s from fighting a demonic beast…”

At that answer, a story she had vaguely heard before, about a girl who lost her arm while protecting people from a demonic beast, flickered through Martina’s mind.

‘Is this the girl…? Ugh, impressive. No, don’t let your heart soften over that, Martina.’

She shook her head to stop herself from staring softly at the girl and resumed glaring at her as she said,

“…I won’t go easy on you because of your physical condition. You understand, right?”

When the girl nodded, Martina waved her hand, indicating for her to come at her.

Come at me whenever.

Without hesitation, the girl charged toward Martina.

The distance closed swiftly, faster than expected, and Martina prepared to intercept by casting a spell in the girl’s path.

Flames burst forth like arrows, denying her a straightforward approach.

However, the girl lowered her stance, using just the minimal magic burst from her fists to neutralize the incoming spell, maintaining her speed as she closed in.

A perfect judgment if she wanted close combat.

Martina praised the girl’s impressive abilities as she spread a magic circle in front of her.

Magic prepared in advance radiated from the circle.

Yet not a single one of those spells managed to slow the girl’s feet.

Dodging skillfully, as if she had a one-of-a-kind path visible only to her, the girl evaded the magical attacks while moving forward.

Such moves could only showcase countless experiences and back-breaking efforts.

More than that, though, what captured Martina’s gaze was the determination in the girl’s eyes.

Even amidst her intense movements, they remained focused squarely on her—the target she had chosen.

Those eyes, endlessly upright and resolutely burning.

Martina felt a shiver run down her spine.

Those eyes, fixated only on the front.

Regardless of talent or circumstances.

Those who possess such eyes inevitably grow strong.

Martina could tell that the girl hadn’t been taught much about how to fight.

It was possible she had seen herself as just a mere insect until she discovered her talent.

But now, this girl was undoubtedly shining.

If she were an insect, she would surely be a firefly.

An insect igniting itself with the flames of effort and passion, radiating light.

Thus, Martina couldn’t tear her gaze away.

The light born of self-immolation was that blinding.

Martina murmured.

“Impressive.”

Suddenly, flames surged from the girl’s fist, which was now just a few steps away.

The heat was enough to make someone watching hold their breath. At this point, Martina ceased her casting.

She wrapped her own body in magical flames to shield herself and opened her mouth.

“But your gaze is too straightforward.”

With a slight tilt of her head, she evaded the girl’s swinging fist.

Simultaneously, she swept her legs to unbalance the girl.

“Your attacks are too linear as well.”

Losing her balance, the girl tried to retaliate with a kick, but Martina’s hand pressed on her back first.

Martina’s fist drove downwards, directly toward the girl’s head.

“Just learn a bit more.”

Bang, the sound echoed.

Martina withdrew her fist, dusting it off.

Then, seeing the girl who hadn’t flinched even when her fist slammed down right next to her head, she burst into laughter.

“Ahaha! This kid has quite a strong heart. You’ll make it anywhere, I bet. Where did this audacious kid even come from? Come on, get up.”

As she extended her hand to help the fallen girl up, Martina asked the girl, who was staring at her blankly.

“Why? Do you find it amazing that a magician is throwing punches?”

The girl, who hadn’t flinched at the attack, visibly flinched at the question but slowly nodded her head.

Martina smirked at that.

“Do you know what people call magicians? ‘Those who prepare.’ They’re thorough in preparing for every situation.”

Typically, magicians are referred to in that way because they prepare to handle any situation with magic. In Martina’s case, it went a bit further.

“Being regarded as one of the foremost magicians, I’m just always prepared for even mana-depleted situations. That’s why I’ve studied unarmed combat and street fighting. I can’t have my mood ruined just because my mana is depleted.”

Saying this, Martina ruffled the girl’s hair affectionately.

“Anyway, I can see some deficiencies in you, but you did well overall. If you work on what I just mentioned and strive to imbue intention into each movement, there will be good results. I guarantee you’ll grow stronger.”

As she complimented the girl and gazed at her proudly, Martina suddenly felt something strange.

‘Oh, didn’t I forget something?’

After tilting her head for a moment, Martina abruptly shuddered.

Her smiling face twisted.

She suddenly remembered that this girl was her rival.

Flustered by the odd feeling of praising a love rival, Martina then heard the girl’s soft voice.

“…There.”

“Huh? What did you just say to me?”

Martina, wondering if it was a complaint, expected the girl’s response to differ from what she anticipated.

“No… it’s just, you’re cool…”

“…Cool? Who is?”

At that question, the girl glanced shyly at Martina.

Then, she spoke tentatively.

“Uh… the fact that you prepared so you wouldn’t be idle is cool… I thought I’d like to be like you.”

Cool? Want to be like me?

As those words echoed in her mind, Martina slowly nodded.

Then, trying to sound calm, she opened her mouth.

“Is that so? Ahaha, you’ve got a good eye for people, don’t you? Hahaha!”

But it was in vain.

Martina couldn’t contain her own rising enthusiasm.

While confident in her abilities, Martina found no confidence when it came to love.

Having often been the target of Natalia’s teasing and mockery, she had spent many days feeling unsure of herself.

However, hearing the girl, whom she considered a new rival, express a desire to be like her, all her lost confidence surged back.

‘What… what is this? This girl might be even better than I thought?’

Thinking this, Martina slowly turned her body and caught sight of Yoon Si-woo, who was still staring at the girl with a dazed expression.

Her good mood crashed back down into despair.

At that moment, the girl, still staring at her, caught Martina’s eye.

Impulsively, she called out to the girl.

“…You, come here for a second. Do you remember what I just said?”

Then she pointed at Yoon Si-woo in the distance.

“Keep that in mind and fight with him. Think of it as real combat.”

‘Go ahead and have an all-out battle.’

To be precise, this was laden with personal feelings.