Traditionally, a banquet requires at least a week to half a month of preparation.
Especially for a noble banquet, where costs run high, it’s expected to be grand and splendid.
Thus, hosting one in a day seems impossible.

“Tonight, I wish for a banquet.”

• And that was the end of it.

 

There were no objections.
If the princess wanted it, then it must be done.
After all, anything impossible can become possible if enough manpower is thrown at it.

Hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of elite workers were mobilized, and the banquet preparations were completed in less than half a day.

The cadets could hardly contain their amazement.
By morning, the garden was empty, but by night, it had transformed into an opulent banquet hall.

It was the result of countless hours of sweat, blood, and tears from a thousand people.

“When did this fountain get here?”
“This wasn’t a flower bed earlier. It was just a sandy area, right?”
“What the—!? Those are all gemstones!”
“…Selling just one of those could cover five years of living expenses.”

From the fountain to the decorations, the band, and even a mobile kitchen.
There were magical artifacts illuminating the night sky in real-time.

There’s no extravagance like this kind of extravagance.

…Or maybe not. Money alone can’t achieve this.

“The princess is really something, isn’t she?”
“Not just a princess—a crown princess, at that.”
“Heh.”
“But why are we all huddled up here instead of being somewhere else?”
“What, do you want to hang out with the nobles over there? If you’re that eager, go ahead.”
“…No way. Definitely can’t.”

The cadets, who had been given the quirky name “18-Bears” by their instructor, huddled together, feeling a bit out of place.
Though this banquet was held in their honor, they seemed uneasy about it.

There’s a saying about caterpillars only eating pine needles; for those who’ve lived their whole lives as commoners, a gathering of nobles was intimidating.
Maybe they’d get used to it someday, but for now, it was just uncomfortable.

Especially for someone like…

“Huh…? Kunta not sure if it’s just him, but it feels like we and the little bears are a spectacle.”
“It’s not your imagination. We’re definitely a spectacle.”
“Well, it is a strange combination, I suppose.”

Peasant, beggar, vagrant, mercenary, and barbarian.

Even if they didn’t want the attention, they couldn’t avoid it.

…And it wasn’t all positive attention.

Some of those gazes likely held more than just curiosity—there was envy, too.

Because they had earned the princess’s favor.

Why the resentment?

Because they were from the lower class.

The lowest of the low in the kingdom.

Though they were cadets now, their backgrounds hadn’t changed.
Even if they were skilled, they’d always be shadowed by the stigma of their status.

Still,

“Why are you guys huddled like meerkats? Did you commit a crime or something?”

If someone has overwhelming skill and goes their own way, then rank and status don’t really matter.

Like this person.

“Instructor.”

Lee Han, their instructor, approached them with his usual nonchalance. As he drew near, the nobles and cadets who’d been watching them like a circus show quickly averted their gazes.
Everyone had heard about the incident at the entrance ceremony.
But even if they hadn’t, Lee Han exuded an instinctive pressure that would make even the most hardened street fighters back down.

Those who’d witnessed him tear an enraged boar apart with his bare hands knew his aura was more than just intimidation.

Lee Han scanned them all, his gaze surprisingly gentle for someone so imposing.

“Looks like the entire Swordsmanship Department has gathered here unintentionally.”
“Well, Cadet Roen and Assistant Instructor Damian aren’t here.”
“Cadet Roen said he had something to do and disappeared. As for the assistant instructor? He doesn’t have time to enjoy the banquet—he’s busy with reports.”
“What reports?”
“Reports for the dean.”
“Isn’t that your job, Instructor…?”
“Why would I do it when I have an assistant?”
“……”

…Upon reflection, Damian Paulet might be the most unfortunate one among them.

As they were about to collectively consider that notion,

“Everyone, well done.”

-………

At the unexpected remark, all of the Swordsmanship Department blinked in surprise.

“And when I say well done, I’m not just talking to the bears.”
“Aren’t you going to call us Bears of Nahan?”
“I might just call you teddy bears instead.”
“No, we’d rather stick with ‘bear’.”
“You brats, getting cheeky now that you’re older.”

The atmosphere eased with his offhand joke.
He met each of their gazes earnestly.

One by one, not missing anyone.

“First, the chicks.”
“Y-yes?!”
“You’ve done well, too. Always diligent with your jump rope and never slacking off. Most importantly, I know you’ve been helping the bears with their assignments and organizing other class notes. I appreciate your attention to detail.”
“Th-that’s nothing…”

As if it weren’t a big deal, they fumbled with their words, saying they just did what they could. But Lee Han remained silent.

“Bears, bow at a 90-degree angle. These ladies have helped with your grades.”

• Ah!

Instinctively, they followed his command, bowing deeply in gratitude.
But their thanks were sincere, too. They understood now that today’s victory wasn’t achieved by their efforts alone.

There had been unseen support and encouragement.

“Uuugh—!”

The girls, clearly flustered, hid their faces behind their fans. They’d always assumed the noble ladies were proud and arrogant, but they weren’t so bad after all.

“And you gentlemen. I heard you put those who mocked the bears in their place.”
“…It was simply intolerable to see the Swordsmanship Department being insulted. They’re part of our department as well.”
“Well done. When I first met you, you seemed like spoiled brats, but now I see you’re good lads.”
“If you’re going to compliment us, could you stop calling us brats?”
“Not yet.”
“Ugh…”
“Ahaha!”

While the nobles groaned, the bears were in awe.
They hadn’t expected someone to stand up for them, let alone be moved by it.
The recipients of the stares, however, turned away shyly.

Camaraderie.

They had endured trials under Lee Han, the tough rock between them, fostering a bond born from shared hardship.
It wasn’t quite friendship, but something resembling it—a camaraderie that transcended status.

It almost brought them to tears.

“Lastly, to the bears.”

“……”

Lee Han called them, and they were already bracing themselves to cry.
What would he say?

“I won’t say you did well. Honestly, you won because you were lucky.”

“……”

…Their tears disappeared in an instant, replaced by a sinking feeling in their chests.

It was a wave of disappointment.

“Instructor…”
“Don’t be upset. You’ve received enough praise from everyone else, right? So, at least one person should tell you the hard truth.”
“……”

…As usual, he was unpredictable.

When everyone else was applauding, he chose to criticize.

But Lee Han was sincere.
Just as he had been with the others.

“You won because the mages underestimated you. If they had taken you seriously and fought carefully, you would have lost for sure. Your stamina would have run out after three minutes.”
“That’s…”
“Anyone want to disagree?”
“……”

…No one did.

Because he was right.

Just like he said, three minutes was the maximum they could fight at full strength in a real battle—no, actually, thinking back, by the two-minute mark, they’d already felt like they were at their limit.
Utilizing aura in a real battle was tougher than expected.

If the mages had been a bit more strategic,
Perhaps immobilizing them from the start, or employing some tactical strategy to divide their firepower,

Then they would’ve been utterly defeated.

Without even having a chance to retaliate.

Lee Han had hit the nail on the head.

“You won due to their complacency, your numerical advantage, and sheer luck. So, I can’t praise you. Not for this.”

“Yes, sir…”

They lowered their heads.
Not long ago, they were dreaming of a rosy future as they received bouquets from the crowd, but now, as the one who taught them delivered his stern critique, the air was let out of their chests.
He pointed out their flaws one by one, and as their mistakes came to mind, their faces paled.

A bitter smile was inevitable.

But then,

“Still, it was good that you didn’t give up.”

-!!?

“You didn’t run from the crowd, nor from the fireball, and none of you gave up at the end when it seemed you’d lost. Even if you had lost today, I would have been proud. At least my ‘pupils’ didn’t abandon their comrades. Well done. Your performance may have been lacking, but your spirit deserves praise.”

Thud.

Lee Han patted the left side of each participant’s chest as he passed by.

Pat.

With Levi Folt, he lightly touched her head, showing a rare attention to detail.

“You worked hard. That, I’ll acknowledge.”

-……

They looked at their instructor with wide eyes, each touching the spot where he’d patted them.
They felt a warmth rising from deep within.
Yes, the instructor had finally acknowledged them.

“The way he tapped their chests and heads—it’s a mercenary’s encouragement.”
“What encouragement is that?”
“It’s a gesture used for novice mercenaries returning safely from battle. A compliment, of sorts.”
“I see.”

It was an encouragement befitting their instructor, with his mysterious past.

“Listen, you guys. As I’ve said, aura isn’t a cure-all. Don’t be envious of what I’ve taught them. Treasure what you have. The techniques you’ve learned are more stable and refined.”

The noble cadets, who had felt a bit of bitterness, stiffened at Lee Han’s words.
They’d been disappointed they hadn’t trained in Vulcan and regretted it ever since.

But their instructor already seemed to know about that.

“Don’t regret it. You’re young, and we have plenty of time. I’ll train you well.”
“…That’s a bit frightening when you say it, Instructor.”
“You won’t die. Not quite.”
“Is that supposed to be reassuring…?”

It sounded like a joke, but it wasn’t reassuring at all.
And yet, it was comforting—a peculiar quirk of youthful minds.

“The same goes for you three. Having both aura and aura arts doesn’t guarantee strength. Sometimes it’s worse, a disadvantage. Treat aura as a support, like training wheels. Don’t put too much stock in it.”
“Are we getting a scolding, too?”
“You’re my pupils as well.”
“……”
“Now that the reprimands are over, enjoy the banquet. Take a break. You’ve got a three-day holiday. No need to attend classes for a while.”
“……”
“Not joking, so believe me.”

• Hurrah!

 

A cheer erupted.

Whether it was because of the break or because of his recognition,

Only they would know.

 

"…You kids."

At his words, which acted as a catalyst, they instantly shook off their tension and began enjoying the banquet in their own ways. As the group of them, huddled like meerkats, started to disperse, members of other faculties began to approach and strike up conversations with them.

It seemed that, just like porcupines, now that they were no longer bunched up, others felt more comfortable approaching them.

‘Well, when else would they get a chance to socialize?’

He understood the sentiment. Banquets are often an opportunity for socializing between faculties who might not normally interact. This was also a chance for those who wanted to build connections with the students of the Swordsmanship Faculty.

‘Poor Bearcub, she’s going to have a rough time.’

Levi Folt, who had gone from "Chick #1" to the bear of the group, had caught the attention of many men. Well, she was quite charming, so it was only natural she'd be popular. It wasn’t surprising that some were trying their luck.

Of course...

‘But if they mess with her, they'll end up with a three-month injury…’

Bears, regardless of gender, should never be trifled with. Especially the ones he trained; they might not be able to tear a person in half, but they could certainly fold a spine.

Hoping no one would end up with a broken back due to their antics, he—

“Hmm? Instructor, where are you going?”

“I’ve got some business to take care of.”

“The princess will be here soon, though?”

“All the more reason to go now.”

“??”

“Enjoy yourself, Cadet Irene. Seems there are a few interested in you too.”

“Ugh, I have no interest in hanging around those types.”

“You’re just as much of a kid, you know.”

“Ah!”

"…"

…What a strange spirit she has.

Shaking his head with a wry smile, I-Han walked away, while Irene watched his departing figure with a somewhat wistful gaze.

[Hey, Irene, what are you staring at? Checking out his biceps or back muscles?]

“Do you think I’m a pervert like you? …Ahem, maybe I glanced a little, but it wasn’t intentional!”

[That’s my girl! Knows what’s worth looking at, haha!]

“Ugh, really! It wasn’t like that!”

Flustered, Irene Windler blushed as she argued with the ghost, prompting the men who had been approaching her to step back instinctively.

Drawn by her beauty, they recalled that the madness of a mage could be more dangerous than a thorny rose and thought better of their attempts.

The rose with poison, Irene Windler, had unknowingly repelled the swarm of male attention. She turned to the ghost girl.

“It might just be my imagination, but… did the instructor look like he was…?”

[His eyes?]

“… Smiling, almost.”

[Hmm?]

Isn’t a smile a good thing?

The ghost girl tilted her head, puzzled, but Irene just shrugged, unsure herself about the strange feeling she had.

‘It looked so cheerful that it was almost… scary?’

She thought, finding the idea odd, and ended up smiling awkwardly.

Clip-clop! Clip-clop!

A group of riders moved swiftly, crossing an empty street in the royal capital and heading toward a secluded area.

Without any sign of slowing down, they soon found themselves in the depths of a lawless zone within the capital.

The Parasite Abyss

The so-called slums, where the dregs of society resided. The capital had tried multiple times to eradicate it, but like cockroaches and parasites, it had a way of creeping back, no matter how many times it was purged.

It was a place where the worst of humanity gathered, a hidden darkness within the capital, the kind of place people entered only if they were serious criminals. Yet here were these people, dressed in fairly refined clothes, willingly entering of their own accord.

Which was… odd.

Even stranger was how no one stopped them, and the eerie silence in the area. It was as if, just for tonight, everyone had collectively decided to stay inside.

“Huff, huff! We’re safe now, right?”

“Yeah, we should be able to breathe easy now.”

“But are we really being overcautious? Running like this feels a bit excessive…”

“Idiot! If the princess is around, then that insane Inquisitor might be nearby too! He’d catch onto our movements in an instant! Running was our only choice.”

“Hmm.”

The mention of Inquisitor John Ray Albert made their blood run cold. Even just reading his record reports was enough to inspire terror.

If he knew they were here, he’d hunt them down with his cross in hand. A terrifying figure draped in death.

“Well, it’s a relief. Things didn’t go as planned, but we escaped unscathed.”

“Never thought the Abyss would be useful…”

“It’s not the Abyss that helped us, it’s the [Organization]. We owe them, so don’t forget to—”

“—The Organization? Mind if I ask what name it goes by, friends?”

Freeze!

“…….”

The sound of light footsteps approached.

A man walked toward them with a casual, almost friendly smile, and they looked at him in disbelief.

Why… Why was he here?

But the man only smiled, as if disappointed by their reaction.

“As if I wouldn’t know where my friends were, right, Instructor Hans?”

“…….”

“Come on, Instructor, give me a smile. Why so serious?”

“…Sir Turtle…”

Hans, the Metalworking Faculty instructor, trembled as he whispered the name of the man before him—

I-Han.

And he continued.

“Don’t understand how I found you, huh?”

I-Han tapped the ground playfully. Despite the casual nature of his movement, the longsword at his side emitted a chilling aura.

“Not so strange. I just happen to have a good sense of smell.”

Boom.

“Especially for detecting the stink of a mage. Especially…”

Boom.

“…ones like you who reek of ‘filth.’”

The hand axe he held gleamed with a menacing ferocity.

To hunt down beasts who had forsaken their humanity.