"We have a problem, and the vice principal said I should come and inform you. He also said, You already know what to do." The messenger shouted all in one breath, his words rushing out as though he feared they would burn him if held in for a second longer.

Hearing those words, Kent's mind instantly flashed back to the meeting earlier, and he couldn't help but gulp loudly.

'These kids are toast.'

"Spill it out already," Kent demanded, his sharp tone slicing through the tense air. The messenger stiffened and gulped just as loudly as Kent had.

"A portal break has just occurred in a nearby town. Mortal-ranked beasts are spilling out in waves, and we suspect that a boss will accompany them." The messenger finally replied. Hearing this, every single student had their eyes widened in shock. Some even gasped loudly while others instinctively stepped back, their hearts pounding faster than they could control.

'Well, I guess the second year students and the instructors have their work cut out for them.' Mada shrugged, pretending not to care about what was said. His expression remained calm, almost bored, until…

"How far away is it?" Kent asked in a grave voice, his gaze narrowing on the trembling messenger.

"Twenty minutes away," the boy replied hurriedly.

"Good." Kent nodded sharply before spinning around to face the sea of nervous faces before him. "Alright, listen up. I'm going to be calling out the number of students I need for this mission. From what I can judge, six students should be enough to handle this situation."

"Wait! Wait! Why are you addressing us?" A red band student blurted out, unable to hold back the dread in his chest after noticing how serious Kent was.

"Isn't it obvious? The ones I pick will be tasked with taking out the beasts. And if there's a boss, they will have to slay it to close the portal." Kent said, his voice carrying a calm yet thunderous authority that silenced half the whispers in the hall.

"Why us? What about the second year students?" A yellow band student asked with a voice that trembled slightly. His hands were clenched tightly at his sides, his knuckles turning pale.

"Yes! We are just three weeks into the academy, and you all want to send us out for this mission? Who does that?" Another student added furiously, his tone carrying a mix of fear and outrage.

"We are just kids!" someone else shouted, their voice cracking under pressure.

"ENOUGH!" Kent roared, his anger finally bursting forth like a raging storm.

The force of his Ki spilled out instantly, and half the room shuddered as if they had been plunged into icy water. The pressure weighed down on their shoulders, making it harder to breathe. Buckets of sweat began rolling down their faces as the invisible weight threatened to crush their spirits.

"I don't recall giving any of you spoiled brats the right to question me. So keep your mouths shut and remember your place! Don't question my decision. And it's not like every single one of you will be going for this damn mission in the first place." His eyes swept the crowd like a predator scanning prey.

"I will only pick those who are strong and worthy, not weaklings who can't even handle the sight of their own shadows."

'Ouch!' Rivock chuckled inwardly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The instructor's words might have been harsh, but they were also undeniably true.

"Now listen carefully to the six students I need on this mission!" Kent bellowed, his voice echoing across the hushed room. "Rivock, Noelle, Mada Slade… you, with the brown hair!" His finger shot out, pointing directly at Grey.

"The name is Grey, not brown hair." The warrior mage scoffed, clearly unimpressed.

"Whatever. You're going on this mission too." Kent clicked his tongue dismissively before pointing toward Ray. "You as well."

'Wait! I didn't get picked? But Grey did? What the hell is that supposed to mean?! Or is it because I was unable to perform the flash step properly?' Finral thought bitterly as his fists clenched so hard his nails dug into his skin. Rage simmered within him like molten fire, but he held it in silence.

"Huh? Why are you choosing weak peasants for this mission?" Mada barked angrily, his glare burning holes into Grey, who didn't even spare him a single glance. The indifference only fueled Mada's fury further.

"Like I said, I'm picking those who will be strong enough. And once again, don't question me! I don't give a damn if your father is the leader of this faction. Don't you dare think you can control me!" Kent clapped back with equal fury, his voice thunderous.

His Ki spilled out even more violently, and the ground beneath their feet began to quake, vibrating as though the academy itself feared his wrath.

'Wait! Mada is the principal's son?' Grey thought in shock, his eyes darting toward the direct descendant who now had his teeth grinding back and forth, his jaw tense with barely contained rage.

The atmosphere grew suffocating, the air so thick with tension that even breathing felt like a struggle.

"Hold on, you said six students, who's the sixth one?" Ray asked with a raised eyebrow, clearly wondering if Finral would get picked.

"Uhm… what was his name again?" Kent muttered to himself, rubbing his temples until suddenly he snapped his fingers. "Right! Liam, you are on this mission too!"

"Huh? Me?" A young teenager with bright orange and brown hair blurted out in surprise.

His hairstyle looked ridiculous to most people, almost like a bird's nest, but to him, it was peak fashion. A black eye patch covered his left eye, giving him a somewhat mysterious appearance, though his slouched posture and unimpressed expression quickly ruined the effect.

He wore a yellow band around his arm, marking his rank, and he stared at the instructor as if Kent had completely lost his mind.

"Why would you pick me of all people? I'm probably weaker than the rest of them." Liam frowned, his tone filled with annoyance.

"Exactly. That's why I chose you. At the very least, you'll be useful in helping guide civilians away from the battlefield." Kent nodded with a straight face.

Liam immediately clutched his chest in mock pain, staggering back as if struck by an invisible arrow. "Instructor, that hurt more than any beast attack ever could," he muttered dramatically, making a few of the others snicker.

"I suppose you all have your weapons, right?" Kent asked, his eyes scanning across the gathered students.

"Not all of us." Ray raised his hand lazily.

Sigh!

Kent facepalmed hard enough to leave a red mark on his forehead. He turned sharply toward the messenger, who instantly understood the order without a single word being spoken. The man dashed out of the room, his footsteps echoing loudly down the corridor.

A few minutes later, the messenger came running back, carrying a small wooden box that he plopped heavily onto the floor. Opening it up, he gestured to the group.

"Those without weapons, step forward," he commanded.

Ray and Liam exchanged a glance before both sighed and stepped forward together.

"Choice of weapon?" the messenger asked.

"A pair of gauntlets," Ray replied without hesitation. He was immediately handed a solid pair that gleamed faintly in the light.

"A katana," Liam added, his tone sharper this time, and a sleek blade was placed in his hands. His expression softened ever so slightly as he admired the weapon.

"Great. And the rest of you? You're sure you already have weapons prepared?" Kent asked again, his raised eyebrow daring anyone to give him more bad news.

"I don't need one. Now stop wasting time and free us. Let's go save the town before it gets destroyed." Rivock frowned, dragging his feet forward with a mix of irritation and impatience.

"Love that enthusiasm," Kent muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm before he turned back toward the messenger. "Town?"

"Oakfell," the messenger replied crisply.

"You know that place?" Kent asked the selected students.

"Yes," Noelle finally spoke up, stepping forward with a confidence that immediately drew attention. "I'll lead them there. Let's go!" she declared, striding out of the room with authority.

Grey exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

'This… this feels familiar somehow, though I can't place it. Like déjà vu. Back then, it felt like I was the one leading. Hmph. Oh well, doesn't matter. Time to face this new threat.' He shrugged as he noticed the others moving out, then adjusted his pace to hold up the rear, exiting the room last.

"Have you informed him?" Kent whispered quietly to the messenger.

"Yes," the messenger replied with a firm nod. "I already did that when I went to fetch the weapons."

"Good. Let's see how well they do then." Kent muttered under his breath, a small frown creasing his features as the door closed.