Rest had arrived on-site as a member of the rescue staff, but they were in the heart of monster territory. Naturally, attacks were an inevitability.
"Grrrrr...!"
Three Ogre Wolves emerged from the brush, growling as they bared their fangs. They had already spotted the group and were closing in for the kill.
"Alright, I'll keep watch," Captain Yugroot commanded. "Danila, Thomas, Rest—take one each. Nakuua, stay in the rear."
Thomas was a student from the Knight Department, and Nakuua was from the Priest Department. Though they were fellow members of the Executive Committee, Rest had barely exchanged more than a few words with them during their initial introductions.
"Hell yeah! I'm taking the middle one," Danila barked. "Thomas, you take the left. Rest, you've got the right."
"Understood," Rest replied. He wasn't sure why Danila felt the need to give directions, but there was no reason to object.
The wolves before them didn't seem any more formidable than the ones Rest had faced during his training.
"Let’s get this over with... Wind Cutter."
Before the monster could even lunge, Rest’s magic manifested. The invisible blade of wind sliced vertically through the wolf on the right, killing it instantly.
"Hah!" Danila leaped at the central wolf. The beast snapped its jaws at him, but he nimbly sidestepped the fangs and swung his sword. The blade bit deep into the wolf's neck, ending its life in a single, sharp stroke.
The third student, Thomas, lacked the effortless grace of Rest or Danila, but he managed to dispatch his target without taking any damage.
"Good. Looks like you can handle yourselves," Yugroot said with a brief, approving clap. "You're capable of the bare minimum, at least. By the way... Rest. How many more of those spells can you fire?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Just answer me. That’s an order from your captain," Yugroot said curtly.
Rest let out a soft sigh. "I'm not sure of the exact number... but with a spell like this, I could fire a hundred shots without running out of mana."
"Hmph. Reassuring. Alright, let's keep moving."
Rest and the others proceeded across the plains until they reached their designated patrol area.
"We wait here," Yugroot said. "We move as soon as a distress signal goes up."
"Understood."
As rescue staff, they weren't there to hunt. They fended off any attackers that came their way but otherwise kept a vigilant watch on the sky.
Thirty minutes passed. Suddenly, a plume of red smoke billowed into the eastern sky—the mark of a Signal Flare magic item.
"There! Move out! Double time!" Yugroot shouted, sprinting off.
Rest and the others followed. Yugroot was using Physical Enhancement, maintaining a punishing pace.
(I could pass them easily if I used High Accelerator... but we're acting as a unit. Even in an emergency, it's probably better not to break formation and go rogue.)
Matching his pace to his teammates, Rest raced across the plains until they reached the source of the signal.
"Gaaaaaaaaah!"
"Ugh... damn it...!"
Four students were trapped by two monsters. One student was unconscious on the ground, being tended to by a classmate, while the other two were desperately trying to hold off the beasts despite their own wounds. Their opponents were bear-sized Black Lions.
"Rescue mission! I'll take the right, you three take the left. Nakuua, get to those wounded!" Yugroot barked, drawing his sword and lunging toward the lion on the right.
"Thomas and I will take the vanguard! Rest, support us from the rear!" Danila yelled as he and Thomas charged.
In a combined party of knights and mages, it was standard procedure for the knights to hold the front while the mage provided cover. Danila’s tactical sense was sound.
(I don't actually mind being on the front lines... but I'll let the Knight Department guys have their moment.)
Rest observed the Black Lion from behind his teammates. It was a formidable foe; inexperienced students would likely fall within minutes. However, it wasn't insurmountable for those who kept their cool.
"Wind Cutter."
Rest fired two blades simultaneously, slicing through the Black Lion’s front legs.
"Gugyah!?" The beast’s balance shattered as its legs buckled.
"Nice one!"
"Here we go!"
Taking advantage of the opening, Danila and Thomas closed the distance, their swords raining blows upon the creature.
"Gugyaaaaaah!" Despite its numerous wounds, the lion lashed out with blood-slicked claws.
"Ice Thorn."
Rest launched his next spell. Two spears of ice impaled the Black Lion’s eyes, blinding it instantly.
"The eyes after the legs? Talk about ruthless!" Danila shouted as he drove his sword home. He slipped past the lion's frantic, blinded swipes and plunged his blade deep into its chest, piercing the heart.
"Ga... ah..."
The Black Lion collapsed to the ground, its life force fading. As the dark blood pooled on the grass, the battle came to a silent end.