"Alright, looks like you guys finished yours off, too," Yugroot called out as the black lion collapsed.
Rest looked over and saw that the beast Yugroot had been fighting was already dead on the ground. It seemed the senior had taken down a formidable monster entirely on his own.
I guess second-year seniors aren't just for show, Rest thought. At the very least, he seems stronger than Danila.
Rest could have soloed one too if he’d been so inclined, but that was beside the point. He turned his attention to the victims. "Hey, are you all okay? How are your injuries?"
"...Yugroot, huh? Thanks for coming. You saved us."
It turned out the group ambushed by the two black lions was a team of second-year students from the Knight Department. Rest didn't recognize them, but they were clearly acquaintances of Yugroot.
"We were ambushed while fighting another monster... It almost got ugly."
"I see. Once we’ve finished the emergency first aid, we’ll escort you back to the Start Point where the treatment team is."
"No... that’s fine. No need for that."
The battered students pulled themselves up. Even the one who had been sprawled on the ground had received enough treatment to move.
"We don't intend to be babied that much. We appreciate the rescue, though."
"Hmph... Suit yourselves. Just try not to die."
Yugroot didn't press them further. He simply watched as his injured classmates began their trek back.
Is that really okay? Rest wondered. They’re injured; shouldn't we guard them until they reach the entrance?
"Is this alright? Should we really let them go without an escort?"
"It’s fine," Yugroot replied curtly. "They’re Knight Department students. Knights are meant to protect others, not be the ones protected. Being rescued by us was one thing, but being shielded like children while they limp back to the Safe Zone would be a disgrace to them. I understand the sentiment."
The Knight Commander was stationed at the entrance as a guest. If he saw them being coddled by a rescue squad, it might hurt their future prospects when they eventually applied for the Knight Order.
"Yeah, they’re knights. I get it," Danila agreed.
It seemed the Knight Department had its own brand of rigid pride and self-worth.
"I’m not a fan of throwing one's life away for pride, though..." Rest murmured.
"I agree..." the Priest Department student, Nakuua, added with a firm nod.
"Well, enough of that. More importantly, you lot..." Yugroot turned a sharp eye toward Rest’s group. "That fight just now... you were impressive. You’re quite capable for first-years."
"Oh, uh... thank you."
"Keep it up."
Surprisingly, he’d been praised. Despite his rough manner of speaking, Yugroot seemed unexpectedly open-minded and fair.
Three hours had passed since Rest and his team began their rescue duties.
In that time, distress flares had gone up twice. The first was a false alarm sent by mistake. The second was a pathetic case where a first-year—who lacked both the skill and experience to be competing—was being chased around by a relatively weak monster.
Since then, they’d mostly been on standby.
Suddenly, the smoke of a distress signal rose into the sky again. This time, there were two at once.
"...The pace this year is faster than the last. Rest, can you use healing magic?"
"Yes, I can."
"Good. Nakuua and I will take the east. Danila, Thomas, and Rest, you handle the west. As soon as you’re done, head to the other side to regroup."
"Understood."
The fact that Yugroot was willing to split the team suggested he finally trusted their competence. Rest set off toward the signal with the two knights in tow.
"Rest, Thomas! Race you there!" Danila shouted. He immediately enhanced his physical stats with magic and bolted, leaving the others in his dust.
"Hey, Danila!" Thomas yelled, but the boy didn't slow down.
"Honestly... he’s hopeless," Rest sighed.
Going off on his own like that was bound to get him a lecture from Yugroot later, but Danila showed no sign of stopping.
Well... I don't mind a little competition.
They’d had a running match just the other day, after all. He might as well show off the results of his practice.
"Sorry, Thomas. Take your time catching up."
"Huh—?"
"High Accelerator."
Rest accelerated in an instant. He closed the gap with Danila in seconds, then blew past him effortlessly.
"Whoa—! Hey, wait up!" Danila’s voice trailed off behind him. He was the one who had started the race, after all.
Leaving his teammates behind, Rest arrived at the site of the distress signal alone.
To be honest, it’s easier to work by myself sometimes.
As he reached the target location, he found a trio of students cornered by a massive bear with black fur and a single horn protruding from its forehead.
"Help us!" one of the girls screamed.
"On it," Rest replied simply.
He unleashed his magic at the One-horned Great Bear.