The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 162: Witch of the Night (3)

A few days passed without any progress on either Lanez Malam or Aaron Baek.

"Alright, everyone, take your seats."

Clatter.

Professor Lucas entered the classroom as the door creaked open.

Since the professors had been bogged down with meetings recently, resulting in a series of self-training sessions without proper classes, his appearance was a welcome sight for the students.

"So, how was it? Did you all enjoy it while I was away?"

Professor Lucas smiled as he looked around at the candidates.

No one responded, merely offering awkward smiles and avoiding eye contact.

Chuckling, Professor Lucas continued.

"For today’s class… No, this week’s class, we’re scheduled to have a ‘mentorship’ session to boost your practical skills by pairing you up with fourth-year candidates."

"Mentorship session?"

"You mean… with the fourth-years?"

The candidates tilted their heads, puzzled by the unfamiliar concept.

This was my first time hearing about it, too.

'So, the curriculum really has changed.'

I had suspected as much when the professors suddenly started having constant meetings.

A new type of class that even I had never taken in my previous life had been added.

"The class content is simple. Each of you will join a fourth-year party, head out of the academy, and hunt demonic beasts."

"Out of the academy?"

"That means…"

The candidates stiffened at the mention of leaving the academy grounds.

"Yes. This isn’t a training program organized by the academy. It’s real ‘fieldwork.’"

"...!"

Professor Lucas's bombshell caused a ripple of unease among the candidates.

Although the class was titled "Practical Combat Training," previous sessions had always included minimum safeguards provided by the academy.

During the midterm evaluations, beasts of moderate difficulty had been corralled into specific zones.

The opponents were golems created by the Republic for the final exams rather than actual beasts.

But this time...

"There will be no safety measures. If you're unlucky, you might face Grade-A level beasts during the hunt, or even have to fight demons instead."

"…."

Tension flickered across the candidates' faces.

Fieldwork.

They knew it was something they’d have to face if they ever became heroes, but the reality of it approaching so soon sent chills down their spines.

Professor Lucas smirked at their stiffened expressions.

"Of course, we’re not expecting you to head out and face fieldwork alone right away. The main objective of this session is for you to observe the fourth-years hunting beasts up close and learn from them."

Hearing this, the candidates relaxed slightly.

Though there was only a year of difference, the idea of accompanying fourth-year seniors who were nearly ready to graduate made them feel more reassured.

Besides, the current fourth-year class was known for being exceptionally talented.

Observing their beast-hunting techniques up close would surely be invaluable.

"The party compositions will be four fourth-years to one third-year. The scheduling will be adjusted by class due to the numbers not aligning perfectly."

"Will we be randomly assigned to parties?"

"No. You’ll be split based on your overall rankings."

Professor Lucas operated the device on the lectern to display a hologram as he continued his explanation.

"Candidates with lower ranks will be assigned to higher-ranked fourth-year parties, while high-ranking candidates will join lower-ranked parties."

"W-Wait a minute! Doesn’t that mean the higher our rank, the more disadvantageous it is?"

One candidate protested with a look of frustration.

Professor Lucas nodded.

"To some extent, yes. But if we were to group the top ranks together and the bottom ranks together, the risk would be even greater."

"Ugh…."

The candidates had no rebuttal, merely swallowing their frustration.

"High-ranking candidates may end up having to carry the load rather than learning much, but… that, too, is part of the experience. Accept it with humility."

The lower-ranked candidates grinned brightly, while the higher-ranked ones sighed deeply.

"Alright, let's start assigning the parties. Come up one at a time."

And so, the mentoring session’s party assignments began.

The fourth-year party I was assigned to...

"Oh, right."

Professor Lucas looked at me, sighed deeply, and rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.

"This guy… ended up at the bottom, didn’t he…?"

And so.

My mentoring session was set with the top-ranked fourth-year party.

* * *

"Haha! So, you’re that quirky third-year everyone’s been talking about—the one who deliberately keeps his rank low."

"..."

I could only swallow a groan internally as I faced the silver-haired, good-looking man with a hearty laugh.

'How did that rumor even spread?'

It was hard to deny it, given the things I’d done, but I couldn’t help feeling wronged.

"I’ve been really curious. Do you have a special reason for sticking to the bottom rank?"

"Oh… well."

I swallowed back the words that almost spilled out, insisting it wasn't intentional, and forced an awkward smile.

"It just kind of ended up that way."

"Ah, so there’s a story behind it? Haha. Well, if it’s a secret you can’t share, I won’t press."

"…."

This is driving me crazy.

"Anyway, I’m honored to meet the infamous bottom-ranked hero. I’m Aaron Baek."

"I’m Dale Han."

"Oh, right, we’re both from the Republic! Haha! Let’s get along well, fellow Republic comrade!"

With a friendly smile, Aaron extended his hand.

As I shook his hand, a brunette woman suddenly leaned in with a lively grin.

"Hello, junior! I’m Bella Leonhart!"

Bella Leonhart waved with a bright, energetic voice.

I lightly bowed my head and looked at her intently.

'Aaron Baek and Bella Leonhart.'

The Meteor Spear and the Ghost Blade.

Both were destined to become some of the top heroes in the near future.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

‘This is promising.’

Keeping my position at the bottom didn’t seem beneficial, but I never expected such a golden opportunity to come rolling in.

‘If I could get close to either of them… or even just one, it would be a huge success.’

After all, these two were destined to become a couple in the future.

If I could win over just one of them, the other would likely follow suit.

‘Alright, then…’

Affection Meter: ON.

"I’ve heard a lot about you, Senior Aaron. Among the juniors, you're already famous as the hero who will surpass ‘Divine Spear.'"

"Haha, how could I dare surpass the ancestors?"

"Thanks to Principal Lionel Ryu's achievements, the status of the Ryu family has risen significantly within the Republic, but... I still think the Baek family, with its long-standing traditions, is the greatest family in the Republic."

"Ahem! Is that so?"

Aaron's expression perked up at the mention of family heritage.

'Of course he'd be interested.'

The Baek family traditionally held higher prestige, but recently, it seemed they'd fallen somewhat behind the Ryus.

The Ryu family had a distinguished hero, Lionel Ryu, while the Baek family had lost its central figure when Aaron's father passed away.

From Aaron's perspective, being the one to bear the family's future from such a young age, he couldn't help but be swayed by praise that elevated the Baek family.

'And next…'

"So, are you and Senior Bella a couple?"

"Huh? Oh, no, we’re not exactly…."

"Why? Do we look like we're dating?"

Bella Leonhart grabbed the bait, her eyes shining.

I tilted my head, feigning a look of surprise.

"Aren't you? Seeing you together, I thought you two made an amazing couple…."

"Haha! Really? Is that how it looked~?"

Bella nudged Aaron with her elbow, her smile widening.

"Our junior seems to have a good eye. What do you think, Aaron?"

"...Ahem."

Aaron turned his head, face reddening as he avoided Bella’s gaze.

"It’s an honor to be in a party with such outstanding seniors. I’ll make sure to learn all I can from your expertise during this lesson."

"We’ll do our best to teach you. Looking forward to working with you."

"You really do speak so nicely! I like you already!"

Alright.

'First impressions are off to a good start.'

A smug smile crept across my face as I watched the smiling Aaron and Bella.

"You shouldn't trust what that guy says."

A gruff voice cut through.

I turned to see who spoke and found Laios Ryu glaring at me fiercely.

'So that guy’s in the party too?'

I thought, realizing things were getting tricky.

"Laios! What are you saying to our junior?!"

Bella snapped at Laios, frowning.

As soon as she scolded him, Laios flinched and shrank back.

"N-No, I was just…."

"Don’t go picking fights with our junior."

"...Sorry."

"Honestly, always so twisted… Junior! You don’t have to mind anything Laios says!"

Seems like I won’t need to step in.

With a faint smile, I glanced at Aaron, Bella, and Laios.

‘Definitely a party worthy of top marks.’

A party with Meteor Spear, Ghost Blade, and Thunder Emperor.

With members like this, even at the current level, they'd be a match for a high-ranking hero party.

'Now, who’s the last member?'

For balance, a support type would be perfect.

But no name came to mind.

"Hm... they're a bit late."

"Aren’t they always?"

Aaron frowned as he checked his Hero Watch.

Just as he was about to make a call—

“Hah, hah! Sorry I’m late…!”

A woman with violet hair appeared at the meeting place, gasping for breath.

With a slender frame that looked like she’d break if you nudged her, she was carrying an enormous backpack that seemed way too heavy, her legs trembling under its weight.

"It just took too long to pack…."

"Always with the excuses. Can’t you pack earlier?"

Bella frowned, casting a cold gaze at the violet-haired woman.

"S-Sorry…."

"Whatever. Better than showing up early and being a nuisance."

"..."

The violet-haired woman flinched and lowered her head.

"Bella, that’s enough."

"...Hmph."

"Sigh."

Aaron let out a short sigh as he approached the violet-haired woman.

"Introducing the final member of our party, Lanez Malam."

"Ah... you are…."

"Hmm? Do you know Dale?"

"N-No."

Lanez fidgeted as she approached me and, as if I were her superior, bowed her head politely.

"H-Hello."

"..."

For some reason, an uneasy feeling swept over me, as if this party would be anything but smooth.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]