“Rise up, people of Leyca! Capture the ringleader, Lutiya! Protect the students!”

The academy’s guard, along with the students who revered the principal, drew their swords. They charged at the attacking Imperial Rave soldiers while the students stood frozen.  Noin turned to Lutiya.

“Wh-what is he going on about?  Is all this… really you!?”

Lutiya could only smile in return.

So, that’s how it is?

Didn’t he already know? The adults could crush them whenever they felt like it. Their small acts of resistance, their pride, they’d sweep it away claiming, “it was for your own good,” or “you’ll understand once you’re older.”

An explosion collapsed a section of the cliff, sealing the main exit.

Lutia observed everything with a chilling calmness. The students were being targeted, there was no doubt about it. If word that the Rave Imperial Army and dragons attack the students under orders of the Rave Royal Family spread, even the moderate Leycans would be driven to righteous fury and rise up in rebellion. They were nothing more than a tragic sacrifice meant to stoke the flames of revenge.

The dragons were rampaging because Gunter had used the dragon controlling flute, a forbidden research the homeland would strive to completely erase. The homeland’s desire to keep the flute hidden was being used against them.  And, who was to say that the so-call Rave Imperial Army attacking them were actually soldiers of the imperial army?

To not even realize they’re being manipulated… Aren’t they a bunch of idiots? Every last one of them should just die. Serves them right.

Just from thinking that, Lutiya realized he already had a foot in the world of rotten adults.

“Blue Dragon Class, stand up! There’s no way Lutiya would do something like this!”

A strong voice cried out, as if scolding Lutiya.

Unafraid of the explosions filling the arena, the small teacher kicked away a soldier and shouted.

“This is a trap. Someone wants to eliminate Lutiya!”

“Do-don’t be ridiculous! The principal just said Lutiya is the mastermind!”

“This has to be the work of those envious sewer rats! W-we already know that!”

“If Lutiya had the power to control dragons, he wouldn’t have needed any tactics or commands in the first place!”

At those words, several students from the Gold Dragon Class blinked in realization.

“And if he had any authority to command the Rave military, he wouldn’t even be here! Or am I wrong!?”

Several students rose to their feet. The Blue Dragon Class readied their weapons.

“Something’s not right! Think it over for yourselves! Sauté, go!”

With a loud cry, a rooster went around kicking the dazed students from behind, pushing them together. At the same time, it tossed a teddy bear at a group of soldiers that were storming in.

Still, more soldiers came charging in from a different direction while dragons circled them from above as though hunting prey. Some students, still driven by their doubts, continued to point their swords at them.

“E-even if you say that—what the hell are we supposed to do!?”

That cry of despair, echoing the feelings of those who could not fight, was answered by a burst of magical light exploding in the sky.

Then, as if declaring where righteousness lay, a small figure held her sword aloft in the air.

“In that case, I’ll teach you!”

A brilliant light shone in the sky. It captivated everyone and illuminated a path forward.

“The Rave Empire? The Leyca Grand Duchy? None of that matters! This is your school! Don’t let the adults use you as they please!”

That cry, precisely because of the incomprehensible chaos of the situation, ignited the students’ resolve.

Dragon Classes Blue, Gold, and Purple— all of you follow me! I will not let you die!”

A roar erupted from the students. That was their answer.

“Lutiya, Noin, take command of the retreat.  You two can do it.”

Jill spoke without hesitation. Noin, who had been on the verge of tears, gasped. Lutiya clenched a fist and raised his voice.

There was no time to cry.

“Running away is our specialty. Blue Dragon Class, take the lead! We’ll clear the way!”

“Gold Dragon Class, Purple Dragon Class, gather everyone! We’re retreating, follow the Blue Dragon Class!”

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