The temperature in the air had been steamy hot, but as soon as October arrived it immediately cooled down catching everyone unaware .

In the garden of Hebrion Academy, the flowers and plants bloomed in such vivid shades of red and green that one could easily mistake these plants as being painted .

With the conclusion of summer break, it was naturally time for the fall semester to start .

Its second semester already . Time sure flies!

With the commencement of the semester, all of the students who had left for the break had now returned . As a result, the mood in Hebrion Academy was one of youthful excitement .

No matter where you went in the campus there were students walking in groups of three or four . Amongst one such group, there was one boy with dark hair that stood out amidst his peers . He was wearing a Clothes Line that showed his status as a single ranker .

Naturally, it was Desir Arman .

He had returned to school for the new semester and felt all of the attention directed at him from the crowd . Students whispered as he walked by . Some snarled at him while others simply gossiped about him . It was so much attention too much really .

Of course, not all of the attention was positive . However, it clearly proved that Desir was now really famous . Some students would even come up and ask for his autograph . This unbridled curiosity continued until the opening ceremony was over .

It was evening by the time the assembly concluded . At Hebrion Academy, whenever there was an event like this, all of the students gathered at the main hall and had dinner together .

Desir could only see with one eye . And due to that fact, he could no longer gauge the distance to objects in-front of him very well . He was currently walking down a flight of stairs, heavily relying on the rail . Before making it very far he ended up losing his balance . He almost fell, but at that time, someone happened to be nearby to offer their assistance .

Be careful, Desir .

It was Pram Schneider . He looked up at Desir and smiled at him .

Thanks, Pram .

Ill help you walk .

Desir felt he didnt need such help . Pram approached him, but he politely refused .

No, thanks .

You might fall!

Pram wasnt one to easily give up on such things .

If you fall and get hurt while I stand right next to you, Id be living in a nightmare of a guilt-trip from not being able to save you

Relax! Relax, Pram!

Desir hurried to comfort Pram before he could become depressed and out of sorts .

Then, does that mean I can help you?

Fine . Then if you would, please Pram .

Excuse me .

Desir realized that Pram had tricked him as he saw Pram with a smile so radiant it was as if he had never been sad . However, it was already too late .

Pram linked arms with Desir .

Now you can lean on me .

Pram was a thin person, but he was a very steady support for Desir . He also constantly checked on Desirs wellbeing and comfort .

Pram already knew about Desirs condition . After Zod left, Desir explained his condition to the party .

After walking down the stairs and outting both feet back onto flat ground, Desir turned to Pram .

Thank you .

No problem . Allow me to assist you when you walk back up .

They hurried over to the banquet hall . For dinner there was: corn salad, rye bread, and vegetable sandwiches . This was unusual as they were all used to eating from the luxurious menu on normal school days . Of course this caused some complaints from students and quite a few of them immediately left the hall .

Desir and Pram didnt care . They nonchalantly picked up some salad and rye bread before moving on .

Youre here .

Desir and Pram found Romantica and Adjest were already settled, so they sat down next to them . After a short exhange of greetings they started eating .

Romantica wasnt happy about the food here either and muttered .

I dont know why I need to put this low quality food in my mouth . Is this the result of some kind of conspiracy?

Nonsense .

This was the highest educational institution of the Hebrion Empire . The empires very own noble heirs attended this school . It would not have been possible for corruption of that magnitude to occur here .

To be honest, this is probably not the result of a reduction in quality, but more about a change in diet .

Meat was thoroughly excluded from this new diet .

Romantica shook her head .

There must be something else at play . Is today somehow special?

I dont think it is anything to do with the first day of the semester .

It was then .

All of you are here!

It was Ladoria Doriche . She is a sophomore single ranker making her one of the best of the best . She seemed rather excited . She took out a pen and paper from her inner pocket and headed over to Desir .

A friend of mine is a big fan of you . Can I get an autograph? I mean from all of you .

All of them were surprised . They looked at each other and soon nodded in agreement .

Of course .

It wasnt a big deal, so they easily accepted her request .

As she waited for all of the autographs, Ladoria gaze settled on Romanticas plate that had so much leftover food .

You didnt like it, did you?

Ahh, yeah . This isnt really

Ladoria nodded her head as if she understood what Romnatica attempted to explain .

Actually, my friends were not satisfied with todays banquet either . But then again, what can we do? They said it was done in remembrance of people who had died from Western Kingdom Union terrorist attack .

Desir and his party finally understood why the menu was the way it was .

Dont worry about it . The menu will return to normal after a while . Alright, guys! Keep up the good work! Ill always cheer for you!

Ladoria left on those words .

Pram couldnt believe what he had heard .

Ladoria, from the Red Dragon Party, asked for our autographs The Ladoria

Wow, now Im sure that we really are famous .

Romantica said delightfully in delight .

They were all Beta students before this summer break had started . It was true that they feel some kind of pressure from the other students, but nobody really expressed that feeling that they sensed .

Well, there are a few annoying disadvantages though .

Adjest wasnt really happy with their newfound reputation . Unlike Romantica, she didnt like to be in the center of attention .

I see it as a good thing . This is a chance to advertise our party .

Becoming famous meant that you can spread your name to the world . Desir had decided to use this fame .

Desir established a party for the talented people who couldnt utilize their full potential in the future . There were no requirements to enter this party . Even if they didnt have any discernible skill, Desir still wanted to help them if they had a strong will .

Romantica added on to this .

It will be a good advertisement, but the important fact is that nobody wanted to join our party .

I know .

But so far, there was nobody that took up their offer, with the exception of Adjest .

Honestly, it was puzzling .

Its so strange . Lets say they didnt know about us before . However, now that we are pretty famous, I cant understand why there is still no one no one applying to join us .

Well, dont you think its about the rumor of our tough spartan training regime?

Maybe it is .

Yes, Desirs training method was definitely harsh .

As trainees, they might hate it . Even Romantica had complained about the heavy training in the beginning . She always complained and never seemed happy about it .

However, as hard as his training was, it produced results and everyone didnt complain since they knew it as well .

Desirs training really works! I feel like a totally different person in comparison to the beginning of the semester!

Pram insisted strongly .

Adjest, who had been silently listening, added her piece too .

The training that enstated highlighted and helped the areas that we needed to improve . It was more effective than what any professor could do for us .

Desir smiled .

Really? Im going to prepare the training for tonight . All of you should come prepared!

Yes, sir!

Got it .

There was only one person who remained silent . Desir stared at her .

Romantica?

Okay, okay! I got it!

Romantica has been diligently participating Desirs training lately .

There had been several occasions in the past where she skipped out on them, but since the incident, Romanticas attitude had changed completely . She faithfully undertook the training offered by Desir .

While they were chatting about these things, all of a sudden, there was a loud noise .

A woman stepped up on the stage in front of the hall . She appeared to be somewhat familiar .

She was professor Bridget, the one who had taught them study of magic .

She wiped off the sweat on her face twice, then turned on the magic microphone . Her voice echoed deeply in the hall .

It is great to see you again, Hebrion students . I am professor Bridget, the study of magic teacher . I want to explain some of the changes we will be implementing this semester that couldnt be explained at the opening ceremony .

Immediately, the entire hall was silent .

I assume that you all have heard what happened in the Western Kingdom Union . The Outsiders invaded and caused serious damage to the Western Kingdom Union . Therefore we, Hebrion Academy, have decided to take measures and prepare against such a serious threat . As a result, a patrol squad of graduates now reside at Hebrion Academy and some security regulations will now be enforced to keep you all safe .

Security regulations .

These are the measures regarding external activities . In order to leave the Hebrion Academy grounds, you will now need to get approval from your grade professors . Your grade professors must be informed of where your party will be going . Also, in order to enter the dormitory after 10PM, you will now need to submit a reasonable excuse for the late entrance .

Romantica sighed . She left Hebrion Academy pretty often and thought it was going to be an extra hassle for her . Professor Briggette continued listing the additional regulations .

We will now also start imposing a curfew from 6PM . We encourage all students to follow the instructions from all members of the faculty . I have personally increased the security magic around our school . If you are not higher than Fifth-Circle, dont even think about sneaking out .

She continued on for a couple more minutes after this . To summarize it all, school life was about to get a lot more strict and tiring .

After finishing her words, Professor Bridget announced that all of the information regarding the new regulations would be sent to the communication pads . She then left the stage . The hall soon returned to a normal level of noise again, as students discussed the implications of these regulations .

Oh my, so she is saying that we have nowhere but here to go .

I cant even date .

I need to shop for chips and snacks .

Many students including Romantica were not happy about this, but Desir thought differently .

Think about what would happen if the Western Kingdom Union tragedy was repeated here . Itd be horrible .

Romantica involuntarily recalled what happened and ceased complaining .

Yeah, youre right . I cant imagine the result of them unleashing such havoc here .

She ripped a piece off of the rye bread in her hand and shoved it into her mouth, as if trying to block that thought .