A day after Darius’s awakening, the three found themselves back in the classroom again.

Adrian had a small frown on his face as he looked at the group standing at the very front.

’I really should’ve killed him already,’ he thought to himself as he looked at the particular student that was also looking directly at Renelle.

Standing before the Class one students was Professor Leon and combat instructor Tess, but just behind them were students in similar uniforms to Adrian and the rest, but the three black lines told that they were year three instead of two.

Standing at the front was a familiar young man with long green hair tied back and on his face were round glasses that shielded his green eyes.

Cassian Everhart.

A man that Adrian very much wanted to get rid of right now, despite his status as the son of a Grand Duke.

But for now, he couldn’t since that would only bring headaches for his lady, especially given the tension between the Lady’s father and the church, in other words the crown and two of the four grand dukes.

He needed a plausible excuse or a convincing cover up, so for now, Cassian get to keep his head.

That is, until Adrian thought of a valid excuse.

"To ensure your safety in the corrupted lands," professor Leon continued, "each team will be escorted by a third year."

​"But don’t get too comfortable," Tess continued, "they’re only observers, and whether they actually step in to save you is entirely up to them."

The class one students turned towards their seniors, most of which seemed as if they were above everyone here.

Which they probably were, given that most of them were either B-Rank or at the very peak of C-rank.

"Now, as for team assignments,"Leon took over again, turning around and tapping his tapping his magic tool on the white board, "that has already been decided by the headmistress herself."

They looked towards the white board noticing that each of their names had been grouped with two others, and there was also the name of the assigned third year that would lead them.

As expected, the prince was paired up with the Saintess and the bored student, Caius, and the third year that was supposed to lead them was one with brown hair and eyes, probably an earth Spirit mage.

Adrian on the other hand, was paired up with his lady, as he preferred, and somehow, with Darius, who now had streaks of black in his red hair.

A side effect of Noctis naming his dragon.

What bothered Adrian quite a bit was the second year that was supposed to oversee them.

Cassian.

Though, thinking of it now, that wasn’t really all bad, after all, they were going to be heading into the corrupted lands, a place full of danger.

And in such places, anything could happen.

Like a third year mysteriously dying to one of the corrupted beasts.

"..."

[You’re thinking of killing him again?] Renelle suddenly muttered in his mind, pulling his attention towards her.

She wasn’t really surprised, after all, this was a normal reaction since she would be thinking the same of anyone that showed this much interest in him.

Speaking of which, what even happened to the girl they met in the corridor who then decided to stalk them.

She just mysteriously disappeared from the academy.

"..."

[....]

[Is my Butler still jealous?] Renelle said again with a small smile on her face, [I wonder what I should do to reassure him.]

[I wonder,] Adrian responded with a small smile of his own, [though I’m completely certain that my lady has no interest in him.]

[But his interest might become an obstacle,] he continued, [and I’d very much like to deal with it right now.]

[I see,] Renelle said quietly before adding, [then does that mean my Butler need not be reassured.]

[....] Adrian looked at her for a while before asking, [what does my lady have in mind?]

[Secret,] Renelle placed a finger on her lip.

[Then I am a jealous,] he finally answered causing her to chuckle, a sound he very much liked hearing.

Especially given that they were now rare from the moment the Grand Duchess passed away.

"I think that third year is looking at you two," Darius leaned forward and suddenly spoke up, causing the two to look forward, and indeed, Cassian was looking at them.

Well, more specifically, at Adrian and although there was a small polite smile on his face, there was also an underlying threat aimed at him.

"Alright then," Leon’s voice was heard again, "you all will stay in the corrupted lands for a month and are expected to return a lot stronger than you are now, otherwise, you’ll be demoted a class lower."

"You will also be provided an emergency token," he continued, "press it whenever you encounter a threat too much to handle and the closest human stronghold will respond."

He paused and looked at the relief on some of their faces, only to burst their bubbles a second later.

"Although response might depend on the situation of the stronghold and your distance from it," he said, "some can respond immediately, whilst others may take up to a week or two, so be sure not to put yourselves in situations that require immediate rescuing."

The students then started murmuring to themselves, scanning the names on the board again and turning towards whomever they were paired up with.

"From here, you all will be provided with rations enough for a month and magic tools that might come in handy," Tess spoke up again, "that is, if you handle them well, no strong hold is at liberty to provide you any extra supplies, so don’t expect any from them."

In other words, if they misused their supplies before the month ended, then they’d have to fend for themselves.

Which wouldn’t be a problem for some of them, but most of those coming from a pampered, noble life were about to get a harsh awakening.

"Now then that’ll be all," she added, "your seniors will lead you to get your supplies."

"Dismissed."

With that, she grabbed professor Leon by the arm and pulled him out the door, seemingly a bit excited.

Probably for the fact that they were finally going on that date.

Cassian watched the two leave before turning to the Class one students and muttering,

"Alright juniors, follow us."