"Each group has finished their first run. Remember that in the second round my support will be a bit more limited, and in the final round my help will be at the level of each one of you — plan accordingly." I let out an inner sigh; I'd overhelped a little this time, and none of them got hurt.

I was a bit scared of seeing them injured or of some backlash for not being strong enough. It turned out the opposite: some were happy they hadn't been hurt, others spoke like the situation had felt unreal because everything stayed under control, and a few just gave me looks that were hard to read.

In the end I understood something: they're older than me, and they've probably already been through dangerous situations or been hurt before. I shouldn't treat them like children on a camp where everything has to be perfect. They need to get used to pain and to risky situations.

"Each team captain, come forward to get your grade for the first run." The six captains step up immediately; some look anxious, others confident about their performance.

"I'll grade from 1 to 20." I receive quick nods from each of them. "Team One: 18; Team Two: 17; Team Three: 17; Team Four: 16; Team Five: 18; Team Six: 19. You all passed the first round with flying colors — I hope you keep the average high in the next ones."

Almost everyone reacts with joy, except one who looks a little disappointed. The leader of Team Six is clearly the strongest among the students; he could probably handle six or seven ogres alone, but his team is fairly average, and that frustrates him.

I sharpened my senses around him while we were fighting; he never complained about his teammates, only about himself — that he wasn't strong enough to finish things faster.

"Team One, let's head into the second round." Time to start the second part of the evaluation.

Point of view — the captain of the sixth group: "Professor Maki is an unparalleled tank — I could hold eight ogres without problem while we took down three. When we killed one, he would redirect the next one toward us without neglecting the rest. It was brilliant." Mathi, leader of Group Four, speaks with clear admiration.

"Tank? He's got monstrous offense and strength — I've never seen anyone our rank use a construction like a sword like that. Every cut left the ogres terribly wounded. We were struggling to pierce that tough hide with mana and Imra; Professor Maki cut through them like butter." Kolly, captain of Group Three, gestures with her hands imitating Maki's sword.

"I saw him stop an ogre's swing with a wall of ice, which then turned into multiple swords and killed a group in less than two seconds." Agur looks very serious remembering that moment.

In the end we reached a conclusion: Professor Maki isn't normal. He can perform any role to perfection as if it were the simplest thing in the world — effortlessly, he's many steps above us.

"It seems when he said, 'I can kill or hold hundreds of ogres without problem,' it wasn't a bluff or arrogance… it was just a reality we hadn't been able to see." Agur's words surprise me; he's the second strongest among the students here, after me. He's usually arrogant and shows little respect to almost anyone.

"If he can do all that while watching over us without effort, I want to see him give it his all." Kolly's comment makes my skin prickle. How would it be to see him angry? Something I definitely don't want to be on the wrong side of.

"Dand, do you think you have any chance against him?" Mathi, my comrade, grabs my shoulder and asks; everyone awaits my answer.

"Not the slightest — I wouldn't get a hit in before dying." I have an ability that lets me evaluate danger; living in the mountains around monsters has its advantages. Professor Maki represents more danger to me than an ordinary Ruby rank, which shouldn't be possible, but it is.

The gap between a Ruby and a Sapphire is enormous; right now it's an impossible chasm to cross. All my friends agree with me — it hurts a little that no one believes I could win against Professor Maki, but I understand their reasons. He's definitely a monster. Now I see why Princess Brendu is interested in him.

"Have you heard the rumors?" A small girl from Group Three speaks up. "They link Professor Maki with Princess Brendu, but I have more info. I was with a group of friends when I saw Lady Shawu pounce on him during the inauguration party, and Lady Areci personally came for him — she even took his hand and led him to her table with her group."

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Different reactions ripple through us; surely many of us had heard something similar. I had thought someone was lying about that event, but now that the person implicated is our strange professor, it might make sense.

"Yes, I saw them up close too." A small boy from Group Five says. "They looked like siblings."

"I saw them at the fair on the last day of the week together; I'd say they looked like siblings, but with Princess Brendu it seemed more serious — they were holding hands or arms the whole time." A tall, strong girl from Group Two adds.

Other stories from the fair and the inauguration come to light. Piecing together everyone's viewpoints, we reach a conclusion: Maki is a natural phenomenon — in his first year he's already friends with the school's strongest group, like a brother to them, and he's captured Princess Brendu's heart.

Everyone changes the topic when someone calls out the return of Group One; Professor Maki heads back with his usual confident smile and those violet eyes full of assurance. Team One looks fine; they weren't badly hurt after the second round.

Point of view — Maki: "With this final round for Group Six, we're done with today's evaluation. Captains, come forward to get your final averages." I step aside from the rest of the students; I'll also give them a few tips on improving coordination and points to work on.

I noticed something similar in most of them: they fight with the safety net of not getting hurt, they've become used to the school's benefits and have forgotten life will be different next year and after graduation. Except for some — especially Dand; this kid seems like a wild wolf and a born leader.

"These are your final averages. Team One: 15; Team Two: 14; Team Three: 15; Team Four: 16; Team Five: 14; Team Six: 17. You all did great." Their reactions vary — I'm sure many expected higher scores. "Here are some tips for next time." I give each captain advice, not only about themselves but about their teammates.

We walk back together as a group. Time for one last talk before returning to the school. "You all did excellent on your evaluations. I gave each group captain some individualized advice and I'll talk to Professor Gustav about each team's performance." Since the second round, I've noticed something different — they've started to respect me.

I don't see any signs of doubt on their faces anymore; they look obedient and like good students. Did showing a bit of my strength and protecting them cause this? It doesn't matter — as long as they respect me, that's fine.

"Please, Group One, head to the platform to depart first." Groups will leave one by one; each needs an ogre core to exit, and everyone has secured one. I'll go last as the teacher.

"What's going on?" They haven't left after a few seconds on the platform. I see them trying to activate it, but nothing happens.

"We can't activate the platform, Professor — something's wrong with the cores or the activation." Serti, the group leader, speaks up.

"Agur, Kolly, can one of you try?" The leaders of Groups Two and Three follow my instruction; both get the same result.

All the other students try without success. In that moment of confusion I feel a group of ogres entering my Personal World. The back edge of the forest — where vegetation is closer — is easy to hide in; it starts about fifty meters away, and the ogres are just reaching the eighty-meter mark.

Could the ogres be the cause? Is something wrong with the dungeon? They shouldn't be able to approach like this without sensing human presence — and it should be impossible for them to detect us inside this dome.

The ogres stop at the forest line where it's difficult to see them. Two hundred? No, I sense a little more than three hundred surrounding our area. Something catches my attention: there's a much larger ogre leading the group — nearly five meters tall, wielding an enormous blade-like weapon.

The pressure it emits is different; its Imra is oppressive. This definitely isn't a normal Grade-3 monster. I push my sensory ability to the limit, using my Imra as a base to get more info, and seconds later I can detect it more clearly.

This monster is Grade 4. What is a creature like this doing here? Has one of them evolved? What are the dungeon caretakers doing?

"Everyone, stay here — many ogres are surrounding us. Nobody is to leave this dome or disobey my orders. As a last resort I give you permission to force the platform to escape." I address the students; many of them look surprised and some frightened.

Right now I see only two options: kill that damned evolved ogre that must be interfering with this dungeon somehow, or force an exit. I don't like the latter — there's a risk we could lose the dungeon entirely. That option will be the last play if I can't finish them or if the students are in danger.

"Professor… can we help?" Dand approaches me; I see a clear resolve in his eyes.

"No. I won't risk any of you." I shake my head, then lift my gaze to look each of them in the eye. "I'll say it one last time: I will be the only one to leave this safe area. You are forbidden to do otherwise or disobey me, no matter the situation I'm in." Some seem to understand; others look doubtful.

"Dand, make sure everyone follows my orders." The leader of Group Six hesitates, bites his lip, then nods. "You have my permission to force an exit if necessary. I'll go handle this." A slightly excessive bloodlust wells up inside me, and all my offensive abilities activate.

I can see terror on their faces; my bloodlust isn't normal, and the pressure I radiate is meant to make my intention clear. I look at them one last time before plunging into that ocean of ogres — it brings back some memories.

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