Running around the island wasn't the only thing they wanted. They wanted the students to realize that this training programme was meant to challenge them at any moment of the day.

That was the difference between being Hunters and Defenders.

A Hunter worked when they wanted to, based on their need for money, equipment, or similar things. But those working under the Great Hall—or for an organisation aimed at defending humanity from the Underworld—needed to be alert and available at all times.

And for that, the morning alarm was the first scar they carved into everyone's mind. A scar that would jolt them awake at any moment—whether they were eating, deep in slumber, or bathing.

These students would have gone through these drills if they had chosen to work for the Great Hall in the future so someone like Kevin, this was like an early course that led him to his dream.

But surely, to say he was enjoying himself going through this new routine would be a white lie.

….

William was enjoying the early morning air while his feet carried him forward at a slightly faster pace than a walk.

The island was surrounded by a lush green forest, keeping the air pure and earthy.

As he ran, he spotted Emma ahead, sluggishly dragging herself forward.

With a smile, he slowed down and asked, "Want me to carry you on my back?"

Emma groaned. "If only there weren't so many watchers around…" As she said that, she threw a glance at the man standing by the trail—and not just him. There were many, all encouraging the students to keep moving, lest they face the Commander's—Guinevere's—wrath.

William hummed and told her, "Well, you just need to finish four more rounds."

Emma grunted. "You say that like four rounds are a walk in the park."

William teased, "Isn't that exactly what you're doing right now… walking in the park?"

Emma stretched her arms and lightly punched his shoulders a few times in annoyance.

William chuckled and sped up, leaving Emma far behind. He would have stayed with her, but earlier she had told him to finish the run and use the remaining time to learn more about his blade.

And she was right to worry about him using that sword he could barely control.

Though he had brought it along, if William couldn't use it properly, he might end up harming an ally—or worse, a civilian. So it was better to spend the time getting accustomed to his new buddy.

As he ran, he noticed two things—Guinevere walking in his direction (well, not exactly towards him, but along his path), and a boy from Daverfall resting against a tree, completely out of breath.

William knew that if the boy got caught, the punishment would be severe.

Casually, he sent out a mental warning.

[The witch is coming straight here.]

The boy flinched instantly and turned to look at William, who had already crossed him.

Just then, his eyes landed on the figure of a woman approaching. Without a second thought, the black-haired boy began sprinting in the same direction as William.

Guinevere narrowed her eyes. For a moment, the boy thought he would be stopped—but thankfully, William's warning had come just in time, and he sped past Guinevere without interruption.

Exhaling a sigh, the raven-haired mean looked ahead.

Seeing the blond teenager who had caused a scene yesterday, the boy couldn't help but mutter, He isn't that bad…

The running continued for some time, but for a few—Brutus, Kevin, Natalie, and William—it ended without a break.

Guinevere didn't give them any instructions afterward, so William headed straight to his room while the other three remained standing outside the dormitories.

Seeing William moving toward the dormitory, Natalie wanted to warn him, but—

"Let him go."

Kevin stopped her. "It's not like he would listen to you."

Natalie huffed. "Well, a warning wouldn't have hurt." But Kevin was right.

Unlike them, William wasn't fond of staying here or being a representative of Ardentia.

Trying to make him stick to the rules was pointless.

Just then, Brutus also walked away. Maybe he was the same as William? God knows…

Moments later, William sprinted back out of the dormitory, holding something that clearly resembled a weapon.

"What is that?" Natalie couldn't stop herself from asking.

William grinned as he slowly removed the white fabric wrapped around the teeth of his new weapon. "Trying to figure it out."

Kevin watched with his face scrunched. As someone who used swords himself, the thing William was holding looked like a grotesque abomination of a weapon.

William was too focused on his buddy to care about their reactions. He began swinging the blade vertically.

The weapon was heavy, and its blade wasn't sharp enough to slice the air cleanly like a normal sword.

Still, William knew better than to doubt its sharpness. He had seen firsthand what it could do when handled properly.

His current focus was swinging it without letting it disassemble.

There was no switch on the weapon. The last time, the blade had fragmented because he jerked his arm accidentally—and that jerk came from a lack of control.

William resisted that now. He didn't let his arm fully drop before pulling it back above his head again.

To a master swordsman like Kevin, who had trained with heavy weapons for years, that form was more irritating than the alarm that had woken him earlier that morning.

Finally, he lost his patience.

"Stop."

Kevin's voice cut through the air, making William hesitate.

"You're standing like a post and swinging like a butcher," he complained, his voice edged with clear annoyance.

"Root your feet. Turn your hips. Let the blade arrive last. If you keep standing straight and forcing the swing, the sword won't break first—you will."

Natalie was stunned. Not only was Kevin visibly displeased, but those words were directed at William—someone Kevin usually avoided talking to altogether.

For a moment, she thought William would retaliate. Kevin hadn't been gentle; he sounded like a harsh instructor correcting a student for the hundredth time.

But William remained silent.

He moved his right leg back, rotated his hips slightly, and swung again.

Kevin huffed. "Much better."

Leaving those words behind, he returned to his spot.

Natalie's jaw hung open as she watched the exchange.

Shaking her head, she muttered, "There really should be a book on men… I can't seem to understand them."

°°°°°°°°°°°

A/N: It's not funny anymore, is it?

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