Return Of The SSS-Class Hunter

"The news of you three being abducted that day by an instructor and that instructor ending up on the losing side is no longer a secret," Yami said with a heavy sigh. "I tried my best to suppress it, but something like this can't be contained forever. Now, the main issue: if Peter knows who is working for the demons, then others will know about him as well."

"Yes, I'm aware of that," Derek replied. "But you're not telling me the Nelson family is going to attack me here, are you?"

"It's not impossible," Yami said gravely. "Recently, the girl who was also taken with Leo and you that day was attacked. Fortunately, we had arranged someone to protect her from the shadows."

"You mean Senior Emma?"

"Yes."

"And you're saying it was the Nelson family?"

"I'm not one hundred percent certain… but yes. I was considering confronting them, but if I do that without solid evidence, things could get complicated. And…"

"And if we say our evidence came from Instructor Peter, they'll realize we know too much and become alert," Derek finished for him.

"Exactly. That's why I find myself in this dilemma. I've already informed the Headmistress about Peter's crimes, but not about the demons or his involvement with them. Only that he abducted three students and attempted to kill them. I'm considering telling her the rest."

"Don't," Derek said immediately. "We should keep the matter of the demons secret for now. We've gotten some names from Peter, but we can't be sure those are all the traitors. We don't know who else might be working with the demons. If they realize we're aware of them, their first priority will be to eliminate us. We need more information. We need to be absolutely certain who we can trust and who we can't. Only then should we act."

"Fair point," Yami admitted. "We'll do that then. But for now, you must be cautious around the Nelson family."

"I will. But… is the patriarch himself really going to come here to deal with me?"

"No. Emma was ambushed outside the academy. But they don't need to act only when you go outside. They have two heirs studying here, both bright students in their fourth year. If we hadn't gotten the patriarch's name from Peter, I would never have suspected the Nelsons of something so heinous."

"So you're saying these two fourth-year students might try something?"

"Yes. It's very possible. And they'll both be participating in the half-yearly Ranker's Test as well. So watch your back."

"Thank you, master. I'll stay alert."

"Alright. I know you're already strong — far ahead of your peers, but train even harder. We don't know what's coming."

"Of course, master."

"Good. You can leave now."

Derek stood up, bowed respectfully, and walked out of the chamber.

'You don't know what's coming, master,' he thought as his eyes narrowed sharply. 'But I do. And if anyone working with the demons comes charging at me… let them. It will be their last charge.'

A cold glint flashed in Derek's eyes.

After that, Derek began walking toward the academic building instead of returning to his room. On the way, he stopped by the cafeteria, bought some chocolates and a few fruits, and continued on. Before long, he arrived at the infirmary.

Knock! Knock!

"Who is it?" a voice called from inside.

"Miss Helen, it's me — Derek."

Miss Helen was the healer who had examined Derek when he had been unconscious for two whole days. She was also the head healer of the academy.

"Oh, Derek. Come in."

Derek pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"How are you, Derek? And what brings you here?"

"I'm fine, Miss Helen. I came to visit Senior Emma. I heard she was hurt recently."

"Hurt? She was ambushed," Miss Helen said sharply. "I don't know what kind of lunatic would attack a fifteen-year-old girl. Anyway, you can go see her. She's in room number five. She has almost fully recovered."

"Thank you, Miss Helen."

Derek headed toward room five and knocked. The door wasn't locked, but barging into a girl's room without permission would be rude.

"Come in, it's open," a sweet voice replied. It was Emma.

Derek entered the room.

Emma was lying on the bed, a bandage wrapped around her head.

"Oh, it's you. I remember you — we were kidnapped together, after all," Emma said with a light smile.

"Yes, Senior Emma. I heard you were ambushed recently, so I came to check on you," Derek replied politely as he placed the chocolates and fruits on the small table beside her bed.

"You didn't have to bring these," she said as she slowly lifted herself into a sitting position.

"It's nothing much. You're still recovering, and these might help you pass the boring time in here."

"Who said it's boring?" Emma asked with a chuckle.

"Is it not? Lying in bed the whole day, unable to do much?"

"Nope. Actually, it's the opposite for me. I finally got a few days of rest. Classes and training were getting a little overwhelming."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Come, sit. I'm glad you came to visit. How have you been?"

"I'm fine, Senior Emma."

A brief silence followed, neither of them speaking for a moment. Eventually, Derek broke the quiet.

"So, Senior Emma… if you don't mind, could you tell me how you got ambushed? Do you remember who the attackers were?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Emma said. "I was going to buy a new wand. The last one got destroyed when we were kidnapped. On the way, before I even realized what was happening, a powerful wind blast hit me and sent me flying. And before I could react, my limbs were shackled. Then… they asked me what happened in the cavern that day."

"So you didn't tell anyone about it?"

"Not really. I only told two of my classmates and my parents." She paused for a moment, then looked at Derek with concern. "Derek… I think you should be careful too. They might come after you as well. I was lucky that Housemaster Yami assigned an instructor to secretly follow me when I went out. If he hadn't… I don't know if I'd even be alive right now." Her tone turned quiet and heavy.

"I know, Senior Emma. I'll definitely be careful."

"Good," she said, her smile returning. "And how's your training going? I've wanted to spar with you ever since I saw you fight the magical beasts that day. It's honestly unbelievable how well you handle a sword despite being just a cultivator." Genuine admiration flickered in her eyes.

"Training is going well. I'm preparing to participate in the half-yearly Ranker's Test."

"You're what?!"