“Whoooosh!”
A massive wave of flame, so vast that it filled this wide space, surged toward us. The enemies attacking us had already retreated, recovering their fallen comrades struck by my magic, as the enormous flame wave swept over them.
“Hahaha! How does it feel? A large-scale spell from five magicians! There is no escape now. You and that puny magic you cast shall be obliterated together!”
In response to the enormous flame wave cast by the five magicians, I summoned a magical beast—a wolf about three meters tall, with a body of purple lightning. While larger than a typical wolf, it was still much smaller compared to the enormous wave of flame.
“P-Professor Geek…”
“Princess, stay behind me!”
As the flame wave drew closer, Sophia stepped forward to shield Eliza. The air around us had already begun to heat up.
But—
“AWOOOOOO!”
“What!?”
The purple lightning wolf howled, releasing massive amounts of purple lightning identical to its own body that roared and filled the entire floor with a dazzling purple light.
The wolf then began running at high speed, and the massive flame wave that came into contact with its purple lightning was sliced apart and extinguished.
“Gyaaaaaah!”
The purple lightning wolf, having shattered the scorching wave, pierced through the enemy lines.
“Impossible… The magic of five magicians defeated by a single sorcerer… I’ve never seen magic of this caliber!”
The leader, who had somehow escaped the wolf’s lightning, stood in a daze, unable to believe what he was seeing.
It seems he has some strong luck. Not that it matters.
“Magic isn’t about size or the number of people casting it. What’s more important is using minimal mana to achieve maximum results, constructing powerful spells efficiently and without waste. Now then, I still have questions for you, but first, I’m going to restrain you.”
“Woof!”
“Gah…”
The purple lightning wolf’s bolts pierced through the wounded man and the remaining enemies trying to flee.
“It seems that’s the last of them. Soon, the Headmaster and the Knights should arrive.”
I restrained the kidnappers, who were now charred black from the lightning. The wolf had held back a bit, leaving them immobile but alive. Although part of me thought it would have been fine if these scum had died, I didn’t want to kill in front of the students if I could avoid it.
In any case, since they attacked the Third Princess, most of them would likely be executed anyway, but that’s none of my concern.
“Professor Geek, I am truly grateful for what you’ve done today. Thank you so much for saving me and Sophia.”
“Professor Geek, even though I spoke rudely to you the other day, thank you for rescuing the princess! I will never forget this debt of gratitude!”
Eliza bowed her head to me, and Sophia knelt on one knee and lowered her head formally.
“The ones at fault were the kidnappers, not you two. It’s enough that you’re safe.”
Yes, the fault lies solely with the kidnappers, not Eliza or Sophia. They did nothing wrong.
“Thank you for your gracious words. May we offer you a reward?”
“If there’s anything I can do, please let me know!”
“I don’t intend to accept any reward from either of you for this incident. It falls within my duty as a teacher. The academy might give me some extra pay for overtime, and that’s enough for me.”
Even if it’s a temporary position, I’m still a teacher. I don’t intend to accept compensation for saving students in danger.
It is the role of adults—no, of teachers—to protect children. If adults do not safeguard the future generation, who will?
“But that wouldn’t be appropriate for a member of royalty! Even as an individual, I wish to express my gratitude for saving Sophia. Please let me reward you in some way!”
“I must as well! It would be unthinkable for a royal guardian to offer nothing in return!”
“…You two are quite persistent.”
In this world, significant deeds are typically rewarded accordingly. If only my previous world’s companies had the same sense.
Perhaps Eliza believes that as a royal, leaving debts unpaid is unwise. Judging by the memories I extracted from the kidnapper guarding the cell, she even shielded Sophia with her own body, so her gratitude for saving her dear childhood friend is likely genuine.
“Alright. Then, I’ll have you do one thing I ask. After that, we’ll call it even.”
“Understood. Whatever is within my power.”
“I’ll do anything as well!”
