“Teacher! Wake up!”
Hm? Ingrid? Is it morning already?
Though she could hear Ingrid calling out, Ange, having been away from missions for so long, had no intention of getting out of bed immediately.
She buried her head deeper into the pillow, pecking at it like a little chick, planning to sleep in a bit longer.
After all, she set her own teaching schedule—class would start when she said so.
“Time to get up! Teacher Ange!”
“Teacher! ε=ε=(＞Д＜)ノノ!!”
Tch, what’s this about, Ingrid? Weren’t you supposed to respect me? Disturbing my sleep like this, huh? Just wait, I’ll double your training load today—hold on, I don’t think I’ve actually given her any training plans yet…
“Well, I know this is supposed to be the former Number One Demon Hunter, but seeing her like this, I really have my doubts. I’m seriously questioning whether she has any discipline left as a Demon Hunter.”
Hm?
Ange finally threw off the covers. She’d clearly heard a third voice, distinctly different from Ingrid’s—a proud, scrutinizing tone, as if appraising her like a commodity.
“Uhh ˃ʍ˂ Teacher should be up by now, let’s just wait a little longer.”
“Alright then, why don’t you introduce yourself?”
“Ingrid Beltans, nice to meet you.”
“Huayin Phoenix. I imagine you’ve already figured out my lineage.”
“Phoenix? I heard that’s a really powerful bloodline.”
“Hmm, it’s not bad. What about you? Since we’re going to be classmates and maybe even comrades, I’m pretty interested in getting to know you all.”
“I’m of the Behemoth bloodline.”
“Behemoth, huh? Then you must be super strong.”
“Ah, it’s alright. I’m a lady, after all, haha…”
A real lady, huh, Ingrid? That’s not what you were saying when you twisted my doorknob off.
So the other one must be the new student? Huayin Phoenix. Phoenix, huh—looks like our little squad is collecting all the ancient mythical beasts.
And she said she already knew who I was. Did she get my info through her family or the Academy? She does seem a bit more reliable than Ingrid.
“Huayin, how did you know our teacher is the Number One Demon Hunter?”
“Eh? Isn’t it obvious? The only one I can think of who’s qualified to be my teacher is her, isn’t it? Well, I’m off.”
“Hey! Wait! You guessed right, she’s—”
Ingrid wanted to save Ange’s reputation with a few kind words, but realized that in this situation, there was no way she could salvage her teacher’s image.
Huayin picked up where she left off, continuing in her arrogant tone.
“So, this lady who acts like getting up is going to kill her is supposed to be the Number One Demon Hunter, Ange? I’m starting to think that title might just be made up.”
Boom! The door burst open. Ange, now fully dressed in her signature shorts, black stockings, and all-black outfit, stood there.
She couldn’t allow her reputation to be slandered any further.
“Yo, hello there, Ange.”
“Teacher.”
Huayin, with her long fiery red hair, deliberately drew out Ange’s name as if she had no intention of calling her ‘Teacher’ at all.
“Hello, Huayin. As you can see, I am indeed the Ange you’ve heard of—your teacher.”
With a slightly confrontational tone, Ange sized up the Phoenix Family’s prideful daughter.
Her figure matched her haughty words, nearly as tall as Ange herself, with a bust far surpassing Ingrid’s.
While Ingrid wore thick-soled sneakers, Huayin sported chunky-heeled high heels—hardly the attire of a Demon Hunter.
“Teacher Ange, honestly, you could’ve slept in a little longer. I don’t mind waiting.”
Even though Ange had appeared fully dressed, Huayin’s polite business-like smile showed not a hint of respect.
She stared directly into Ange’s eyes, her own fiery gaze void of any fear.
Ugh, troublesome.
Ange sighed inwardly. She had thought Ingrid’s entrance and their brawl had been enough trouble, but Huayin was even more of a handful.
Though Huayin hadn’t tried to fight her outright, her attitude was plain: Sure, you’re supposed to be the Number One Demon Hunter—but that’s all in the past. You haven’t done anything in six whole years, so why should I believe in your reputation? Maybe it’s all just for show. That was what her eyes said.
Ange felt the urge to cover her face, but what could she do?
She was, after all, the teacher of these problem children.
The Academy had supported her for six years—she’d gotten a bit complacent.
She really needed to make a change.
“Huayin.”
“Yes? What’s up, Teacher?”
“Let’s have a spar.”
“Oh? Are you sure, Teacher? You sure you can handle it?”
“How would I know if I don’t try? What do you say?”
“Heh, not bad, Teacher. I like how straightforward you are—you’ve got me figured out. If we don’t fight, I won’t recognize you. However…”
Huayin leapt back, fiery wings erupting from her back.
She drew a rod-like object from inside her jacket, which quickly unfolded into a magnificent Magic Wand.
With a wave, the flames danced like serpents at her command.
“Sigh, one after another… None of you make my life easy.”
Ange covered her face, preparing to teach this flamboyant girl a lesson.