That day, the funeral of the Forest Wizard - Albert Morlowe - was being held in Greberg.

　A large number of people and kingdom officials were in tears.
　And Johannes Graysberg and Aries.
　The brave men and women who were summoned there were not present.

Albert he was my friend. He was a friend and a supporter of our country for many years. But I was unable to repay him in any way for his kindness...

　King Johannes speaks to his people.

'Whoever killed Albert is an organization that calls itself the Dragon's Heart!　I had not planned to tell the story at first. I decided to keep the truth to myself, out of respect for Albert. But now I realize that I was wrong. Because now you are suffering the same way I am!

　Many of the people looked up at Johannes with tears in their eyes.

'We must not forget the name of the one who killed everyone's friend!　Name of the one who avenges this nation!　And I hereby swear!　You will have the heart of a dragon!

　It was not something the king would say.
　But that's why the king's appearance seemed true to the people.
　Towards the end of the funeral, it was Johannes who went out of his way to light Albert's body on fire by coming forward.
　The blazing flames gave strength to the words he had used to call Albert a "friend," and Johannes gained even more support.
　But this is not the first time.

Albert Morlowe, the wizard of the forest!　Here be Graysberg!

*

　The academy's training grounds are ordinary dirt and sand.
　However, a tranquil landscape of plants, trees and flowers spreads around it.
　It was peaceful, as if they could hear the chirping of birds. The students who were gathered there heard the news of his death. Aries' words were unbelievable to the students.

'Albert has passed away,'

　The students' expressions slowly crumbled and changed to confusion.

''Why, Albert-san........''

　Saeki questioned in an interrupted voice.

''There is an organization called the Heart of the Dragon. They are bandits who have targeted the country, so to speak, including nobles and politicians. Just the other day, they appeared near the border. Albert felt a disturbing magic and rushed over immediately, but he was unable to match them.

　Albert would occasionally visit the school and teach magic lessons to the brave men and women.
　He was an old man who gently taught them magic.
　To the students, Albert is such a place.
　His faint smile and his voice with its "ho ho ho" from his moustache made the students feel attached to him.

I had a very hard time deciding whether or not to tell you this. But I want you all to carry on the legacy of Albert's will.
Will, sir?

　It was Saeki's voice.

''Yes. That means killing the demon race, the demon king!　Defeat the Demon King and bring peace to the world. That is Albert's will. It is Albert's will for the peace and tranquility of Greiberg and for all of you.

　Aries said with tears in her eyes. Some of the students were in tears.

'Please, please,'

　Saeki quietly clenched his fists at Aries' words.

　After Aries left the training ground, there was silence for a while.
　However, the students changed from their previous fecklessness and began training immediately as their expressions tightened.
　There was no one among them who doubted Aries' tears.
　However, with the exception of Ichijo.
　While each of them began practicing magic on the ground, or training with swords and spears, Ichijou was alone, leaning against the shade of a tree, looking up at the sky.

''Ichijo!　You didn't listen to Mr. Aries!

　Saeki yelled at Ichijo as if he didn't like it.

I'm sure you're not the only one. It's your free time now. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of this time to do what you want. It's important to get some rest, right?

　Ichijo's eyes were powerless.
　Then, as usual, he spared Saeki.
　Then Saeki's shouting stopped and there was silence as the two men stared at each other.
　This was their daily routine.
　A few changes had happened to Ichijo.
　That was Majima and Kihara, first of all.
　At first, the girls had been relieved to be by Ichijou's side.
　But now, there was no one next to Ichijou.
　They left Ichijo and chose Saeki next.
　So when Saeki moved on, they followed him late.
　Majima and Kihara appeared beside him, not saying a word, just next to Saeki.
　Ichijo turned his gaze to them for a moment, but looked up at the sky again, as if he was not interested.

'Saeki, you come at me like this whenever something happens, don't you?　That's when I wondered if Hidaka felt the same way. I wonder if Hidaka-kun felt this way too...
You can't keep talking like that, can you?　We're alive!　Don't talk about dead people!
Then the woman is just as guilty. She's here to talk about dead people.
Who is this woman you're talking about? ........You mean Mr. Aries!
Who else is here?

　There was even a murderous look in Saeki's eyes as he stared at Ichijou.

'Saeki, you have a bad mouth, a bad physiognomy and a bad behavior, but you are pure. That's why you can't see.
...What?
That woman. Most likely there's something to what you just said.
You better tell me what the hell you're talking about! --
'Saeki, why are you holding her shoulders so tightly? ...Think about it. What happened to you after she showed up here and told you about the old man's death?　Definitely more motivated than before that. Hey, Saeki, someone died, didn't they?　And that's from a great wise man who served his country for decades. And yet you are now full of motivation.

　Ichijo smiled thinly.

'Don't you think it's funny?　They would show up and start talking about how things aren't going well, or that a soldier was killed by demons, always starting with a dark story, and then they'd say something nice about their wills or their faith in us, and then they'd leave. Then most of the boys start training on the not-so-bright side. It's brainwashing. But the girls just couldn't do it, and the old man, who just laughed like he was in love with them all the time, started coming and going. When the old man died, he would challenge me to take revenge on him. It was all just like her scenario. I don't have any good intentions.
What's the matter, Saeki, are you and Ichijo fighting again?

　Then he saw Butler, who was curious about their condition.

'No, sir. We were just talking about our future. We have to be stronger for Grayberg's sake, you know.
Yeah. I'm counting on you, Saeki.
Yes!

　This was Saeki now.
　Butler was called by another student and went away again.
　When Saeki returned his gaze again, he saw Ichijou shaking his shoulders and laughing.

''Saeki........Huh, the current you even make me feel nauseous. You were still more serious before.

　At Ichijou's expression and words, Saeki stared with his eyes wide open as if shaking with anger.
　But just before he held back, a deep sigh could be heard later.

''Ichijo I won't snitch on you, no matter what you think, I won't snitch on you. You are strong. You're necessary for this country.
How far does that loyalty include your will?
'That's a bit too much!

　Majima, who had been irritated by Ichijou's words earlier, yelled at her.

''We're tired of your little talk!
"You were cool before, but how uncool is it now, Ichijo-kun?

　Kihara added in a slightly foolish manner.

'That's because you two are knots in the ground that only see things from the top. 'As usual.'
'Huh!　Say it again! --
Explosions.

　Immediately afterwards, a huge explosion erupted in the sky above, and the wind was so strong that it shook the nearby trees.
　The students and Butler were transfixed, and when the sound of the explosion drowned out the words Mashima was about to say, they were followed by Ichijo glaring at Mashima.
　Mashima was scared by the sheer force of the blast, his expression twitching and unable to speak.

'You two are always someone's goldfish poo. If I don't make it, then Saeki, then if Saeki doesn't make it, who will be next? It's all the same in the end. If you hid behind someone else and took advantage of the flight, weren't you afraid of what they would say?　If it had been Hidaka-kun and not me, I would have cursed at him until I got bored.

　Saeki tugged on their stiffened hands and pulled them away from Ichijo.

'Don't use magic as a tool to threaten me, you coward.
'I don't want you to talk to me with your standards. Besides, I'm just giving you a little moxie.

　Saeki glared at Ichijou with such a cold attitude, moving his face closer to her.

''Well think about which one of us is wrong.

　He then whispered this to himself and left the place with the two men.
　Left alone, Ichijou sighed as he leaned against the tree again. Then he closed his eyes.

(Why........why did everyone forget about it? There was no way that woman had any compassion in the first place. She had that look on her face when she sent Hidaka flying. Whenever she lets people down, she smiles with an ugly face from the bottom of her heart. It's not just me, everyone should have seen that. (And yet...)

　Ichijo didn't understand. He was plagued by the feeling that he was the only one in his right mind.

(We're just strangers after all. If we're deemed incompetent, we'll be sent away like Hidaka-kun. No, we might be killed next time. Why doesn't anyone notice...)

　--He's going to kill you.　You guys, all of you........

　At that moment, the last words of Masamune's words flashed through Ichijo's mind.
　Ichijo smiled thinly with his eyes closed, and when he opened one eye, he blocked the sunlight with his hand and laughed again with a small smile.

'When are you coming to kill me?　Hidaka-kun........

　Ichijo asked quietly, looking up at the blue sky.