The reason Blake could move was that Zeekbert could transform into the appearance of a monster.

“To think you can transform into a monster. But Zeekbert, can you only transform into an animal in Seldia?”

When the headmaster couldn’t believe my words, Zeekbert immediately transformed into a beast-type monster. Showing it directly was more convenient than explaining, although it was not a very pleasant way for the headmaster.

The headmaster apologized promptly, saying sorry for doubting me due to Zeekbert’s sharp fangs.

“Zeek, how did you do that?”

“From the Monster Forest… I learned it.”

Riche asked, surprised, as Zeekbert returned to his original form.

Zeekbert tried to explain to Riche but failed and answered with the words “it just happened.”
The ability learned in the Monster Forest, which they had passed through every time they went to see Riche in Duke Lordwick’s mansion, was helpful this time.

When Zeekbert was in the form of a monster, the monsters didn’t attack him. Therefore, upon the headmaster’s request, Blake moved to help cast the barrier.

If not for that, Blake wouldn’t have left Riche behind.

“So, Zeek, Ian, and I were rescuing people outside, bringing them to shelters. Zed and Phillip wanted to follow us, but Zeek told them to stay down because he’s heavy. Ian, are you guys the last ones?”

“Yeah. I don’t see anyone else to rescue now.”

Deon and Lovenhalf looked at Riche, who was grinning broadly, with puzzled faces.

Is this sturdy-looking kid really our Riche?

[All grown up. She’s all grown up.]

Python, perched on her shoulder, patted Riche’s cheek with small hands.

Two days ago, when Riche asked Python to resemble her original appearance more closely, Python transformed into the shape of a squirrel.

No matter how much it was a manipulation of cognition, Python couldn’t cover its proud muscles with a mere piece of cloth.

“That squirrel…?”

Deon squinted at Python, looking dubious.

Come to think of it, since Python returned, this was the first time its appearance was revealed in front of Deon.

“Yeah! Oppa, remember? It’s Pecan! I’m back!”

Riche excitedly pointed at Python.

Still happy that it returned, Riche was thrilled every time she talked about Python.

Deon smiled at the seemingly happy Riche.

“Good for you. You were crying for days when it disappeared.”

[Oh, contractor, did you cry? Did you? Because you missed me?]

“That… no…”

Blushing, Riche stammered.

This time, Deon realized that it was an innocent remark, but it was still embarrassing to reveal the past incident in front of the person involved.

“Riche, I cry often too.”

Ian, who had been quietly listening, offered comfort to Riche.

Seeing that scene, Lovenhalf, who had been absent-mindedly standing there, regained his composure.

Did he miss a chance while being off guard?

“Yeah, what’s wrong with crying? I cry occasionally too.”

“…You cry?”

“Haha. Deercadion, I cry a lot. I’m very sensitive. I might cry even now.”

Looking disgusted, Deon leaned slightly to the opposite side of Lovenhalf.

After a while, Zeekbert landed in front of the shelter.

As the four stepped on the ground, Zeekbert returned to his original form and stood beside Riche.

“You all did well. Come to think of it, we’re all in the same club, right?”

Lovenhalf, who was offering words of appreciation, suddenly realized that all the club members were gathered.

Upon hearing this, Riche and Ian looked around in amazement.

“Oh? Is that so?”

“It’s a coincidence, but it’s amazing.”
Deon and Zeekbert glanced around with disinterested expressions and met each other’s eyes. Without much interest, they turned their heads in different directions.

“How about going to eat something delicious this time?”

Behind Lovenhalf, who suggested that, claiming to treat them as the club president, the shelter door opened.

“Lovenhalf!”

Inside, one of the professors urgently called Lovenhalf.

It was one of the professors in charge of the third-year classes. Confirming his face, Lovenhalf greeted him amicably.

“Oh, Professor Brown! Are you okay? Is everything all right?”

“Come inside quickly!”

What’s going on?

Professor Brown, who always greeted with a smile, had an anxious face, unlike his usual calm demeanor.

Lovenhalf promptly followed Professor Brown into the shelter.

“Lovenhalf is here.”

“Lovenhalf has arrived!”

Upon Lovenhalf’s entrance, the students gathered inside stood up and made way for him.

In the solemn atmosphere, Lovenhalf quickened his pace.

And then…

“…”

There was a person lying on a makeshift bed inside the shelter, breathing heavily.

The same sky-blue hair as Lovenhalf’s was soaked with sweat and disheveled. The hair, which would normally be neatly arranged, was a mess.

“…Father?”

Lovenhalf’s blue eyes trembled.

When the protective barrier was set up, and monsters no longer appeared, people came out of the shelter.

Duke Hebetzman also moved to the guest room lodgings at the academy.

A member of the academy’s medical staff visited and examined Duke Hebetzman.

“He used his ability a lot.”

Lovenhalf, coming out of the bedroom, conveyed the doctor’s words to the people gathered in the living room.

Blake, who had entered with him, was still guarding Duke Hebetzman by his bedside.

“He probably has about ten days left.”

There was a reason why the underground-type monsters that appeared in the academy were fewer than the airborne and surface types.

Duke Hebetzman was on his way to the Royal Academy to support Blake, who was going to confront the formidable Rumble Izmatic.

On the way, they encountered the underground-type monsters near the academy. Engaging in battle, they entered the underground, discovered the cavern filled with monsters, and fought there.

As a result, Duke Hebetzman ascended to the surface after defeating the monsters but collapsed, and the cold air from the underground, frozen by the Duke’s ability, spread throughout the academy.

The academy became as cold as winter, and people had to wear thick clothes and light the fireplace.

“Why didn’t you stay at home if you’re not feeling well?”

Finally, there was a hint of moisture in Lovenhalf’s voice.

Even though the Hebetzman family, proud of the abilities of ability users, regarded a sudden parting as something to be proud of, it was still difficult to accept such an abrupt farewell.

Those gathered in the living room approached Lovenhalf and offered words of comfort.

Except for the two of them.

[Contractor, are you going to purify?] “First, let’s check the condition of the Duke.”

Liche, who was conversing with Pythos while looking at the closed bedroom door,

“…….”

It was Deon who was staring at the back of Liche in such a state.