"Hounds greet the Commander!"
A group of fit students stood in a straight line, each clad in crisp red and violet uniforms. The emblem of a hound was neatly pinned near their chests, signifying their squad allegiance.
Their voices rose in unison, as they bowed and greeted.
I gave a slight nod, a gesture more than sufficient, and strode past them toward my office.
The Squads.
In academy squads can be said as miniature versions of clans. Once certain criteria are met, you can form one, unlocking various benefits.
With the academy's emphasis on practical skills over theory, squads were the cornerstone of success. Through them, you can undertake missions based on the squad's rank, earning titles and achievements recognized empire-wide.
Moreover, the connections formed in these squads could be invaluable.
The Hounds was a squad formed by Steve Blackthorne during his second year at the academy.
Although created primarily to gain titles and accomplishments under Steve's command, the squad operated under the Blackthrone's philosophy:
An ironclad commitment to completing missions.
Despite the lack of mages, it was the only squad to remain among the top seven consistently.
As I approached closer to the main squad hall, snippets of conversation reached my ears:
"I heard it is Sir Darmacus who would be our opponent for the qualifiers' final round."
"If we lose here, it will be very difficult to maintain our position in the top seven squads."
"Yeah, maybe we should ask Sir Steve to fight the battle himself."
"Vice Leader, why don't you say something?"
Vice Leader?
Who was that again?
Oh, right it's...
"No, I will fight instead. And if the squad loses, I will take the blame."
The voice was feminine, sweet yet prideful.
I immediately recognized it.
Sasha Necrostama.
Steve's childhood friend and someone who loved him wholeheartedly. After his death, she became the commander of the Hounds. But what kind of commander? She practically acted like a dog for the protagonist, obeying every order to exact revenge on Elowen.
Whatever the request was, like information gathering on some random unrelated thing she still used to do those bidding personally.
Tsk,
Not this time.
I wouldn't let my Hounds be taken away by anyone. They would soon prove to be my greatest asset.
A creepy smile played on my lips, though I composed myself quickly. Opening the main hall door, I entered.
Silence.
Shock.
Every eye turned to me, surprise etched across their faces.
Clearly, they hadn't been expecting me.
My eyes fell on the only woman present in the room, Sasha.
She had short violet hair, and her matching violet eyes, capable of making anyone freeze in fear, gazed back at me. But for me, contrastingly those eyes displayed concern.
Darmacus.
One of the protagonist's harem members and the Vice Commander of the Salsa Squad. He wasn't an opponent we could defeat.
He was just too strong.
Yet Sasha wanted to fight him in my place and take the blame for the squad's loss, all to shield me from the embarrassment and shame I, as a Blackthrone heir, would face after losing to a junior.
As Blackthrone weren't allowed to ever lose, it was true, especially for their heir, Steve losing means straight-up death.
Even though she was an irritating and boring character in the game, experiencing this side of her now… isn't she kind of cute?
With a practised smile, my gaze drifted over everyone present. Realizing it, they all bowed.
"The Loyal Hounds greet the Commander."
"You may rise, my puppies," I said.
"Puppies?"
"Yeah, your attitude for today's round is in no way befitting of Hounds," I replied sarcastically.
At my words, they couldn't help but look down.
Then I turned to Sasha.
"I will fight," I said firmly.
"But Steve…"
"I said I will. Debate over. You all—tomorrow is the opening ceremony, so start preparing. There will be juniors joining the squads."
"Yes!" they replied in unison. Everyone bowed again and left as ordered, though Sasha's concerned gaze lingered on me.
I could tell what she wanted to say—that I shouldn't fight, that there was no reason for me to act recklessly.
With the most prideful smile I could muster, I said in affirming words, "It will be the Hounds' victory."
"Yes!"
✾✾✾
Qualifier round of the Squad Evaluation Tournament.
It's the annual tournament held every year to determine the rank of the squads and the special privileges they would receive based on their rank.
Today marked the final round of the qualifiers.
The squad that qualifies will have the chance to be ranked among the elite Seven Great Squads that represent the academy.
The Hounds vs. The Salsa
This was the match scheduled just one day before the New Year opening ceremony, and it was the hottest topic across the entire academy.
The reason?
Today, everyone expected to see the arrogant, prideful Hounds finally fall.
Known for their toxic philosophy and habit of demeaning others, the so-called barking hounds were notorious across the academy.
Many were eager to watch them get humbled, especially their leader, Steve Blackthorne, the Iron-Clad Commander.
Steve wasn't just any squad leader. As the heir of the Blackthorne Clan, a family where failure was treated like a crime, his every move carried weight.
His squad's defeat would be more than just a loss. It would be a humiliation for someone who always treated others, especially mages, with disdain.
The arena was packed to the brim.
From the Great Seven Clans to the lower-ranked ones, from fresh newcomers to elite instructors, everyone had gathered to witness this potentially historic moment.
"Get this fight over with already. Everyone knows the outcome,"
A short, white-haired lady remarked as she lounged in a luxurious throne-like chair. Her voice carried the weight of boredom mixed with disdain.
Turning to one of her attendants, she added, "I just want to see what kind of expression that gentle, two-faced, pretentious bastard will make after this loss. What excuse he will come up with after confidently demeaning us mages."
Her sly yet cold smile contrasted sharply with her previously elegant demeanour.
Her disdain for a specific individual, Steve, was clear. Why wouldn't it be? As one of the academy's greatest mages, rivalling even the instructors, she had endured Steve's relentless contempt for mages too long.
Backed by the powerful Blackthrone clan, he had always treated her and other mages as inferior.
But today, that wouldn't work for him.
"So, is he going to show up, or is he coming up with some excuse?" she asked the man standing before her.
"Ma'am, Steve is taking part himself," he replied.
✾✾✾
{A/N}
Sorry for the late update! The story will now be updated every two days, as I am currently writing two novels. Also, please check out my other book—I think you'll love it!
Additionally, due to the chapter being longer than anticipated, it has been split into two parts. As a result, the ending of this part might feel a bit sudden.