Chapter Nine

-Dantte POV-

I sat in a bullhead, head reclined as I stroked the cords on my guitar, slowly the notes came to a lazy melody that I somewhat enjoyed.

In the world of darkness, only music made noise as I-

"Professor Dantte, we are nearly at our destination."

My eyes snapped open and my head straightened, staring at the admittedly tall boy that was wearing green armor, with a simple giant greatsword on his back.

I still thought that he was compensating for something.

Taking a deep breath, I stood up in one motion, sending Aura to my back where my guitar case was located. It opened as the said guitar came in place, magnetically attaching itself in the correct position and a second later, it closed.

Cracking my neck, I skipped over to the hangar where the other three students, favorite students, of my best friend, were waiting for me, followed by the giant, Yatsuhashi.

"You ready professor?"

I looked over at the team leader, Coco, and ignored the seventeen voices in my head that were telling me to shove her out of the small bullhead.

Shoving my hands inside my pockets, I looked over at her with a raised eyebrow as my lips slowly spread into a smirk.

"I should be asking you that, and don't worry, I got the background music taken care of."

As soon as the door opened, I turned around, facing away from it. Putting my hands behind my head, I lean back, falling with style. I'm sure if Nick was here, he would just take a shortcut down, and wait for me like he's always been there.

Very subtle, but very powerful flex.

The ground got closer and I did the only thing that made sense... Nothing!

I impacted the ground and my aura didn't flare, because this was an insignificant amount of damage... huh... the ground was surprisingly comfortable.

I could hear the students land and come closer to me, supposedly to check on me, well, wasn't that sweet of them?

"You okay there, Prof?"

Coco asked, leaning over me. I opened my eyes and cocked an eyebrow. Did this girl know who she was talking to?... Oh, wait.

"Pffft, yeah, I'm fine! Anyway, we have like a fifteen-minute walk."

I stood up, treating the cracks on the ground like they were never there. I could feel the muscles in my face relaxing, turning my face from a happy-go-lucky to an expressionless mask.

This wasn't a walk through the woods with Nick anymore, I had the lives of four students on my shoulders.

"Alright, Coco, take the command, I'll interfere and give advice where needed, otherwise it's all you."

I could see her surprise in my peripheral vision but just gestured for her to take the lead. Snapping out of her surprise, she nodded and walked forward.

"Alright, team, Yatsu, you go in the front, Fox take the right side, I'll take the left, Velvet cover our six, Diamond formation, let's move."

I quirked an eyebrow. Looks like Nick hadn't taught them formations and the best way to arrange the team to their advantage... He forgets the details, some things never change.

I roll my eyes and look at Coco, giving her a stare that she notices. I don't look away, watching her glance awkwardly between the road and me before she finally speaks up.

"Is something wrong, professor?"

I shrugged and looked over the entire team's formation.

"Is this a good formation, Coco?"

She looks over the formation herself and furrowed her brows.

"Is it not?"

Ah, some doubt in her voice. It's understandable, first mission and all that. Still, remember the nervousness of my previous team... I mean, it was in a video game, but there was still strategy involved.

"The Diamond formation is great, but the layout needs work. You accounted for your three teammates, but forgot about the fourth one."

I point out the obvious and watch her figure out the rest. A thoughtful look later, she looks back at me, looking for the advice of a more experienced Huntsmen in the group. That's good, but she can't rely on more experienced people forever, she's the leader.

"Alright, treat it like a videogame, and this is a party of five, Scout, assassin, tank and so on, who do you put where?"

I ask meaningful questions, which I don't do often.

Her eyebrows remained furrowed as she looked over at her team once more and nodded.

"Alright, Yatsu, move forward, Velvet, stay behind him, inform us if you hear anything, Professor, take my place, move in with Fox if you see that Yatsuhashi is getting overwhelmed, I'll provide suppressing fire."

I smirked and did as I was told. The arrowhead formation, or the triangle, wherever you want to call it. We walked in silence, Velvet's ears twitching from time to time.

I would recommend that Fox could be a good scout too, but he wasn't ready, he was making good progress with his Aura sight, but it still wasn't at a level where he could constantly keep it up.

Should probably teach him Aura circulation.

But he still needs to lower the Aura use when he wants to "see". The circulation takes a lot of concentration, and they would take missions in the meantime, if he falters, the consequences will be severe.

I don't want a kid's blood on my hands...

(Since when did you gain morals?)

Shut the fuck up.

A few minutes later, the village where we were supposed to arrive, the village we were supposed to protect came into view...

My eyes narrowed and the ability granted to me by the higher powers reacted to my will. Six clones materialize around team CFVY.

"Stay back, and stay behind my clones, don't move out of the circle."

My voice came out emotionless as I gazed at the village that was in ruins. Bodies of men and women, young and old, scattered around. Blood splattered on the walls.

I took a deep breath, releasing it in a huff as I reached behind to grab my guitar. My clones were already armed, with spears, axes, and bows held in their hands.

This just got a whole lot more complicated.