The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Despite the chaos, the situation was eventually resolved.

To celebrate, Davey hosted a grand banquet, creating an environment where both noble and commoner students could mingle freely.

He understood that humans were, at their core, creatures of habit. Even those who initially felt indifferent toward commoners would, over time, grow accustomed to their presence. People eventually formed bonds when they spent enough time together.

Discrimination among students was strictly forbidden. Everyone had seen the consequences Koshia Sharen faced, so no one dared to push their luck. Of course, that didn’t mean the divide between nobles and commoners could be entirely eliminated right away—it was a complex issue that would take time to mend.

He gathered the students who were about to begin their regular practice and brought them to the labyrinth he had personally constructed. The students were awestruck as they stood before the entrance, which looked like the ominous lair of a Demon Lord.

"Welcome, everyone," he greeted, standing before them. "I am Davey O’Rowane, your headmaster."

All the students turned their attention to him.

"As you’re all aware, there was some unpleasantness recently.”

In fact, the incident had just happened a couple of days ago. The students began murmuring among themselves before he clapped his hands, silencing the crowd.

"But of course, the academy will continue to function regardless. I’ll ensure that nothing disrupts your learning environment. That said, did anyone here hope this incident would lead to a school break?”

No one raised their hand, though a few students indeed looked visibly disappointed.

Students were the same everywhere, whether at a university hoping for canceled classes or at a secondary school wishing for an unscheduled holiday. Davey wondered if they all just wanted some rest.

"Me!" a lively noble girl called out, jumping up and down. "Headmaster! Is there really any chance for a break?”

She had a cheerful demeanor and a cute face, with a Student Council badge pinned to her chest.

"You just cost everyone a day of vacation.”

"Hm? W-What?!"

"Relax, it was a joke. Once this practical lesson is over, there will be a short break. Don’t worry, Lady Maribel."

"Oh, you know my name…?!” she exclaimed.

"A headmaster who can’t remember each student’s name and face isn’t worth much, are they?"

She made an expression of awe and admiration. It wasn’t every day that a headmaster knew every student by name and even remembered their profiles.

"Now," he said, turning serious, "allow me to introduce you to this labyrinth behind me. I built it specifically for practical education. Inside, you’ll face monsters, traps, ambushes, and all sorts of dangers. It’s an indoor maze, and it will be dark. You’re going to need to rely on your teammates to survive. This will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced in the classroom."

The students had their eyes glued to Davey.

"While you won’t die, this is still a practical lesson. So you may get injured.”

At his warning, murmurs of concern rippled through the crowd.

"Is anyone scared?”

They exchanged uneasy glances. Then, Maribel raised her hand high.

"Not at all, Headmaster!"

"Your goal is simple: enter the labyrinth, navigate to specific objectives, and activate the teleportation magic circles located throughout. These will transport you from the underground levels to the surface."

The magic students looked astonished upon hearing that Davey had created temporary teleportation circles. While they had heard of such things before, they were clearly shocked by how effortlessly he seemed to have achieved something that defied common sense.

"Your mission is to survive for four days. If at any point you believe you can’t continue, or you wish to forfeit, simply call for help—the spirits will locate and remove you from the labyrinth immediately."

The students whispered to one another, clearly wondering if surviving for four days under such stress was worth the effort.

"Of course, it’s your choice if you want to give up now. But you all came all this way to a foreign country to study and grow stronger. Wouldn’t it be a shame to throw away and squander such a valuable opportunity?"

"I’m not quitting!" Maribel shouted, clutching Myuu tightly as she hopped excitedly.

From what he recalled, she was also part of the Art Club just like Myuu. After all, being in another club besides the Student Council was allowed.

"Uh… Headmaster. You said no one will die, but what if multiple emergencies happen at once inside the labyrinth?"

"You don’t need to worry. This labyrinth has far more safety measures than you think.”

From spirits to strategically placed safe houses, the entire labyrinth was prepared for all sorts of contingencies. He had also activated a massive magic circle surrounding the entire place. The level of magic Davey could use was no longer in the realms of the magic taught at school.

"Teams will consist of five members each, and you’re free to choose your own group. Mixes of departments—medical, exploration, swordsmanship, magic, and so on are allowed. Additionally, there will be guides accompanying you, though they won’t fight.”

Elves dressed in green materialized from the shadows.

"Any questions?”

"What kind of reward do we get if we last all four days with excellent performance?" one student eagerly asked.

"Ah, rewards. Of course. Your performance will be evaluated based on your judgment calls, combat aptitude, survival skills, and how well you apply everything you’ve learned. They will all contribute to your points. For the top three teams…"

He paused for a moment then smiled.

"They will receive custom-made gear and have their mana pathways unlocked. It may not be especially helpful at your current level, but it will help in reaching Expert-level mastery."

"Waaaa!" the students erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable.

"Am I missing something? Why are they having such a strong reaction?" Davey asked Archbishop Alice, who just shrugged.

"Word travels fast. The dwarven professors in the Forging Department wouldn’t stop bragging about your skills."

"Oh…”

He raised his hand toward the crowd.

“Silence! Now, for those ranked fourth through tenth, they’ll receive custom-made equipment by the dwarves. As for ranks eleven to twenty, what should I reward?”

The students leaned forward, eager to hear.

"How about… blind dates with the elves at the Divine Tree's Land? Wait… Nevermind."

"Headmaster, you’re the best!" The Student Council President clenched his fist, determination blazing in his eyes. "I’ll make it into the top twenty, no matter what!"

Davey couldn’t help but smile wryly at his enthusiasm. He wasn’t sure why he reacted over-the-top when it was only a joke.

"Well," Archbishop Alice chimed in, "elves are known for their ethereal beauty, but they tend to be hard to approach. The idea of an arranged friendly meeting with them is bound to make them lose their composure.”

It seemed some things were universal no matter where you were. People were people.

After listening to her comment, Davey stared at the cheering students rather uneasily and clapped his hands to draw their attention back.

"Alright, that’s enough. The practical training starts now. But I’m warning you, if you take this lightly, you’re in for a world of trouble."

* * *

"Wow… It really does look like the lair of a Demon Lord," Dukai, the hulking Student Council President and a senior in the academy’s advanced division, muttered as he walked through the darkness.

"It truly does," agreed Maribel, a young countess from the Lyndis Empire and a fellow council officer, walking beside him.

Behind them, an elf clad in white robes followed silently, prepared to shield them from any unexpected dangers. The elf wouldn’t intervene for the next four days, unless the students were in genuine danger or chose to forfeit.

“Listen up,” Dukai began, addressing his group of five, “Our goal is simple: we just need to make it into the top twenty. Got it?”

Two members eagerly agreed, cheering in unison. Maribel, however, shot him a disgusted glare.

“Excuse me, Mr. President, but I’m aiming for first place. I fully intend to get my hands on one of those custom-made items the headmaster promised!”

“Now, now! Think of the greater good; sacrificing a little for the team—”

“Greater good my butt!”

Maribel kicked Dukai, knocking him sprawling to the ground before stomping on him mercilessly.

“Do you honestly think the elves are going to swoon over your massive body? Keep dreaming!”

“Urgh! S-Stop!”

As Dukai flailed helplessly, she slipped on a pair of brass knuckles.

“That aside, I do like being in a labyrinth and dark cave. But it's awfully quiet; there aren’t any monsters.”

At that moment, a commoner girl from their group who had been scanning their surroundings froze.

"Incoming! Ten meters ahead!"

“What?!”

Maribel and Dukai shot to their feet, immediately preparing for combat. It was their first real taste of field training, and so of course they were nervous. Trusting in themselves, they slowly relaxed and prepared for what was to come.

“Maribel, throw the torch!” Dukai barked.

“Oh! Right! Here!”

Maribel hurled the torch into the darkness.

“...”

The flickering light revealed a massive white rabbit walking on two legs, dragging a bloodied minotaur behind it like it was a ragdoll.

“Kyu?”

Tilting its head, its large crimson eyes glimmered like flames.

Dukai gulped. "Hey… I think we’re fucked.”

No one answered, but no words needed to be said to know they were all thinking the same thing.

“Kyu.”

The rabbit casually flung the minotaur’s body aside before flexing its oversized muscles in a series of bizarre, exaggerated poses.

Screams erupted from every direction as chaos unfolded.

At that moment, Maribel and Dukai finally understood what their guidance professor, Olman, had meant when he casually munched on a potato and muttered to them before the training began:

- Sorry, everyone… I wish I could protect you. Just don’t die out there.

They had not known the true extent of what Davey would do to them under the excuse of giving them “lessons.”

ChubbyCheeks & FriedNook's Thoughts

Editorb’s Thoughts

Ayyy, our favorite muscle-bound rabbitmen return!

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