After one month of rehabilitation, Leo was released back home, his feel on his mana was still rough but now he could use it at minimalistic level.

Doctors still said that he shouldn’t use it too much and every other day he was taken to the hospital for further treatment. The times between his examinations was also shortened, now he needed to take it once every week rather than once a month.

After one more month school was opened again and he entered his sixth year of school.

When he entered the school gates the memories that seemed to be little muddy were refreshed again. His step turned uncertain, worrying how it would turn out.

He also haven’t seen anyone from his class during this period. He tried to contact David but no matter how much he asked his parents they dodged the topic by saying he was still weak and needed to rest.

He walked through the school, the halls seemed empty for some reasons.

He entered his homeroom classroom and noticed that not even half of the seats were filled. Despite being six minutes early it still was quite weird for Leo.

No matter how hard he looked he couldn’t find David anywhere. He walked over to one of the boys from his class.

“Hi! Where is everyone?” He asked.

The boy turned around. “Oh! Leo! You are alright, we were worried!” The boy looked happily at Leo, there was a hint of admiration in his eyes.

“I’m more or less okay now, but where is the rest of the class?” He repeated.

“Sorry, I’m not really sure, I heard from parents that a lot of people moved after the incident, maybe that is a reason.” Exclaimed the boy. “But you were really amazing fighting that big wolf! You were like a hero!”

“Eh? Not really but thanks.” Said Leo. Kind of happy since it was the first time he was said that he did a good job.

“I wanted to ask you for so long! How did you get so strong!?”

“I used a spell, still I have said it broke my body and I’m still going to the hospital to take rehabilitation after using it so I was said to not use it again.” Explained Leo.

“Amazing! Like the heroes in stories!” said the boy.

“Kids, please take your seats.” They suddenly heard from the front of the classroom. There was standing the vice-principal as always in his suit. His long white hairs made into a low ponytail and he also wore black square glasses.

The kids took their seats. Leo taking his usual seat ended up with no one being next to him.

“Where is Miss Anna?” asked one of the students.

“She is taking a break from work for the unspecified amount of time, for the time being, I will be your homeroom teacher as we currently are low on staff. For those who don’t know my name is Etan Hunter.” He said. “Since everyone is here, we will head to the auditorium to partake in the opening ceremony.”

“But over half of the class is not here!?” protested Leo.

The vice-principal looked at him. “After what occurred a lot of parents decided to move to different city. Of course, that also means that their children needed to change school too.” He explained.

“Then David too?”

“David Brown also moved away with his family.” He said simply stating a fact. “Now let’s go. The ceremony won’t wait for us.”

The kids formed in pairs and followed the vice-principal. Leo still shocked followed at the end alone slowly.

“Hi!” Leo heard someone says from behind him. He looked around and he saw Mary standing there. He smiled but what was stranger she was smiling too. It was the first time he saw her smile ever. “I’m happy to see you again.”

“Me too! I was worried.” Leo replied.

“I hid until everything ended so I was alright. I was more worried about you! You risked yourself to help others, that is amazing.” said Mary.

“I only hurt myself in the process. So it’s nothing great.” He believed that what his parents said about it being stupid was also true. That no matter the intentions he shouldn’t act so rash in the future.

“I still think that you are great. But yes you should avoid getting hurt.” She said still smiling at him.

“Ah, yes I will do that…” Energetic and happy Mary seemed somewhat off to him but he guessed its a good thing in the end.

Continuing afterward with a small talk they slowly made it to the auditorium. Mary sat next to him.

The gym seemed much larger today with most of it being empty. It seems that most of the school body left the institute.

The principal entered the stage and started his speech. “First of all, I want to apologize for our uselessness during what happened last year.” He said bowing to the audience. After what happened the school has taken big hit to its reputation and some people wanted to shut it down. It took a lot of work, use of connection and apologies from principal to make sure that didn’t happen.

“Our lax attitude caused us to fail you. For that, I’m very sorry and I promise you that no such incident will ever happen again. We took steps to make sure that the security was brought up to the most advanced level possible. But don’t worry it won’t affect you in any way. All I can ask of you is to please try to enjoy the school life again.” He said. His voice was filled with strength but at the same time some kind of security.

The principal was filled with determination to not let anything like that happen again. His lax attitude he had before gone.

“As to what will happen from now on. The basic combat class from now on will be closed.” The school had received heavy critique after the media learned that some kid tried to fight the attackers and got hurt in the process. Leo was sad hearing that news. “Other then that for now all classes other than the of the sixth, ninth and twelfth year will be combined and a lot of new teachers will come to our school. I hope that you will be able to enjoy the school even if some things change. Thank you for your attention.”

Afterwards, the principal left the stage and they were beckoned to return to class again.

The rest of the day proceeded as normal they got the schedule of classes for the year and they were told that they could go back home.

As Leo was leaving the classroom he was called by Mr. Etan. “Leo, could we talk for a second?”

Leo went close to him. Mary for some reason followed after him but the vice-principal didn’t seem to mind.

“Leo, today I don’t want to talk about what happened that day. What I want to do is make an offer, to you too Mary, if you would like I would like you to join a post curriculum activities that will happen under our care. We realize that you have talent and we would like to help you grow in that way.” He explained.

Leo tilted his head. “What does that mean?”

The vice-principal sighed. “It would be similar, kind of, to the combat class you took. We just don’t want to say it since we don’t want media to hear about it. It would be little more advanced though. The official name of it would be Physical Training Program.”

Leo seemed to understand now. “Yes! I would like to join!” He shouted happy to join.

The vice-principal put his finger to his lips. “Just keep quiet and speak of it as if it’s just normal physical exercise.” Leo nodded. “And Mary will you join too?”

“If Leo is joining then I will too.” she said.

The principal nodded.

“Okay, I will sing you up.” He said. “You can go back home now.”

Mary and Leo left together the class together. Leo seemed somewhat conflicted since his friend was not here but he was going to train again.

“It’s sad that David had to leave. He was excited that he could join the combat class this year.” said Leo.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure he misses you too but he should be alright. I need to go now. See you tomorrow!” She said as she moved to a black long car on the parking lot.

“Yes! See you tomorrow!” He waved back.

Despite the fact that many things changed and a lot of people were gone, what made him sad, it seemed that he would be able to have at least a little fun it the school.