The news about Sharkai Bai opposing Xia Feina's punishment quickly reached the academy's four masterminds.

"Oh? The young master of the Sharksea Clan? That kid with special powers—daring to declare war on the academy like that. Should we even send someone over?"

Kami Miraishi of the New Wing Divine Church in the Western Sea lounged on a sofa in pajamas. He took fine wine from a nearby maid and read Dishi's letter with keen interest.

"Just a mere boy. Leave this to the academy's apprentices."

"I was thinking the same."

Xuanyuan Xingluo, head of the Xuanyuan Clan, and Yamamoto Takedazou showed no intention of sending anyone special.

Kurayama Sekai, the tenth leader of the Northern Kingdom, sighed helplessly at the three before him. "Even if he's just a boy, we should show some sincerity to Dean Dishi. Forget it—I'll send someone from our side to meet that Sharksea Clan young master."

In a castle-like villa in the Northern Kingdom, Situ Sheng, about to rest, received an urgent letter. "You bastard. You really do anything." He set the letter down, having received the same order as the Celestial Engraved Magic Academy's top apprentices.

The Volcanic Archipelago lay closest to the academy. Sharkai Bai and Xia Feina were here now, but the white-haired youth couldn't stand the heat. "If I hadn't seen the map confirming a town exists here, I'd never believe anyone lives in this hellhole." Sharkai Bai yanked open his collar, wishing he could strip naked.

"It's fine. As someone who once surpassed the Grand Magus level, my body's resilience remains." Xia Feina wasn't affected by the heat at all.

After more walking, Sharkai Bai tore off his shirt, revealing a chiseled chest and six-pack abs. "Oh my, you've been hiding quite well, perverted Bai-classmate," Xia Feina teased, eyeing his perfect physique without a drop of sweat on her.

"This hellhole? Once is enough!"

"Don't worry—the town's close. They must have cooling measures."

"I hope so, or I'll collapse."

One drenched in sweat, the other utterly relaxed, they walked toward town.

Suddenly, a distant volcano erupted with a BOOM! The blast formed a giant mushroom cloud.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!——!

Volcanoes kept exploding, closing in on the one near them.

"Xia Feina! Get behind me!"

"What's happen—"

"Someone's come to greet us!!!" Sharkai Bai roared, pupils dilating as explosions neared.

As the volcano before them blew, a young figure stood atop the roaring flames. Who on the entire Aire Continent could freely control elements and trigger fire-linked eruptions besides ancient Grand Magi?

————The answer now stood before them.

Situ Sheng—an old acquaintance of Sharkai Bai, leader of the Northern Kingdom's Five Dragon Kings, the Fire God himself. A monster who commanded volcanoes at will. He descended amidst erupting fire.

"Tch. Didn't expect you to work for the academy. If I knew you'd be first, I wouldn't have come to this hellhole..." Sharkai Bai glared up at Situ Sheng, fists clenched.

Flames behind Situ Sheng coalesced into a giant fire dragon, charging straight at them.

BOOM——!!

Sharkai Bai punched the dragon apart, but his fist burned fiercely.

"I ask you—what are you doing? Though you always loved thrills back then." Situ Sheng landed, speaking in a detached tone as fire pillars shot from the volcano toward Bai. "But this time? It won't end well for you."

Unable to use One Hit Kill again, Bai shoved Xia Feina aside and rolled away.

"Perverted Bai-classmate!!!!"

"You're safe! Leave it to me!" Bai sprang up and charged.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

Fire pillars blasted from the ground as he dashed, dodging clumsily. "I just want——to protect those around me!!!"

He finally reached Situ Sheng, fist raised—One Hit Kill fully recharged.

"...

Situ Sheng murmured something, unheard. Just as Bai's fist neared his face, a massive aura erupted, blasting Bai backward. A flaming wheel engraved with runes appeared behind Situ Sheng.

Situ Sheng soared skyward. Fire dragons erupted from volcanoes.

BOOM! Bai punched one dragon away, then dodged the rest.

2 minutes 30 seconds!

While evading, he counted One Hit Kill's cooldown.

1 minute 50 seconds!

1 minute 30 seconds!

50 seconds!

30 seconds!

The crisscrossing fire dragons suddenly merged into one colossal beast.

(Damn—he's charging me with that? I can't dodge something that huge...)

Bai expected a dragon collision, but Situ Sheng landed on its head and rushed him.

(What am I thinking!)

5

4

3

2

1

One Hit Kill recharged just as Situ Sheng closed the gap, lunging with a flaming Great Sword.

THUD!!

The sword grazed Bai's cheek—but his punch slammed into Situ Sheng's chest, sending him flying.

(Hmph.)

Situ Sheng's mind went blank mid-flight.

He slowly opened his eyes after who knew how long. The ground was cratered from his own flames. Sharkai Bai had already left with his target. Situ Sheng stood, dusted himself off, and vanished.

"I'll see you off here."