I Reject Quests

Red Autumn Peak.

The students had an anxious frown on their faces. Even the carefree Koshikawa was serious. They knew that they were threading between a thin line of life and death.

A stretch? No. If a mishap occurs, then their fate is doomed. 

"Shall I go and check?" It's been over ten minutes and they still haven't returned. Needless to say, as the oldest of the group, Koshikawa volunteered to survey the area.

"No need. Mitsuhara-sensei told us to stay here." Imada raised his objection.

"Imada's right. What are you going to do if a Zonal Lion suddenly appears?" Sakai also raised his objection.

The others were quiet. It was unknown what they were thinking.

"Alright, fine. I'm taking a nap. Wake me up when they return." Koshikawa comfortably laid down on the carriage and closed his eyes.

Imada didn't know where to start his complaint from. With a sigh, he also closed his eyes.

"What's wrong? Feeling tired?" Aya's voice came from the side.

"Heh, I haven't even done anything so I'm not really physically tired but my mental strength is collapsing." Imada said with a bitter smile. A few days ago, he was a young man with ambitions and looked forward to his life. However, with the tragedy that unfolded before his eyes, he felt himself maturing overnight and as a fifteen-year-old, he couldn't keep up with that.

"I'm the same. That devil… he was too terrifying. I haven't seen or heard of anyone who could so effortlessly destroy lives. Silver ranked Gruer Users were like babies in front of him. Maybe Dean could hold up against him. That's right! Where was the Dean when all of this happened!?" Aya got furious when she thought deeper.

Imada was the same. He couldn't believe how irresponsible the Dean is.

"Well, what did you expect? The Dean who barely visits the academy once a year to fly over here and act like a hero? No, this isn't a story. This is reality. The Dean is probably preoccupied with personal life." Sakai let out a dry laugh.

"This is the biggest and most reputed Academy and you are telling me that the Dean doesn't even live here? That's bullsh*t!" Asuka wasn't convinced of Koshikawa's explanation.

"Believe it or not. That's the truth." Sakai shrugged.

"Cough, cough." A figure approached the carriage.

"Maki-sensei!" Aya was the first one to notice her but as soon as she came near to her, her expression turned into horror. "Wh-what happened to you? And… where is Mitsuhara-sensei?"

Maki's current appearance was ghastly. Her clothes were drenched in red blood. When she coughed, a mouthful of blood was let out. "I'll… talk… later." Staggering her feet, she touched Aya's back and with her help, she reached the carriage.

"What do you need, Sensei? Here's your bag." Koyami's expression was one of fright when saw her state but he calmed himself down and passed the bag to her.

Maki's bloody hands ran through the contents of the bag and took out a H-Healing Potion and drank the entire thing. "Apply… some ointment… on cuts…" With that, she collapsed on the carriage.

The group looked at each other and didn't know what to do for a while.

Finally, Imada spoke up. "Aya, apply ointment around the cuts and take care of her."

"Huh? Okay." 

Imada nodded, then turned to Koshikawa. "Do you have the remote?"

"I do."

"Please roll the carriage."

Koshikawa nodded seriously.

However, the other students weren't very happy about this decision.

Asuka: "Wait a minute, what about Mitsuhara-sensei?" 

Sakai: "Yes, Imada. Let's wait for a few minutes. It might not be… as bad as you think."

"Can't be done. We are moving. Koshikawa, please." Imada understood what he was doing. They were not in a position where they had the luxury to have a casual chat before Maki woke up and narrated what happened. 'Someone had to step up and make quick decisions. If we fall into a slump here, we are doomed.'

Surprisingly, the students complied to his request and didn't raise any objections.

An hour passed by in dreadful silence.

By now, everyone has realized that their only moral and strong support - Mitsuhara is no more.

Maki woke up but she remained quiet. Her eyes looked dead. Occasionally, she clutched her head and opened her mouth and said some inaudible things.

"Imada, it's about time." Koshikawa casually looked at the De-Facto Head of the group.

Imada knew what he was talking about and turned to Maki. "I know it's hard for you but could you try to explain what happened?"

"Imada… she-" Aya was about to raise a voice of protest when the person involved stopped her.

"It's alright… I-I… have a responsibility to… explain myself." Her voice was hoarse.

"Take it slow." Even Asuka's heart softened when she saw her current appearance. 

"Mitsuhara-sensei… fell from the peak along with two Zonal Lions…"

"..." Even though they knew it was coming, it was still a big shock to everyone.

"How did it happen?" Imada steeled his heart and asked.

"H-he… protected me by luring the two Zonal Lions and then… jumped off the peak."

Imada slumped on the carriage. 

The rest looked at each other and stayed silent.

Koshikawa, as usual, controlled the carriage in a carefree manner.

***

Two hours later.

"So… this is the coast?" Aya looked at the beautiful ocean that seemed endless and felt peaceful in her heart. The last two hours were accompanied with cold silence. Although her mood wasn't the best because of Mitsuhara's death, she was glad that her teacher's sacrifice wasn't meaningless. At the same time, she also realized her own selfishness. 

"What's wrong? Depressed?" Imada came from behind.

Aya nodded sadly. "Mitsuhara-sensei had a wife and family waiting for him. What would happen when they learn that he died to save us?"

Imada didn't reply. He didn't know how he should. After a while, he declared. "I'll take responsibility."

"Oh? Responsibility? A brat like you?" Before Aya could reply, Koshikawa sneered.

"What's the big deal? I'm the Leader, ain't I?"

"Don't think too highly of yourself. You are nothing but a kid. What could a kid like you possibly do?" Sakai also commented from the side.

Asuka snorted. "Your entire life isn't worthy enough to take responsibility."

Hearing the barrage of insults, Imada was speechless. "Then what do we do? Leave Mitsuhara-sensei's family in the dark? That man lost his daughter. Even so, he didn't give up and until the end, died protecting us. You all can do whatever you like but I'll do whatever it takes for the news to reach his family."

"When did we say we don't want you to do that?" At this moment, Koshikawa smiled. 

"You just said…" Imada was initially furious but he soon realized when they meant. 'They will take responsibility alongside me.' A warm smile appeared on his face.

"Enough chit-chat. We found the emergency ship. Today, we will take a rest as it's almost dark and tomorrow we'll leave for…" Koshikawa didn't continue.

No, he couldn't continue.

"We'll leave for the Central?" Asuka guessed.

Koshikawa had a wry smile on his face. "I don't know. As the ship engine."

"..." Everyone once again fell silent.