Shirei reappeared inside the Lyceum’s office, startling those present. The boy looked around and, with surprise disguised as impassiveness, noticed that Aena was not present.

The Equinox Flowers, on the other hand, were fully booked. Havel was sitting in one of the chairs with one hand covering his face. Elaine was watching some demigods outside chasing each other. Finally, there was Ada, who had her fists resting on Lyceum’s desk and a tense expression, as if she was arguing heatedly with the rector. Mr. D'Agostini was still sitting in his chair, but he was not wearing his glasses and his tie was untied.

“S-Shirei,” the man hesitantly said.

“I received the letter and arrived as soon as possible.”

Ada glanced at him, but suppressed her anger and backed away.

Lyceum took the opportunity to quickly tidy himself up, “Perfect, then I will illustrate the directives of the divine Aena.”

The rector took out a map of central Italy and drew a circle approximately on the border between Umbria and Marche.

“The Daffodil Academy has sent us some notifications about outbreaks of monsters that have appeared further north. They have enough forces to cover the others, but they need someone to take care of this area.”

Havel remained silent, his fingers digging into his hair almost as if he was about to tear it out at any moment,

“Just this?” Cragar's son asked.

“Just this?” Ada echoed, “You didn't understand anything. An entire outbreak and there are only four of us. We need Darryl to fight such a large horde.”

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“Three…” Elaine said with a gloomy face.

Rutia's daughter widened her eyes and blurted out, “What?!”

“Aena instructed Elaine to stay here,” Lyceum explained.

“And where would Aena be right now?” Ada asked, before sinking into the chair, “You're crazy... you're sending us on a suicide mission.”

Shirei watched the scene in silence, causing annoyance on Ada's part.

“Hey, say something, new member. Are you really okay with this?”

Cragar's son nodded wordlessly.

This one is crazier than Havel, Ada thought before turning to the dean.

“What will we do with food, water, clothing and such resources if the battle lasts longer than expected? What if one of us gets hurt?”

Lyceum raised his hands towards her, in an attempt to reassure her, “I have marked some uninhabited areas on the map, where you can hide in case of need. All the supplies you need will be delivered promptly, so you don't have to worry about that.”

Rutia's daughter was about to reply, but was beaten in the race of time.

“Let's go.”

The voice came from Sidal's son, who repeated: “Let us go and exterminate them.”

Havel was filled with sadness and did not think clearly during that moment, Ada knew it. In just one day he had lost a match and his entire reputation had collapsed. For someone with his ideals, a person who wanted to be seen as an unbeatable hero, it must have been a heartbreaking blow to suffer the ridicule of those who hailed him as the strongest.

Ada sighed. She didn't have the slightest intention of dying, but everything in that story sounded like a simple excuse to chase them away.

Aena had ordered their healer to stay at the park, so as to increase the mission time and keep them away. She didn't want them to stay there, or to be more specific, she was trying to get Shirei away from the park.

“At your command, Havel,” Rutia's daughter simply said,

Before leaving the room and, subsequently, the Great Mansion, Ada thought it was right to ask about the goddess of love.

“If I wanted to speak with the divine Aena, how could I do it? Will she be back by the time we leave?”

Lyceum put his glasses back on, “Aena is here, but she's not available.”

“How come?” Continued to ask Rutia's daughter.

“She is dealing with a demigod who arrived a few hours ago,” the rector explained, before adding, “A new forbidden child.”