“Hey…!”

WhileFlorenewas throwing a tantrum, wanting to be included in the hunting squad, two people emerged from the crowd gathered to see them off.

“Could you takeFlorenewith you to the hunting squad…?”“Please. If possible, let us join too.”

The ones who spoke wereDwightandMarin.

As I watched the commotion caused byFlorenein a daze, I muttered in disbelief atDwight’svoice I just heard.

“Um… If I didn’t misunderstand, didn’t they just ask to be included too?”“Yeah, it seems they came with that intention, right?”

Sylviareplied with a faint smile as if it were nothing, but I felt a throbbing in my head.Florenewas typically quite a handful, so I could brush off her unreasonable behavior as just beingFlorene.

However, seeingDwightandMarin, who were usually so rational, acting like this made it impossible for me not to feel shocked.So, trying to convince myself, “No, I must have misheard,” I turned my gaze slightly away from reality, but that was impossible.

With both of them packed with backpacks, they looked like they were determined to join the hunting squad.

Just then, stepping forward wasMartina, who was in charge of this hunting squad’s composition, exhaling with a look of disbelief.

“Hah, what are you all doing…?”

Muttering in astonishment,Martinaglanced atFlorene,Marin, andDwightone by one, then stiffened her expression and muttered in a cold voice.“Look, theDolosyoung lady seems to have family issues that should be resolved internally, so I was silently observing… Who gave you the right to ask to join the hunting squad? Do you think hunting witches is a joke?”

Martinaseemed genuinely angry.It was understandable for her to be that way since she was the final decision-maker in forming this hunting squad.

The composition of the hunting squad had already been determined after numerous discussions and careful consideration, and from her viewpoint, this sudden action was akin to disregarding her efforts, so it was only natural she would be upset.Moreover, it was another matter since the perpetrators were much younger students.

However, despiteMartinabeing so angry,Dwightremained completely unfazed as he spoke.“I don’t think it’s a joke. I understand how dangerous this is.”

“…Really? So you know that and are still doing this? Huh, fine. In that case, at least explain to me why you’re doing this in a way that makes sense.”

Martinaseemed to calm down a bit atDwight’sserious demeanor.Yeah, well,Dwightwouldn’t come out here to push his luck likeFlorene.

So, I relaxed a little and watched their conversation, but thenDwightdropped a bombshell.

“To be honest, I acted out of dissatisfaction with the selections.”

“…Huh?”

Dwighthad just detonated something explosive.What the hell… is he crazy…?Did he just say to someone’s face that he was dissatisfied with their handling of business?

With my mouth agape atDwight’soutrageous statement, I caught sight ofMartina’sexpression turning sour.She looked as if she was about to deliver a swift blow toDwightat any moment.

Is this really going to end badly?As I anxiously watched her, it seemedMartinawas holding back something as she askedDwightin a slightly trembling voice.

“So, you’re saying you’re dissatisfied with the hunting squad I picked…? And you came to ask me to include you in the squad…? So, you think it’s strange I didn’t pick someone like you for the hunting squad?”

“Yes, I think that’s strange.”“What’s strange about it! Didn’t I just say hunting isn’t a joke!”

And as she haltingly asked that,Dwightnodded his head and agreed.But towards her furious outburst,Dwightresponded with unyielding seriousness.

“As I said earlier, I absolutely do not see this as a joke. And because I don’t view it as a joke, I’m saying I’m dissatisfied.”

Martinalost her words at his confident stance, and seized the moment,Dwightcontinued.

“This hunt is an important task that cannot fail under any circumstances. Therefore, when selecting a hunting squad, it must be based solely on who would be the most helpful, right?”

He was making valid points, soMartinamerely nodded without a specific response.ThenDwightcontinued.

“However, you failed to do that. That’s what I’m dissatisfied with.”

Martinaresponded with a look of disbelief.“What do you mean by that? I formed the hunting squad with the best selections.”

“No, if you truly considered who would be the most helpful, you should have picked those for the hunting squad regardless of age. But you didn’t do that. That’s proof that we weren’t even considered.”

“Are you saying you’re better than the other heroes I picked for the hunting squad?”

“At the very least, if you truly considered us alongside others, we would have been considered a viable option.”

In response to his confidently assertive words,Martinascoffed and muttered.“Hah, I just valued experience a bit more.”

“Experiences are certainly good, but you must know that it’s not everything. For example, likeSylviaorScarlet, or to give another example, like CaptainYoon Si-woo. If CaptainYoon Si-woowere fine, he would definitely have been included in the hunting squad. If solely an individual’s ability were considered, there’s no reason for us not to be part of the hunting squad. That’s what I want to convey.”

This was a somewhat arrogant statement, bringing upYoon Si-wooas a comparison, yet it was evident thatDwightwas one of the rare few decent people in this world.He was a character who had appeared as a rival toYoon Si-wooin the original work.

And it was true that extraordinary talent sometimes surpassed experience, just asDwightsaid.Even with their lack of experience,Yoon Si-woo,Sylvia,Dwight,Marin, andFlorenemanaged to perform better than other heroes, and that was precisely because of their talents.

Since this came from someone with that level of talent, his words carried enough persuasion.And as if that wasn’t all, with a serious expression,Dwightcontinued to add toMartina.

“Everyone’s future depends on it. Regardless of age, we are also heroes. I believe we can be a great help. Please consider it seriously for the sake of the people.”

A philosophy focused not on personal reasons but for the greater good.Martina’sexpression visibly tightened at those words.

She looked as if she were on the verge of losing her mind because it was so overwhelmingly true that she didn’t know what to say.After a moment of silence gazing atDwight,Martinaeventually let out a deep sigh and opened her mouth.

“…Alright, I acknowledge that having you in the hunting squad would be helpful. I recognize you as an excellent magician.”

Martinaspoke as if she had no choice but to acceptDwight.As a fellow magician, she knewDwight’sabilities all too well.

After saying that,Martinaturned her head to look at whereFlorenewas standing.Florenewore a blank expression, seemingly thinking, ‘Why are you two here?’ while glancing atDwightandMarin.

Despite two burly boys tugging at her arm, she stood there motionless.Martinashook her head as if she was fed up with this scene and muttered.

“…That young lady, at least, should be able to hold her own.”

After saying that,Martinahesitated for a moment and slowly turned her head towardMarin, who was quietly standing besideDwight.

Martina’shead turned awfully creaky, enough for anyone to notice it was uncomfortable.But ultimately, when she locked eyes withMarin, she kept her mouth shut for a moment and finally mumbled in a constrained voice.

“…But, you can’t go.”“Aren’t we going to the seaside this time?”

Marinsmiled brightly as she spoke.Without needing much explanation, her intention was clear.

Marinwas a superpowered individual who inherited abilities from both of her parents.Her fatherLucascould control cold, and her motherNataliacould control water.

Being able to manipulate water meant she would definitely be of help at the seaside, and that’s what she meant.However,Martina, aware of that, shook her head firmly and said.

“…Still not allowed. I absolutely won’t permit it.”

ThenMarinresponded in a soft voice, as if she understood her.

“Is it because I’m my mother’s daughter?”

At her words,Martina’sshoulders jolted slightly.

That was a pointed remark.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com