Outside the squad building, on the street leading to the training ground.
At this moment, under Rozen's lead, the girls belonging to Team E601 were walking here.
Around them, students were chatting and laughing as they walked by. When they approached Rozen and his group, they were first stunned, then surprised.
"Isn't that Rozen-senpai?"
"Rozen-senpai is actually coming to the squad building?"
"Is he planning to return to squad activities and not transfer to the Alchemist Division?"
"But why is he with those people?"
"Aren't those the three from the F-rank squad?"
"What is this...?"
The surrounding students whispered among themselves, astonished and puzzled, causing many to stop in their tracks, forming a state as if they were escorting Rozen and his group forward.
In response, Rozen said nothing and just walked on.
As for Misora, Lecty, and Rico, they were weighed down by the surrounding gossip and pointing fingers.
"Misora..."
Lecty hid behind Misora, not daring to expose herself to everyone's view.
"Do... don't worry, Lecty. Those guys are just jealous of us. Stay strong."
Misora quickly comforted Lecty, but her expression and words were somewhat forced.
Being a squad that often lost battles, Team E601 had long been subjected to others' mockery and contempt. Normally, they were used to it, but today's situation was worse than before.
Others were no longer giving them mocking and contemptuous looks but rather surprised and suspicious ones, making the members of Team E601 feel even more uncomfortable.
Even Rico clicked her tongue and spoke up.
"They dare ignore me, a goddess, and focus on that man. These commoners in Mistgun truly have no taste."
Rico expressed her displeasure in her usual manner.
Normally, when Rico walked down the street, she would also attract strange looks, even though she was indeed outstandingly beautiful. However, her unappealing personality had long made her the subject of others' scorn.
At that time, Rico could still regard others' looks as jealous ones, at least their eyes were on her.
But now, everyone's gaze was on Rozen, naturally making Rico feel uncomfortable.
However, the reactions of the surrounding people also told the three girls a reality.
That was...
"That 'Hero of Humanity' really came to be our instructor..."
The same thought arose simultaneously in the hearts of the three girls.
Clearly, even after their previous interactions and introductions, the three girls still found it hard to feel a sense of reality.
On one side was the most popular and powerful hero in Mistgun and the Floating City Alliance.
On the other side was the weakest and most problematic squad in Mistgun.
The disparity between the two was too great.
As a result, it was difficult to grasp the reality that the former had become the instructor of the latter.
But no matter what, Rozen indeed had a bit of interest in these three girls.
So...
"Alright, let's stop here."
After arriving at the training ground, Rozen stopped.
"Which training ground is this?"
"Why... why is there no one here?"
"I've never seen such a spacious training ground."
Misora, Lecty, and Rico looked around.
Now was the time for afternoon practical training courses. Normally, the training grounds in Mistgun would be filled with squads of Sky Wizards training.
However, in this open-air training ground, there was not a single person, and it was much more spacious than other training grounds, which surprised the members of Team E601.
To this...
"This is my exclusive training ground. The authority over this training ground has long been given to me. Others cannot enter without my permission, not even the members of Special Task Force S128. So, you are the second squad to enter here, aside from the Special Task Force."
Rozen said with a smile.
"An... an exclusive training ground...!?"
The three members of Team E601 were speechless.
"I... I've never heard of any squad having an exclusive training ground!"
Misora shouted in surprise.
"A... Amazing..."
Lecty looked at Rozen with eyes of admiration.
Only Rico frowned and spoke.
"You brought us to the training ground. You don't mean to have us train here, do you?"
Rico asked this question.
"What? Is there a problem?"
Rozen was curious.
"Of course, there's a problem," Rico said without hesitation, "Why should I, a goddess, sweat and train? Sweating and enduring harsh training isn't something I should be doing, right?"
This woman said such incorrigible words with her usual righteous expression.
"You're saying that again, Rico." Misora angrily said to Rico, "Every time we ask you to participate in the squad's training, you use this excuse to escape. I can't believe you're still saying that now!"
It seemed this was not the first time Rico had said this.
"Ri... Rico." Lecty also weakly said, "You... you can't do that. If you don't work hard, you can't become stronger."
Lecty tried to persuade Rico.
But Rico was indifferent.
"That's for you. I'm a goddess. I'm already strong. I don't need this barbaric training."
Rico flatly refused everyone's persuasion.
"You...!"
"No... don't fight, Misora!"
Misora wanted to do something to Rico immediately but was hurriedly stopped by the flustered Lecty.
As for Rico, she stood there calmly, ignoring Misora and Lecty, her gaze fixed on Rozen.
Seeing this, Rozen met Rico's gaze.
Then...
"I see, you don't like sweaty training?" Rozen nodded in understanding and said, "Indeed, I also hate sweaty training. I used to avoid physical training as much as possible and sometimes didn't participate at all. I can understand your thoughts."
Upon hearing this, Misora and Lecty were stunned.
Rico also froze for a moment and then spoke lightly.
"Since that's the case, then..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Rozen interrupted her.
"Since that's the case, I'll have you do a different kind of training."
As soon as the words fell...
"Zing!"
On Rozen's body, the brilliance of magic began to shine.