"I clearly told you to stay put and not to interfere. I told you twice."

Your sensei said sternly, although the tone of his voice was even and not angry. He was supervising your next exam on the extermination of mid-rank cursed spirits, when you accidentally stumbled upon the nest of a stronger spirit, which was barely within Nanami's reach. The vile creature struck out of nowhere, even managing to wound Nanami. The wound on his shoulder was deep and obviously painful, but Kento stood with a straight posture and even breathing, as if he had a few scratches and a ruined shirt.

You simply wanted to protect, to cover your precious teacher, because you are not a weakling or a coward at all, but both of your impulses to interfere in the fight were immediately prevented and now you were being scolded with restrained condemnation. You wanted to kick up a fuss and stubbornly insist on your own, but the look in his green eyes was too heavy.

"And you have disobeyed twice. Is my word not worthy of your respect, child? Am I some old fool in your eyes?"

He said, gritting his teeth as he bandaged the wound on his shoulder with his own tie.