Along with the other two homeroom teachers Ryfin was in a room—specifically made for teachers—and was watching the match going on in the arena.
He was sitting cross-legged on a sofa while drinking the red wine he carried in a glass.
Before entering the room he had met with Anya she'd told him that Zero was missing, she also told him to look for him and he confirmed that he will. Then why he was still in the room relaxing like it was nothing?
It was not like he didn't care about Zero or any other student of his class, but if the person who went missing told you to not look for them and that they'll be fine, then will you still search for them—knowing that they are capable of getting out of that situation by themselves?
Well, maybe you would but we were talking about Ryfin here. From what Zero knew he was a mysterious person, but Zero still wasn't able to figure out his true intentions and his true prowess.
Even that time during the entrance exam when he thought that he beat and scared him, he was wrong. Later on, when he reflected on that fight he realized that Ryfin never once tried to go offensive.
Probably he had the ability to overpower Zero there but he didn't because he wanted to play with him, or maybe because he looked interesting to him? There were many possibilities but Zero wasn't able to find out which one was correct.
But while Ryfin was indeed suspicious, he did care about his students indifferent to which student it was. That was why he found Zero even before Anya told her to.
***
[1 HOUR AGO]
The person who was now carrying Zero on their shoulder had left the corridor and now was near the main academy building. No one was here whether it be a teacher or student since all of them were in the stadium watching the interclass training session.
Due to that, that person was able to walk openly without anyone noticing, though when he reached the gate that connected the academy to the outside world he saw that a man was waiting there for him.
The man was leaning back on a wall beside the gate and as he saw that person he moved forward. He was Ryfin, he was smoking a cigarette and had a smile on his face.
"Took you a bit long, huh?" he said as he looked at that person. "Challes," he called his name.
The person carrying Zero was indeed Challes, Challes Alderman; class C's homeroom teacher. He was the one who first immobilized him and then stabbed him in the back with a knife that was dripped in anesthesia and because of that Zero was hanging over his right shoulder with his eyes closed.
"Get out of my way," said Challes as he narrowed his eyes behind the pair of goggles.
"Well, I would've normally but right now you're carrying my student with you. And by the way, are you aware of the fact that he's not a potato sack but a human being? Don't tell me those glasses expired or are just for show," Ryfin chuckled.
There was an air of seriousness around the two teachers and while Challes had a stiff and tensed expression on his face, Ryfin was relaxed and was wearing a smile.
"Heh, still same as ever, huh? Joking no matter what the situation is…seriously Ryfin, when will you grow up?"
"My, my, trust me those words don't sound good coming from the man who has an unconscious student on them," Ryfin teased as he pointed at Zero with his cigarette.
"That's enough kidding, now get out of here," Challes warned
"And if I don't?"
"Then I'll have to force my way out. That's it," Challes stated as he straightened up his back.
"You're saying that as if you are sure about your win."
"Of course, I am. Just because you are the homeroom teacher of a class higher than mine doesn't mean you are ought to be stronger than me," he argued.
"Well, you and I both know that this academy doesn't select its teachers based on their strength, so arguing over that is a waste of time. But let me say this clearly, I'm not going to move an inch until I take back my student. If you wanna force your way out then try it," Ryfin implied.
"I'm not afraid of you, I'm not afraid of anyone. If a fight is what you want then a fight you will get," Challes blustered in an angry tone.
He dropped Zero to the ground and faced Ryfin, for some reason both of them were carrying their swords and now pulled their blades out of their sheath. The two teachers both had longswords and their blades were shining under the sunlight.
"Come on now, finish this quickly," said Ryfin; he was still unfazed and had a smile on his face.
He pointed at Challes with his sword and motioned him to come at him quickly, Challes didn't look quite happy about this since he felt like some kind of good receiving orders from their master.
"Aghhh! Enough of your shit!" Challes screamed as he launched himself toward Ryfin while swinging his sword against him.
<strong>-Clang!</strong>
Ryfin intercepted him with his own sword which he was holding only with his right hand. It seems like Challes wanted to finish this in one attack that's why maybe he put more power in this hit than usual.
But Ryfin was at ease, he was not on the edge at all and was fending off against him without any problem. He threw the cigarette he held in his left hand to the ground for no clear reason and then looked at Challes.
"Is this how you're gonna force you're way out?" he asked.
The next moment he moved his hand, the pressure behind his sword increased all of a sudden and he threw Challes back.