In the end, they recruited a healer from the third year's Beta team.
She was a black-haired girl with glasses who introduced herself as Jasmine.
Taylor already knew her—they'd worked together before—so it didn't take long to convince her. And since it was Hades leading the team, she agreed without hesitation.
As they walked across the training ground, students called out their names, clapping and wishing them luck.
Taylor soaked in the attention like a performer on stage. Jasmine, on the other hand, looked shy and a little overwhelmed. Graham gave everyone a nod and pumped his fist in the air. Hades and Cedric stayed quiet.
Soon, they reached the horses.
Hades climbed onto a familiar stud and glanced at the school gate—where a girl was waving at him.
Kayla.
He smiled and waved back.
'I'll see you soon,' he promised silently, then patted his horse and began to move.
One by one, the others followed.
Their destination couldn't be reached by carriage, which is why they were using this slightly uncomfortable means of transport.
Hades and Graham didn't mind—they were used to it. But for Taylor, Cedric, and Jasmine, the bumpy ride was a challenge.
After a long stretch of silence, Graham looked over and grinned.
"Wanna hop on my back or something, Taylor?"
Taylor snarled, "Your horse's legs are already trembling under you. I'm not risking being charged with murder."
Graham rolled his eyes and gave up on being nice.
Hades remained focused on the path ahead.
They were heading to the mining fields—the site of a massacre that had happened just a week ago. Some miners managed to escape, but over two hundred had been burned alive when a pack of solitary-ranked demons took over the area to make a nest.
It wasn't too far from the school, but the raid was scheduled for tomorrow morning. Tonight, they'd rest.
By evening, they had entered the jungle and set up camp.
Most of the work—pitching tents, gathering wood, and prepping the camp—was handled by Hades. Not just because he wasn't tired, but because he was usually the one who handled those tasks for his team.
As he was setting up the last tent, he heard Jasmine's voice behind him.
"It's still baffling."
He looked at her, eyebrows slightly raised.
"What is?"
She tilted her head and said, "You're a noble, but you don't seem tired at all after riding for so long. And your survival skills are… impressive. Unlike you, Cedric and Taylor seemed on the verge of collapsing already."
That comment made someone freeze.
Hades glanced sideways—Cedric's brows had drawn together, but he said nothing.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Hades took the bowl from Jasmine, refilled it with soup, and gently said,
"Everyone here is exceptionally skilled in their own way. Judging them just by appearance isn't fair."
Jasmine lowered her head slightly and nodded.
"Understood. I'm sorry."
With that, she returned to the tent and rejoined her conversation with Taylor.
Hades took a bowl for himself and made his way to Cedric, who was sitting by a tree, carefully wiping down his spear.
He leaned against the trunk beside him. After a short silence, he spoke.
"Look, Cedric... she didn't know about your condition—"
"I don't need you to defend her or console me," Cedric cut in, voice cold and laced with disdain.
"If every lowlife being could have rattled me, I wouldn't have lasted a week in this hellhole."
Arthur turned silent. He still saw anyone not on his level as unworthy of his attention.
He acted like this everywhere—except around one person.
Rinne.
Cedric's best version comes out around that girl.
Gulping down the remaining content of the bowl in one go, Hades said, "I'm heading out for field inspection. Keep an eye on them."
He didn't get a reply from the Prince, but Hades knew Cedric had heard him. Without waiting further, he turned and began marching toward the mines.
Although he never brought it up—and never joined in when others talked about it—deep down, Hades understood why Cedric remained so cold and distant, especially toward him.
As the Crown Prince, Cedric had always felt the pressure to be the best. Despite suffering from shortness of breath and a weak immune system, he had clawed his way through every obstacle to earn his spot in Team Alpha.
But there were always whispers. Some said he hadn't earned it. That he used his connections. That he took a backdoor into the team.
However, Hades knew the truth—Cedric had earned his place in the team. He was a relentless worker, a disciplined fighter, and a true warrior.
But what he lacked was perspective—especially when it came to Hades.
A friendly rivalry would've been welcome, even respected. It would have pushed both of them to grow.
But lately, Hades couldn't shake the feeling that Cedric didn't see him as a rival... but as an enemy.
And harboring thoughts like that within a team—especially one that had to depend on each other to survive—was dangerous.
Unhealthy.
'Haah, I should focus on the work.' He finally reached the clearing where the dragons had formed their nests.
All the underground mines were now covered and the land above them was captured by more than twenty huge reptiles.
'Hmm? I believed there were more...' The report he received said there should be two dozen dragons, but Hades only could count eighteen.
'Did they fight each other?' He could see blood trails, and it wasn't uncommon for dragons to battle against each other for mating. But he couldn't see any dead bodies either.
'What's with them...' He looked around for a bit more before finding the possible covers and their ambush point.
Once he was done, he turned around and marched back.
Now, tomorrow, he hopes everything goes as he has planned.
°°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Sorry to say, sir...
Please add the book to your collection, and I demand a review by the time you reach the tenth chapter. Thanks for reading.