The headmaster of the school started the speech. He was what someone would call a wise man. Having grey hair and a long beard, he looked wise and anything you asked him, he would be able to answer.

“We called all of you here for a certain reason. It is to inform you about recent incidents and the school year that lies ahead of us.”(Headmaster)

It was funny to see the different reactions from the students. Most of the classes were sitting together. While the 1st years seemed like they didn’t even know about any recent incidents, the older students weren’t surprised at all.

“For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about, I will summarize everything. The black continent, where the nightmare is located at, which emerged a few years ago, made signs of movement. And a small group used that to stir up some trouble between us and the beastmen. If this isn’t handled well, there is a possibility of an all-out war between the 2 races.”(Headmaster)

What shocked me the most, was that they indeed knew about me making my move, but that didn’t apply for the others. They whispered to each other in fear. There has never been an all-out war between 2 races.

That behaviour was explainable, because an all-out war was something that would only end when 1 race is completely destroyed or enslaved and the territory goes to the winning race. And even if there is 1 winning side, that side would suffer great casualties as well and the whole balance between 5 races would be destroyed. If this, as the headmaster said, wouldn’t be handled correctly, it could even mean a world filled with constant war.

“I bet it’s those damn demons.”

I had no idea why, but the situation evolved into some students suspecting the demon race of doing that. It seemed that demons, humans and beastmen had always hated each other.

“Those cunning bastards are surely behind this.”

After every shout, someone else got motivated to support that thought.

“ALL OF YOU BE QUIET PLEASE!”(Headmaster)

Until the headmaster silenced them, of course. That shout wasn’t something you’d suspect from such an old man, but he put his heart into it, so everyone respected that.

“While only suspecting others with no proof, you could search for the culprits yourself.”(Headmaster)

Everyone else finally shut up and it became quiet again.

“This is definitely not the right way to handle this situation. You should do your best to work together with others and not hate each other. That goes between races as well.”(Headmaster)

They were words spoken with a firm believe behind them.

“This is my opinion but, it is better to work together with other people, rather than fighting with them. 4 hands can do more than only 2.”(Headmaster)

After his speech, he received a loud applause. He sat down on a chair behind where he was standing and another teacher stood up and stepped forward.

“This would be how it should be done, but the authorities of both races came to an agreement. To prevent a war, we will hold a contest. The guild system isn’t allowed to be used in this contest, so it will come down to the next generation, to you students to win this contest.”(Teacher)

After the headmaster stepped down, the whispering started again.

“What did those bastards even do that there could be a possibility of an all-out war?”(Ryo)

Ryo asked. No one who heard it could answer his question.

“I mean, we don’t even know what they did and now we have to atone for their sins? Isn’t this a bit too unfair?”(Ryo)

We could only nod at his statement. It’s true, because of them, we had to do a contest, perhaps even with our lives on the line. Not that I would put mine on the line, but it was an unfair situation.

“Silence! I will now proceed to explain the rules of this contest.”(Teacher)

Silence was something else, but at least the rumouring cooled down a bit, so I could hear everything.

“1st, the annual tournament, we humans normally hold, will be opened to beastmen schools as well. This was the condition, on which the beastmen king would agree to the actual challenge.”(Teacher)

And it got louder again.

“Silence, I haven’t finished yet. 2nd, the war will be replaced by a challenge of whoever, can acquire the most islands. Those newly emerged islands, often hold huge amounts of natural resources, or sometimes even treasures, so they are an important asset to help a nation to flourish.”(Teacher)

A challenge was interesting, but it seemed like he skipped some important parts. It was strange, so I needed to prepare myself for the worst. Mentally and physically.

“The school will open the gates for you to freely leave on your own from now on. The quest board will be updated and dungeon quests as well as other quests related to some islands will be added. The time span is 1 year, so do your best to represent us humans until then.”(Teacher)

It was a speech to motivate us students to do the work of the adults, but I was probably the only 1 who thought like that, because everyone else was somehow celebrating that they could finally leave school, not only on 1 day of the week.

“Lastly, but that will only concern a handful of you, there will be a contest of strength between the strongest 5 students of us and the beastmen. It will take place at the end of the timespan.”(Teacher)

Everyone thought with that it ended, but the headmaster added some last words and stole the spotlight.

“You might encounter some problems, but we have opened up the world to you students, have given you a way to prove yourself and represent us humans, so go out and make us proud. And while you are at it, don’t forget to have fun on your new adventures.”(Headmaster)

This triggered an even bigger applause and all the students were cheering. I was probably 1 of not many who realised, why he said those last words.

It was a warning to all of us students. I had to admit, he hid it perfectly in his words.

He wanted to tell us that there are no rules in this contest and that the 2 races even decided to sacrifice their youngsters to prevent an all-out war.

Whatever that group did, it will affect the whole world.