Goooooooooooooooo!
A gigantic wave of fire, large enough to fill this vast space, surged towards us, undulating. Those who had been attacking us had already retreated, collecting their fallen comrades from my attack, and the giant wave of fire passed over them.
"Fuhahahahaha! How do you like the large-scale magic by five mages! There is nowhere left to escape. Perish along with that insignificant magic you unleashed!"
In response to the giant wave of fire from the five mages, a wolf about three meters tall with a purple lightning body appeared due to the magic I had constructed. It was larger than a normal wolf, but certainly much smaller compared to that giant wave of fire.
"Geek-sensei..."
"Princess, behind me!"
As the wave of fire approached, Sophia stepped forward to shield Eliza. The already heated surrounding air was reaching us.
But—
"Waooooooooooooon!"
"Wha—!?"
As the Purple Lightning Wolf howled, a large amount of purple lightning, the same color as its body, boomed around, and dazzling purple lightning filled the entire floor.
Then, the Purple Lightning Wolf itself ran at high speed, and the giant wave of fire that touched its lightning body was split and extinguished.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Breaking through the scorching wave, the purple lightning wolf pierced through the enemies.
"Im-impossible... Did the magic constructed by five people lose to the magic of just one person... I've never seen such magic!?"
The leader, who had apparently narrowly avoided the Purple Lightning Wolf's lightning, stood frozen in disbelief, staring at the scene before him.
It seems his luck is still strong. Well, that doesn't matter anyway.
"Magic isn't about being big, nor is it about being strong just because many people cast it. It's more important to seek the maximum results with minimal magic power and to construct powerful magic efficiently without waste. Now, I have a few things I need to ask you, but before that, I shall bind you."
"Waon."
"Gah..."
The lightning unleashed by the Purple Lightning Wolf pierced the injured man and the remaining enemies who were trying to escape from here.
"Well, it seems the enemies are all dealt with now. The Headmaster and the knights will likely be here soon."
I apprehended the kidnappers, who were blackened by the lightning. I had the Purple Lightning Wolf hold back somewhat, so while they couldn't move, they were all still alive. I felt like these scumbags deserved to die, but I wanted to avoid killing in front of the students as much as possible.
However, given that they attacked the Third Princess, I believe most of them will face the death penalty anyway. It's not my concern.
"...Geek-sensei. Thank you so much for everything this time. I am truly grateful for saving me and Sophia."
"Geek-sensei, thank you for saving the Princess, even though I spoke rudely to you the other day! I will never forget this kindness!"
Eliza bowed her head towards me, and Sophia knelt on one knee and bowed deeply and formally.
"Those kidnappers were in the wrong, Eliza and Sophia, so there's no need for you to worry. I'm glad you're both safe."
Yes, it was the kidnappers who were in the wrong; these two did nothing wrong.
"Thank you for your generous words. Therefore, I would like to offer you a reward."
"I will do anything I can as well!"
"I have no intention of receiving any reward from you two for this matter. This falls within a teacher's scope of duties. Well, I'll get overtime pay from the academy later, so that's enough."
Even if it's temporary, I am a teacher. I have no intention of receiving a reward for saving a student's life when it was in danger.
A teacher—no, it's natural for an adult to protect a child. If adults don't protect the children with their future, then what will?
"That is not fitting for royalty! No, not as royalty, but as an individual, I am very grateful that you saved Sophia! Please let me offer you something in return!"
"Me too! If we leave without offering any thanks, I absolutely cannot fulfill my duty as the Princess's guard!"
"..."
Both of them are a bit troublesome.
Well, in this world, the basic idea is that great deeds are met with commensurate rewards. I wish the companies in my old world had that mindset.
Furthermore, Eliza may believe it's inappropriate for royalty to be indebted to anyone. Well, after reading the memories of the kidnapper guarding the prison, it seems she truly values Sophia's friendship, as she shielded her with her own body, and she is grateful for saving her childhood friend Sophia.
"Alright. Then, I want you to do one thing I'm about to say. How about we call it even with this incident?"
"Understood. I will do anything within my power."
"I will do anything too!"