The first boss battle was Seele against Blood Rose.
The two figures crossed paths, turning into two flickering, indistinct blurs, moving too fast for anyone to make out their shapes.
All anyone could see was blazing crimson and mysterious light violet dancing around each other. Sparks and purple butterfly-like motes spiraled through the air as the two shadows collided, light and darkness shifting and intertwining so rapidly that it was dizzying to watch.
"Watch out for photosensitive epilepsy."
Rita had no intention of stepping in to break up the fight. Instead, as though she feared no chaos, she began explaining the precautions to the students.
She was not entirely wrong. Rapidly changing light did make photosensitive epilepsy more likely, but this warning was terribly ill-timed.
The students all turned to look at Rita.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Seele, the hero, and Blood Rose, the first villain, settled their match.
She was not that kind-hearted.
She had said the students would fight all the monsters, so the students would fight them. Seele would not put in even the slightest effort—at most, she would put on an act.
She lost.
Seele fell, her face unimaginably pale.
In contrast, Blood Rose was still dressed in rags, yet she was full of energy. She stood tall and straight, without a speck of dust on her, the very picture of a victor.
The Hero had lost.
"Now, it's up to you."
With words that were neither doubtful nor encouraging, she casually dumped the task onto the archers who had followed her here. She acted as though she had expended tremendous effort, retreating as she spoke.
Naturally, the Hero could not have fought for so long for nothing.
She had obtained a "crucial" piece of intelligence and loudly relayed it to her followers.
"She is