The more agitated Smoker became, the more his attacks revealed weaknesses.
At first, Leike had to concentrate fully to dodge, but now it had become effortless. Smoker's speed, by contrast, was slowing.
"Hmph!"
Kizaru snorted and vanished in a flash of light, disappearing from everyone's view.
Seeing this, Zephyr didn't gloat. He simply sighed and said to Dalmatiya, "Tell them to stop. There's no need to continue the fight."
Kizaru's departure signaled the battle's conclusion.
With his sharp perception, if Smoker still had a chance to win, Kizaru wouldn't have left. His exit was effectively a concession.
"Enough."
Dalmatiya suddenly appeared between the two combatants, shattering Smoker's attack while signaling Leike to stand down.
"Why are you stopping me?" Smoker asked, eyes red and chest heaving.
"Why should I stop you? Good question," Dalmatiya replied, studying him calmly. "Your break is canceled. Stand here and think. Once you figure out why, come find me and tell me. Everyone else, disperse. Today's lesson is over. Any unfinished battles will resume after the break. Leike, come with me."
He officially ended the class and announced a two-day early break. The final instruction was directed specifically at Leike.
"Teacher, you need me?"
Soon after, Leike arrived at Dalmatiya's temporary office.
He entered and quickly scanned the room, noticing Zephyr wasn't present. Only Dalmatiya was inside.
Bang!
"You know how reckless you were today?" Dalmatiya slammed his hand onto the desk, his voice rising sharply.
"Reckless?" Leike chuckled. "Teacher Dalmatiya, when I first stepped forward, you didn't seem angry. It's just the two of us now. No need to pretend, right?"
"You cunning little brat." Dalmatiya's anger evaporated at once. He shook his head, smiling. "My senior, Kizaru, has always had a tense relationship with Zephyr. Not quite mortal enemies, but always looking for ways to one-up each other."
"Teacher Dalmatiya, you wanted to help Zephyr, didn't you?" Leike asked.
"Zephyr has always treated me well. I naturally don't want to see him targeted. But my senior, Kizaru, has also been kind to me. Stuck between them, I have no choice but to play dumb. What you did today was exactly what I, as a teacher, wanted to do but couldn't. Well done, really." Dalmatiya smiled.
"Thank you for the compliment, Teacher," Leike said humbly.
"But you also angered my senior, Kizaru. If you officially join the Navy in the future, he won't confront you directly, but he will make things difficult. Be prepared for that." Dalmatiya sighed.
Leike understood immediately: Kizaru wasn't a forgiving man. He wouldn't easily forget being challenged.
"Heh, Teacher, you do know my father, right?" Leike said with a faint laugh.
"Oh, if you hadn't mentioned it, I might have forgotten," Dalmatiya exclaimed, then laughed heartily. "I really worried for nothing, little brat."
"Not entirely," Leike shook his head. "My father is stubborn. Even if I join the Navy, he won't give me special treatment. And if Kizaru only acts within the rules to make things difficult, my father likely won't intervene."
"Hmm, that's not impossible," Dalmatiya mused, realizing Leike was right. A smile crossed his face. "But kid, you've thought this through more carefully than I have. My senior, Kizaru, may try to cause trouble within the rules, but it won't be that easy."
"Teacher, you flatter me. If I truly can't manage, I'll still need your support. You can't just watch me suffer!" Leike said with a grin.
"Ah, spare me. Every time I see you, kid, I feel you're plotting something new. Look at what you did to Smoker! If he doesn't wake up soon, his confidence will be completely crushed." Dalmatiya laughed as he chided him.
"Heh, that depends on your skill, Teacher. You kept him here for this very reason, didn't you?" Leike replied lightly.
"You little trickster. Always scheming, and now I have to clean up after you. Who even are you? Out, out, you make me angry just seeing you!" Dalmatiya scowled, half in exasperation, half in amusement.
"All right, Teacher. I'll leave. Take your time…"
Leike stepped back, understanding the subtle message, and withdrew.
As soon as he left, the door on the left side of the office opened.
"Trying to prove your loyalty to me?" Zephyr stepped out with a faint smile, looking at his student, Dalmatiya.
He had clearly overheard the entire conversation.
"Cough, not at all, not at all, Teacher. You're imagining things," Dalmatiya hurried to deny.
"If that was your intention, it's fine. I'm long retired. Even if you wanted to impress me, I can't help you," Zephyr said, shaking his head with a smile.
"Teacher, what are you saying? I'm honored to teach these kids. Your guidance has helped me greatly," Dalmatiya replied quickly.
"Hm," Zephyr acknowledged, no need for further humility.
"Teacher, can't you and Senior Kizaru just sit down and talk? It's not a lifelong grudge. Why make it so extreme?" Dalmatiya asked.
"Are you here to plead for him?" Zephyr's expression darkened, voice turning cold.
"No! Absolutely not! I swear to God!" Dalmatiya knew Zephyr's warning signs well and quickly explained. "I'm on your side, Teacher. I just thought between you two "
"Enough. Stop talking." Zephyr cut him off, walking toward the door. "Mind your own business. If you bring him up again in front of me, don't call me Teacher. I'm not worthy."
Dalmatiya sighed, realizing Zephyr was serious. "Understood."