The next day.
The second-year Healing students gathered together.
Everyone was talking in whispers, involuntarily glancing at Chloe.
The counselor stood before him, holding a record sheet, hesitating a bit:
"Chloe, I remember last year you were under Master Nini."
"Yes."
"Do you still need to select an additional mentor at this time?"
"Yes, Master Heisha's unique insights into healing are something I really need."
"Alright then."
The counselor sighed and said:
"The Ethereal Emblem supports students' rights to make their own decisions, but regardless of the outcome, you need to take responsibility for yourself, please remember that."
The surrounding students continued discussing.
"Is Chloe crazy?"
"Master Nini will shed tears like pearls; she really likes Chloe."
"The main point is, how dare he choose Heisha..."
"Maybe this is the lingering resonance of the strong?"
"Resonance my ass, that's Heisha, it could be deadly!"
The counselor tucked away the quill pen and said, "Chloe, just a reminder, both mentors and students need to agree; you have to pass Heisha's trial first."
"No problem."
Chloe replied with a bright smile.
The counselor shook his head.
Another one seeking their own doom.
Master Heisha's healing team operates on the front lines against demons, and in the past eight years, no student has been able to keep up with her pace.
Not even meeting her criteria, there have only been two students in years who did.
The current team members are healers who have participated in exotic beast wars, with an average power level reaching Sequence Seven.
He shook his head.
Chloe is really going to take a big fall this time.
"Now let's allocate the groupings for the second-year combat classes."
"This time, our partners are the Warrior major, Hunter major, and Voodoo major."
"Teams, please step forward when your name is called."
"Team one: Edward, Isabella, Jacob, Alice."
"Team two: Tom, Severus, Albus, Garrett."
Some students complained.
This random assignment mechanism can be quite confusing initially.
Just choosing a leader is problematic.
Especially when paired with contentious colleagues, the thought of collaborating all semester makes many people's scalps tingle.
Soon, the counselor called Chloe's name.
"Team thirteen: Rooney, Gregory, Teresa, Chloe."
Hearing the team member list, Chloe genuinely smiled.
Just like the classic tropes in games, the protagonist is always surrounded by supporting characters who clash and intertwine, driving the plot forward.
Among them, Teresa Cavendish is exceptionally special.
She is the first heir of the secret society [Night Thorn] and a descendant of the prestigious Cavendish family.
And Teresa's aunt is the mentor Chloe has chosen, the strongest healer of Ethereal Emblem and a body technique master, Heisha Cavendish.
Even though at the beginning of the game, Teresa stands on the opposite side of Rephya.
But as she is moved by the girl's persistence, she eventually turns friends from foes, pushing the hero towards Heisha for cultivation.
Sustained by the Holy Bone-nourished physique alone, Heisha developed Rephya into a monster capable of killing Sequence Seven with pure physique.
Chloe needed a channel to transform vibrant talent into power.
Heisha is the optimal choice.
So he turned his gaze towards the liaison, Teresa.
...
On the other side.
Teresa stood idly on the scene.
"Hello, is it Teresa?"
Two boys appeared in front of Teresa.
One carried a two-handed greatsword on his shoulder, the other with a bow and crossbow slung across his back, and a firearm attached to his waist.
Warrior Class, Rooney Sar.
Hunter Class, Gregory Carlson.
Teresa looked up, expressionless.
Upon confirming they were her teammates, she finally showed a polite smile.
"Yes, nice to meet you, I'm Teresa from the Voodoo Class."
The two exchanged glances.
The excessive politeness carried a tinge of distancing aloofness.
"And the other member is..."
"It's me."
The sound of footsteps approached.
The crowd turned their heads and saw the young man emerge from the shade of the trees.
Summer sunlight blended seamlessly with the young man's face.
Even the indifferent Teresa was somewhat moved.
The young man spoke, "Healing Class, Chloe."
Rooney and Gregory's smiles instantly widened.
"Oh my, are you Chloe from the Healing Class?"
"You're quite famous in our major..."
The instructor's sinister voice sounded behind them:
"Do you still have time for idle chat? Don't forget, your team must bring back an extraordinary creature today."
"Yes!" The two were terrified, and turned to Chloe and Teresa, saying, "Classmates, let's head to the hunting ground first and chat as we walk."
The practical assessment requires hunting demons.
The Ethereal Emblem raises demons in the academy's deep forests to train students' combat abilities.
This is why many people complain about team assignments.
Having incompetent teammates can be disastrous.
The group quickly made their way to the academy's designated hunting spot assigned by the instructor.
Nearing the location, Teresa glanced back at Chloe.
He struggled to keep pace with the group, maintaining a rhythm to avoid falling behind.
Teresa was amazed.
This guy isn't from the Warrior or Hunter Sequence, requiring extensive physical training.
He seemed exhausted, yet ultimately kept up with them.
Not bad.
Chloe's forehead perspired, thinking that vibrancy and immense strength may not directly increase stamina, but eventually have some impact.
Yet unexpectedly, among warriors and hunters, he could only be a straggler.
Is this the standard of the Ethereal Emblem's elite?
"We're here."
Location: Emblem 13 Zone: Giant Wood Jungle
At that moment, a continuous roar emerged from the jungle.
Accompanied by the sound of an iron cage being opened, a giant ape with a silver back stepped out of the shadows.
"Damn, it's a Steel-Backed Giant Ape."
"Tough to fight."
"We have enough firepower but need a frontline who can withstand it."
The Steel-Backed Giant Ape isn't strong in combat.
But its hands are extremely powerful; we need a Shield Warrior to hold it off, or we'd suffer serious injuries just brushing against it.
"Let me handle the Steel-Backed Giant Ape," Teresa said flatly, "Warriors and Hunters should look for opportunities to deal damage. We don't have a Shield Guard, so we must end this quickly."
Chloe glanced at her.
She seemed to have no intention of including him in the combat.
"Everyone get ready, let's start," Teresa gave the order directly.
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
This woman...does she think he can't contribute to this fight?
The battle erupted instantly.
The Hunter first shot a crossbow arrow at its head, only for the projectile to be crushed by a pair of fleshy palms.
The Steel-Backed Giant Ape immediately lunged toward him.
The Hunter took a step back, dodging the attack with a roll, exclaiming in astonishment at the creature's speed.
The ape relentlessly pursued him, nearly reaching him when a thunderous crack sounded.
A thorn-like long whip wrapped around the ape's arm, with Teresa holding the other end, pulling it off balance.
Frightening power erupted from both the person and the beast, but suddenly spikes grew from the whip.
Green thorns pierced the ape's arm, with voodoo seeping in, causing it to howl in pain.
The nearby warrior's expression subtly changed.
She's indeed that someone's niece; this power for a Voodoo Sequence is truly terrifying.
Teresa's feet planted firmly, her waist twisted, and great force swung the Steel-Backed Giant Ape to the side.
Unexpectedly, its hands pierced into the rock, stabilizing instantly.
With a roar, the half-human-high rock was lifted and hurled at Teresa.
"Teresa, watch out!"
The rock howled in the wind toward her, Teresa's pupils constricted instantly as she clutched a rune for self-defense.
Bang!
Immediately, Chloe stomped on the bluestone.
A crisp crack sounded as the stone shattered with a boom.
Suddenly, he leaped, the air echoing with a bell-like whoosh.
Chloe shot out like an arrow, collided with the shattered rock, and struck the Steel-Backed Giant Ape's chest with a palm.
Splat.
The Steel-Backed Giant Ape tilted its head, spewing blood, its body flying backward, roaring as it charged again.
Every clash between the person and the beast produced a dull booming sound.
Teresa looked up blankly:
"Ch...Chloe?!"