Estimated Read Time: 7 min
The story is entirely fictional and has no relation to real life.
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Today marked the fourth day of the test. Every team had successfully established a good relationship with the Demonic Forest. All the Demonic Beasts in the first zone were easily hunted by everyone. Although the first zone was large, it wasn't particularly big compared to the other zones, and it didn't have many Demonic Beasts either. Naturally, all teams were heading toward the second zone. Hunting Demonic Beasts was somewhat addictive—a thrill that nobles absolutely loved. Once a weak Demonic Beast was slain, breaking that craving became very difficult. In the same way, nobles from every team were actively searching for Demonic Beasts. Their conversations went like this:
> "Before heading to the second zone, we should clear all the beasts in the first zone."
"I don't understand why the academy brought Commoners along with us."
"Every Commoner freezes in fear at the sight of a Demonic Beast. Why even let them enter the academy?"
"I won't let a single Demonic Beast be killed by them."
"I miss that boy who unlocked the Lightning and Fire attributes. Even though he's a Commoner, he'd pair well with me."
Most of the nobles in every team looked down on the Commoners. There were two reasons for this: one, they were weak; and two, they were insignificant. However, if a Commoner managed to overcome either reason, society still didn't lack respect for them. This time, two powerful attribute-unlocking Commoner boys served as examples.
Every team had some level of discrimination between nobles and Commoners, except for one team—the Chain team. In this team, no one cared whether someone was a Noble or a Commoner. Only Alex was a Commoner in that team; the rest were all Nobles. One member was even the Duke's daughter. Although Dufes and Jayab often bragged about their powers, they never questioned Alex's identity. Out of all ten teams, this was the most balanced one.
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On this fourth day, while the others were heading toward the second zone, Chain's team was busy gathering food. From tree fruits to river fish, everything they could find was collected under Chain's orders.
> "Do we really need to collect food now? The academy-provided rations aren't finished yet."
Dufes grumbled in annoyance. He, Alex, Jayab, Myra, and Snira were gathering fruits. Since no one except Alex could climb the tree, the rest had nothing to do but stand below, catching the fruit he threw down. The others were trying to fish in the river. Dufes angrily threw four or five apples he had in his hands onto the ground.
> "The other teams are already heading to the second zone, and here we are wasting our time. We could have collected this food in the second zone anyway."
Dufes' irritation spread to Snira and Jayab—they too were annoyed at the time wasted. But Myra calmly responded:
> "We are using our brains here. I believe in our leader's decision."
"But we'll fall behind the others." (Dufes)
"The academy gave us seven days' worth of food. If we think carefully, we'll understand why. The path from the first zone to the second zone takes seven days, and we have seven days of rations. Many might think that when the food runs out, we'll just collect from the second zone." (Myra)
Myra offered a simple explanation. Snira then spoke:
> "That would have been better."
"But we're making one mistake. According to hunters, all food in the first zone is safe except for the Demonic Beasts. In the second zone, it's completely different. Most of the food there is impure and could even be fatal."
Everyone fell silent at Myra's words, swallowing hard, and refocused on collecting fruits. Alex, perched atop the tree, didn't hear any of this. He carelessly tossed apples down without revealing his full potential. He could have used his skills to gather all the fruit, but he didn't want to show off in front of everyone.
"All my skills come from the Ring of Biljubab. Since it's a magical item, I don't want anyone to know I possess such a powerful magical tool," he thought.
Alex exhaled lightly and continued tossing apples. Meanwhile, Chain, Eba, Mio, and Luba focused on fishing by the riverbank. Despite Chain being a capable leader, he had one weakness: Luba. He had liked her for five years but had never gathered the courage to confess. When he discovered she was part of this test, his happiness was obvious. Although Dufes and Jayab were supposed to fish, Chain sent them to fetch fruit to impress Luba.
The distance between the two locations wasn't far. Chain kneeled in the shallow water, trying to catch fish, while the rest fished from the riverbank. Several fruit trees near Alex and the others were unthreatening, so there was no fear of Demonic Beasts.
> "At least let a big fish come near me. Luba is watching me. I can't show weakness. And there are two more girls watching me. I have to catch a big one." (Chain, muttering)
Chain kept his eyes on a giant fish, ready to strike, when suddenly:
"Splash!"
A sound like an elephant stepping in water startled him. He looked away, but when he glanced back, the fish was gone.
"So much for being a hero," he muttered inwardly.
Annoyed, Chain made a scowl and said to Dufes:
> "I couldn't catch a big fish for you."
"I'm sorry, but it wasn't my fault. Alex accidentally touched a beehive while tossing the fruit. Some honey spilled on me, and I had to jump in like an elephant."
The bees in this forest weren't ordinary. They attacked anyone who carried the scent of honey. Dufes didn't know this, but Myra, seeing no other option, had jumped in to protect him. Dufes was worried his smooth skin might get even more injured by the bees.
> "What happened to Alex?" (Mio)
Mio asked from the riverbank. Dufes replied:
> "I didn't see him; he was up in the tree. He touched something, and I think something might have happened behind me."
Dufes aimed at something, trying to hit it. A large silver fish fell into his hands. Chain stared in disbelief. The silver fish was two feet long, and Dufes struggled to lift it. Yet, he momentarily forgot to check on Alex.
Meanwhile, Alex had touched the beehive, intentionally tempted by the honey. When a few drops fell, Dufes had jumped in like an elephant. Alex also leapt from the tree in fear, unsure where he'd land. Jayab moved aside, reacting to the bees. Only Myra and Snira stayed, trying to see if Alex was okay, but Alex landed directly on them before they could move.
"Thump!"
The sound of all three falling echoed. Alex was stunned. Because Myra and Snira couldn't move, they cushioned Alex's fall, reducing the impact. Alex's mind froze for a moment—falling on two girls was not an ordinary experience.
> "Uh-huh."
Hearing Myra cough, Alex regained composure, embarrassed, and lowered his head. The others stayed silent in embarrassment. Snira then cast her healing spell:
> "Heal."
Pran Energy users' spells differ greatly from Mana users. Snira, a highly talented noble girl, healed all three instantly. Their minor injuries and bruises vanished immediately.
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To Be Continued…