Read 30+ advance chaps at my p@treon
[email protected]/LordDraco
Replace @ with a
And there are back in marvel
And my P@treon name is Life's A Fantasy.
So, don't get confused if you guys can't find LordDraco
******
His eyes narrowed.
"An arrogant leader who looks down on her comrades can only lead them to defeat."
He pointed toward the quieter girl.
"And who exactly is 'trash'?"
"Have you ever fought for your life? Do you know how she'll react when facing death? More importantly... do you know how you'll react?"
He crossed his arms.
"Real battles are nothing like classroom exercises. More often than not, those who boast the loudest are the first to die."
His glare intensified.
"So keep your mouth shut... unless you're eager to lose another fifty points."
Having lost half her evaluation score in a matter of seconds, the girl lowered her head and didn't utter another word.
Ash couldn't help but approve of Binlow's response. Status, talent, and noble blood meant very little when facing a monster intent on tearing you apart. Overconfidence was one of the fastest ways to end up dead.
Soon, the group assignments were finalized.
Everyone was assigned to an specific team. The team composition was one healer, one warden, battlemage, two magic knight.
Ash, meanwhile, was assigned to a different group. His teammates instinctively glanced at him with mixed expressions. Some looked relieved after recognizing his name and reputation, while others appeared slightly nervous, unsure what to expect from someone who had risen so quickly through the academy after only a month of intensive private instruction.
Ash simply offered them a polite nod.
"We'll introduce ourselves once we're inside the forest," he said calmly. "Standing here won't accomplish anything."
His composed demeanor eased some of the tension almost immediately.
One after another, the Professors opened Warp Steps for each group.
Ash and his teammates stepped through the shimmering portal, arriving in the middle of a dense forest.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Ash's attention shifted from his teammates to the surrounding environment. His sharp eyes swept across the trees while his mana sense expanded outward, searching for any traces left behind by magical beasts.
It didn't take him long to find them.
Several deep claw marks were carved into the trunks of nearby trees. Some were fresh, while others had weathered with time.
Territory markers, Ash concluded.
Many beast species marked the boundaries of their domains this way, warning rivals to stay away.
While Ash quietly inspected the surroundings, the other four members of his team gathered together, introducing themselves and exchanging a few words. Every now and then, one of them glanced in his direction, wondering why he seemed more interested in the forest than in meeting his teammates.
Ash paid them little attention for the moment.
Understanding the environment came before introductions. In a survival exercise, information was often more valuable than strength.
Meanwhile, a few dozen kilometers away, the ruler of the forest was enjoying its first morning nap, snoring peacefully.
One of its gigantic front paws rested over its eyes, shielding them from the warm spring sunlight.
With every slow breath it took, world energy flowed into its massive body, nourishing its mana core and gradually pushing it closer to its next evolution.
Numerous tiny birds hopped fearlessly across its curled body, chirping happily as they searched for insects among its thick fur.
No creature in the forest would dare attack them while they stood upon the highest throne.
"Boss! Boss!"
An enormous Ry came galloping toward the sleeping beast. Standing over two meters (6 feet 7 inches) at the shoulder, its golden fur shimmered with shades of red and yellow beneath the sunlight.
The birds ignored its arrival, continuing their business without concern.
"Wake up! It's that time of the year again!"
The Scorpicore jolted awake, instantly alert.
"Oh gods, no!" it groaned.
"I could swear I only had cubs a few months ago. Finding a decent mate is such a hassle. Not to mention how much attention those adorable little furballs need."
It let out a dramatic sigh.
"Thanks, M'Rook, but I'll pass. I need some quality time for myself."
If a human had been present to witness the scene, they would have seen the Ry bury its face in one paw in utter frustration.
"Not that!" M'Rook snapped.
"I mean the man-pups from the made-mountain have invaded your territory again!"
The Scorpicore immediately sprang onto all four legs.
Stretching lazily like an oversized cat, it arched its spine and extended its powerful forelegs, forcing the birds to scatter into the sky.
"You idiot!" it growled, towering over the Ry like an adult scolding a child.
"You should've said that first!"
A savage grin spread across its monstrous face.
"Finally... some entertainment."
Its tail swayed excitedly as its voice echoed through the forest.
"Alert every den."
"I hereby declare..."
"The hunting season open!"
Meanwhile, back on Ash's side...
Clap!
Ash brought his hands together in a sharp clap, the sound echoing through the quiet forest.
All four of his teammates immediately turned to look at him.
"Now then," Ash began calmly, "judging by the looks on your faces, it's obvious that none of you has ever hunted in a real forest before. So, from this moment onward, I'll be the leader."
The declaration immediately caused several of them to frown.
"And why should I—"
Before the young noble could finish speaking—
Boom!
The gravity around him suddenly intensified.
"Argh!"
His knees buckled before he was slammed face-first into the ground.
The other three instinctively stepped back in shock.
Ash looked at the struggling student with an indifferent expression.
"Unlike you fools, I'd very much like to pass this exam."
His gaze slowly swept across the rest of the group.
"So you have two choices. Either you accept my leadership... or I'll beat some sense into every single one of you."
The threat hung heavily in the air.
Ash folded his arms behind his back.
"As you all know, there are generally two kinds of leaders."
He raised one finger.
"The first is the respectable leader—the one who walks alongside his team, earns their trust, and leads through cooperation."
Then he raised a second finger.
"The second..."