We got back to the forest.
We already learned how to camp and all.
We all started to sit around the fire.
But... my life feels empty suddenly.
Alpha killed so many people just to save others.
Every time he kills a noble, he sees their families crying...
Kids losing parents.
How can I enjoy my time while my other self is going through all that?
When we sat to enjoy the fire during camping,
I just saw my environment more.
I felt like I was not myself anymore.
I wanted to go back—somewhere.
Everyone was enjoying their time,
but I stood up and said,
"I'm gonna be back."
Then I began to run in the forest.
Covering my eyes—
Trees hitting me from every side—
I just ran and ran... for an hour straight.
My stamina drained.
The rain fell harder.
Eventually, I screamed.
More like I roared,
Just to feel something.
And then I got back to them.
The teacher was saying,
"Is something troubling you?"
Then I said,
"No… There's nothing troubling me.
It's just that I wanted to get something out of my mind.
But don't worry—I'm okay."
Then I walked out.
Zephyr said,
"Ebisu isn't his usual self today… Something's wrong."
Kai and Kazuki were there as well.
Jian added:
"Alpha has killed over 200 nobles and rich people connected with demon stuff.
Now just think about it.
Making so many kids fatherless, motherless…
Destroying someone's family…
All for the face of the next generation and his loved ones?
Doesn't it feel hard?
And you know—
All four of his selves share the same memory.
He can't even sleep because of nightmares,
Blood,
Everything he's going through.
And today...
Alpha reached 200 people.
Even Sigma killed some hunters for survival.
He's just 17.
I feel him.
That's why he sometimes goes blind like this."
Then I joined the chat—like usual.
They were all quiet.
And someone said,
"Let's go have fun."
We climbed up the tree—after the buildings—
High up on top.
We were watching the stars and moon,
Talking about a better future.
That's all.
---
The next morning,
We were told to line up.
We lined up as groups,
And each of us picked a group.
There were 5 containers.
I took the one that looked blue, using ki.
Kai took yellow—after seeing Talia take one that turned out to be yellow.
Then everyone was forming groups by color.
In my group, the strongest were me and Jian.
Coincidentally, we got in the same group.
After a while, we were told to find a dungeon.
Me and Jian ordered our group to stay calm until everyone else got theirs.
Everyone else planned the same—
To find a dungeon fast and secure a great spot.
Then the teacher said:
"Congratulations.
Turn around and look."
And then—
A classic dungeon appeared.
He said:
"You guys passed the test.
By being calm and analyzing your surroundings,
By waiting and watching where everyone went,
You succeeded."
Then we all got into our dungeon—
And the game began.
---
The first Crystal Core Stone was set to appear.
It appea
red in the middle of the forest.
Everyone ran to catch it.
Our group?
Just chilling.
But in our group, they got angry—
And began to lash out.
But no one moved.
Because I said so.
Then the next day appeared.
We did nothing—
Just sat there, watching the scene.
Fights and so many things were happening in the forest,
but we both did nothing.
Everyone else got points and all.
They kept saying:
> "You guys don't have any chance of winning!"
"You're the worst group ever!"
And just like that, the final day came.
I placed two small rocks at our dungeon gate and said:
> "Wait here. Don't go out."
Then I covered my face.
Jian did the same.
We both ran to the first dungeon.
Jian used Spiritwave Cloak—
A skill that made him invisible.
I started to fight.
Ran fast—
Rajin and Kazuki came.
Behind them was Dante.
I fought silly fights—
Just running, dodging, clashing.
Why?
Because my real goal was simple:
To place a small stone in the core stones I touched.
That's it.
And I continued doing the same with everyone.
We came back empty-handed.
Some of our group members even cried.
But I just sat silently.
Then—2 minutes before evaluation time,
Right when everyone let their guard down—
I swapped myself with one of the small stones.
I touched all their core stones.
Got back.
Swapped each one with a colored stone.
Kept doing it.
Every single group.
Finally—the results were announced.
Rowan was so proud,
already sure he'd win.
The teacher said:
> "Group A: 0 points."
"Group B: 0 points."
"Group C: 0 points."
"Group D: 0 points."
"Group E: 160 points."
Everyone was shocked.
Our group?
Confused—
But so happy.
Then Rowan screamed and tried to kill me using Light Spear,
right in front of everyone.
But the teacher stopped him.
I laughed and said:
> "It only took me a minute.
Can you believe that?"
Then I got back to the forest with Jian to meditate.
I didn't realize it,
but I was gratefully becoming Kur
ai himself—
without even knowing.
After all,
I just want to be back to myself.
---
Then she saw me.
She talked about it.
We won...
But it didn't feel like a win.
---
After that, I got out.
Became my usual cold self again.
The teacher said:
> "Go out and enjoy your time."
David took us to places he knew.
Then Jian remembered the plan.
He was going to say it—
but we got into a jewelry shop.
He paid them well and told them to decorate it like a psychic booth.
Then the girls came in,
asking:
> "Who am I gonna marry?"
So Jian used subtle info he knew and began to scam them (harmless fun).
---
Talia went first.
We described Kai—
Even said his name began with a K.
Just like that—
When it came to Roxy,
I knew she kinda liked me…
Just because of my personality.
So Jian described Rajin instead—
Kind of manipulated the image.
And then finally it was Lyra's turn.
He described me—
Even said:
> "You can't be with him now,
But six months from now,
You will meet again and be together."
He even said my name started with K.
She cried hearing that.
It motivated me to finish this year.
---