The next morning, after bathing, Hifung and Ray got dressed in their usual clothes and left the room together.
They made their way to the classroom. Upon arriving, Hifung and Ray sat at separate desks, a fair distance apart.
Hifung gazed out the window, while Ray seemed lost in thought.
Before long, other students began to enter the room, and a few of them appeared surprised to see Hifung and Ray.
Soon, the classroom was full-around a hundred students in total-and the lesson began.
Kobayashi entered the room, carrying a rolled-up scroll in his hand.
He stood at the front of the class, unrolled the parchment, and raised his voice so all could hear.
Kobayashi: By this, it is declared that the headmaster, Yuita, has approved the expedition into the Dako Forest, located at the outskirts of the Selemado Kingdom's territory.
The students reacted with surprise, though some looked confused.
Kobayashi rolled the scroll back up.
Kobayashi: And with this approval, your lessons for the next seven days will be-
Kobayashi: Survival training in the wild.
At that, the class erupted in various responses-some were excited, others indifferent, and a few shocked.
Hifung and Ray exchanged slightly surprised glances.
Kobayashi: We begin now. You have fifteen minutes to prepare.
Kobayashi: Let's go!
Immediately, the classroom buzzed with activity. Students hurriedly packed their things, some dashing out of the room.
Hifung and Ray simply stood up and walked to a corner of the room. Suddenly, Kobayashi approached them.
Kobayashi: You're not bringing anything?
Hifung: Not really. I guess?
At that, Kobayashi gave a faint smile.
Kobayashi: Must be hard adjusting to a new environment-especially coming from the Lower World.
Ray: Yeah.
---
Outside, all the students from Hifung's class were assembled in the training field, with Kobayashi standing before them.
Kobayashi: Okay, first, I'm going to divide you into several groups.
Some students looked puzzled.
Kobayashi: We'll be playing a survival game out in the wild.
Kobayashi: You'll be split into groups of five members each.
He paused, thinking for a moment.
Kobayashi: Should I assign the teams, or would you prefer to choose for yourselves?
Immediately, a cheer rang out from the crowd.
Students: We'll choose!
Hifung heard a bit of commotion nearby and turned to look.
A beautiful female student was surrounded by a flock of eager male students, all clamoring to invite her into their group.
Male Students: Want to join my team?
Male Students: Be in my group!
Male Students: Back off! She's joining mine!
The commotion grew louder. The girl sighed in exasperation.
The noise escalated enough to catch Kobayashi's attention.
Kobayashi: Hey, hey, hey.
He strode over to the group.
Kobayashi: Cut it out, you fools.
At his presence, the male students dispersed, stepping away from the girl.
Kobayashi: Of course you'd act like this.
Kobayashi: Female students will group with other female students. Same goes for the boys.
Kobayashi: No mixing. Each group will share a tent and sleep together.
That announcement made a few of the boys flush with embarrassment.
Kobayashi then walked over to where Hifung and Ray were standing.
Kobayashi: You two are new-Lower World students. I imagine many of the others are wary of you.
Kobayashi: Is it fine if you just team up with each other?
Hifung gave a small smile.
Hifung: That's fine. Don't worry.
Kobayashi smiled back.
---
The students were now walking together from the academy toward the Dako Forest, each with their own group.
Kobayashi brought up the rear, walking just behind the beautiful girl's group.
His gaze lingered on the students ahead of him.
Then, a memory surfaced-one from just a few hours earlier.
---
-A Few Hours Earlier-
Kobayashi stood in Headmaster Yuita's office. Yuita sat calmly, facing the window.
Kobayashi: Are you really going through with this?
Yuita: I am.
Kobayashi: But I'll be the only one overseeing them?
Yuita: Yes. The other instructors are occupied with their own classes.
Kobayashi: And what if something happens to the female students?
Yuita turned his head, eyes resting on the view beyond the glass.
Yuita: I believe they'll be fine. Besides... they're strong.
Kobayashi sighed, said nothing more, and exited the room.
---
-Back to the Present-
Yuita now stood by a window, gazing toward the distant forest.
Yuita: If anything happens... he'll be the one to save them.
In his mind's eye, he pictured Hifung's sharp smile.
---
Elsewhere, Hifung and Ray walked with the crowd. By the time they reached the outskirts of Dako Forest, the sun had dipped low in the sky.
The forest loomed large-its trees towering and dense.
Students: So this is the Dako Forest?
Students: It's massive...
The students came to a halt, lining up before the forest's edge.
Kobayashi strode to the front of the group.
Kobayashi: Alright, children. This is the Dako Forest-the largest in the Selemado Kingdom.
Kobayashi: I'll now explain the game.
Kobayashi: Each group is allowed to capture or battle other groups at any time-but don't go overboard.
Kobayashi: If you manage to capture someone, you must bring them back to your tent and tie them up.
Kobayashi: After one week, all groups will return from the forest with their captured members.
Kobayashi: The group with the most captures will receive a reward from the headmaster.
The students erupted into cheers.
Kobayashi: The rules!
His sudden shout silenced them instantly.
Kobayashi: Fighting or capturing must not result in serious injuries-let alone death.
Kobayashi: Burning the forest is forbidden. That means no fire or lightning magic is to be used inside Dako.
Then, his tone grew even sharper.
Kobayashi: And most importantly...
Kobayashi: Male students are strictly forbidden from capturing or fighting female students-and vice versa.
Kobayashi: Anyone who breaks this rule will face the academy's harshest punishment.
Kobayashi: A punishment so cruel, it was once banned from this world.
Kobayashi: But Jister Academy is not bound by this kingdom's laws.
Fear washed over many of the students at Kobayashi's cold stare. Hifung and Ray, however, remained calm.
Kobayashi: That's all. One last warning-Dako Forest is crawling with dangerous monsters.
Kobayashi: If at any time you wish to surrender, exit the forest immediately.
Kobayashi: I advise you not to pitch your tents too deep within. If something goes wrong, it'll be h
arder to escape.
Kobayashi: Now then... the first-ever survival training in Dako Forest...
Kobayashi: Begins!
With that, the students burst into motion, running into the forest alongside their groups.