The survival lesson had begun.
All the students dashed into Dako Forest, setting up tents in well-hidden places.
Hifung and Ray ventured deeper into the forest. Hifung glanced around, alert.
He noticed a few groups of female students also pitching tents far inside the forest.
Hifung: The girls came this far in?
Ray turned and spotted the same groups.
Ray: Hmm… Maybe they don't trust the other guys. Better safe than sorry, I guess—so they're setting up camp deep inside the woods.
Hifung: Oou...
They continued running until the girls' groups were no longer visible behind the thick trees.
Ray: Hifung, I think we should set up camp here.
Hifung: Yeah.
They stopped running and began gathering wood from the forest floor.
As they worked, a faint vibration pulsed through the ground.
Hifung: They're already fighting?
Ray: Probably.
---
Night fell.
At last, their tent stood complete—snug between several large trees.
Hifung and Ray conjured fire magic in their hands to warm themselves.
They had also caught a wild chicken, now being roasted by Ray's flame.
Once cooked, Ray brought the roasted chicken to Hifung, offering the plate with a faint smile.
Hifung returned the smile and accepted the plate.
Hifung: Thank you.
They ate together until nothing remained.
---
As midnight approached, the two of them sat outside the tent, keeping watch. But Hifung was starting to feel sleepy.
He glanced at Ray, who was staring intently at the sky.
Hifung: Ray?
Ray turned to him.
Ray: What is it?
Hifung: You seem… like you're thinking about something?
Ray: Y-yeah. I once studied wind directions.
Hifung: And?
Ray lowered his gaze slightly, his voice soft.
Ray: If my calculations are right... a massive storm is heading our way.
Hifung's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his face. He had his doubts, but he trusted Ray.
Hifung: Ouh… That might be true. But if a storm is coming, then Mr. Kobayashi should help the students before it hits.
Hifung: What matters now is that we sleep first. If the storm really comes, we'll need all our strength to run.
Ray: Yeah.
They both crawled into the tent and fell asleep.
---
Unbeknownst to them, high up in a tree near their tent, Kobayashi watched them silently—before turning and vanishing into the darkness.
---
The next morning, Hifung stepped outside the tent and scanned his surroundings.
Suddenly, a scream of pain rang out from not far away, loud enough to wake Ray. He rushed out of the tent, alarmed.
Ray: What was that sound, Hifung?
Hifung turned to face him.
Hifung: Ray...
Ray stepped closer.
Hifung: That sounded like someone in pain.
Ray: Let's check it out.
Hifung nodded, and the two of them leapt from branch to branch toward the source.
---
They arrived above a scene—one tent, with five women gathered outside.
Hifung and Ray dropped from the trees and approached the group.
There, they saw clearly—Kobayashi was holding a male student who screamed in agony.
Hifung: Mr. Kobayashi?
They hurried over.
Some of the girls noticed the two approaching and instinctively stepped back.
Kobayashi looked up and noticed them. He gently lowered the screaming student.
Hifung: What happened here, sir?
As soon as Kobayashi laid him down, the student fainted—shocking Hifung and Ray.
Kobayashi: He broke a very serious rule: no attacking the girls' groups.
That made Hifung and Ray sigh in partial relief.
Kobayashi: That's enough. You two return to your tent. I'll escort him out of the forest.
Hifung: O-okay...
Suddenly, a strong wind blew, nearly tearing Hifung's cloak off. He managed to catch it in time.
Kobayashi, the girls, and Ray held on to their belongings to stop them from flying away.
A few seconds later, the wind died down. The girls exhaled in relief.
Kobayashi: That was some strong wind...
Hifung adjusted his cloak again and turned to see Ray—still staring at the sky.
Kobayashi: Well then, I'll be going now.
Girls: Yes… Thank you so much, sir.
Kobayashi: You're welcome.
He carried the unconscious student and departed from Dako Forest.
Hifung and Ray quickly returned to their tent.
---
Hours later, just outside Dako Forest, several groups who had failed the survival test were already gathered.
Kobayashi stood beside Yuita, eyes full of concern as he gazed into the forest.
Kobayashi: Are you sure this is alright? This storm... it's the strongest we've had in decades.
Kobayashi: What if something happens to the students?
He looked at Yuita, clearly hoping for reassurance.
Yuita: This is a gamble. If I'm wrong, I'll take full responsibility.
Yuita: But if I'm right... then he will be the one to save his friends.
Dark clouds rolled in overhead, and the wind howled louder.
Even Hifung and Ray's tent trembled in the wind. The boys looked at each other, worry etched on their faces.
Kobayashi: But… what if you're right, and they still can't survive it?
Yuita stayed silent for a moment, eyes fixed on the dark clouds in the distance.
Yuita: Don't worry. This storm is just like the one back then—when he was with me.
Kobayashi was left speechless.
The wind grew more violent.
Hifung: What do we do?
Ray: A storm like this… Mr. Kobayashi or Mr. Yuita should be rescuing the students by now.
Hifung: It's strange... they're not here yet.
Suddenly, a powerful gust nearly tore their tent apart.
But thanks to their quick thinking, they anchored it with earth magic.
Both of them pressed their hands to the ground and summoned walls of stone around the tent.
After finishing the protective structure, they sat down, breathing with relief.
Hifung: Now we just have to wait—either for the storm to pass or for someone to come get us.
Ray: Yeah.
---
Back at Yuita and Kobayashi's position, the storm had reached them.
But Yuita's fire magic spread around them, warming the air and holding the tempest at bay—for Kobayashi and the rescued student groups.
Kobayashi: Now, only Hifung's group and one other male group
are left inside the forest.
Hearing that, one female student gasped in panic.
Female Student: Sir! Shelyn hasn't returned yet!
Both Kobayashi and Yuita turned sharply toward her, alarm flashing in their eyes.