The sun had almost dipped below the trees when the instructors and nine A- rank guards led everyone toward the camp. The area was well-organized—rows of tents on the men's side, another set on the women's side.
Each tent was big enough for four people, with wooden frames and mana-cloth walls to keep out the damp forest air.
Once everyone had unpacked, the clearing came alive with voices. Some students sat in small groups, talking and laughing quietly. Others stood near the lanterns, pointing out the glowing flowers at the edge of the forest.
Near the food table, Ryan was leaning against a post, chewing on a piece of chocolate like it was the most important thing in the world.
Lucas spotted him first and waved the others over—Ruby, Kaelith, Marcus, Aria, Sylphie, and Eren followed.
Lucas grinned.
"You're enjoying yourself."
Ryan shrugged, still eating.
"What? It's good chocolate."
Ruby tilted her head.
"Have you seen Nex anywhere? We haven't spotted him since the teleport."
Ryan swallowed and frowned.
"No… I thought he was with you guys. He didn't come by my tent either."
Kaelith crossed his arms.
"Strange. He's not the type to wander around for no reason."
Marcus looked toward the forest.
"Maybe he's already scouting the area."
Eren shook his head.
"Without telling anyone? That's reckless, even for him."
Sylphie gave a small sigh.
"Or maybe he just doesn't want company."
They stood there for a moment, all sharing the same thought—wherever Nex was, it wasn't by accident.
---
Meanwhile, a soft crackle came through Irene's earpiece.
"Irene, this is Vice Principal Orien."
Her voice lowered.
"I hear you."
"We've got a change in security. Out of the twenty A-rank guards assigned to the Verdant Expanse, only nine can stay. The rest, along with both S-rank operatives, have been sent to Vulkren. A purge is underway—demonic beasts have mutated beyond normal threat levels."
Irene's brow tightened.
"That means we're short-handed."
"Exactly. Because of this, batch two will only be sent after your group completes the mission. Less movement means less risk. I know the area doesn't have many dangers reported, but that doesn't mean you can let your guard down. Make sure every student returns alive, no matter what."
Irene's gaze shifted to the groups of students around the camp—laughing, talking, unaware of the conversation in her ear.
"Understood. I'll keep them safe."
"Good. Don't underestimate the forest. Even without major threats, the Verdant Expanse… changes people."
The line went quiet, leaving only the sound of the jungle settling into night.
---
Away from the firelight of the camp, Nex stood in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the treeline. The sky was now a deep violet, the last traces of sunlight fading behind the forest.
He wasn't here to enjoy the view. His gaze moved slowly, tracking the guards as they made their rounds. Every step, every pattern—he memorized it. Most of the guards stuck close to the lanterns, but Irene moved differently. She didn't waste a step, her sharp eyes cutting through the dim light as if she could see into the dark.
Nex knew he had to time it right. If he left the camp too early, they'd notice. If he waited too long, it would be too late.
In his mind, the pages of the novel replayed like a memory. He remembered this mission, this exact night. The students thought it would be safe. But he knew what was coming. If he didn't act, the quiet beauty of this place would shatter—turning into a night of screams and blood.
His hand brushed the katana at his side, then the smooth edge of the mana potions in his spatial pocket. The headphones around his neck felt heavier than usual, like they carried the weight of the choice he was about to make.
From here, he could hear faint laughter from the camp, the voices of students who still believed this was just a simple test. Nex turned his back to it, his eyes narrowing.
If the moment came, he would leave—slip past the perimeter without a sound—and head straight to the place where the danger would rise. Because if he didn't stop it now, there would be no stopping it later.
---
Nex crouched low behind a fallen tree, eyes fixed on the guards' paths. His mind wasn't only here in the present—it was drifting back to words he had read long ago.
In the novel, both batches had been sent into the Verdant Expanse at once. Nearly four hundred students gathered in this very place.
It had seemed like a normal assessment. Then, without warning, the ground split open and an artificial rift tore through the clearing. From it poured monsters—first dozens of B and C ranks, then larger, heavier shapes that crushed trees as they stepped into the world.
And then the true danger appeared—two S-rank beasts, their presence alone enough to make the air feel like molten lead.
In the story, Irene had been the only S-rank on site. She'd faced both of the creatures at once, holding them back with everything she had until reinforcements came.
But she couldn't protect everyone.
When the dust had settled, four hundred students had become a fraction of that number. Bodies were never recovered—not because they weren't found, but because they had been eaten. Families had begged for something, anything to bury. Most left with empty hands.
The academy had called it an "unfortunate incident." Nex remembered the exact line from the book. He had hated it.
---
Now, he looked toward the camp again. This time, batch two hadn't arrived. That was one good thing. Fewer people meant less chaos if something went wrong.
But it wasn't enough. If the rift still opened tonight, even this smaller number would be slaughtered before help could arrive.
Nex's fingers tightened around the hilt of his katana. He wouldn't let the story repeat itself. Not here. Not now.