In the forest behind Akron Academy, where towering trees stood like silent sentinels, each as massive and ancient as a hundred-year oak tree, the students of the combat divisions had gathered.
Swordsmen, mages, spearmen, and other aspiring warriors filled the clearing, their uniforms marking the pride of their disciplines.
The professor overseeing their training had yet to arrive, leaving the students to cluster into small groups.
Laughter, hushed chatter, and the occasional boast drifted through the air as they exchanged rumors, compared techniques, and speculated about the day's lesson.
Among the many groups scattered across the clearing, one in particular stood out—Vivian's.
He was flanked by two girls whose beauty was so striking it could make even a dead man's heart flutter.
Yet, to Vivian, they were something far beyond human comprehension.
Their presence carried an otherworldly weight, a sense of difference that normal eyes could never fully grasp.
"Haa…" He exhaled, stealing a glance at them.
Only a few days ago, he had been beaten soundly by the pair, but afterward they had soothed him with gentle words, admitting they might have been too harsh and even encouraging him to make some male friends.
'At least now I can talk to the other guys,' Vivian thought with a small sigh of relief.
What he didn't know, however, was that the girls were playing a clever game of stick and carrot, and this idea came from Marinate Hamsborn, the most scheming girl in the academy.
At first Charlotte was reluctant as she didn't wanted to admit that Marinate was more scheming than her but in time she thought that it was a good idea so she agreed.
Her scheme was to first punish him for his actions, and then dangling the comfort of friendship as the reward.
"Princess, do you know what kind of test it will be?" Marinate asked, her lips curved in a gentle smile as she looked at Charlotte.
Charlotte shook her head. "I don't know. I resigned from the post of student council president six months ago," she explained. Her voice carried a calm finality.
"So even you don't know?" Marinate said, a faint disappointment lacing her words. Still, her expression softened as she continued, "By the way, Princess, have you heard the recent news?" With that, the two girls drifted into another conversation, their voices carrying lightly through the clearing.
Meanwhile, Vivian let out a quiet sigh. He still had no idea what kind of test awaited them, but one thought kept his spirits from sinking too low, once it was over, he would be allowed to return home for a week.
The thought stirred a small excitement in him. It had been six months since he last saw his family.
It would be nice to surprise them, he mused, picturing their faces when he appeared at the door without warning.
Just as Vivian was lost in thoughts of how he might surprise his family, the clearing fell silent.
The casual chatter of the students faded, replaced by the steady echo of footsteps, firm, deliberate, and carrying an air of authority.
He turned his head, breaking free of his daydreams, and his gaze landed on the figure approaching the center.
A bald man, his frame packed with muscle, strode forward with an intimidating presence.
A jagged scar ran across his face, stretching from his left cheek all the way to his forehead, cutting diagonally toward the right side like a mark carved by battle itself.
He looked every bit the part of an intimidating figure as he stopped in the center of the clearing, his fierce gaze sweeping across the gathered students.
After taking in each face, he finally spoke, his voice sharp and commanding.
"Students of the second year, I am Professor Garhard Retrakes. Today, I will be observing your examination."
The declaration struck the clearing like a hammer, yet not a single sound followed.
No whispers,no murmurs, only silence.
Every student knew the weight behind that name.
Garhard Retrakes was not merely a professor; he was a Swordmaster of the Empire.
Though counted among the lower-ranked Swordmasters, the title itself was enough to place him far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
He continued, his voice carrying clearly through the silent forest.
"This midterm exam will be different. You will be divided into groups of three and sent into the dungeon located within this forest." He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in before speaking again.
"Your task is simple: hunt the monsters within and collect their magic stones. The more you gather, and the greater their value, the higher your score will be."
He finished, his sharp eyes scanning the students as if asking them whether they had any questions or not.
At last, a hand rose. It belonged to Kafrik, the top student of the Swordsmanship Department. Standing tall, he asked, "Professor, are we allowed to choose our own team members?"
"No, you may not," the professor replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
With a flick of his hand, three wooden boxes appeared out of thin air, drawn from the subspace ring on his finger.
"In these boxes are identical numbers," he explained, his gaze sweeping across the students. "Each of you will draw one slip. The two others who share the same number will become your teammates. That is how your groups will be decided."
Though many students couldn't hide their disappointment at the announcement, a few let out quiet sighs of relief.
Among the disheartened, none looked more displeased than the two princesses—Charlotte and Marinate—whose expressions tightened ever so slightly at losing the chance to pick their partners.
In contrast, the happiest of them all was none other than Vivian. His shoulders eased, and a faint spark of relief lit his eyes.
"Now come and pick one," the professor instructed as he stepped back, giving space for the students to move forward.
One by one, they approached the boxes, each drawing a small round disk etched with a number.
Vivian too followed the flow and soon found himself holding one, 7. That number would decide his companions.
Just as he was about to look around for whoever shared it, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
The hairs on the back of his neck bristled. Someone was glaring at him.
Instinctively, he turned his head, and his heart nearly sank.
Walking side by side, holding their own disks, were none other than the two princesses, Charlotte and Marinate.
"Viv," Marinate called as she strolled toward him, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "What's your number?"
Vivian hesitated, weighing whether he should reveal it. After a moment's pause, he finally gave in. "I… got 7. What about you?"
"Ohhh!" The exclamation didn't come from Marinate alone. Charlotte, standing beside her, also voiced her disappointment.
From the way both princesses reacted, Vivian could immediately tell that their numbers didn't match his.
Hiding his slight happiness, Vivian asked, "What about you guys? What number did you get?"
The two princesses exchanged a glance, their displeasure at each other unspoken but evident. Then, in unison, they said, "10."
"What? You both got 10?" Vivian asked in disbelief.
"Well, yes," Charlotte admitted, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"Then we'll find the last member of our team, and you should find yours," Marinate said, stepping closer. Her gaze turned cold. "And don't think that if we're not around, you can just wander off and flirt with other girls."
Charlotte, for the first time, agreed with her. "It can't be helped if you end up matched with girls," she warned, her tone sharp. "But stay in line, or you'll pay dearly."
He knew better than to argue with these lunatics, any defiance would surely earn him another beating.
So, he simply nodded, muttered a quick "goodbye," and set off to find his companions.