The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and pine from the outskirts of the academy. Today wasn't a normal class. Instead, the headmaster had announced a special expedition: students would venture into the Beast Reserves, a controlled wilderness filled with tame—but challenging—creatures, to familiarize themselves with their abilities, systems, and classes. It was also a test of skill, teamwork, and adaptability.
Arthur Frederick adjusted the strap of his satchel, the System interface flickering faintly before him. He had spent the previous night exploring its menus, acquiring his class, and learning the rhythm of his first skill—Shadow Strike. But today, the stakes were different. This wasn't practice with wooden dummies. There were living, breathing creatures here, each with unpredictable behavior. And the other students… would test him as well.
The expedition began with a gathering near the Reserve gates. The instructors gave a brief overview: "You are to capture or subdue the creatures using your abilities. Cooperation is allowed, but your performance will be evaluated individually. Think of it as a contest, a race, and a test of skill rolled into one." Whispers ran through the crowd of nobles. Many of them glanced at Arthur with the usual mix of amusement and skepticism. He was just another new student, unknown, unproven.
The gates opened, revealing a vast expanse of forest, streams, and cliffs. Magical energy pulsed faintly in the air, feeding the creatures' senses and enhancing their natural instincts. Arthur stepped forward cautiously, observing a small pack of wolf-like beasts not far from the path. Their fur shimmered with faint elemental energy, a sign of the academy's careful manipulation, but their teeth and claws were real.
He activated the interface, checking his attributes and skills. The Misfit condition loomed over him—x2 effort, half mana—but his strength and speed bonuses felt pronounced here. It was a situation tailor-made for him: raw agility, tactical strikes, and calculated maneuvers would outperform pure magical reliance.
As he advanced deeper into the forest, a rustle of leaves caught his attention. Three students emerged from behind a cluster of trees, their expressions smug. One stepped forward, a longsword in hand. "Well, well… what do we have here? A new student wandering alone?" he said, voice dripping with arrogance. "I hope you're not planning to embarrass yourself."
Arthur tilted his head, calm, unshaken. "I'm not looking for trouble," he said.
"Trouble looks like it found you," the tallest one sneered, raising his sword. "Let's see how strong you really are."
The three lunged simultaneously. Arthur didn't hesitate. His body reacted before thought—Shadow Step activated, allowing him to blink slightly to the side, avoiding a clumsy overhead swing. Using the speed bonus, he closed the distance in an instant, his fist connecting with the first student's chest, sending him stumbling back. The second swung a dagger, but Arthur anticipated the angle, countering with Shadow Strike to the arm, disarming him instantly.
The third tried to flank him from behind. Arthur pivoted mid-step, striking a tree beside the student, producing a sharp crack that startled the would-be attacker, then delivered a swift kick that left him sprawled in the underbrush. None of it was excessive—just precise, controlled, enough to teach a lesson without bloodshed.
The three groaned, scrambling to their feet, their eyes wide and filled with disbelief. "Who… are you?" one whispered, shaking.
"Arthur Frederick," he replied simply, stepping past them, his attention already back on the forest and the beasts ahead. He didn't linger. There was no need to announce his strength. The expedition, the system, the challenges—they would reveal everything in due time.
As the day progressed, the contest continued in bursts: groups of creatures to subdue, small competitions between students to see who could capture the most or demonstrate creative application of their abilities. Arthur moved like a shadow across the Reserve, exploiting his strength, speed, and skill while conserving mana. The other students began to whisper, no longer out of amusement, but out of cautious respect—though none knew why he seemed so capable.
By the end of the day, bruised yet exhilarated, Arthur had successfully captured more creatures than any other single student. Yet he remained calm, adjusting his system and reflecting on what he had learned. Twice the effort, half mana, yes—but the interface, the class, and his physical edge had made him formidable, even without relying on flashy magic.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the Reserve in gold, Arthur leaned against a tree, letting his System interface hover before him. Notifications blinked softly—skills ready to upgrade, creatures analyzed, attributes logged. A faint smile played across his lips.
The expedition was over, but this was only the beginning. In a world that demanded perfection, effort, and cunning, Arthur had made his mark.