Amber gave a kind, but half-hearted laugh to Clay's jest. The rest of the party didn't respond.
The Western Tower's Commander plummeting from the sky had interrupted everyone's contemplation of their future goals and immediate plans. However his visit was too brief and surreal to distract them. However his visit had made them rethink their most immediate priorities, namely their camp was now a terrible mess and the stench of scorched meat and the insides of a bear was not the ideal environment for a serious discussion.
"Well, since we've met the ... well rescue team I guess, we don't need to hold position any longer. Let's move camp upwind a ways." Clay suggested.
"Agreed!" Amber and Iris replied in unison.
Decision made the party made short work of packing away the tents. Jack, while anxious about the missing Nox realized it would be easier for Nox to find him than for him to find her. He decided to trust her and wait while subtly delaying their departure. However it didn't even come to that, before he even managed to completely pack away his tent Nox trundled back up to him. She was moving far slower than her normal pace no doubt due to the immense web-covered object she was dragging behind her. Whatever prey she had snagged this time was nearly twice her own size.
Jack, who was currently crouched finishing the deconstruction of his tent quickly escorted Nox back to one of the large pockets of his overcoat along with her food. He then finished putting away his tent and walked around the small clearing they had camped out in making sure they didn't leave anything behind.
With two weeks of practice the party quickly finished deconstructing camp and hiked a mile or so before finding a new somewhat smaller clearing. Setting up camp took even less time, in less than five minutes they were sitting in the middle of their camp opening new ration packs. They ate in silence for a few moments before Clay spoke up.
"Childish squabbling huh?" Clay muttered seemingly deep in his own thoughts.
"What's that?" Amber who half heard him inquired.
"Hmm? Ah..." Clay seemed to be startled out of his contemplation by the sudden question and took a few moments to formulate a reply.
"I was just thinking about what Jack said earlier, 'childishly squabbling for first place'... is it truly childish to strive to do your best and achieve glory and honor?"
Clay's response while directly opposing in opinion to Jack's original question was not spoken dismissively. It was a genuine question asked thoughtfully, in an attempt to understand the opinions of the party. After taking a moment to organize his thoughts Jack spoke.
"Of course it is a virtue to try to the utmost to put in all of one's effort, but this 'contest' between students serves no purpose. 'First Place' is merely a decorative title, at the end of the day humanity gains nothing. The Academy's graduation competitions sets us all against each other and risks fostering hatred and grudges between we who should be comrades all with no tangible gain. Instead I believe this time is best spent preparing - training and researching to become as strong as we can before we graduate so that we can do our best /where it matters/ - out in the wilds, reclaiming lost human territory."
Jack's irritation leaked out as he spoke, harshening his words. Clay's response was firm and opposing.
"While dedication to studying and training on one's own is admirable, the highest potential can only be brought out through the excitement and intensity of competition."
With the embers of an argument kindled, Iris decided to fan them.
"Anyone who can only put in their best effort with the promise of public recognition and /fame/ isn't suitable for our line of work."
Seeing the embers nearly fanned into full flame Amber attempted to intercede.
"Let's not fight, mother always said 'It takes a variety of ingredients to make a cake, and their difference is as essential as their combination.'. Hehe" she gave a somewhat awkward chuckle, "All of mom's metaphors are baking related,,,"
Perhaps it was from the wisdom of the words, or maybe the unexpectedly apt baking metaphor, regardless due to Amber's words the threat of all-out fire abated and the embers cooled somewhat. Clay was a very straightforward person he immediately responded in explanation or perhaps apology.
"I have no intention of starting a fight. It's merely an accepted fact in my family that friendly competition fosters growth very well. My family has a long history of military service and has had many Academy graduates over the years. The traditions of competitiveness and growth through amiable rivalry are somewhat deeply engraved."
Jack nodded understanding, one of the basic tenets of the military was comradery, they viewed those they worked with as family. While it wasn't impossible for bad blood to form between members it was much less likely than in Academy students who were highly prized and prone to arrogance. Rust, however, voiced a problem none of the rest were aware of.
"Friendly competitions are well and good, and this field trip is just that... However the graduation exam this year will not be so laid back, I'm afraid. Not once the prize for first place is revealed. This is confidential information only available to those in charge of the Academy and the Council as such I do need you to remain silent about what I'm about to tell you, understood?" Rust gave a stern glance at the people around her.
"As you know the graduation exam most years is mainly to boost the image of the Academy with the 'generous' prizes given to the ten highest scoring parties. previous years prizes mostly consisted of first rate equipment and guidance on cultivation direction and runic combinations. Things clearly meant to boost the parties strength, survival chances, and potential and in doing so benefit humanity as a whole. This year however the Council has issued their own reward for the top ten parties, they are going to personally teach them."
With this single statement of Rust's contained more words than she'd spoken in the entire time Clay and Iris had known her, but that small fact was only half as shocking as what she'd just told them.
"The Council, those few peak level human cultivators, are going to teach students personally? They're not taking disciples nominally and having subordinates train them?" Clay wasn't sure his ears were working properly. That or perhaps he had misunderstood. But Rust nodded in response, reaffirming what she'd said. After a further moment of shocked silence Iris spoke.
"I cannot even begin to imagine the commotion that will occur when the public hears of this descision. There are people who would quite literally /kill/ for such an opportunity. If it's announced before the exam the competition this year will be hideously intense. Far from being a productive, this will draw a massive dividing line between the 'victors' and the 'losers'. Jealousy and unrest in the rest of the graduates and even those who've graduated in the years before us..."
"The Grand Families raised those concerns, and others as well, however the Council wouldn't hear any of it..." Rust reported, "They said what they wanted and left apparently."
The party silently finished eating while digesting what they'd just heard. It seemed like the next few weeks would be chaotic, even if they did keep to themselves. Considering this new information for several minutes, Jack offered a new opinion.
"Originally I intended to suggest we quietly prepare, put in a decent effort in the exam, and get an average result before giving our full effort in the field. But now, ... this isn't just a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is an opportunity that has never appeared before and as far as anyone knows might never appear again."
Clay's reply was immediate and in line with Jack.
"Definitely, no matter what we can't miss this. No matter how you look at it being taught by those at the peak would ensure a bright future, and allow us to do even more for humanity and the Remnant." Clay glanced around at the party, "Are we all of the same opinion then, to put our full effort in, to do our best to get into the top ten?"
There was a moment of silence before a unanimous response in 'yesses' and 'yeahs'. While neither Rust or Jack wanted to attract undue attention by scoring too highly while being the 'worst party' no one was willing to pass up this chance. An air of determination and seriousness began to settle over the camp. It had yet to even fully settle when it was broken by a startled yelp from Amber.
The rest of the party jumped immediately to full alertness, searching for danger. Their wariness lasted for less then three seconds before they relaxed. Over the last week they had all become numb to the sounds and presences of numerous wild beasts, enough so that when the embear nearly ambushed them it took them quite a while to notice the lack of them. Now the reverse had happened, as used to the presence of strange half familiar creatures as they were they hadn't noticed that they had been surrounded once again by a crowd of them. The party reflected briefly on their lack of caution and awareness.
While most of the animals remained quiet the sheer number of them made their surroundings somewhat noisy just by rustling the nearby bushes and breathing.
"Hey, Jack, do you have to deal with this number of animals all the time?" Clay asked.
"No, common animals aren't so attracted to me, although they are still all rather attached I've never had a crowd quite like this."
"If this is how it's going to be going forward, it'll be impossible to perform any stealth maneuvers." Iris observed drily.
"We can worry about that when we need to worry about that, for now how about we worry about getting some sleep." Jack retorted.
With such a full day behind them, at the mere mention of sleep the entire party felt a wave of exhaustion pass over them. With a brief discussion they decided it was indeed about time to call it a night. Even with all the noise from the surrounding animals it took almost no time at all for them to drift off to sleep.