[Island]
In another place with different circumstances. Shun was currently cooking his and Goran's dinner, as they somehow manage to catch some fish that were swimming in the river. Using primeval tactic such as patience with a spear stick in hand, both of them somewhat manage to catch one and used it to satiate their hunger.
Alongside it, since they found a sturdy rock to lean unto which would prevent enemies from ambushing them from behind, Shun and Goran confidently started their fire in order to keep themselves warm throughout the night.
Feeling the warmth of the flame, Shun couldn't help but be cozied out, as he relish the thought of him spending the first night in cold darkness. That experience was truly a torture for him, due to coldness, it was even quite hard to sleep soundly despite securing a safe area.
Surprisingly Goran is quite adept in this outdoor activities, aside from catching their food, Goran also knew how to start a fire using stones and wood, and also knows how to set up a temporary roof for them for the night. He was like a buff boy scout in knight armor.
"Your surprisingly good at this" praised by Shun
"Well... it takes an experience to get used to it"
"Experience?"
"Yup! When I was young, I used to camp outside a lot before morning during sword training, after all my father said that experiencing pra timing the sword as the sun rise up is quite an exhilarating feeling, of course he was right... it was truly exhilarating... maybe from then on, I kind of got addicted doing my swordmanship training at the break of dawn"
"....."
"It was cold but also warm at the same time, a mysterious feeling"
"That sounds beautiful, your father raised you right"
"Yes... indeed he does"
After that silence Goran then looked at the flames infront of them, before he turned towards Shun and asked.
"By the way, are you planning to win this collaboration test?"
"Win?"
"Yeah! By being the highest scorer of this exam, based on what I remember you can get the highest score in this exam by being the last student remaining on the island or by finding the treasure hidden on the island"
"That is tough to say, after all I met a lot of acquaintance that somehow have grown stronger than they were on the past"
"You say that but you've also grown stronger Shun"
"I can say the same for you, do you really think you can hide it from me? I can feel that you've grown stronger than last year"
"Ahahaha! I won't deny that"
After laughing that out, Goran then looked at the sky, as he then asked once more.
"On the other matter at hand, graduation is just around the corner, what are your plans after graduation Shun?"
"Plans... hmmm you know I've thought of that before too"
As Shun said these words, he then think his choices wisely as such a question is one of the crucial question a person could have during their lifetime. After all whatever answer he says, such words will be the life changing choices they will make to carve out their future.
Often times students who reached their last school year are asked by such questions, of course some answers that they will plan to work, go to other country, marry their fiance's, assist their family business, take care of their own parents and many more. For Shun who was once a neat and a dropout in his old world, he didn't expect to be asked by such a question himself.
"Honestly, I'm not sure, of course I'm already in a relationship with Sephiria and is somewhat acknowledged by her parents, so it is natural that I will marry her one of this days... of course this include the passing of responsibilities as a Duke to Sephiria making me its co-owner of some sort... but all of those future are future where both of us are involved, as for personal future plan, I'm not sure"
"Not sure?"
"Yeah! But if you ask me, then maybe I'll try to return as an adventurer and experience the world first before facing my responsibilities... after all before becoming a fiance of Sephiria, I was an adventurer first"
"I see... your life is full of adventure"
"What about you?"
"Me? Well I'm thinking of applying for a spot in the royal family knight corps."
"Royal family knights? You do know I'm quite close with Cedric right? Want me to recommend you?"
"As much as I would like that, but I don't want you to do that"
"Why? It's a recommendation, it's the same as me sponsoring you"
"Well because I want to get accepted through my efforts and skills not from connections, I have my honor Shun... but if you want to support me, I would greatly appreciate it if you could do that once I've made a name for myself" said by Goran with a smile
"You... alright! That's a promise"
After that talk, the fish they caught finally finished in cooking itself, as Goran then quickly took it before it gets burned and handed one towards Shun. However before they could even take a bite, they suddenly sensed a presence walking towards them, causing Goran to quickly stick his fish back to the ground and picked up his sword and shield to face the enemy. Accordingly Shun also did the same as he stood up and begun opening his summoning book.
Since it was night and the moon is currently covered by the clouds, the only thing both Shun and Goran could see was the silhouette of the person walking up to them as Goran immediately stepped forward to do his job as a guardian knight. But before he could even do anything, the moon then finally came out as its light illuminated the surrounding, revealing Rosalyn stepping out from the darkness.
"Rosalyn?"
"Hey guys"
As both sides greeted each other, Rosalyn stomach then begun to grumble as Shun reized her state and offered.
"Fish?"
Unbeknownst to them another magic pop up appeared to the sky as it revealed the result for the 2nd day on the island.
1st day remaining 3rd year students:
Ascalon Academy - 360
Horoscious Academy - 190
Orbium Academy - 230
Ballad Academy - 253
Elludkal Academy - 310
Gritonnia Academy - 208
Total: 1561 students
Eliminated students: 126