The group eventually reached the cave. After a quick survey to make sure there were no other monsters nearby, they infiltrated the cave.
The cave was dark and humid. The walls in the cave had some mana crystals that illuminated the cave a little but the moss growing on the walls of the cave covered the crystal's light.
When the group entered, they saw a group of ten Variant Imps.
"Ten of you, go deal with them. First come, first served." Professor Martha said as she looked at the students.
Most students were hesitant but ten students charged straight at the imps with no hesitation.
Leywin was one of the ten. This was a chance to prove himself to the professors. Most importantly, this was a chance to see how much his hard work and training paid off.
Leywin drew his sword during his charge and slashed downward. The imp was taken aback by the sudden attack and was cut by the sword.
After catching up to speed with the situation, it looked at the cut on it's chest and wanted to roar. But leywin would not let it alert its companions in the cave, he slashed horizontally across the creature's face.
Unfortunately, the imp retreated, but its mouth was cut open. It's jaw was now hanging on its face.
Enraged, the imp charged at Leywin, it swung its arms as two black slashes came out from the tip of its claws and flew towards leywin.
Leywin moved to the side to dodge the first slash and jumped over the second slash. On his way down, he sprung around like a beyblade as he slashed downward towards the head of the imp.
The imp moved back but there was already a line going down its torso. The imp looked down at the gash on its chest. Rage filled its heart and eyes, but when it lifted its head to look at the person who hurt it to this extent it was already too late. All it saw was a sword en route to its head.
Shing!
The imp's head fell to the floor.
Leywin placed his sword back in its sheath and walked to the corpse. After a couple of seconds, he walked towards the group with an orb in his hand.
The orb is a monster core, they contain the monster's innate skill. If a person's affinity/ability corresponds with the monster's, the person could get the monster's innate skill. This is one way a person could gain skills.
Most people sell them if they don't like the monster's innate skill or if the skill is not compatible with their ability.
"Great job as always, Leywin." Professor Sam praised.
Although Leywin was not the first to kill his opponent, it was impressive that he was the third. Especially when the other nine students had and used their abilities.
Leywin nodded with a neutral look on his face, but if you looked deep into his eyes you would see a glint of happiness. If he wasn't surrounded by people he might have cried tears of joy. This was proof that he had not wasted his time. This was the validation he didn't know he needed; his hard work had paid off.
"Professor, where should I keep this monster core?" Leywin asked, showing the professors the core.
"As a reward for risking your lives on this trip, any monster cores you get, you can keep." Professor Kim said with a beautiful smile.
When the other nine students heard that, they went back to the corpses to get their core.
Leywin smiled.
Today was great. Not only can he fight monsters and improve, but he also gets to keep the monster cores. He can surprise his mother with the cores when he gets home.
Leywin's smile widened even more at this thought.
"Let's move on, " Professor Martha said as she secretly glanced at Leywin.
…
Two hours passed.
The group has cleared most of the cave. Although the cave looked small from the outside, it was quite huge inside. The cave had different tunnels that led to areas with groups of imps. Which helped the students hone their fighting styles and increase their battle experience.
Leywin was excited because he could feel his movements getting sharp, more decisive, and each of his attacks inflicts more damage. So far, he has killed fifteen E rank monsters and try to catch up with the first and the second place holders.
First place had killed eighteen monsters and second place killed sixteen monsters.
Leywin was doing his best to get first place, he wanted to show that having an ability does not automatically make a person better than someone who didn't.
Unfortunately, the two ahead of him have Metal abilities which are known for their versatility.
The students are a part of the Metal Clan, one of the four big clans. They are also Professor Martha's students.
As the three top students competed for the first time, they got a little carried away as they chased after the imps and diverted from the group.
"Stop! Do go any further!" Professor Martha yelled but it was too late.
"Don't worry, I will follow them, " a professor said and went after the three students.