It was fortunate that I arrived at the station and boarded the train before it left.
Sigh.
In the previous three days, a lot has happened. I've seen death far too many times to count. Right now, I'm completely exhausted. In the last three days, I haven't gotten enough sleep. But it'll be worth it in the end. I wouldn't have gotten my hands on this sword art if I hadn't taken the chance.
Above all, the memory of being reunited with my parents was well worth the risk.
It will take approximately 3 to 4 hours to travel from here to Horizon. I'm not going to be late for class. I shut my eyes. I'm completely spent. Sleep overtook me in a matter of seconds.
****
I was startled awake by a severe mechanical voice.
I immediately made my way out. Fortunately, there is still time. I instantly made my way to Horizon.
I arrived at my class just as the lecture was about to begin.
Jane Doherty didn't show up for the first class.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
If I was late, I would be kicked off this campus. Jane would chuck me out without giving me a second thought.
Even though I slept on the train, it was clearly insufficient. My face shows signs of fatigue.
Fortunately, the training phase did not begin immediately.
We're in the middle of engineering class right now. Because it is not a required subject, there is no need to be concerned. I'm not in the mood to listen to the lesson, despite the fact that this subject fascinates me.
I was sitting alone in a classroom corner, and there was no particular attention paid to a nobody like myself. Nobody gives a damn whether I'm in class or not. So I closed my eyes and rested my head on the bench. Who cares about this topic because it isn't important. I'm not in a position to be concerned about it, either. I'm completely exhausted. So I closed my eyes and ignored everything around me.
****
After a while, a bell rang. I looked at my watch and saw that the class had lasted two hours. That's just too much for a theory class. Well, I get a decent night's sleep, so I have no complaints.
"That's everything for today's class, students. Look forward to seeing you in the next section. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time in my office. Have a wonderful day." The professor gathered his belongings and exited the classroom.
I looked around the classroom as I raised my head. I saw a lot of drowsy faces. The majority of the backbench students are drowsy, but no one slept as well as I did.
This quick slumber helped me recover from the exhaustion I had experienced during the journey.
I was ready to extend my body because I was still drowsy when Jane entered the room and our gazes met.
'Fuck' I cursed inside.
Why does this happening to me?
Why am I always falling in the sight of someone whom I am constantly trying to avoid?
"Good morning, students," she said as she entered.
She took a peek around the room before coming to a halt in front of me.
"I see a lot of lively faces and a lot of exhausted looks, yet someone here had a good night's sleep." While staring at me, she said.
The entire room began to gaze at me.
'Goddamit'
Sigh. There is nothing I can do about it.
She went on.
"In any case, as I already stated, your practical training lessons will begin today."
Everyone began to speak in whispers.
"Quite." Jane's voice reverberated throughout the room.
The entire classroom fell silent.
"As a result, your training part will be conducted in this manner. Each of you will be allocated to a five-person team. Unless something extraordinary occurs, these teams will remain unchanged until after your midterm."
"So get ready in your training outfits, and we'll meet in the training ground in 20 minutes," After saying that, she walked out of class.
****
After a 20-minute break, everyone arrived on time at the training ground. No one wants to get into Jane's bad books because of her personality.
The cadets were talking to their pals about their half-excited, half-nervous expectations, but I was alone. I was the only one alone.
I never actually spoke to anyone at Horizon, now that I think about it. Not a single time. The grandmaster and the railway station lady were the only people I had spoken to. It's not that I don't want to talk to people; it's just that no one wants to talk to me. High-ranking students see me with disdain, while lower-ranking students regard me with pity, knowing that if they associate with me, they will be exposed to the same degree of treatment. It's not like it bothers me in the least.
That is, after all, how the world works in practice.
While I was wallowing in loneliness, Jane Doherty showed up and everyone became silent.
"As I said before, you will be divided into groups of five and these groups will remain the same until after the midterms. Am I clear?"
Everyone nodded their heads.
Jane announced.
"Team members will be selected fairly. Lower rank cadets will be paired with higher rank cadets. It doesn't mean that it will be a free bus for the lower-ranked students. Evaluation will be based on individual performance and as well as team cooperation."
She continued.
"Even though some of you think you are stronger I mean in your scale but that doesn't mean you are stronger overall. Team cooperation also plays an important role. If someone thinks that he or she is stronger and no need to get along with the team then don't expect great marks from me." She said sarcastically.
"I don't care who you are or what your family background is; I am the one who sets the rules, and everyone must follow them. Do you follow me?" Her severe tone shook the entire room.
"Yes" Everyone shouted in unison.
I can see some people who are dissatisfied with the current situation. One of them is John Collins. He is the one who is currently the most frustrated. As I already stated, he is Horizon's most spoiled brat. He looks down his nose at everyone. He may agree to cooperate with someone in his range, but not with those below in rank.
He's the most inconvenient person to mess with. His lackeys will handle all of his nefarious activities. In my perspective, he is the genuine asshole on campus. These are the types of guys you keep an eye out for.
He's the type of guy who, after being vanquished, becomes even more obnoxious. That is exactly what will happen in the future. Thomas will get into further difficulties after he defeats him. He will be pursued by an increasing number of people. After you've defeated one group of people, another will appear. This is going to be a never-ending loop.
Even if he has this personality now, it will change in the future. He remains a member of the good guys. In the future, he will be extremely important.
That, however, is a different story.
I'm hoping I won't be a member of his team. Being a member of his team will be extremely annoying.
Horizon's training classes will be administered by the Great Sage's artificial intelligence. As a result, neither corruption nor persuasion is possible.
The teams were divided after a few minutes.
When I looked at my allocated team, I couldn't think of anything to say.
I was so preoccupied with John Collins that I completely forgot about another obnoxious character.
"Trina Mason"
I don't know how the hell I forget about her?
I was assigned to her group.
'Tsk, this is going to be a hell of a training section.'