Soon the group entered the magic space wrapping gate, changing their view from an open field to a rectangular path leading somewhere.
The narrow path was wide enough for two individuals to swing their weapons or fight Mors.
"Mors don't usually come to fight here on their own in low-level Hell Gates. First follows a path to a different room where groups Mors are present." Aizeck explained, "So fighters with the good defence have to follow first, followed by close combatants whilst supporters, long-ranged and other personnel remain at rear. With that, Asamio and Kevin will follow first, and then Wendy. We will remain at the rear and observe the rest."
'Just like RPG setting.' Benny thought as he listened to Aizeck's explanation.
Though it didn't stop Wendy and the rest of the fighters from showing their disgust at Benny. Benny didn't know why Sammy was an exception from their displeasure since he was as useless as Benny, both of whom were from the same class. Did Sammy become friends with the upper hierarchy group? Is it possible?
'I must be over paranoid.' Benny shook his head. Even if all of them hated Benny, there was no way they would do something stupid in the presence of a professor.
The young 'Hero' group soon entered a vast room- no, it was more like a closed hall with four pillars supporting the roof. However, Benny didn't think pillars play such a role, considering it a magical field. Instead, they were more like hurdles for students to hide behind those pillars. There were also four small caves where 'Treasure' is usually found… just like games.
However, what really intrigued the group's attention was that four creatures seemed to be waiting in the hall's center.
They were four pointy-legged creatures, dark in color, with a single face and a giant glowing eye in the center. If looking closely, they also had small red veins like lines across their bodies.
They were Mors, the enemy of humanity.
However, these Mors were modified by the academy and called Cifers.
"Now, students, it is your time to shine!"
Just as Professor Aizeck spoke, Wendy, Asamio, and Kevin leaped forward like bullets.
Kevin was the first to encounter Cifer as he was in the front.
Kevin's Origin was called 'Hot Hands' where he could send heat to anything his hand touched, even melting steel. He also has a giant's blessing that grants him his giant and sturdy size.
"Hah!" Kevin grabbed one of Cifers' head with his bare hands and started meeting it. The Cifer tried to move, but Kevin increased his grip before tearing the Cifer in half.
"Heh! Piece of cake!" Asamio smirked as he was the second one to encounter another Cifer. The pupils in his eye turned narrow and draconic scales formed on his skin.
"Earth Spike!" Asamio called the name of his move and slammed his palms on the ground. The ground around him shook before several spikes rose and pierced the Cifer.
His Origin was called 'Sand Terra.' He could control sand around him to a certain extent, but his Origin got more boost with the Blessing of Earth-Dragon.
However, their performance was nothing against what came next.
Wendy ignored the first two Cifers since her targets were the other two Cifers on the back.
As she was running, she cut her fingers of both hands, and blood started to swell on her palms.
"Athena Spear!" She yelled as the blood on her palms, instead of bleeding downward, transformed into a sharp spear and pierced Cifer's head clean.
However, the fight wasn't over as another Cifer launched itself to attack Wendy, but the Cifers attack was blocked by a crimson shield.
"Athena Aegis!" Wendy smirked as she pronounced the name of her shield. The Cifer didn't even have time to move since the crimson shield on Wendy's arm transformed into a trident as she thrust the weapon into Cifer's body.
It all happened within a few seconds. That's how strong the school's second strongest student was.
Wendy Thena had one of the most substantial Origin in the academy called 'Blood March.' As the name suggests, she could manipulate her blood into various shapes and heal herself. And with the Goddess Athena's blessing, she can easily create weapons from her blood and master these weapons in no time.
Benny was amazed at how strong these guys were. To think Benny had survived for so long against these monsters. Each of them was strong enough to kill Benny quickly.
However, benny thought, as he could feel their strength, that they were weaker than his friend Zoey. As her childhood friend, Benny knew what kind of ogre Zoey was. Zoey might be-no; Zoey was stronger than Wendy by quite a margin. Benny had no idea why Zoey was in 3rd place. Then again, benny was talking about the sloth girl. No wonder she was lazy about her ranking.
"Marvelous! As expected from students of our academy. Truly phenomenal!" Aizeck praised the group with claps.
'What marvelous? They clearly overdo this time!'
Benny wanted to protest but be kept quiet. He might not be in Hero Class (A, B, and C), but he was aware that they used more of their magic reserve than necessary. Benny had good grades in theory and also wrote Zoey's homework, so he had a basic understanding when initiating combat against Mors.
Heroes must preserve their magic and stamina until extreme situations arise since the ultimate purpose of entering a Hell Gate is to clear it from all mors, including the final boss of the Hell Gate.
"Oi, useless insect, move your ass and collect their Mana Stones!" Amidst his thought, Benny heard Kevin asking Benny to collect those Mors' core called Mana Stones. These Mana Stones or Mana Essence can be used to forge weapons and observe to increase one's magic power.
"Why me? What about them?" Benny complained, pointing towards Shiina and Sammy. Benny was annoyed since everyone looked only at him like he was just a porter to collect the drops.
There was a separate role of a porter whose job was to mine the resources or collect Mana Stones, but Benny didn't sign up for anything!
"Oi, Oi! I am only here for technical support. Who do you think provided you with those gadgets?!" Shiina spoke for the first time. She had short light blue hair and eyes and had an arrogant look on her face.
"Your gadgets? I paid for them as they were compulsory for the test. Besides, these gadgets were available at a much lower price in the markets." Benny answered back. He wouldn't have complained like this if not for Professor Aizeck's presence.
"I have much important job to do." Sammy averted his eyes and answered his reason.
"Oh yeah? Like what, sniffing your ass for your Origin?!"
"Y-you!! You are just useless shitty, Nap! You should be the one doing the chores!"
Benny was now pissed, and for one final answer, he looked at Professor Aizeck for the answer, but the man had an indifferent look on his face, much to Benny's surprise.
"Benny, please cooperate. It is better to comply at times like this than to complain."
"What the…?" Benny was surprised that even Professor Aizeck was acting like the rest of them, but he finally nodded. "I-I will…"
Benny thought he must be the wrong one here if Professor Aizeck said so.
He then went towards each Cifer, scanned their body, and plugged out marble-sized stones. Their size depends on the level of Mors.
While Benny was collecting the stones, he saw a smirk on their faces, alerting Benny's senses.
After Benny collected all four mana stones, Benny and the group departed for the next stage. However, Benny was on his edge this time, scared that something was definitely wrong.
---
In the second room, the group faced six more Cifers, and Benny again had to collect all six Mana stones.
Benny didn't know why he was the only one to collect Mana Stones when Sammy and Shiina did nothing. He also had to collect data about Cifers as it was part of his job.
"Oi, search for those caves for some valuables." Again Kevin came and ordered Benny with another weird task. After clearing the room, the group took a short break when Kevin came with another order.
"Isn't this school property? How can there be any treasures or drops?"
"Just do as I fu*king say." Kevin didn't even bother to explain. He added, "Take Sammy with you."
"The hell?!" If these requests weren't enough, benny had to deal with a retard named Sammy. He looked at Professor Aizeck, but Aizeck was talking with Shiina about something and didn't even bother to look at Benny.
"Whatever, fine." In the end, Benny had no choice but to abide by the 'request.' Although Benny usually kept a level-headed stance against Wendy and her group, he was seriously annoyed today.
His senses kept bothering him to run away from this place, but he would fail the final test if he did so.
Benny took out a torch and started walking towards the cave. He had a button on his wrist bracelet where he could send a stress signal to Professor Aizeck in case of emergency. Besides, they all had cameras on their breast armor, so Benny didn't think Sammy or anyone could pull a stunt.
As Benny was walking in the cave, he stopped and turned around.
"W-what?" Sammy asked nervously when Benny suddenly turned around and gazed at Sammy.
Benny wanted to ask why Sammy looked so nervous and kept a certain distance when Benny followed Sammy's eyes to a katana on his waist.
'I see.' Benny smirked. He had a weapon, but Sammy didn't.
"Y-you…! What are you staring at, huh?! You are just a nap…!"
Sammy tried to put a brave act but failed as his legs kept shaking.
'Tch. Coward.' Benny wanted to teach Sammy a lesson, but he would be wasting his time here.
After walking further, Benny halted his steps when he came to a dead end.
A three-meter bottomless pit followed, and Benny saw two red glowing eyes in it.
"Crap! There are Cifers here!" Benny shirked and turned around, but then something pushed him. "Huh…?"
Benny was in disbelief as he was in the air, falling into the dark pit. His puzzled look was soon answered when he saw Sammy's cunny smile, looking at Benny.
"Bye, bye, fu*king Nap!"