"Alright class, I've been given a special assignment." Travis puffs up his massive chest with pride. It's been five days since our last class and we've been moving stones every day. Not only has it increased our strength stat, but we've made a bit of money too. I gave most of what I made to Carroll but kept a little for myself, you never know when you'll need some spending money. "We're going to investigate the mysterious activity occurring in the Argon Forest."
"What do you mean we?" Someone asks from the back of the class.
"My team and I will be escorting those who want to join us into the forest. I think now is the best and safest chance you'll have of learning about the Argon Forest firsthand. Most of the strongest monsters are preparing to hibernate for the winter or have already moved to warmer climates. In fact, there have been even fewer monster sightings this year than ever before. One of the reasons we're investigating the forest is to find out why the monster populations are so scarce."
"Is that really something we want to figure out?" I ask.
"Of course! This could lead to discoveries that allow us to reduce or remove monsters from a given area! The results could be amazing!" Travis flashes a ferocious smile as he speaks. "If you want to join us but you don't have any equipment, the guild will loan you a simple weapon and armor for the day."
I can't help but feel that whatever is causing the reduction in the monster population is something you'd want to avoid but I'm new to this world so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
The classroom opens up into hushed murmurs.
"What do you two think?" I frown.
"I don't know, it sounds dangerous," Sakura replies hesitantly.
"Dangerous."
I cross my arms as I think through my options. While we're getting a little profit from working odd quests, there's no way it'll be enough to subsidize the library. I'll have to go into the forest eventually if I want to make more money.
"Why don't you both stay behind and I'll go with Travis." I offer.
"Dangerous," Josh warns again.
"I know but I'm not going to make enough money doing the maintenance quests, I'll have to go into the forest eventually and this is a great chance to learn."
"No."
"Josh, this isn't up for discussion."
"Then I'm going too." I've never seen Josh this upset before. On one hand, it's nice that he's getting worked up on my behalf but I hate to see him so aggravated.
"If Josh is going then so am I." Sakura says with a 'this is all your fault' kind of attitude. Instead of trying to argue either of them out of their decision, I smile brightly.
"Thanks, I'll feel a lot better having both of you with me. Josh nods with a serious expression on his face but Sakura just sighs. "Let's go get some gear."
Josh grabs a sword of course and I take a spear. Sakura thinks for a while before grabbing a bow and arrow with a dagger as backup. I think she's still a little nervous to try a sword again after rubbing her hands raw training with Josh; and she'll never use the same weapon as me so the bow and arrow is the only choice left.
Honestly it's a great choice for our team dynamic. Josh is at the front, I support him from the middle and Sakura puts on pressure from the rear.
We head to the North gate so Sakura can get some practice in while we wait for everyone else to get ready.
"So, how do I do this?" She asks me as she holds out her bow.
"Hold the bow away from your body with your left hand and pull the string with your right." I quickly demonstrate a stance and she follows suit.
Fwip!
We set up a simple target on the palisade for Sakura to use but her shots keep missing. I can tell she's getting frustrated.
"Why am I so bad? Josh got good at using a sword really quickly."
"Josh trains until his hands bleed." I respond flatly. "I really wish you wouldn't do that, by the way. I worry about you."
"Okay."
Sakura takes a deep breath and notches another arrow.
"Alright, who's coming with me?" Travis jumps out from behind the gate.
Fwip!
An arrow flies inches from his face and sticks into the wooden wall. I can see a bead of sweat fall down his forehead and land on his trembling smile.
"Okay, maybe stop that for now. I don't want anyone getting injured on a simple expedition."
Sakura's face turns bright red as Travis takes her bow
"I'll give this back to you when we're done today. Make sure to practice some more before using it around people."
"Okay." A cherry-colored Sakura replies meekly.
Maybe we should find something else for her to use…
"What's the count?"
"Count of what?" An unfamiliar white-haired woman answers as she appears from behind our teacher.
"Count of our students, student count." Travis stammers. It's funny to see him get nervous.
"Why the hell are we bringing kids with us anyway?" The woman complains.
"I told you, this is an educational expedition."
"Whatever." She crosses her arms and rolls her eyes so hard they almost fall out of her head. She's wearing chainmail that covers most of her torso with a small top and skirt both colored white as well. She looks like a cross between a priest and an angsty teenager.
"There are thirteen children plus our team makes seventeen." A woman in glasses appears next. She's wearing a robe that's way too big for her and holding a wooden staff. She looks child wearing her mother's clothes.
"Thanks, Sam. And Yuki, why don't you take the front."
"Fine."
"Alright, is everyone ready?"
We're all pretty confused so no one says anything in response.
"Great! Let's move out."
The fourth member of Travis's team has yet to speak a word. I can only assume that he's an archer as he's carrying a bow on his back.
As we're walking, I look around at our rag-tag group and see some familiar faces. There's Tyrion of course but also that blond-haired girl who was with Count Richter. I'm surprised to see someone like her in our beginners class, I would think that she'd have her own private tutor.
"Don't get the wrong Idea, I'm already a bronze rank adventurer. My mom's just making me take this class before I go into the forest." The girl explains, apparently having noticed my gaze.
"Okay."
I turn back to my team who are currently glued to each other.
"Hey, don't ignore me!"
"The forest is so scary, I hope someone will protect me." Sakura looks up at Josh with a sparkle in her eye but he's too busy staring at Travis's feet. She grabs his arm even tighter and makes another attempt. "You'll protect me right, Josh?"
I stifle a laugh and receive a piercing glare.
"You and your girlfriend fighting?" Tyrion frowns.
"Yeah, she's so into me that she's trying to physically fuse with Josh. Honestly, are you trying to humiliate me by implying that I have a girlfriend? Is it embarrassing to be in a relationship now? What are you, five?
Tyrion stares at me for a moment before replying.
"I admit I didn't think this one through."
"It happens."
"I'm still here by the way." The blond-haired girl moves in front of me with a huff.
"Shinobu, please. You're embarrassing yourself." Tyrion sighs.
"You're one to talk," I say as I cover my mouth with my hand.
"Yeah, you're one to- Hey, you're agreeing with him!" Shinobu starts tearing into Tyrion before quickly wheeling around on me.
"Alright, That's enough! We need to stay silent as we approach the forest. While there shouldn't be any monsters in the area, it's better to be safe than sorry."
I bite my lips as I see Shinobu muttering angrily to herself. This is fun.