It seems that Evelyn and the princess have managed to find common ground. We (Evelyn practically forced me) had taken their offer and decided to follow them for now. I wasn't exactly happy about following around the top class when we first set out but it may be for the best. Unfortunately they were calamity magnets in the flesh.
That leads to the question: Then why would you follow them?
Answer - Powerful enemies that are worth more points if we are to take them out as a team.
If I were honest I had my concerns about trying to reach S class. Sure I told Evelyn that I would deal with any problems that may arise but there wasn't much I could do against the big-wigs of the world and royalty. I was an ant compared to the adults of the world. If they decided to hinder my plans then I couldn't do much about it. Plus while we were definitely strong compared to the geniuses we were only a sub rank or two above them it's not like we were B rank or above.
Within the 2 years of development that we would have the geniuses would probably break through to A rank at the very end of their term before leaving the Academy. Our speed in ranking up had been phenomenal but it was mainly due to the boons that my body had and Evelyn's latent potential that she hadn't been able to exploit. I would probably be stuck as a High C rank for the rest of the year unless there was something that I didn't know of that could increase my rank.
~~
We pushed through the forest the humidity causing sweat and moisture to stick to our bodies. Our clothes had become heavy with sweat and the heat was a real killer, luckily with the power of a fantasy world's logic there were fruits that held a water-like liquid that we could drink to maintain our thirst.
We had been walking behind the others due to Evelyn's miasma since the others couldn't handle it for very long. According to Evelyn the teacher of our class had an artifact that absorbed the miasma which kept the students safe when we were in class, It filled me with hope as if I could get my hands on one of those I could give it to Evelyn or reverse engineer it to create a more permanent solution.
I walked next to Evelyn while the elf princess stood a fair distance away, they continued chatting until we heard the snapping of twigs and the rustling of leaves.
Preparing for combat we waited in anticipation for whatever would come towards us.
A heaping shadow greeted us as the light gave way to its facade. Brown skin followed by veiny muscles that were the size of a tree trunk, a set of small protrusions on the head and a piercing eye.
"A cyclops! A Rank A monster that were the size of a building in their adult years. This onc must have been a fledgling based on its size. Its rank would be something that the students of the academy could handle but it would have to be as a large group."
Taking command, Prince Agidyne sprouted orders to the rest of the students.
"Archers! Find a safe space to launch arrow volleys from. Defenders are to guard an archer each!. "
"Spellcasters take your ideal range for combat and vanguards buy them some time to prepare their spells. [Flames Embrace]"
Fire-like armour covered his body, it wasn't gaudy but made with purpose, a spear made of the same flames materialised in his hands. The strength emanating from him seemed to double. It must have been a powerful but taxing spell but it would definitely be necessary to fight against a cyclops.
"Volley one! "
Arrows made of flimsy sticks reinforced by mana flew overhead embedding themselves into flesh dirt and wood. The Cyclops simply pulled the twigs out and the small wounds instantly healed. Their hide was thick and sturdy and I was impressed that the twigs even managed to bury themselves into the flesh.
"Vanguards push forwards!"
Charging in the prince and a small group surrounded the Cyclops before using combos to push the fight to their advantage. Skillful slashes and Parry's stopped the Cyclops from attacking with their full strength however I could tell that they were exhausting themselves but they had no choice.
"Spellcasters!"
Jumping away a barrage of spells and magic assaulted the Cyclops causing it to roar in pain. Dust filled the air covering our view of the Cyclops, however once the dust settled a charred demon revealed itself. The burns marred patches of its skin and the rage it was emanating was palpable.
Looking around most of the class were exhausted from pouring all their mana into one large spell. Imbeciles, it's better to use multiple low level spells than one large one but I guess they are new to real combat that wasn't training.
"Evelyn could you cover me please?"
"Yeah"
"Hey could you prepare another volley of arrows."
They looked at me as if I were crazy but they either agreed with me or chanced it by running away.
Holding up my arm I pointed it towards the cyclops, a volley of arrows were released as Evelyn finished casting her spell. It enveloped the arrows in ice crystals and boosted the speed with wind causing massive damage.
Walking forwards towards the stunned Cyclops I punched its eye causing it to burst releasing a black liquid that covered my arm. It screamed and roared in pain however I simply used my other arm to help lift the Cyclops slightly off the ground before slamming it into the ground and twisting its neck. A satisfactory crunch and snap filled the eerily quiet area before I stood up and walked back towards Evelyn.
A stunned silence and confusion seemed to spread between the students on how I managed to easily defeat a cyclops however the prince directly asked me directly.
"It's simple, You had worn it down and I took the opportunity to defeat it. "
"That's not what I mean! How did you lift it off the ground? It's massive compared to a person and how did you pierce it with just your hand!?"
"Oh well as I said your attacks weakened it's regeneration and my build is focused on brute strength (lies) so I could lift it with the use of mana and some effort."
We should harvest the corpse instead of wasting time chatting anyways. The horns could be used as daggers and its skin could be used as emergency armour or protection from the elements. Does anyone know how to skin corpses.
Surprisingly the Elf princess raised her hand.
"We elves learn how to hunt from a young age to use each part of a creature effectively, even royalty is taught since it is our way of life. Could you help me? I'm not physically gifted so I might need you to do the incisions."
"Sure I can help." She obviously had another agenda going from her pointed gaze towards me however I felt an overwhelming hostility coming from the males of the group. I guess there will always be a popular girl with countless admirers.
Crouching next to the corpse the princess began a conversation while directing me on where to start skinning.
"That strength... is it related to what I saw in the forest?" (shadow powers)
I had told her that I would bring her along on my vigilance work but I had not told her of my circumstances, if I were to divulge my secret even though she saw a part of it, It would surely mean my demise or being experimented on.
"No princess it's from the hard work and training that I have been doing. I hope that you haven't reported what you saw to anyone since I never collected you last time?"
"No I have no reason to, you saved my life from those mercenaries and as a princess of the elven kingdom and as a personal habit I always repay my debts".
"Good. Good. That should do it for our chat and dismantling this monster, any longer and it would come off as suspicious, wouldn't want your love struck admirers that your having follow behind us thinking I was your love interest now would we."
"Wha- wuh what are you saying. They're not interested in a relationship with me they're my precious friends!?"
Is she that dense?
"Calm yourself you look like a tomato."
"I-its your fault! "
"Sure it is Anyway I think we can use the big horn as a sword and the smaller ones as daggers.-Does anyone know how to make weapons?"
"Y-yeah I do I'm in the Smithing classes. Can I see the materials."(Meek Student)
"Here"
His demeanor instantly switched from a meek kid to a professional blacksmith
"They are a bit crude but they are definitely better than the crude wooden weapons. If I strengthen it with runes and sharpen the edges it should work as a semi-decent weapon... for not having tools and equipment."(Meek Student)
"How long will it take?"
"The sword... an hour, the daggers Half an hour for both of them." (Meek Student)
"Right it's best we leave and find somewhere to make camp before any more monsters arrive from the scent of blood."
"Right you heard him let's get moving"(Agidyne)
-to be continued