Lucas' POV
The intimidating instructor's voice rung throughout the lecture hall, every one of us paying strict attention to his words.
''As I was saying, it is common knowledge to you all that when an awakened reaches the level of B rank and above , the body's requirement for food, water and rest lessen significantly. However, for those below this strata, the requirement for food, water and rest is quite necessary. Also, as an awakened during missions where you will have to hunt beasts, if you do not have any practical experience on how to make your survival always a priority, you will die a fool's death...This is why this wilderness survival class is very important..
Wilderness survival has to do with the various strategies one equips to survive during one's encounter with beasts in the wilderness, also in situations in the wilderness when there is lack of food, water, and no platform for rest...
It simply has to do with learning to survive in the wilderness''
The instructor rumbled on and on for some time, his eyes darting from one student to another, with ferocious intensity, causing a number of students including me to flinch.
I was scared of him, his mouth was like that of a viper, and any one who failed to provide a satisfactory answer to his questions would receive a satirical berating that would make them the center of everyone's mocking laughter.
''You there''... His eyes darted towards one lady in blue jeans and white shirt...
The poor victim flinched, probably preparing herself psychologically for the aftermath that would follow her inability to answer the question. After all, almost all of the class, except the current lady and me who were yet to be questioned, had been asked this same question and had failed to answer to the instructor's satisfaction.
''Yes... sir'' The young lady's feminine voice echoed for all of us to hear.
''You an E rank right?'' The instructor inquired.
''Yes... sir''. The young lady replied, with a slight stutter in her voice again
With a strict gaze plastered on his face, the intimidating instructor repeated the question we had all become too familiar with for the past one hour.
'After three days of finding yourself in a forest full of diabolic beasts, you had run out of all your food and water... In your tired, hungry state, you come across a D rank mutated antelope, and the antelope has not yet spotted you...You are hungry and you need to eat, what would you do?''
The lady sighed, then repeated the same, obvious and only answer anyone in the class who had been asked this question had no choice but to provide ''I would hunt the beast down and kill it for food sir''
''Complete foolery, Another beautiful girl with a muscle brain... you kids are beyond saving..'' The instructor's bomb landed on the young lady, causing the class to echo in a cacophony of laughter. After all, everyone except me and her, had received a share of Santa's cake. This was their way of comforting themselves for the ridicule the instructor had put them through.
The poor lady, quietly sat down, tears evident in her eyes. It was obvious she was the shy type, one who did not handle public ridicule so well.
Finally, it was my turn... The moment the instructor called my name, all eyes landed on me. Gazes filled with curiosity and that off silent giggles, anticipating my obvious failure and ridicule were directed towards me.
The same question was asked again, and having thought of a response, I stood up and decided to try my luck.
After all, suppose the response I were to receive for my answer were to be synonymous with that of the previous students, I would join them in the laughter, making their mockery of me less enjoyable, that was how shameless I was prepared to be.
Clearing my throat, I spoke '' First of all, since the D rank diabolic antelope would be a rank above mine, it would be safe to assume that their strength is a rank above mine, and therefore I cannot overpower the beast in a head on clash. I would also keep in mind that I have no idea of the kind of affinity the D rank diabolic antelope has, whether it is one that allows them to hold an advantage against mine or not, in a direct confrontation. I would also consider the fact that the beast has not noticed me yet, and my advantage lies in being able to launch an eliminating attack on the foe whiles I remain unnoticed.
With all these schematics in mind, I would not engage in a direct confrontation with the beast, as that would be suicide. The best way to eliminate the D rank mutated beast would be to launch an unnoticed swift attack on it from it's blind spot, that is, from a direction where it would be dead before it notices my presence.
With all these in mind, I would consider how my skills and affinity would help me launch the assault, and with that fully integrated into my plan, I would execute my plan''
By this time, all those that were anticipating the instructor to launch a satirical response towards me had their faces solemn with bated breaths...
They were awaiting the sword of Damocles to land on me, but to their disappointment, the instructor stared at me for a few seconds before nodding slightly ''Finally, someone who thinks before acting''.
With an indifferent look, I stared back at those who's gazes were directed towards me with anticipatory giggles and hints of mockery a few minutes ago. Their faces were all scrunched up. It was obvious they were not mad at the instructor but me.
In fact I assumed that the whole class had pulled me into their bad books by now, as by the instructor's statement he had indirectly told them that they were simple minded people who did not think before acting, and I was rather sensible compared to them..
''What's their problem...I only answered a question the best way I deemed fit... not that I care about what they think anyway''. I resumed my seat, the instructor's voice resuming once more.
''Lucas, this is your first wilderness survival lesson right?'' The instructor gestured to me , all gazes landing on me again.
''Yes sir''. I replied amiably.
''Good good... keep up the good work...''
''Thank you sir'' I replied, ignoring the others staring at me with daggers in their eyes.
''That's it for today's lesson... the midterm wilderness survival practical assessment for the class is next week, so don't forget to make adequate preparations. We will be visiting the Oslon City beast zone for the assessment a week today.. Good evening'' With that ,the instructor brought the class to a close and left.
Quickly, without wasting any time, I proceeded to vacate the lecture hall.
I had important things to do..