The three of them increased their steps as they continued seeing dead bodies of beasts with their crystals removed but now it was certain to Alfred that this wasn't done by a single person.
Some of the beasts were killed with magic while some with swords, and from the body of the beasts he could tell the swordsmanship was unrefined like it was done by a trainee.
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"So we are really going to be here for three whole days?" Pete asked.
"Yes, I told you we won't go too far in, the instructors know what they are doing, and the beasts are really easy to kill," Gabriel said.
"The further we go in, the harder they become to kill, tomorrow we might be unable to kill any of the beasts," Martha said.
"That's enough resting, let's keep moving, remember each of you must slay a minimum of twenty beasts and recover their crystals in three days, once it's done we can head back home" a hoarse voice spoke and all the students stood up on their feet.
Elyria kingdom was among the four great nations in the world, every year the first-year students of the mage and knight academy are taken to the wastelands to pass a test of slaying beasts.
This year there were 30 mages and 70 knights along with two sword instructors, and two mage instructors.
The instructors walked beside the students and would not interfere with their battle unless the student was in grave danger after which five kills and crystals would be reduced from the student's total kills.
So each student had to win on their own or in groups and then share the crystal, on their way here they had come across kobolds, wolves, goblins, and some flying wasps but none of them were a problem for the students.
"More kobolds are coming from that direction" a girl spoke and all the students turned towards that direction, she was one of the first-year students with a special ability, sensory.
Sensory mages are under support type mage same as healers, they have the ability to sense living creatures around them, during this test, they are not required to slay beasts but they are judged by the instructors based on their performance, healers are the same.
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"Are you sure we are going in the right direction?" Lewis asked Alfred.
"We are heading to the mountain, If we find the humans who did that along the way then it's a bonus, and I already know who the humans are," Alfred said.
"Huh!! Did you see them?" Lewis asked.
"Students from any of the four kingdoms, mages, and knights are usually brought to the wastelands so their combat abilities would be tested, even if we come across them, nothing would change so let's just head towards the mountain," Alfred said.
"Beasts..." Lillian muttered as ten kobolds rushed towards them, Lillian readied her bow and aimed at the first one.
Lewis haven't seen a kobold in real life and was surprised with how they looked, Kobolds are generally portrayed as diminutive beings, standing around 1 to 2 feet tall.
The kobolds had humanoid features, with spindly limbs and a hunched posture. Their skin tone was earthy brown, allowing them to blend into their surroundings. All of them had rough, scaly skin and patches of fur. Their facial features were twisted and mischievous, with pointed ears and beady, glinting eyes that seemed to reflect their cunning nature.
[Kobold]
[Level 10]
[HP 100/100]
'Their hp is quite high given their tiny appearance, should I summon Xavier, no I can handle it, besides Alfred and Lillian are here' Lewis mumbled as he grabbed his sword tightly.
Lillian stood with her bow drawn, an arrow notched and ready to be released. Her keen eyes were fixed on the approaching threat, the kobolds' scaly bodies illuminated intermittently by the pale light as they slinked forward, short daggers gleaming wickedly in their hands.
Lewis clenched the hilt of his weapon tightly. Alfred, on the other hand, did nothing but watch, his eyes looking around like he was searching for something.
The kobolds, numbering ten in total, moved with a feral grace, their eyes fixated on their targets. Their sharp snouts twitched, sensing the tension in the air. With a sudden, guttural cry, they lunged forward, their movements surprisingly coordinated.
Lillian's arrow was the first to fly, a streak of silver slicing through the air. It struck true, finding its mark in the chest of the leading kobold. The creature let out a surprised yelp before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. But there was no time to savor the victory as the remaining kobolds closed in swiftly.
"Try not to waste your Mana, you are going to need it," Alfred said as he brought out a sword twice the size of Lewis's sword.