"Now, it's my turn," Lucius declared, stepping forward with an air of authority. "I'll be using my awakened ability, <
He paused, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "The forest is expansive, and the terrain can be rugged. If you ever find yourself in dire straits or unable to continue, simply tap your band three times. I'll deploy a medical drone to retrieve you and bring you back to the edge of the forest."
He appeared among the students and warned them, "You may feel dizzy now."
Ahiro blinked, feeling disoriented as the world around him spun for a moment. As the sensation subsided, he found himself standing amidst a dense thicket of towering trees. The forest stretched out in all directions, and there was no sign of his fellow students. Scattered around him lay the items the teacher had mentioned: a pouch with a few energy bars, a water bottle, and a multi-knife. He gathered them all, the water bottle fitted perfectly inside his side pocket then he attached the pouch and multiknife onto his belt, and started moving forward.
The forest seemed to hum with life. Birds chirped in the distance, leaves rustled with the wind, and the air was filled with the earthy scent of the woods.
As Ahiro continued through the dense forest, he kept an eye out for any signs of badge. The trees and foliage around him seemed to whisper secrets of the forest, but he remained focused on his mission. With each step, he carefully observed his surroundings, searching for any glimmer of the precious badges.
Time passed quickly, and he heard the sound of flowing water, he knew water is one of the most important for survival so he went towards the sound, soon he found himself in a clearing where the forest opened up to reveal a small, tranquil stream.
Ahiro decided that this clearing could serve as a good location for his camp, providing easy access to water. He took note of it, planning to return later to set up his temporary base.
But for now, he had other priorities. He ventured deeper into the forest, still keeping an eye on the surroundings for a badge. The sun was moving steadily across the sky, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor.
As he explored, he marked the trees with his multiknife to ensure he could find his way back to the clearing. He understood the importance of not getting lost in the labyrinthine woods.
Ahiro had ventured deep into the forest during his search, but after several hours of meticulously scouring the terrain, he hadn't stumbled upon a single badge. The frustration of the fruitless search began to gnaw at him. As the afternoon sun started its descent, he decided to backtrack to his chosen campsite.
Following the marks he had etched on the trees with his knife earlier in the day, Ahiro retraced his steps. The journey back proved to be a bit easier as he collected various vines and tree bark along the way, materials he intended to use to construct a shelter.
Upon reaching his campsite, Ahiro wasted no time. He found a suitable location with two sturdy trees relatively close together and began to weave the gathered vines between them. Slowly and methodically, he created the framework for his tent. Tree bark served as makeshift walls, offering some protection from the elements.
By the time dusk settled in, he had successfully constructed a rudimentary tent. It wasn't perfect, but it would provide him with a modicum of shelter from the forest's unpredictable weather. Exhausted from the day's efforts, Ahiro settled into his makeshift camp stretching his legs along the bed he made using dry leaves.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and twilight bathed the forest in an eerie half-light, Ahiro assessed his dwindling resources. He had consumed two of his energy bars throughout the day, leaving him with just three more. Food was the next crucial concern, but with his limited knowledge of wild edibles, he had not foraged for fruits while exploring.
Fortunately, he hadn't encountered any other students seeking to challenge him, which gave him some peace of mind. The importance of replenishing his energy couldn't be overstated.
Ahiro turned his attention to the nearby stream. The moonlight cast a faint, silvery glow over the gently flowing water. He had a plan. Using some of the vines he had gathered earlier, he decided to craft a makeshift net. Tying and weaving the vines together, he formed a crude but serviceable tool.
Moving silently along the stream's edge, Ahiro searched for the ideal location to set his trap. After a brief time, he found a spot with a strong current, where fish were likely to swim. He fastened the net to some rocks, anchoring it securely in the water.
With the net in place, Ahiro settled down to wait. The minutes stretched into an hour as he maintained a patient vigil. The quiet night was broken only by the soothing sound of the flowing stream.
Then, just as his eyelids began to feel heavy, a glint of gold caught his attention. Moonlight danced on the surface of a badge, its brilliant color reflecting the ethereal light. Excitement surged within him as he realized he had found his first badge.
With newfound determination, he continued to wait for his fishing net to yield results, the thrill of discovery and the prospect of survival spurring him onward in the silent forest night.
Ahiro made his way back to the familiar campsite alongside the babbling stream, his steps lightened by the gleaming badge he had found. Carefully, he placed the badge inside the pouch where he had stored his remaining energy bars, keeping it safe.
After a long day of searching and physical exertion, Ahiro's hunger had grown insistent. He craved a satisfying meal. To prepare for his dinner, he gathered dry leaves and some wood shavings using his knife. With the collected materials, he crafted a makeshift fire starter.
His multi-knife, versatile as ever, possessed a taser-like feature on the back, which he employed to generate a spark. The spark ignited the dry leaves and wood shavings, and soon a crackling fire sprang to life. He added more wood to sustain the flames, creating a decent fire for his cooking.
With a knife in hand, Ahiro set about preparing the fish for grilling. He remembered observing Miss Foster as she expertly grilled fish, and those memories served him well. A mixture of anticipation and exhaustion filled the air as the fish began to sizzle over the open flame, its mouthwatering aroma wafting through the forest, teasing his taste buds. Ahiro's efforts would soon yield a well-deserved and much-needed meal.