Loren completed the exam without much fanfare, even passing the tests pertaining towards subjects not found on Earth with ease. After all, he'd studied far ahead of what was expected for his age in his off-time, and if he truly found a question difficult he could just have Salrie copy another student's answers. Not that he needed to of course.
His main worry was how well his friends had done, he had helped them as much as he could but their final results would rely on themselves. Thankfully, his concerns seemed to be misplaced when he saw them come out of the classrooms with confident smiles, even Bort looked happy with how he'd done.
"Loren! I gotta thank you, man, I don't think I would've been able to finish the language test if not for you." Loot ran to Loren once the exams were finished, patting him on the back.
The others also came to give him their thanks. "I also have to thank you, Loren, I was already confident but your help truly put me at ease." Carol had a look of relief on her face.
"Also, these are the plants you asked for, are you sure you want these as my thanks? They're not that valuable, the only reason my father placed them in our garden was for their appearance." She said as she handed Loren a bag of herbs that contained opaque blue flowers.
Loren nodded as he received the bag. "This is perfect, thanks, Carol."
Upon hearing their conversation Benson looked slightly shocked. "Wait, Wait! We're supposed to pay you?... I don't have anything to give."
"Same, I don't have anything either." Trina also felt guilty for not preparing a gift.
Seeing their conscience-stricken expressions, Loren laughed and waved his hand.
"You guys don't have to worry, I originally wanted to pay but Carol insisted she give them in return for the study session."
"Even so..."
"If you guys really want to repay me, just let me win the hunting competition." Loren gave a wide smile.
"Like hell!"
As he laughed with his friends, Loren noticed that Bort was behind him.
"Hey, so umm... I did pretty well. Thanks." Bort was looking off the side, his words said in a whisper.
Seeing his awkward show of gratitude, Loren couldn't help but feel slightly astonished. So Bort did know how to push away his pride.
"Oho~ I didn't know that you were a tsundere Bort."
Bort didn't know what a 'tsundere' was, but he felt as though it was an insult.
"A tsun... what?"
"It's nothing, you're welcome."
Bort seemed like he was going to say something else but the teachers came outside, making all students stop their conversations.
"Congratulations on completing your exams, you'll all get your results by the time we return from Galan. But at a cursory glance, it seemed like most of you did well."
The five teachers gathered in front of the students, their expressions turning serious.
"Now then, we will not be making our way to Galan for the hunting exercise, each group will be taking a carriage for the journey. We must remind each of you that this is not just a simple exam, we will be facing wild mana beasts and while Durkson will be coming to heal any injuries, there will be a chance of dying on this hunt."
The students became tense, knowing that the threat of death was real and that even with teachers overviewing the hunt accidents could always happen. But some stayed stalwart, even showing anticipation to finally use what they've learnt in a practical situation.
Loren was a mix of both types, apprehensive at his first true battle, but excited to put the plan he had formulated into action.
"I hope you all prepared for the hunt accordingly, you will be scored both on how many beasts you can slay and how powerful those beasts are. We have given each of the group leaders a list of mana beasts and the points they are worth, you are to ask them if you have any questions."
Finishing their small speech, the teachers led the students to a group of six identical carriages and sent the students in one by one. Five months had passed since the school year had started, so a fair amount of them had entered the breath stage.
Of the 32 students in the class, aside from Loot, Benson and Revolt - who had been in the class in previous years, the others were all only 12 or 13 years old. So a 'fair' amount was only 11 students, but it was enough to fill each group with at least 2 students at the first stage.
Loren sat in his carriage and watched as his group started to join him, the hunting groups hadn't been announced until this moment, so the carriage ride to Galan served as their first introduction to each other.
This was done by the school for a purpose, many of the students had a low chance of entering the storage stage, meaning they may spend their entire life at the breath stage. Those in the breath stage usually found work in two places, as a guard for their village or town, or during war.
In most wars a majority of people, especially those in the 1st stage, would have no choice in who they would work with. The impromptu formations of the group were meant to be a simulation of the unfamiliar environments the school's students may face in the future.
Loren greeted and noted down the people who would be joining his cohort, trying to gleam how well they could help with his plan. As Beson had predicted, they were in the same group, and Loren was happy to see his friend join him.
There was Lunceen, a short girl who used a bow and a pair of daggers, having a ranged fighter was something Loren was thankful for. A pair of twins, Balto and Malto, were also a part of his group, they each used a spear and trained mostly for team combat, each twin using their spears to attack opponents in unison. The last member of Loren's hunting group was... Bort.
'...Are we fated together or something?'
Putting their tense relationship aside, as a person in the 1st stage, Bort was an asset Loren was glad to have and while his skill at the sword of lesser than Loren's, with the use of mana arts, he had propelled his ranking in the class to the upper portions.
Overall, Loren was extremely satisfied with his group, albeit he expected 7 people, not 6, having 3 people in the 1st stage was better anyway. His plan already made him confident to win the artifact, now he felt even more assured.
***
The carriage ride had begun and the separate groups had begun to mingle and converse, each leader talking to their members about how they planned to perform during the hunt and what part each student would play. All leaders except... Loren.
"Loren, you have a plan, right? C'mon, tell us." Benson had been trying to pry Loren's plan from him since the start of the carriage ride, but Loren only lifted his finger to his lips and said:
"Secret."
"Secret? How are we going to do anything if we don't know what you want us to do." Lunceen had gotten annoyed at how mysterious her leader was acting, she knew of Loren's character but didn't think he'd play around for such an important exam.
"You'll know what to do once we get there, it's just more fun to keep you guys in suspense," Loren had a cheeky smile as he laughed. "...but first of all, Bort. I'm gonna need you to trust me on this hunt, I know you don't like me but could I at least know the reason why?"
As always, Bort was acting aloof for the duration of their time together, Loren was even amazed he could go from thanking him to treating him like air so quickly.
Bort was resting his chin in his palm, staring out towards to scenery. "...You want to know why?"
"Yeah, I can't work with you if you don't tell me why you have such enmity with me. I understand a little jealousy at me also joining the class but-"
"You think that's the reason?!" Bort's face turned angry, his shout spreading out the carriage and even reaching the other students. "You're really dumb aren't you?"
'It's not jealousy?' Loren tilted his head, shocked that Bort had a different reason for hating him so much.
The other students were quiet, shrinking back as they were taken back by how quickly the atmosphere of their group changed.
"Mana surge. Rito asked me if I taught you. Do you have any idea what I went through when I had a mana surge, and you just did it for what?! Sh*ts and giggles?!" Bort's face had turned red, his spit flying into Loren's face.
"So that's why..." Loren felt Bort's actions were suddenly more understandable, no one knew his circumstances so his actions to activate his mana early would certainly get the ire of those around him.
Loren wasn't sure what to say, he had originally thought Bort had hated him out of childish jealousy. He was floored to discover that his actions had triggered a trauma for him.
"...Bort, alright I understand, and I'm sorry you went through something like that but I don't think what I did should make you despise me so much."
Bort's anger didn't recede, his fists were clenched, a step away from launching themselves towards Loren. "Really?! I think it's a perfect reason, I lost my sister during the accident I had my mana surge, and I still have nightmares about that day. Yet look at you, all smiles, not a care in the world. Did you think that having a mana surge would be fun?!"
"Bort, I think you need to calm down."
"Shut up Benson! I've already spent 2 months calm, but everyone acts like I'm crazy for hating him!" Bort swiped away Benson's hand that had reached out to pat his back, not willing to have others join in their conversation. It was between him and Loren.
"...Bort, I don't know if you'll believe me, but I had a good reason for what I did and it has nothing to do with you. I can't tell you the reason but trust me, I know more than anyone else not to trivialise what you went through."
Bort finally sat back down, his anger still apparent on his face, he didn't trust Loren's words but they did make him more rational.
"I think that's bullsh*t Loren, but I'm not an idiot, I won't ruin the hunt just because I hate you."
As his screaming ended, silence entered the carriage, each of the students sitting awkwardly in place not uttering a single word.
Loren had his face in his hands, a deep sigh exiting his mouth as he rethought about how his actions were perceived by others.
In a small inaudible voice, he whispered to Salrie. "Salrie, is he right? I can't tell, is doing mana surge myself truly that horrible."
Salrie was silent, a face displaying a hint of pity. "Mana surge is horrible Loren, but you had an undeniably good reason for forcing yourself to activate it... It's just that others can't know that reason..."
"A good reason huh..."
The carriage was void of any sound save the turning of wheels and the infrequent neighs of horses. Loren sat still, unsure what to think of Borts' words.