"Next, we'll announce the prizes. There are awards up to fifth place. Fifth place will receive ten academy meal vouchers, fourth place a high-quality quill and ink set, third place ten book vouchers from the academy's bookstore, second place a voucher for personal training grounds, and first place gets all of these benefits. Professor Dwayne will be at the campsite, so don't wander too far, and if anyone gets hurt, come back and report immediately. That's all!"
Instructor Alan declared lastly.
"The hunting competition begins now!"
Everyone started to move. To find better game, they needed to venture far from the campsite.
Traveling on foot had its limits, so managing their time to return before 5 PM was crucial.
If they caught a large animal, they could use their beast to drag it back, but it would take time. They needed to hurry.
Students accustomed to luxury immediately expressed their dissatisfaction as they left the campsite.
"The prizes are pretty meager."
"Well, it's for students, so they can't exactly wager money. Second place does sound tempting, though."
"I'm aiming for first place."
"Of course, first place is the best. But having access to personal training grounds isn't too shabby either."
"Better to train alone in peace than with a bunch of sweaty guys."
"If I do well this semester, I could use the personal training grounds next semester, right?"
"True, but with your grades, it might be tough. Maybe you'll have better luck hunting?"
"What? That's rich coming from you."
"I feel lucky today. Had a dream about picking up gold in the forest."
"May as well dream of getting hit by golden bird droppings!"
While some spat out their words in a quarrelsome tone, others showed compassion.
"It's cruel. I don't want to do it."
"Trying to act noble, are we?"
"Acting noble? You've never seen the eyes of a fawn that's lost its mother. You wouldn't say that if you knew how pitiful it looks."
"I haven't seen that, but I do know fawn meat is tender and delicious. Roasted whole, it's exquisite."
"You monster!"
Fortunately, there was no disagreement between Helmut and Asuka. Both were eager to participate in the hunting competition.
Especially Asuka, who was particularly enthusiastic. His eyes sparkled as he exclaimed.
"Alright, I'm aiming for at least second place. Got to secure that personal training ground!"
Immediately, Asuka asked Helmut.
"Know any good spots for hunting? It seems like the game might have fled from around here due to the number of people."
"Near the water. Game will come to drink."
"Didn't we pass by a water source? It's a bit far, but worth the trip. About two hours round trip?"
"Let's go there."
The members of Group 9 followed Helmut and Asuka. Though not required, they ended up moving as a group.
The two of them sprinted through the forest with ease. Though they claimed to be jogging lightly, their pace was brisk. To keep up, the other members of Group 9 had to grit their teeth.
They couldn't fall behind, not with their swordsmanship department pride at stake.
"Ah, this is tough. Haven't we gone far enough?"
After a while, Asuka stopped to wipe the sweat from his forehead, which was also beading on his nose.
By the time the rest of Group 9 caught up, they were gasping for breath. Having kept up out of sheer stubbornness, they now leaned against trees or slumped to the ground.
"Panting, why didn't we take a single break!"
"I thought I was going to die following them."
Asuka snorted at the members sprawled out on the ground.
"Who asked you to follow?"
Looking over them, Helmut seemed as if he had merely been out for a stroll, not a drop of sweat on his face.
"The water is about five minutes from here. We'll move quietly from this point. We should start seeing game soon."
"Alright, let's get this over with quickly!"
As Asuka raised his fist, the faces of Group 9 darkened.
"Are we moving right away?"
"Let's rest a bit first..."
"No, we'll split up from here. Too many people will only hinder the hunt."
After all, only one person can claim a single piece of game. Everyone here was essentially a competitor, including Asuka, though it didn't seem like he could be shaken off easily.
'It might be better to leave him behind.'
If Black Hawk were to approach, it would be easier without Asuka. He could freely confront them alone.
For now, they needed to shake off the others.
Helmut yearned for a battle. A long-awaited fight! He knew he must avoid killing, but he couldn't help but hope for an unavoidable confrontation.
Helmut added, "You guys should split up too. Moving in large numbers will only hinder your hunt."
Group 9 exchanged looks.
"Alright."
"We'll move in pairs."
"Splitting into pairs should work."
"No rush, let's rest a bit before moving."
"Sounds good."
Leaving them to their discussion, Helmut immediately moved on.
He needed to put more distance between them. Far enough that no one could detect the fight.
A perfect opportunity to deal with Asuka came to mind.
'I'll just give him a game to carry.'
A hefty, significant game that could guarantee a win. He could send Asuka off early with it.
Helmut decided not to dwell on the hunting competition. He carefully observed the tracks as he moved toward the water.
Large beasts always leave traces. Approaching the water, a strong scent filled his nose.
Sap oozed from a freshly wounded tree. The wound was recent, judging by the unhardened sap.
'Claw marks.'
Asuka, trailing and evidently bored, asked, "What is it? Is there something?"
Eager to launch an arrow into any discovered game rather than wait patiently, he was an impatient hunter.
"Ah, these marks. Looks like a bear."
The marks were at a height indicating a large bear had scraped the tree.
"A bear? Catching that would guarantee first place, wouldn't it?"
Asuka's eyes widened with hope.
"Possibly."
There was no guarantee someone else wouldn't bring back a better catch.
But Helmut was eager to send Asuka back. It seemed feasible.
'Given the height of the claw marks, it's a big one.'
"Hey, but there are two of us. You knew there was a bear, so if you track and kill it, wouldn't it be yours?"
Uncharacteristically reasoning out, Asuka quickly reached a conclusion before Helmut could respond.
"No, wait. We're acting together, and I might find it first. Let's say whoever lands the killing blow owns it."
"Suit yourself."
Facing Asuka's greedy gaze, Helmut nonchalantly agreed.
It was a competition where Helmut had nothing to gain, having already seen Asuka's archery skills. At least he had some scruples.
Luck was on their side. Without needing to track, they soon found their target. Asuka squinted.
"Is that a bear?"
A brown bear ambled slowly towards the water on all fours.
Judging by its size, it was the same bear that had left the marks on the tree. Unaware of any danger, it approached leisurely.
Asuka aimed his bow.
"The right to it belongs to whoever ends its breath."
Helmut also aimed his bow, more out of formality. The bowstring was taut. Releasing it would send the arrow straight through the bear's neck, ensuring a quick death.
Helmut wondered momentarily.
'Will killing a beast also awaken the Seed of Darkness?'
Since killing two second-tier mercenaries and experiencing repercussions, he had avoided taking lives.
He hadn't paid mind to the ants or grass trampled underfoot, but since then, nothing had died by his hand.
'It's not the time to test this.'
Asuka released his bowstring first. Whoosh! The arrow shot towards the target but narrowly missed the bear, embedding itself in a tree. The bear, suddenly quickening its pace, had dodged it.
-Growl
The bear growled in alert. Helmut released his bowstring.
Whoosh! The arrow grazed the bear's front leg, drawing blood.
-Roar!
In pain, the bear roared and immediately kicked off the ground, running in the opposite direction of the arrow's origin.
Despite its ferocity, the large creature fled immediately.
But with its injured leg, escape was limited.
"Nice!"
Asuka, like a predator pursuing its prey, gleamed in his eyes and started running. Helmut closely followed.
Running, Asuka aimed and shot arrows indiscriminately. His hurried shots were surprisingly accurate.
The third arrow hit, striking the fleeing bear's torso.
"Roar!"
Approaching the tumbling bear, Asuka quickly nocked another arrow, aiming precisely at its head this time, and released.
Thud! The bear's movements ceased. Its trembling body lost its life force. The bear was dead.
Asuka shouted excitedly.
"Got it! See?"
Wary of the Seed of Darkness's potential reaction, Helmut, who had kept his distance, pressed down on his chest. Fortunately, there seemed to be no issue.
'Perhaps it's fine as long as I don't directly kill. It seems animals are okay.'
Dealing with demons had some impact due to their magical nature, but it didn't seem to overly stimulate the Seed of Darkness.
'For now, it seems direct murder is what to avoid.'
Helmut came to a conclusion. Asuka circled the bear's carcass, admiring it.
"Wow, with this, I could actually win first place."
It was his first catch with an arrow, albeit recklessly shot.
But he soon noticed something odd.
"Why didn't you hit it even once while I was shooting?"
Asuka looked suspiciously at him. Helmut thought of a convenient excuse and casually replied.
"You were in front. How could I shoot with you blocking?"
"What? Was I? You could have just passed me."
Asuka, who had impulsively dashed ahead, scratched his nose.
"But now that we've caught it, how do we carry this bear? I'm satisfied with this, but don't you need to hunt something too?"
He said this while warily eyeing Helmut, possibly afraid Helmut might snag a better catch. His intentions were transparent.
"You go back to the campsite first. I'll hunt a bit more."
"That won't do. What if something happens? We were told to stick together in groups of at least two."
"Do I look like I'll run into trouble?"
"Hey, don't get cocky. Anything could be hiding in these woods."
He might have said it without much thought, but his intuition was sharp.
"Then..."
Suddenly, a chilling sensation struck. Helmut instinctively looked back towards the direction they had come from.
"Aaaaah!"
A scream erupted. It was distant, barely audible, but the voice was familiar.
"What? What's going on?"
Asuka clicked his tongue, showing no sign of alarm.
"Basil!"
From afar, someone loudly called out a name. It was one of Group 9's members. Calls followed in quick succession.
"My God, are you okay?"
"Basil!"