"Umm, Lars... why is it so dark here? Weren't we supposed to be sent to a place to complete our trial or test?" a female voice softly whispered as she raised her lamp, looking around in the abyss-like darkness.
"Hmm, I think this is it," Lars said as he raised his lamp, copying what the woman behind him had done earlier.
But as he was about to say something, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching him and his companions from the front.
Letting go of the lamp, he quickly grabbed onto the hilt of his sword.
*Jiang!*
"Everyone on guard, something's here," he said as he unsheathed his sword.
While he did this, the other members of the group all stood in different directions, each with their backs facing each other.
As the footsteps got closer, someone from the side raised their bow, aiming it towards where the sounds were coming from before firing their arrow into the darkness.
"AHHH!"
As soon as the arrow left the string, a pained cry could be heard.
Taking notice of the sound, another arrow was promptly drawn from the quiver by the same person as they prepared to take another shot.
And in those few seconds, two people from the party had already dashed into the darkness,
While someone from behind tossed a lantern towards the direction where the arrow had flown, lighting up the area.
Closing in on the target, the two drew their swords, preparing to launch their attack. But just as they were about to strike, they stopped momentarily.
In front of them was an old man, his expression illuminated by the thrown lantern.
A mix of shock and bewilderment clearly displayed on his face as he stared up at the two people in front of him.
But noticing the blade pointing straight towards his neck, he screamed again, shuffling backwards.
The two attackers, seeing this, sighed with relief before putting away their weapons.
The three in the back watched this scene unfold with a look of confusion. [Why did he stop all of a sudden? Did something happen?]
One of them thought as they cautiously approached the two, their grip on their bow tightening as they raised their guard.
Sighing, Lars turned around as he spoke to the rest of the party. "Everyone, put your weapons away," the man, Lars, said as he then turned back, making his way over towards the petrified-looking man.
Walking slowly, he tried approaching the man, but as he did, the man shuffled back, still frightened of the person in front of him.
Seeing this, Lars understood the reason before standing in place as he looked at the man, then slowly walking back.
Lifting the lantern that was on the ground, Lars looked at the old man again for a brief second before lowering his head.
"Excuse me, senior, but I-I would like to apologise for the misunderstanding that just took place.
When I heard footsteps approaching us, I just assumed it was a monster coming towards us, and because it's so dark here, I wasn't able to notice that it was just you," he said, raising his head.
Looking at the old man, who had been shaking with fear a moment ago, calm down slightly, Lars slightly smiled as he spoke.
"Chloe, quickly come over here and give this man a healing potion. I think the arrow Erik fired just about pierced really deep into the man's chest," Lars said as he pushed a button on the lantern.
The lantern started floating.
"Sir, please forgive me for what just happened earlier," Lars said as he bowed his head again.
After observing and listening to how Lars acted, the old man's wariness towards him significantly diminished.
Yes, although he still felt slightly aggrieved, listening to his words, if there was one thing the old man could understand, it was that it wasn't Lars' fault.
Noticing the old man's guard dropping, Lars nudged Chloe to go help him with the arrow in his collar.
And while Lars was apologising, the rest of his group had already made their way over to him, so it didn't take long for Chloe to reach the old man.
Approaching the old man, Lars sat down in front of him as he helped Chloe steady the man before she removed the arrow that was stuck in his collar.
"Agh!" The old man grunted as the pain he was feeling from before suddenly came back.
He was then handed a small glass tube with an orange-coloured liquid inside by the woman whom Lars had been calling Chloe.
Seeing the gesture, the old man looked at the tube before looking at Lars.
Not feeling any malicious intent, the old man downed the drink as the group of people from Lars' party slowly sat around him.
Ah right, I forgot to introduce myself, he said awkwardly as he scratched his head.
Focusing on the recovering man, Lars smiled as he stretched out his hand. "Hello, let me introduce myself, my name is Lars, and I'm a freshman who just recently entered the academy yesterday."
He said this with a warm smile as he waited for the old man to introduce himself.
Meanwhile, Aizer, who had been watching this whole scene play out, suddenly perked up his ears.