{
> Shop (Temporary)
AVAILABLE MANA STONES (GROUP 1) = 4
Hidden Information : 10 Mana Stones
Energy Drink : 1 Mana Stones
Transmitter (a set of five) : 2 Mana Stones
Monster Detector : 5 Mana Stones
Healing Potion : 2 Mana Stones
....more
}
The exact break I needed was in front of me.
It also showed the number of mana stones we collected as a group.
"Seems like we are the only ones to have collected mana stones.", Aria commented.
We defeated a monster and took the mana stone, it was protecting, which meant 1+3 in total.
This shop contained everything you need for your basic amenities, like food, water, etc.
"Doesn't this lesson seem like a bit overly dangerous for the first one?", Aria questioned me about the reason for the difficulty of this lesson right off the bat.
I got injuries all over my body, just from a single fight.
If I were a total amateur in combat, then that would have been fatal for both of us.
It's not like everyone in our class has experience in combat either.
Perhaps, this lesson wants to test us in something other than combat, which I haven't realized yet.
Anyway, the first thing I need to buy was a set of transmitters.
As I clicked on that option, another panel opened up, entailing the details of the item, and it's functions.
{
Transmitter (Set of Five): Connects up to five people within a certain range, allowing for real-time communication. Functions even in areas of high magical interference.
Range: 2 kilometers.
Mana Stones Required : 2
NOTE : After buying, all the five transmitter-cum-earpieces would be automatically equipped to all the 5 members of the group.
>Buy
}
I looked at Aria to get confirmation, and as she nodded I clicked on the Buy button.
The moment I pressed "Buy," a familiar shimmer of light appeared, and I felt a small weight settle in my ear.
The transmitter had automatically equipped itself, just as the panel said it would.
Aria reached up to her own ear, adjusting the small device.
"That was easy enough," she said with a faint smile.
I activated the transmitter, hoping the others had theirs equipped as well. "Arlan? Elric? Can you hear me?"
The range was 2 kilometers.
As it has only been a few minutes, after we separated from them, they must be within the range.
After a brief pause, a crackling noise came through the earpiece, followed by Arlan's voice.
But it was indistinguishable—distorted by heavy static.
I frowned, adjusting the transmitter and hoping the signal would improve.
"Arlan? Elric? Can you hear me?" I tried again, this time with a hint of urgency creeping into my voice.
More crackling came through, and then finally, Elric's voice broke through the interference, though still faint.
"... barely... hear you... trouble..."
His words were cut in and out, but it was enough to make out the gist of his message.
"From his tone, it seemed like he was running.", Aria stated concern.
"That seems to be the case. If they were within the 2 kilometers range, the voice should have been distinguishable at the very least."
"Then, what should we do?"
"First of all, we have to run in the direction they went, so that maybe we would be able to catch the signal. Then, I think that their situation is pretty much similar to ours. They have taken the mana stone and are running from the monster.... Also, I think, I have got the perfect plan to get the first place in this lesson."
***
Yours truly, Kai Rayleigh is back.
It has been almost 4 and half an hour since the lesson started.
During that time, I didn't try to collect the mana stones at all.
I mean, during travelling through the forest, occasionally I would stumble upon a monster, but, as I didn't have any means to fight the monster, I avoided it and went on my way.
They also don't show much reaction, unless I get too close to them, within a certain distance.
I did nothing to contribute to my group within this time period, but it's not like I had stopped thinking.
Selena didn't really want my cooperation, because she knew that she was capable enough to come out from this forest with flying colors.
I acknowledge that fact too.
Her combat ability is top notch, as I have seen her before, fighting.
Moreover, the other girl who was always with her, Arlan, is also not bad.
I don't know much about Aria or Elric, but those two own the power to overcome these obstacles.
However, the essence of this test is quite different from what Selena would perceive.
Her annoyingly simple and straightforward thinking can't really grasp the reason behind such a difficult task as the first lesson given to us.
Selena would diligently collect mana stones with the help of the other teammates.
And that's what happened too.
As the option of "Shop" appeared my status window, I could see the total number of mana stones our group collected, and the items that could be bought with it.
Then came the transmitter. She must have bought it to contact everyone and share information.
As I am out of their range, I can't really hear what they are talking about.
But, looking at the total number of mana stones our group has right now, I can tell that everything is going too smoothly for them.
The total number of mana stones is 40.
That means they must have defeated 10 monsters and taken their mana stones.
At this rate, they would easily come at the top, if nothing unexpected happens.
Only, half an hour remains for this lesson.
The minimum amount of mana stones needed to qualify in this lesson was 5, and not every group would have collected it by now, which clearly implies that they couldn't fight the monsters off.
So, now that only a few minutes are left in their hands, they would either frantically try to meet the quota by defeating a monster, or by simply fighting another group, and snatching their mana stones.
Fighting among students was allowed, so more and more number of fights would start occurring by now.
That's because, everyone has this fixed notion in their minds.
"The total number of mana stones is limited.", which can be interpreted in various ways.
Therefore, it is the perfect time for me to act.
I opened the shop menu, and the number of mana stones our group collected has just increased to 44.
{
> Shop (Temporary)
AVAILABLE MANA STONES (GROUP 1) = 44
Hidden Information : 10 Mana Stones
Energy Drink : 1 Mana Stones
Transmitter (a set of five) : 2 Mana Stones (Bought)
Monster Detector : 5 Mana Stones
Healing Potion : 2 Mana Stones (Bought : 1)
....more
}
This lesson is a group task.
And the day before, we were told to interact with our groupmates as much as possible.
The motive behind that was to build good relationship based on trust among groupmates, which would be helpful in the upcoming lessons.
Our group failed to achieve that from the start.
By allowing me to act on my own, Selena should have assumed that I wouldn't try to sabotage our group intentionally, due to the benefits of coming in the top 3 places.
And she was gravely mistaken.
So, I did what I had planned to do, from the start.
{
Hidden Information : A piece of hidden information, key to the lesson, would be revealed to the buyer only. It can be extremely useful or utterly useless depending on how it's used.
Limit : One person can buy 3 pieces of hidden information only.
Mana Stones Required : 10
> Buy
}
'And bought!'
*****************************************************
Author's Note :
Please comment down your thoughts on the story so far.
If possible, drop a review about it.
There is more to come. More madness.
****************************************************