The group made sure to find a safe place somewhere inside the outer part of Sagemount. This was undoubtedly the territory of Starless to Star-2 Vessels.
They approached an area only replenished with grasses after quite a long walk, and the middle-aged man demanded a halt.
"We will camp here," he stated.
*Sighs*
It was clear that the students were already becoming a bit exhausted... Sagemount is too large!
"Okay... Okay. I'm giving everyone ten minutes to rest. After that, we would have to clear the grasses and mantle up the tents," he added.
Seven and Rolanda were favored as well... They both sat on the grass to rest, still staying close to each other. There wasn't a time when they went separate ways.
'That's nice.'
Miss Brie, who had been noticing this all this while, couldn't help but comment.
While they rested, Seven raised his head to observe the surroundings. The mountains around this place were considered dwarfs in comparison to the others in the inner part of the mountain range. Although they were colossal, that wasn't hiding the fact that they were the shortest groups in the range.
It was the first time Seven was having such a great adventure. Since childhood, he hadn't seen a mountain in real life other than some pictures captured by aether-powered cameras.
His father had made him almost like a slave in the house because, yes, he does almost all the work that a slave does in the house without even being appreciated for it... He stayed back home when his brothers ventured out of the house to visit several tourist zones and even attended the worst elementary school in Emerald City.
That was another story he would love to keep in his mind, for long... Until the moment he would be capable enough to punch his father in the face.
"Your first time seeing mountains?"
Suddenly, Rolanda, who had been noticing him, asked.
"Yes..." Seven shrugged.
"Ahh, I have been to Mount Eden, the largest mountain range in Terraverde. I have seen mountains countless times. Even the ones on seas," Rolanda said with a smile.
"Nice. I only saw a picture of one when I was 15, I never had an idea what a mountain is before then. But anyway, now I have seen one in reality," Seven shook his head.
"Where you deprived of freedom?" Rolanda couldn't help but ask.
Seven had an unwilling look on his face and hesitated. However, when he was about to let out his response...
"Alright. Time up! Let's get to work!" The middle-aged man said.
With an indifferent stare, Seven and Rolanda stood up to grab a machete.
The students ended up clearing a land of about half a plot and fixed the tents.
"Two students will share one tent, for safety reasons," the other lecturer from the Dog-type department notified.
"Good. We will stay together," Rolanda rolled her eyes with a smile as she decided.
"B... But you are..."
"I'm a girl, I know. It doesn't matter," Rolanda interrupted. "C'mon, let's raise our tent already."
Seven was short of words at that moment and didn't say anything else. He glanced around and noticed there were actually some female students who decided to spend the night in the same tent as male students. The lecturers didn't react...
'Ahh... Okay.'
After Seven and Rolanda had finished fixing their tent, they both walked back to the middle-aged man.
This man appeared to be the leader of this mission test.
"Now that we are done. I know most of you would be ready to sleep your eyes off. But no. You have to be attentive. Anything can happen in Sagemount," he said.
"Tomorrow will be the first day of your mission test, so get your spirit prepared. Have a good night," he added.
Seven and Rolanda left with the other students to their respective tents and sealed the tent entrance as ordered by the middle-aged man.
After a few minutes, the shelter spot was already silent.
"Do you really want to stay awake?" Rolanda asked Seven after noticing that he wasn't making an attempt to sleep.
"I'd prefer to stay awake. You can sleep," Seven spoke.
It was astonishing that Rolanda was having a change of mind at that instant.
"Okay. Since you want to stay awake, I'll too," Rolanda suddenly sat up. "You are my best friend, remember? I will always do what you do."
Seven flinched. "Do what? You really need to rest, young mistress."
Seven decided to address her appropriately this time. She really is the daughter of an Emperor; she deserves to be called that.
But...
"Don't call me that again, Seven. I'm Rolanda. The one who the emperor despised," Rolanda glared.
"Er... Okay."
Seven had to accept her decision.
"Now, I am staying awake with you until daybreak."
Not having a choice, Seven agreed and didn't say anything else.
"But wait... Do you have a plan?" That instant, Rolanda furrowed her brows and asked.
She was as disturbing as Whisky for real!
Seven froze at her question before turning in her direction. He appeared stunned as if like a criminal who had been caught in the act.
"Well, if you have a plan, I'm in this too!"
.....
GRRR!
GRRRRR!!!
GRR!!!
"Wolves!!! Everyone stay calm and attentive. This is your first challenge, even though it's unexpected!" The middle-aged man shouted as he rushed out of his tent.
The lecturers and the students rushed out of their tents as well after noticing the growls from the near distance.
The middle-aged walked a few steps forward to observe the Vessels that had attacked them.
They were truly wolves as he had guessed when just hearing the sound of their growling.
"Iron-toothed Wolves...!"
But they were not just ordinary wolves...
"They are a pack of fifteen Iron-toothed Wolves. You all must be ready!"
When the middle-aged man was just about to order the students to attack first, Miss Brie suddenly ran out of a tent at the side with a worried look on her face.
"My students, I can't find them!"
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[A/N: Your supports are appreciated!]