Friday morning dawned crisp and cold, a blanket of fog draping over the academy grounds. Damian and his dormmates filed into the training yard, their breath puffing out in small clouds. Today was the much-anticipated practical survival training, a test that could earn them extra points toward their overall grade. For the past month, the classes had focused on essential survival skills like foraging and navigating unknown environments, but this was their first chance to put their knowledge to use in the wild.
"Alright, listen up!" barked Sergeant Halford, his voice sharp as a blade, commanding the attention of the assembled students. "Today's test will be simple: survive in the forest and hunt. The forest is crawling with mana beasts, most of them rank 1, but don't underestimate them. They'll rip you apart if you're careless."
Damian felt a ripple of unease pass through the crowd. The majority of the students had not yet awakened their aura, and even the ones who had—like him—were still learning to control it.
Sergeant Halford continued, "Your badges will display your points for every successful hunt. Points are what you're after, but survival comes first. You'll be grouped into squads of six, and each squad will have at least two awakened students to give you a fighting chance."
A hand shot up from the crowd. It was Hugo von Graye, the rank 9 student, and son of a viscount. His expression was smug as he asked, "Can we hunt other squads for points?"
Halford's grin was menacing as he replied, "Of course. The forest is your battlefield. Be alert at all times... and don't die." His voice sent a chill through the group.
With that, the sergeant pulled out a glowing artifact, muttering a command under his breath. In a flash of light, the students were transported to the edge of a sprawling forest, already grouped into their respective squads.
Damian found himself standing in the dense underbrush, surrounded by five unfamiliar students from different classes. They quickly introduced themselves: 4 of them were commoners like Damian. One of the nobles, a lanky boy with sandy blond hair, stepped forward with an air of arrogance.
"I'm Lionel Greaves, rank 1 middle aura. I'll lead this squad," he declared, his voice dripping with entitlement. "The rest of you, just stay out of my way, and I'll make sure we rack up the points."
Damian clenched his jaw but said nothing. It was clear Lionel expected compliance simply because of his rank and noble blood. He shot a glance at the others in the group, most of whom looked uneasy but didn't protest.
"Fine," Damian muttered under his breath. They needed to get through the test with as little friction as possible.
They scouted the area for a while, their footsteps silent on the soft forest floor. Mana beasts prowled in the shadows, their glowing eyes watching from the underbrush. The group came across tracks, and after a few minutes of careful tracking, they spotted their first prey a Crystalhide Boar. It was a massive beast, its back and head covered in jagged, crystalline growths that shimmered in the faint sunlight filtering through the trees.
"That thing's an upper rank 1 boar," one of the students whispered nervously. "I don't think we can handle it."
Lionel waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry, you've got me. Just follow my lead."
Without waiting for a plan or any discussion, Lionel charged straight at the boar, aura flaring around him as he raised his sword. The boar bellowed in rage, its tusks gleaming as it prepared to charge.
"Stick to the plan!" Lionel shouted over his shoulder, though no plan had ever been communicated.
The fight started chaotically. Lionel swung at the boar with brute force, but the boar's crystalline armor deflected the blow easily. It retaliated with a powerful headbutt, sending Lionel sprawling into the dirt.
"Help me, you idiots!" Lionel screamed, struggling to regain his footing.
Damian quickly realized they couldn't rely on Lionel's reckless approach. The rest of the squad hesitated, unsure whether to follow Lionel's orders or come up with their own strategy. The boar, however, was done waiting. It charged toward one of the commoner students, its tusks aimed for a lethal strike.
Without thinking, Damian stepped forward, his body reacting before his mind could catch up. He tackled the commoner out of the way just as the boar's tusks plowed into the ground where they had stood moments before. Rolling to his feet, Damian shouted to the others, "Stay behind me! We have to work together or we're all dead!"
Damian's movements were quick and precise, his aura focused as he took up a defensive stance. He blocked another charge from the boar, its sheer weight pushing him back, but he held firm. The other students started to fall in line, flanking the boar and trying to jab at its exposed sides, though their attacks barely scratched its crystal hide.
The battle dragged on, each moment a test of endurance. Lionel, still recovering from his earlier blunder, stood back and barked orders. "Attack its legs! Bring it down!" But he made no effort to coordinate the group or protect them.
The boar grew more agitated, its movements wild and dangerous. It lashed out, catching one of the students with its tusks and sending them flying into a tree, the impact knocking them unconscious. Another student took a deep gash to the arm from the beast's crystalline back as they tried to close in for an attack.
Sweat poured down Damian's face as he blocked blow after blow, his arms shaking from the strain. He couldn't hold out much longer. The noble was useless, barking orders from the back, and the rest of the squad was barely hanging on.
Finally, Lionel decided to act. With a roar, he channeled his aura and rushed forward in a last-ditch effort. He leaped into the air, his sword flashing as he brought it down with all his strength. The blade struck the boar's head, cleaving through the crystal hide and sinking deep into the beast's skull.
The boar let out a final bellow before collapsing to the ground, dead.
Lionel stood over the fallen creature, chest heaving with exertion. "See? I told you I could handle it," he said, though his voice wavered slightly.
Damian glanced around at his injured squadmates, his own chest tight with frustration. Most of them were too hurt to continue, bruised and bleeding from the reckless fight. Lionel, completely oblivious to their condition, scowled.
"You're all useless," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I had to do everything myself."
Damian grit his teeth, but kept silent. The noble would never admit that his arrogance had nearly cost them their lives.