The air in General Magic Class was thick with the usual energy: half the students lounging around like they'd lost a duel with life itself, the other half frantically flipping through their notes as if cramming last-minute would save them from certain doom. I belonged to a rare, third category—mentally elsewhere, drifting in that liminal space between "awake" and "strategically unconscious." Some call it daydreaming. I call it... strategic resting.
"Attention!"
A voice sharper than a newly-forged mana blade sliced through the low hum of chatter, freezing us mid-yawn, mid-gossip, and mid-soul-crisis.
Seraphina Valefleur, our ever-composed instructor, swept into the room like a gust of elegance personified. Her robes shimmered with faint, enchanted patterns, making it seem like the constellations were stitched into the fabric. She didn't walk; she glided, her heels never quite touching the ground. The kind of grace that said, "Yes, I could destroy your entire existence with a flick of my wrist, but I won't. Probably."
Predictably, the room fell silent. Even the chaotic energy fizzled out. No one dared test the patience of a woman who could vaporize you on a whim and make it look like an accident.
She reached the podium, her icy gaze sweeping across us like she was calculating how many of us were actually worth her time.
And then, with all the gravity of an incoming storm, she announced, "Starting tomorrow, all students will be participating in the Valaria Forest Camp."
The classroom exploded—half cheers, half groans, and a few panicked gasps from students who weren't emotionally prepared to fight wild beasts before breakfast. Some of the more ambitious ones fist-pumped like they'd just unlocked a legendary loot drop. Others looked like they were composing farewell letters to their families.
Meanwhile, I sat in stunned disbelief. Forest camp? Fantastic. As if surviving school wasn't exhausting enough, now we get to rough it in the wilderness, with magical creatures lurking in every bush and classmates who'd stab you in the back for a bonus point.
Seraphina's voice sliced through the noise like a spell-cleaving blade. "This camp is not a vacation. It's a practical test designed to push your limits. You'll complete tasks, earn points, and compete against each other—either in teams or solo. The top three scorers will receive valuable rewards."
That got everyone's undivided attention. Mentioning rewards around a bunch of overachieving mages was like tossing raw meat into a den of starving wolves. You could practically feel the hunger in the air.
Seraphina flicked her hand, and a shimmering projection of Valaria Forest appeared, covering the entire front wall—a vast expanse of green wilderness stretching out like it was daring us to survive it. Rivers cut through the dense forest like veins of silver, cliffs jutted out from the landscape like jagged teeth, and several caves sat ominously in the shadows, practically screaming "enter at your own risk." It looked less like a camping trip and more like the perfect setting for a tragic backstory.
"Your objectives will vary," Seraphina began, her voice smooth but laced with a hint of sadistic pleasure. "Each team or individual will receive task scrolls at random. These tasks may involve hunting monsters, gathering rare enchanted herbs, or fortifying areas against hostile creatures. Choose wisely—because some of these objectives will be more... dangerous than others."
A ripple of excitement buzzed through the room. I caught a few eager glances exchanged between students, the same look adventurers get when they stumble upon a treasure chest—and completely ignore the fact that it's probably trapped.
Meanwhile, I was already calculating the odds of getting a task involving man-eating plants. Knowing my luck? High. Extremely high. I leaned back in my seat and sighed, silently wondering what the academy's insurance policy covered. Near-death experiences? Sudden limb loss? Or maybe just a, "Sorry for your trauma—here's a participation ribbon."
"You may choose to work alone or in teams," Seraphina continued, her tone cool and detached, like she was describing the weather. "Forming a team may grant you additional points... but any rewards earned will be divided equally among all members."
The sound of a thousand mental gears grinding filled the room. Divide the loot? Yeah, no one liked the sound of that. Suddenly, "teamwork" didn't seem quite as appealing. Some students were already calculating whether it was better to go solo and keep 100% of the prize—or risk teaming up and end up with only a fraction of the loot.
And let's not forget: teaming up also meant dealing with the joy of... other people.
"However," Seraphina added with a sly smile, "bonus challenges will be available—and those will pit teams directly against each other. Succeed in these challenges, and your rewards will multiply significantly."
Great. So not only would we be fending off monsters, but we'd also get the chance to stab each other in the back. Pure academic brilliance.
I glanced over at Selene. As always, she wore her signature blank expression, like nothing could surprise her—or like she'd already solved the entire forest in her head and was just waiting for the rest of us to catch up. A quick glance at Lucas showed him deep in thought, probably calculating how many gravity spells it would take to crush any competition. The dude always had a plan.
Then there was Claire, sitting two seats over, practically bouncing in her chair. The look on her face said she was already assembling a mental checklist of every monster she could hunt down. And beside her, Leon flashed his usual confident grin, ready to storm the forest like it owed him money.
Form a team or go solo? Decisions, decisions.
Teaming up with Selene and Lucas would definitely increase my chances of survival—they were methodical and efficient. But let's be real, neither of them was exactly chatty. I could already imagine the long, awkward silences. Sure, we'd probably crush every task, but at what emotional cost?
On the other hand, Claire and Leon would make things... lively. And by lively, I mean chaotic. Leon had the subtlety of a thunderstorm, and Claire wasn't exactly the type to back down from a fight. Teaming up with them would be like hitching a ride on a speeding carriage—exciting, unpredictable, and very likely to crash into a wall.
Or... I could go solo. Avoid the drama. Do things my way. The downside? I'd have to survive the forest on my own. With my mana core hanging by a thread, that wasn't exactly a comforting thought. Plus, dying alone in the wilderness felt a little too tragic, even for me.
"Remember," Seraphina said, her icy gaze sweeping over the room, "your success depends not only on your strength but also on your strategy. Choose your allies—or lack thereof—carefully."
Her words lingered ominously in the air, like a curse waiting to take shape.
I tapped my fingers on the desk, weighing my options. Team up and risk sharing the reward—or go solo, avoid the chaos, and hoard everything... assuming I didn't get eaten by a giant wolf within the first hour.
"As always, Valaria Forest is not without its dangers," Seraphina continued, her voice as smooth as silk—and about as trustworthy as a loaded dice. "Some of the creatures in the forest have been known to... deviate from expectations. You will be entirely on your own out there. I suggest you prepare accordingly."
A murmur of unease rippled through the room, like a cold wind sneaking through a cracked window.
Oh, perfect. Just what I needed—vague warnings about things that might eat us. Love that for us.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to look calm and collected—strategically resting, as usual—but internally, I was already picturing what "deviate from expectations" might mean. Invisible spiders? Rabid wolves? Monster plants that hit harder than midterms? Whatever it was, it sounded less like an educational outing and more like a live-action horror game.
Next to me, Claire leaned over, her voice a low whisper. "So... are we teaming up or—?"
Leon cut her off with that trademark grin, his energy as unstoppable as always. "Obviously, we'll form the strongest team and crush everyone."
His eyes practically sparkled with excitement, like we were setting off on some grand quest instead of marching into nature's murder playground.
Selene shot him a glance, the kind that could kill a lesser man's ego on the spot. "Or," she said flatly, "we can skip the pointless theatrics and focus on efficiency."
Leon gave a lazy shrug. "Why not both?"
Selene, as usual, didn't even dignify that with a response. Lucas, sitting silently on the edge of the conversation, gave a subtle nod. I could tell by the flicker of concentration on his face that he was already planning five different strategies—one for every possible disaster Seraphina's vague warning was hiding.
Meanwhile, Claire looked like she was ready to jump into the forest yesterday. "Come on, Lucius," she nudged. "What do you say? I've got some good firepower, Leon's great at charging into things headfirst, and Selene can cover us with her ice magic. Easy win."
Leon threw a wink my way. "And Lucas? He'll just make sure no one touches the ground."
Ah yes, the dream team. Claire, full of energy and enthusiasm, Leon's confidence dialed up to eleven, Selene bringing the calm precision, and Lucas... well, Lucas being Lucas. On paper, it sounded unbeatable. In practice? That team dynamic might kill me before the forest does.
Before I could respond, Dorian leaned over from the next row, smiling in that warm, easygoing way of his. "Lucius, have you decided who you'll team up with?"
He wasn't pushy—Dorian was never pushy. He just... genuinely cared. The kind of guy who didn't see teamwork as a strategy but as something fun. You know, because some people enjoy being emotionally well-adjusted like that.
"Honestly," Dorian continued, resting his chin on his palm, "I think working together makes everything smoother. I'd love to team up with you if you're interested, but hey, no pressure! If not, I can help you find good teammates." He gave me a thumbs-up, the kind that said, Everything's cool. We've got this, one way or another.
He tapped me lightly on the arm, his grin as disarming as ever. And just like that, I knew—he was already mentally sorting the entire student roster, figuring out who'd click together like puzzle pieces. Classic Dorian. If team-building was a sport, he'd be its reigning champion.
"Uh... I'll think about it," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. It was the best non-answer I could muster without committing to anything.
Dorian, undeterred, gave me a friendly nod. "Cool, no rush! Just let me know. I'll keep a lookout for anyone else who might mesh well with you." Then, without missing a beat, he strolled over to two students who looked ready to faint under the pressure of choosing teammates, already coaching them through the process like a seasoned group therapist.
He thrived in situations like this. He didn't care whether he teamed up with the strongest students or the most chaotic ones, as long as the group worked together—and grew stronger along the way. That was Dorian in a nutshell. Always about the journey and not just the destination. It was both inspiring and exhausting.
Seraphina's gaze finally landed on me, her icy blue eyes locking onto mine with a precision that felt almost predatory. It was the kind of look that said she knew something I didn't, which only heightened my suspicion that I'd somehow stumbled into an elaborate plot involving magical mind games.
"I expect great things from you, Lucius."
Of course, you do. Why can't anyone just expect moderately acceptable things from me for once? A solid B, perhaps? That'd be nice.
Her lips curled into a small, knowing smile—one that seemed to say she had a front-row seat to my impending chaos and was thoroughly enjoying the show. I could practically feel the pressure of her expectations weighing down on me like a mountain of textbooks.
With a dramatic flourish, she dismissed the class. "You have the rest of the day to prepare. We leave at dawn. Do not disappoint me."
And just like that, the weight of her words settled over me like a thick fog. Great. The fate of my entire existence was now tied to my ability to impress a woman who could probably turn me into a toad for mispronouncing her name. I glanced at my classmates, who were now buzzing with excitement—or dread—about the impending forest camp.
No pressure, Lucius. Just don't trip over your own feet and end up as the next mythical snack for the monsters lurking in the woods.
As I gathered my things, I couldn't shake off that nagging feeling that Seraphina's expectation was more than just a friendly nudge. It felt like a gauntlet thrown at my feet, and I was just dumb enough to pick it up.
The moment Seraphina left, the classroom exploded into action. Students began forming alliances like they were assembling raid parties. Deals were struck, promises were made, and rivalries were born in mere seconds.
Claire grabbed my arm before I could escape. "So, you're with us, right?"
Leon smirked. "Obviously. Who else is he going to team with?"
Oh, I don't know... someone quiet and sensible?
Selene and Lucas both looked my way, offering silent lifelines from Claire and Leon's chaotic energy.
Before anyone could press further, Fiona appeared at my side. She leaned in close, whispering just loud enough for me to hear, "There's something... odd about Valaria Forest."
I blinked. "Odd how?"
"You'll find out soon enough," she said cryptically, then disappeared into the crowd.
Back in my dorm room, I lay flat on my back, staring at the ceiling like it held the answers to the universe—or at least to my imminent doom.
Teaming up with Selene and Lucas would guarantee a more stable strategy, but let's be real: they weren't exactly chatty. Conversing with them was like trying to extract a confession from a particularly stubborn statue. Claire and Leon, on the other hand, would make things... lively. Chaotic, sure, but at least it wouldn't be boring. And then there was the option of going solo, which might grant me the freedom to avoid arguments—and also the chance to become monster bait in the woods. Just fantastic.
But wait—what about Dorian? He was practically the poster child for teamwork. Always cheerful and genuinely interested in making the most of any situation, he'd have a plan and probably some motivational speeches ready. I could see it now: "Let's conquer the forest together, Lucius!" Cue the dramatic music and high-fives all around. He'd be a solid choice for team morale, even if his relentless positivity might make me roll my eyes more than once.
With a resigned groan, I summoned my system interface, feeling a mix of hope and dread as I scrolled through my gear and supplies. I had a feeling this camp was going to be anything but relaxing. My inventory was filled with the essentials: potions, snacks, and a questionable-looking sandwich I had yet to throw away. It was a classic "just in case" move, though I was starting to doubt it would survive a week in the wilderness.
Just as I closed my eyes to catch some much-needed sleep, the interface pinged with all the enthusiasm of a cat that just knocked something off a shelf. I blinked at the new notification that materialized before me:
[Main Quest Updated: Survive the Valaria Forest Camp (Solo Edition). Optional: Reach the Top 3 for a Special Reward.]
Solo edition? My heart sank. The universe clearly had a sense of humor. Here I was, destined to navigate the treacherous terrain of Valaria alone, with no backup and an abundance of questionable decisions waiting to happen. And of course, that special reward would be just the incentive to lure me into the jaws of doom. Wonderful.
Great. Just great. If I survived this, I'd have stories to tell—or at least a new chapter in my collection of "Why I Should Have Stayed in Bed."