[Viera's PoV]
The next day, the academy students set sail toward the island where the first phase of the survival test would take place.
"Hey Viera, where's the Captain? I haven't seen him at all today," asked Eric, one of my fellow members in the disciplinary committee.
"He's asleep in the ship's cabin."
Last night, the Captain invited me to destroy a pirate ship at Rocky Island. I still can't believe he actually did it.
The Captain easily defeated half of the hundreds of pirates and even took down their leader, who seemed much stronger than him. It made me wonder, how could he have lost to Brian, who is merely another academy student?
"Is that so? Instructor Torun is looking for him to discuss security matters with the Student Council," said Eric, pointing toward the instructor standing at the bow with some Student Council members.
"I'll talk to them instead."
I walked over to them, noticing one of the Student Council members frowning in dissatisfaction.
"Where is your leader? We need to discuss the security measures for this trip with him," the man asked.
"Captain Raul is resting, and I'll represent him in this discussion."
Upon hearing my words, they glanced at each other, and the man who had spoken earlier began to look annoyed.
"Tch, as a leader, how can he be so lazy at such a crucial time? We're out at sea, and there were reports of pirate attacks in this area just a few days ago!" complained the Student Council member, whom I recognized as Senior Ian.
His concerns won't be an issue today. The Captain and I destroyed their fleet last night. Still, why did he forbid me from telling them about our achievement?
"You don't need to worry about pirate attacks. We'll handle them easily if they come," I said, even though I already knew this trip would be safe.
"Don't joke around! How can you be so sure we won't be attacked? These pirates have caused many casualties! Given we're traveling in such a large group, they're bound to target us," retorted Senior Ian, his tone stubborn. "Captain, I've told you, putting a useless noble like him in charge of the disciplinary committee was a mistake! He only recruits useless people like this!"
Hearing him insult the Captain and the others made my anger rise. I wanted to hit this guy. I knew our group had once been full of troublemakers, but we've changed. Thanks to the Captain's guidance, we've grown far beyond what we used to be.
We... are not trash!
"Failures like you should—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a piece of paper suddenly hit his face. I turned around to see Captain Raul walking toward us.
"Who dares throw this at me?!" shouted Senior Ian, angrily snatching the paper from his face.
I tried my best to stifle a laugh as I watched the Captain make a fool out of him.
"You should probably update your information, Senior," said the Captain, pointing to the piece of paper Ian was holding.
"Huh? What do you—" Senior Ian's words were cut off as he read the paper, which turned out to be a newspaper.
"The pirate fleet of Zack the Brown Bread was destroyed last night by unknown assailants... Hey Raul, is this information in the newspaper true?" asked Senior Ian after reading the article.
"You can check the publisher yourself, Senior. The newspaper is from the Aragon Times, the most credible news source in the Empire. Isn't your family also involved with them?" the Captain explained.
Hearing this, Senior Ian could only grit his teeth in frustration. It seemed like he was trying to undermine the disciplinary committee led by the Captain at every opportunity.
After the Captain's explanation, the conversation shifted to preparations for the survival test on the uninhabited island, which would last for three days.
---
[Raul's PoV]
After a seven-hour journey, the fleet carrying the academy students finally arrived at the island, where the first phase of the survival test would take place.
"The beach is beautiful!"
"Look at the water; it's so clear! You can even see the bottom!"
Some of the students looked excited, probably never having been to a beach before. Well... if they manage to pass the next phase, maybe the academy will let them relax on the island for a day or two.
"Attention!"
The students stopped talking at the instructor's command.
"You are about to begin the first phase of the survival test," the instructor began, explaining the rules for the test.
In this phase, the students would form teams of three. They would search for a crystal called Veremith on the island over the course of seven days to earn points for the test.
The 20 teams with the lowest points would not move on to the next phase.
Students were allowed to fight each other to steal the crystals from other teams. Each student would be equipped with a magical bracelet called a Limiter.
The bracelet would teleport students back to the ship if their bodies reached their physical limits, ensuring no one would die even if they fought with their full strength on the island.
"Do you understand the rules I just explained?" the instructor asked the students. "Yes, you there, the red-haired boy."
The instructor pointed at a boy with red hair standing alone at the back of the academy students.
"Are we allowed to bring swords or other artifacts onto the island?" the redhead asked.
He was Geralt de Jimena—the son of Duke Vasco de Jimena—the most prominent noble family in the southern part of the Empire.
Author's Note: Geralt de Jimena
Geralt is a rival of Brian, the Hero, in the game Path of Destiny. Players can control him in certain quests throughout the game.
"Students are not permitted to bring anything to the island," the instructor replied. "Any other questions?"
This time, a bespectacled girl raised her hand.
"Are we allowed to work together or form alliances with other teams?"
That character... Ugh, I forgot her name. I think she's one of the NPCs players can summon for a fee to help fight monsters or bosses.
"You can, and it's up to you how you want to share the crystals you find," the instructor answered. "Any more questions?"
No one raised their hand this time.
"If not, please go ahead and draw your numbers from the box," the instructor said, pointing to a box covered with a black cloth on the table. "Students with the same number will be grouped together in a team."
There were 200 second-year students in total, meaning there would be 66 teams of three, with one team having only two members.
"Please take your numbers one at a time!"
The students began taking turns drawing their team numbers from the box. After a few moments, it was my turn.
I reached into the box and pulled out a slip of paper with the number 24 written on it.
"I just hope I don't get stuck with anyone weird."