Takeda turned to the students, his expression serious. "You will be divided into groups of five, the same number used in real battlefield squads," he announced. The students exchanged tense glances as murmurs rippled through the class. Ryu felt a tightening in his stomach, but he looked over at Hana, who responded with a confident nod. "We already have a group," she murmured.
Then he began calling out the names, forming the groups. As expected, Ryu, Aiko, Daisuke, Kenji, and Hana were placed together, while Lee Min already had his own group; the others were instructed to form their own groups. Soon, they began to organize themselves, chatting animatedly as they arranged into teams.
The groups formed under Takeda's watchful eye. Each student seemed to size up the others carefully, as if seeking allies rather than merely classmates. When the names were finally announced, Ryu realized he would be alongside Hana, Aiko, Kenji, and Daisuke. He exchanged looks with each of them, feeling that their journeys were about to intertwine—for better or for worse.
The teacher then instructed the students to explore the northern part of the forest. "You are to identify which creatures are out of control and then return here; this is merely a reconnaissance mission. The time limit is one and a half hours, and all groups must return to the training field before nightfall," he said after all the groups had been formed.
"Each group must explore a section of the forest and come back with a detailed report on the terrain and any potential dangers encountered."
Excitement and tension grew among the students—this would be their first mission, even if it was just an assignment. Ryu and his group exchanged determined looks. "Let's give it our best," Ryu said, and the others agreed enthusiastically.
As the groups prepared to enter the forest, Takeda observed them closely, providing final instructions and words of encouragement. He reminded them of the importance of communication, teamwork, and trusting their companions.
With the groups formed and their instructions given, the students began to venture into the forest. As Ryu's group moved deeper into the woods, they encountered significant difficulties. Ryu noticed that if they didn't move in formation, they would fall behind, but even the thought of speaking up made his throat dry. He had worked hard to act differently up until now, yet in this situation it proved challenging.
They continued for several meters, grumbling about the overly long leaves and waiting for someone to clear a path through the rugged terrain. Finally, with no other option, Ryu spoke up, his entire body warming with nerves at the mere thought. "So… you know, if we keep going like this, we're not going anywhere."
"You're right," Daisuke said immediately. "But what do you propose?"
"Hmm… let's form a line so we simply follow the steps of whoever's in front."
"You really think that will work?" Aiko asked.
"Probably," Kenji interjected before Ryu could respond. "Let's focus on this uneven terrain; I don't think we have enough mana or magical control to handle it any other way."
Aiko quickly agreed that it might be a good idea and signaled for everyone to follow.
"Go ahead, Ryu, lead the way. Thank you," Hana said, falling right behind him.
"I…" Ryu began, pointing to himself.
"I also think it should be you—you seem to come up with quick solutions," Aiko exclaimed.
The boys simply nodded in agreement. Not expecting to be given that role, Ryu stepped to the front without much ceremony, so the line became: Ryu, Hana, Kenji, Aiko, and Daisuke.
Soon the group began moving more quickly through the forest, their steps careful. Aiko whispered concerns about potential beasts, while Hana, in contrast, appeared confident, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "If there's anything out there, I'm ready," she declared, her voice full of determination. Daisuke and Kenji exchanged glances, both aware that their unity would soon be tested.
The forest seemed alive, with every shadow whispering a secret and every sound echoing like a warning. "Stay alert," Ryu whispered. Daisuke, at the rear, scanned all around as if expecting something to leap from the darkness at any moment.
"Follow me and watch your step—there are some roots on the ground now," Ryu advised.
"So, what do you think the monster in the forest will be like?" Aiko asked.
"I have no idea. To be honest, I've never seen one—only read about them in books," Ryu replied.
"Living in the capital has its advantages, doesn't it?" commented Kenji.
"So you've seen some, right, Kenji? What were they like?" Ryu pressed.
"Well, I only saw them from a distance, but back in Nara, there was one that looked like a pig. They'd usually appear in the city and were quickly dispatched. I don't recall anyone getting seriously hurt by them, so they must be pretty weak."
"Guys, there's a small clearing over there on the right. Want to head that way?" Daisuke suggested.
"Ah, sure, let's go—thanks, Daisuke, for spotting that."
"And you, Hana, have you seen any?" Ryu asked, turning to face her.
Hana, with her sharp senses, picked up a faint rustling among the leaves. She raised her hand, pointing to the left, and hushed her companions. The sound grew louder, and soon everyone could hear the melodious song of an unknown bird.
Everyone became alert, and within moments, additional noises could be heard. Although the thick trees blocked the path, it was clear that something was moving in their direction.
However, they soon encountered Lee Min-Jae's group along with Mei Ling and three other members—a young man and two young women.
For a moment, the groups stared at each other.
"So, this is the famous Hana's group," Lee Min-Jae commented with a disdainful smile. "Do you all really have the skills to be alongside her, or are you just suck-ups?"
Mei Ling, with a mocking expression, added, "You must have only seen how skilled she is and are hiding behind her reputation."
Ryu clenched his hands to keep his composure and quickly responded, "We'll prove our abilities on the field. We don't need words for that. Let's move, people," he said, beginning to walk toward their destination.
Lee Min-Jae advanced, a smug smile curving his lips. "Looks like you're already scared," he taunted, his tone dripping with derision. Ryu felt the weight of the stares but remained calm. "We're here to complete the mission, not exchange insults," he replied, though his voice betrayed a slight tension.
"Easy there, kid. Trying to run away?" Lee Min-Jae provoked.
"Hold on, we still have to complete the mission, right, Mei?" the girl following them timidly remarked in a weak voice, with a hint of despair in her golden eyes. She was shorter than Mei Ling and had long gray hair.
A brief pause ensued, but they continued to glare at each other—especially Lee Min-Jae and Ryu. "Quiet, Yuki. I think this kid is getting too full of himself. I want to teach him a lesson," Lee Min-Jae declared.
At that moment, Ryu's group went on alert, ready for a confrontation. Ryu felt his blood boil in his veins, but he knew he couldn't give in to the provocation. He took a deep breath, trying to control his anger, and replied calmly and firmly, "We're on a mission right now; when we get back to school, I'm willing to accept that challenge."
Aiko clenched her fist, her eyes fixed on Mei Ling. She could feel the hostility emanating from the girl and knew a clash was inevitable.
To their right, they heard a growing noise; both groups turned their attention there, apprehensive about what might be coming.
From the shadows, four beastly creatures emerged—wild boars nearly a meter tall, with eyes glowing like embers and tusks as sharp as blades. Atop their heads, something resembling a crown of bones sat, as they advanced with roars that reverberated through the air.
Ryu barely had time to react before he was forced to dodge an attack, feeling the cutting wind pass by. The boars roared fiercely, their cries echoing, and members of both groups prepared for battle.
Adrenaline surged through Ryu's veins as he readied himself to face the boars; he knew he needed to be strong and fast to protect his friends. "These are the beasts I was talking about, look," said Kenji, pointing to their bellies, which were shining.
"We can't fight these creatures here—it's too cramped, we'll end up hitting each other," Ryu shouted.
"We need to split them up," Hana yelled to Lee Min's group. He appeared calm and, after a moment, replied, "You're right—two each, let's see who can take these critters down the fastest." A challenge was issued, but no one in Ryu's group took it seriously.
"Okay, let's get ready to draw the attention of two of them. That clearing on the right, let's head there," Daisuke shouted.
Ryu exchanged a brief look with Hana before turning to Lee Min-Jae. "We can settle this later. For now, let's deal with what's in front of us." Lee hesitated but nodded, his eyes fixed on the boars as if already planning to use them as an excuse for a future showdown.
Focusing, the two began using light magic in their hands, directing it at the beasts. It seemed to work, as the boars started moving away from those causing them discomfort.
Yuki and Mei Ling imitated the technique, and soon the groups were separated—luckily, they weren't very bright.
The two groups began to run separately. After a few moments, Daisuke observed his companions and said, "They're coming—get ready."
Hana trembled slightly but remained determined to help her team. She focused her mind on fire magic, visualizing flames incinerating the enemies. She stepped forward and began forming a fireball roughly the size of her torso. Everyone could feel the intense heat radiating from it. When Daisuke passed by her, heading toward Aiko, the fireball was launched at the creatures—but something strange happened. They began to glow and run side by side. When hit by the spell, they passed through it as if it meant nothing.
The shock left Hana momentarily motionless; her best spell had dissipated into nothingness. Yet the boars continued to charge at a considerable speed. "Hana!" Ryu shouted as he leaped forward and pulled her from the spot.
"Come on, we need to come up with something to kill these things," Ryu said with a smile.
After that, Hana appeared calmer, though the situation was far from resolved. Looking at her teammates, it was clear they could only manage to dodge the two beasts.
"Do whatever it takes to separate them. I've got an idea," Ryu shouted while planting his hands on the ground and concentrating. "Cover me, Hana; I think only the two of us can take them down."
"Give us time, Kenji," Aiko shouted. She took a deep breath, channeling wind into her lungs. She knew she had to be precise and powerful to bring down the boars.
Upon hearing this, Kenji attempted to form a stone wall between them, but it was shattered as if it were nothing. "Tsk."
Without stopping, they moved toward Aiko and Daisuke. "As we agreed," the two said simultaneously.
They stood still in deep concentration, waiting for the beasts to come into contact with them. When they drew near, someone could be heard shouting, "Now!" Aiko yelled, and both struck at the same time.
Daisuke clenched his fist tightly, channeling his energy to create a powerful surge of water. He punched the boar on the right, and upon impact, it was pushed by a jet of water that burst from his fist toward the other animal.
Meanwhile, Aiko delivered a powerful kick, unleashing an extremely strong gust of wind even before making contact with her target. Daisuke's water current sliced through the air with a hissing sound, striking the boar forcefully and knocking it to the ground. Aiko's wind howled like a starving wolf, hurling the boar aside. Both animals fell, but the combination ended up separating them—with one being driven toward Ryu and Hana.
"I hope you're done over there, Ryu," Hana exclaimed.
That shout didn't reach Ryu. "You need to be stronger, sharper, more resilient," he thought intensely until, finally, he managed to rise. Lying on the ground, he retrieved a stone knife—about 15 centimeters long, resembling a feline claw, but truly sharp.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that Hana was preparing another fire spell. Her flames burned with intense heat, lighting up the clearing with an orange glow. Smoke spiraled upward, choking the air. But quickly, Ryu stood and said, "Follow me; let's finish this."
Drawn by his calm and confident tone, Hana dispelled her spell and decided to follow Ryu. The boy sprinted toward the beast, stomping forcefully to create an elevated platform in front of it. However, he misstepped, fell, and slid along the ground. At that moment, Ryu was already directing his dagger toward the creature's eye, which writhed in pain. Without hesitation, he withdrew the dagger and applied fire to the wound, channeling it into the creature. The beast spat fire and soon fell motionless.
"Just as I suspected, its insides are quite fragile. I'm going to need you now, Hana. I've used all the magic I could on this one," Ryu said, pointing to the other beast, which had started running in their direction, ignoring Aiko and Daisuke who were much closer.
"Leave it to me," she said, taking the dagger from Ryu with a smile. "Now it's time for my revenge. Kenji, do the same thing Ryu did to slow it down." After saying this, she sprinted toward the beast.
Kenji concentrated and created the same platform to hinder the creature, but this time he jumped, as if expecting that spell. Hana was caught off guard, but she didn't falter.
She collided with the beast, which began dragging her backward. Hana clutched at the creature's tusks, and as if that weren't enough, fire began to engulf them both so intensely that even Aiko and Daisuke could feel the heat.
Suddenly, Ryu leaped onto the animal's back. Unfazed by the flames, he grabbed Hana's dagger from her hand and plunged it into the creature's eye. The fire was then directed into the wound, even melting the dagger. The beast collapsed, and Ryu was thrown off its back.
"Are you all okay?" Kenji ran toward Hana and Ryu.
After a while of calm, they began to rise.
"Wow, this is the first time I've exhausted my mana core. What pain—plus, I think I injured my leg from that impact," Aiko complained.
"Don't even mention it. Besides my fist, my whole body aches. It's a good thing we managed to kill that thing; otherwise, we'd be doomed. Anyway, come on, lean on me," added Daisuke. He was limping, with a deep gash on his leg. He knew he'd have to rest, but he was happy to have helped save his friends.
After getting up with Daisuke's help and starting to head toward Hana and Ryu, Aiko exclaimed, "Thank you—I hope they're okay; if not, the journey back will be tough."
When Kenji arrived to help, the beast was indeed dead, but it lay atop Hana, who was unconscious. Removing the creature from her, he saw that her injuries were not severe—just cuts and some minor burns.
"What happened?" Ryu got to his feet and looked at Kenji beside Hana. "Is she b—" When he tried to stand, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and collapsed, coughing. Kenji rushed to his side.
"Calm down, Ryu, try to relax. If you keep moving, it will only hurt more." Unsure of what else to do, Kenji focused and helped Ryu drink some water he had brought.
"I'm feeling a bit better; I think I can make it back to the meeting point. We need to prioritize Hana—she's unconscious." Ryu's thoughts raced; he felt he had been reckless for not staying with her. Clenching his fists, the thought pounded in his mind.
"It wasn't your fault… Man, we fought as a team," Daisuke said, struggling.
"You're right, Kenji—you're the only one who can carry Hana. We need to get back to the training field," Ryu continued. "That's the only thing we need to think about now—getting out of here safely."
With great effort and despite many injuries, they managed to defeat the boars and are now returning.