The midday sun filtered through the towering spires of the academy, casting long shadows across the cobblestone pathways. Eren moved briskly between buildings, his hood pulled low and his mind preoccupied. The encounter with Cassian still lingered at the back of his thoughts, but he'd resolved to focus on what he could control: his survival. The system's quest to investigate the past still loomed, but for now, Eren's priority was ensuring he didn't attract further attention.
But staying out of sight wasn't always an option. Despite his best efforts, the academy's social and academic ecosystem was impossible to avoid entirely. Today marked the first practical examination in Field Survival Studies, a course that every student—regardless of rank—was required to attend.
Eren's heart sank as he arrived at the training grounds, an open expanse of grass bordered by dense woods. Groups of students gathered in clusters, their chatter buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Among them were faces Eren recognized from the novel—not just Cassian, but several other key figures in the story.
"Just stay invisible," Eren muttered under his breath, edging toward the least populated corner of the grounds.
The instructor, a grizzled veteran named Master Verral, strode into the center of the field. His presence commanded immediate attention, and the students fell silent as he surveyed the crowd with piercing eyes.
"Today's exercise is simple," Verral began, his voice booming. "Survival is not about strength alone. It's about adaptability, resourcefulness, and the ability to think under pressure. You'll be divided into teams and tasked with retrieving a relic hidden within the forest. Each team will be assigned a quadrant, and the first to bring back their relic will receive top marks."
Eren tensed. This kind of group activity was the last thing he wanted. Working with others meant interaction, and interaction meant exposure.
As Verral began calling out team assignments, Eren's worst fears were realized.
"Team Four: Cassian Alden, Maris Dreyer, Elira Voss, and… Raynor Velcroft."
The murmur of voices grew louder as heads turned toward him. Eren's chest tightened. This wasn't just bad luck; it was catastrophic.
The group convened near the edge of the woods, and Eren quickly found himself the subject of wary glances. Cassian's eyes were cold, but there was a flicker of something else beneath the surface: curiosity. Maris, a fiery redhead with a sharp tongue, crossed her arms and regarded Eren with open skepticism.
"Guess we're stuck with you," she said bluntly. "Try not to drag us down."
Elira, a soft-spoken healer with pale blonde hair, offered a small, apologetic smile but said nothing.
Eren held his hands up in mock surrender. "I'll stay out of your way."
"Good," Cassian said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The team set off into their assigned quadrant, the dense forest quickly swallowing them. Eren kept to the rear, observing rather than participating in the group's strategy discussions. Cassian took the lead, his confidence and natural charisma rallying the others. It was clear why he was the protagonist; his presence alone seemed to inspire competence and determination.
As they delved deeper into the forest, the atmosphere grew tense. The relic they sought was undoubtedly guarded by traps or magical wards, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig set the group on edge. Eren, however, felt oddly calm. The forest was his domain now, a place he'd come to understand through days of solitude and survival.
"Stop," Eren said suddenly, his voice cutting through the quiet. The group turned to him, startled.
"What is it?" Cassian asked, his tone skeptical.
Eren pointed to a patch of seemingly innocuous ground ahead. "That's a tripwire. Step on it, and we'll all regret it."
Maris scoffed. "How would you know?"
Eren ignored her, stepping forward to carefully disable the mechanism. A faint shimmer of magic dispersed as he worked, revealing a hidden rune that would have triggered a sleeping gas trap.
"Impressive," Elira said softly, her eyes wide.
Cassian studied Eren for a long moment before nodding. "Good work."
Eren offered a nonchalant shrug, though his heart raced. It wasn't much, but it was a start. If he could prove his usefulness, perhaps they'd begin to see him as something other than the Raynor of old.
The group continued on, encountering more obstacles along the way. Each time, Eren's knowledge of the forest and its hidden dangers proved invaluable. Slowly but surely, the tension began to ease. Even Maris, though reluctant, begrudgingly acknowledged his contributions.
By the time they retrieved the relic—a small, intricately carved stone—and returned to the training grounds, the dynamic had shifted. While Cassian's mistrust hadn't disappeared, there was a hint of respect in his gaze.
As the team handed the relic to Master Verral, Eren allowed himself a small smile. It wasn't much, but it was a step toward rewriting his story.
That night, back at his shelter, the Survival System chimed once more.
Quest Complete: Investigate the Past
Reward: Relationship Insight Skill (Basic), 20 Experience Points.
New Skill Unlocked: Relationship Insight (Basic)
Allows the user to gauge the general emotional state of individuals and their disposition toward the user.
Eren sat by the fire, the soft glow illuminating his thoughtful expression. His path at the academy would never be easy, but for the first time, he felt like he had a chance. He just had to stay one step ahead and, most importantly, keep surviving.