Survival 148

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The world never operates without competition.

During university, it was for grades.

During military service, it was for leave.

For employment, it was for qualifications.

And even now, it’s the same.

[Notice]

[Recruitment for Field Classes]

[Investigation of Southern Jungle Abnormalities]

[Benefits will be granted to those with excellent grades]

[First-year students are also allowed to apply for the field classes. Please feel free to apply to your supervising professor.]

A notice posted prominently on the bulletin board.

Its meaning was simple.

First-year students, too, could jump into the competition where second and third-year students were already vying.

Moreover, having already bested most second-year students, one’s confidence in their abilities was sky-high.

They believed they could easily handle the supposedly difficult field classes.

As a result—

“Professor Marks!”

“Move aside, I’m applying first.”

“We’re both from noble families, what makes you think you can order me around? Follow the queue!”

The competition for grades was inevitable.

“…Haa. As expected, there are many applicants.”

Naturally, the workload for Marks, the A-Class professor in charge of managing the field classes, had to increase as well.

Therefore, amidst the bustling students gathered in front of the faculty office, I tried to avoid Professor Marks’s attention.

– The old professor’s gaze was piercing.

– Understandably so. In a way, I was the cause.

My rise in ranking from the previous field class.

The duels at the exchange meeting.

All of it had happened because of me.

I understood his resentful gaze.

“But everyone, aren’t you misunderstanding something?”

His eyes, which had been checking the submitted documents, suddenly turned sharp.

“The number of students for the field class is limited. If there are too many applicants, we’ll have to decide according to the academy’s long-standing tradition.”

“Long-standing tradition…?”

“Of course, the family requesting the field class would prefer to have the best students, wouldn’t they?”

In other words, based on grades.

It was an obvious statement.

This academy was a hotbed of meritocracy.

Some students’ faces hardened.

To clarify their doubts, I stepped forward.

“Ah, Professor Marks. May I ask how many students will be selected?”

“As the runner-up, you’re naturally eligible. Hmm. At most, probably ten. Maybe fewer, since second and third-year students will also apply.”

Following the professor’s words, some students’ faces brightened while others showed discomfort.

“Professor Marks, I believe educational opportunities should be equal.”

Among them was the crown prince, who had performed abysmally in the recent midterms.

Ah, he had even been abandoned by his fiancée, Luciana.

And he was backstabbed by Riu, whom he had dumped.

Who would have expected two team members to act separately and excel?

With that regretful thought, I sincerely sighed.

“Ah, what a pity. Come to think of it, I heard the crown prince dropped to 11th place this time.”

“You scoundrel..!”

The sight of the crown prince grinding his teeth was truly satisfying.

‘It’s his own fault. How dare he think he could use Luciana to enter the dungeon first?’

In the end, it was the crown prince’s lack of character that led him to fail in taking care of his people properly.

Judging by the subtle glances gathering around, it seemed I wasn’t the only one who had noticed his poor nature.

“For now, could everyone please leave the faculty office? I have memorized all your faces, so I will compile the list and report to the dean.”

***

Inside the carriage headed south, it was indeed fitting to say that it was provided by a ducal family.

The plush sofas and prepared refreshments were far superior to those of the Speda duchy.

Of course, given the money spent, it was understandable. 

The Speda duchy, being a border marquisate focused on repelling demons and guarding the border, had to refrain from luxury.

Clatter-

‘Still, the coachman’s skills are lacking… Indeed, northern coachmen are the best.’

Though the carriage slightly jolted on the slope, I thought it was no big deal and gazed out the window.

“Hey, coachman. Drive properly.”

“Yes, yes, sir!”

The owner of this carriage seemed to think differently.

“My apologies. It’s a mistake on our coachman’s part.”

“Haha, Daimon. Don’t worry too much. Such things are bound to happen on a long journey.”

– Apologies.

– So this is the level of the south.

Ignoring the sarcastic voice echoing like a hallucination, I glanced around subtly.

The inside of the carriage was a display of grandeur.

From the first to the tenth rank of the first-year A class.

Naturally, the scions of the four ducal families were included.

“…Tch. The prestige of the Daimon family is notable.”

Of course, among them was also an unwelcome guest.

“Is there a problem with my family’s support, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

“The role of a coachman is to ensure the comfort of his master. It seems he hasn’t been properly trained.”

The crown prince.

Despite being ranked 11th, he had arrogantly taken a corner of the sofa.

Yet, he shamelessly acted as if he owned the place, exuding arrogance.

Normally, he would have been disqualified from the field class recruitment…

‘Damn it, using his status as the crown prince to his advantage.’

Traveling with such an inherently unpleasant person was distressing.

Still, it might be considered a small blessing.

“Your Highness, your words are too harsh. Aren’t you one of the four pillars supporting the Manhett Empire?”

“Leon….”

“Sir Daimon, the tea tastes wonderful. Could I trouble you for another cup?”

“Ah, Third Prince, of course.”

Originally ranked 21st, the lowest in A class, he would never have been able to participate.

But thanks to the crown prince’s insistence, the third prince had also been dragged along.

“…Hmph.”

The crown prince seemed quite displeased.

From the academy’s standpoint, merely listening to the crown prince’s opinion could appear as if they were supporting him, so it was a natural decision.

“Hans, my teacup is empty.”

While the brothers were engaged in their tense exchange, Luciana, maintaining her usual grace, handed me her glass.

“Right away.”

Although the carriage was vibrating slightly up and down, it was not a big issue for me.

I focused my aura on my legs, ensuring I didn’t move an inch.

I felt a bit of pride as the tea was poured perfectly without a single drop spilling.

Luciana, savoring the tea, clicked her tongue at me.

“Why don’t you try it as well? This is how the tea from the Eastern Highlands should taste. The tea you make doesn’t even come close to this.”

“Ah, I’m trying my best.” 

I shrugged and responded to Luciana’s rebuke.

– Trying your best! You always make me do it!

– Brewing tea is a basic skill for nobles. Lady Bathory is indeed a noble vampire of great standing.

– Ugh. For the sake of your royal dignity, you should at least learn how to brew tea.

– Haha, I’ll give it a try.

I realized long ago that people should only do what they are capable of.

And for me, brewing tea was a skill I was inherently lacking.

In that sense, discovering and employing the talented Bathory could also be seen as a form of effort.

…I felt it from the beginning. Your Highness, you treat your friends with such kindness. Your benevolence has spread throughout the academy, making us proud.

– Your true nature has been exposed.

“Leon, your feelings are indeed excessive. Don’t worry, what blemish could there be on the path of the sun?”

– Don’t overstep your bounds and shut up, will you?

Ignoring the noise beside me, I brushed aside the silver strands of hair that had fallen over my forehead and watched Luciana as she gracefully sipped her tea.

Just looking at her, as if she were a painting, made me feel I didn’t need any snacks.

She was the perfect complement to the tea.

It felt as if the sweet and pure fragrance filled my mouth….

Meanwhile, the owner of the carriage sat beside me.

To be precise, he spoke to the person next to me.

“By the way, Rene, how much do you know about the South?”

“Ah…! I’ve only lived in the central region, so I don’t know much about other areas.”

Rene slightly raised her eyebrows, looking troubled.

‘Goodness. She deserves an award for acting.’

That, too, was a talent.

Given that she’s a reincarnated person, there’s no way she wouldn’t know.

I couldn’t help but be impressed by the saintess’s pretense.

‘Well. She even managed to deceive me for a while.’

“Haha, you warned me about the World Tree but claim to know nothing about the South. How curious.”

“That was purely due to the power of prophecy….”

“No, thanks to that advice, our duchy avoided a major disaster.”

Luke, unaware of the dark truth, smiled faintly.

I listened intently to the soft whispers exchanged in low voices.

“Indeed, there were issues with the roots of the World Tree. The beastmen’s magic was causing it to rot.”

“As expected…”

“However, it’s hard to understand. The World Tree holds significant symbolism for the beastmen too. Attacking us or the dwarves is one thing, but directly targeting the World Tree is unprecedented.”

Luke shook his head with a sigh.

“Therefore, there is one thing that the Daimon family would like to ask of the saint.”

At this point, his voice grew louder.

From now on, it was no longer a message just for the saint.

It was likely a proclamation for everyone participating in the field class in the carriage.

“It seems that beastmen targeting the World Tree are scattered throughout the jungle. Although the duke’s soldiers are responding, those creatures are elusive.”

“What are you trying to say? Do you want us to drive them away?”

“Lady Speda, while it wouldn’t be difficult for you to simply chase them away with your aura, that wouldn’t solve the root of the problem.”

Waving his fingers, the blond youth continued.

“In any way possible, we would like you to find out their intentions for targeting the World Tree.”

What are the enemy’s intentions? It seemed the duke’s house was curious about that.

‘Approaching the saint openly… they must think that she, with her divine powers, can extract more information.’

They were essentially telling us to secure the saint’s cooperation ourselves. Truly, a sinister ploy.

They must have intentionally brought up such sensitive matters in front of everyone here.

Of course.

‘Knowing the original story, I should…?’

– Thud, crash!

At that moment, the tea spilled out of the teacup, plates on the table shattered, and pastries scattered as the carriage jolted violently.

“Coachman! I told you to drive properly!”

But there was no response to the noble’s commanding voice.

“This is absurd. If there’s a problem, at least say something….”

“…! Everyone, get down!”

Luciana was the first to sense something was wrong. With her warning, she grabbed my hand.

“Whoa!”

“I said get down!”

Three arrows embedded themselves in the spot where I had just been sitting.

– You would have noticed it earlier. Why didn’t you dodge?

– No, I was planning to dodge at the last moment and mock the attacker.

– As always, Frost Mane, your personality is terrible…

It might be considered a reward instead. Thanks to that, I got to hold Luciana’s hand.

– Hmm.

It didn’t stop there. The arrowheads glowed red, followed by an explosion. The carriage began to collapse in an instant.

“Ugh. What is this….”

“Is everyone safe?”

Fortunately, everyone here was capable of looking after themselves.

“Your Highness!”

“Lady Luciana, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. Now let go of my hand.”

“…Yes.”

Including the one person who I wouldn’t have minded getting hurt a little.

Even as the carriage crumbled, everyone managed to stand on their own strength.

“Damn it, all the horses are dead. They were expensive thoroughbreds.”

“What about the coachman?!”

“He’s still here, but….”

At the end of Luke Daimon’s gaze was the coachman who hadn’t responded earlier.

“Ugh….”

The man, pierced through the chest by an arrow, was barely breathing.

His gaze was desperate, but the wound was too severe. 

He would soon meet the same fate as the fallen horses.

“In the name of the Holy Goddess, tend to this poor soul. High Heal!”

Fortunately, that would not be the case.

The moment the saintess’s hand touched him, the bleeding from his neck began to slowly stop.

“So, this is the saintess’s healing magic.”

As long as there was a breath of life left, her healing could restore strength.

While priests also possessed healing abilities, the saintess’s power was on a different level.

“…Impressive for mere human brats.”

In the midst of the chaos, the enemies revealed themselves.

“Grr, beastmen…!”

“There’s an elf too!”

“How on earth did they tame these monsters…?”

There were more than a few.

They surrounded the carriage, a number sufficient to prevent any external reinforcements.

“You’d better surrender quietly. Damn young lords of the human family.”

“…Hmph. What good would it do to surrender to you? Have you forgotten that this is human territory?”

Of course, they weren’t the type to accept this quietly.

Luke Daimon, ignoring the warning from the beastman leader, roared fiercely.

“Hold on a little longer! The reinforcements from the Daimon duchy will arrive soon!”

Though annoyed that the command had shifted, everyone stood back to back, forming a defensive formation.

Even though they had selected skilled individuals, their numbers were limited.

They were thoroughly prepared to hold their ground.

Luciana and I also joined the formation and took our stances.

…But it was clear we were at a disadvantage.

The beastmen and elves from the game each had considerable combat prowess.

That wolf beastman was likely no pushover either.

Additionally, the sheer number of enemies couldn’t be ignored.

Overwhelming odds.

At this rate, some of us would undoubtedly sustain serious injuries.

As I pondered how to ensure Luciana’s safety, I noticed something unusual.

“Hans, stop dawdling and draw your weapon. These scum are nothing we can’t handle.”

“Ah, Lady Luciana, I apologize. I was momentarily distracted.”

The person my gaze landed on flinched.

‘Why is he here?’

Unfazed by the monsters, the child stood confidently in the midst of the chaos.

Though it was my first time seeing him, his appearance was oddly familiar.

…I thought we only needed to deal with the beastmen.

It seemed things were more complicated than anticipated.

My head started to ache because of the ‘tamer’ who was cautiously watching us and stepping back.

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