Chapter 143 - Expedition (1)

"Okay everybody take your seats, class is starting... What's up?"

Walking into class Dax with a slight hangover Dax expected today's class to go like any other, but immediately when looking at his students Dax knew that would not be the case.

"Dax are you acquainted with an archangel?"

(Of course it's about that…)

Internally breathing a deep sigh Dax looked around class to see every other student wanted Rudy's question answered, except Mare, which already knew the answer.

"I am. In fact I had a few drinks with her yesterday, but I believe what I do outside of class shouldn't be a topic of conversation or rumors so that's the last I'm going to disclose about that issue. Today we will start off with a individual test of how much you all have learned from my classes so far, each one of you will individually prepare a meal with the ingredients that will be made available to you based on my own selection while the rest of class observes."

Upon learning that they would be having a surprise test, and that their fellow students would be observing all the while dissatisfaction quickly spread in the class.

"Okay calm down! After all this time together do any of you really believe that I would just subject you all to a test you couldn't accomplish?"

"I-"

"Mare shut up, I'm addressing the class."

While almost seeming like a propper teacher for a full 5 seconds Dax full out facepalmed when he realized he had blown it before breathing a deep sigh and changing his approach.

"Okay some/most of you might not like having to do a test in front of your fellow classmates beauce you fear being made fun of and making embarrassing mistakes, am I right?"

Looking around Dax locked eyes with several students that all exposed silent agreement.

"You are all here to learn, therefore the last thing I will allow is my adorable students making fun of each other. Besides all of you are still young, making mistakes is part of maturing so take the opportunity to do it here where only productive criticism is allowed."

'Besides it doesn't really matter if you want to or not, this class is my domain.' was something Dax wanted to include in his explanation, but felt it wouldn't quite work out the way he wanted.

"Then without further ado let's get started. Anyone want to start or do I need to pick someone at random?"

"I believe I should be the person to start this."

"Then come down here."

As expected the proud and always self confident Anna was the first person to volunteer as she carried herself with a ever constant smile down to Dax table where she was about to pick out some ingredients and start cooking when Dax stopped her.

"I pick the ingredients, remember?"

"O-of course I do! Do your worst!"

Obviously having forgot that tiny detail (judging by the volume of her voice, along with her red face) Anna made the mistake of giving Dax permission to 'do his worst'.

"Oh really? Then since I have your permission I'll do just that~"

"Eh? Wait a sec-"

"Nope~ You just gave me permission."

While Dax got as many licks in as he could on the unfortunate victim Mare could only silently sigh, this is exactly how she had expected him to act.

"Dax really is mercyless huh?"

Even Mai had also seen to predict Dax's behavior, as had most of the class.

"You've seen nothing yet…."

But only Mare who had seen What Dax's personal training was like when he really started enjoying himself knew that he could go much further. With tension more or less drained at Anna's expense her test finally started when Dax placed her ingredients in front of her.

"Is this some sort of poor joke?"

Dax had presented Anna with a untrimmed tenderloin, heavy cream, a few carrots and a peppermill.

"What, you taught it wouldn't be even a tiny bit challenging?"

"Is this all I can use?"

"Yeah, except for butter and vegetable oil. You have 20 minutes."

"Okay… Humph t-this will be easy."

Nervously starting to clean the tenderloin of sinew and silver skin Anna suddenly seemed to get an idea as she sped up her knife work which Dax already judged to be excellent. After cleaning the tenderloin and cutting a large filet mignon Anna was about to start on the carrots when Dax stopped her.

"W-what?"

"Cross contamination."

"I knew that already, I was just checking to see if you were paying attention!"

"Sure.."

Deciding that it was better to leave Anna alone for the moment Dax backed off and made a mental note of telling her about the mistakes she was making after she had finished the dish. With no more interference from Dax Anna quickly cut up the carrot into thin slices and started firing them in butter while grinding up and sifting some pepper as she heated another pan up to as high heat as possible. Frying up the filet Anna then put it aside to rest before roasting the pepper and then made a simple pepper pan sauce she served with the filet and carrots.

"How's that?"

With a smug expression Anna expressed absolute confidence as she presented her work, but said confidence only lasted until Dax started asking questions.

"Did you taste for seasoning?"

"Eh?-"

"What about the meat, did you ever ask me how I like it?"

"But-"

"And Do you even know how rare it is at the moment?"

"I!... Don't."

"Well, I'll just taste it then, but I don't think you rested the meat for long enough either…"

After tearing down his student for a bit Dax passed Anna's dish and the class continued, ending in each student passing while Dax gave valid advise on how they should improve themselves.

---

"It seems like we're all in agreement, then let's proceed with planning out the finer details of this years training expedition."

At the same time the magic academy's knight and magic instructors were gathered to plan out one of the academy's largest events, the yearly training expedition for all students. For a week class would be suspended while all first, second and third year students would embark on an expedition out in the wilderness where they would camp out and establish a base, before returning. Doing the week long expedition students would undergo different kinds of training depending on their affiliation and relevant skills, knightlings and mage students would undergo combat training including live combat exercise against monsters while non combatants would make camp and learn about different skills needed for that. But this year the expedition would be different, instead of the normal 7 day expedition this year it would last for 4 weeks, this was made possible by the new support from the central kingdom, as well as new teachers with extensive live combat expertise.

"I suggest moving the camp 5 kilometers to the southwest."

"And why would we do that miss Terra? The old spot has worked well for the last 10 years."

"Because the current spot has turned into a active monster nest, which we are in the process of clearing."

While the meeting went along smoothly Terra interrupted one of the senior magic teachers when it came to the position of the final camp.

"Then it shouldn't be an issue."

"But it is. The area is infected with armored ants, so we used incendiary explosives. The area will still be a warm when the students arrive."

"Point taken, then let's move the camp to where you suggested, is that area clear."

"It is, therefore we won't need any monster hunters or knights to clear the area."

"Now hold on that's not what we usually do, the student's safety is the first and only priority."

"Which is why we have personally cleared the area, it's safe. There's not even a single snapped branch left they can cut themselves on."

But the second Lux spoke up all opposition was instantly silenced, and so the spot for the yearly expedition was chosen.

(Now to lure in all the rats…. ICI maintain the net, mission is a go.)

(ORDER ACKNOWLEDGED, INFORMATION BLACKOUT IN EFFECT.)

Hiding her true thoughts behind a well maintained poker face a cold light seemed to shine in Lux's eyes.