Chapter 83.2 - The First Year at the Academy - Fierce Warriors (2)

Chapter 83.2 - The First Year at the Academy - Fierce Warriors (2)

Chapter 83.2. The First Year at the Academy – Fierce Warriors (2)

When Lola started digging, Ted and the others quickly scattered.

While Lola was struggling, Nails and Elliot discovered another type of Pharael grass.

In the end, they secured three bundles of Pharael grass.

They continued moving through the forest, sharing the materials they found.

Lola was impressed, but it was unfair since I was using [Appraisal].

While we were moving, [ Presence Detection] picked up a pack of wolves.

After some consideration, they decided to avoid the confrontation.

The numbers were a bit too much, and it'd be better to have their first combat experience against humanoid enemies.

Ted and the others were more accustomed to bipedal opponents since they had been training with their comrades and me.

I'd wanted to encounter goblins, but their population was rapidly declining around Selene, and it would likely take until spring for their numbers to recover.

In the end, we could gather young leaves of the healing potion ingredient, Celon grass, roots of the pain-relieving Rasslup grass, bundles of the detoxifying Kongus grass, and a small number of young leaves of the alchemical solution ingredient, Lanium grass.

We also harvested some mature Masslan fruits and Regil mushrooms, although they couldn't be used as materials.

Masslan fruits resembled olives and could be eaten as they were or used in cooking. As for the Regil mushrooms, they were mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, so I strongly advised against eating them without my confirmation.

We had secured enough materials.

Since Lola had collected more than she could process, I'd give the surplus to Ted and the others as a reward.

The sun was starting to set.

It was about time to head back.

I was thinking about that and stopped.

"Alter, look!"

Gemma suddenly pointed deeper into the forest.

I turned my gaze in that direction and crouched down.

There was a drawn thick line on the ground.

"A trail mark? No, this is a snake, perhaps?"

Once you become an adventurer, death inevitably follows.

Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind.

Perhaps my actions are simply leading them closer to death.

Instead of becoming adventurers, I could have educated them, and given them skills and professions.

I can see Lily in my mind's eye.

She refused to fight.

The siblings who have witnessed countless deaths chose different paths.

And they have already started walking on those paths.

Maybe my existence doesn't matter.

Ted and Gemma have aimed to become adventurers since they first met. I don't know what happened to Nails, who was a pauper.

I may be irresponsible, but all I can do is offer assistance.

I can only support them so they can survive as adventurers.

Let's go back.

I return my sword to its sheath and turn my attention to the rear.

At that moment, [Perception] detects a faint disturbance.

Is this... a battle?

As soon as my thoughts conclude, I sprint through the forest at full speed.

Activating [High-Speed Movement] and [Moving Up], I race through the forest.

If it's a fight, why didn't they call for me?

Ah, right. I didn't give them any instructions.

I just told them to call if the snake appeared. I didn't consider anything else.

The sound of commotion reaches me through the trees.

While praying for everyone's safety, I unsheathe my Shamshir swiftly.

And I dive in...