Chapter 41 Competing I

It had been a week since the first lesson in the academy.

And in those times, I had been in intense training by myself. The Octagram's training center was really live up to its name.

With so many features and support the TC provided, I finally had my stamina stat break through the <F> rank. It was an <E-> rank now.

The instructor in charge left absent, so they postponed the previous week's Combat Training class. In the announcement, it stated that the four instructors that would supervise the class were still planning the program, so they would delay the class until next week.

Well, that was what they mentioned in the announcement. In reality, they were busy investigating me—not Zio Varrez, but Ian Crow.

By this time, they might have already figured out Julron's real identity but kept it a secret, but they still couldn't figure out the culprit that killed Julron.

Even though it was beneficial for me they couldn't identify Ian Crow. Still, their intel gathering was disappointing me.

Why didn't they, or precisely Nuria, command her shadow corps to investigate it? It would be faster that way. Or, maybe, she thought I wasn't worth enough to pay attention to, so she didn't command the shadow? I wouldn't know.

Whatever that was, as long as Julron's identity being a demon had been found out, I guess that was enough.

Today was the week when the Combat Training class would officially start.

Though, in that week's time, I still did not return the earring to Ember.

Not that I intended to steal and not give it back to her forever. It was just that I couldn't reach her.

What I meant by couldn't reach her was…

First, she would immediately be gone after the classes and I couldn't find her, even with my pathfinding skill. There was a time when I got a slight image or trace of her, but the detail was too blurry to recognize.

Second, whenever I found her roaming in the city, it was when I was disguised as Ian Crow. Surely, there was no way I would come over to her and give her the earring when I was Ian Crow. Even if I wanted to transform back into my original body, I couldn't do it in public places. If I was to transform back, I'd just waste the mask's cooldown time.

And lastly, I was too focused on my training that I forgot to give the earring back when I encountered her in the training center as Zio.

Umm yeah, that's how my life was in the past week.

"Attention!" A loud, commanding voice brought me back to my senses.

Hundreds of students gathered in a wide flat field–Octagram's Training Field. The field itself was covering 5% of the campus area. If I was to put it in number, it should be around 630 meters or 0.397 square kilometers.

Looking around, I saw students lining up to my left and right, and there were still much more of them. I myself stood and lined up in my row. Behind me was Enzo Ruiz, who was trying his best to hold open his eyes.

The dark lines under his eyes increased more than the first time I saw him in class.

Was he always sleeping so late?

Fortunately for me, even if I was to sleep late at night. I always felt like I was sleeping for more than 8 hours, thanks to Zia for singing me a lullaby whenever the night came. I would still listen to her lullaby, regardless of whether I would be called a kid or something.

You might be wondering why I never questioned that my roommate was a girl. Because here, a mixed-gender room was normal. There was no rule against it and so getting in the same room with a different gender could be possible, though not common.

Of course, the reason why mixed-gender rooms were considered normal here was for the sake of the plot story.

Despite nearly 25 years since the academy was built, there had been no reports or scandals involving students of different genders sharing a room. As a result, the academy allowed mixed-gender rooms to this day.

Though, that was going to change this year. After the mid-term, there would be a big scandal in the academy regarding the mixed-gender room. After that, the academy's policy would be changed immediately following the incident.

That was why, I'd like to enjoy the moment of listening to her lullaby as much as I could.

"Today, we've gathered four classes here for the Combat Training class. Draco, Lupus, Tigris, and Serpent."

Four instructors stood on the raised platform in front of the student's line. The one who spoke earlier was a female instructor with a stern expression.

Her features were delicate and refined, with a clear complexion and well-defined cheekbones that gave her a striking appearance. Her eyes, though stern in expression, held a glimmer of intelligence and intensity that demanded attention. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, conveying a no-nonsense attitude. She had lustrous, shoulder-length hair that fell in waves around her face, framing it with a touch of elegance.

She was gorgeous, I admitted it. But, don't be fooled by her appearance, she was ruthless!

How did I know her? Simple, she was the Combat Training instructor for the Draco class, the protagonist and friends' class.

ραпdα nᴏνa| сom She held an important role in the early part of the story, especially in the main characters' growth and development. One of the six instructors I had written about apart from Jillian.

Also, she did mention that there were four classes gathered here, right?

The Combat Training class in the academy was always like that.

Considering there were 20 classes in the first-year class. The Combat Training had been programmed as a joint class between four classes that had the same schedule or in the same group

The class schedules of every class group were different from each other. On Wednesday was the schedule of my class group, Lupus, Draco, Tigris, and Serpent.

Though I had never known that the Lupus class had the same schedule as the Draco and Tigris as I never mentioned it in the novel.

"We, the instructors had prepared a full-year schedule for this class."

She cleared her throat.

"Before I explain further, it'd be best to get to know each other first. I am Clara Tomson, the instructor in charge of the Draco class…"

She started with her self-introduction, then followed by the other instructors. From the left to the right; Kane, Clara, Julian, Vic.

"For the first lesson of the Combat Training class, we have prepared something for you all. First, check out your Nova Watch, then group up with your team members. The Draco class shall gather in front of me once done."

"Lupus class shall be with me!"

Shouting with a cheerful tone was a blonde-haired man in a tracksuit. Julian.

"Tigris class, gather immediately when you're done."

This time it was a bulky, ball-headed man who was talking. A confident smile was visible on his brown-skinned face. Kane.

"Now, as for the Serpent class, even though I would prefer for you all to take your time, it seems like everyone wants to rush this. So, please do it quickly and gather once you're done"

The man with the carefree attitude spoke, while idly playing with his mop of brown hair. Vic.

I checked my Nova Watch as it rang and vibrated on my wrist. A hologram screen panel popped up from it, displaying a list of names of the students.

Searching for my name using the search feature, I found my name listed under the group 'Lupus-8'.

===

Group Lupus-8

> Ember Crimson (1 / Vanguard)

> Enzo Ruiz (91 / Marksman)

> Zio Varrez (911 / Striker)

> Hulio Lio (1789 / Vanguard)

> Niah Hayes (1987 / Support)

===

'Seems like my <E> rank luck just activated its lifetime luck…'

I noticed that the group composition was balanced. Two Vanguards, the frontlines. A Striker, the midline assassin. A Marksman, the backline ranger DPS. And a Support, well, the backline support.

The student's position role was decided by the academy when they first took the exam. Though it was all just for formalities, and if the students didn't want the role decided for them, they could always change it after getting confirmation from the instructor.

The Vanguard position was usually taken by those who used close-range weapons such as the sword, spear, gauntlet, etc.

The Striker too was usually taken by those who used close-range weapons. What made it different from Vanguard was that their role would likely be more focused on dealing damage and lock-targeting the enemy's weak point.

I didn't think I should explain what the Marksman as the backline DPS, and Support as support do, right?

Though if you still insist…

The Marksman was usually taken by those who used long-range weapons such as the bow, crossbow, gun, etc. Their purpose in the group was to deal damage as much as possible.

And Support was usually taken by those who had supporting skills, blessings, or talents.

There was one more position actually, and that was the Caster. They were usually those who could cast a variety of magic spells. Some of them could also be categorized as Support if the only spell they had was a supporting spell like heal.

Well, time to regroup with my team members.

'Since Enzo Ruiz was right just behind me, I just need to look for Ember and the other.'

I turned around, facing Enzo Ruiz who had just checked his Nova Watch, then looked at me with almost closed eyes.

"Zio," he nodded sleepily.

"You remember my name, good. Let's look for the other, shall we?" I said as I gestured with my thumb, inviting him to go.

Enzo stared at me, not moving from his place.

"Why not let them look for us instead?"

"That's a great idea, but…"

Could they find us if we were the ones who waited?

Failing my expectation, a shrill shout assaulted my eardrum.

"Hey! Zio, Enzo, come here!"

Turning around, I found three people standing side by side. From the left was Ember, looking at her Nova Watch. Standing in the middle was a brown-haired girl with pigtails, waving at us cheerfully. And to the right side was a boy who was blushing as he stared at the brown-haired girl.

"Oh. There they are."

I turned to Enzo and said, "I guess we are the ones who should go."

Enzo sighed, but eventually followed me to regroup with the other.

Once regrouped, we were introducing ourselves. The brown-haired girl was known as Niah, and the boy was Lio.

When everyone had grouped with their team members. Each class's respective instructor called for them.

My group gathered in front of Julian, our instructor, along with the other Lupus class students.

Clara left her post and walked to the raised platform, with her voice amplified by magic, her sound rang out in the air.

"Today's activity is monster hunting practice."

She scanned the students' excited faces upon hearing the word 'monster' and 'hunting' in the same sentence.

"However," she continued, "remember that it's only a practice. The monsters you will be hunting in the Artificial Forest are replicas of the original ones, with their strength adjusted. It's similar to the monsters you faced during the entrance exam. You will earn points based on the type of monster you hunt. The list of monsters and their corresponding points will be uploaded to your Nova Watch once the practice begins. You can also check your rankings in real-time on your Nova Watch."

"The points you will get are counted both as individual points as well as group points. You will get individual points depending on your contribution to hunting the monster, that's all."

The students clapped in cheers.

"Oh, and one more thing. The group will not change until the mid-term. So, try not to have a dispute with your team members as it can spoil the mood of your group and might lower your group's performance."

Looking at her Nova Watch, a moment of silence in this wide field could be felt by everyone. They were excited. Some were nervous too as the silence stretched out. Then, a sound of breath was vividly heard ringing in the air.

"Start!"