On the second day of practical combat training, the students were no longer taken outside the city to engage real monsters. Instead, the training took place within the school grounds. The focus was shifted to inter-student sparring, allowing everyone to become more familiar with their own abilities and refine their control through friendly competition.
But the ease of school grounds wouldn't last.
The real test would begin on the third day—the day the official missions would start.
Just like on the first day, all students from the auxiliary class assembled once again in the school square. The eight squads were split into separate groups, each assigned to a different mission class.
Smith, Yan Yue, Wei Lin, and Zhao Mei were once again placed into Special Class Three.
As they gathered, an all-too-familiar voice pierced the air with mockery.
"Well, well, isn't this the cowardly Wood-type who froze on the battlefield last time? How are you even standing here today? Aren't you afraid your legs will give out again when the mission starts?"
The sneering voice belonged to Xu Kun, who sauntered over with his usual arrogance, his gaze fixed on Wei Lin.
Two days ago, Wei Lin might've shrunk back in shame, his heart weighed down by the truth in those words.
But today, he was no longer that same person.
He stepped forward and met Xu Kun's gaze head-on.
"First of all, I have a name—it's Wei Lin," he said calmly but firmly. "Second, I didn't fall apart last time, and I won't be scared this time either."
Xu Kun's expression tightened in irritation. "Still acting tough, huh? Talk all you want. Let's see if you can still say the same thing once we're out there facing monsters for real."
"Try me," Wei Lin shot back without flinching.
Smith observed quietly from the side, his arms crossed. He was impressed by Wei Lin's confidence. The growth over the last day was obvious. Wei Lin was no longer the trembling student who doubted himself—he had begun to carve out his own path.
While they exchanged jabs, the rest of Special Class Three had already begun assembling at the training field.
But today, the atmosphere was heavier. Standing beside the usual teachers were four unfamiliar figures, each clad in long, black combat windbreakers. Their expressions were unreadable, their eyes cold and brimming with killing intent.
"Let me introduce them," said the teacher leading their group. "These four are from the academy's Executive Department. They will be overseeing your mission training."
The students instantly fell silent.
The Executive Department.
Even hearing the name was enough to stir anxiety.
Everyone knew what that meant.
The Executive Department was the most elite and mysterious combat unit within Huaihai College. Its members didn't just deal with monsters—they hunted traitors, suppressed internal threats, and executed high-risk operations. They were the true enforcers of the school's will.
They were the blade of Huaihai College.
Every member had killed monsters with their own hands, faced life-and-death battles regularly, and developed a suffocating aura of death.
What made them even more intimidating was that they always wore masks while on duty—and never revealed their real faces.
The four members standing before them now were no exception.
"I am Qingyun," announced the leader, his mask marked by a swirling green cloud motif. His voice was deep and authoritative, carrying the weight of countless battlefield experiences.
"These are my fellow officers—Blood Wind, Black Water, and Yellow Rain."
Each of their masks followed the same white base but had distinctive patterns.
Blood Wind bore crimson streaks that looked like a violent gust painted in blood.
Black Water's mask flowed with dark, river-like curves.
Yellow Rain shimmered with pale yellow patterns, like falling rain frozen in motion.
"You'll be under our command for the next five days as you conduct your mission outside the city."
As he spoke, Qingyun gestured toward a series of weapon racks set up beside them. Each rack held identical weapons—standard-issue daggers with uniform designs.
"Everyone, grab your weapons."
Without a word, the students stepped forward one by one and took a dagger. Smith examined his carefully.
The blade was about fifty centimeters long, with a handle just under twenty. It was lightweight but solid—a practical design meant for close combat.
Once everyone had secured their weapons, Qingyun turned sharply and shouted, "Mission begins now! Move out!"
With that, he led the group of over forty students from Special Class Three toward the East City Gate.
---
Outside the city walls, the air changed.
The hustle and noise of Huaihai City faded behind them, replaced by the silence of the wilderness. There were no monsters within the first few hundred meters—those that wandered too close were usually dealt with by the city's psychic guards.
Under the guidance of the Executive Department, the group crossed the barren stretch of open ground and entered the forest beyond.
It was the furthest many of them had ever traveled from the city, and the mood quickly turned tense.
The trees grew denser. The canopy above swallowed the light. And somewhere nearby, the low growls of monsters could be heard—watching, waiting.
After about ten minutes of trekking through the forest, the group stopped.
They were deep in monster territory now.
Everyone instinctively formed a tighter formation.
"In the next five days," Qingyun began, his tone emotionless, "your mission is to hunt and kill a total of one hundred monsters."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
"One… hundred?!"
Murmurs of panic spread among the students. Some looked ready to protest. They had barely gotten used to their powers—how were they supposed to kill that many monsters?
But Qingyun's voice snapped them out of it.
"The mission is not up for debate. You are not here to complain. You are here to follow orders."
His words cut like steel.
"Split into groups of four. Today, each group is to hunt and eliminate at least three monsters before sundown. Begin immediately."
The students hesitated. Some were paralyzed by fear. Others scrambled into action, quickly finding teammates they trusted.
Smith stood calmly, observing the chaos unfold.
"We should team up," Wei Lin said, jogging up to Smith. His eyes burned with determination. "I want to test my Wood Element abilities in real combat."
Smith nodded. "Makes sense. We'll need a team anyway."
Around them, the rest of the class moved into small units.
Yan Yue and Zhao Mei were clearly popular—several students approached them, including Xu Kun.
"Yan Yue, since we all have attack-based powers, how about teaming up with us?" Xu Kun offered with a confident smile.
"I'm fine either way," Zhao Mei said. "Let's see what Yan Yue thinks."
Everyone turned toward Yan Yue for her response.
But to everyone's surprise, she smiled and turned away from Xu Kun.
"No need. We already have our team."
With that, she walked directly toward Smith.
"Smith," she said gently, "do you mind if we team up with you?"
Smith blinked. He hadn't expected her to come to him.
"Sure," he said after a pause. "We're still short two people anyway."
Yan Yue nodded, and Zhao Mei followed without hesitation.
Xu Kun's expression darkened.
"All four of you are support-types," he sneered. "Without a combat-type, how do you expect to survive, let alone kill monsters?"
Smith shot him a calm glance. "Don't worry about us. We have our own ways."
With that, he turned and led his group—Yan Yue, Wei Lin, and Zhao Mei—deeper into the forest.
They weren't the strongest team by brute force, but they had heart, synergy, and creativity. And in the deadly wilderness ahead, that might just be enough.