[Tomorrow is your last chance at 3 free chapters or is that free 3 chapters? Meh, I'm crossing fingers hoping you guys don't make it :)]
[Good luck]
Three days before the field exercise, Professor Kaine gathered Alpha Class in their usual classroom. The atmosphere was tense as students filed in, knowing that important announcements were coming.
Lukas took his usual seat near the middle with Marcus. His stats had continued climbing steadily over the past few days.
[Current Stats: Strength 145, Agility 145, Mana 145, Endurance 145]
At this point, he was confident he could handle pretty much anything the Whispering Woods could throw at him. Silver-rank monsters would be easy. Even gold-rank creatures would be manageable with his current power level.
Professor Kaine stood at the front of the room, a large map of the Whispering Woods projected behind her. "Listen up. In three days, you'll be entering the Whispering Woods for your first major practical evaluation. This is not like the entrance exam. The monsters are stronger, the terrain is more dangerous, and you'll be working in teams."
She waved her hand, and the map zoomed in to show different sections of the forest. "You'll be divided into groups of five. Each team will be assigned a specific zone to clear. Your objectives are simple: eliminate monsters, collect proof of kills, and survive. The evaluation period is forty-eight hours."
Murmurs rippled through the class. Two full days in a monster-infested forest was significantly more demanding than the single-day entrance exam.
"Teams will be announced shortly," Professor Kaine continued. "You'll have these three days to coordinate with your teammates and prepare. I suggest you use the time wisely. The Whispering Woods contain bronze, silver, and gold-rank monsters. Some areas are more dangerous than others, but all zones carry risk."
She pulled up another projection showing point values. "Bronze-rank monsters are worth five points. Silver-rank are worth twenty. Gold-rank are worth one hundred. Your team's total score will determine your evaluation grade. Additionally, individual performance will be assessed based on combat effectiveness, teamwork, and decision-making."
Cassius raised his hand. "Professor, are there any restrictions on how we engage the monsters?"
"Use whatever methods you deem appropriate. Magic, weapons, traps, ambush tactics—anything goes as long as it's effective. However, sabotaging other teams or stealing their kills will result in immediate disqualification and disciplinary action."
Professor Kaine pulled up a list of names. "Here are your team assignments."
Team 1:
- Cassius Drakos (Leader)
- Elara Ven
- Adrian Cross
- Mira Solace
- Thomas Cray
Team 2:
- Ace Reinhardt (Leader)
- Lyra Ashford
- Derek Stone
- Kira Frost
- Roland Vex
Team 3:
- Lukas Grant (Leader)
- Marcus Fellor
- Elena Cross
- Kieran Voss
- Theo Marks
Lukas blinked. He'd been assigned as team leader. That was unexpected and mildly annoying. Being a leader meant more responsibility and more attention.
Marcus leaned over. "Hey, we're on the same team. That's good at least."
"Yeah," Lukas replied, already thinking about how to handle this.
The other two teams continued down the list, with Princess Seraphina leading Team 4 and Damien Kelso leading Team 5. Vera Noctis was assigned to Team 6, which suited Lukas just fine. The less interaction he had with the regressed heroine, the better.
"Team leaders are responsible for coordinating strategy and making tactical decisions," Professor Kaine said. "Choose wisely. Poor leadership will cost you points and could cost you your lives."
She dismissed the class, and students immediately began clustering with their assigned teams. Lukas stood and found himself approached by his four teammates.
Elena arrived first, her notebook already out. "This is exciting. I've been researching optimal monster-hunting formations and I think I have some ideas we could implement."
Kieran grinned. "A team with Lukas as leader? This should be interesting. I can handle reconnaissance and information gathering. I'm good at spotting ambushes and tracking movement patterns."
Marcus looked relieved. "At least I'm with people I know. My combat skills are decent but nothing special, so just tell me what you need me to do."
Theo Marks was the last to join. He was a quiet boy with black hair and a lean build, someone Lukas had barely noticed during classes. "I specialize in earth magic," Theo said simply. "Defensive barriers and terrain manipulation mostly."
Lukas looked at his team. A researcher, a scout, a solid fighter, and a defensive mage. It was actually a fairly balanced composition.
"Alright," Lukas said. "Let's find somewhere quiet to talk strategy."
They secured one of the empty study rooms in the library. Elena immediately spread out maps and notes on the table while the others gathered around.
"First question," Lukas said. "What are everyone's actual strengths? I need to know what we're working with."
Marcus went first. "I'm an all-around fighter. Decent with a sword, average stats, nothing spectacular. I can hold my own against bronze-rank monsters and maybe handle a silver-rank if I'm careful."
Elena adjusted her glasses. "I'm primarily a researcher, but I can use basic offensive magic. Fire and lightning spells, nothing too powerful. I'm better at analysis and planning than direct combat."
Kieran leaned back in his chair. "I'm fast and good at information gathering. In a fight, I use daggers and focus on hit-and-run tactics. I'm not great in prolonged combat, but I excel at scouting and spotting threats before they become problems."
Theo spoke quietly. "I can create earth barriers strong enough to stop silver-rank attacks. I can also manipulate terrain to create obstacles or advantageous positions. My offensive capabilities are limited, but I'm good at defense and support."
Lukas nodded. It was about what he'd expected. A balanced team with clear roles, though the overall power level was modest. Against bronze and silver-rank monsters, they'd be fine. Gold-rank would be problematic if they encountered any.
"What about you?" Elena asked, looking at Lukas. "What's your combat style?"
"Swordsman, mostly. Good at reading opponents and adapting to different situations. I can handle silver-rank monsters without much trouble."
That was understating it significantly, but he didn't want to reveal his true capabilities yet. Let them think he was just a skilled fighter rather than someone who could probably solo most of the forest.
"Okay, so here's what I'm thinking," Elena said, pulling out a detailed map of the Whispering Woods. "Our assigned zone is in the eastern section. It's moderately dangerous with a mix of bronze and silver-rank monsters. The terrain is hilly with dense vegetation, which gives us options for ambush tactics."
She pointed to several marked locations. "These areas have reported higher monster concentrations. If we want to maximize points, we should focus on these zones. However, they're also more dangerous."
Kieran studied the map. "I can scout ahead and identify monster locations before we engage. That way we're never caught off guard."
"I can set up defensive positions if we need to hold ground," Theo added. "If we find a good chokepoint, I can create barriers that funnel monsters into kill zones."
"That could work," Marcus said. "Especially against pack monsters. We lure them into a narrow area, Theo blocks their escape, and we take them down systematically."
Lukas listened to them plan, impressed by their tactical thinking. They were taking this seriously and approaching it intelligently.
"One more thing," Elena said. "We should establish emergency protocols. If someone gets seriously injured or we encounter a gold-rank monster, what's our response?"
"Retreat," Lukas said immediately. "No point risking lives for points. If something goes wrong, we pull back and regroup."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They spent the next hour discussing strategies, reviewing monster types they might encounter, and planning their approach. Elena had done extensive research on the Whispering Woods and knew the terrain, common monster behaviors, and optimal hunting patterns.
By the time they finished, Lukas felt reasonably confident in their chances. They weren't the strongest team, but they were organized and intelligent about their approach.
"Let's meet tomorrow for a practical training session," Lukas suggested. "We should practice working together before the actual exercise."
Everyone agreed, and they dispersed.
Lukas returned to his dorm and lay down, letting the idle system work its magic.
[You have been idle for 4 hours]
[+4 to all stats]
[Current Stats: Strength 149, Agility 149, Mana 149, Endurance 149]
He was approaching one hundred fifty in all stats. At this rate, he'd hit one hundred sixty before the field exercise even began. Combined with his skills, he was essentially a walking cheat code.
The next day, Team 3 met at one of the outdoor training grounds. Lukas had them run through basic combat drills to see how they worked together.
Marcus and Theo had decent synergy. Marcus would engage enemies while Theo provided defensive support with earth barriers. Elena stayed at range, launching fire spells at targets. Kieran moved around the perimeter, simulating scouting and calling out mock enemy positions.
"Monster approaching from the left!" Kieran called during one drill.
Theo immediately raised an earth wall on that side while Marcus repositioned to face the new threat. Elena adjusted her targeting, and the drill flowed smoothly.
They weren't perfect, but they were competent. With Lukas as the actual heavy hitter and these four providing support and coordination, they'd be fine.
The second day of preparation passed similarly. More training, more strategy discussions, more preparation. Other teams could be seen doing the same across various training grounds.
Lukas noticed Cassius's team practicing advanced combination attacks, their coordination already impressive. Ace's team trained with visible intensity, the protagonist pushing everyone to improve. Princess Seraphina's team moved with practiced efficiency, clearly experienced in working together.
By the third day, everyone was as ready as they could be.
That evening, Professor Kaine gathered all of Alpha Class for final instructions.
"Tomorrow at dawn, you'll be transported to your assigned zones via teleportation array. You'll have forty-eight hours to complete your objectives. Emergency extraction crystals will be provided. If you're in mortal danger, crush the crystal and you'll be immediately pulled out, but your team will be disqualified."
She paused, her expression serious. "This is dangerous. Every year, students get injured during field exercises. Some get seriously hurt. Follow your training, trust your teammates, and don't take unnecessary risks. Dismissed."
Students filed out quietly, the weight of tomorrow's challenge settling over them.
Lukas returned to his dorm and went to sleep early.
[You have been idle for 8 hours]
[+8 to all stats]
[Current Stats: Strength 175, Agility 175, Mana 175, Endurance 175]
[Daily Skill Lottery Available]
[Skill Acquired: Precise Strike (B-Rank)]
[Precise Strike: Attacks target weak points with enhanced accuracy, dealing increased damage to vulnerable areas]