Before the third assessment was to begin, the rules were explained to all of them. It was just as Gunther had said before. The students were to go on a hunt. Inside, there were blue bunny beasts.
These were small creatures that looked like bunnies but had blue fur along with red eyes. They were more agile than a standard bunny and had quite a bite. The blue-furred bunnies were raised at the academy as a way for them to farm level 1 power stones.
This was effective because bunnies reproduced a lot, and they were one of the least dangerous beasts in terms of strength. The time limit was until the sun rose, so they had an extremely large amount of time. It was to allow the group to plan and strategize properly.
“I will remind you all again,” Pincer had his arms behind his back, and his large chest pushed forward as he spoke. “There are no rules in how you get these power stones. Steal, lay traps, or even team up against each other. The only rule is you are not to kill your fellow students.
“For those who bring back power stones, and a large number of them, you will be rewarded by the academy greatly. We are an academy that helps focus on those who are talented to grow and reach the skies, so show us how talented you are.”
Many of the students who had been in the weaker group from the last assessment weren’t too pleased about the events. Although their bodies had been healed, it was really only the severe wounds. They were still sore, still bruised and injured.
While the other side had suffered next to no injuries. Although they wouldn’t necessarily be going against each other like in the last assessment, they felt like it was a little unfair.
“What are you all waiting for, go!” Pincer shouted, and with a clap, it was the signal that the assessment had started.
Several of the students ran straight into the forest, including the five main clan disciples, with Ricktor turning his head, looking back, and making eye contact with Simyon.
Not all of them had headed straight into the forest, though. Some of the students were talking to each other, trying to see who would team up with them to give them a better chance against the stronger students, and one of those groups was Raze’s.
Safa started to make signals with her hands as she pointed toward Raze. It looked like she was suggesting some traps the three of them could use to catch some of the bunnies, but Raze shook his head.
“No, we don’t need to do any of that,” Raze replied. “Because we’re not going to be hunting anything; we’re just going to stay here until the assessment is over. There’s no need for us to get any crystals.”
The words were said relatively loudly, and it was then that Gunther and Pincer had headed back into the academy. The large gate doors that they had come out of had now been locked from the other side. There was no way back into the academy other than scaling the walls or through the doors.
“Wait, seriously!” Simyon said, tapping his foot on the ground at a relatively fast rate. “Are we not going to hunt? Won’t we get kicked out of the academy?”
“We won’t,” Raze answered. “And besides, we can just stay here and then beat up the guys that come at the end. I bet a lot of people are going to do that; if we do that, then we will be safe.”
Raze didn’t want to reveal the inside information he had, that everyone had already passed. It hadn’t been mentioned, but from the looks of things, other students already knew that as well. Still, in a position where they were hated by everyone, it was best not to let things spill.
“But if we do that, will we get the most crystals? Don’t you want to beat those guys because of what they’ve done to us? I’m sure with your head, you could do something that will help us win this,” Simyon shouted, as if he was agitated by Raze.
“Fine,” Raze said. “If you feel that strongly about it, then why don’t you lead the way?”
An unnerving smile appeared on Raze’s face, one that made Simyon wonder who was more frightening, Ricktor or him.
Turning around, Simyon headed into the forest, and the two followed him. As he did, he made sure to head Northwest.
The group had continued forward for a while, and they had passed a few of the blue-furred bunnies. As soon as their feet touched a large leaf or made some noise, the bunnies would run away.
It didn’t matter, though, because Simyon hadn’t slowed down and started to run forward. The others continued until three students landed right in front of them. Raze stopped in his tracks immediately, and two more students arrived behind them. It didn’t take long to figure out who they were; it was the five major clan disciples.
“It’s nice to meet you again,” Ricktor said with a smile. “I bet you thought we wouldn’t waste time with you because you’re a no-name, but you see, you insulted us all with your crude finger from before.
“That look in your eyes from before, it looked like you wanted to kill us, so here’s your chance, why don’t you do something.” Ricktor raised both of his hands by his side.
He was gloating, and he was sure that Raze wouldn’t try something so daft.
“Oh, and before I forget, thank you for bringing him here.” Ricktor threw over a red small stone. Simyon caught it and could see it was a power stone. “You and the girl have done splendidly. The two of you may go, and I’ll give you a call when I need you again.” 𝒩𝑂𝒱ℯ𝓛xt.𝑪𝑂𝑀
Safa immediately turned to Simyon; she was about to give him an earful or at least whatever noise she could make out of her mouth, that was until Raze hit her hard at the back of her neck, causing her to pass out.
Simyon caught her before she hit the floor and started to walk out of the area. He had walked past both Mada and Ricktor, and neither of them had done anything. He gave one last look at Raze before he started to run off.
“How does it feel to be betrayed by one of your friends!” Ricktor asked. “I bet he was someone who you thought was like family to you, right? And look at what happened. You know all it took was a small, simple promise for him to join our clan. He traded you for that; that’s how worthless your no-name life is.”
Ricktor was laughing, and as he was, he would readjust his belt that was close to his waist. He was unable to keep the excitement that was rising in his body.
While Simyon was walking back, he couldn’t help but worry. ‘Raze, you have a plan, right? A plan to get out of that situation?’ Simyon thought.
Memories had flashed in his head from before the event. When Simyon had returned from the toilet, he had decided to tell Raze everything that had happened, and the answer he had given back was surprising.
“Do it,” Raze said. “Do what he said, work for them and pretend he has you
under control.”
“But Raze, it’s a trap; even if it’s just one of the disciples, they’ll take you out,” Simyon said.
“True, but can’t you tell by the way they are acting? They are targeting me regardless, and if you try to fight back, they’ll target you as well. If you play along, you two won’t become their target, and you’ll get something out of it. Trust me, even if you didn’t do this, they would just find some way anyway.”
Running back from the way they came, Simyon couldn’t help but worry. Even if he had strange powers, how was he meant to take on all five of them on his own at once?
——
“Come on, do something!” Ricktor shouted out again.
In response, Raze looked up at the sky, and then around the area they were in. “I have no chance if I was to fight all five of you, not even if I gave it everything I have,” Raze said to himself. “But, do you know what happens when a person uses a large amount of magic… a disaster. All of you are acting like some third rate villain, hunting down your pray, but you have no idea. I’m the one who hunts. “