The Raw Truth of Survival (3)
Well said. Marlboro, the supervising professor, inwardly agreed with Kara's words displayed on the screen.
The forest where the practical training took place was equipped with special devices, one of which was real-time video transmission. Equipment installed throughout the trees allowed them to grasp situations unfolding in the forest and observe the students' appearances. While bracelets enabled automatic location tracking, they pursued this method for more nuanced judgments.
"Don't you know what survival is? It's staying alive. So why are you rushing off to commit suicide? I just can't understand it."
"Better to live with the tiger than fight it. It seems Student Kara truly understands the meaning of this training."
Yeonhwa, who was watching the screen alongside Marlboro, spoke up. She smiled contentedly, clearly taken with Kara. Sara and Godin, peering over their shoulders, each expressed their satisfaction in their own ways.
"These days, students are way too competitive—it's unhealthy. Back in my day, it wasn't this intense. We'd all gather around a campfire and such."
Marlboro crossed his thick arms, his tone laced with regret. It was a boomer statement, but no one objected. Back when he attended the academy—about a decade ago—the United Academy had been relatively free of cutthroat competition. Even with national tensions, students acted their age, focusing more on relationships than grades.
But lately, escalating conflicts between nations had seeped into the academy. Students fixated on scores, losing sight of the essence.
"This'll just leave bad blood. And with bad blood, teamwork becomes a pipe dream."
"A vicious cycle. These kids are supposed to become their nations' strength, but they're already like this."
Sara's assessment was icy, Godin's voice heavy with concern. They all worried the academy's core was fading. But they couldn't dock points outright—Antonio's approach emphasized cooperation too. Banding together against overwhelming power aligned with the academy's true purpose. It made harsh grading difficult.
Sivar's overwhelming presence played a big role.
"It's unfair, sure, but we didn't say you have to take first place. Why obsess over it from the start?"
"Won't they complain later?"
"Probably. I made it clear survival comes first. They're the ones turning it into a competition. Huh?"
Malboro paused mid-sentence, his eyes widening at the screen. The other professors reacted similarly.
Kara had initially ignored Antonio's proposal. But now her teammates were arguing with her, persuaded by him.
"Hey, think about it logically. You really believe you can take him down even if you all swarm him?"
"We just need to remove the bracelet—nothing more. We're not suicidal; we don't even think about winning."
"Yeah, right—like you could pull it off. Why don't you start by taking mine?"
"Ugh... this isn't getting through."
Survival scenarios are inherently prone to division, especially with differing opinions. But those usually stem from food or water shortages—this kind of clash was rare.
Conflict between survivalists and competitors. Naturally, it had become more common lately.
"Were all Tatars cowards? Getting scared after one fight—disappointing."
"...You done talking? What're you gonna do about it?"
"Then just help eliminate Sivar. Why be so stubborn?"
"No...! Ugh, seriously. Don't you get it? This is the most important part of the training! By probability alone, you're at a disadvantage!"
Kara vented her frustration. It wasn't just Grace suffering through hellish groupwork.
Grace's team had strong personalities, but no signs of fracture like Kara's.
"And Luna, you're great otherwise, but why's your math so off? First place solo or tied—big difference? Then why not get along with everyone instead of trying to knock him out?"
"...I prefer solo first?"
"Agh! Luna, seriously! This big sis is gonna explode!!"
A rare sight: a Tatar, seen as less civilized, on the verge of bursting. Cooperation is key to civilization's birth; competition arises between civilizations.
The professors chuckled or smirked, watching with keen interest.
"Student Luna lacks tact, despite being top admit."
"Strictly speaking, she's easily swayed. Seems low on assertiveness."
"Not leader material?"
Malboro shook his head at Sara's question. Not quite.
"Nah. She's got hidden stubbornness. Just lacks experience—way too green. She'll improve. I guarantee it."
"If you say so, Marlboro. Oh, it's splitting now."
Yeonhwa pointed at the screen. Kara's team fractured amid the argument, parting ways. Kara scowled at the teammate joining Luna's group but could do nothing.
"Sigh. Even swarming won't work. Hope no one gets hurt."
Her kind heart showed through in her worry. Soon, she headed off on her own path.
The professors remained unfazed by the predictable survival drama—it was bound to happen.
"Student Kara should last long."
"First place contender, even. Befriending the tiger shows promise."
"Tatar culture helps—they always look out for their own."
Even amid the brutality, they gave positive marks. They ignored Hector's infamous title as Destruction King, judging students objectively, nations be damned.
"Now, onto Sivar's group..."
Malboro turned. The others followed. Screens showed multiple feeds; one was Sivar's team.
Last seen, Sivar was butchering a wild boar diligently. What now? They watched closest this team.
"...What the hell is he eating?"
"Uh..."
Malboro's baffled question mirrored the others' stunned faces.
At first, it looked like skilled butchering. Using a small dagger instead of a proper knife, but decent enough.
Fine so far. The issue came next.
Bled dry, guts removed—good.
"Liver... right?"
"...What a beast."
Sivar was eating the boar's liver raw. Blood smeared his mouth.
Teammates cooked the meat over fire; only Sivar devoured raw organs. Pure wild man diet.
Malboro grimaced at the nauseating sight and glanced aside.
"...Don't the Hwan Empire or Frozen Duchy eat raw liver?"
Question to Yeonhwa and Sara, whose cultures included organ-eating.
"They do, but... not like that in Hwan. Parasite issues lately."
"Dangerous. Lowers survival odds drastically. Nutrients can cause respiratory failure or acute poisoning. Could kill you."
Yeonhwa flustered, Sara deadpan, explained.
Raw liver indeed tanks survival rates.
"Wild animals get scarce nutrients from it. Sivar's the same."
"...Parasites?"
"President said no parasites—super clean."
"Hmm..."
Malboro frowned deeply at Godin's reply, eyes glued to the screen. Grace spat out her food at Sivar's antics; Lee Yeonju patted her back, but her pale face showed she was holding back too.
Sivar looked baffled, naturally(?). A disastrous combo, different from Kara's.
"How to grade Sivar? Wild animals do that, right?"
"Civilized folk absolutely shouldn't. At least grilling it would've been better."
"Yeah? Split the difference then. Give deworming meds post-training."
Malboro noted Yeonhwa's input:
[Deduct for not cooking. But his body seems optimized for survival.]
A perfect fit for the 'survival' theme.
Of animal organs, only heart, lungs, and liver are edible. Intestines and stomachs? No way. Who knows what's inside.
But to civilized Grace, anything I eat screams wild man. Can't help it.
"Go wash up now! Find a stream or something!"
So I got kicked out. Even chomping liver and heart, the blood was too much.
Not fully banished—we split to find water. Rally point: boar site. Inside safe zone, no issue. Hunting leads to butchering, then me eating guts again—they worried.
'Cooking it might've helped.'
Maybe. No more wilderness; supplements abound. But old habits die hard—raw felt natural after so long.
Not Grace overreacting; I'm the weirdo. I know it—no blaming her.
'Don't know fish prep well. Remove guts, good enough?'
I focused mana in my ears for the stream. Forest sounds flooded in: birdsong, insects, distant roars. Then water rush.
Nearby stream—perfect. Wipe blood, check for fish.
Whoosh—headed there, found it quick. Strong current. Peered in: minnows swimming, clean enough for drinking.
'Blood's stubborn.'
Dried fast; scrubbing barely faded it. Forest days, same hassle—used animal fat then. Washed off eventually, unnoticed.
'Others'll swarm here.'
Waterless teams incoming. Turf wars or fights likely.
Quick face wash, stood. Back to rally, fetch others. Path memorized—easy stroll.
Re-entering forest...
"...?"
I halted abruptly. Weird vibe in the air.
Forest teems with sounds, like when I heightened hearing. But now? Dead silent.
One cause:
'Someone's here.'
Humans fool senses; beasts don't. Human presence nearby, hidden.
Unless max stealth, can't erase fully. Humans easy to trick; animals hyper-sensitive to slightest moves.
'Not scouts.'
Knew rough spots. Numbers: ~10. Max 4/team—3 teams min. How'd they hide so well? Academy caliber.
Pondered, grabbed a hefty rock. Ambush prepped—but pointless. Forest betrayed them.
Crunch! Crushed it to gravel effortlessly—my grip strength.
Tightly clenched, then...
Fwip! Shot gravel shotgun-style at hiders. Wide spread.
If they won't come out, make 'em.
Hostile aura—no ignoring.
"Damn! Block it!"
"How'd he know?!"
How? 'Heard you gulping from nerves.'
Ambush earlier if serious.