Hunting Practice (2)
“Ah, what the….”
“What's wrong?”
“...Nothing.”
I made a bitter face and pressed on. I minimized my footsteps and expanded my senses to grasp the surroundings. As I did, a thought crossed my mind.
Doesn't seem like she manipulated it...
Her magic skills were top-notch, that much was true, but she wasn't the type to get her hands dirty with something so petty. She'd rather orchestrate a scenario where we just happened to run into each other as rivals. If this wasn't her doing, then someone else was behind it....
No way it's that guy beyond the status window...?
The thought flickered briefly, but I shook it off internally. He hadn't messed with me since the entrance exam. And even if he did, he wouldn't touch the protagonists—that would shatter the novel's framework.
Can't be helped.
I accepted the deviation without resistance. I'd anticipated hiccups like this ever since possessing this body. The problem was her being right here, but in this case, I could let it slide. It was practically forced on me, though.
First things first, keep up the hunting practice.
The purpose of this exercise was for seniors to mentor juniors. So we'd proceed accordingly.
“Cloi. How much do you know about this place?”
“Hmm, well... That monsters have nests here?”
“You're the top student, and you know nothing.”
“Hey, I've only been enrolled for a month~ What do you expect from a newbie?”
“...That's not something to brag about.”
Cloi had zero interest in classes. Any lecture, same story. She attended diligently but never put in extra time to study. She could afford it thanks to her innate genius for magic and a freakishly sharp mind. She memorized everything after one glance—no need for the grind like everyone else. So her free time went to hanging out with friends or sightseeing the academy.
“Ah! Then you can teach me, Senior. Right?”
Even her earnest lines came out like that. I was dumbfounded.
“You got the focus to actually learn if I do?”
“That depends on you, doesn't it, Senior?”
She tried to cling to me, so I shoved her off.
“Then listen up from now on.”
I walked with my sword at the ready, positioned to swap it out anytime.
“As you can see from the entrance, the hunting field has ten zones total.”
These weren't arbitrary divisions. Each zone had distinct environments and terrain. Take the sixth zone where Veil went— a snowy mountain. Naturally, the monsters adapted to that.
“Veil's in for it tough.”
“Yeah. First time with snow.”
Arden territory stayed warm year-round, no winter in sight. Fighting in deep snow wasn't familiar. He'd falter at first, sure, but adapt quick.
“We're better off, though.”
“It's so nice and warm here.”
I nodded. Zone one was a forest. No harsh conditions. Mild temperature and humidity, flat terrain for easy movement. But the monsters were stronger than other zones—maybe 20-30% beefier. Abundant prey and ideal growth conditions.
“Still just goblins and orcs, right? One spell and boom—they're toast.”
“Pretty much.”
No matter how tough, they were still goblins and orcs. Slightly higher stamina and strength. Unless it was a troll or ogre, any student could solo them.
“Take it seriously anyway. This isn't just practice.”
The real intent was building experience for any situation. The continent had Monster Season—when a boss monster triggered mass outbreaks, swarms attacking humans like war. It hit randomly, no warning or prevention. Like a natural disaster. Treaties existed for it, and nations trained accordingly. Fight in any environment. Even the academy couldn't dodge it, hence mandatory monster lectures like this one.
“Got it? No slacking—treat it like the real deal....”
“Ah, Senior! Goblin over there.”
Spurt!
My sword was already moving before she finished. It sliced the goblin's neck, blood spraying.
“I knew.”
Constant vigilance—I'd sensed the approach.
“Whoa!”
“'Whoa' what.”
Her fake surprise drew a hollow chuckle from me.
...Why'd I end up teamed with her. Rana would've been better.
Both noisy, but if I had to pick, Rana. Less risky, at least.
“Not like the rumors—you took it down easy. Everyone said no one catches even one.”
“......”
What response was she fishing for? I ignored her and moved on.
“Hey! Senior, wait up!”
She shouted loud—deliberately drawing monsters, no doubt.
“Please, lower your voice...!”
“Then you'll make up for sulking?”
“I wasn't sulking to begin with.”
“Phew, good!”
She never toned it down. Sure enough, presences stirred from ahead.
“Haa... Look what you did. They're swarming because of you.”
“Come on, Senior. You got me—what's to worry?”
Cloi brimmed with confidence. Then goblins emerged from behind trees.
“I'm the magic department's top student, y'know?”
She cupped her hands. Blue mana enveloped them, shifting color under her control.
Crackle!
Instant attribute change—now electric mana. She pulled one arm back, twisting her torso like drawing a bow. A line of energy formed between her hands. She split the lightning: one to two, two to four, four to eight. Then one more—nine arrows total.
“Watch closely, Senior.”
She assumed an archer's stance. Magic circles bloomed in her aiming eyes.
And—
“Kieeeek—!”
Bzzt-crack!!
Nine bolts roared toward the pack.
“Kiik? Krieeeek...!”
The goblins panicked at the incoming lightning arrows, stumbling back. Some fled sensing the power, but too late. Two misjudged—heads pierced. Three hid behind trees; bolts punched through wood and bodies alike, massive holes. The rest—
“Kieee...!!”
“Kriek...!!!”
Chased relentlessly, they died with heads skewered.
Piercing, homing, power boost. Nailed those in seconds.
No mana waste, tailored buffs. Flawless skill.
“Impressed? Gonna fall for me?”
“Cut the crap. And your taste sucks.”
Bodies and brains ruptured, organs spilling—ruining the forest vibe. The charred stench wrinkled my nose. She could've cleanly pierced hearts.
“Hey, happens in hunts~”
“Sure, it does. And this can happen too.”
Presences flooded from all sides. Her lightning and the screams pulled major aggro.
“Uh... That's a lot, huh?”
“Haa...”
Just a sigh. Cloi had her ditzy moments like this.
“I'll clear a path west—support from the side. Fewer monsters, more trees.”
I kicked off toward it, swinging my sword.
“Ehew...”
Her deep sighs didn't stop either.
***
“Huff, huff...”
I leaned against a tree, panting hard. Sweat poured like rain from my brow.
“Tired?”
One word from Cloi, and my vein throbbed.
“Tired? Ti-i-ired? You wanna say that now?!”
“Ehehe, didn't expect that many. Sorry, Senior.”
She bowed deeply. This mess was her fault—utter nonsense. At first, we cut through fine, all goblins dying to single swings. But screams drew more. By 140, nonstop. Annoyed, Cloi swept them with a 1m-diameter fireball. Killed over half, but the blast doubled the swarm—orks mixed in. We gritted through every trick to wipe them. Cost: me collapsing exhausted.
“Here, drink.”
“Now's not the time... Hoo, forget it.”
I gulped from her canteen—ice chunks made it refreshing.
“More?”
Water bloomed on her palm.
“Dump it on my head.”
It cascaded down, cooling my overheated body. She dried it with wind—fatigue easing.
“Haa, finally alive.”
“Good job~!”
Irritated, I glared, then stared blankly at the sky. Clear, no clouds. This zone mirrored academy weather—no tweaks needed.
Thought today'd be quiet.
I recalled peaceful days since possession.
Less than half.
Truly calm ones? Under half. Daily cling-ons: Rana and Evan baseline, Ruina Lindel begging to join sometimes, Elraim's drama days ago. Cloi worst—pestering me today too.
“Why stare like that?”
“You don't wanna know.”
“Now I'm more curious~”
“Just shut up and build the wall properly.”
Break time. I ordered her to stack monster corpses as a barrier. Blocked approaches; blood stench scared them off too.
“Done!”
“Sit and rest. Move in ten. And not next to me.”
“Tch, meanie.”
Pre-warned, she sat apart. She'd been clingy since earlier. After last time, couldn't risk it.
Then presences nearby.
“Looks like the commotion's here....”
“P-Princess, monster corpses over there!”
“Dien? What did I say about acting on hunts?”
“Ah. Sorry, Princess. Slipped from nerves.”
One familiar woman's voice, one unfamiliar man's. I knew her instantly—heard daily, bound by bad blood.
“Still here?”
Her voice pitched low to avoid carrying. I stayed silent, but—
“Ah! Princess! We're here! Hop the corpses or skirt left a bit!”
Cloi barged in. No time to stop her.
“Oh, there you are.”
Fourth Princess Ariel Tianis hopped the corpse pile. Her freshman trailed via magic.
“Hi, Princess!”
“Cloi, good to see you. Voice down.”
“Yes!”
Cloi greeted the princess. The extra—my original teammate—stammered.
“C-Cloi... H-Hi...”
“Hm... Don't know your name, but hi!”
“D-Dien...”
Soon eyes turned to me beside Cloi.
“Kyle Arden...”
“H-Hiiik! N-Not the one I know...”
I brushed off dirt, stood, and bowed formally.
“Greetings, Princess.”
“Didn't expect you here.”
Her reaction? Far from warm.