“Oof, please don’t wake me up like this.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have fallen asleep like that. I told you I’d be gathering you guys soon.”

“Oh, it’s you. Sorry, sir! Ready to assemble.”

“Good, now follow me.”

Tak had fallen asleep under the tree and had to be woken by John. The others did not succeed at all even though they have been trying for a minute or two. John had to give him a rather hard slap in the face.

What a deep sleeper. Wish I could sleep like that sometimes. Although if I got hit like that I would have had a different reaction.

Hanma followed them to a spot a bit deeper in the fences of the forest. The gate wasn’t all that spectacular. Just an iron gate like you see on farm fields. The fence itself seemed to stretch on for miles.

How will they be keeping an eye on us like this?

After reaching another clearing five minutes away from the gate John told all of them to gather around him. Hanma noticed that the group had gained five new members. Not that he cared to notice what they looked like and who they were. He was here for himself.

“Some of you with a magic background may have noticed that there have been some teleportation moments in this rather short walk. Right now we are in the middle of the forest. Getting to one of the sides of the forest would take you a full day of walking. You are free to choose in which direction you go when I announced that the exam has begun.”

What?! Did they use teleportation magic? Maybe that’s how they’ll keep an eye on the students… I have not even noticed. Did anyone else?

“I’ll tell you one more time. Crossing the fence will mark the exam as an instant failure for yourself. If you, in any way, make someone cross the fence we will know. The same rules apply, but you both fail. Each one of you should be capable of defending yourself. Don’t think this exam is any less difficult than the Hunting Exam. Ready? Start!”

John suddenly vanished right in front of their eyes. Lots of the other students started to mumble in utter fascination and confusion. Some of them even started running away as fast as possible.

Can’t blame em. With remarks like being threatened, I would get out of here as fast as possible as well. Let’s see what Tak and Wacko are up to.

“So what will you be doing? I was thinking of finding someplace to build a shelter at. These woods suddenly feel a lot different, don’t they? Will we be teaming up?”

Tak had become a little more scared by the remarks John made as well and was very eager to team up. He didn’t want to let the other two notice though.

“I’m fine with that.” Wacko sad. ” What about you Hanma? We could use an axe for a lot of things now that I think of it.”

“Sure, I would feel a little bit safer that way as well. I’m just a blacksmith. I’ve been forced to camp in the woods for a couple of days but… something makes my spine shiver here.”

The three of them started wandering in a random direction. They eagerly searched for a water source to set up camp.

“So, how will they notify us if the exam has ended? We can count the days but my recollection of the current time will probably not be accurate.” Tak said.

“No idea, we’ll find out in seven days. Getting bored might be more of a concern. How hard will it be to survive for seven days? All we have to do is find a water source and some food that’ll last us a while.“ Wacko replied.

I just hope we can get enough food for the three of us. I know how to ration but we have just met. Will we be alright?

Hanma couldn’t help himself and worry. He never really talked with other people much other than his customers of Old Man Philip. He decided to stay quiet and lead the small group forward.

The walk took a while before one of the three students said something.

“Shhh… I think I can hear water flow.” Hanma said while suddenly stopping.

“I can hear it as well. It’s to the right.” Wacko said and immediately turned 90 degrees to the source of the sound.

“Let’s go! I am thirsty as hell!”

The three of them started walking towards the sound as it became louder and louder. They slowly picked up the pace and were almost running until the trees suddenly came to a halt.

There it was, a river that was several meters wide. Hanma guessed it might have been seven or eight in total and it was rather deep. You could see the rocks at the bottom but only because the river was very clear. Maybe a little too clear for a forest river he thought.

“Haha! Yes! Now, all we need is shelter.” Tak looked like he was about to jump in the air before his face suddenly turned that frown upside down. He became as pale as a ghost.

“What’s the matter, Tak?” Hanma asked him in a rather pressing way.

“Do. Not. Move.” He pointed towards their right.

“That's.. A bear...” Hanma froze completely. Never had he encountered one this big.

The bear was three meters tall. Had grey fur and a weird red look in his eyes. His claws were normal bear claws but the size of them was something else. And then suddenly, it seemed to notice their presence.