I give everyone their homework and with that, the lecture for today was done. I didn’t teach anything practically related since I wanted them to develop their mental prowess first.

I go to the teacher’s lounge. It seems that there is no other teacher here. I move in.

“Oh hey, it’s you Dan.”

To my surprise, it was Pears who checking on some kinda test.

“What are you doing here, Pears?”

I ask him.

“Well, you see, I left my other school and joined this one.”

I start packing my things as he spoke.

“Why though? Didn’t you and your students like it there?”

I ask.

“Yeah, I like my students but I felt like I can stay with you and learn more about training different types of students you know.”

Pears smiles.

I continue packing my stuff.

“You know, back at the tournament, I never thought that you and those five students had that kind of bond but as I saw you with those five students, I realized how much they loved their teacher.”

Pears says.

“Yeah, even I didn’t think I would grow those kinds of bonds with those five guys. They really are quite something and now, I have a bunch more that I want to teach.”

I speak as I take my bag over my shoulder.

“You know, I didn’t even think I would be a teacher. This job, I got. It was all thanks to my brother and all because he didn’t want me to be an introvert like I was.”

I say.

“I see. You must have a really caring brother then.”

Pears says to me.

“I do, he cares for me and I care the same way for him. That’s just our bond.”

I say to Pears.

Pears smiles, “I understand.”

“Aight, see you tomorrow, Dan.”

Pears looks happy.

“Same here.”

I say as I leave.

XXXXXX

“If only Tarand didn’t turn out the way he did, I think he and you would have been great friends.”

Pears looks sad.

XXXXXX

I walk out of the school’s gate.

“What are you two doing here?”

To my left standing is John and to my right is Sven.

“Didn’t you say we needed to find materials? We promised to help you remember.”

Sven says to me as he adjusts his glasses.

“I see...”

“I am here because that freaking Luke said that he needs to attend some kind of party at the King’s Castle.”

John says as he looks away. He seems annoyed.

“Party?”

I question.

“Yeah, apparently, a lot of nobles have been invited to the party.”

Brenna who is patting the cat on the road says.

“So, why are you guys here?”

I ask.

“I don’t like parties.”

Sven says as he adjusts his glasses.

“I am not a noble.”

Brenna says.

I look at John.

“What?! I do what I want to! It’s my life my choice!”

John talks aggressively.

I sigh, “Is there anyone else?”

I ask.

“Nope, it’s just us three.”

Sven says.

“Everyone else will be at the party.”

Brenna says.

“Let’s go then, we will be going to the forest behind district 6.”

I say.

“Isn’t that what they call Verdania Forest?”

Sven asks.

“Yeah, that’s where we will find the materials.”

I say.

XXXXXX

On our way to Verdania Forest, I speak, “What’s this party you guys mentioned about?”

I ask.

“Apparently, it’s some kind of send-off to Princess Kaileen before her execution so that she could pass on peacefully.”

Sven answers my question.

“Tsch! Those People needing another person’s sacrifice to get stronger. I hate that kinda shit.”

John says.

“I agree with you there John. I don’t like this idea of sacrificing someone for no reason...”

I say.

“Is that why you are ready to die?”

John asks me.

“No offense on you dying and shit but if there is anyone I want to train from, it’s you. I want to know how the hell you made Luke that fucking strong.”

John says to me.

“We have already heard that like 100 times now John.”

Sven says then leaves a sigh.

I look at Brenna who is silently walking in front of us as Sven and John speak with each other.

“Brenna, why did you tag along? I thought you hated my guts when we spoke last time.”

I say.

“Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t accept you as a teacher but because you stood up for Princess Kaileen, I will help you.”

Brenna says to me.

“Hmm?”

I am confused, what does she mean by that?

“You see, other than my small group of friends, she was the only one who actually talked to me like I was of her equal footing. Everyone else was just thinking of me as a person of the lower class.”

Brenna says.

“That’s a lie, alright.”

Sven says.

“Yeah totally.”

John agrees.

“HUH?! YOU TWO DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE ME!”

Brenna screams at John and Sven.

“That’s because you were never in the class, delinquent.”

Sven says.

“How did this guy get attention then?!”

Brenna points at John.

“That’s because I already knew everything that was taught to us by that Tarand. I never attended the class.”

John says.

“Yeah, John actually passed the first term exams with flying colors. That’s when everyone noticed his presence. If you did that, you would be noticed by everyone too.”

Sven says.

Right, I came after the first term, so I don’t know much about the first term exams and stuff.

“Who was the highest scorer in the first term?”

I ask.

“The highest scores from our class were from Luke, John, and Jack respectively.”

Sven says.

“Yeah, I was surprised when Jack was the third-highest scorer in our class.”

Brenna says.

“I mean, his father is a martial artist. Were you seriously expecting him to be dumb?”

I question everyone.

“You are just saying that because you are dating Jack’s sister.”

Sven smirks as he adjusts his glasses.

*Bang*

I hit on Sven’s head.

“Anyways, dating or not, I didn’t even teach him his techniques or spells. It was all done by The King himself.”

I say.

“Wow...Seriously, is the King that strong?”

Brenna asks me.

“Yeah, why would he be the King otherwise?”

I look at everyone as I speak.

“Anyways, we are here in the forest. It should also be a good training spot for every one of you guys.”

I smirk.

“Wait a minute!”

Brenna looks confused.

“Training?!”

Sven looks confused.

“Now you’re talking like a teacher.”

John seems to be hyped.

“Of course we are going to get the materials but to get them. We will need to get through some Forest Beasts. It will be some good training for you guys.”

I say with a smirk.

“So, if anyone wants to back off, it’s a good time.”

I say.

“From the Tree of Artemis, I shall draw my bow!”

Sven readies his bow.

“You want us to train, right? Let’s get training then.”

Sven says.

I look at Brenna and so do John and Sven.

Brenna breaks, “ALRIGHT! FINE! AS YOU WISH! I WILL HELP YOU GUYS TOO!”

XXXXXX

They are entering this forest but little do they know, after they come out of this forest, they will be totally different people because this forest is not made for people of weak heart.

The name Verdania Forest might sound fancy but what it actually means is The Cursed Forest. Let’s see, if those three can pass surviving in the forest or not.