8 years ago ( 1 year after the events of chapter 5. )

Jason, Rose, and Carl seated around the table in Jason's tent were engaged in a heated discussion. " We shouldn't just leave them at least tail them in case anything happens, " Carl said exasperated.

" If we did that they would learn nothing, we are bandits not some noble or dandy pansy young master " Jason relied.

" I agree with Jason no matter how we feel they need to learn about the realities and way of the world, a bird will drop its young to kick in the chick's instincts allowing them to fly, if this fails then that chick was too weak that is the way of the world " Rose sighed.

" Yes this test will decide the weak from the strong, the cowards from the brave " Jason agreed.

"Gregory call them in " Carl called to one of the guards at the entrance to Jason's tent. "

Outside the tent Yuri and two others waited, they were told the previous day by Rose to wait here for the next stage of their training.

" Gregory call them in " they heard Carl say from within the tent, " go on then you heard him " Gregory said with a bored tone.

Yuri and the other bandit trainees entered the tent to see the three camp leaders, " welcome you three are here to perform in a test that will decide whether you are bandit material or not " Jason said in a serious tone.

" For this test you will enter the great forest west of here and search for then kill a beast, each of you must bring back a kill worthy enough to provide a passing grade " Rose added.

" Because of concerns about the potential difficulties of the task we have decided that you three will work as a team untill you are either dead or successful, good luck " Jason said with sincerity.

Once Yuri and the others left Rose started laughing, " Jason you really know how to inspire confidence in the younger generation " Rose said with sarcasm, Carl snorted while Jason looked at Rose indignantly.

1 hour later Yuri and the others stood outside of camp looking nervously at each other, " well I guess introductions are in order I am Samuel 8 star warrior and ladies man " the blond youth said silver eyes looking smugly at the other two.

" I am Yuri 9 star warrior and adventure infusiast " Yuri said with no reaction to samuel's comment.

Samuel looked surprised at Yuri's strength when looking at his small stature, " h hello my name is Ned I hope we can work well together " Ned said nervously.

" Hmpf well its obvious who the leader should be here, " Samuel said while silver eyes looked to Ned's scruffy brown hair and tattered attire.

As he said this he started walking towards the plains which will lead them to the great forest where the test awaits. Yuri gazed at samuel's back then glanced to Ned, " are you ok ".

" Yes I'm sorry I'm so nervous I have heard about the many bandit recruits who ended up dead during the tests " Ned looked down angry at his own nervousness, " it will be fine, if we work together I am sure we will get through this " Yuri said with a smile then stuck his hand out.

Ned shook Yuri's outstretched arm " friends " Yuri asked curiously, " friends " Ned replied with a happy smile as if a weight has lifted off his shoulder.

Yuri and Ned then followed Samuel towards the great forest, after 8 hours the trio made it to the forest edge, " we make camp here " Samuel said with smug authority.

As Yuri finished setting up his tent and removing his leather armour Yuri climbed into his makeshift bedding, ' this is it I must rely on myself and my teammates to survive this challenge I do worry about that guy though ' Yuri sighed as the warm embrace of sleep took him.