Well then, let's move on with the more disturbing part of the talk.

Up to this point, even though it's unbelievable, I can nod my head on certain parts. I have already accepted the fact that we’re in a totally different world than our own. [Arte], however, is a very mysterious thing. To put it simply it’s like a supernatural power that people of this world possess.

Some may be born with one, others may gain it from being taught, there are certain [Arte] that even require a special ceremony to obtain. This world still hasn't been able to understand everything there is about [Arte].

From what Class-rep told us, when asked “Does everyone has an [Arte]?”, Teru-san shook his head and said this:

“Having an [Arte] is a coveted privilege that only available to some. Even among the users, most only have one [Arte] but throughout history there are some special people with two or more [Arte]. These people often end up leaving their names in legends”

“You said there are various types of [Arte]? What are those?” – Class-rep

“The first and the most unique one is the in-born [Arte]. Some are born with or awaken to it at some point in their life. Some of these are [Arte] can’t be found in anywhere else, such as the power to read mind, or the power to create diamonds from rock. I suspect your power of language is one of these, Ojou-chan. Though there are also simpler ones such as [Sword Talent] or [Magic Talent]. The effect is exactly like the name, however, if you don’t have those doesn’t mean you have no talent in sword or magic. Having them, however, will increase your proficiency in learning sword and magic techniques on top of your own innate talent” – Teru-san

“And the other types?” – Class-rep

“The 2nd type is obtained through vigorous training. For example one possible [Arte] you might obtain through training in magic is [Magic Talent]. It is exactly the same as the in-born [Magic Talent], only the method is different. All training [Arte] can theoretically be obtain through in-born. But not all in-born can be obtained through training”

“The last type … I’m not too sure about. It seems that some special rituals can grant a person certain unique [Arte]… but as to what kind of [Arte] or how to perform such ritual, they’re all state secrets that aren’t disclosed to public” – Teru-san

Or so the conversation went.

If class-rep for some unknown reason was able to obtain a special ability that allows her to communicate in any language, then it's explained how she was able to talk to an Elf. How was she able to get it though? She is famous in our class for being able to speak 7 different languages. Is that one of the trigger? Or is it the fact that we came from a different world?

Now that we heard about it, we would like to confirm if we too had an [Arte] too, but it doesn't seem to be possible right now. You need a special magic tool for it.

Ehhhh….… How primitive…

I was hoping to be able to know it just by closing my eyes and imagine…or something similar.

Since it's decided that we will be temporarily sheltered in the Elf's village, we might be able to see our [Arte] then. From Teru-san's talks, his village possesses the required magic tool to read a person’s [Arte].

Takanashi-kun seems to be excited knowing about [Arte]. Un, I get it, it does excite a man's adventurous spirit isn't it? Getting lost in a fantasy world, having a fantasy superpower.   Harusaki-san have a difficult face however, seems like she can't swallow this story easily. I suppose if we weren’t in the situation we’re in right now, she would’ve laughed at how silly a boy’s adolescent dream of adventures is. Class-rep doesn't show any expression, she is just calmly looking into space, as if trying to organize all the information obtained.

As for our remaining classmates who are missing, there's nothing we can do at the moment. Even though finding each other like this has made the probability of them being around increased, we simply don't have the means to. There's a lack of man power, the supplies Teru-san brought was for just a single person, not to mention monster running around. It is best to go back to his village, then ask them to send a rescue team later.

For now, let's sleep to recover our fatigue and start the journey to the nearby Elf village tomorrow morning.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

And so morning came.

"What the hell is this!?" -Haru

"H-Harusaki!! Kuhh.... this fucking rope.." -Takanashi

Ara ara ? What are those two getting flustered around for I wonder? Being too excited like that in the morning just as you wake up isn't good for your blood pressure you know.

"------------- ------------------------------------------- !! " – Class-rep

"-------------------------------------------" – Teru

Class-rep seems to be shouting something with Teru-san in an argument.

Even class-rep seems to be losing her cool.

Can’t blame them.

After all, our situation right now…

We're riding a horse carriage through a rocky mountain path.

With our hands tied, that is.

"I'm sorry, everyone..." –Class-rep

With an apologetic expression, class-rep faces us and explains the situation.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Apparently Teru-san has been rather impressed with class-rep special ability. There's a chance that we might have similar abilities to her. On top of that, we look like a bunch of well-fed, sheltered noble children. Which mean we're going to be sold for a hefty price, especially the girls.

Well, mostly the girls, male are usually treated as simple labor slave so it'd be better if we were more muscular instead. Teru-san is now wearing a triumphant and haughty look on his face, as if he has just struck a good deal of business. If you ask me, this face that show your inner desire so obviously is more likeable than the good-guy smile he has been faking yesterday.

"Wa...what's with that...slave?" –Takanashi

"Explain yourself! Class-rep, isn't he your friend? Go talk to him!" –Hanasaki

"................." –Class-rep

To the two's barrage of blame, class-rep didn't answer back, only looks away in frustration. Aaa… that look, that's the kind that think you yourself bear the responsibility isn't it? I guess she is the type with a high sense of responsibility? I personally think it's not good to beat yourself up over things that can't be helped you know?

That said, it's not like I didn't expect this situation.

No, it's not that I predicted it, I was just never good at trusting another in the first place.

I've considered the possibility that we might get betrayed, however, after some thinking I decided it was better to not take any action. We were in a very dangerous circumstance, we knew nothing of this world, nor do we have any means to protect ourselves, getting killed inside this forest is just a matter of time. Teru-san didn't kill us and there's nothing to steal, so if he were to betray us, it'd probably something like selling us off as slaves. Compared to dying in the forest, being able to continue to live for a bit longer, is a better option. If chances come we might be able to even improve our situation later somehow. It'd be bad if us guys were to be sold as labor slaves in the mine though. Back in the era where slavery was wide-spread in our world, being a slave in the mine means you'll have a very short life. The strenuous labors day and night, the terrible working condition, the poisonous gases, not to mention the high possibility of getting caught in an accident. Our chance of surviving would be incredibly low if we were to be sold in to the mines. 

Really… ever since I've come to this world, I've done nothing but gambling with my life.

I'd like to be given a break already…

Just as I was thinking that, as if mocking me, several shadows draw near to our carriage. Their identity is something we know well. After all, we were just one foot on the other side of the death door due to those things yesterday.

Words cannot describe how fed up I am with them now.

Just how persistent are they anyway.

Are you guys that? The kind of low level monster that over populate the beginner's area and you will only find new types in the next map? Are you guys the same as slimes and goblins?

Are you really fine with that! Panthers!?

"Kyaaaaaaa!!! " -Haru

"D-damn it! Why the hell are they here again!?" - Takanashi

"No way...." – Class-rep

"-----------!!!" - Teru

At my classmates' shouts and mournful groans, Teru-san dropped his former laid-back attitude, apparently shouting something shortly, which I assume to be cursing words, and at the same time hurries the horses to run faster.

However, there's no way 2 horses carrying a carriage with 5 people could outrun panthers. One panther separates from the other 2 and strides along the mountain wall that's to the carriage's right side.

Oi oi, running on the wall is cheating you know.

Of course, the panther would not hear the idle complains in my head and with a kick, it lunges itself from the wall toward our carriage. The place it's aiming for is...

...bad

This is not good at all.

It's aiming for class-rep.

I wouldn't care about the other two, but class-rep is irreplaceable.

In this world where we don't know anything about on top of unable to speak the language, she's our sole bridge. Losing her would drastically lower our chance of survival.

Since its body is in midair, maybe I can do something.

With all the force I can muster, I stand my body up and tackle the panther's body from the side right before it's fangs could get to class-rep. Unable to dodge or change direction, It was thrown off and crashed on to the ground, making the other two shortly stop on their track because of their friend's body was thrown right in front of them.

Kuh... but it didn't receive any damage from such a light crash after all, they're going to be back to chasing us soon.. isn't there anything i ca----

..Un, eh?

Wait. Wait.

Weren't we not supposed to stand on a moving vehicle?

Why was it I wonder?

As if to answer my question, the carriage shook strongly due to the high movement speed and the rocky uneven ground. My unsteady body was thrown off from the carriage to the side of the cliff.

Momentarily, I came to know what it's like to be floating on air for the first time in my life.

And so just like that.

I fell.