(Julius Argenti POV)

Most of the class was exhausted from the trek through the forest, so they started falling asleep. Nobody wanted to go outside so everyone had to make do with sleeping on the floor of the cave.

Thankfully, the solid mages pulverised the ground so it felt like they were sleeping on a beach. It was a bit uncomfortable but our class was too tired to complain.

I volunteered to be on watch throughout the night. I didn't do it out of kindness but because I couldn't sleep. I was too worried about any incoming enemies.

Morning came quickly. I realised I must have dozed off as I awoke at the first light of dawn. The storm was all but gone and it was only drizzling.

Mrs Rumbles must've released her technique and the rain now was a natural consequence of her weather manipulation. It wouldn't clear up until a couple of hours later.

For breakfast, we reheated the flame bear and finished the remains. We didn't want to leave the cave, so some of us returned to the lake to refill our water bottles.

We sat on the ground and started playing poker. James was smart and dumb enough to bring cards to gruelling training camp. We used rocks as chips and we played for hours.

The others practised their magic, read books and did other things to entertain themselves. The hunting team didn't encounter any dangerous creatures for lunch and managed to capture some wild rabbits.

We didn't know what to do as Mrs Rumble hadn't shown up. But we all kept one eye out waiting for the next challenge to appear.

The day continued. The night soon appeared. We took turns sleeping, but nothing happened as we slept peacefully throughout the night.

We were awoken in the morning by a buzzing noise. It was faint at, but an hour later it was ringing loudly in our ears.

One of us looked over the horizon and returned with pure terror in his eyes. Soon we all saw a swarm of yellow filling our vision.

"What the fuck are those!"

My eyes widened to limits after seeing so many insects. All of them were at least 10cm long with some being 20cm or even 30cm.

"No way! Those are Death Hornets!"

Simone was our resident zoologist. She grew up in the Southeast of the continent in a massive forest city. She lived within nature and learned about many different animals and insects.

"Death Hornets feed on meat and are known for being able to destroy an ecosystem in mere hours. They were extremely feared in ancient times as a passing swarm could easily obliterate a kingdom. Civilians stand no chance against these monsters!"

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There was genuine fear in his eyes.

These insects were out for blood and we happened to be a convenient source. All the animals had evacuated ages ago and we were the only living beings they could feed on.

'Individually they seem to be F or E rank, but the sheer numbers would overwhelm us.'

We suspected this was a new challenge that the school set up for us, but this was too much. Central High wouldn't set a challenge like this, even as a joke. They were just that dangerous.

And even if they wanted a challenge like this, they would ensure there would only be a small number of them, not a swarm like this.

These swarms were terrifying and required rapid response teams as soon they were spotted. This was to avoid a repeat of the Saxet Hornet Massacre of 1764.

Some of us tried to run, but it was too late. In every direction, there were only hornets. We were surrounded.

'How did they get behind us as well? These hornets are not smart enough to formulate a strategy like this. Did someone cause this?'

I tried thinking of a reason but my mind was drawing a blank.

'No point questioning it now. We need to survive this now. A teacher should come and save us. Hopefully.'

"Everyone get back into the cave. We need to hold these insects off until a teacher comes!"

I gave my instructions to the class. But only less than a fifth of us listened. The rest didn't hear what I said and were frozen in fear. Even James and Violet were the same.

'So much for being the best class of the year.'

I created {Water Whips} and dragged the rest inside the cave while the ones that could have rational thoughts were creating a plan. If I had to estimate, the hornets would be upon us in a minute.

Even though hiding in a cave limited our escape options, running out wasn't the best idea either. We would have to constantly run away and our stamina was limited.

"Should we barricade the cave?"

"No, that would deprive us of oxygen and hornets could still fit through the gaps. We need to hold them off as long as possible."

"Okay. Those with wide-range attacks should try to reduce the numbers as much as possible. We need a rotation system to hold on for as long as possible.

Simone, Violet and Lisa were having a meaningful discussion to give us the best chance to survive. In a couple of seconds, they created the best plan of action.

I would be in the front, using my liquid manipulation to create powerful water attacks, while Amina and Simone would support me. Lisa would be behind us killing any stray hornets with her swords.

I could feel the hairs on my body rising from fear. Even though I have seen many gruesome things, a swarm of buzzing hornets approaching was still a terrifying experience.

I created a ball of water and tried to fill it with as much water as possible, causing the water to compress.

After I felt I couldn't hold it anymore, I released the water in the direction of the hornets. The immense amount of pressure caused the water to be launched with great force.

As soon as the water came in contact with their bodies, they were destroyed on impact. Thousands of hornets were killed in this single attack. But this was a mere blip compared to the total number attacking us.

The hornets were not going to allow me to launch another attack of a similar nature, so I used the blood of the hornets to create two massive {Water Whips}.

I swung them wildly, each attack killing tens of hornets and allowing me to add more of their blood to the whips, meaning more could kill more hornets.

Still, hundreds got past me, so Amina and Simone cleaned them up with their attacks. Simone manipulated the air to affect their flight while Amina attacked their souls when they were defenceless.

Even though every second we were killing hundreds, there seemed to be an infinite number of them approaching closer.

Despite our attempts, they were slowly gaining ground.