Instructor Hugo had everyone following a single path. The trail was wide enough for a horse-drawn carriage to pass through. It was a well-trodden dirt path with no visible sign of grass or weeds, and the sides were covered in a sea of green. The fresh scent of earth and grass permeated the air as leaves whistled and branches swayed with the light breeze.

A few birds chirped in the background, and sparse sunlight shone down through the canopy. Animals scampered away as the students passed, and the trees, tall and majestic, were an excellent sight to behold. The forest was alive with its natural beauty, a place untouched by man, and it felt good being surrounded by nature.

"Alright, listen up," Instructor Hugo barked. "I won't say this twice, so pay attention!"

Tyrus and the other students stopped in their tracks and gathered around their instructor.

"Most of our lessons will be hands-on, so you'll get to learn by doing. You learn best by trying things out yourself. Over the course of several months, you'll develop skills in navigation, injury prevention, comfort, risk assessment, and much more. We'll start with the fundamentals and build a solid foundation in the first few days. I've also prepared some straightforward tasks. Right now, just pay close attention while I explain some crucial wilderness survival rules. I won't be repeating myself."

A couple of groans and murmurs were exchanged, but they quieted down after the instructor glared. Once everyone settled down, the group continued onward, following Instructor Hugo. Instructor Hugo led the class through a narrow forest path, his voice carrying over the sound of rustling leaves.

"First rule," he began, his tone clipped but clear, "preparation is everything. You can know every spell and survival trick in the book, but without well-maintained equipment and adequate supplies, you won’t last a day out here. A map, first-aid kit, a bag to hold supplies, and protection are necessary items before departure.. Make sure tools and weapons are cleaned, sharpened, and oiled regularly. Your weapons need to be cared for and maintained daily. A dull weapon can easily break or cause an injury during an encounter with a beast."

He pointed to his boots and the sheathed weapon at his belt. “Each piece serves a purpose and isn’t something you throw into a pack last minute. You’ll need the right boots, tools, clothing, and supplies, and everything needs to be checked before each expedition. So, don’t be that person who finds their map to be outdated when they’re already lost in the wild. That is especially considering the wild is a dangerous place."

Instructor Hugo waved his hand around the forest. "There are many dangers and unknowns that lurk in the depths, like lesser hounds or thorn bears. These creatures here would rip you limb from limb the moment they sense weakness."

"The environment itself can also be dangerous, as sudden storms or extreme weather can change the landscape and terrain, which can be deadly. That's why preparation is key. What if a beast attacked while you were asleep, and your weapon broke because you failed to maintain it? Or maybe you're sapped of mana because you haven't been using it sparingly and a dangerous situation arises. If you can't fend for yourself, then there's no point in being out here."

"That Demi-human behind us is probably friends with the beasts here," one student whispered. "He'll feel right at home, so he doesn't have to worry about that."

Some students snickered at the jab, casting glances over their shoulders. Tyrus ignored them, keeping his focus on the instructor.

"Second rule," the instructor continued, oblivious to his student's words. "Traveling alone isn't recommended; always stick with your group. You'll have a better chance of survival if you're in a group rather than solo. Not only can they watch your back and vice versa, but it can also help reduce mental fatigue. Only those confident in their skills are given the benefit of the doubt."

"Third rule: always be mindful of the weather. Be aware of the sky and the land and monitor the wind, rain, snow, and more. If a storm is approaching, the best option is to find shelter and wait it out. If there isn't shelter around, that's where you build your own. I'll go over that later. Also, if there's a thunderstorm, stay away from the tallest trees and don't touch metal, which can attract the lightning."

This continued on for what felt like hours. Instructor Hugo babbled on about his own personal rules and safety tips as the group explored the forest. The most important ones Tyrus remembered, and ones he already knew about, weren't hard to guess. To not wander off on your own even if one knew what they were doing. And that in forests, the landscape can deceive faster than any illusion spell, and it’ll take only one wrong turn to find oneself in a real mess.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Another was about markings. Without knowing which plants, trees, and landmarks to watch for, wherever someone ventured could turn into a labyrinth. Marking trails and taking mental notes of the area can help avoid getting lost and staying on track. Magic could backfire, equipment may break, and without a solid grasp of the environment, finding one's way back could be a problem.

One rule Tyrus hadn't thought of was securing his own food. Instructor Hugo had told the group that leaving scraps around would undoubtedly allow beasts to smell it, and the leftovers would attract bigger, meaner, and scarier animals. Even the smallest of beasts could potentially become pests or a threat. That was the last thing the students needed. What you bring in, you either consume, bury, or pack back out. No exceptions.

The longer Instructor Hugo talked, the more impressed Tyrus became. The instructor spoke with confidence, and while some of the information was basic knowledge, the instructor's delivery was captivating. Instructor Hugo seemed to be passionate about the topic, judging by the stream of information he spoke. It was also baffling how the man could talk for so long with no need for a break or even pausing between words, but that was beside the point.

The other students, however, did not share the instructor's enthusiasm. A majority of the group looked bored and irritated. A few students even looked like they wanted to be anywhere else but here, whispering about how dull and pointless this class was. Tyrus wondered why the instructor hadn't noticed their lack of interest or made a mention of it, and the thought made him sigh.

Instructor Hugo eventually guided them back to the front gate of the academy. Taking the group to a small clearing at the forest's edge, he paused where the grass brushed against their feet and no trees obstructed their view. He carefully scanned each student, evidently tallying their count, before giving a satisfied nod.

"We're just about done here," Instructor Hugo said. "I've babbled on about rules and expectations long enough. Now, it's about time for a little test to see if you've been paying attention. The rules I mentioned were just the basics, and I don't want to spend another lesson covering them again. You, the one in the back there."

Instructor Hugo gestured towards the far back, his pointer finger settling on the boy who had previously insulted Tyrus. The student glanced around and then pointed at himself.

"Yes, you. Don't think I haven't been paying attention to you running your mouth off to your friends. What's your name?"

"Lannon, Instructor Hugo," the boy replied.

"Alright, Lannon. How about you tell the class what you've learned today? I want you to recite all the rules I've been talking about. If you were paying attention, this should be easy, no?"

The boy hesitated and opened his mouth. "Erm, it's...uh. The rules. Well, it was something about preparation and how not to travel alone and how to secure food... And, um—"

"Stop," said the instructor. "You, the girl with the unibrow."

A girl with eyebrows on the verge of connecting flinched in surprise. "U-Unibrow...?"

"Your name."

"I-It's Sera, Instructor Hugo," the girl answered.

"Well, Sera. What did you learn today?"

Sera scratched her head and said, "...Travelling alone isn't recommended and that it's best to stick with a group just in case."

The man nodded. "Good. At least someone was paying attention. Now, what about you, Tyrus?"

All eyes were on him, and he felt a lump in his throat. He gulped and cleared his throat, and began listing off everyone he could remember about Instructor Hugo's words. He mentioned the traveling rule, equipment maintenance, the importance of preparation, and more. Tyrus continued on until he reached the last rule, with that being about markings and landmarks. As soon as he was finished, a bell sounded and signaled the end of the lesson.

Instructor Hugo grinned. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it? This is all simple stuff every sorcerer and traveler should keep in mind. I won't keep you for long, so you're all free to leave. Next class, we'll be going over basic navigation."

Tyrus released a heavy breath and slumped. Most of the students left immediately, casting one last glance toward Tyrus before they disappeared. Tyrus thanked the instructor for his teachings and turned to leave.

"Ah, one more thing, kid."

"Yes, Instructor Hugo?" Tyrus asked, turning around.

"You don't mind if I use you in examples from now on, do you? I'm in search of an Instructor Assistant, and you seem to be the most capable student I've come across. No one wants the extra credit that comes with helping an instructor during classes."

"Extra credit? What does that mean?"

"Your chances of passing the class increases, to put it simply," the man said. "Do you accept or not? I don't want to keep you here for any longer or else you'll be late."

Tyrus saw no reason to refuse the request, so he just nodded. While the class seemed easy so far, boosting his grades was always welcome.

"Excellent." Instructor Hugo clapped his hands. "We'll be having another class the day after, so I expect you to show up early again."

To avoid being tardy, Tyrus expressed his gratitude to the man and departed for his eagerly awaited next class: Elemental Mastery I. He was curious about the subject matter and hoped it would be a fun experience. A title like elemental mastery obviously involved the elements. Hopefully, it won't be overly complicated, otherwise he'll be in trouble.