Although many of the cadets believe that Karanzo and Rin are secretly in love due to their closeness in Class C and their shared childhood in the same village, their relationship has never progressed into a romantic one. Karanzo has been teaching Rin martial arts techniques since the beginning of the curriculum ten years ago, particularly when it comes to advancing her Secret Signs. Despite being a master in hand-to-hand combat using physical force and weapons, he still considers himself basic in spiritual abilities and always reminds himself that he is still a rookie. While many of his colleagues also want to learn martial arts from him, he always prioritizes Rin first, at least until she reaches her full potential as a Signer.
The two Signers grew up learning each other's techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. However, Karanzo never felt jealous when Rin surpassed him in terms of intellect and spirituality. In fact, he was very happy for her as he considered Rin to be like his real sister. Similarly, Rin always praised Karanzo like her older brother despite their two-year age difference. Without him, Rin wouldn't have the knowledge and skills she possesses today. As she became more mature and independent, Karanzo never imposed strict restrictions or condoned her for any foolishness. Although Karanzo played a significant role in Rin's life, he never wanted to hinder anyone's freedom or love. Regardless of any circumstances, the two always shared mutual respect and trust for each other.
Although dating is not forbidden in the academy, it is generally seen as a weakness. Those who appear conspicuous may attract unwanted attention, leading to new enemies. Cadets like the Playboy Aleister, known for his charismatic speeches, and Dangerous Kirana, known for her beauty, are especially skilled at manipulating those in romantic relationships, making it a risky endeavor. To reduce competition, some cadets resort to blackmail and exploitation. Consequently, there are three types of cadets when dealing with their love interests. The first is to treat them like normal friends and seek safety by dating in secret. The second is to openly date and display their affection without concern for others until the enemies or spies grow tired of watching. Finally, some choose to create the perception of being siblings, which is the most common approach among cadets today.
After a tiring hunt, Karanzo leaned his aching body against a pine tree to relieve his fatigue. Rin sat beside him, enjoying the natural scenery of reeds growing and the cool air that made them feel at home and relaxed. As the thin fog began to dissipate in the eastern forest, the view of Mount Tartaros came into sight. The comfortable atmosphere of the dense pine forest, swaying in the wind, added to the sense of beauty that surrounded them.
"By the way, I'm surprised to learn that you're one of the best female sword users in class C. Since changing your Golden Strings weapon, you've grown a lot more than I thought," remarked Karanzo, looking at Rin's hunt. "Even if it is just an ordinary Kobold."
Rin retorted, "You underestimate me too much, Karanzo! Golden Strings are now my secret weapon. I prefer to use it as a surprise weapon when my sword isn't around." She responded to his last sentence in an annoyed tone, "And what do you mean by an ordinary Kobold?! I have no interest in this hunting competition. The instructor mentioned that at least one hunt is enough. It's better to prioritize passing the exam than racing to hunt rare monsters like a child against more than three hundred cadets. Moreover, having to drag it to a large field is really troublesome."
Realizing his mistake, Karanzo smiled and apologized to Rin. As time passed, Karanzo began to ask a serious question, "You know what, Rin? Be honest with me. Have you ever used signs since the first test started?"
Rin's smile widened as Karanzo still cared about her. "Not yet. And I still remember what you taught me back then, that as Signers we should only use signs if we are between the bridge of life and death."
"You came from the southern forest, right? What about the situation in there?" asked Karanzo.
Rin was lost in thought, reflecting on the events that had just transpired. "I told the others to focus on hunting normal monsters, but they didn't listen. I suspect this physical exam is just a ploy to weed out the weak before the real test. One of the parties has gone missing, and their comrades asked Hjalmar for help. I hope they don't perish in the first round."
"Hjalmar is with them? Don't worry, they'll be safe," reassured Karanzo. "Life and death are commonplace here, and they are trained for this. While many may perish in the upcoming deadly tests, it's better to die for a cause than to wither away in Malazen, right?"
"For freedom, you mean? I almost forgot about my goal to escape this continent. Do you remember what the Chthonians did to our village? I can barely recall the details. As you said, it's been a decade, after all."
"Rin, let's forget about the Chthonians for now. Our priority is to ensure our survival. Not just Shinra Village, but many kingdoms on this continent were destroyed. We should be grateful that we are still alive. The current state of Malazen is more chaotic than we imagined, with looters and assassins everywhere."
"You're right, but I can't help feeling that risking our lives for freedom is unfair."
"That's the reality for all of us on this continent. Rin, you're not alone, all cadets share the same fate. And I believe there's wisdom behind it all. Trust me."
"Thank you, Karanzo. Let's face the challenges of this test together."
"That's what I want to hear."
As they rested under a pine tree, Rin and Karanzo continued their conversation. Their busy schedules had left them with little time to talk privately, but now they felt their bond had grown stronger, akin to that of siblings who always support each other to survive.
*
In a forest far to the north, many cadets were injured and in dire need of assistance. The Trolls - muscular creatures with tough skin and powerful limbs and high regenerative abilities—were accompanied by smaller creatures such as goblins and wolves, who served as scouts and skirmishers. The monsters that managed to catch the cadets, devoured them alive, leaving the remaining cadets feeling nauseous, horrified, and disgusted at the sight of their comrades' broken bodies on the blood-soaked ground.
They had not anticipated that killing even a single monster would be such a difficult task, let alone facing hordes of goblins and wolves. The ground would shake as the wolf riders marched forward, their eyes gleaming with a savage hunger for blood and conquest. The sound of their howls and snarls would echo through the air, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard them.
The absence of rules allowing cadets to work alone led them to one conclusion: they must work together, even though they had been rivals from the start. As time passed, dozens of goblins caught the remaining cadets, stripped them of their weapons and armor, and attacked them with spears. The surviving cadets were forced to shuffle away and flee into the wilderness.
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"Hey, don't go east! I've heard there are many dangerous monsters there!" shouted one of the cadets.
"Yes, it's been said that Zain is currently locked in an intense battle against a Manticore, Karanzo against a Chimera, and Thanistor against a Griffin!"
Despite their shock that there were cadets fighting A-class monsters alone, survival was the most important thing for them. Even if each cadet could only take down a weak goblin or troll, it would be enough to pass the test. So, they decided to head west, running frantically as if their lives depended on it, hoping to find easier monsters to hunt.
As they arrived in the depths of the western forest, they were met with a pile of dozens of armed baboon corpses, stacked like a mountain. The cause of their deaths was unknown, but it was evident that their deaths were brutal and cruel. The bodies of the large primates were dismembered in an unkempt manner, and the sight of the mountain of corpses sent shivers down their spines.
“Who could have done this? The mountain of corpses is so high!”
“Luckily for us, let's take one of these baboon corpses just in case before the time runs out as part of our final plan.”
*
During the cadets' first time entering the southern forest, more than five cadets went missing mysteriously. The only explanation they received was the giant footsteps they encountered deep within the forest. After searching for their missing comrades for an hour, the search party also disappeared. Since then, they had been seeking help from any strong cadet who dared to defy death itself.
"Move yer arses outta the way, ye infants!" bellowed the towering figure, Hjalmar the Thunderstorm. He loomed over six feet tall with bulging muscles, and a temple shave with long hair. His thick beard flowed down to his chest, adding to his imposing presence. The other cadets granted him deference by parting ways and allowing him to move through the crowd unimpeded.
Hjalmar Askeir, cadet number 10 from Class C, was one of Zain's comrades and Karanzo's classmate. He was born in Jorvakand on the Valhalor continent and was known as one of the fierce Viking cadets, feared by many and respected by all. But what set him apart from others was not just his physical prowess, but his character. Hjalmar was the one person Aleister didn't want to mess with - a man of honor who lived by a strict code of conduct. He would never break his word and expected the same from others. Even in the heat of battle, he never lost his sense of honor. He would never strike an opponent who was down or helpless, and he always showed mercy to those who surrendered. This was his way of humiliating his arrogant opponents in battle and making them regret their actions rather than killing them outright.
Outside of battle, Hjalmar was a simple man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, such as spending time hunting and drinking mead with his friends. He was not one for pomp and ceremony and preferred to live a normal life.
Upon hearing their plea for help, Hjalmar readily agreed to lead the search party to find the missing cadets. He cautioned them to be alert as the southern forest was rife with danger and unexpected surprises. Moving with great care through the thick underbrush, his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings for any sign of the elusive creature they were seeking. The other male and female cadets watched from a safe distance, holding their breath in anticipation.
Suddenly, a massive figure loomed over Hjalmar, towering several feet above him. It was the infamous Bigfoot, a legendary monster that had terrorized the cadets during previous hunts in these woods. The creature appeared to be a large, bipedal humanoid covered in thick, dark brown or black hair, with arms so long that they reached down to its knees, and a muscular build that spoke of immense strength.
With a deafening roar, the colossal Big Foot charged toward Hjalmar, intent on tearing the brave cadet apart. Hjalmar stood firm, and his eyes flickered with electricity while a spiritual aura emanated from his body, which other cadets could feel. Although his soul charge was still in the first ring stage, it was enough to double Hjalmar's physical strength against the non-ethereal creature. As the monster lunged toward him, Hjalmar's instincts kicked in, and he deftly sidestepped the attack, narrowly evading the monster's massive fists.
Unfazed, Big Foot quickly turned and aimed to strike Hjalmar again. However, with his godspeed, Hjalmar reacted confidently using a counter-edge technique to ward off the Bigfoot's razor-sharp claws. Unfortunately, Hjalmar's prized Runic Sword shattered into pieces, which caught him off guard.
As Big Foot launched another frontal assault, Hjalmar learned from his mistake and deftly dodged the attack. He retaliated with a swift strike to the beast's knee, causing it to let out a deafening roar. But Hjalmar knew that it would take more than that to bring down such a formidable opponent, whose physical endurance was stronger than his own.
Amidst the intense battle between Hjalmar and the Big Foot, the cadets were overwhelmed with emotion. Hjalmar was compelled to use his secondary rusty sword, infusing it with the lightning elements. The sword glistened in the sunlight as he delivered a flurry of blows with fluid and precise movements, each aimed at a vital spot on the monster's body. Despite the ferocity of the Big Foot's attacks, Hjalmar remained agile and graceful, effortlessly dodging the beast's claws and powerful jaws.
The other cadets watched in awe as Hjalmar continued to fight the beast, showcasing his courage and skill. They now fully grasped the importance of the spiritual aura that had been taught at the academy for years. With a Soul Charge, not only could it increase the user's spirit, defense, and endurance, but it could also enhance their physical and magical power, enabling them to confront any type of monster with confidence.
*
The cadets were still running for their lives from their pursuers in the depths of the northern forest. As a pack of wolves howled down the hill, another chorus of howls answered from behind the fog, and the cadets found themselves surrounded on both sides, trapped on a steep cliff. Hordes of goblins riding wolves approached them, their cruel laughter signaling the cadets' inevitable defeat.
In the center of the wolf riders' line stood the Hobgoblin, with a wild and unkempt appearance, sporting shaggy hair and beard, and wearing scraps of leather. He barked orders in dreadful language, instructing his subordinates to annihilate the helpless cadets. Only Aleister, with his elven intelligence and sharp ears, was able to decipher the incoherent roars into a bluff language. One goblin cried out, "Burn them! Burn them in a hot skillet!" while another suggested, "Or take them to the Lord Cave for dinner!" The Hobgoblin, however, had other plans, bellowing, "No! Just sacrifice them to the Witch King!" and pushing the little goblins out of his sight with his great club.
Aleister deduced that the monsters were being commanded by a powerful figure who could sense the presence of the cadets, perhaps based in Mount Tartaros and with a connection to the upcoming spiritual exam. As the monsters charged, Aleister shouted, "Now!" The ground in front of them exploded, creating a hole that had been prepared to trap the goblins riding wolves. Their reckless attacks sent them tumbling into the hole, impaled by sharp spears below. The sound of blood gushing and the goblins' shrieks were like music to the cadets' ears. They managed to kill half of the monsters, but a furious-looking Hobgoblin remained. Ironically, it was the cadets who had trapped him in their own game.
Despite having initially followed Aleister's plan, the cadets were not surprised when he abandoned them and fled like a guilty thief, leaving them to deal with the remaining enemies in a barbaric manner. They knew that sacrificing themselves for the benefit of smarter cadets like Aleister, who only saw them as mere workers or sacrifices, was inevitable. Nonetheless, they were still grateful that he had reduced the enemy forces by half. The hobgoblin grabbed a giant club and charged forward with the remaining goblins, and the cadets followed suit.
"Do not fear! Our numbers are still even! We can win this!" exclaimed one of the cadets, taking charge.
"Yes! Let me handle that hobgoblin!" shouted one of the girls as she stepped forward to lead.
The cadets were awestruck as the girl in the scarlet ninja outfit threw a bag of gunpowder that obscured the Hobgoblin's vision, forcing him to take a defensive stance. She then leaped up like a turning wheel, soaring gracefully in the air as she launched her attack. Even though it only lasted for a moment, the cadets hoped the end result would be as impressive as the girl's dance in the air.
"She is Kirana Bashita!" shouted one of the cadets.
Kirana drew a dagger from her waist, which was enveloped in a fiery aura. "Scarlet Flame!" she exclaimed.
Her lightning-fast slash burned the Hobgoblin from top to bottom, and the gunpowder that had contaminated the monster's body also had a devastating effect. The monster let out a deafening roar before exploding into chunks of flesh that scattered across the grass. The goblins, who had seen their leader meet a gruesome end, fled in a hurry. The male cadets were in awe of Kirana's agility, murmuring "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"