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The morning sun bathed Astraea Academy in golden light as the misfit class assembled in the sprawling training grounds. Kaito stood at the edge of the group, his sharp gaze sweeping across the other students. Beside him, Yumi shifted uncomfortably, her hands clasped tightly.
The atmosphere was tense. Some of their classmates avoided eye contact, while others openly glared at the duo.
"Looks like we’ve been grouped with the rejects," muttered a boy with scruffy hair, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Better than being placed with someone who can’t even use proper magic," retorted a petite girl with auburn hair, earning a glare from the boy.
Kaito ignored the murmurs, his focus instead on the various personalities within their group. His Appraisal activated instinctively, breaking down the abilities and potentials of his classmates.
Class Overview:
Toru: Exceptional physical strength and swordsmanship. Low mana reserves and control.
Elara: Adept at light magic, limited to minor healing. High potential for growth.
Damon: Earth magic proficiency, strong defensively but slow and inflexible.
Arin: Excellent archery skills, combines agility with wind magic for precise attacks.
Rian: Dark magic user, shadow manipulation offers strategic advantages but lacks offensive power.
As Kaito analyzed the group, Yumi leaned closer. “They don’t seem too happy to be here.”
“No one likes being labeled a failure,” Kaito replied, his tone calm.
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A Grueling First Task
Their instructor, a gruff man with a scar running down his cheek, clapped his hands to gain attention. “Alright, listen up! You lot are the bottom of the barrel, but even trash can be recycled into something useful. Today’s task is simple: survive.”
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He gestured to the nearby forest, where faint growls and rustling leaves hinted at danger. “There are low-tier beasts scattered throughout. Your job is to hunt them down and bring back proof of your kills. You’ve got until sunset. Move out!”
The misfit class hesitated, glancing at one another. Finally, Toru stepped forward. “Let’s just get this over with.”
The group reluctantly followed his lead, splitting into smaller teams as they entered the forest.
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Kaito’s Strategy
Kaito, Yumi, Toru, and Rian formed a team, with Damon and Elara opting to stay close to the perimeter. Arin had already darted off on her own, her bow at the ready.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, Kaito activated his Appraisal, scanning their surroundings for signs of beasts. “There’s one nearby,” he said, pointing to a thicket ahead.
Rian stepped closer, his dark magic forming a shadowy tendril. “Let me—”
“Wait,” Kaito interrupted, his tone firm. “It’s too early to waste energy. Toru, you go. Use the sword I gave you.”
Toru raised an eyebrow but complied, drawing the mid-grade blade Kaito had crafted for him. The steel glinted in the dappled sunlight as he approached the thicket. With a single, powerful strike, he cut down the beast—a wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes.
“Impressive,” Rian muttered.
Kaito, however, wasn’t paying attention to the compliments. His focus was on the faint increase in his essence reserves. So it’s true. The more my weapons interact with this world, the stronger my essence grows.
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An Unexpected Encounter
As the team progressed, they encountered a larger beast—a scaled bear with jagged claws and fiery breath. It roared, sending a blast of heat toward them.
Rian flinched, his shadow tendrils faltering. “That’s not a low-tier beast!”
Yumi stepped forward, summoning a wall of ice to block the flames. “Kaito, what do we do?”
Kaito’s mind raced. His essence reserves were limited, and his physical stats were far below the others. But his intelligence was his weapon.
“Rian, use your shadows to restrict its movement. Yumi, freeze its legs. Toru, aim for the neck when it’s immobilized.”
The team moved in sync, executing Kaito’s plan with precision. Rian’s shadows coiled around the bear’s limbs, while Yumi’s ice magic locked its legs in place. Toru leaped forward, his sword slicing through the beast’s neck in one swift motion.
As the bear fell, Kaito felt another surge in his essence. He smirked faintly. This class might not be so useless after all.
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The Mentor’s Interference
Later that day, as the class regrouped, the scarred instructor reviewed their results. The misfit class had performed better than expected, with several teams bringing back multiple trophies.
But not everyone was pleased. Yumi’s former mentor, now an academy official, had been observing from the sidelines. He approached the group with a sneer.
“Well, well. Look who’s still managing to scrape by,” he said, his eyes locking onto Yumi.
Yumi tensed, her fists clenched at her sides. “What do you want?”
“Just observing how far you’ve fallen,” he replied smoothly. “Though I must admit, I’m surprised you even made it through the day. Perhaps your new... friends carried you.”
Kaito stepped forward, his expression cold. “And perhaps you should focus on your own failings instead of obsessing over hers.”
The mentor’s smile faltered. “Who are you to speak to me that way?”
“Someone who doesn’t tolerate incompetence,” Kaito said flatly.
The misfit class watched in stunned silence as the mentor sputtered, clearly unprepared for such a direct challenge.
“You’ll regret that,” the mentor snapped before storming off.
Kaito turned back to the group, his expression unreadable. “Let’s move.”
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A Growing Bond
That evening, the misfit class gathered around a campfire near the dormitories. Toru polished his sword, while Rian sketched out battle strategies in the dirt. Elara and Damon chatted quietly, their earlier nerves replaced with cautious optimism.
Yumi sat beside Kaito, her gaze fixed on the fire. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?”
“For standing up for me. And for believing in them,” she gestured toward the class.
Kaito shrugged. “They’re not useless. They just need direction.”
“And you’re the one giving it to them,” Yumi pointed out.
Kaito didn’t reply, but her words lingered in his mind. Despite his countless lives, he couldn’t remember the last time someone had looked at him with genuine trust.
As the fire crackled and the stars appeared overhead, Kaito allowed himself a rare moment of reflection. This class of misfits might be his greatest liability—or his greatest strength.
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End of Chapter 7: Part III