Chapter 73
Alice, a 17-year-old from Canada, Diallo, an 18-year-old from Africa, and Naveen, an 18-year-old from India, carefully made their way through the winding paths of the academy garden. Their steps slowed as their attention eventually settled on Nille, who sat alone in a quiet, secluded section beneath the rune-lit arches, reading with steady focus. The surrounding noise of other students faded here, replaced only by the faint rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the academy's ambient barriers.
Despite several earlier attempts to approach him, they had not given up on inviting him to join their hunting group. For them, Nille represented more than just a capable fighter. His consistent results in the Hunting Grounds, his calm decision-making under pressure, and his ability to return with valuable cores made him someone who could significantly increase their chances of surviving the upcoming midterm examination period. After all, the exam was not simply an academic test—it was a structured survival trial.
Through conversations overheard from senior students and fragments of official briefing material, they had already learned that the midterm was always divided into three core components: knowledge, skill, and application. Knowledge tested their understanding of spiritual theory, creature behavior, and academy doctrine. Skill measured direct combat capability, including weapon handling, spell execution, and survival efficiency. Application, however, was the most unpredictable—it evaluated how well students could integrate everything they had learned under real, unstable field conditions, often within controlled but highly dangerous Hunting Ground zones.
This structure was not new. According to upper-year students, it had remained consistent for years. Each generation experienced the same cycle: preparation through lectures, refinement through independent pursuit periods, and finally evaluation through real deployment into sector environments. The Third and Fourth years had already endured this system before, and many of them spoke of it not as a test, but as a rite of passage that determined whether a student truly belonged within the academy's ecosystem.
For first-years like Alice, Diallo, and Naveen, however, the reality still felt uncertain. They understood the theory, but not yet the weight of application under pressure. That was precisely why forming a stable group felt necessary. The five-day hunting period leading into the midterm was their opportunity to bridge that gap—to transform classroom knowledge into practical survival ability before being evaluated on it.
And in that equation, Nille stood out.
Not just for his strength, but for his consistency. Even though Nille had been noticeably absent for five days at one point, he still moved through academy life in a way that felt strangely controlled, almost unpredictable to those watching from the outside. His presence in class never felt lacking, yet his personal rhythm seemed detached from the usual student patterns.
To Alice, Diallo, and Naveen, this was what made him difficult to fully understand. Nille did not behave like someone who followed the same schedule structure as everyone else. He arrived without warning, left without explanation, and yet never fell behind in evaluation. It was as if he was always exactly where he needed to be at the right time, even when no one could clearly trace how he got there.
In contrast, most students operated within visible cycles—lecture attendance, group study, preparation sessions, and structured practice hours. Their progress was measurable and predictable. Nille, however, did not appear to rely on that same visible system. Even in class, he rarely asked unnecessary questions, yet when assessments came, his responses reflected understanding that seemed slightly ahead of what others expected at his level.
What confused them most was not his strength, but his timing.
He did not seem rushed.
He did not seem delayed.
He simply appeared, complete, composed, and already aligned with whatever task was in front of him.
Because of this, the three of them struggled to place him within the normal framework of first-year behavior. They could not tell whether he was simply highly efficient, naturally gifted, or operating under a method of preparation they had not yet learned.
To them, Nille felt like someone moving along a different current entirely, one that did not always match the visible flow of academy life, yet still arrived at the same outcomes without clear explanation.
And that uncertainty was exactly why they continued to approach him.
Approaching him with polite hesitation, they exchanged brief glances before Naveen finally spoke, asking if he would consider joining their team for the Sector 6 expedition. Nille did not respond immediately, his eyes still scanning the pages of the book in his hands. Inside his mind, Nyx's voice quietly surfaced, informing him that this would indeed be a valuable learning opportunity.
According to her analysis, both class sections were being directed toward Sector 6, an area known as one of the more stable yet highly populated Hunting Grounds, rich in Malignant activity, particularly all known Kobold-type entities known for their coordinated pack behavior and adaptive combat patterns.
For first-year students, Sector 6 was considered an ideal training ground based on Instructor Kaori Takamura and Commander Elias Van Kroft, what It was dangerous enough to force real adaptation, yet structured enough that survival was not purely a matter of luck. It offered exposure to group coordination, resource division, and real-time combat decision-making against moderately intelligent threats.
As Nille listened to their request, he remained calm and unreadable, processing both their invitation and Nyx's quiet analysis at the same time. The decision did not come from hesitation, nor from uncertainty, but from evaluation. For him, this was not simply a group invitation—it was a structured opportunity to observe how other students approached survival, coordination, and spiritual combat outside of his usual patterns.
After a brief pause, Nille gave a small nod.
He accepted.
Internally, the reasoning was clear. Nyx's suggestion aligned with what he had already begun to consider on his own. This was not just a chance to participate in a five-day expedition—it was an opportunity to study. To understand how shamans from different backgrounds interpreted danger, how they structured group decisions, and how they applied spiritual theory in real, unstable environments.
More importantly, it was a chance to observe perspectives beyond his own.
Until now, Nille had primarily operated alone, shaping his understanding of combat and survival through individual experience. But the academy itself was filled with students from vastly different regions and traditions. Alice, Diallo, and Naveen each came from distinct cultural and spiritual backgrounds, and their approaches to shamanism, tactics, and problem-solving were likely to differ significantly from his own.
Nyx supported this direction as well.
"This will improve your external pattern recognition," she noted calmly within his mind. "Exposure to different cognitive approaches reduces tactical blind spots."
Nille understood what she meant.
It was not about strength alone.
It was about awareness.
How others think. How they react. How they interpret the same threat in different ways.
He glanced briefly at the three students standing before him, their expressions a mixture of hope and cautious expectation. They were not weak, but they were still developing—shaped by their own training systems, trying to prepare for an exam that demanded far more than theoretical understanding.
"…I'll join," Nille said finally.
His tone was steady, without hesitation.
Not because the decision was emotional.
But because it was already concluded.
Nille remained calm and unreadable for a moment after accepting their invitation, as if confirming the decision internally rather than reacting to it outwardly. Then, after a brief pause, he added a condition—his voice steady, without pressure or emphasis, but firm enough that it carried intent.
"No showboating."
Alice blinked slightly at the unexpected remark, while Diallo and Naveen exchanged a brief glance, both processing the meaning behind it. It wasn't spoken as a joke, nor as arrogance. It was a boundary.
Nille continued without raising his tone.
"If we work together, focus on survival and results. Not appearances. Not proving something."
His gaze remained neutral, but there was a quiet clarity behind his words, shaped by experience rather than opinion. He had seen enough in the Hunting Grounds—and within academy behavior itself, to understand how quickly group dynamics could shift when ego and competition entered the equation. Even small attempts to impress others often created unnecessary risk.
Nyx's voice surfaced gently in his mind, acknowledging his stance.
"A rational constraint," she commented. "Group inefficiency often begins with performative behavior."
Nille didn't respond to her aloud, but the agreement was already there.
Alice was the first to nod slightly. "Fair."
Diallo gave a short, understanding exhale. "We weren't planning on it anyway."
Naveen followed with a calmer expression, adjusting his posture as if resetting expectations. "Understood. Survival first."
Only then did the atmosphere subtly settle.
For Nille, this was not about controlling others. It was about reducing variables. In group operations, unnecessary display of skill often led to misjudgment, overconfidence, or fragmentation during critical moments. He preferred clarity over spectacle, efficiency over recognition.
As the three of them stood there, the agreement quietly solidified—not as a formal contract, but as a shared understanding of how the next five days would be approached.
No showboating.
No unnecessary risks for attention.
Just survival, observation, and controlled execution inside the academy's unforgiving system.
Nille glanced at the three of them with the same calm focus he always carried when shifting from discussion to planning.
"Are you all equipped with the necessary potions, tools, and basic gear?" he asked evenly. "If you are, we can start hunting early before the main groups move toward Sector 6."
The question was simple, but the implication behind it was clear. Timing mattered. In the Hunting Grounds, arriving even slightly earlier than other groups often meant securing better positioning, fewer contested zones, and access to weaker or more scattered Malignant clusters before the larger parties compressed the area.
Alice quickly checked her pouch, confirming her stock of basic healing and mana recovery potions. Diallo adjusted the strap of his gear bag, mentally reviewing his supplies—tactical restraints, reinforcement talismans, and emergency stabilizers. Naveen did the same, nodding after a brief assessment of his stored tools and offensive charms.
"We're good," Naveen answered first.
Alice followed with a small nod. "Same here."
Diallo gave a short confirmation as well. "Prepared."
Nille observed them for a second, not out of doubt, but verification. Nyx's voice surfaced quietly in his mind as he processed their readiness.
"Basic preparation level is acceptable," she noted. "However, variability in experience will still influence engagement efficiency."
He understood what she meant. Equipment alone did not determine outcome—reaction speed, coordination, and decision discipline mattered more once combat began.
"Then we move early," Nille said simply.
He adjusted his stance slightly, already shifting his mindset from conversation to execution.
"Earlier entry increases efficiency. Less interference. More controlled encounters."
There was no urgency in his tone, only structure.
Around them, the academy garden remained calm, unaware of the shift in intent forming within the small group. Other students continued their preparations for the five-day expedition, unaware that some had already begun planning ahead of schedule.
For Nille, this was not about rushing.
It was about optimizing time before the system became crowded, unstable, and unpredictable.
And for the first time in that conversation, the group subtly aligned behind a shared direction, early movement toward Sector 6, before the Hunting Grounds became saturated with competing teams.
Nille spoke after a brief pause, his tone steady and practical.
"We'll meet directly at Sector 6's entry point," he said. "I need to return the book I borrowed and restock provisions, food, basic supplies. After that, I'll head there."
He glanced at them briefly before continuing.
"I plan to use these five days to learn as much as possible. Not just hunt."
There was no grand emphasis in his words, only intent. For Nille, time was not something to be spent loosely; it was something to be structured and maximized. Every hour carried value, especially in a period where independent pursuit determined how far a student could progress before the midterm evaluation.
Alice, Diallo, and Naveen exchanged quick looks, then nodded in agreement.
"That's what we're planning too," Naveen said. "We'll regroup at Sector 6 entrance."
"Same," Diallo added. "We'll use the time before full engagement to prepare properly."
Alice adjusted her gear strap, glancing once toward the path leading out of the garden. "We'll get there early and set up."
The shared understanding settled naturally between them. Despite their different backgrounds and learning styles, the goal for all of them was the same, maximize what this five-day window offered before the structured chaos of Sector 6 fully unfolded.
Nille gave a slight nod in response.
"Then we proceed separately for now," he concluded. "Rejoin at the entrance."
Without further discussion, the group began to disperse in different directions, each moving toward their immediate tasks.
Nille turned away first, already mentally mapping his next steps: return the borrowed book, secure additional provisions, and prepare his route toward Sector 6 with minimal delay.
Behind him, the academy continued its usual rhythm of movement and preparation, unaware that for many first-years, the coming five days would not simply be practice, but a defining shift from learning within safety to learning through consequence.
As Nille stood up and prepared to leave, the atmosphere among the three subtly shifted. What had begun as a simple group arrangement now carried a quiet sense of reassurance, like they had just secured a stabilizing factor for the upcoming test as he casually walked toward the library.
Alice watched him for a moment as he further gain distance from them, before speaking, her earlier impression of him slightly softened.
"He really is your typical loner," she admitted, "but he has grit. I saw it when he faced Instructor Kaori Takamura. Most first-years would've frozen, but he didn't."
She paused briefly, then added in a lower tone, almost reflective.
"I thought he was arrogant at first… but after seeing him these past few days, the way he moves, the routine he keeps, the calmness… I think he's just… curious. Not detached."
Diallo crossed his arms slightly, glancing in the direction Nille had gone.
"Yeah," he said slowly, his African accent calm but thoughtful. "He doesn't act like someone trying to prove something. More like someone who already decided what he needs to do."
Naveen nodded in agreement, adjusting his bag strap.
"And he's different from us in more ways than just personality," he added. "I heard he doesn't even stay in the academy dorms like the rest of the first-years."
Alice blinked slightly. "Really?"
Diallo gave a small shrug. "Yeah. From what I heard, he's not officially assigned a dorm. Something about his background being incomplete or irregular."
Naveen lowered his voice a little, as if the details themselves were sensitive.
"He's half Filipino, half Japanese descent. But his registration file wasn't fully processed like ours. There was an incident before enrollment, something that left him temporarily comatose for five days."
That made Alice go quiet for a moment.
"So his spiritual level assessment hasn't even been finalized yet," she said slowly, connecting the pieces. "Because of that incident…"
Diallo nodded. "Yeah. They couldn't properly stabilize his readings. So officially, he's still under evaluation status."
Naveen exhaled lightly. "And despite that, he's still performing like this."
For a brief moment, none of them spoke.
The realization settled in quietly, that Nille wasn't just a skilled student who chose to be distant. He was someone whose entire placement within the academy system was already unusual from the start, shaped by circumstances they didn't fully understand.
Alice finally broke the silence, her tone more measured now.
"Maybe that's why he's like that. Not arrogant… just… focused."
Diallo gave a small nod. "Either way, having him with us changes things."
Naveen adjusted his gaze toward the direction Nille had gone.
"Yeah," he agreed. "For better or worse, we're about to find out."
After returning the borrowed book to the academy archive, Nille made his way directly toward the Rune Forge Merchant facility. The building was alive with activity as always, students trading cores, enchanted tools being appraised, and merchants calling out deals under softly glowing sigils that lined the walls like floating inscriptions.
Nille stepped inside and approached the counter where Nhulla Loresong stood.
She looked up almost immediately.
"Back again?" Nhulla asked, her tone carrying a hint of familiarity.
"I need supplies," Nille replied simply. "Food, preferably MRE-type rations. Also a durable backpack. Enchanted if possible. Something that can carry a large load without breaking under pressure."
Nhulla blinked once, then tilted her head slightly.
"…Food? And a backpack?"
Her gaze narrowed just a little, studying him more carefully.
"You already have a dimensional storage, don't you?"
Nille paused for half a second, then smiled lightly instead of answering directly. He did not ask how she knew. The answer was already obvious in hindsight.
Nhulla exhaled softly, as if confirming her own deduction.
"It wasn't difficult to figure out," she continued. "You never carry any visible storage artifact. No pouches, no enchanted satchels. Yet you always produce materials and cores without delay. So either you're extremely careless with logistics… or you're using a storage-type artifact."
Her eyes sharpened slightly, but not in hostility, more in professional curiosity.
"And judging from your request, I'd say it's the latter."
She leaned slightly forward on the counter.
"You're planning to enter a Hunting Ground again, aren't you?"
Nille didn't deny it.
Nhulla continued before he could respond.
"And you're preparing for situations where others might start questioning where you keep your supplies."
That made him pause again, then let out a small, amused breath.
"You're a real top-notch merchant," he said casually, scratching the side of his head.
Nhulla's expression softened into a faint smile.
"I had to be," she replied. "Because of you."
Nille blinked slightly. "Because of me?"
"Yes," she said matter-of-factly. "Because of your repeated transactions, I was promoted to Silver rank."
She tilted her head toward him.
"The items you've been selling… they're not normal. The value, purity, and consistency are far above standard hunting yields. Even the appraisal staff had to reclassify several of them."
Nille gave a small, quiet smile, not surprised but acknowledging.
"I see…"
Nhulla crossed her arms lightly, still watching him.
"So," she said, returning to the original topic, "MRE-type rations are easy. I can prepare compressed nutrient packs with extended shelf stability. As for the backpack…"
She tapped the counter once.
"I can get you an enchanted load-bearing pack. Not storage-level, but highly reinforced. Spatial weight reduction, impact resistance, and compartment stabilization. It won't replace your storage artifact—but it will help you move without drawing attention."
Nille nodded.
"That works."
Nhulla's eyes narrowed slightly again, but this time with faint amusement.
"You really don't like explaining yourself, do you?"
Nille smiled lightly.
"I prefer fewer questions."
"Figures," she replied. "Give me a moment. I'll prepare everything."
As she turned to retrieve the requested items, Nille stood calmly at the counter, his expression relaxed. Around him, the Rune Forge continued its usual rhythm of trade and negotiation, but for a brief moment, this interaction felt less like commerce and more like quiet understanding between two people who had both learned how to read between the lines.
Once the items were prepared, Nille received them without delay. The enchanted backpack was simple in appearance, worn leather reinforced with faint silver stitching and subtle rune threading along its seams. It did not look extraordinary at first glance, which was exactly what made it suitable for field use.
Nille adjusted the straps, tested the balance, then immediately began evaluating it in a practical manner.
"How many MRE units are inside?" he asked.
"And how many total items can this bag hold?"
Nhulla Loresong observed him for a moment, noting not curiosity for curiosity's sake, but functional assessment. Then she stepped slightly closer, tapping the side of the backpack.
"This model does not operate on spatial expansion," she explained. "It uses a weight-based enchantment system instead."
She gestured lightly as if organizing the concept in the air.
"There are two common types of storage enchantments used in merchant-grade equipment."
Her finger lifted slightly.
"First is the volume expansion type. That one increases internal space. You can fit hundreds of items, sometimes even more, depending on refinement level. But the downside is simple, the weight remains unchanged. If you place heavy materials inside, the carrier still feels every kilogram. It becomes impractical in long hunts or combat scenarios where mobility is critical."
She then tapped the backpack again.
"Second is the weight conversion type. This is what your bag uses."
Nhulla paused to let the distinction settle before continuing.
"This enchantment does not significantly expand internal space. Instead, it reduces the effective weight of everything placed inside. The internal capacity is limited by structural reinforcement, not spatial distortion. However, anything stored inside has its mass partially transferred into the enchantment array."
She lifted the bag slightly with one hand, emphasizing its lightness.
"In simple terms, you can load up to roughly one thousand kilograms of materials, equipment, or consumables, but the backpack itself will remain around one kilogram in perceived weight."
Nille tested it again, shifting it slightly on his shoulder. Even with the idea of heavy capacity in mind, the physical strain was almost nonexistent.
"So the weight is neutralized, not expanded," he summarized.
Nhulla nodded.
"Exactly. You are not carrying less. You are simply not feeling what you carry."
She continued, her tone turning slightly more practical.
"The trade-off is control. If the internal structure is overloaded beyond safe enchantment thresholds, the stabilization matrix can destabilize. That is why we do not recommend reckless stacking beyond capacity, even if it appears possible."
Nille opened the bag and checked the contents.
Inside were neatly arranged compressed MRE ration packs, sealed, rune-labeled, and stacked in organized layers.
"Standard issue includes thirty units," Nhulla added. "Each one is designed for extended field survival. Nutrient-balanced, minimal waste output, and stable for several months even in corrupted environments."
Nille nodded slightly as he closed the bag.
"Efficient."
Nhulla gave a small shrug.
"It has to be. The Hunting Grounds don't care about comfort."
She then glanced at him briefly, as if recalling something from earlier.
"And before you ask, you can still use your dimensional storage alongside this. The systems are independent. One is hidden, one is visible. That combination is usually used by experienced hunters who want both discretion and accessibility."
Nille adjusted the strap once more.
"Noted."
Nhulla leaned back slightly, arms crossing again.
"You really are going deeper into Sector 6, aren't you?"
Nille didn't answer immediately.
He simply closed the bag properly, securing it with a calm motion.
"I'm going to learn what I can," he said at last.
Nhulla watched him for a moment, then let out a faint breath through her nose.
"Then don't waste what I gave you, and remember dont underestimate those Kobold they come in difference sizes and attack in packs and be weary of their sense of smell "
Nille gave a small nod.
And with that, the transaction ended, not just as a purchase, but as another quiet preparation step toward the five days ahead.