A/N:
A slightly long and boring chapter.
=====
The sun's gradual ascent illuminated the sky, changing its hue from a dark blue to a gentle reddish tone.
The droplets that scattered on the grass sparkled like diamonds in the light.
Adrian took a deep breath and the refreshing scent of the dew could be smelled.
"Haa…"
He exhaled it slowly and his hot breath formed in the air before dissipating.
A week had passed in a blink of an eye and today was his class departure for the Refugee Camp.
His cerulean eyes took in the surroundings and his classmates were seen preparing—just like him.
Each class had a designated day to leave and since his class was the closest to the battlefield, they became the first ones to depart.
—Neigh!
The horse next to him whined and nudged her head at his shoulder.
Adrian patted her on the head and a chuckle was heard.
He glanced and a man with soft green hair and eyes was seen.
"She likes Your Highness."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
His name was Asher. **
He was one of the Emperor's escort Knights and the youngest Sword Master on the continent.
He came last night at his father's behest to become his temporary Escort Knight until the activities outside the academy were completed.
To be honest, it was too much for him, but it seemed Arthur trying to prevent the accident from two years ago repeated.
Fredinand was also coming with him, but as Egberg's Flash and not as his butler; he also was wearing a mask and a robe to hide his identity.
Still, the two of them would join Gizel's team and watch from afar.
"Excuse me."
Asher and Fredinand darted at the voice and a girl with lilac hair wearing a coat was seen.
"How may I help you, Young Lady?"
Asher asked her.
"I wish to speak with Prince Adrian."
Judging from her voice, Adrian could easily recognize her; she was one of the girls he had saved back then.
Still, he had no idea why she was here.
Adrian turned and the moment their eyes met, she immediately curtseyed.
He clearly remembered that he had told her to ignore courtesy when they were at the academy, yet she still did it.
"You may rise."
"Umm… Your Highness, may I borrow a little of your time…?"
"...sure."
Soon, they moved elsewhere and after making sure there was least passerby, she took out a red velvet box from her Magical Sphere.
She opened it and a black tassel was revealed.
"Your Highness, would you accept my tassel?"
Tassels served as a talisman, they were often enchanted with Mana Stone and Defensive Magic Spell.
They were designed to trigger automatically in situations of danger, ensuring the safety of the wearer.
Usually, girls made and gifted them to their lovers or family members.
"...may I know why you're giving this to me?"
They just met thrice, he didn't even know her name yet.
"I…"
Her mind drifted.
It started when the Survival Test was announced.
On the next day, the trend of making tassels became popular among the girls at the academy, so she made one along with her friends.
However, there was a problem.
Unlike her friends who had crushes or fiancés, she hadn't thought of the opposite gender yet.
They tried to help her by asking if she knew any boys, but her head went blank until a pair of beautiful azure eyes crossed her mind.
That was why she was standing in front of him, nervously holding the tassel.
Even by listening to the way he talked, Leticia knew; he was going to reject it.
But she had nothing to lose.
It was already nerve-wracking to meet him in person like this, she couldn't let her tassel be rejected!
After a minute of silence, Leticia eventually opened her mouth.
"...wouldn't it be unchivalrous to deny a gift from a Lady?"
"..."
And instead of answering, she gave him a rhetorical question.
Adrian wanted to sneer but refrained from doing so.
With that being said, then he had no choice but to accept it.
'How clever.'
Adrian eyed her and her anxiety was apparent as she waited for his response.
But, upon taking a good look at her, he realized that she looked more like a doll rather than a human—her beauty seemed almost unreal.
"...very well."
And her smile bloomed like flowers in the spring season.
Adrian held up his hand to receive it, however, she shook her head and he could only frown at her action.
"?"
"May I… fasten it to Your Highness' armor?"
The audacity—wasn't this girl asking too much?
Regardless, he withdrew his arm and nodded.
'Let's just get it over with.'
He slightly lifted his coat but had enough space for her to tie the tassel.
"Thank you."
She let out a thin smile and took a step forward.
"Please excuse my rudeness."
She stretched her hands and began to put it on his armor.
The sweet and powderly fragrance of perfume wafted into his nostril.
Now that he thought about it, he had never been this close to a woman other than his mother.
His eyes moved down and Adrian could see her thick and long eyelashes; framing her beautiful purple eyes.
She examined the knots before smiling in satisfaction and stepping away.
"It's done, Your Highness."
"Thank you?"
"My pleasure."
"Is there anything else?"
Leticia thought for a second but nothing came to mind.
"Umm, there isn't."
"Then, please excuse me. I have to return."
"Ah, yes. I apologize for taking up a significant amount of your time."
Leticia curtseyed and spoke.
"I sincerely hope your journey is safe and that Your Highness returns in good health."
"..."
And right after she straightened her back, Adrian spat his mind.
"Don't bother to use courtesy while we're in the academy."
"Ah!"
Leticia flinched when she remembered something she should not have forgotten!
Goodness! How could she forget about it?!
She tried to refute it, but Adrian was faster.
"Please bear it in mind because I will not repeat myself for a third time."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her stupefied.
Recovering from her surprise, Leticia pouted and kicked the ground.
"How can a Prince be so apathetic like that?!"
It ruined his handsome face, he should smile more!
"How was it?"
"Did he accept it?"
Three girls were seen approaching her from behind and seeing her sour face, they couldn't help but ask.
"Did he reject it?"
Leticia shook her head with dispirit.
"No… it's just—"
She paused but instantly shook her head to dismiss her useless thought.
"—It's nothing! Anyway, let's go eat something, I'm hungry!"
They nodded in agreement and marched toward the restaurant.
.
.
.
Adrian returned and his eyes caught a familiar figure standing beside his horse, he was chatting with Asher.
Arriving before them, he immediately greeted him with a warm smile.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Without beating around the bush, Adrian asked him.
"Are you here to see me off?"
Nathaniel shook his head and grinned.
"No, I'm coming with you."
Adrian's brows furrowed.
"How?"
Was that even possible?
Although the academy held the Study Tours, the second and third years had different agendas from the first years.
"Pfft. That's the power of being the Student Council President! Not even the Headmaster can stop me from going!"
There he was, bragging about his title.
"Really? It sounded like you abused your power."
"What??"
Nathaniel was baffled and looked at him in disbelief.
Asher who happened to be standing next to him hastily covered his mouth to suppress his laughter.
"How dare my brother accuse me!"
Nathaniel hissed at him and Adrian shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just saying."
The corners of his mouth twitched in annoyance.
"You little brat."
—Clap —Clap —Clap
They glimpsed at the voice and the smiling Gizel came into view.
"Hello my beloved students, please gather around here."
Adrian turned to his brother.
"I'll be back."
"Okay."
His blue eyes peeped at Nathaniel over his shoulder.
Not only warned him, but he also decided to come, huh?
It seemed that the 'thing' that was about to happen was much more serious than expected.
Looked like he should prepare for the worst.
Adrian placed himself beside Ralph and Gizel began his speech.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, professor."
"Finally, the long-awaited day has finally arrived!"
In contrast to his bright mood, they watched him with grim expressions.
"Now, please take out your weapon and remove your Telesphere."
Confusion painted their faces and Sylvina raised her hand.
"Why must we take off our Telesphere?"
"We will make the scenarios as realistic as possible so you guys can experience what real survival is. For now, you will all be using the Telesphere provided by us. Any questions?"
Gizel swept his pupils' faces and they shook their heads.
Afterward, they took off their Telesphere and changed it to the one provided by the Academy.
Adrian checked the content of the Magical Sphere and he was speechless.
There was only a map a sleeping bag and a potion.
Even the starting item of a game was not this pathetic.
The Academy seemed to take the Survival Test way too seriously.
"Professor, why is the content—"
"It's exactly as I said before."
Gizel cut Péréz and smiled.
"Ah…"
Surprise and depression began to crawl on his face, not only he but his other three friends were also not different.
With disappointment, they put on their new Telesphere and Gizel added.
"Remember, the Survival Test is a crucial midterm exam for the first semester. It is important to give your best effort during this test, as it will determine your overall performance in the course. Failing to do well in this exam will require you to work harder in the second semester to avoid repeating the class. Do you understand?"
"...yes."
They answered disheartenedly and Gizel shouted.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"
The kids instantly straightened their posture and cried in unison.
"YES!!"
Gizel nodded and smiled proudly.
"Then, I officially begin the Survival Test!"
—Clap —Clap —Clap
The people around them clapped with smiles planted on their faces.
Somehow, it just didn't feel right and bizarre at the same time.
It almost looked as they were cheering at their dark future that lay ahead.
"Hey, let's exchange Tele-code."
A voice chimed in, they darted at the sound and a boy with white hair could be seen.
He shrugged and added.
"Just in case we accidentally separated in the woods."
There was a brief silence and Rhea approached him.
"Ah, good idea."
Soon, the others followed suit.
"Don't get me wrong! This is for the sake of the Test!"
Péréz expressed his thoughts—although Adrian didn't ask nor did he care for it.
After all of them got each Tele-code, Adrian asked another query that bugged him.
"By the way, have all of you camped in the wilderness before?"
Rhea folded her arms and answered.
"I have, but Zenith is a desert not a jungle, so I don't know much."
Adrian nodded, it was understandable.
He moved to Sylvina and she shook her head.
"My mother never allowed me to step out of the Palace."
"I spent most of my time training in the castle. I have crossed the jungle but I think it's different from camping—also, I was being protected by my Escort Knights."
"I'm the same as Ralph."
Adrian massaged his head at a sudden headache.
So, the only one who had the experience of survival was him?
Here he thought he would have some fun, but it turned out the other way around.
He could imagine how his flowery path turned into a catastrophe.
Adrian scanned the faces of his classmates one by one and heaved a sigh.
"Haa…"
So… in other words, he had to babysit them?
'You gotta be kidding me.'
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A/N:
Hate to break it to you but the daily update in May is canceled.
Also, I'm going to lock my chapters.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺