[Military Academy, Mana Field 1]
After strengthening their base into a natural fortress, Robert divided the students of class A15 into three groups. The first group was tasked with finding the class flag, led by Sigurd. The second group was tasked with securing the base, led by Artur. The third group was tasked with spying on other class A groups, led directly by Robert.
With the first and second groups having the most members, the students of class A15 began their respective missions. Sigurd and group one headed north, where their class flag was likely located.
Each class had a jade marker that could guide them to where their flag was located. Although it didn't show the exact location of the class flag, it made it easier for the students of class A to find their flag in a very large playing field.
However, the military academy would not make the mid-term exam that easy. They had prepared exams for each class to get their class flag. In addition to detection abilities, the exam also emphasized the fighting abilities of each class A student. It was likely that their class flag was guarded by a mutated animal or located inside a monster's lair.
Nevertheless, Sigurd was not too afraid, as his group included Anton, Lila, and Tony. Anton was the second strongest student of class A15 after Robert, while the third position was Tony and Lila was in the fourth position.
Although some students of class A15 argued that the third position should be occupied by Artur, who became stronger after training with Robert, it still needed to be proven. In addition to these three people, the other members of their group were also known for their strength.
With this group of strong members, Sigurd was very confident that they would easily get their class flag. In addition, with his Owl's Eye spell already cooled down, their mission would be completed before they knew it.
However, Sigurd didn't want to be too proud yet. Unexpected events could happen suddenly, causing their surefire mission to fail. The biggest example was the presence of other class A groups that blocked them from getting their class flag.
Although Sigurd was confident that his group could compete with other class A groups, things would be different if he encountered the Milton or Yin class. If he met either of them, the only way was to retreat and return to base before making a new plan.
"Five meters to the right, toxic plants at 1 o'clock," Sigurd warned his group.
In front of them stood a flower that looked like a giant rose. Although they couldn't see it, their detection spell could tell if there was any disturbance around the flower's crown.
It was the poisonous gas emitted by the flower that could make its prey fall asleep or worse, end up in a coma. This flower was the most dangerous in the tropical forest-type environment and was named Raflessia.
Sigurd had heard that there was a type of alraune that was a human embodiment of this flower. The alraune was very beautiful and could even make the moon jealous of her. At least that's what Dony described when he explained about monster races.
Sigurd's group continued to run, avoiding every danger that appeared in front of them with Sigurd's Owl's Eye spell. Finally, they arrived at a swamp with tall mangrove trees growing in it.
The mangrove roots formed footholds above the swamp, making it look like a natural bridge in the middle of the swamp. Without hesitation, Sigurd and his group knew they had arrived at the location of their class flag.
Sigurd gestured for Tony to walk ahead first to climb the bridge, followed by Lila and the others, with Anton being the last. Sigurd positioned himself in the middle of the group.
In this line-up, Sigurd could monitor all group members and what was around them. Placing Tony at the front allowed them to fend off dangers coming from the front. The same reasoning was used for why Anton walked at the back.
Suddenly, the swamp around them boiled like lava inside a volcano about to erupt. Sigurd felt movement beneath the swamp as if a giant creature was about to jump out.
"Attack! Prepare defense spells on the left and right sides!"
[Reinforce Defense]
[Skin Hard]
[Iron Skin]
[Earth Skin]
[Immobile Defense]
[Life Exchange]
All members of Sigurd's group used the defense spells they knew. Although the names and effects of the spells were different, they all served to keep themselves safe from the attack.
Right after that, dozens of wild animal mouths filled with sharp teeth opened wide, leaping towards Sigurd and his group. Although they felt the impact on their bodies, none of Sigurd's group members were hurt.
However, the wild creatures were not done yet. Their strong bodies combined with their tight bites allowed them to drag their prey into the water. Some of Sigurd's group members fell into the water, shock evident on their faces, which quickly turned into horror.
The wild creatures then spun their bodies quickly, using their large weight to tear and rip their prey. But the previously cast defense spells prevented Sigurd's group members from being dragged into the swamp and ending up in the stomachs of the wild beasts.
"SILVER NILE CROCODILE!" Lila shouted, successfully identifying the creature that attacked them.
The Silver Nile Crocodile is one of the largest crocodile species in the world, with a lineage from the Titanium Dragon Crocodile, an Admantite Tier Danger Mutated Animal that rules the Sahara Mana Field. Although not yet mutated, this crocodile species is extremely dangerous due to its strong bite force and large body.
With an average length of 4 to 5 meters and a weight of up to 700 kg, their bodies are protected by thick, scaly, and spiky skin. Their sharp and strong teeth can tear and eat large prey such as deer, elephants, and even humans.
"Tony, Anton, save them! The rest of us will counterattack! Use all the attack spells you know!" Knowing that their enemy was extremely dangerous, Sigurd quickly gave orders.
[Fire Palm]!
[Electric Sword]!
[Thunder Kick]!
[Earth Burrow]!
[Small Wave]!
The problem arises when Level 1 Constellation Mages cannot control the mana outside their bodies. Therefore, they are required to touch an object first to activate their spells.
As a result, the members of the Sigurd group were forced to touch the swamp water to activate their spells. Some of them ended up being pulled into the murky water by Silver Nile Crocodiles.
Anton and Tony drew their swords and imbued them with mana. This is the simplest use of mana by a mage, which is to imbue their weapons with mana, making them mana weapons.
Although their weapons became sharper and stronger, there were no other advantages besides that. Therefore, most mages do not learn mana weapons because the use of mana weapons is no longer useful once they become a Level 2 Constellation Mage.
But now they were lucky that Tony and Anton learned mana weapons. This was evident when Anton successfully decapitated a Silver Nile Crocodile that was dragging one of their friends away.
With Tony and Anton fighting at the front line, the other members of the Sigurd group were able to recite their spells and bombard the group of Silver Nile Crocodiles. Feeling that their efforts had failed, the group of Silver Nile Crocodiles swam away.
The rescued members of the Sigurd group returned to the bridge with pale faces. Although they were not injured, being tossed around in the water by giant crocodiles would traumatize them for a long time.
Sigurd made sure that there were no Silver Nile Crocodiles nearby, but the murky water obstructed his vision. Then for some reason, the mana in the swamp was chaotic, so they could not detect it with mana.
"The mangrove trees around us are not ordinary trees, they are rare plants!" Lila found the answer, which made all the members of the Sigurd group stunned and even paler.
"I...It's impossible!" Sigurd's lips trembled, trying not to believe Lila's words, but it was the most plausible explanation he could find.
Rare plants always grow in places rich in mana. They absorb the mana in the soil, which makes these plants have a high level of mana in their bodies. Mutated animals that want to increase their danger tier will move to places with many rare plants and make them their home.
As a result, mutualistic symbiosis will arise between mutated animals and rare plants. Mutated animals will eat the fruit of rare plants, and the soil where rare plants live will become richer in mana because of the feces and carcasses of mutated animals left behind.
"But there are no mutated animals in this place, only Silver Nile Crocodiles that dominate every corner of the swamp. If these mangrove trees are indeed rare plants, then this place will undoubtedly be a contested area for mutated animals." Anton gave his opinion.
"..."
"It's not that there are no mutated animals living in this place, but no mutated animal dares to approach this place," Lila thought of something that made her even paler.
"Why?"
"Have you not heard the rumor about the Admantatie Tier Danger Mutated Animal that is a pet of the Military Academy and lives in one of its mana fields? If I'm right, then this swamp is likely the home of that mutated animal."
"..."
"..."
All the members of the Sigurd group fell silent, and some of them dared not even breathe. They all tried to dismiss Lila's words from their minds.
"Let's find the class flag and leave this place as soon as possible," Sigurd whispered, his face now as pale as a sheet.
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