Practical Ground Test Arc: Chapter 12.
⟐ Early morning, Monday.
This time, Lyle Cass was the first student to arrive in the forest clearing.
Today was the practical grounds test where five randomly assigned students will work and cooperate to complete several challenges. Eight teams of students would compete against one another in this practical ground test.
This test is primarily designed to showcase the students' strategic thinking, teamwork, resilience, and ability to succeed under pressure. This was a modified practical ground test, decreed by the king as a necessity for the upcoming war to better prepare the students.
Lyle Cass stretched, taking a few deep breaths to steady himself. He spotted Mary Anne Grace, with Loid Ferener trailing behind her.
Mary nodded to Lyle, acknowledging him. He nodded back, though a bit surprised.
"They swept that incident yesterday under the rug. They released an announcement that one of the herbalist instructors was gone due to maternity leave. I wonder what's the reward."
He mulled, finishing his stretching and sitting beneath the cool shade of a tree, planning to take a quick power nap.
⟐ Ten minutes later...
All of the students have arrived along with the teacher, Madame Cassie Cydonia who brought a small ornate box. The students crowded with their weapons prepared and confidence on full display.
"This is a designation box." Madame Cassie Cydonia announced, showing the students the ornate box.
Madame Cassie Cydonia opened the ornate box, causing a swarm of papers to fly and land on each student's hand. Written on the note was the team designation, a number.
"The first trial is the Frost Imp Trial. You will face 10 frost imps. This has a success rate of 74 percent. I advise you to do your best." The teacher added as she walked away, heading to the observing instructors from afar.
Lyle Cass examined the paper on his hand—it was marked with the number 4.
"I think this team received the fourth place(?). Not bad."
He mused, straightening his posture and waving his hand.
"Team 4. Come here! I am here! Let's meet here!"
He shouted since he was comfortable in his relaxed seated position, unwilling to move. His designated teammates then arrived, their expressions slightly lightened upon seeing him.
⟐⟐⟐
"My name is Eya Herfin."
An average-height classmate introduced herself, wearing pink rounded eyeglasses. Her white beret was missing, highlighting a standing cowlicked hair.
A long wooden staff with a golden orb was strapped behind her.
"I am Kaye Ketsk."
An above-average-height classmate introduced while wearing a huge smile as her blueish hair stood out. Her white uniform was creased, not bothering to iron it.
Two short daggers were sheathed on the waist.
"Hojou Sathoru."
A white-haired male student introduced himself and then sat on the ground. He was wearing black lensed glasses, so thick that his eyes were hardly visible. His white uniform was unbuttoned, showing a carefree attitude.
"Catherine Aber."
Catherine Aber stepped forward, her gaze calm and steady, showing a polite smile. Lyle Cass recognized her, she was the one he asked about the reasons for volunteering to become part of a student body. The bespectacled knowledgeable student.
A small wand was tucked inside her right sleeve.
⟐⟐⟐
"Lyle Cass, nice to meet you all," he said with a warm smile, trying to hide his nervousness.
(Keep calm, they're just NPCs.)
"Well, leader? What's the plan of attack?" Hojou Sathoru excitedly asked, confidently smiling.
"Leader?" Lyle Cass asked, raising a brow.
"Your potential is purple. You're slightly better than us because all four of us are blue potentials." Kaye Ketsk added with a slightly prideful tone, curling her hair.
"Tell me your roles, then. I am sure we can think of something." Lyle Cass realized what she meant, he was now the leader due to his potential.
⟐ Twenty minutes later...
The teams neatly organized as they followed a small ball of guiding light, that would lead them to their designated testing area. The teams were all distanced from each other, preventing cheating, helping, and other complications.
Team 4 huddled around in a spot after being led by the guiding light and discussed their possible courses of action. Lyle Cass felt a slight pressure, he never wanted to be the team leader but he exhaled, finally coming up with a course of action.
"I'm the most physically capable one here. I will attract all the frost imps attention while Kaye will support me, watching my blind spots."
Kaye smiled, unsheathing her two daggers and licking both.
"Eya and Catherine, you two will be casting spells and Hojou, watch over the two."
Lyle Cass ordered as his four teammates stared, expecting more details. After a momentary silence, Catherine Aber spoke up. "That's it?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"Well, what about our spells? Do you want us to cast support or offensive spells? What about Hojou? He's a conjurer-ranged combatant. What weapon should he conjure? Where's your weapon?"
Eya Herfin announced her concerns, furrowing her brows and sighing.
(Right. While winning this practical ground test competition yields no material rewards. You'll be seen favorably by your parents who invested a lot in your powers. Your peers will also respect you even more, increasing your societal status.)
(I get it. These tests are the real first impressions.)
Lyle Cass scratched his head. Every single one of his teammates was carrying a lot of expectations. Out of the forty students in this class, only five (a single team) will rein above the others. Their families will be expecting perfect results since they were placed in Class A-1.
The best of the best class section.
"Winning the tournament is way more rewarding. This is a small and simple test. If we fail here then we'll have a small setback and there are so many ways to make up for it."
Lyle Cass explained though not one of them was persuaded. His words fell on deaf ears, they instead kept staring at the ground.
Except for Kaye Ketsk who was readying herself.
"Frost Imps are weak. The only reason they're a threat is because they can fly. You're nervous, I get it but trust me when I say that this is the easiest test ever."
The unmistakable screeching brought Team 4 to a halt. They instantly huddled together, forming a defensive line. Ten flying frost imps revealed themselves, their icy figures affecting the environment.
The trees slowly chilled, forming on the stump were icy patches as the frost imps stuck their claws in. Imps were common threats in the untamed territory of the United Lenderotev Kingdom States.
A single frost imp charged with its mouth open, leaving a trail of chilly air.
"Power Boost, Greater Power Boost, Speed Pace, Strength Ward!"
Lyle Cass charged, picking up a fallen branch and slamming the charging frost imp with it. Killing it in one single hit and then throwing the said branch at the nearest frost imp.
The hurled tree branch impaled a single frost imp on the tree, dying instantly. He then jumped away from the previous frost imp's corpse since imps explode upon dying. *Kzzrt!*
The body exploded in an icy blast, and ice crystals poked out of the frost imp's cadaver.
The remaining eight flying frost imps paused their advance and stared at Lyle Cass, recognizing that he was the biggest threat.
Eya Herfin and Catherine Aber gasped, taken aback by the sheer power and speed Lyle displayed.
Kaye Ketsk clicked her tongue, unwilling to stay back, readying her daggers, and charged as well.
Hojou Sathoru smiled while conjuring a small pistol crossbow.
Another ear-piercing screech sounded out as a flying frost imp charged at Lyle Cass. However, a crossbow bolt accurately struck it straight in the head, instantly killing it.
A single dagger, trailing a glowing thin thread from its hilt, struck a flying frost imp's belly, killing it with a precise thrust. The dagger then reeled back, as if pulled by an unseen force, returning to its owner's hand.
A firebolt spell struck another frost imp on the chest followed by a stream of lightning. The flying frost imp spasmed as it fell straight into the ground, wincing in pain then finally dying.
"They really are weak! Ha!" Hojou Sathoru said in surprise, confidence rising.