Practical Ground Test Arc: Chapter 14.
The students followed their teacher, Madame Cassie Cydonia, who was leading them to the next test. A soft wind swept through the forest while the sun filtered through the trees, forming a calming natural scene. The students were awed at the sight, feeling a quiet sense of nostalgia.
In the distance, a dark cave, its entrance shadowed by flickering lanterns that cast a warm glow upon the rough, craggy soil and stones around it.
Inside, the expansive cavern stretched wide, its rough stone walls flickering with the white light of torches embedded in the soiled walls, while the air carried a musty scent of earth. The temperature inside was cool and somewhat refreshing. It provided a small comfort to some of the withered students.
An uneasy feeling grasped Lyle; he was being monitored. This particular sense was familiar. He glanced behind, spotting Loid Ferener, a secondary character he disliked, walking behind his team. That fiery, competitive glare unnerved him; he wasn't here to compete. He was here to succeed.
Lyle Cass sighed, massaging his brows.
Kaye Ketsk nudged him gently, her eyes filled with concern as she whispered,
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's okay." He replied, dismissing her concerns.
Madame Cassie Cydonia cleared her throat, then clapped once to gain everyone's attention. If it weren't for the administrator correcting her approach, she would've sent a wave of hostile intent.
"The next test is a marathon test. The first three teams to be given up will be eliminated and thus must return to the classroom."
"If your teammate collapses, then carry them. A team is only eliminated if every member is unable to continue. This challenge has a seventy percent success rate. Remember that."
Madame Cassie Cydonia announced, flicking her bangs and clicking her heels. Earning the teenaged gaze of some male students.
"You will be given three minutes to warm up and stretch."
Madame Cassie Cydonia announced as she left, the cave entrance was then covered in a thin transparent barrier, preventing any exits.
⟐ Three minutes later...
The wide cave rumbled, indicating that the second test had started.
"Move."
An echoing voice resonated around the cave. The ground then started to move backward, causing the students to slightly panic and walk forward at a brisk pace. Not matching the speed of the moving ground.
Some of the students walked forward, putting some distance between the others, but no matter how much they increased their speed, they could not escape. They're stuck in the same place, unable to descend further into the cave.
"What is this place?"
Eya Herfin asked, tugging Lyle Cass' sleeves.
"Illusion magic mixed with some basic conveyor system, this isn't exactly a cave. This is simply a giant treadmill disguised as a cave."
Hojou Sathoru looked up, amazed by the colorful shimmering of the cave ceiling. The beautiful glitter was caused by the gems and other shiny minerals embedded in the earth above. Producing a spectacular sight and eye candy.
"Are those gems? Are they real? They look like tasty candies."
Catherine Aber asked, amazed by the spectacular sight. Her observation caused several students to also look up, also amazed by the sight.
(I told them to save their breath.)
Lyle Cass mused, rolling his eyes.
⟐ Fifteen minutes later...
The speed increased, and the teams of students were jogging. Not a single student was panting; they kept their focus on the task, breathing carefully to conserve their energy. The cave was quiet, save for the thumping and clicking of all the students' boots. Almost humming in marching rhythm.
Madame Cassie Cydonia and four other instructors observed everything from the cave entrance, taking notes and waiting for the first elimination.
⟐ Twenty-five minutes later.
Team six's members staggered, exhausted, their movements slowed and breaths ragged as they fought to keep going amidst the fatigue. Two of their members were down for the count, an exhausted magic caster and a certain golem summoner.
A single muscular student was carrying both on his back, continuing to move, but the strain and fatigue were showing. His sword-carrying teammate at the front collapsed from exhaustion, causing the muscular student to trip and drop his two fatigued teammates.
This also tripped the already exhausted female teammate from behind due to the sudden fall.
"Team six eliminated."
The students glanced behind them, spotting five of their collapsed classmates near the entrance. A small yet exhausted smile was plastered on their faces upon seeing the eliminated team. The speed of the ground increased again. The remaining teams' speed was now similar to a sprint.
⟐ Thirty-five minutes later.
"Team one eliminated."
The cave voice announced again as another team collapsed and was dragged to the cave entrance. The speed increased again as the students adjusted and persevered, with only one elimination left.
They've all focused, clearing their thoughts and ignoring the pain. Some students and teams have dropped their weapons to reduce the encumbrance or load, and some have even taken off their uniforms.
*Fluff!* A sweaty uniform suddenly pressed against Lyle's face, startling him. He then slapped it away, cursing at whoever threw it.
It was his teammate, Kaye Ketsk. Wearing a grey and slim inner shirt, there were sweat spots all over. Her light blue hair bounced upon each step as her wet bangs flicked away her sweat.
She looked back, spotting Lyle Cass.
"Sorry about the uniform. I was too focused."
"N-no worries."
(I take back my earlier words. She's not bland, just average.)
Lyle Cass thought, eyeing her figure.
*Huff!* *Puff!* Kaye's breathing was hitched, unfocused, as if she would collapse anytime soon. Her stamina was running out.
*Clack!* In perfect timing, Kaye Ketsk slipped, accidentally stepping on her boots due to exhaustion. However, she was then caught by Lyle, who then hitched her on his shoulders.
"W-what!? Put me down!"
Kaye said, protesting and shaking. She accidentally elbowed Lyle's face, smudging it with her sweat.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, realizing how she looked like a wooden log carried on Lyle's shoulders. It was not a proper way to handle a woman, she thought.
"Pleh! Stop moving! You won't make it. I'm the most physically competent here. Let me carry you."
Lyle Cass reasoned; his words calmed Kaye.
"I owe you one," Kaye admitted, albeit restrained.
"Leader! I can't make it either!"
A weak voice weakly whimpered from behind; it was Hojou Sathoru. He was wheezing, eyes barely focused. He was also running out of stamina. Lyle decreased his speed and extended a helping hand.
"Take my hand and grab onto my back. I can hitch you over my shoulders." Lyle Cass suggested, fatigue creeping up on his face.
"Can you even carry me?"
"Yes, you're not that heavy!"
Hojou Sathoru, biting his pride, climbed onto Lyle Cass's shoulders, allowing himself to be carried. Now, he too was carried like a piece of wood. Hojou and Kaye looked at each other, nodding and smiling awkwardly.
So long as the team succeeds, Hojou was willing to be carried.
⟐ Fifty minutes later.
The speed has increased. Almost everyone was running now. The footsteps were no longer the loudest ambiance; it was the panting and huffing. Many teams struggled to keep pace, some carrying fallen teammates, awaiting the final elimination in exhausted silence.
Lyle Cass strained, persevering through the weight and fatigue. However, the continuous activation of both 'Power Boost' and 'Greater Power Boost' has helped a lot. Managing to persevere through the exhaustion.
He was able to glance behind himself, spotting Catherine Aber and Eya Herfin still running. Interestingly, they weren't that exhausted; the two had helped each other by activating several refreshing spells.
(I should learn some of those spells.)
"Team two eliminated." The cave voice announced, and the students cheered in relief upon hearing the elimination. The ground stopped moving instantly, causing some to almost trip and fall.
Lyle Cass instantly collapsed onto the earthy ground, along with Hojou Sathoru and Kaye Ketsk, who bumped their heads. *Plonk!* *Plonk!*
"Ah! What the shit!?"
They both groaned in unison, holding their heads and wincing in pain. Catherine Aber and Eya Herfin approached the collapsed three, chuckling softly.
"I can't walk anymore, please carry me to the big tree where I sat before." Lyle Cass pleaded, losing consciousness.
"That tree!? That's way too far! Let's carry him somewhere near." Eya Herfin added, huffing.
"Yeah, that place over there will do." Kaye Ketsk added, pointing at another large tree's shade.