The days that followed fell into a steady rhythm.
Kaito and Catherina kept up their rigorous training, often turning their sparring sessions into a chaotic mix of teasing, shouting, and genuine skill.
Their playful fights became a familiar sight to the other students, a strange dance of competitive jabs and grudging respect.
Beyond their duo, Kaito engaged in a few duels with other students, testing his enhanced stats and new skills, all while refining his movements.
He also spent time planning, carefully considering strategies for the upcoming exam, his mind buzzing with the unique knowledge he possessed.
Then, an announcement echoed through the academy halls:
"Attention all students! The remaining days of this week will have no classes."
"The school will be preparing the area for the upcoming simulation exam."
"Use this time to rest, and meticulously plan what equipment and supplies you will bring for the exam."
"Ensure you are well-prepared for the challenges ahead."
Hearing the announcement, Kaito's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Finally," he murmured, a sense of vindication settling over him.
"I already expected this. It was the same in the game."
His thoughts immediately shifted to his preparations.
"I'm going to need things prepared for the exam to ensure my survival."
He ran a hand through his hair, a faint line appearing between his brows.
"Though, I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right."
"It's only days before the exam, so why haven't I gotten the quest notification for it yet?"
He paused, a new concern bubbling up.
"Are the gods keeping it a secret to not give me any information on what to expect, or is something really wrong was about to happen?"
Kaito didn't waste another moment.
The missing quest notification gnawed at him, a tiny, unsettling itch he couldn't scratch.
He immediately left the academy grounds and headed straight for the bustling city.
His character in the game was just a commoner, but he'd recently discovered a cheat, he could withdraw his System Coins and use them as real gold coins in this world.
He knew the local currency breakdown well, one System Coin was equal to one gold coin here, ten silver coins made one gold, and ten bronze coins made one silver.
He moved through the city streets, a purpose in his stride.
"No quest notification, huh?" he thought, a slight frown on his face.
"Fine. If they're not going to give me information, I'll just prepare for the worst, like always."
He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the metallic weight of a few withdrawn gold coins.
"These should get me everything I need."
The first thing on Kaito's agenda was to gather supplies for the upcoming exam.
Since the simulation was set to last three days, he knew he'd need more than just the basics.
Tents, blankets, sturdy bags, plenty of water, and enough non-perishable food were obvious starts.
He also made sure to pick up cooking equipment, a durable axe for firewood, and a reliable fire-starter.
Then, he remembered a crucial detail, his System Subspace.
This unique feature, which wasn't available to regular players in the game, meant he didn't have to worry about carrying capacity.
Suddenly, his plan to "not bring a lot" flipped completely.
"Why not bring everything I can?" he thought, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
He added a comprehensive first-aid kit with healing potions and bandages, a coil of strong rope, a sharpening stone for his sword, and extra sets of durable clothes.
He even picked up some spare lanterns and flashlights.
His virtual coins flowed freely as he efficiently acquired all the gear he could think of, each item vanishing into the unseen depths of his personal storage space.
With his survival gear tucked away in his subspace, Kaito's thoughts naturally turned to weapons.
He paused, considering whether he should buy a new sword or perhaps something else entirely.
He had his own wooden blade, but maybe a heavier one for certain enemies?
Then, a flicker of memory from the game clicked into place.
"Wait," he thought, stopping dead in the bustling street. "I don't have to waste coins on a weapon."
"The exam provides real weapons for everyone right before it starts!"
A small nod of understanding, and relief, settled over him.
That was one less thing to worry about, and more coins saved for other crucial items.
---
Kaito moved through the city streets, his eyes constantly scanning.
He passed busy market stalls filled with fresh produce and chattering merchants, then quieter side alleys where old buildings leaned together.
He saw students laughing outside a bakery, and a stern-looking guard patrolling a main street.
"Nothing," he thought, a faint frown creasing his brow.
"No glowing quest markers, no suspicious figures lurking in the shadows, no NPCs muttering about lost artifacts," he mumbled to himself, almost subconsciously looking for the typical game cues.
"Just... normal city life."
He sighed, leaning against a stone wall for a moment.
"Is it because I'm looking too hard? Or is my 'game knowledge' not as useful here as I thought?"
The idea was unsettling, but he quickly pushed it away.
"No. It has to be there. I just haven't found it yet."
"Or maybe they really are hiding everything about the exam."
---
As Kaito continued to wander, his steps carrying him deeper into what seemed to be a sprawling marketplace, a vibrant mix of stalls selling everything, from fresh fruits and vegetables to ornate vases, rich carpets, exotic colognes, and sparkling accessories are everywhere.
But then, he finally began to truly notice the crowd around him.
His eyes, initially skimming over the everyday chaos, suddenly snagged on unsettling details.
Some people had animal ears twitching nervously, others pointed elven ears drooping low.
There were figures with patches of fur on their skin or scales shimmering under the sun, different colored skins, some remarkably tall, others unusually short.
They were young and adult, all mixed in the throng.
But what truly froze him was the sight of chains on their necks or ankles, glinting dully, and the dirty, faded clothes with holes that hung loosely on their frames.
Kaito felt a jolt of pure shock run through him.
"What?!" he thought, his mind reeling.
"Slavery?! On SpellXEdge?!"
His eyes darted from one chained figure to another, a cold knot forming in his stomach.
"But it's a game for all ages and audiences!"
"What is this? This was absolutely not in the game!"
His gaze hardened as he took in the full, horrifying picture, beastfolks, elves, and even humans, all bound and treated as property.
What the heck happened in this world to be this different from the game?
The comfortable, predictable rules he knew were shattering around him, revealing a dark, brutal reality he'd never anticipated.
---
As Kaito tried to process the shock of the slaves in this world, a movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention.
Down a narrow alley that snaked towards what looked like the city's slums, a small crowd had gathered.
His gaze sharpened, and he saw it, a small cage, partially covered by a dirty tarp.
He could just make out the figure inside.
It was a young girl, no older than ten, with pointed ears and white hair that was matted with grime.
She was clutching the bars of the cage, her small face streaked with tears as she whimpered.
*Illustration
Standing over her is a man that is trying to sell her.
The man's harsh voice cut through the alley's dirty air, reaching Kaito clearly.
"She's young!," he barked, pointing at the tiny, trembling girl.
"She's young! Buy her and you get to have a strong, submissive elf that would do anything you want!"
Kaito felt a fresh wave of disgust wash over him.
His hands clenched even tighter, his knuckles white.
The words, "do anything you want," echoed in his mind, painting a sickening picture.
Every instinct screamed at him to act, to do something, anything, but the cold voice of reason kept repeating, "Don't be stupid."
"This isn't going to be helpful to you in anyway."
The conflict raged inside him, his emotions pulling one way, his survival instincts the other.
The bidding escalated quickly, the harsh voices of the bidders a jarring counterpoint to the city's usual bustle.
"Twenty gold coins!" one voice called out.
"Fifty gold!" another immediately followed, trying to top it.
"Two hundred!" a third shouted, pushing the price higher.
Then, a man who looked richer and fatter than anyone else in the crowd, flanked by two hulking guards who themselves wore chains around their necks, shouted, "Five hundred!"
He let out a nasty laugh.
"Hahah! Now shut up and come to daddy, little girl!"
The young girl in the cage flinched, her small, trembling body retreating to the far side of her prison as she began to cry harder.
The crowd seemed to hold its breath, assuming the bid was settled.
But all of a sudden, a new voice cut through the silence.
From the far back of the crowd, a man in a hood, previously unseen, shouted, "One thousand!"