"This is not the test area."
The news hit Rain and Rafi like a lightning bolt. They were about to scream, but they held it in.
Rain glanced at the condition of the students around him.
He saw students screaming in panic, others fainted and were carried by their friends,
and of course, there were those who remained calm despite the circumstances.
"Don't panic, we will request support from the academy,"
Professor Caster said to improve the students' morale, even though he looked confused.
"We will look for a place to camp. Stay close to each other and do not separate."
Despite what he said, some students did not respond immediately.
Finally, the students gathered and began searching for a camping spot.
Rain walked beside Rafi, recalling her image in that Kapos S…
'Will this really happen?'
Rain was sweating profusely, his face pale.
"Rain, what's wrong?"
Rafi held Rain's hand and asked him.
His condition worsened after seeing her, though he did not show it on his face.
"I'm fine, really."
Rafi felt that he was hiding something from her but did not ask.
They continued walking side by side with the students.
A scream came from the front.
They rushed to see what was happening.
Upon arrival, they saw a girl with green hair and glasses covering her mouth,
and next to her was a student with a severed head attacked by a wild bear with huge claws and red eyes.
"Attack it!"
Caster shouted with all his might.
The golden dogs attacked, but their attempts failed.
Caster also took a stance and began an attack with the wind element.
"Wind Blade!"
Caster inflicted significant damage to the bear, but it was not enough to kill it.
Suddenly, another blade came from Raine, stronger and deadlier than Caster's.
It cut the bear's neck, and it fell to the ground.
All the students turned their heads to see who had done it.
They saw a tall, handsome student with white hair and green eyes.
It was none other than Randy Fies, first place in the golden ranks.
"Amazing."
Rain said this without realizing it.
Soon the students gathered around Randy to thank him for saving them.
Randy smiled at them.
Rain felt jealousy—he had never felt this before.
He wanted to be strong like him in that moment to protect what he cherished.
"Do you want to become like him?"
Rain turned behind him to see Caster.
It seemed Caster noticed the look of jealousy on Rain's face.
"Of course, who wouldn't want to be strong?"
"I like your answer. Now I must go lead the students."
Caster walked ahead of Rain and headed toward the students.
Caster reached the students, and they gathered once again.
"This seems like a good place to camp. We will go there."
The students followed what Caster said, with Rain among them.
As Rain walked, he looked behind for Rafi.
But then…
"Ra-aaaah!"
He saw Randy behind him, where Rafi was.
Randy responded quickly.
"Hello."
"Hi."
Rain quickly turned his face away from the embarrassing situation.
'Damn.'
The students arrived at a wide green area overlooking a long river.
The students admired the natural scenery, showing their admiration for the breathtaking view before them, happiness evident on their faces.
Caster raised his head to the sun and then lowered it again.
"I think this place will be good."
"We will set up camps, and then I will give you your group divisions. As you know, the test is still ongoing, so this forest does not seem very dangerous."
They listened carefully to his words and obeyed this time.
They gathered together and began setting up the camps.
Rain and Rafi worked together to set up their tents.
"Rain, take this."
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
This cooperative atmosphere continued among all the students until they finished everything.
They all gathered around Caster, who began calling out the groups.
"Group One...."
He continued until he reached
"Group Five: Alia De Valen, Randy Fies, Melin Cruz, Lucas Aston, Rafi Silvan, and Rain Hall."
'I'm with Randy?'
The members of Group Five gathered and began introducing themselves.
First was a girl with black hair and green eyes.
"My name is Melin Cruz."
Next to her was a dark-skinned boy with black hair and brown eyes.
"Lucas Aston."
"Rafi Silvan, nice to meet you."
"Rain Hall."
Finally…
'What?'
"Alia De Valen, heir of the De Valen family."
Alia had red hair and red eyes, but Rain suddenly remembered the moment before opening the first seal, standing in front of the place and asking a girl about what was written.
It was definitely her.
'No need to talk about that now.'
Alia looked at Rain and said,
"Rain Hall, haven't we met before?"
Rain was embarrassed upon hearing her question but had to answer.
"Yes, when I asked you about what was written."
"Oh, I see."
'Wait a moment... Did I just speak to the heir of the De Valen family? One of the four ruling families? How did she talk to me?'
"So, Rain, we must work well as a team from now on, right?"
"Okay."
##############
Night fell, and everyone was asleep in their tents.
Rain woke up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep.
He left his tent and looked around at the surroundings.
He walked a little toward the river to reach it and saw Rafi sitting there.
'What is she doing?'
Rain walked toward her and surprised her by sitting beside her.
"Ah, Rain."
"Is something bothering you?"
Rain noticed the embarrassment on her face; she seemed very uneasy.
"Um… nothing."
"Okay, if you don't want to tell me."
Silence remained between them for a few moments until Rafi said,
"Actually...."
End of Chapter Seven
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