CHAPTER 65: TEAM 1

Balrog announced the teams along with their members.

"Team 1: Nero Adams and Khione Undine!"

"Noooo!" The teacher barely had time to continue before he was interrupted by a sudden shout of despair. He was forced to stop and look in the direction of the outburst, and soon everyone else was doing the same.

The source of this dramatic display was none other than Nero’s friend, the dwarf prince Adam. At that moment, he was nearly on his knees, clutching Nero’s clothes, his head lowered, and his expression filled with despair.

"How can you, my friend, do this to me? How can you?" His voice was a blend of sobs and despair, an Oscar-worthy performance.

The expressions of his friends varied—Blake looked at Adam as if he were a bug, while Lux opened and closed his mouth repeatedly like a fish out of water. As for Nero, his expression was comical; for the first time, he struggled to control his reaction, utterly caught off guard. He quickly regained his composure but was still torn between laughter and exasperation. This Adam was truly something.

Those who finally understood what was happening rolled their eyes at Adam, many shooting him disgusted glances. But the thick-skinned Adam didn’t flinch; he continued his antics.

"Little Nero, you can’t do this to me. No, you can’t!"

"Enough!" Balrog’s voice carried a weight that forced Adam to halt his performance. Not wanting to face punishment, Adam hastily rose to his feet, wiping away his non-existent tears but refusing to meet Nero’s gaze, as if he were pouting. Nero felt a headache coming on but chuckled, amused by how entertaining Adam was.

Elena, the teacher of the Magic class, looked at Adam with a raised eyebrow, thinking, ’Indeed, he is a weirdo.’

After the little episode, Balrog continued announcing the remaining teams and their members. To Adam’s despair, he was paired with the worst possible combination: Blake. It was an unusual team worth watching. Adam’s expression turned gloomy; if he had been acting before, it was now genuine disbelief that he was paired with a guy.

"Fuck! One dick is enough already. Farewell to my romantic journey." Adam’s shoulders slumped, much to Blake’s amusement. For the first time, Blake felt tempted to tease Adam; how fun that would be!

But then he thought, ’No, it will be too much trouble.’ True to his nature, the idea of tormenting Adam vanished as quickly as it came. The embodiment of laziness couldn’t afford to waste time on anything unproductive that might disrupt his peaceful state.

Ereth was placed on the same team as Lux, while Barak teamed up with a girl. The teams were quickly announced, and the teachers led them toward the portal to the pocket world.

The cadets forming teams were led to a shimmering blue portal. They wore bracelets that registered each monster killed, accumulating scores for the final ranking. It was said that although this pocket world wasn’t as vast as the outside world, it should not be underestimated. Each team would be teleported to a different location, minimizing the chance of encountering another group. While this pocket world was not classified as high-level—the strongest monsters being Orcs—caution was still necessary, as unexpected events could arise and unusual monsters might be born. Thus, they had to remain focused and on guard at all times.

As Nero and his teammate, the Ice Queen, stepped through the shimmering portal, it felt as though they were swimming through a thick swamp. Dizziness washed over them for a moment before it vanished. In the next instant, they found themselves standing at the edge of a towering mountain. The peak was jagged and craggy, with rocky outcrops jutting out at odd angles, forming a formidable barrier against the sky. The air was crisp and carried a hint of the ancient, with wisps of fog swirling around the mountain’s base, adding an air of mystery to the landscape.

Below them lay an endless stretch of ancient forest, its canopy a rich tapestry of deep greens and earthy browns. Towering trees, their trunks thick and gnarled, reached toward the heavens, their leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, which was blanketed with a thick layer of moss and fallen leaves. The primordial energy in this realm felt chaotic, hinting at the dangers lurking within, making it clear that they had entered a place where the balance of nature was unpredictable and where anything could happen.

After observing the forest below, Nero snapped out of his reverie and suggested,

"Let’s go down!"

Khione, staying true to her nature, simply nodded without uttering a word and even put some distance between them. Nero was unbothered by this; as someone who rarely displayed his emotions, he didn’t take offense at Khione’s reaction. In fact, he welcomed it—if he had been paired with a chatty teammate, these three days would have felt exhausting.

The duo descended the mountain in silence, and fortunately, they weren’t far from the foot. An hour later, they reached the base of the mountain. Here, time felt slightly different, and as evening approached, the twilight in this pocket world was breathtaking.

The sky blazed with hues of deep orange and soft purple, the colors melting into one another like paint on a canvas. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden light that filtered through the ancient trees, creating a mesmerizing interplay of shadows and light across the forest floor.

The leaves rustled gently in the evening breeze, and the air was filled with the earthy scent of damp moss and rich soil. As they stood side by side, the beauty of the scene enveloped them, and for a moment, they simply took it all in. The tranquil atmosphere was soothing, allowing them to enjoy the serene beauty of the forest in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts yet connected by the shared experience of this enchanting twilight.

"I suggest we find a source of water to camp for the night."

Khione nodded at Nero’s suggestion before crouching down, one of her delicate white hands pressed against the forest floor. Channeling her Prana through the ground, she focused intently. As a wielder of a Sub Law of Water, she had a unique connection to its essence. She could sense the subtle vibrations and currents within the earth, allowing her to detect the presence of water hidden beneath the surface. Concentrating, she felt the gentle pull of a nearby stream, guiding her senses to pinpoint its location with precision.

"1 km northwest," she said, rising to follow after Nero, who was already making his way toward the source.

Shortly, they arrived at a river—though not large, it was sufficient for their needs. The evening glow danced on the surface of the water, creating a stunning contrast between the shimmering reflections and the deepening hues of the twilight sky. The gentle sound of the flowing water harmonized with the rustling leaves, adding to the serene atmosphere of the moment.

"Let’s erect our tents nearby." Nero quickly retrieved his tent from the backpack he carried, which was filled with daily essentials and survival kits. He deftly set up his small tent, maneuvering the poles with ease and securing the fabric against the gentle breeze.

In the distance, Khione was doing the same, displaying a surprising proficiency as she assembled her tent. She moved with practiced grace, her motions fluid and efficient. With a few quick adjustments, she secured her tent in place, ensuring it was sturdy and ready for the night ahead.

"She isn’t just a flower, that’s for sure. Clearly, she’s experienced," Nero remarked, watching her with newfound respect.

Nero created a small fireworks display in the space between the two tents. While this could potentially attract monsters’ attention, he made sure to do this only after thoroughly checking the surroundings to ensure there wouldn’t be any danger. Once satisfied with the safety of the area, he set about making a bonfire. He gathered dry twigs and leaves, arranging them in a small mound. He struck a match, carefully igniting the tinder and watching as the flames flickered to life, gradually consuming the kindling before he added larger branches to build the fire into a warm, glowing beacon.

"Help me catch some fish for tonight’s dinner," Nero suggested without a hint of shame. He believed in gender equality and felt strongly that teamwork was essential. While many men might have acted chivalrously, insisting they would handle everything while the women waited, Nero wasn’t having any of that. He believed that everyone should contribute, and he didn’t want to do everything alone just to please someone. He valued cooperation and felt it was important for both of them to share the responsibilities.

Khione was surprised by the suggestion, as she hadn’t expected it. Still, she didn’t show it on her face. She didn’t dislike the idea, so she responded with a simple, "Okay!" For the first time, she spoke, and although her voice was emotionless, it had a pleasant tone.

Nero approached the river with Khione not far behind, ready to catch tonight’s game for dinner.