The last class of first year.

Dolf Ironcross, the incarnate of nobility itself, was questioning himself.

Last night, when he went out of his dorm room to relieve himself, he suddenly saw a flash. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the dawn on the corridor. Thankfully, nobody noticed him.

But the thing that disturbed him the most was that instructor Bell came in her dreams. And she was naked!

He was absolutely sure that he never had any sort of attachment towards his teacher. So, why did he dream of his teacher naked? Why was the dream so vivid? Was he becoming a degenerate? Was he forgetting the codes of nobility?

These questions were corroding his mind. He sneaked a peek at the instructor but he could not get a glimpse of her face because the giant book she was reading screened it- which was quite odd since no one ever saw her reading a book in the class.

Meanwhile, on the other side was Abegail who was staring at the book called ‘The profundities of non-existence’ with dull eyes- eyes which screamed ‘I want to die’ on repeat.

The students found the pin-drop silence of the class deafening. Isabella was covering her mouth, barely holding back her laughter. Adrian too was amused.

“Instructor, what’s so interesting in that ‘open’ book that you keep looking at it? Will you keep reading it ‘everyday’.” Adrian stood up.

Abegail dropped the book on the desk and stood up.

“No. No. No. Definitely not. Why would I?” She panicked.

She looked at the weird looks her students were giving and blushed. She wanted to hide away somewhere and cry. But she somehow managed to compose herself.

“Ahem. I just found the book very intriguing and couldn’t stop reading. Let’s go on with the class, shall we?” She began to walk around and speak.

“This will be your last day as first years. What you were taught this year was just for building your foundation- whether be it in your compulsory courses or optional courses. Next year, the courses will be more advanced and of course, more difficult. So, prepare yourself.” She avoided eye contact as much as possible, especially with Dolf Ironcross.

“All of you might have already known by now that there is an event in the second year called the ‘Jungle Stroll’. It is compulsory for everyone to participate once. It happens 5 times a year and everyone can choose when to participate. It is a survival event where you will have to stay in the forest for a month. Beware, there has been deaths before.”

Many of the students, though they already knew of this before, gulped.

“Even though you can choose when to participate, I would suggest the tier 4 students and those who are confident enough to check in as early as possible. If you become too strong, the training will lose its meaning. Understood?” For the first time, she looked at a student intentionally.

Adrian smiled in return.

The class ended. Everyone except three left. A minute later, Isabella got up and closed the classroom doors, and locked them. This action became a habit of hers somewhere in the last three months.

Abegail sighed; she was already used to it. She began to think of what he might do to her today.

“Relax, I won’t be doing anything today.”

This statement scared Abegail even more. She knew that even his ‘mercy’ had an ulterior motive.

“Don’t worry, I don’t have an ulterior motive this time. I just want you to send a message to your mother.”

She still doubted it.

“And if the orders on the message are not followed thoroughly, I will ‘punish’ both you and your mother. Publicly.”

Now, she believed it.

******

A month passed. It became difficult to see anything past the whiteness of the landscape. The piles of snow on the ground became even thicker. There were no more birds flying in the sky, no more stridulating of crickets at the dark of night. It was the beginning of a ‘frigid year’.

A large caravan of carriages were being pulled by strong horses. At the vanguard was a riding fire circler, melting all the snow in the path through fiery spells.

Behind him was a carriage in which sat 4 students and an instructor. Among the students, the one with the best looks was the odd one out; the others were the top three contestants of last year’s tournament.

Nevertheless, none dared to underestimate Adrian. Especially, Sirius Blue- who did not even dare to make eye contact with him. The instructor who was with them was none other than instructor Serene.

Serene was not a name, it was more of a title she acclaimed. No, it was not because of her personality; those who knows the true story knows that- it was because of the nature of her kills. She was arguably the deadliest assassin of the Academy.

Even though she wore a fur coat, both of her legs were completely exposed along with her cleavage. But this did not disturb anyone except the overly noble Dolf Ironcross.

“Adrian.”

Adrian heard a feminine voice. He looked towards the source- it was the princess of the Recruz Kingdom, Cornelia De Recruz. Though her traits were similar to most other humans in the continent- black hair and brown eyes, she would stand out anywhere thanks to her exquisite beauty and royal demeanour.

“May I know why Isabella did not participate this time?” Her voice was graceful, befitting of a princess.

The other passengers peaked their ears.

“She is focusing on absorption.” His answer was direct.

“Oh!” She looked down. Isabella was one of the friends she made in the Academy. Though her motive was to form a connection with a future level 9 circler, their friendship grew genuine over time. Now, she felt quite lonely as none of the participants this time was a friend.

“We are almost there.” Instructor Serene said in a charming voice.

“The one in charge of the event this time is a trusted aide of the vice principal. I will protect you until you enter the forest. After that, you are on your own.” Adrian could hear her voice again.

He smiled in response, knowing the instructor was using a spell that could send secret messages.

They soon reached the outskirts of the Shalborn forest. It was at the western border of the Kingdom. This forest was shared between the Kingdom of Nemphis and the Northguard Kingdom.

The forest was quite large but the event would take place in a quarter of that are. Even then, the territory was quite broad.

The caravan reached the outpost. A small group of instructors welcomed the newcomers. The carriages were emptied as 14 students along with three instructors stepped out.

Adrian tightened the coat around himas he followed instructor Serene.

“Hey there, Sheila.” A tall and handsome man stepped out from the welcoming group.

“Greetings.” Instructor Serene bowed.

Adrian recognised the man, it was the same man who accompanied the vice principal the day he killed that earth circler.

The man looked at everyone of the students. He did not give anyone a second glance.

Adrian smiled at the man’s action- a smile which conveyed ‘enjoy the remaining days you have left.’

******

Somewhere in the Shalborn forest.

“Lieutenant, we got the message. He is here.”

“Good, we will strike tonight. Any questions?”

“Sir, do we really need five level 6 circlers and a level 7 to kill a 17 year old?” Another one said.

“Heh. The captain himself wanted to partake in this mission. But he is assigned somewhere else. Do you understand how important this mission is now?”

“Understood.”

“Remember. Whatever you do, don’t underestimate the target. We have already faced losses in his hands, we don’t need to shed any more blood unnecessarily.”

Five foots stomped on the ground at the exact same time.

“Good. Ready your weapons. The braves of the forgotten company, we march forth!”