Deputy club president Jenia frowned at the sight of the smoke.
Using elental fire magic in such a place it couldve spread to everything
Lilith quietly stood up again, brushing the dust and dirt off her clothes, ready to fight once more.
In contrast to the timid and passive impression she had left in my mory, she was now calm and resolute.
She must have been focusing on her training while out of sight.
Hey, freshman, do you know her?
No, I dont.
Jenia spoke as if to say there was no cause for alarm.
A training exercise? Then we dont need to interfere. Once shes tired and lies down, theyll stop attacking on their own.
Its the nature of Plantaras not to bother soone who is incapacitated. Although she looked a bit worn out, there really was no need for us to get involved in soone elses training.
Yet, sothing felt off
There had definitely been a scream, but it did not co from Liliths direction.
As I thought this, a rending scream ca from the side.
Hey! Not there!
We all turned our heads simultaneously.
In the direction where the scream ca from, there was another group of Plantaras clustered together. They were carrying soone on their shoulders, heading into the forest. It was reminiscent of how incapacitated students were transported back to Eternia during the entrance exam.
The distance made it difficult to see faces, but judging from the golden hair and voice, it seed certain that it was Haley, the art club president.
A desperate cry echoed again.
Eek! Freshman! Over here, over here!
Jenia covered her mouth with her hand, chuckling, and said,
It seems the presidents final test is left. Go play with her. Ill take care of this magic departnt girl.
Imagining the art club president, who entrusted with the sword and was now desperately caught up in her role, almost made laugh.
Ill be back soon.
Suppressing a chuckle with a cough, I quickly drew the sword and sprinted toward where Haley was.
***
I chased after them fervently, but I couldnt catch up right away.
The Plantaras had carried Haley into the forest before I could reach them.
The initiation hadnt ended yet; I couldnt afford to handle this haphazardly.
Luckily, the Plantaras had left distinct footprints on the dirt ground because of their weight.
Following the footprints into the forest, I soon heard Haleys voice.
Freshman! Over here!
Chasing the sound led to the group of Plantaras carrying Haley.
Sohow, their number had increased to fifteen since I first saw them, and close up, they were slightly bigger than those wed encountered on the way to the flower hill.
I charged into the midst of them, and Haley urgently cried out.
Freshman! Stop! These are for interdiates!
As I drew near, a Plantara at the rear instinctively swung its arm, generating a whirring sound, and a nearby tree shattered with the impact.
The other creatures in the group, sensing my presence, turned around and assud a hostile stance.
The final test from the president seed to have increased in difficulty.
Five Plantaras from the rear closed in on at once. I imdiately backed away and moved erratically beside the trees, intending to draw them one by one for dispatching.
Eek! Freshman! Dont co. Youll get hurt!
I swung my sword at the shin of the first Plantara that charged at . It took two slices to cleanly sever it. As it lost balance and toppled, I took the opportunity to cut off an arm. Like this, I dispatched the five Plantaras that I had lured.
Approaching the group again, all but the one carrying Haley rushed at .
Freshman! Youll get hurt if youre surrounded! Hand the sword!
After evading a couple of Plantara attacks, I found myself completely encircled.
Going on the offensive was difficult. The sword itself was excellent, but it felt awkward in my hand.
I had no issues with the arms. However, the legs were thick, and when I tried to slice them off in one go, the blade would often get stuck halfway through.
I dodged attacks coming from every direction. Fragnts of broken tree roots and gravel flew around noisily.
As I moved swiftly, any opening would be exploited to shave off ankles across two or three attempts. One creature lost an ankle and tilted, tangling with another beside it.
I had let habit take over without realizing it in the urgent situation. So of them I handled as usual, wedging the sword into the joints and snapping off just the connection points.
Six remained. As their numbers dwindled, the pace at which I dealt with the Plantaras accelerated.
Haley cried out again.
Hey! Throw the sword!
After completing the clear-out, I tossed the sword towards the last Plantara holding her.
The sword surged through, cutting off the ankles of the final one, and embedded itself into a tree trunk.
I rushed over and caught Haley as the Plantara tumbled.
It was done.
Only then could I be certain. I had passed.
Haley had been shouting so much that she was coughing while still in my arms.
I set Haley down on the ground and asked,
Are you alright?
What are you?
Have I passed the test?
She replied with an uncertain voice,
Did you know?
Deputy club president Jenia told .
She looked at wide-eyed and gazed quietly at the remains of the Plantaras. Her expression showed disbelief at what had happened. Then, as if suddenly realizing sothing, she grasped my arms.
But are you hurt? Who can catch all of them at once? I wouldnt do it so recklessly.
A surge of doubt flooded . Had I interpreted the test correctly?
Did I misinterpret the test?
She nodded affirmatively.
Yeah. You wouldve passed just by showing the courage to hand over the sword. Catching the Plantaras is my role.
Its amazing. You look like you would have been raised like a young master. Are you really a first-year?
***
On the way out of the forest, I had a long conversation with Haley.
I havent done sothing like this in a while. Instead of fighting, everyones been too scared and busy running away.
Suddenly she brightened up, smacking my forearm several tis enthusiastically as she continued,
Thanks to you, I really had fun for the first ti in ages. You were kind of cool. Passed! Passed!
My overzealous participation in the test had gotten Haley excited. Now the mood was one of full acceptance as a club mber.
I feel like Ive gained a mighty army. Ill worry less about the school competition now. You, dont go anywhere else, got it?
I have no other aspirations besides drawing.
Charming, so charming. Youre from Weisel, right? Ill give you a tour of the Empire during the break.
Ill consider it if the opportunity arises.
I tentatively asked about Pavela, who had helped find Liria before, and Haley burst into laughter.
Oh, her? Pavela had a hard ti because so guy who joined the art club on her recomndation suddenly confessed his love. There were even two of them. Once, can you believe it? While we were all painting, this guy suddenly stands up beside her, unrolls a scroll, and starts reciting a love ballad hed written. Can you imagine?
Its no wonder the girls are traumatized. I would have been wary too. You have to understand, given how sensitive she is.
Understood.
Erging back into the flower garden, we ca across Lilith, who was sitting atop the remnants of Plantaras, taking a break.
Oh dear, she must have had a bit of trouble with the Plantaras I lured.
So the nurous Plantaras had been personally lured by Haley. I had thought there was so sort of senior-only pheromone at play.
Lilith, whom I assud was training, must have been caught up in that without any clue.
She appeared drained and slumped, as if sothing had happened.
Fortunately, she didnt seem interested in , not sparing a second glance.
Haley approached Lilith and gently patted her shoulder.
Are you okay? Sorry about that. Co to the art club later. Ill fix you up and give you so potions.
Lilith bowed slightly in acknowledgnt and said,
No, its fine
Seeming uncomfortable with the situation, she weakly left.
***
The tumultuous first lesson at the art club was over.
I stood waiting in front of the entrance of the small theater where Trisha had told shed et at 6 p.m. Now that Id finished my tasks, it was ti for us to walk ho together.
The entrance to the small theater had a large sign that read No Entry for mbers of Other Clubs, so I couldnt just walk in.
There were quite a few people entering and leaving the theater. Perhaps the drama club hasnt finished yet. Each of them gave an attentive look as they passed. The gazes were subtly piercing.
After about ten minutes of waiting, the theaters door suddenly burst open with a noisy clatter of footsteps.
It was Trisha, looking sowhat disheveled as if she was in a hurry.
She ca outside, slamd the door shut, and leaned against it for a mont to catch her breath.
Still panting, she clung to and grabbed my shoulders tightly, saying,
Damian, you cant be here! Absolutely not, under any circumstances!
What now? She sounded desperate, as if Id committed so serious cri.
But you told to co here.
After calling out so loudly for to et her at the drama club
Lets talk about that later!
She pushed on my back, urging away from the theater.
She continued pushing towards a densely planted garden, away from the paths, and into the middle of a secluded area.
Trisha, calm down first
I tried to resist and stop, but Trisha kept pushing against my chest, causing to stumble over a tree root and fall into a seated position.
Trisha looked around quickly, as if she was searching for a pursuer, then crouched down between my legs.
Do you realize youre in huge danger right now?
?
Yes! I overheard the drama club seniors plotting to harass you. It was such a barbaric and unpleasant sche. Dont even think about showing up near the drama club from now on.
I struggled so hard to defend you! I tried so hard to persuade them to stop, but they wouldnt listen. If you werent my friend, I would have given up a long ti ago.
Why would the drama club want to do that to ?
Ill explain that later. For now, you should lay low.
It must be so kind of an prank. Not too concerned over it, but since I heard a similar story from an art club senior, I tentatively agreed.
Alright.
Accepting it without much resistance, Trisha sighed with relief. A sweet scent ca with her breath.
But whats that sll? Are you doing sothing besides drama?
Sll? What? Ah! Its because of this.
Trisha pulled out a fist-sized leather pouch.
From it, she took out a neatly cut piece of carrot.
Suddenly carrots?
Were practicing with fables because the first-years cant handle the complex roles. Im the rabbit.
Are you eating that to get into your rabbit role?
Yeah, sothing like that. Its Furikio Mountains Sweet Carrot. Its really sweet?
She took a bite and chewed it before offering it to .
Try so.
No, Im good
Trisha forcefully stuffed the piece she had bitten into my mouth and covered my lips with her palm.
Friends should share even a single bean.
Caught off-guard by the intrusion, Trisha soothed .
Chew well, there you go.
I chewed, albeit reluctantly and the taste was good. Unusually for a carrot, it was sweet and rich.
Trisha grinned bashfully, dimples forming, and then patted my hip soothingly as if comforting a baby.
There, good job.
I wasnt going to talk to you at all after this morning, but you listened well, so Ill let it slide.
She must be referring to this mornings incident. I still dont grasp the reason for her anger, but it seems best to just accept it without complaint.
Soon after, a female student urgently called out for her not far away.
Trisha! Where the hell have you been?
Trisha cringed as if startled and whispered into my ear.
Wheres the mask? The mask!
Its in my pocket.
She rummaged through my coat and placed the mask over my face.
Wear this and wait at the main gate. Ill be right there!
Trisha bolted through the bushes. A short while later, I could hear their voices.
Sis! Shes over here.
Trisha, you said your friend was around here, where did they go?
Their voices gradually faded into the distance. I listened quietly to them.
I dont know. Maybe they left because they were tired of waiting.
Really? What a sha. I wanted to with them
Their words beca too distant to make out completely. Trisha raised her voice.
No way! That person doesnt like that sort of thing, sis!
What sort of thing? Maybe eh?
No! They like soone pure as snow with long hair right.
What? They like that kid? Are they into?
No not really
Its simpler with guys once they get a taste they beco addicted
Eww, no
I wish Trisha wouldnt spread strange rumors about .
I leaned against a tree for a mont, feeling odd.
What is this feeling? Todays events seem like so bizarre play.
Its as if everyone but has the script, and Im the sole audience in this performance.
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